Teen Book Reviews March 2024
Bakuman by Tsugumi Ōba
Review by AR
Bakuman is different from other popular Shonen Jump manga. It is written by Tsugumi Ohba and drawn by Takeshi Obata, who also worked together on the popular manga Death Note (winner of the 2006 American Anime Awards). Unlike the others which all have swords, pirates, ninjas, martial arts or other high action fighting, Bakuman is more of a slice of life manga, focusing on kids who have high aspirations to become manga writers or a voice actress of manga and anime. Bakuman was the seventh best-selling manga series of 2011 and the 10th best of 2012 and Bakuman was chosen as the best manga for male readers in the 2010 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! guidebook, which surveys people in the manga and publishing industry. Its pretty interesting for it seems a lot of people who are fans of manga probably would not mind doing the same as these kids and pursuing that dream. That has to be part of the reason why this series is so popular and such an awesome and refreshing series to read. It also tells us about the ins and outs of the manga industry and how it works.
Family of Liars by E. Lockhart
Review by Sterling S
I read We Were Liars last summer, and (like many other readers), I was completely shocked by the ending. I’d go so far as to say We Were Liars contains the best plot twist I have ever encountered in teen fiction, so that’s why I felt Family of Liars was a little lacking as a prequel. While the writing and description was utterly stunning, the plot twists felt forced and unnecessary. Carrie, 17, is devastated by the drowning of her youngest sister Rosemary and crushed by the way her elegantly wealthy family pretends Rosemary never even existed. Following her sister’s death, Carrie undergoes a cosmetic surgery suggested by her dad and soon becomes addicted to narcotics and sleeping pills. This is her way of coping with the pain of her newly sculpted jaw and the gaping hole in her life left by Rosemary that is seemingly invisible to everyone else. This book follows three charming boys that arrive at her family’s private island, a photo appears in her mother’s vanity of a man with a scratched out face, and Rosemary's return as a ghost. For readers expecting a summer romance with ghosts and grief, they will be shocked by how dark this book suddenly turns. I think is important for younger readers to be aware that there will be rape, self-harm and a bloody boardwalk. While the writing of this book is undoubtedly stunning, I found that it wasn’t quite for me because of how dark it went, but if you’re looking for a summer thriller with ghosts, first kisses, family secrets (and you aren’t afraid of a little blood) Family of Liars is a good fit for you!
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Review by Sterling S
The Fault In Our Stars is one of those books that never fully leaves your mind. It’s silly in all the right places, sad when it needs to be, deep and sometimes heavy, yet somehow always gripping. It is simply gorgeous. It’s the kind of book that anyone who has ever felt lost in the complexity of the universe can relate to. It follows the companionship of Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters, two teens who met at a cancer support group. Augustus, also known as Gus, is newly cancer-free, while Hazel is plagued by the unavoidable fact that she will die young from her condition. They connect over a strange book that was never finished and embark on a journey halfway across the world to find the author and the fate of their favorite characters. On the surface, this is a heartwarming story about two teens coming of age and falling in love, but for those who look for it, there is a stunning amount of philosophy regarding the necessity of suffering and the value of fiction. John Green brilliantly balances the heavy concepts with Hazel’s quick wit and spunk. I was truly in awe of the beauty of the writing and how stunningly John Green was able to capture the teenage experience. I have yet to read another book intended for the young adult genre that was as much of a masterpiece as this one. The characters, emotions and wonderings in this book are relatable to a variety of readers and ages, and I highly recommend teens pick up a copy of it.
The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
Review by EB
The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie is a great book to read. Not only is it hooking, but it is the first in a series about Thomas Beresford (Tommy) and Prudence Cowley (Tuppence). This book starts with Tuppence attempting to get a job. Not wanting to give her real name, she gives her name as Jane Finn, which greatly shocks her potential employer, who immediately says something about Rita talking. Of course, this smells of mystery and adventure – something Tuppence loves. After she is dismissed by her employer (and his company quickly vanishes), she and Tommy set out to get more information about the mysterious Jane Finn. They learn that Jane Finn holds a valuable secret (an old treaty) – one that could pitch Britain into anarchy if discovered by the wrong people. The two sleuths also learn that the mysterious supervillain, Mr. Brown, is after this secret. With the help of Julius Hersheimmer (Jane’s cousin) and Sir James Peel Edgerton, Tommy and Tuppence track Brown’s henchmen and attempt to get information out of them. But Mr. Brown and his underlings are aware of their activities and are at the group’s heels, threatening their lives and liberty. So, who will be the first to find Jane Finn and discover her secret: Mr. Brown, or the sleuthing quartet?