Read It

Before I Go
By Riley Weston
Campfire Press

Verdah Bismah, 14
Canada

Before I Go By Riley Weston

Before I Go, written by Riley Weston, is a touching story of family, love, and the will of the human spirit. The book focuses on the relationship of Annie, an ice skating coach who gave up her dream of becoming an ice skater a long time ago, and her student, young Olympic hopeful, Madison Henry. What makes this team different from most is that Annie and Madison are mother and daughter.

Madison Henry has been skating for almost as long as she’s been walking. At 16, she’s on her way to achieving her dream of going to the Olympics. Cut off from the rest of the world, she has only one friend, her best friend Jack. Oblivious to the romantic feelings Jack has for her, Madison breaks his heart over and over again—only to have Jack love her even more.

When tragedy strikes unexpectedly, Madison learns about the sacrifices Annie made for her and realizes the depth of Jack's love. It is then that Madison understands that she has been blessed in every way.

Before I Go is a touching story of hardships, life, death, and love. It is a tale of an unbreakable mother/daughter bond and the true love everyone yearns for, but rarely finds.

Boost
By Kathy Mackel
Penguin Young Readers

Emily Bihl, 17
New Jersey

Boost By Kathy Mackel

Based on the description on the back of Boost by Kathy Mackel, it would be easy to think that only a sports-centric audience would enjoy it. At least, that was my impression after first picking it up. However, I am pleased to report that one truly cannot judge a book by its cover—or even by the blurb on the back.

Even though the story revolves around Savvy, a thirteen-year-old basketball superstar, and her older sister Callie, a cheerleader, there’s much more to this book than tryouts and competitions. Both girls face constant pressure to excel at their new school. The book is not only about sports—it’s also about responsibility, family loyalty, trust, fitting in, and betrayal, all intricately woven into Savvy and Callie’s struggles on the court.

Boost is a great read even for those who don’t know a slow-pitch from a slap-shot. Readers will easily relate to Savvy, whether their passion is basketball or photography, sewing or scuba-diving. This book is truly unique, not just another cautionary tale in the sports genre. So while you can’t judge it by its cover, perhaps you can judge it by the title: Boost is a full head above the rest.

Brett McCarthy: Work in Progress
By Maria Padian
Knopf Books for Young Readers

Shelby Garzes, 18
Texas

Brett McCarthy: Work in Progress By Maria Padian

Only Child and Grandchild, Vocab Ace, Best Corner Kicker in Maine, Diane’s Best Friend—all of these labels make Brett McCarthy confident about who she is. Unfortunately, a prank phone call goes terribly wrong and bursts the bubble of Brett’s confidence. The call begins a new, redefined life for Brett.

Everyone can relate to this book because we’re all labeled. At school, we are all aware of cliques and the labels that come with them: Preps, Jocks, Brains, Wannabes, Nobodies, Social Climbers and the Cool Crowd. Maria Padian makes Brett McCarthy seem so realistic, I could imagine the events happening in my own school. This book not only improves your vocabulary, it also teaches you that before you finally find out who you really are, you have to endure many labels and identity shifts. In the end, you always have to choose who you want to be.

Fly on the Wall
By E. Lockhart
Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Mabel Lee, 15
Massachusetts

Fly on the Wall By E. Lockhart

E. Lockhart’s captivating novel, Fly on the Wall, tells the story of Gretchen Yee, an artist who finds herself in very difficult situations. Her parents are getting a divorce, her ex-boyfriend hates her, she sits alone at lunch, and she has only one friend. Gretchen’s life unexpectedly changes when she wishes she was a fly on the wall of the boy’s locker room and her wish comes true. She soon discovers the secrets, lies, and hatred among the boys in her school.

Like any ordinary teenage girl, Gretchen has crushes and problems trying to fit in. E. Lockhart twists this ordinary situation into a riveting novel that’s as much a story about the lives of boys as it is about being a girl. Through Gretchen’s perspective as a fly, readers discover the insecurities and secrets of boys that they might not notice otherwise. E. Lockhart’s suspenseful story is a page-turner and will remind you to be careful what you wish for!

Prizefighter en Mi Casa
By E.E. Charlton-Trujillo
Yearling

Tori Winning, 18
Canada

Prizefighter en Mi Casa E.E. Charlton-Trujillo

Prizefighter en Mi Casa is not a book about boxing, despite the fact that one of the principal characters is an infamous boxer from Mexico, El Jefe. El Jefe comes to stay with Chula, the main character, and her family. The family hopes that El Jefe can earn enough money through illegal boxing matches to sustain them while paralysis—the result of a car accident—confines Chula's father to a wheelchair.

Although Prizefighter en Mi Casa is full of colorful characters, it's El Jefe who captured my heart and attention. His bond with Chula starts to grow after he tends to her wounds from a school fight, telling her, "I've never fought anyone who had it coming. That must be very different." The wisdom he imparts throughout, such as "[t]o be strong means to ... accept what you are and love that" is spot-on. Although his soul is tortured, it's also incredibly pure.

E. Charlton-Trujillo, the author, has scored a knockout with this novel. Her vivid descriptions, varied pacing, layered plot, and brilliant characters leave me with little doubt that I will be thinking about this book, and recommending it to others, for days to come.

Sisters of the Sword
By Maya Snow
HarperCollins

Meagan Cleveland, 19
Canada

Sisters of the Sword By Maya Snow

Tolerance, humility, duty and honor. These are qualities upheld by samurais, the warriors of Imperial Japan. Sisters of the Sword by Maya Snow reinvents this typical samurai character. Kimi and Hana are the daughters of the Jito, a great lord and samurai who treats everyone within his lands fairly. His jealous older brother betrays Hana and Kimi’s family, forcing them into hiding lest they be killed by their treacherous uncle. Luckily, they find the perfect place to hide, the dojo of Master Goku who protects them while teaching them to be samurai warriors so they can fight their uncle and reclaim their family’s honor.

This book was great! While reading it I felt as if I too was in Imperial Japan. The heroines of Sisters of the Sword are completely unique. There are lots of books out there about girls who want to be knights. They just put on a suit of armor, jump on a horse and they are set. Not these girls. They work hard and train everyday to make themselves stronger and eventually they become the best students of the dojo. I love how these girls who have been hurt and betrayed by the people they once loved find the strength and courage to fight back.

When I finished the book I sighed and immediately thought of what might happen next. I hope a sequel will be coming soon!