MUSD Library and Learning Commons

Review by Danielle Flores, 12th grade

Hearing about the girl who committed suicide at school is one thing, but actually hearing her voice, speaking directly to you is another.  However for those who did receive their own tape they wished they had never heard it in the first place.  In this YA teen fiction novel by Jay Ashe, a girl by the name of Hannah Baker takes her life, but her voice lives on.  Clay Jensen, a semi normal teenager barely knew Hanna Baker, but her received a tape from her, a day after her death.  Clay heard the least expected words he thought he would hear.  Everyone who has a tape were in some way a reason for her death.  Throughout the night, Clay Jensen listens to her words, even the ones not meant for him.  "You can't stop the future.  You can't rewind the past.  The only way to learn the secret is to press play."  This book isn't like any other book you've read before.  Reality slaps you in the face when you realize that this actually happens every day, and now someone has finally written it down.  This book is great for young adults and it even has its own YouTube channel where you can listen to Hannah's tapes.  Although this book might have some triggers for those with depression and starts off a little slow, the more you read, the more you get into and you can't put it down.  Thirteen Reasons Why is a novel that once you start reading, you'll read it all in one sitting, because you just can't get enough.

Review by Sofia Fiallos, 8th grade

This book was amazing.  The first installment of the Ranger's Apprentice series had me reading late into the night.  The main protagonist, Will, becomes Apprentice Ranger to Halt despite his wish to be a warrior.  During his apprenticeship, he will learn what it means to be a ranger and the danger in volved.  He will face many challenges, including Horace and the Kalkara; two beasts who are under the command of the evil Morgarath.  Will he survive the fight? The book is full of fantasy and action.  I think it is great for preteens and up.

Review by Shannon Le, 8th grade

After excaping Blackcliff Academy from the underground catacombs, Elias and Laia must now find out how they would rescue Laia's brother, Darius from the Kauf prison - that is, if he is still alive.  Join Laia and Elias in their exciting journey as they try to figure out who to trust, who they love, and the mysteries surrounding the empire. Really being honest here, this book is amazing. 

Review by Anne Steiner, District Librarian

Salt to the Sea by Ruth Sepetys brings to life the tragedy of the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff by the Red Army in 1945.  The German ship was evacuating soldiers and citizens from Poland when it was torpedoed, causing the death of over 9000 men, women, and children.  Told from the points of view of four young characters, the story unfolds bit by bit, revealing the hardships and loss each has endured.  It is the story of a journey that will forever change the course of their lives and the ones they left behind.  Salt to the Sea is what historical fiction should be. Through each character’s perspective, we experience a tragedy unknown to most readers, and the brutality that the evils of war forces upon the innocent victims.

Review by Anne Steiner, District Librarian

Elena Rudina’s mother is dying and the entire village of Miersk is starving to death.  When a train has an unexpected delay on its way to Russia, Elena meets another little girl named Ekaterina Ivanova de Robichaux, or Cat.  Cat’s life is starkly different from Elena’s in every way.  She is on her way to Saint Petersburg to meet the Tsar’s nephew.  Her Aunt, Madame Sophia Borisnova Orlova, hopes to arrange a marriage with him in order to secure Cat’s future.  The two girl’s lives will be forever changed because of this chance encounter.  Egg and Spoon is a delightful mash up of Russian folklore and The Prince and The Pauper.  One of the main characters is Baba Yaga, a Russian witch who lives in a house that moves about because it sits on chicken legs.  Baba Yaga becomes the magical mentor to our heroines, aiding them along their journey.  I found the book to be quite humorous, especially quips from Baba Yaga: “I just remembered,” said the witch and drew a salted codfish from a purse beneath her clothes.  “I was using this as a kind of personal sachet, but the time has come to sacrifice my vanity for the sake of dinner.”  Egg and Spoon is masterfully written, and has many, many layers.  It manages to include a hero’s journey, a fairy tale, along with making a statement about political oppression, literature, and even global climate change.  But to me, it was mostly about magic.  As Baba Yaga stated, “All this talk about sharing.  We will share starvation if we learn to share nothing else.  If Russia is dying, then magic is dying, too.  And I do care.  I have to. Don’t you understand?  I am Mother Russia.”  This book will appeal to readers who enjoy the retelling of fairytales and books like The Princess Bride.