Teen Book Reviews: Spring 2023
Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn
Review by A.N.
This is a very fast book to read since the chapters are short, which I personally like. I finished this book within a week and cherish it so much. I appreciate how well the translator uses words that describe everything down to emotions. I loved the juxtaposition between the two main characters. Their dynamic was so fascinating. A boy that feels nothing meets a boy who feels too much. Almond follows the story of Yunjae, who was born with a brain condition called Alexithymia that makes it hard for him to feel emotions. And because of this disorder, he was often labeled as a "monster" and was an outcast among his friends for his inability to feel anything. It is so ironic how this book was supposed to be about a boy with no emotion, yet was abstrusely emotional. I honestly enjoy this book and it is highly affecting, which is sure to captivate and delight readers of every age.
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Review by A.N.
I used to read this back in middle school when I was struggling with English. I enjoyed this book as it is quite easy to read and is suitable for kids because of its low Lexile. The two main characters include an alien named Sputnik, and a young boy Prez. Sputnik came to Earth for a mission. He must list ten things that Earth has that makes it worth saving. The overall themes of the book are adventure, life journeys, family, and most important: home. For instance, the Blythes family see Prez as a family member even though he was adopted. The book, as a whole, is funny but also poignant and sad. I would rate this 4 out of 5. It could be rated higher if it explained why the alien wants to shrink the Earth, but it’s worth rereading over and over again.
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
Review by A.N.
The novel introduces us to Rose Howard, who has autism and an obsession with homonyms, which she's learning in order to bring order to her chaotic world. It helps her navigate a complicated life at home and at school. The combination of a high functioning child with autism, a struggling parent, a thoughtful uncle and, of course, a dog named Rain help make up the themes of family, communication, and understanding. Rose's father, Wesley is the perfect portrait of a struggling parent who is frequently irresponsible. Although he does love Rose and wants to support her, he lacks optimism in the wake of his own severely care-deprived childhood. Unfortunately, he is not a patient father with his special needs daughter. Only her dog and her uncle, Weldon, provide comfort and understanding when she needs it most. In fact, Rose and Rain are inseparable, with Rain providing a calming, stabilizing presence in Rose’s life. Rose's diagnosis is a concern for the adults around her which reflects our society. Despite her autism, the author emphasizes the uniqueness of this character as a message that we should embrace others for their differences. There are still so many people in the world that are uninformed and do not understand this disability. Thus, I highly recommend Rain Reign for all-age readers as anyone can relate and learn from the story—as a parent, a teacher, a friend, or even a stranger.