Dear Justyce

Dear Ms. Stone,

I wanted to take the time to thank you and tell you how amazing your books were. I first read Dear Martin as a choice book for my English class. I wasn't very interested in the book at first, but after reading a few pages, I grew a connection to Justyce, even though our lives are very different.

Justyce is not like a lot of the teenagers I know today: he didn't smoke weed or sell drugs, and he wasn’t affiliated with any gang. He was a smart kid who got good grades and cared deeply about his loved ones. I was highly impressed by Justyce. He knew how to keep his cool around police officers, he had a set plan for his future, and on top of that, he lived in a ghetto and was able to make it to a prestigious college. Justyce had great grades, family and friends, and a teacher who actually cared about him. With all that positivity Justyce had, he still had to encounter negativity in the form of racism. I can relate to Justyce because even though our lives are very different, it feels the same. Everything was going great in his life: he just got accepted into college and got his girlfriend, then boom his friend Manny gets killed by a police officer. I can relate to this because my friend also got shot because of senseless hate at a time when everything was going good for me. Justyce was a role model with everything that happened to him; he still looked outward into the future to better his life and then used what he learned to help Quan's life.

Vernell Laquan Banks, also known as ¨Quan,¨ wasn't like Justyce: he stole, smoked weed, sold drugs, and was failing school. Most people would look at Quan and automatically assume he is a bad person. Quan and Justyce did live in the same neighborhood but went to different schools and hung with different people. I can relate to Quan even more than Justyce: Quan´s father was arrested when he was young, and my dad left before I was born, so I feel a connection just from that. We both didn't have positive male figures growing up. In Dear Justyce, Quan is arrested for a murder he did not commit, and he sat in jail for over a year for it. I understand what he was going through: I have been to jail three times, each time scarier than the last. It felt like I was suffocating under water with no life jacket, so I knew how Quan felt: lonely and hopeless. Quan is an inspiration to a lot of kids like me. Quan showed me that just because I went down the wrong road doesn't mean I can't turn around on the next one. He never stopped fighting: he got his diploma and got out of jail. Today I am working on my diploma and am only a few credits away. Just like Quan, I won´t stop until I have it. 

Thank you, Nic Stone, for sharing these amazing stories with me; they touched my heart and showed me a little more of the world we live in. I can't wait for the next book!!!

True Crime

True Crime by Nicholas Yapp had written about different crimes from kidnapping to homicides. I have not read any of his other books but this one is like an informative book. This book was really interesting because I am really interested in crimes that have gone big, like Ted Bundy. The genre would be non fiction. The book has different stories so I wouldn't really know what would be the theme.

The book is different. You don't find many books that tell different stories on serial killers and kidnappers and many more. It is about different lives being taken away by people that were sick in the head. The book has stories about mobsters and gang leaders such as Al Capone. A story that stuck with me was the Black Dahlia because nobody has found the killer yet and the case went cold. Another was Bonnie and Clyde, they were so in love that Bonnie did whatever Clyde and that cost them their lives. There are 2 more stories that have me thinking. Its Emmett Till and Robert Yummy Sandifer. These are stuck with me because they are both young African American boys that have had their lives taken away from them. The difference is that Emmett was killed for false accusations and Robert was killed by his own friends. A textual evidence that intrigued me was in the beginning of the story of Charles Manson, a prison report said that when he was 17 he was “A slick institutionalized youth, dangerous, should not be trusted across the street.” 

I liked the book, but I wished that it was longer on the stories. It was very informative even though the stories are short. This book is for readers that are interested in learning about serial killers or mobsters. I believe that if you're interested in stuff like that then you would like the book, you just would hate the fact that you are really into a story and its not long at all. I would read this book as soon as I hear about it because it is very good and informative. It might not be long but its something to read about and acknowledge it.

Book Review by Nadiyah A.

