The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse

The Forsaken is a dystopian fiction novel written by Lisa M. Stasse and is the first of a trilogy. The book takes place in the U.N.A, a country that formed from the remnants of Canada, United States, and Mexico. The main character Alenna shawcross is an orphan living in the U.N.A after having both her parents dragged out of her home by government soldiers. During this time she tries to live an obedient and quiet life. But at sixteen years-old, she fails a government personality test designed to diagnose insubordinate tendencies. As a punishment, she is sent to a mysterious island known as “The Wheel”. A harsh and dangerous place where a civil war rages between two different tribes of teenagers. Alenna meets a boy named Liam, charming warrior who is planning to escape the island. This story is focus towards a young adult audience. I personally liked this story because it reminded me of another favourite book of mine which was the hunger game series. If you are a fan of the hunger games, battle royal, and any other rebellious dystopian novels, I guarantee you will like this book.

Sameer Khan

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent is a dystopian fiction novel written by Veronica Roth and is the first book of the Divergent trilogy. The book takes place in the post apocalypse city of Chicago. The survivors in the city have divided themselves into five different factions. “Abnegation” for selflessness, “Amity” for the peaceful, “Candor” for the honest, “Dauntless” for the brave, and “Erudite” for the intellectual, all these different groups play specific roles in this post-apocalypse society. The main character is Beatrice Prior who born to an Abnegation family, but for many years she never truly felt she belongs to the faction. On her sixteenth birthday, Beatrice took the aptitude test to see which group she want to be part of, but her tests were inconclusive for they gave her three options, Abnegation her home faction, Dauntless, or Erudite. The test coordinator warns her not to tell anyone about her test results because it makes her a “Divergent”. On the choosing day after a stressing over her results, she chooses to join Dauntless. Starting a new life, Beatrice will have to prove herself in order to be called Dauntless or rick becoming faction less. This book is mainly for young-adult readers. I personally enjoyed reading this book because it goes back to my favourite dystopian fiction genre and its likeness to the Hunger games one of my favourite series. Overall I would recommend this book if you are fan of dystopian genres like The Hunger Games or The Forsaken.

Sameer Khan

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a fiction novel written by Khaled Hosseini an Afghan American writer and also author of The Kite Runner. The book takes place in Afghanistan and follows the story of Mariam, an illegitimate child of a wealthy businessman. She suffers humiliation because of her birth and abuses through her forced marriage. The book also follows the story of Laila who was born a generation after Mariam. She has a more privileged life compared to Mariam until their paths meet and Laila and is forcefully married to Rasheed, an abusive man who is also Mariam's husband. The book tells the life story of these two women and how their paths intersected and affected each other’s lives. The book captivates the struggle of women in Afghan society which personally leads to one of the saddest novels I have read. Overall this story left me shocked and depressed.

Sameer Khan

Lord Loss by Darren Shan

Lord Loss is a horror fiction and children’s literature novel written by Darren Shan, it is the first book of the Demonata series. The main character of the story is Grubbs Grady who is the younger child of a family that is obsessed with chess. He notices that there was a growing unease amongst his family. On a night full of death and darkness, Grubbs first encounters Lord Loss and his evil minions and he learns three things: “the world is vicious and cruel”, “magic is possible”, and “demons exist”. Darren Shan is one of my favourite authors in the horror genre with his explicit detail of and terrifying imagery together with an excellent story create one of the best horror books I’ve read. I would recommend middle school and high school students to read this book and other in the series.

Sameer Khan

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell never fails to create thought-compelling books such as, Tipping Point, David and Goliath, and What the Dog Saw. Blink is a book about quick thinking and snap judgement, or “the power of thinking without thinking.” It contains many stories, just like his other books. He various real life stories and situations to complement the points that he is trying to make. He talks about a person’s ability to spot something instantly using an example of a fake sculpture at a museum. He also backs his claim up with a marriage analyst being able to spot whether a couple will stay together or break up. This book is definitely recommended for the high school especially when it comes to making discussion questions and topics.

Luqman Sattar

The Simpsons Futurama Crossover Crisis by Ian Boothby

The two funniest and well known TV shows of all time have come together to make a seriously legendary comic book! Fry and his friends from Futurama are transported into a Simpson’s comic. And things begin to go wrong in Springfield. Watch the two legendary comedy shows bring out a ton of laughs that will be surely unforgettable. This comic is not written by Matt Groening, but Ian Boothby (it shouldn’t matter because he is still funny). This comic is not really for high school because there is probably more important stuff to read (like Chronicle of a Death Foretold or The Stranger), but this is recommended for middle schoolers who have free time and want a laugh.

