The Nix by Nathan Hill

Antonio Sanchez Ortiz

Plot Summary:

This book takes place during different time periods, the 1960s,1980s, and 2011. We also have different perspectives of different people throughout the book who all have different problems. We see Samuel dealing with problems such finding out why who his mom really was, trying to earn the love of his childhood crush, and dealing with problems at his job as a teacher. While seeing his mom, Faye, deal with problems such as a dad that was never happy for her, finding real love, and fitting in with social norms.

Critical Evaluation:

This book deserves 9.8/10 since the many perspectives of people it gives us during the book. Also since we see how there is many subplots are connected onto the one big subplot of Samuel finding out more about his mom. We also get to see life during different time periods and many based things that happened in the book happened in real life like the 1968 protest of the democratic convention. Overall, this book this goes deep about issues about love, politics, and family, while keeping you wanting to read more.

The Art of Racing in The Rain By Garth Stein

Madeline Cruz

Plot Summary

The Art of Racing in The Rain is a novel told by the perspective of the family dog Enzo. Enzo talks about how great his life is, but soon comes to end when a disease comes in between his family.

Critical Evaluation

For this book I give it a 5 out of 5 stars because you really learn a lot from reading it from the perspective of a dog. You learn to value people more because you never know when it's going to be the last time you'll see them alive.

Spider from Mars my life with Bowie by Woody Woodmansey

 

Joseph Gomez-Garcia

 Plot Summary
This book mainly focuses on the author's early life and how he became a drummer. It starts off how the drummer Woody was a well-behaved school boy living in a small town in England. The town Woody lives in is full of hard working people that end up working in factories nearby and many of his friends drop out of school to go work. Woody is drumming in several bands and soon he leaves school to become a drummer. Shortly after he gets a call from David Bowie to join his band to tour and play in several albums. Woody recalls several memories with Bowie as well as fights they had in general. Most notably he even writes about his perspective onhow Bowie killed off Ziggy Stardust and broke up the band.

Critical evaluation 
I give this book a 10/10 because it was one of the best reads I've had! Any person who has rebelled against their parents can relate to the author's story . You also learn not to listen to your parents when it comes to expressing yourself .

Boomerang Effect by Gordon Jack

Haotian Jiang

Plot Summary
Lawrence Barry is a 16-years-old teenager boy who goes to Meridian high school in Silicon-Valley, California. He uses drugs to get high and get drunk in parties. His dad thinks his friends are "idiots" and is often disappointed in Lawrence because he always gets in trouble at school. When Lawrence is assigned as a mentor for a freshman after a conference with the teachers, he realizes that he needs to change his old lifestyles.


Excerpt

“I had been involved in enough ‘incidents’ in my two years at Meridian that we could go on like this all day” (Page 6) The quote reflects Lawrence's lifestyles during high school, he always causes troubles, and the school Principal hates him.

Critical Evaluation 
I give this book a 10 out of 10 because the main character Lawrence Barry is a really interesting character. Lawrence was miserable and had a messy life when he was around his old crew, but when the Principal threatens to sent him to Quiet Haven, he knows that he needs to start to put his life together. This book is good for readers who likes to read books that has humor and it is about teenagers. I really like this book because some of the things that happened in the book actually related to me, and instead of feeling embarrassed, I actually found it to be fun and encouraging.

A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer

Joseph Gomez-Garcia

Plot summary 
A Child Called It is a book written by Dave Pelzer in which he recounts  the abuse he had to undergo by his own mother on a daily basis. Young Dave would go days without eating and would sleep on the cold concrete floor in the garage . Dave's only source of food was at school where he had to steal lunches. The abuse ranged from several punches in the face, being forced to eat regurgitated food and spoonfulls of ammonia.

Excerpt
" Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun , not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul . Inside my soul become so cold and I hated everything "

Critical evaluation 
This book is a must read because it is a very engaging and descriptive book. It also has several parts  that are very unexpected. It deserves a 10 out of 10 because it is one of the few books I've read and liked.

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Madeline Cruz 

Summary:
This book is about a suicidal teenage boy who goes into his senior year trying to finish high school as fast as possible. His dad is a total bully, his best friend is dating his sister, and the love of his life doesn’t even know he exists. But everything changes once he gets to school and people see he has changed. He’s bigger, smarter, and even badder, making the love of his life take a second look. But there’s one problem, Bethany’s brother doesn’t seem to happy to see him.

Excerpt:
“I was so desperate to make this night happen, I took the school bus home. The upperclassmen stared at me like I had lost my mind. I nearly told them I had an almost date with Bethany Milbury ( I’ll see you tonight, right?) but that would have tempted the fate, so I scowled at them instead.”

Critical Evaluation:
I liked the book because it made me wonder what would happen next each time I stopped reading. The author really made the book have some really intense parts which really grabbed my attention.This book deserves a 8 out of 10 stars because at times there would be boring parts where it wouldn’t get my attention as much as how the intense parts of the book did.