Whatever Happened to Megan Marie

Whatever happened to Megan Marie By Anne Schraff. Anne Schraff has written some of the popular Bluford books. Many of Anne Schraff's books are relatable to teenager’s everyday life. Like peer pressure growing pains and relationships. Whatever happened to Megan Marie is about a teenage girl who lives with her mom and abusive dad, her dad offers her gifts to keep her quiet about the abuse toward her mother. The genre is a mystery due to Megan's disappearance.

The book Whatever Happened to Megan Marie is about a young girl who runs away from an abusive household. Leaving many people close to her confused, like her teacher Cathy who actually sets out to find Megan or any clues trying to figure out why she (Megan) has disappeared.  Throughout the book Cathy and Megan have a good relationship, she is someone she can trust and Cathy shows real concern for Magen and Don a guy she has interest in but she ruined it for herself with her attitude acting stuck up. When Megan disappeared, Cathy went searching for her (Megan) like going to the Kane’s home asking if they knew anything about her disappearance. 

I personally enjoyed the book because I like reading things that keep me on my toes. This book targets people who have had similar experiences. It could help someone reach out and possibly seek help. I recommend someone to read this book because it's one book that I actually read and makes you feel different emotions and it's interesting. 

Book Review by Kelly L.

Black Lotus

K’WAN is an amazing urban fiction author. I’ve only read one other book by him but he has yet to disappoint. The book Black Lotus is about a detective who’s strict on the word justice. He views the world as us vs. them trying to rid his city of the “scum” criminals who only populate the streets with drugs and violence; he says he is only balancing out the scales though. 

Detective wolf struggles a lot with his past he could never keep a partner and his only friend is his captain. Detective wolf thinks his way is the better way, Instead of playing by the rules he makes his own which leads him into trouble with his sergeant.  When his only friend is in dire need of help, he jumps at the chance to help him, that’s when the character vs. self and society come into play. He has to choose between the line of justice as a way to balance the scales or simply letting things “takes it course” either way Detective Wolf still has a hard decision to make. Detective wolf will have to dig through the past in order to help his only friend. 

I like the book because it’s intriguing like a movie. It keeps you on your toes, it also engages the reader into the book while leaving you wanting to read more after one page. The ideal audience for this book is young black teens or people who’ve grown up in an urban setting although it could move on to other audiences the ideal audience for me would be black teens who grew up in an urban setting. I would highly recommend this book it is a very good book it cuts right to the chase while also building the suspense.

Book Review by Armani M.

Be More Chill

Be More Chill is recommended at the end of Ned Vizzini’s other book called It’s Kind of a Funny Story. As at the end of Be More Chill; It’s Kind of a Funny Story is recommended. Those books were published by Ned Vizzini himself, but they were republished after his death in 2013. There is also another book that is in the same theme of Be More Chill and It’s Kind of a Funny Story. It is called Teen Angst? Naaah... and they all have the same overall theme of being an awkward teen. Be More Chill is a science fiction, young adult book about Jeremy Heere and his way up the social hierarchy with the help of a mini computer in his brain: a squip. He does this in the interests of Christine, but it came with downfalls. Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini illustrates the social structure that happens in an environment and how it isn’t necessarily a good thing.  

Jeremy Heere is an average high-school teen that takes embarrassment to heart. Christine is his crush, he likes her a lot. This whole story kicks off because he doesn’t want to be seen as dorky. So his friend Micheal tells him about a mini computer that you swallow and it somehow makes you better at everything. So Jeremy on his quest to be “cooler” sets out to find this said computer and he does. It is called a squip. Jeremy becomes more distant towards his friend Micheal, mainly because the squip sees him as a loser. “I look back for Michael, but he’s gone. That was quick. Guess I’ll sort things out with him later” (Vizzini 117).  This leads to Jeremy finding out how to talk to girls and it isn’t the best thing. He starts to analyze how they look and he starts getting into trouble with a girl who has a boyfriend while he is tripping on ecstasy. But the central idea in this book is how being more noticable and being “cooler”, as the character would say, is not always the best thing because you can get into a lot of bad things. 