Luqman Sattar

The 39 Clues: Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

The Maze of Bones is a children’s literature, mystery, and adventure fiction book written by Rick Riordan, it is the first book of The 39 Clues series. The Book follows the story two orphans, Amy and Dan Cahill who are brother and sister. Upon the day of Grace’s (their grandmother) funeral, they discover that their family is an old, large, and very powerful one, before Grace’s funeral, Amy, Dan, and bunch of other Cahills are called for a private meeting where they watch a video message of Grace. She gives the Cahills two choices, to accept one million dollars of inheritance, or to take one of the greatest challenges yet, the one who wins this challenge will become the greatest Cahill who has ever lived. This challenge consists of 39 clues all which are scattered around the world, from Boston, to Paris, and beyond. Both Amy and Dan take on this challenge but are faced with competition from other Cahills. This is a great adventure series which I enjoyed reading and I would recommend it to mostly middle school students.

Sameer Khan

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird is an outstanding novel written by Harper Lee and published in July, 11 1960. The novel depicts the 1930s and the times of the Great Depression in Maycomb, Alabama. The story is told from the eyes of a six year old girl called Scout Finch. She narrates the story by remembering past events in her adulthood. Personally I found this type of narration to be unique because it gave me a sense that what she remembered could have easily been false and misleading as our memory tends to fool us at times. The book being about the rape of a white woman by a black man, the theme of racial prejudice is highly prevalent in the novel. Adding in the fact that a white lawyer is trying to prove the black man innocent really emphasizes on the dramatic story and tragic elements. Though I didn't find the book to be very tragic or sad, it had elements of injustice which may prove to be moving for some readers. I wasn't surprised with the ending of the novel as the story has elements suggesting how there were double standards between whites and blacks. Tom Robinson(the black man) being falsely convicted was something I expected from the portrayal of the society in the setting. The way he was framed and accused by Mayella Ewell (the white woman) despite her flirting with him in reality is the perfect example of racial prejudice in a society. This story reminded me of the novella "Chronicle of a Death Foretold" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez in the way an individual is accused for something he didn't do and the society prefers to stay oblivious to the reality that can save the individuals life.


Due to the strong themes it illustrates and it's unique narration. To Kill a Mockingbird is an outstanding novel.

Yasin Mergen

Pendragon: The Merchant of Death by D.J. MacHale

Pendragon: The Merchant of Death is a Fantasy, speculative fiction and the first book of the Pendragon Series written by D. J. MacHale. The Book is about a fourteen year-old boy named Bobby Pendragon whose life changes when his Uncle Press takes him to the subway in the Bronx in New York. There they are attacked by Saint Dane, The main villain of the book. Uncle Press Bobby to enter the door marked with a star and say “Denduron” while entering. Bobby does so and soon finds himself in another world similar to Earth but with 3 suns. He soon learns that there are two tribes, Milago and the Bedoowan. The Milago are treated very badly by the Bedoowan tribe which force them to work in the mines. Pendragon finds himself in between this hate between the two tribes where one side wants freedom and revenge while the other wants to keep order and security. This book is ment for young adults, so people from middle school and high school can read this book. I overall enjoyed this book because of its unique plot and because it’s a Fiction. I would recommend anyone interested in Speculative fiction to read this book.

Sameer Khan

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl is a young adult fiction and fantasy novel written by Irish author Eoin Colfer. The book is about a twelve year-old boy named Artemis who is a rich millionaire who is a genius criminal mastermind and is the head of the Fowl Criminal Empire. Artemis believes that fairies exist and after so extensive investigation and research Fowl discovers fairies exist and catches one. Only this fairy, Captain Holly Short isn’t just something from a children’s bedtime story, she is the leader of the LEPrecon unit, a squad of highly trained and deadly fairies that will stop at nothing to save their comrade. This book is mainly aimed at younger middle school students who are interested in fantasy and action packed story. I enjoyed reading this book to an extent but I would recommend this only to younger kids.