Boot Camp By Todd Strasser

Bryant Cruz

Plot Summary

Garrett is a young teen who was kidnapped one night buy some agents who work for a camp called Lake Harmony. There they beat up the kids to straighten them out. Garrett is tired of it so he  and two friends plan an escape. However, Garrett gets caught and goes back to Lake Harmony. His parents come and see him and find out what they have done to Garrett throughout his time being there. How would you feel if you found out you parents sent people to kidnap you and take you away?

Critical Evaluation
I would rate this book 8/10, because the plot was very interesting, but the ending was slightly disappointing. After all good details and this book give's you something to think about. It makes you wonder if you could even handle being in a boot camp.

Deadly little secret series by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Ruby Cecilia Herrera

Plot Summary:

Camelia Hammond has yet to understand and control her power of psychometry. While struggling with both her school and secret life she has to figure out where and how she got her powers. When she figures out that she is not the only one with these powers her life becomes even more challenging. Will she be able to overcome the struggle?

Critical Evaluation:

From 1-10 I give it a 10 because this series is so addicting. Once you read one book you can't help it but to reading the next one and so on. If you like secrets, drama, suspense, and love then this is the book for you.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Brandon Flores

Book Summary:

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green is a romantic book/movie about a girl named Hazel Grace and a boy named Augustus Waters who meet up at a support group for people who have fought cancer and now share their stories. Augustus Waters starts to feel some type of way towards Hazel and Hazel feels like if she gets too close to him it won't be right because she feels like a grenade that would explode at anytime. They later plan a trip to go to Amsterdam to meet a famous book author to ask him questions about a book that she loves and after they go and have dinner together then spend the rest of their day at the park to talk and see the stars. Do you think that it will end up as a happy or sad ending between to two?

Critical Evaluation:

I would rate this book 10/10 being one of the best books I have read. This book a great topic about Live and Relationships because of what the two have been through and try to find the right person. There are some plot twists that would have you wanting to read more until you get what was said.

A child called it by Dave Plezer

A child called it by Dave Pelzer

Joseph Gomez

Plot Summary 

A Child Called It is about a boy named Dave who is horribly abused by his mother.  The abuse consists of starvation. She even locked him in a room and he was forced to inhale bleach and ammonia. Throughout  the series, we experience his perspective and how the abuse affects him as he gets older.  

                   

Critical Evaluation 

I would rate this 10/10. In my opinion I really enjoyed this book   It shows the consequences of alcoholism and how it changes the way you act towards some people. It is really sad to see how someone could be so cruel to an innocent child.        

Always Running By Luis Rodriguez

Alexia Gonzalez

Plot Summary: This book is about a teen who got into the gang life in the streets at a very young age. He talks about all the struggles he went through trying to fit in with the gangs, and his struggles of trying to find his true belonging. He really struggled getting his life back together after the gang life. He dedicated it to his son, and any other teens struggling what he went through.

Critical Evaluation: I would give this book a 9.5 out of 10. It really shows all the struggles that people go through in gangs. I really like how when he's telling his story he's not being a hypocrite about and telling kids, don't join gangs because this will happen, he says it in a way that his story will inspire teens to take a different path in their life.

Forever My Lady by Jeff Rivera

Alexia Gonzalez 

Book Summary:
In this book, a gangster gets sent to a correctional facility, while his girlfriend is being held at a hospital for an injury that occurred. Later the couple finds out that they're expecting a baby. However, their parents are not accepting of their relationship at all. This causes many problems for their future. But will they put their differences aside for this new baby coming into the world?

Critical Evaluation: 
I give this book a a 9/10 because it was very interesting, it wasn't just a book where they say something, and don't give a good background on it, its not a book where something like this never happens because there is people that are in jail and that have an unsupportive family. It gives a taste of what its like to have a loved one in jail and what its like to be in jail and have family on the outside that doesn't support you.

Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys

Mariana Solis

Book Summary :
When fifteen year old Lina is taken away from her house in 1941, she is departed from her family. Lina is deported to Siberia and is sentenced to life in a death camp. Even through all her suffering she manages to keep hold onto strength and hope. She uses her skills in art to communicate with her father and hopes that one day she will be able to feel his warm hugs again. Throughout Lina's life journey, she holds on to the strength and love she has left in order to keep her family alive. While in camp she meets a boy who will help her survive. Will her hope and love for her family and friend keep her alive long enough to see the day when she is freed?

Critical Evaluation:
I would rate this book a 9/10. This book has a perfect amount of suspense and drama. It shows how despite the condition you are in, family always sticks together. This book is great for people who like reading stories of those who were victims of the holocaust. It lets you feel what they felt while being captive.

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

Wendy Nieves

Book Summary:
A girl named Remy just graduated from high school. 2 weeks into her summer vacation, she had to help her mom plan her fifth marriage. Remy her self wasn't good with relationships either, she was never really good with serious relationships, because she has a checklist in what she wants her perfect boyfriend to be like. But Soon enough she met Dexter  who doesn't follow her list but She cant stop thinking about him. Is Dexter the one ? Is she falling in love with him?


