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Teen Book Review Blog

Carina’s Review of "The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller

January 14, 2022

Review by Carina

Song of Achilles Miller

4 stars of 5

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a beautiful story of two heroes who share an unbreakable bond. It is a retelling of The Iliad, but through the eyes of Patroclus, friend of the great hero, Achilles. Set in Ancient Greece, Patroclus, son of Menoitius, is a disappointment to his father. He is small and slight, unfit to be prince. At age ten, he is exiled after his unintentional killing of a boy. He is sent to be fostered in the small country of Phthia where he meets Achilles, son of the sea goddess, Thetis. Patroclus and Achilles quickly become the best of friends and try to persevere through the war at Troy. But they have no idea what the cruel Fates have in store for them. 

Teen Book Review, The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller, Greek Mythology, Fiction, Friendship, Character Depth, Families, Fathers and Sons

Read more …Carina’s Review of "The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller

William's Review of "Messy Roots" by Laura Gao

PREPUBLICATION REVIEW of Advanced Reader Copy by William

Review Date: January 10, 2022 – Anticipated Publish Date: March 8, 2022

Messy Roots Gao

4 stars of 5

Messy Roots by Laura Gao

Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese-American by Laura Gao is a graphic novel/memoir of a Wuhanese-American dealing with issues such as immigration, identity, racism, and LGBTQ issues. Gao tells the story of herself, a first generation American immigrant from Wuhan China, now living in Texas. Especially after the spread of Covid-19, there is a strong negative connotation with Wuhan, but throughout the story, Gao also gives readers her version of what Wuhan China was actually like, the pleasant place where she grew up.

Teen Book Review, Graphic Memoir, Messy Roots, Laura Gao, YA Nonfiction, Wuhan, Immigration, Identity, Wuhanese-American, Covid-19, pandemic

Read more …William's Review of "Messy Roots" by Laura Gao

Samantha’s Review of “Not Here to Be Liked” by Michelle Quach

Review by Samantha

January 5, 2022

Not Here to Be Liked Quach

4 and a half stars of 5

Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach

If you need a unique Young Adult read, Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach would be the first on my list of recommendations. Its main character, Eliza Quan, is a Chinese Vietnamese American teenager, but she is so much more than just that. Eliza is truly committed to her role as part of her school’s newspaper, the Bugle. She is honest, blunt, outspoken, and not at all your typical romance comedy’s female character. She is the best choice for editor in chief, but when ex-baseball star Len DiMartile makes an inspiring speech and beats her out for the role, Eliza cannot believe it. So, she writes an essay about the sexism going on in her school. It is meant to be personal, but someone finds her writing on the school computer, and leaks it on social media.

YA fiction, teen life, social media, Teen Book Review, Not Here to Be Liked, Michelle Quach, sexism, school paper, Chinese American, funny, raw, emotional

Read more …Samantha’s Review of “Not Here to Be Liked” by Michelle Quach

Kelly's Review of "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

Review by Kelly

December 21, 2021

To Kill a Mockingbird

4 and a half stars of 5

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I would give this book 4.5 stars out of 5 because this novel is well written and covers an important topic in US history: racism and discrimination. Although the plot throughout the beginning can be considered slow, it gradually builds into tension. In the first part, it describes Finch’s childhood and sets the stage of a somber atmosphere of impoverished families and segregation in Maycomb County. In the latter half of the book, there are many plot twists and the last moments of the book will shock the reader.

teen, book review, Historical Fiction, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, racism, discrimination, segregation, 1930's, Maycomb, Alabama, Southern United States, Trial

Read more …Kelly's Review of "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

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Your Library is the place to be!

We love seeing so many people in our thriving New Providence community using the Library. Our numbers have never been higher! Whether you come to the library to sit and read, stay and work, attend programs, discuss great books, listen to author talks, meet with special interest groups, borrow materials, or shop in our bookstore, we love seeing you here!

It is clear that our library provides so many things for different groups of people. We appreciate every child, student, teen, adult, and senior who comes through our door and becomes part of our library family. We hope you'll join us!

~ Stacey Maisch, Library Director