Sameer Khan

The Lost World by Michael Crichton

The Lost World is a science fiction, speculative fiction, and techno-thriller novel written by Michael Crichton. It is the sequel to the first book Jurassic Park which was written years earlier. The book takes off six years after the disaster at Jurassic Park when the Island was shut off by the Costa Rican government and the dinosaurs were killed, but rumours say something has survived. The main character of the book, Ian Malcolm sets up a team for a rescue mission to go and find Richard Levine who set off to the Island to find the dinosaurs. The book is mainly for middle school children and young adults. I definitely enjoyed reading this book and who recommend it to people who are interested in science fiction, and dinosaurs.

Sameer Khan

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Hazel Grace is a teenage girl that has thyroid cancer which has spread to her lungs causing her to lug an oxygen canister all the time. She attends community group for people with cancer, and that is where she meets Augustus Waters. A guy that had osteosarcoma, a type of cancer that caused him to lose his leg. The two have a connection and develop a relationship throughout the book. This book is romance-y and pretty sad, but anyone can read. I liked it. It is recommended for young adults, and falls under realistic fiction. It is also recommended because this book falls discusses real-life situations.

Luqman Sattar

The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Birth of a Killer by Darren Shan

This is a prequel series to The Saga of Darren Shan. It follows Larten Crepsley’s life before he meets his vampire assistant. Larten runs away after he kills his boss. An outcast, alone in a cemetery, he soon meets Seba Nile, an old vampire, and begins his life as a creature of the night. Along the way he meets many people and learns new things. This series falls under action, adventure, and fantasy. This series is four books long, and can be finished faster than The Saga of Darren Shan. The series is recommended for middle school ages.

Luqman Sattar

The Saga of Darren Shan: Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan

Darren and his friend Steve go to this mysterious Cirque du Freak, and find out that one of the people in there is a vampire. After the main character, Darren Shan (yes, the author named the main character after himself) steals the vampire’s spider, things begin to go wrong. The spider (which is like really super poisonous) bites Steve. The vampire (whose name is Larten Crepsley) agrees to help, but under the condition that Darren becomes his apprentice. This book series was one of my favorite series, and was filled with action up until the last book (there are twelve). I recommend this book to anyone, especially middle school.

Luqman Sattar

Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-Earth by J.R.R. Tolkien

This is a collection of stories and essays written by Tolkien, but not completed. It was edited by his son, Christopher Tolkien. It starts off with notes from Christopher Tolkien about each story. It then proceeds to move on to the stories. In all honesty any of the stories will be very hard to understand if you do not have any previous knowledge about any of the characters or any of the other Tolkien books. This book is definitely for hard core, die hard Tolkien fans. I felt that this was very hard to read even with knowledge of other Tolkien works. I think that this book is definitely for high school, but of course, as always, middle school can give it a whirl if they feel like it.

Luqman Sattar

A History of God: The 4000 year quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam by Karen Armstrong

This book by Karen Armstrong follows the evolution of how people worshiped God. Starting from polytheism, to Judaism and Christianity, and moving on to Islam and the worship of God in the modern world. It talks about the worship of God from many angles coming from the three main monotheistic doctrines. It is a very interesting book, and I would recommend it to people interested in different religions and various beliefs. This book is pretty thick, and has very small font. It will probably take a long time to read. I recommend this book to the high school level, and possibly the middle school level, but most probably the high school.

Luqman Sattar

Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

Angels and Demons is an action, suspense, thriller that takes place mainly in the Vatican. After four cardinals suddenly go missing, and a canister with a highly explosive canister is stolen, the Vatican calls on Professor Robert Langdon to help find the cardinals. It must follow the point of view of Robert Langdon. The professor must get together with a team of detectives and a scientist at CERN to save the Vatican. This book is fast paced, and heart pumping with bone chilling and spine shivering moments that will make you want to keep on reading. I definitely recommend this book to both middle school and high school. Just a precaution: this book may be offensive towards certain people beliefs.

Luqman Sattar

J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography by Leslie Ellen Jones

Have you read Lord of the Rings? You may know everything about the books, but do you know anything about the author? This book is about J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of the legendary Lord of the Rings series. He was really creative! He was the guy that created an entire language for his books, but named the evil mountain Mt. Doom. And this is your chance to learn about him, his life, and inspiration for writing his books. This book is for anyone looking for a biography to read, but I really recommend this book to a Tolkien fan.