I genuinely like this book which is saying a lot because I normally don’t like sci-fi books, I find them a little cheesy at times. It was nice that it wasn’t mainly focused on sci-fi it was just a kid who happened upon something that could make him “better”. It also ties in the awkwardness of being a dorky teen which I really like. I would say this book is mainly targeted at kids at highschool age or people who just entered adulthood. I would say it’s also for people who like the main theme of young adult books, which is an awkward teen becoming more than just an awkward teen. Everyone should go out and read Be More Chill. It is honestly an amazing book that takes a look into a teens mind and how he doesn’t want to be seen as the dorky kid.

Book Review by Korryn C.

Tyrell

The book I read was called Tyrell and the author of the book was Coe Booth. The first book of Tyrell was about how his father left and his mom lost herself almost started to forget she had two kids. The second book continues the Tyrell story as his father gets out of jail. The genes of the series are fiction.

This book is about a 16 year old boy who was living well until his dad went to jail. Then his mom started to not care about anything when Tyrell dad went to jail. They got put out their house and has to live in a shelter Tyrol little brother is a smart 8 year old that’s in special Ed because he get money for it N his mom want the money,Novisha is Tyrell childhood who turned into his girlfriend but Jasmine the church girl that likes Tyrell but he do nothing but try to get out of the shelter just to find out his so called girlfriend Novisha has been cheating on him. For example “ I can't believe you played me.”(Booth 280).

I liked the book Tyrell simply because I like to read young adults' books. The book was written for young teens that maybe go through a rough time and think they can’t get through it or wanna give up. If you are into drama and relationship problems I recommend you read Tyrell and if you enjoy it read the Bronxwood.

Book Review by Shanice P.

Tyrell

Tyrell by Coe Booth is one of the best books I’ve read in awhile. I’ve actually read a book from the author Coe Booth before, which was Bronxwood but it was when I was younger (like 6th or 7th grade) so I didn’t really have the knowledge I have now to allow me to have an opinion of the book but It was a similar story like Tyrell, also Tyrell´s Genre is a drama and the theme I chose is ¨Things do get better if you work hard for it¨. In my opinion this book allows readers to have an experience of real world problems that African American men like myself have experienced and others I’m sure have experienced as well. 

This book makes you picture what it's like for a younger individual to have all the weight on his shoulders. In the book Tryell’s dad was arrested for being a drug dealer. After his dad was arrested his family had to move to a very bad shelter. So Tyrell tries his hardest to make money for his family. But with his mom in his ear vouching for him to sell drugs like his dad he's struggling and doesn't really know what to do. Basically the book is about Tyrell’s father DJ who ends up incarcerated for drug dealing Tyrell who is 15, his little brother Troy who is 7 years old and his mother Lisa, ending up homeless and having to move to a poorer city shelter in the Bronx of New York. One quote that really intrigued me in the book is (“We still got roaches on the bed, walls, and floors, but Troy ain’t even crying ‘bout them no more. He is probably too used to them by now”). That quote initially struck me because I remember when I myself personally had to go through those times when me, my mom and brother lacked financial stability, and also I remember being around insects of all sorts, rats, etc so much to the point where it was like it didn’t bother me anymore, and I adapted to the situation I was in, and honestly it’s humbled me to become the man I am now, but continuing with my summary of the story. His mom’s bipolar attempts at trying to keep the family together financially and emotionally. After a while, everything just becomes overwhelming and Tyrell is forced to take the family’s situation into his own hands. And so after being Inspired by his father, Tyrell decides to throw a dance party in a bus garage with high charge guaranteed to try and to raise his family’s income, so they can get out of the current situation they are in. 

Honestly I really enjoyed this book and It’s one of the best I have ever read. I related to the story so much, the pain, the problem with family, having to grow up too fast, etc. I feel this book was targeted towards younger African American boys who had to experience life early as the man of their family, and I don’t think everyone could get into the book, because not everyone can relate to the struggles of the character. To me this book is perfect and I would recommend everyone to read it immediately, the author really did a great job with the use of street slang and language to build a believable setting for the characters, which isn’t often used and also creating a real life feel to the story. 

