Teen Book Reviews: Fall 2022 page 3
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
Review by E.B.
Do you love autobiographies? Do you love books that are quick and light? Do you want to read about unusual (and real!) mother-daughter relationships? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua is the book for you. This book is about a Chinese woman named Amy Chua whose parents had a very strict set of rules and very high standards. She and her three sisters were successfully raised with this parenting style. All the Chua children are extremely accomplished. Chua herself attended Harvard and later became a law professor at Yale. So of course, when Chua has children, she decides to raise them the same way she was brought up. This works perfectly for her eldest daughter, Sophia. Sophia is obedient, doesn't question any rules her mother makes, and doesn't ask for more freedom. Even when her mother is rough on her, Sophia listens and rarely loses her temper. But things don't go as planned with Chua's younger daughter, Lulu. Lulu wants more freedom and choice in her life. She doesn't like being forced to play violin and piano for hours a day. And, she wants pets! Lulu starts rebelling against her mother, while Amy Chua does everything she can to keep control over her youngest child. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother tells the story of Lulu's fight for independence and Sophia's calmer development. Some people criticize Amy Chua for perpetuating stereotypes about Asian/Chinese parents. There is definitely some of that. Chua often talks about Chinese mothers and makes a lot of generalizations about Asian parenting styles. However, if you just think of this book as a story of Chua's experience this book is a wonderful, entertaining, and fast-paced read.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Review by Aurora I.
They Both Die at The End is a young adult science fiction novel written by Adam Silvera. It is set in a world where a company called Death-Cast calls people within 24 hours of their death to inform them of their inevitable demise. The main character Mateo and the other main character Rufus both get the call. Mateo has no real plans for his last day and decides to download an app that connects “deckers”, people that have gotten their call. He meets Rufus and they decide to do everything together on their last day. I like the way that Silvera spoils the book a little bit by telling us in the title that they both die at the end. A lot of people do not like this, but I think it adds something unique that most authors would not add to their book. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes young adult fiction. It would be good for people about ages 12-18 but it depends on the maturity of the reader. There aren’t many mature themes except for death. There is a little bit of a science fiction element to this book but even if you are not a big fan of science fiction I would still recommend this book. This book has some sad elements but most readers will fall in love with it.
By the Pricking of My Thumbs by Agatha Christie
Review by E.B.
Do you love mystery? Do you love adventure? How about humor? If you're looking for an entertaining combination of all these, you must read Agatha Christie's By the Pricking of My Thumbs. This book is one of several about Tommy and Tuppence, a funny crime-solving couple. Though By the Pricking of My Thumbs is not the first in its series, no context is necessary to enjoy and understand the story. This book begins with a visit to Tommy's aunt Ada Fanshawe, who lives in a nursing home. Ada makes readers laugh by not remembering Tommy's relation to her, or the fact that Tommy has a wife. As a result, Tuppence is led out of the room. The mostly ordinary visit soon becomes somewhat disturbing, though. While awaiting Tommy, Tuppence meets a woman named Mrs. Lancaster who says that the milk is not poisoned today and then goes on to ask Tuppence if her poor child is behind the fireplace. After this, the couple leaves, but returns in a few weeks because of Ada's death. They find Mrs. Lancaster gone, but one of her paintings (given to Ada) remaining behind. Tuppence tries to locate Lancaster in order to return her painting, but finds the old lady surprisingly hard to trace. Tuppence feels something is wrong, so she sets out on an adventure leading to a house with a dark past, a gang of criminals, a series of murders, and of course danger. Even though Tuppence is going gray, she's not too old to get coshed on the head, or nearly get killed!