Luqman Sattar

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Sometimes you encounter books that defy the labels they’ve been placed under. Considering the topic of this book, the author did a wonderful job of expressing a point of view that’s utterly realistic and brutally honest. This book is about a boy whose mother forces him to spend time with a girl dying of leukemia. Spoiler alert: No they don’t end up falling in love and no, the girl isn’t saved by some nearly-impossible miracle. Unlike other books with cancer patients *cough* The Fault in Our Stars *cough* this book did not make me weep but it did make me shed one tear. Four actually. There wasn’t a happily-ever-after ending, and everything about the book from start to finish was realistic, which is very unlike a lot of YA fiction books. It was harsh, crude, down-to-earth, and without embellishment. This book will smack you in the face with a dose of reality and will remind you that in reality, miracles don’t always happen and that superman doesn’t always save the girl. Heck, he may not even be in love with her to begin with.

Faatimah Solomon

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

This book was everything unexpected. Ready Player One is a book set in 2044 where an online video game OASIS dominates the life of the majority of people. Earth by this time is depleted of natural resources and everyone’s lives are ravaged by poverty. People all over the world are turning a blind eye and refuse to accept their reality by replacing it with a perfect life on OASIS. When the multi-billionaire creator of OASIS dies, he sets a competition that'll determine the heir to his fortune (and company). Five years after the competition is announced, a parentless boy named Wade becomes the first to unlock the first stage of the challenge and triggers a mad scramble of OASIS users trying to complete the challenge, a challenge that many would kill for. Along his journey, he makes friends and enemies and learns at the end that OASIS is not a substitute for real life. As a person who is no way a gamer, I had my doubts when I started reading the book. By the time I was done, I wanted to pick it up and read it again. This book was nothing like I’ve ever read before, indescribable, truly one of a kind. I recommend this to everyone, gamer or non-gamer, because this book drives you to consider where the future of humanity is headed and at which point rampant technology becomes too much.

Faatimah Solomon

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins is a book that I have picked up and finished in less than two days in a long time. Reading the book itself towards the ending leaves you in a jumble of emotions, to the point where I had to set the book down a few times to digest it all.

The story starts off as the main character Lola Nolan, a high school student who designs and wears outrageous clothing and wigs, simply wishing for her fathers (yes, her fathers) to accept her current boyfriend Max. Max happens to be in a band, displaying several tattoos, whilst being 22, five years older than Lola. She has small troubles and things to worry about until her childhood neighbors, the Bell twins return after being away for several years.

Lola has had several issues in the past with Calliope, whom nearly everything revolves around and a lost childhood love connection between Cricket. Cricket has changed after being away for several years, his family always on the move for the benefits of his twin sister’s future. Lola is convinced that she loves her boyfriend Max and despises Cricket, yet when he comes around, she finds the same emotions creeping back after several years since he left her emotionally wounded.

A short, heart aching love story of a different unique girl and an awkward well dressed genius who struggle to find the words to admit their feelings after the long years they’ve spent apart. It’s heartwarming, irritating book of two characters who seem to find their connection in an instant, but drag out time to finally be together. It’s a pain in the chest to see them grow so close at some times, to the extent where you experience their aching desire for each other, only to be pulled apart again.

I would highly recommend this story to teen romance lovers who love a long fight for long before the end of the journey.

Eman Fathala

Josie and Jack by Kelly Braffet

I can say for sure that I have been waiting a few hours now to get all my thoughts on this book while I am still heated. I started and finished this book in less than three hours, completely and utterly consumed in it.

The stage set, siblings Josie and Jack, live together in a large house with a unloving, neglecting (slightly maniac) father, deprived of a mother, who has deep interest in the studies of science, and believes schools teach their children rubbish, therefore having them homeschooled. Josie and Jack, share the same dark, witty humour that sets them off from everybody in town, as they’re the only people who understand each other. After Josie has a falling out with their father, he leaves the house for several months only to come back and invite Josie along to their new destination: New York.

I grew faintly attached with Jack, Josie’s nineteen year old brother, who takes care of her with such care, in the midst of the book, I was suspecting a slight case of incest when he would kiss or caress her, pushing away several of her admirers, stating that he would be the only one to love her. Josie, must to my distaste, is greatly dependent, and almost cannot be without him, overall creating a weak female lead, made difficult to like.

It’s certainly a consuming book that leaves you thinking after the ending, wishing you’d gone back and read carefully so you wouldn’t miss a single word. Their dialogue and emotion put you right in the scene, a delightful, taboo romantic relationship between the two that will leave you breathless. I highly suggest this a quick read or something to dissect and interpret in your free time. A intelligent, tear-provoking book. I suggest it if you’re up for it.

