Cure For The Common Universe by Christian McKay Heidicker

Gordon Jack

Plot Summary

For the first time in his young adult life, Jaxon has made a girl laugh. Unfortunately for him, he secures a date with the girl on the same day his dad commits him to video game rehab. Now he must find a way to earn enough points to exit the program so he can hook up with this stranger who may actually like him. Problem is, there are people at the rehab camp who Jaxon has pissed off, either online or in person, and want to see him fail. Now he must see if he can level up in the real world as well as he can in the game world.

Critical Evaluation

I gave this book to my 14-year-old, game-obsessed son and he actually put down the Xbox controller to read the book. Twice. For this reason, I was very intrigued and read the book with interest. Heidicker understands the gaming world well, but more importantly, he understands teens. His characters are all wonderfully flawed and trying their best to improve their lives and relationships with others. The story has a lot of great twists and unexpected surprises that kept me thoroughly entertained. A funny and moving story that I recommend wholeheartedly.

Mexican Whiteboy by Matt de la Pena

Alicia Arellano


Plot Summary
This book is about a boy named Danny who visits his dad's family in National City. When he gets there he has trouble making friends and he hangs out with his cousin Sofia and her friends. When he gets there he is a really shy person and he doesn't know anybody besides his cousin Sofia and her friends.

Excerpt
" He's Mexican, because his family's Mexican, but he's not really Mexican. His skin is dark like his grandma's sweet coffee, but his insides are as pale as the cream she mixes in. Danny holds his pencil above the paper, thinking : I'm white boy among Mexicans, and a Mexican among white boys.''
   
Critical Evaluation 
This book deserves a 10 out 10 because it talks about how a boy doesn't know any Spanish and he has to go with his dad family in National City, a city where most Mexicans live. He has  to try to make new friends but he is a really shy boy who only talks to his cousin Sofia at first and then after he starts talking to other people.

Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina

Gordon Jack

Plot Summary
It's 1977 and New York City is in chaos. A record heat wave is scorching everyone. Arsonists are burning buildings for the insurance. A serial killer named Son of Sam is killing young couples kissing in cars. And then there's a city wide blackout. Amidst all this, Nora struggles with her own crises. Her mom just got laid off from work, her father spends all his time (and money) with his new family, and her brother is becoming increasingly violent and abusive. Can she keep her family together, while the city seems to be falling apart?

Critical Evaluation
This historical novel from Meg Medina is easily a 10 out of 10. I don't know which was more engaging: being taken back in time to one of the worst summers in New York history, or taken into Nora's chaotic family. The city's and Nora's troubles keep escalating with every page, making this a suspenseful and completely satisfying read. Nora is such a strong and sympathetic character, I wanted to see her succeed despite the odds against her.

The Merciless by Danielle Vega

Ana Favela

Plot summary:

A girl named Sofia Flores is new in town. On the first day of school the popular girls ask her to sit with them during lunch. She figures out that the girls are religious and they think that one of their ex best friends is possessed because she goes rebel. They try helping Brooklyn but in a cruel way.

Excerpt:

“ She lunges forward, grabbing a chunk of Riley’s face between her teeth. Riley’s horrified screams cuts the silence. Brooklyn’s lips are coated with red when she pulls away. She spits and a blood covered chunk of skin slides across the concrete floor.”

Critical Evaluation:

This book is a 10 out of 10 because it describes the scenes in detail. It gives you a clear image in your head about the scenes.

Final Crisis by Grant Morrison

Raul Villasenor

Plot Summary: 
This book is about Superman and The Justice League trying to find out who is trying to kill them. New enemies appear from another dimension and try to control people and attack the superheroes. As they struggle to defeat the enemy they see their partners go down.

Critical Evaluation:
I give this book a 7/10 because overall it was good but towards the end it was boring. There was lots of action throughout the book.

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.

Goth Girl Rising by Barry Lyga

Antonio Sanchez Ortiz 

Plot Summary:
This book is set 6 months after The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Gothgirl, but instead of it being The Fanboy”s perspective, it is Kyra's perspective (Goth Girl). Kyra throughout the story is plotting her revenge against Fanboy since she believes that he never wrote her or tried to communicate with her while she was away in Maryland Mental Health Unit. Throughout the story we also see her changing to find who she really is.

Quote:
“As angry as I was at Fanboy, as much as I hated him, I still cared about Schemata . So I called him that night and I told him what was wrong with it, and I thought that was going to be it, but...God! Eff him! Eff him!”(51)
This quote shows how Kyra hates Fanboy deeply but still cares about the comic book that he made, so her feelings seem to be a mess at this scene of the story.

Critical Evaluation:
This book would be 10/10. It keeps you on your toes wanting to know more about what is happening and the character development of Kyra is one of the best I’ve seen. It also has plenty of things we can relate to as teenagers. Also had many humorous moments and twists to keep the story enticing.