(Credit to Violet Newton)

Jordan Banks is a new seventh grader at Riverdale Prestige Academy. He wanted nothing more than to go to a fancy art school where he could live out his passions, but his parents weren’t exactly supportive. Jordan lives his life stuck in two different worlds. The world of color cartoons and art, and the world of academics, sports and being known as popular. And at the end of the day, he doesn’t feel like he fits in either.

(Credit to Violet Newton)

Makani Young used to live in Hawaii, but now resides in a small town in Nebraska. During her first week at her new school, she realizes students one by one have mysteriously gone missing. It’s rumored that a man in a mask is going around killing the students at the high school. Makani has some secrets of her own she tries to keep hidden while also trying to find out who’s next on the list.

(Credit to Violet Newton)

If you’re into fantasy, drama, or fictional books, then this series is a great starting point. A series about groups of people forced into an arena and are told to fight to the death.Participants are given minimal resources and trustworthy individuals are a rare find. This suspenseful series will keep you on your toes. This series is expected to be read in chronological order.

“The plot of the story was super interesting. I think for me the characters and their goals were one of the other things that really drew me into it. Also the way that Katniss would strategically think about her plans to stay alive and keep Peeta alive. Another aspect I enjoyed was the world that they live in. With the way that the society was controlled by the government was just really cool to unpack and kinda try to figure out how it worked or why they did it,”

– Samantha Slunaker, Sophomore.

(Credit to Violet Newton)

‘The Fault in Our Stars’ is a fictional story about a girl named Hazel Grace and her journey through her diagnosis at age 13 with stage five thyroid cancer. At age 16, her parents forced her to go to a support group where she met a boy her age named Augustus Waters who had lost his leg in a tragic accident. She was given the opportunity to join a program that allows her to be granted one last wish in case she doesn’t survive cancer. She chooses to fly Augustus and her mother out to Italy to meet one of her favorite authors. The trip, not ending as expected and feeling like she wasted her life on a lie will leave you in tears.

(Credit to Violet Newton)

Mickey Catalans suffered injuries from a tragic car crash right before softball season. Being the catcher for the school softball team, her team counted on her, and without her, they weren’t able to win the tournament. She was prescribed heavy doses of pain medication to help her get through minor injuries. The pain medication turned into more than just medicine; it became an addiction that made her feel good emotionally and physically. The addiction turns into something she no longer can control, but there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.

“It’s a fast read, I feel like it’s kind of dark and gritty, and I feel as if people tend to enjoy stuff like that.

The book does a good job of talking about addiction and things like that. Even beyond that, it’s a really good read. ”

– Ashely Seiss, English Teacher