Eman Fathala

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

How can something so wrong feel so right?
Forbidden written by Tabitha Suzuma and published in 2010, is another book I have read recently and felt the need to review once again. This book includes explicit and mature content, so a mere warning for those who are sensitive to topics including incest (in addition to foul language and graphic scenes)

It takes place in London, where a dysfunctional family of an alcoholic, neglecting mother, two lively younger siblings, a wicked troublemaker by the name of Kit, and the two oldest siblings, Maya and Lochan. With their mother constantly outside the house, Maya and Lochan are put in full responsibility of caring for the children, preparing their meals, driving them to school, and assisting them with their homework. Lochan, a witty but anti social outcast, suffers from a phobia of speaking to people and even speaking, only feeling comfortable at home. As him and Maya work together and grow closer, they are forced to battle and confront the feelings and they have built towards each other, their longing and aching desire for each other growing worse by each page. Their love turns to something they wish to keep in desperate secrecy till finally they are able to reach a conclusion.

Although the writing style not of something I would normally enjoy, slightly vague and lacking some detail, I was unable to put it down. The emotion and description were enough to keep me going and experiencing nearly the same joy, pain and aching desperation as the characters. It takes incest from a different point of view, much to my pleasure, and it somehow make this normally socially shunned subject slightly more...acceptable?

As much as I wish to spoil this, I cannot and will not. A heart wrenching, tragic tale, but highly suggested for a romance lover that loves a dare, a little more danger.

Eman Fathala

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor and Park, by New York Times Bestseller Rainbow Rowell, is the extraordinary teen tale between two misfits, the two more different and complex than each other. Despite the many troubles and people around them, they’re able to develop the innocent, heart-warming romance all teens long for. Both smart enough to know that their first loves don’t last; they decide to give it a chance.

Each of their stories told through an alternating third person perspective, it allows us in to each of their lives before we’re quickly removed away from their worlds. Eleanor, a slightly bigger girl with uncontrollable bright red hair comes from a home where recycling clothes and acting like she can’t see the bruises on her mother’s arms is the norm. Facing the troubles of trying to avoid her sickening, gross stepfather, her life sees a speck of light when she’s forced to sit next to a privileged beautiful Asian boy, Park. From there they’re story begins.

Through the exchange of comic books and music tapes, their high school love story is unlike no other. It makes you want to tear up nearly most of the time because of the simple, yet meaningful dialogue and the different ways they interact. You see change in Park as you dig further into the story, fighting his father and doing as what he pleases, or what makes him happy. Some shocking events are revealed at the ending, and I highly suggest this as a sweet, quick read if you’re ever in the mood for a slightly more unique high school romance.

Eman Fathala

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews, a New York Times bestseller happened to fall in my hands unexpectedly last week and I finished in under two days (along with the attached sequel I will review next). I caution readers about this book as it make trigger any strong emotions or discomfort.

The story takes place in 1957, where two children, Cathy and Chris, and their mother, impregnated with twins, await their father on his 35th birthday. An officer arrives instead with the tragic news that their father has died. The family is forced to move to their mother’s house where they’re coldly greeted by their grandmother who openly despises them all, the twins now having been born. She loathes her daughter and grandchildren for the reason that they are the children of the devil, because of a “sinful” marriage between their mother and her husband, who is her half uncle. While staying the attic, for a number of years abandoned by their neglecting widow of a mother, changes occur, emotions and feelings change between the children, more specifically Cathy and Chris after been kept contained in an attic to grow and develop.

This book is one of the first books I have started in months and have managed to finish in less than twenty-four hours. It’s captivating, emotionally, and certainly a page-turner. If you haven’t already gotten the hint, I think it’s appropriate to say that this book includes quite a bit of incest. Usually when people hear this word, they feel sick to the stomach but this book could possibly change your perspective. After viewing their relationship with the children and with each other, their mother have no role in their lives anymore, they take up the roles of parents. They take care of the twins, make sure they’re happy and safe, even when they’re kept inside the walls of an attic, far from sunshine, air, and more importantly, a normal life.

I would highly suggest this book for anyone who is looking for something that will keep them on the edge of their seat, or something rather daring.

Eman Fathala

After by Anna Todd

After by Anna Todd, first time author Wattpad sensation alone has bucked up around one billion reads online, only to be brought to shelves worldwide. A book that will leave your head aching and wanting for more, despite the turn of events. A slightly more mature book, including foul language, sexual content and graphic writing, I would not recommend this to readers under seventeen.

