Teen Book Reviews

Submit a Teen Book Review

Teens in grades 6-12 can earn community service by reading and reviewing new YA books!

Rules:

• Teens can read and review 2 books per month
• Each book will be worth 2 community service hours
• Teens may review any new book from our YA selection
• The reviews should be between 100-250 words.
• The review should discuss elements such as how the plot flowed, writing style, flaws in the story and overall enjoyment of the book. Do not provide a summary of the book.  Please include the title and author at the top of your review.

Book review submissions will be reviewed by the Teen Department before community service is awarded. We reserve the right to deny community service credit if the review does meet the criteria presented above.

If you have any questions feel free to reach out to the Teen Department at 914-941-2416 ext. 336.

Submit a book review here. 

Three Things I Know to Be True

by Betty Culley

Three Things I Know to Be True by Betty Culley is a poignant, coming-of-age novel that explores the complexities of family, love, and loss. The story follows 17-year-old Ben, who struggles with the aftermath of a devastating accident involving his younger brother, Andy. Ben’s guilt, grief, and sense of responsibility are central to the narrative, as he grapples with his feelings of betrayal and helplessness. The novel unfolds through Ben’s introspective perspective, as he reflects on the past and tries to find his way forward in the wake of tragedy.

Culley’s writing is sensitive and evocative, capturing the raw emotions of her characters in a way that feels both authentic and deeply moving. She balances moments of sadness with glimpses of hope, creating a nuanced portrayal of family dynamics and personal growth. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the emotional weight of the story to unfold gradually, building to a powerful and satisfying conclusion.

The book’s exploration of grief and the impact of family relationships is handled with tenderness and care, making it a deeply emotional and thought-provoking read. Three Things I Know to Be True is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant story, offering readers an unforgettable experience full of heart, hope, and healing.

The Cost of Knowing

by Brittney Morris

Brittney Morris’s The Cost of Knowing is an emotionally charged, thought-provoking novel that tackles themes of grief, racism, and family bonds. Morris’s writing style is vivid and immersive, with a strong sense of voice that brings the characters’ emotional struggles to the forefront. The portrayal of the protagonist, Alex, and his psychic gift is both unique and compelling, lending the story a sense of urgency and tension that keeps the pages turning.

The plot itself is poignant and layered, though it occasionally falters in pacing. The intensity of the emotional stakes can be overwhelming at times, especially as the story explores heavy topics like systemic racism and loss. Some readers may find the constant emotional weight a bit exhausting, and certain plot developments feel somewhat predictable, detracting from the overall suspense.

Where the novel truly shines is in its character development. Alex’s relationships, particularly with his younger brother and his best friend, are rich and complex, capturing the nuanced dynamics of family and friendship. However, the book’s reliance on certain genre tropes and its occasional melodramatic moments do hinder its overall impact.

Despite its flaws, The Cost of Knowing is a gripping and emotionally resonant read. Morris’s ability to craft raw, heartfelt moments makes this a worthwhile book, especially for readers who enjoy stories that challenge both the mind and the heart.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

by Jenny Han

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han is a delightful YA romance that centers on Lara Jean Covey, a shy high schooler whose secret love letters to past crushes are accidentally sent out. The plot follows Lara Jean as she navigates the fallout from the letters, including her complicated relationship with Peter Kavinsky, one of the recipients. To save face, the two enter a fake relationship, but their bond deepens in unexpected ways.

Han’s writing is warm and accessible, with a tone that feels both genuine and playful. She captures the nuances of teenage emotions, making Lara Jean a relatable and endearing protagonist. The book’s charm lies not only in its romance but in its portrayal of family dynamics, particularly Lara Jean’s close relationship with her sisters, which adds depth and authenticity to the story.

The pacing is quick, and the mix of humor, vulnerability, and heartfelt moments makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read. The story strikes a balance between lighthearted romance and personal growth, making it both fun and meaningful. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a heartwarming, feel-good book that leaves readers eagerly turning pages and craving more. It’s a perfect read for fans of contemporary YA fiction.