Book Review by Jaikeese K.

Shaq Uncut

Shaq Uncut gives readers an insight into his life since he was a child, up until his retirement from the NBA. Shaq Uncut was written by Shaquille with the assistive help of ESPN analyst Jackie Macmullan. The autobiography takes the readers back to Shaquille’s infant years and explores Shaq’s rough upbringing. The book describes the impact of Shaq’s biological father not being present, and how it affected him later on in his life. The book goes on to tell the story of Shaq’s stepfather in the crucial impact he had on Shaq’s upbringing, and it also gives an insight into how Shaquille received his discipline. The autobiography goes on to analyze Shaq’s High School dominance and his eventual college decision and the controversy that surrounded it. The book goes on to explore Shaq’s 3-year tenure at Louisiana State University and the struggles he faced while he attended the school. Shaq’s decision to forgo his senior year of college to enter the 1992 NBA Draft, Is well documented by the book. The book goes on to explore the draft and his eventual arrival to Orlando. Shaq Would go to win the rookie of the year(An award given to the most outstanding 1st Year player annually.)He would also go on to have one of the greatest rookie seasons in the history of the NBA. Shaq’s next few years in Orlando were a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The book goes on to explain Shaquille's departure from Orlando and the dramatic process that preceded it. The book explores Shaq's 8 Year tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers and his dynamic relationship with the late great Kobe Bryant. At the time Shaq arrived at the Lakers Kobe was just a 17-year-old rookie who was unproven. The book goes on to explain how He and Shaq would develop together and create the greatest dynamic duo in the league’s history. The duo of Shaq and Kobe would go on to win 3 consecutive titles in 2000,2001 and 2002. Even after the duo split in 2004, Shaquille had good words to say about his former Teammate. “Everything Kobe is doing now, he told me back then he was going to do.… ‘I’m going to be the Will Smith of the NBA’’ (Oneal,248). Shaq would go on to retire in 2011, after creating a lasting legacy through not only his dominant play but also through his larger than life persona, and this book does an excellent job of illustrating that. 

I enjoyed this autobiography because it gives me a background look into Shaq's life and his thought process during those important moments in his life. The book also gives newfound information, that previous to this book was unknown. The target audience for this book would be basketball fans or fans of sports in general. I Believe any fan of basketball fans of Shaq would thoroughly enjoy this autobiography, because it gives us readers an inside look in Shaquille's mind throughout his personal life, and playing career.  This is the book that any Shaq fan has been longing for. If you are a true basketball fan, this is the book for you. This book gives background to key moments in NBA History, such as the Lakers 3 peat and Shaq's arrival to the league. 

In conclusion, Shaq uncut is the perfect uncensored, unfiltered and uncondensed autobiography for any basketball fan. This book gives readers an in-depth look at Shaq's personal life as well as his iconic playing career.

Book Review by Quamere J.

Dear Martin

Dear Martin, A novel written by Author Nic Stone. She's known for other great books like odd one out, jackpot and clean getaway, she writes books for Teens. Dear Martin is about a 17 year old boy named Justyce McAllister we’ll just call him Jus. Jus was a senior in highschool but he wasn’t like most kids in his neighborhood of Atlanta Georgia Jus found a way to cut all the negative things out from around his life like drugs and   gangs and got a full ride scholarship to an Ivy league school. 

           

Life in Atlanta wasn’t so easy for Jus, yeah he went to really fancy school and had friends, but he never felt like he fit in. Justyce wrote letters to Dr Martin Luther King sometimes asking for help, or just telling him about his day or what he just went through. Jus couldn't figure out why people looked at him and treated him differently because of his skin even some of his so called friends. Throughout the book Jus was figuring out how to deal with racism and discrimination in a time where racism is completely outlawed, like when Jus got arrested for try to help his drunk girlfriend get home and a Police Officer profiled him as threat and humiliated, assaulted and arrested Justcye. The theme of the book is “Follow your heart, not your head”, Jus realizes that any situation he gets into like participating in a crime or choosing the right girl regardless of what your mom thinks you need to follow your heart. 