Critical Evaluation:
I would rate this book a 10/10 because it really grabs you attention from the beginning, and keeps you hooked throughout the whole book. It has a lot of drama that a lot of teenagers can relate to. There is a lot of romance and famliy conflicts, you will not be able to put the book down. There is also a little of suspense, and a lot of plot twist.

The Third Twin by CJ Omololu

Carlos Diaz

Plot Summary

This book is about a girl named Lexi, and her identical twin named Ava whom persist messing with their childhood made up sister. They named the third sister Alicia, and when Lexi and Ava cause trouble, they point to Alicia. Now they're in high school, and the girls use Alicia for dating guys and do things they would never think of doing otherwise. It's all fun and games until one of the guys that Lexi and Ava go out with using the identity of Alicia winds up murdered, and the DNA evidence found by the police leads to Alicia. The made up third twin. Both girls claim that they have done nothing wrong, but the investigators believe otherwise. Lexi and Ava decide to keep using Alicia identity when the cops arrive at their door hoping that it will pass away soon, and someone is simply pulling a sick joke, or it was a mistaken identity to whom the traffic ticket to a car that neither of them own is issued to. Who could the killer be? Is there a chance that the triplet does exist?

Critical Evaluation

I would rate this book a 10/10. This book would be deserving of this rating, because this book has a perfect amount of suspense and mystery, and has a great pace for a mystery. This book will have any mystery book lover wanting to read faster in order to figure out along with the character "who done it." This book will keep any reader intregued, because of the many plot twist, and unpredictable ending. This book uses lots of efficient techniques such as foreshadowing and builds up suspence, without giving away too much. It also has a great balance of funny moments and romance on the side.

Tonight street are ours

I do recommend this book to be read with your best friend.The book gives you examples of how not everyone you know can be a good influence in your live.It makes you realize that you shouldn't let a guys come in between your friend ship that has been together for so long. this book is about two girls who are best friends the have known each other since the were little the have always grown up thinking that they would buy a house and live together with their boyfriends.But they let a boy come between that thinking. When the boy came along the started describe ring little secrets they have been hiding a away,and also the have been noticing that they don't have similar interest as the thought the had.They struggle to find ways to make their friendship strong but the guy they are fighting for make it impossible.

We Should Hang Out Sometime By: Josh Sunddquist

Maria Ortega

Plot Summary

In We Should Hang Out Sometime, by Josh Sundquist, the main character Josh is now 25 and realizes that he has never had a girlfriend. So he decides to get in contact with all his old crushes to figure out what went wrong. In seeking answers he hopes that they will say that his disability was the main reason why it didn't work out. But he soon realizes that he is the one who isn't OK with him being an amputee. After finally accepting the fact that he was the only one who couldn't handle this painful truth, he goes to a club with friends and then he sees her...The girl that may be the one who will own his heart forever.

Critical Evaluation
I rate this book a 10 out of 10. It was not only hilarious but also relatable. Since it is a true story, its even more fascinating how many true experiences he was open up to tell and share with us. There are times where all you want to do is just keep reading to find out what happened on his dates. Not to mention, all of us at one point in the book look back on our past experiences with our very own failed love interests and get to say "YES, I'm not the only one".  So I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Wise Young Fool by Sean Beaudoin

Carlos Diaz

Plot Summary

Wise Young Fool is a book about a teenage rock group that is in preparation for what could be their big break. Unfortunately, the main character gets arrested instead of becoming famous. Jump forward to 2013 and Ritchie and Elliot decide that they could form a rock band and compete in "Rock Scene 2013." Will they win Rock Scene 2013, or all hope be lost for their rock band?

Critical Evaluation

On a scale from one to ten, this book would rate a 7/10. This book does very well in narrating important and specific events that help advance the story. This book however does not really include a tension based factor that would lead to wanting to read faster. The plot is predictable, and but there are some interesting parts that demonstrate difficult situations to get out of, that help us learn about more about the main character.

Speaker For The Dead by Orson Scott Card

Erick Arias

Plot Summary:
Speaker For The Dead is the sequel to Ender's Game. It takes place after the genocide of the bugger race, and Andrew Wiggin, aka Ender, is held responsible. In this story a new alien species is discovered; they're nicknamed the "piggies" because their faces appear to be the face of a pig. Just like the buggers, their alien ways are frightening. Ender bravely tries to find the truth as a speaker for the dead.

Critical Evaluation:
I give this book a 9/10. The story is very interesting, and how the whole plot of the story is based upon just getting information about the new alien species. There is a lot back story that describes how the aliens came to be.

I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

Jodye Rivera

Plot Summary
Judy and Noah are inseparable from a young age. As they grow their relationship starts to drift until it's non-existent. They both go through a lot for their relationship to get to this point. This story is told from both Noah and Judy's perspective switching off every chapter, Noah in the younger teen years and Judy in the older teen years. Each chapter adds to the mystery of why the two stopped talking. Now the issue is: Will they get their relationship back?

Critical Evaluation 
I would give this an 8 out of 10. This is a very good book it gets dull at moments and it feels like it's dragging along. Regardless, it still gets you to keep reading because you want to know what is happpening or is going to happen.