Tessa Young, 18, the ambitious daughter with the reliable caring boyfriend back home, is lead into a completely different life world when she is meets Hardin Scott, the classic bad boy through her dorm partner. With his tousled brown hair, tattoos and piercing and cocky attitude, there is sure to be a clash between the all-innocent, sweet good girl and the intricate British heartthrob. Tessa knows he is different and life after him will certainly not be the same.

The book itself is a series of four books, and each book more heart wrenching and indulging than the other. The story itself, as mentioned, received a series of mixed reviews from people who debate and question if this is a so-called romance. The story itself is very addicting to read, the type of book that you cannot set down, but I could that at times it lacks detail and some of the events are repetitive, resulting in no actual plot.

It’s claimed that despite the cheats, lies, and actions displayed through the book, it tells the story of a traumatized man who learns to accept and give love with the help of the patient, kind hearted woman. Many readers criticize that this displays several signs of an abusive relationship both physically and emotionally, while others disagree. The story itself is very addicting to read, the type of book that you cannot set down, but I could say that at times it lacked detail and some of the events were repetitive, resulting in no actual plot. Then again, that is up to the reader to decide.

It mixes the ideas of old classics such as Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice to tell the story of two stubborn, passionate individuals.

Eman Fathala

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

The Knife of Never Letting Go is a young-adult science fiction novel written by Patrick Ness. The book takes place in a small settlement called Prentisstown on "New World". The strange thing about this town is that it only has men and everyone can hear each other’s thoughts, no privacy, a never ending noise, and no secrets. In this town is Todd Hewitt, the last boy in Prentisstown. Just one month before his birthday Todd stumbled upon a spot with complete silence, which is impossible. This means that Prentisstown had been lying to him. Todd goes back to tell his adoptive parents Ben and Cillian about this, they tell him to run away from the town as far as possible. Todd obeys unwillingly and soon finds himself being chased by Army of Prentisstown men. While he escapes he finds a girl named Viola who crashed inside a space pod. Now both Todd and Viola have to run away from Prentisstown army to somewhere safe, but they do not know if there are other settlements in New World. I loved this book because of its original plot full of mystery which you have to think about and the interesting Sci-Fi setting. I would recommend anyone interested into science fiction to read this book because the story is worth it.

Sameer Khan

One Piece by Eiichiro Oda

One Piece is a manga about pirates that is very funny and interesting. The story revolves around Luffy, a boy who has a body made of rubber. Luffy wants to become the most respected pirate in history, he wants to be… the Pirate King. Luffy sets out to find a crew and make all of his dreams come true. He meets many friends and enemies along the way. One Piece is one of the most popular manga worldwide. Its manga series is still going on today, and has been adapted into its very own anime series. One Piece is recommended for the middle school levels. Join Luffy in his exhilarating and action-packed adventures because I am very sure that this is something that you will enjoy.

Luqman Sattar

Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Chronicle of a Death Foretold is sort of a supernatural mystery. It starts off with the narrator talking about the death of Santiago Nasar (the main character, Santiago Nasar was murdered, and it goes through what was happening with pretty much everyone in the town when Sanitago’s murder occurred. This book was originally written in Spanish and may be part of your IB curriculum for English Literature. Just a head’s up saying that you should try reading the book so you know a bit about it later. Other than it being for school, it is also a good book to read during your free-time. The book is not short, and is a very quick read. You won’t be spending a lot of time reading it.

Luqman Sattar

The Fire Thief by Terry Dreary

The Fire Thief is Greek mythology novel by Terry Dreary. The book follows the story of Prometheus, a Greek titan who stole fire from the gods and gave it to the humans. To pay for his crimes, he was chained to a rock and have his liver ripped out by the Fury. After a hundred years of punishment, Prometheus breaks free and kills the Fury, but his freedom is short lived when Zeus arrives. He gives Prometheus the chance to prove that humans are worth saving by sending him into the future to find a hero among the humans, but at the same time he will be hunted by the immortal Fury which aims to kill him and chain him back to the rock. This book is filled with adventure and awesome characters. The book is mostly written for young middle school students, so if you are a fan of adventure and interesting set of characters, then I recommend you read this book.

