Marita’s Comments (group member since Oct 14, 2020)

Marita’s comments from the YHS Class of 2023 group.

Leela wrote: "

I would definitely give this book a 4-star rating!
It's such an inspiring and important story to read during this day and age!
It te..."
Dear Leela,
I'm so glad that you enjoyed reading Harris's autobiography. It's hard to find an autobiography that is both inspirational and highly engaging despite a long length. And, how wonderful to have read it at this moment when Harris is now our vice-president. It must give you a very human perspective on this powerful, intelligent, and compassionate politician.

Ana wrote: "

The Institute by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I would rate The Institute 4 stars. It follows a 12 year old boy, Luke, with lesser psychic abilities kidnapped from his home and his exper..."

Ana wrote: "

The Institute by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I would rate The Institute 4 stars. It follows a 12 year old boy, Luke, with lesser psychic abilities kidnapped from his home and his exper..."

Hey Ana,
It sounds like there are some interesting and disturbing aspects to this novel. Thanks for the feminist lens through which to view some of the events: that's refreshing to see. Also, I'm sure that your trigger warning will also help students decide if it's their cup of literary tea. An engaged review!

Owen wrote: "Scythe: By Neal Shusterman
By Owen K My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

I recently read the book Scythe. It was an extremely interesting and suspenseful book. I would definitely rate this book a 5 of 5 for t..."

Hey Owen,
It looks like you weren't the only one to rate this book 5 out of 5: you and Hope should talk! Really neat idea for a novel.

Grace wrote: "Elsewhere
The book I choose to read was Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin. The main character in Elsewhere, Lizzie Hall, dies at an early age by a hit and run accident. She wakes up in a s..."

Hey Grace,
This sounds like a really cool idea for a book. What an interesting setting for the book; it's a neat idea to think about the afterlife in that way. Your review makes me want to read it!

Daisy wrote: "99 Days
99 Days by Katie Cotugno is probably my favorite fiction book I have ever read. This book is about Molly Barlow who is entering the summer of her senior year. This summer sh..."
Hey Daisy,
Wow, it sounds like this book has a lot of romantic and relationship twists and turns. No wonder it was hard to put down. I will definitely put it in my cue!

Lilia wrote: "

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory is an extraordinary novel about the famous Anne Boleyn's little known sister, Mary Bo..."
Hey Lilia, I'm so glad that you enjoyed this book. It's so wonderful, isn't it. I love to read about this time period, despite the brutal way women were treated, as you mention. A passionate and engaging review!

Hope wrote: "Scythe

Rating: 5 out of 5

This book is, without a question, 5 out of 5. The characters, the plot, the setting, it's all amazing! It's set in the future where the place of natural ..."
Wow, Hope, this review made me want to read the book! It sounds like an exciting concept!

Ava wrote: "

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I would definitely rate this book 5/5 stars! This wonderful, opulent, stylish love story full of twists and turns takes you on a journey ..."
Ava, it sounds like this novel has it all: complex families, love, and intrigue!

Emily wrote: "

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Saint Anything is a really good book. It is about the life of a younger sibling (Sydney) living in the shadow of her older, trouble making..."
Wow, that a complex and compelling family story, Emily!

Leela wrote: "

I would definitely give this book a 4-star rating!
It's such an inspiring and important story to read during this day and age!
It te..."

A thoughtful review of a very dynamic woman!

Roman wrote: "

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is about a 15-year-old kid named John Smith who is a member of ten Loric children and Loric animals that can change into diff..."
Hey Roman, I enjoyed this novel, too, when I read it. I agree with you that the writing leaves the reader a bit cheated in the end.

Ana wrote: "

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was a really enjoyable read, I'd rate it 4 stars. The book is a fantasy adventure retelling of beauty and the bea..."

A fun review, Ana. I love the shifting pov and sci-fi elements. Sounds like a fun read! And, even the romance sounds engaging and healthy.

Porter wrote: "

The Loop by Ben Oliver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I rated this book 4/5. This book is about a young boy named Luka Kane who is put in jail for an unknown crime. In this jail everyday is the same u..."
Sounds like an interesting read, Porter. Engaging post!

Michael wrote: "

City of Thieves by David Benioff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is one of the best books I have read, and I would recommend it to anyone over 15 years old. This book is a true story and the ..."
So glad that you enjoyed this book, Michael; I agree that it's just a great read!

Ethan wrote: "

Countdown to Valkyrie: The July Plot to Assassinate Hitler by Nigel Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is one of the best books i've ever read just because I love to read about war stories and ..."

This sounds like a riveting read, Ethan! Thanks for the great details and engaging blog post about it: I'm putting it on my list!

Sarah wrote: "

We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars.This is a historical novel that begins in the spring of 1939 in Poland. This true story features a l..."

Hey Sarah, I enjoyed your review; I loved this book, too. Such a great insight into the impact of the Holocaust on one Polish family!

Owen wrote: "

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
My rating 4/5 starsOne of Us is Lying is about five kids who one day ended up in detention. One of the kids gets up to get a glass..."

Hey Owen, this sounds like a terrific story, made even more interesting by those shifting points of view: great idea for a suspense story/murder mystery. But, not explaining who the killer is seems to be a flaw worth noting: good eye. Nice work!

Killian wrote: "

Never Quit is a true story of how an Alaskan store clerk became an accomplishe..."

Killian, This book sounds like a very engaging read. You did a great job with this review and your observations about replacing some of that background information with more action is a point well-taken (Writing School 101). A fascinating idea for a nonfiction story.

Lilia wrote: "American Royals
American Royals is a very intriguing book about if George Washington became king instead of president. This book has four perspectives, the future first Queen, Beatr..."

Wow, Lilia, it seems like this novel has it all! What an interesting idea for the plot: super intriguing. Thanks for the thoughtful blog post.

Molly wrote: "

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
We Were Liars is about a family, the Sinclairs and their seemingly perfect life. The narrator is a young girl named Cadence who brings us al..."

Molly, this sounds like an interesting read, and your criticisms of it seem apt. The characters and the plot sound engaging if not perfect.