One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus (2017)

Reviewed by Samrah

One of Us is Lying, by Karen M. McManus is an incredible book that I could not put down. This book has an amazing plot twist that will really surprise you at the end. This is a very popular book – the majority of this book is mystery, with a little romance sprinkled in too.

One afternoon five kids with very different personalities stay together after school for detention for something they claim to not have done; their names are Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, Cooper, and Simon. Unfortunately, Simon has an allergic reaction, is sent to the hospital, and does not survive. To give you some background information, Simon is an outcast who has a website that exposes his classmates’ secrets. He is severely allergic to peanuts. These four classmates are now accused for the murder of Simon and it’s predicted that “one of them is lying”

Each chapter gives the perspectives and thoughts of a different character, which really contributes to the story. Although these completely different people are going through a rough time, bonds and friendships are made among them. I also love learning the truths and backstories of each character. Again, there is a plot twist at the end that really made my jaw drop, so I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a surprise ending. 

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954)

Reviewed by Lily

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding tells the story of a group of schoolboys and their fight for survival. These British boys attempt to govern themselves while marooned on a desert island. It’s a gruesome read, and might be too disturbing for some readers.

I was excited to read this book, because I had heard plenty of positive reviews and praise for it. I especially thought the concept was interesting, and I have loved similar-ish books like The Hunger Games series. But in reading The Lord of the Flies, I was disappointed. I was expecting a suspenseful plot that would keep me on edge. Instead, I felt it was just too confusing.

It could be partly because it was written almost 70 years ago, but the text didn’t really speak to me. In fact, I didn’t grasp the entire pig’s head/lord of the flies plot point. I had to look up a summary of the book afterwards to make sure I was understanding it. The fact that I had to do this is a sign to me that the book wasn’t very well written.

One thing I found difficult about reading this book is the characters. There were so many boys, I found it impossible to keep them straight. Their names blended together, and the dialogue often didn’t notate who was speaking. There was almost no character growth. By the time I closed the book, everyone was the same bully they were at the beginning.

In conclusion, I was not the biggest fan of this book. The plot was slow, and I felt no connection to any characters. If you want something similar, I would recommend other classic novels like 1984 and Fahrenheit 451.

I am Malala by Christina Lamb and Malala Yousafzai (2013)

Reviewed by Anika

The book I Am Malala by Christina Lamb and Malala Yousafzai is a story about an eleven-year old Pakistani girl who experiences great turmoil as a result of the Taliban banning the one thing that mattered most in her life: her education.

Before the Taliban took over, Malala’s daily routine was studying at Khushal School, coming home, doing her homework, and helping her mom (Toor Pekai). She was able to go outside and enjoy playing with her brothers, Atal and Khushal, and her best friend, Moniba, without hearing bombs or gunshots.

**Spoilers!**

After the Taliban took over, chaos reigned in the northwest region of Pakistan, including Malala’s home in Swat Valley. Malala’s school eventually closed because of the surrounding violence and the repressive laws preventing girls from being educated. When the chaos reduced and Khushal School reopened, only little girls who were under the age of ten were allowed to go.

This situation did not stop Malala, though. Malala hid her books and secretly attended school with some of her friends. Malala had the support of her father and the school principal, Madam Maryam. Malala’s dad eventually organized a meeting for Malala to speak up about her rights for education with an interviewer. This interview was leaked to the Taliban, and officials were so furious that their only goal for the time being was to kill Malala. All of this chaos was unfolding while Malala’s mother was trying to find a safe place for their family to flee to.

A couple years later, after Malala’s exam day at school, she got on the bus to go home. The bus ride was smooth but suddenly a Taliban soldier stopped the bus. He got on the bus questioning who Malala was with a gun in his hands. Once he saw her, he pulled the trigger releasing three bullets  – Malala was shot in the head. On October 16th, Malala woke up in a hospital in Birmingham, UK. She was stuck in the hospital for several days with people constantly visiting her. Once she was able to leave, she received a gift for her sixteenth birthday, which was to give a speech in the United Nations about how strongly she feels about education toward girls and women. This inspired many people, myself included.

The reason I love this book so much is because it is very inspiring and it’s an emotional rollercoaster through this young woman’s life. She endures great trauma, but gains support for her cause and creates a good life for herself and her family in spite of it. I highly recommend checking it out.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (1843)

Reviewed by Sanya

This book review is for A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. A Christmas Carol is a great book to read during the holidays! 

This book is about a man named Ebenezer Scrooge, a really mean and grouchy man who hates Christmas. He’s really mean to others in his town and the people who work for him. This all changes when a ghost named Marley comes to visit. Marley tells Scrooge that 3 more ghosts are going to come to change his life. (Ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future.) 

I loved this book and I think it’s a great story for kids in elementary and middle school. My favorite character would probably be the ghost of Christmas future. If I say why it will spoil the story so you should definitely check this book out to find out why, and decide on a favorite yourself! This book tells a great story and I think you should read it too!