Read or be Read

  Digging Deeper Into the Roots of My Love For a Timely Classic: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - by Steph *Spoiler Free      To end off the start of a wonderful 6 day fall break, I’d like to introduce one of my most beloved books of all time—one full of both the struggles and magical wonder of growing up. Featuring: a witty, forced-to-grow-up-too-fast main character, a favored golden child, a weary mother determined for her children to have a better future than hers, a doting father with a great amount of charm but not enough luck, and a confident aunt that sometimes does more harm than good. Filled to the brim with a haunting yet compelling portrait of a poor family living in early 1900’s Brooklyn, New York, Betty Smith crafts a beautiful story of the charming but cruel duality of human nature—and the tart bittersweetness of life.      I received a Tree Grows in Brooklyn the day of my 12th birthday. The moment I was given it, I eagerly snatched up the book and devoured it in a sitting. I

      What would you do if hundreds of people from your world suddenly developed magical superpowers, all on the same day? Or if one of these superpower-wielders decided to overtake Chicago and turn it into steel, and then kill your father? For David, the main protagonist of Steelheart  by Brandon Sanderson, he wants revenge.     S teelheart  is the first book in the Reckoners trilogy. These superpower-wielders are coined Epics, and they have many differences. Each of their superpowers is completely unique, and some Epics have multiple powers. Also, every time that an Epic uses their powers they become more corrupted, turning towards violence and evil. However, all Epics have one commonality; they all have an individual weakness, which if triggered, negates all of their powers and weakens them.      A mysterious group known only as the Reckoners travels throughout the broken world, eliminating and exposing the tyrannical Epics. David, our protagonist, wishes to join these groups in the

  Turtles All the Way Down by John Green: Book Rating by Fabi Overall Rating 4/5 Stars:  ⭑⭑⭑⭑ ✩ ⭑ Star #1: Representation-      The first main thing I enjoyed about this book is, like the header suggests, the representation. Not a lot of books are ready to incorporate mental illness, much less tackle them straight on, like this book has done. Turtles All the Way Down was able to incorporate awareness for mental illnesses, in this case, OCD and anxiety, while still having other plots within the story. The book talks about Aza's journey and struggles whilst still having a strong storyline that incorporates other important elements. Another main thing to take into consideration is how the author himself suffers from these conditions, meaning that the book is an accurate and personal display of these conditions. Although it may seem unimportant, the fact that John Green is in a way writing about his personal experiences makes the book just that much better and realistic.  ⭑  Star #2:

     Living in Nazi occupied Holland during World War Two is tough. Supplies are scarce, soldiers and police are everywhere, and people are disappearing every day. That's where Hanneke comes in. Hanneke is 16 years old and Living in Amsterdam with her mom and dad. Her boyfriend died defending his country from the Nazi invaders, who took the entire country in just five days. However, she works an important job: Her parents think she delivers groceries to people living around Amsterdam, but she does a lot more than that. Under the normal groceries she carries are illegal items. She works as a black market dealer, bringing goods to people who need things that were banned by the Nazis.     One day, during a normal delivery to a regular customer, she is asked to complete a task that is unimaginably difficult. Mrs. Janssen, one of her regular customers reveals a dangerous secret that threatens the life of both Mrs. Janssen and Hanneke: Mrs. Janssen has been hiding Mirjam, a Jew, but she