I Liked this book because it was very relatable and real and even had parts that could make you laugh and cry. I recommend this book for any teen who feel like an outsider or anyone who wants a taste of what the real world is actually like.

Book Review by Teddy F.

Long Way Down

Long Way Down was written by Jason Reynolds. One thing about his book is the way he wrote it. The way he wrote it you can read this book in an hour but it has so much detail and you understand each single word. Long Way Down is like a suspense book and the theme is violence and also revenge.

Long Way Down takes place in a hood where crime is an everyday thing. One day Will and Shawn were at the park and something went down and Will is trying to get revenge on whatever went down. Will goes through some stuff on getting his revenge and a lot of conflicts with a lot of characters throughout the book. One of my favorite textes in this book is “NO. 1:SCREAMING” this is my favorite because he starts explaining the rules that they have in his neighborhood.

I love this book it’s really fast paced and and I understand each and every word. I can say this book is written for people that had past family members killed also all types of readers. This is a type of book all readers would love. You should chose this book really easy and interesting.

Book Review by Jose T.G.

The Bully

The Bully is written by Paul Langan. This book is a coming of age story and overcoming your fears as you read through the story you will follow the main character Darrell as his life changes in very big ways.

The story is about a boy from Philadelphia, named Darrell Mercer, that makes a huge move across the US to California starting at a new school with a new bully that Darrell has to face without having anybody that he had back in Philadelphia. 

The stories overcoming narrative is very compelling one huge quote that stood out to me while I was reading was “A man’s gotta stand up when someone else is in trouble, even if it means he might get himself into trouble.” that line really stood out to me because as much as it related to the character and what he was going through I know I’ve been in situations where that has happened and it is really awesome that I can really relate to the story in a different way. 

I believe that a lot of people can relate to the character if not maybe even learn from that character to overcome your fears and to not allow people to walk all over you. If you're looking for an underdog story that relates to a lot in the world and something you can learn from I’d recommend The Bully for you.

Book Review by Adrian S.

The Skin I'm In

The book I am reading is called The Skin I’m In by Sharon G.Flake. This book is realistic fiction and young adult literature. She also wrote Money Hungry, Begging For Change, Who Am I Without Him? Even though her books are fiction she is able to provide a setting plot,conflict and ect… to make her books the same realistic and real life problems and solutions.

           

This book is about Maleeka, who is in seventh grade who grows up without a dad, and she gets picked on by others and bullied everyday. She also is betrayed by people she thought were her friends. A new teacher, Miss.Saunders comes along at school and she gets picked on by kids and adults because of a big scar on her face. Miss.Saunders helps Maleeka along the way find her one true identity.  

This book was my favorite one out of all the books Sharon G. Flake has written, I could relate to the main character Maleeka. If you ever been bullied or treated differently for having a darker skin complexion, and being made fun of the clothes you wear, or even looking certain way than others, this book would be a great book for you to read and you won’t regret reading it.

Book Review by Irene H.

Riot

The book I chose is called Riot and it was written by Walter Dean Myers. Myers has written some very good stories; his most popular book is called Monster which has won multiple awards. He mainly published his books in the late 1900’s and in the early 2000’s. This book takes place during the Civil War and it is historical fiction. 

This is a story that takes place in New York City; the main characters are Claire and Priscilla. Claire's mother is an Irish woman and her father is a black man. Conflict arises when rioters start attacking black people and looting black owned stores. Most people don’t know that Claire is even part black, but a girl named Maeve finds out that she is part black and from then on considers her an enemy and hates her just because of her ethnicity.

I do like the storyline of the book and the plot but, the way the book is written is somewhat confusing due to the fact of it being in dialogue. Furthermore I think this book was written for an adult audience, I do believe most people would enjoy this book just purely based on how the book moves along with its story. I would strongly recommend anyone and everyone to pick up this book because it tells of a time in history when our country was more divided than ever.

Book Review by Luke N.