Reviewed By: Trina N.
By: Stephen Crane
Rating: It was alright...
This was a book I had to read for my English class. It's about a teenager named Henry who goes to war because he wants to feel the glory of fighting. He has an image that soldiers are brave and always being honored for fighting. When he gets into battle and combat, however he feels scared and realizes that fighting in the war is terrifying. The story is mostly and coming of age story and facing reality. I like the concept and the main idea of this story. However, it's very hard to read as it's written in older English and not something I'm used to reading.
I would recommend this to: Anyone who likes war stories
Reviewed By: Trina N.
By: Ayumi Komura
Rating: It was amazing!
This story revolves around the daughter of a pastry chef and the son of a sushi chef. Hanayu, the daughter of a famous pastry chef, wants to become a sushi chef and Hayato, son of a prestigious sushi chef, wants to become a pastry chef! They both go to the same high school together and Hanayu knows that her parents will be very upset if she reveals that she wants to make sushi instead of bake cakes. However, she thinks that if she marries Hayato, then her parents will understand her decision. What better way to impress someone is with one's cooking skills? I enjoyed this book because while it has its side of romance, there is a lot of comedy. The art style is very typical of a shoujo manga. This manga is also unique because the author discusses food with the story and there are even tips on cooking.
I would recommend this to: Anyone over 13
Reviewed By: Trina N.
By: Fuka Mizutani
Rating: It was amazing!
This is a story about a boy and a girl who are both fourteen years old. They both act mature in front of their classmates and are admired by their friends. However, when they are not at school, the two childhood friends show their inner childish side as average fourteen-year olds and how they experience the start of adolescence and bitter pangs of first love. I really like this book because there aren't many stories about two teens as young as fourteen years old that are in love. It is not only a light, fresh love story but has its mix of comedy school life as well.
I would recommend this to: Anyone older than 13
Reviewed By: Aimee E.
By: Suzanne Nelson
Rating: It was amazing!
This book is about a girl whose parents get divorced and that she has to live with her dad,older stepsister, and her newborn stepsister. She moves into this new town with her dad which she has a new home, new school, and new friends. The story starts off at a valentines day party with her stepsister, but she doesn't know anyone,so she wonders around the block and then sees a sign that says, "Enter for taste samples". So then she enters the bakery then she starts a conversation with this cute guy and at the same age as her. Once she leaves the bakery and then gets home, the next week of school she sees a sign looking for a frog princess,and meet at a bakery on Valentines day. That's when the story and romance adventure begins. :)
I would recommend this to: Anyone who likes romance books.
Reviewed By: Sarah M.
By: Shaun David Hutchinson
Rating: Really liked it
This book is about a gay boy who blames himself for the deaths of his family and lives secretly where his family dies. He has a comic book that he bases off himself intentionally. 'Andrew' has friends there who both have cancer, whom love each other, but don't want to, because what's the point? They think they're going to die. One day another gay boy who's a victim of severe bullying lands in the hospital. 'Andrew' can't keep his eyes off of him.
"The five stages of Andrew Brawley" by Shaun David Hutchinson is a very good book that really makes you think and steals your heart. It not only made me laugh, but almost made me bawl. The only thing I disliked is just that wasn't just about 'Andrew' and the other male, but that was just how the author wrote it, so I can't really complain.
I would recommend this to: Anyone who isn't homophobic.
Reviewed By: Trina N.
By: Frommer's
Rating: It was amazing!
This is a cute, little pocket-sized book packed with common Chinese and English phrases you will need when traveling. The phrases have pinyin, or Chinese pronunciation so you can say it correctly with the right tones. I'm learning Chinese for about a year now and I really think this book is useful for people who are learning Chinese. However, this book wouldn't be very useful if you were not learning Chinese at all, considering you don't know how to use tones in speaking yet.
I would recommend this to: People who are learning Chinese and want to travel.
Reviewed By: Avery W.
By: H. G. Wells
Rating: It was amazing!
In this classic novel, written by one of the three founding fathers of science fiction, a brave and curious inventor (known only as the Time Traveler) uses his newly-created Time Machine to see what the world is like in the future. Once there, he encounters what is left of the human race and has several thrilling adventures. "The Time Machine" was first published in 1895, causing many modern people to complain that it's dated or even lame when compared to today's science fiction, but I highly disagree. This is a fascinating, haunting book, consisting of what I consider to be a perfect mix of philosophical themes and adventure. The fact that it was written in the Victorian era just makes it even better!
I would recommend this to: Everyone. It's one of those books that we should all read at least once in our lives.
Reviewed By: Rodolfo T.
By: David Levithan
Rating: It was amazing!
This book was great i loved how he woke up everyday in a new body. This book was amazing and very intresting i absolutly recomend this book.
I would recommend this to: People who love books about romance.
Reviewed By: Trina N.
By: Amy Tan
Rating: It was amazing!
This story focuses on four Chinese immigrant families who play mahjong for money and feast of various foods. They name their gathering the Joy Luck Club. The story consists of sixteen interlocking stories about the lives of four Chinese immigrant mothers and their four American-born daughters. I really love this book because nowadays I'm into stories about Asian American girls and how their stories are unique from other childhood stories. Some of the stories are very touching, while others are more bold.
I would recommend this to: Anyone over 14.
Reviewed By: Trina N.
By: Cara Chow
Rating: It was amazing!
Takes place in the late 1990s in San Fransisco. This story is about a Chinese girl named Francis who lives with her mother. Her mother is very strict as she pushes Francis to get into UC Berkely and become a doctor so Francis can take care of her mother. Francis is okay with her mother's wishes. However, when Francis stumbles across a speech class, she realizes that speech is her hidden talent and that she can use words for power. And for once, Francis thinks about her own opinions. I really love this book because I'm an Asian American and I can relate to Francis about the pressure about getting good grades and getting into a good college. I highly recommend this book.
I would recommend this to: Anyone over 13. Asian-American girls especially.