Sameer Khan

Mobile Suit Gundam I, the origin by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko

Mobile Suit Gundam, the origin is a science fiction Japanese manga by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko. In the distant future, mankind has been emigrating its excess population from Earth into space. Hundreds of man built, terraformed, cylindrical structures were space colonies where millions of humans resided and found new homes and lived peacefully, but not for very long. Side 3, the colony farthest from Earth declared independence from Earth Federation as the Principality of Zeon which declared war on the Federation. In just over a month, fighting between the principality and the federation had lead to the slaughter of more that half of Humanity. The war ended in stalemate and an uneasy truce. During this time the Federation began to secretly develop new and highly advanced mobile suits known as Gundams in preparation for future war. Soon this peace was broken and the Principality attacked on one of the Federation colony's where the Gundams were being developed. In this colony a young boy named Amuro learns how to use the Gundam by himself and displays himself as a capable pilot, defeating many Principality mobile suits. I enjoyed reading this manga because of its Sci-Fi genre, action packed plot, skilled drawn art, and characters both heroes and villains who have great characteristics and well developed back stories. Gundam is one of the manga classics and one of my favorite anime of all time. If you are a Japanese anime or manga fan like me, I would recommend you to pickup this book from the library and start reading.

Sameer Khan

The Thief Lord

The Thief Lord is a fantasy, and speculative fiction children's novel written by Cornelia Funke. The book is about two young brothers Prosper and Boniface who run away from their Aunt Esther and Uncle Max to go and live in the city of Venice. While there, they meet a gang of children, Caterina, Riccio, and Mosca. They are all orphans who live in an abandoned movie theater called The Stella. Prosper and Boniface are taken in by these children and are introduced to their leader Scipio. The brothers learn that Scipio is know as The Thief Lord for his reputation of stealing valuables from the rich and bringing them back to be sold. Prosper and Boniface are both excited and happy starting a new life with this gang of thieves, and their new life takes a bigger turn when a man by the name of Conte contacts Scipio and asks him to steal a wooden lion's wing for him, and in return they children would receive a reward greater than everything they had ever stolen.The children gladly accepted Conte's offer and decide to pursue this daring mission which will require them to break into a house and on top of that they have to make sure they avoid Victor Getz, a private detective, sent by Aunt Esther and Uncle Max to find and bring back Prosper and Boniface. The story is one of friendship, brotherhood, betrayal, and adventure. I loved this book because of its originality, suspense, and shocking plot twists that kept me reading for long hours. I would recommend anyone to read this book because of its exhilarating plot and in interesting characters.

Sameer Khan

World War Z by Max Brooks

If you watched the movie, you should probably know that there is a book that came before it. World War Z is a book by Max Brooks about zombies. It starts off in China with the start of a few infected people. But it starts to spread, and fast. Soon it spreads all over the world. A cure must be found, and fast. The story unfolds with individual accounts of people (obviously fake accounts). The book is considered an apocalyptic horror book. But I consider it a science fiction and thriller book. It is a good and exciting must-read that I absolutely recommend. If you are reading this for the movie-ness I will tell you right now that even Max Brooks said that the only thing similar between the book and movie was pretty much its name. So… yeah, big difference.

Luqman Sattar

Spartans by Don McLeese

This is a history book about Spartans, but here’s the super awesome twist. It’s in the form of a comic book! It talks about Sparta in Ancient Greece. If you don’t like history books because they don’t have any pictures, this book is definitely something that you should check out. You know what? Even if you do like history you should try giving this book a whirl. I do, however, recommend that you DO NOT use this book as a source for any type of assignment that requires research or the citing of sources. But again, it is a very creative way to “teach” history and is interesting enough to be read by anyone.

Luqman Sattar

The Lorien Legacies: I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

The story begins with a peaceful planet called Lorien. And like all peaceful planets in anything science fiction related, it gets destroyed in an intergalactic invasion. In a last hope to save their species, nine children are sent to Earth with their designated guardians. All these children are charmed and given numbers. This number they have is the number they will be killed in. Numbers 1 to 3 have been killed by this evil alien race called the Mogadorians. Number Four is obviously next. He and his guardian flee to this small town called Paradise, which, in his opinion, really sucks. However, he does make his peace with the town and becomes happy. But something just isn’t right about Paradise. I am Number Four is the first book in Lorien Legacies. The book, as well as the series, are action packed, fast paced, and sprinkled with hints of romance here and there. But it’s mostly action and fast-paced though.

Luqman Sattar