The Silence That Binds Us

by Joanna Ho

Joanna Ho’s The Silence That Binds Us offers a heartfelt exploration of family, grief, and identity, though it does so with a few narrative missteps. The book follows the struggles of the Chen family as they grapple with the death of their son and the cultural pressures that weigh on their lives. Ho’s writing style is compelling, rich in emotional depth and authenticity, which brings the characters to life. She excels in portraying the internal conflicts of the protagonist, Mei, whose journey toward self-understanding is both moving and complex.

However, the novel’s pacing sometimes falters. Certain moments feel repetitive, as Mei’s internal monologues can drag on, especially when revisiting the same emotional territory. The plot itself feels somewhat predictable, and while the themes of cultural expectations versus personal desires are poignant, they are explored in a manner that lacks the nuanced tension needed to keep the reader fully engaged. The dialogue, while realistic, occasionally leans into melodrama, which detracts from the otherwise raw emotional core of the story.

Despite these flaws, The Silence That Binds Us remains an evocative, relatable read. It may not break new ground, but it still offers a powerful meditation on the weight of silence in family dynamics and the struggle to break free from generational cycles. Fans of contemporary YA and coming-of-age stories will find plenty to appreciate in Ho’s thought-provoking work.

Girls Who Burn

by MK Pagano

“Girls Who Burn” by MK Pagano is a standalone mystery– the main character, Addie, is determined to find out the truth about the death of her sister, which was ruled an accident. A year later, Addie’s main suspect for the murder was found dead in the same place. To catch the real killer, Addie must collaborate with her childhood nemesis, Seth– the one she was with during both murders. As they get closer and closer to the truth, Addie and Seth must dodge corruption from both police and family– and risk being victims themselves. This book was fast-paced and very suspenseful, making it an interesting read. In addition, Pagano does an excellent job of setting up the atmosphere between characters, and it was very interesting and fun to guess who the suspect was. The component of romance was nice and well-written as well. However, the characters fell flat to me– I would’ve appreciated learning more about Addie’s life. The plot lacked direction, and the resolution of the murders was predictable and underwhelming. In addition, the way the book wrapped up was quite unsatisfying. This book had a lot of potential, but ended up falling flat. However, if you enjoy murder mysteries and thrillers, “Girls Who Burn” may be for you. I would give it 3 stars out of 5.

Talking To Strangers

by Fiona Barton

Set around the murder of Karen Simmons, a woman locally known for her notorious use of dating apps, Fiona Barton’s “Talking To Strangers” showcases the perspectives of 3 women: Elise, a detective, Kiki, a news reporter struggling to make ends meet, and Annie, a mother of three. Kiki, who needs the inside information of this case to uplift her career, is willing to go against Elise and put herself in danger. As both Kiki and Elise encounter new findings and ideas, Annie faces the truths of her past and some harsh decisions to make– the truth of Simmon’s case, and the answer of what ties them together begins to emerge. In my opinion, this book was a moderately difficult read. I think that it was a good idea to include multiple perspectives in this story, and I enjoyed the consecutive, day-to-day fashion that the author used for different perspectives. However, having both Kiki and Elise’s perspective felt quite repetitive, due to the fact that both women were working on the case– Annie’s perspective was the most interesting to me, and I would’ve preferred to see more about her. In addition, the pacing of the story was relatively slow, with things only reaching their climax at the last few chapters– and the plot twist becomes predictable by the second half of the book. The book also felt more like it was about the personal lives of the main narrators rather than the actual murder case, and the many topics that it explored can sometimes be overwhelming and too much to focus on at once. In general, “Talking To Strangers” is a slow burn, with many different messages and many new perspectives to offer. Though this book is a part of a series, it’s possible to read it as a standalone– and would be the most enjoyable for those who like mysteries and thrillers, deserving a 3 out of 5 stars.

Death At Morning House

by Maureen Johnson

Maureen Johnson’s “Death At Morning House” follows the journey of Marlowe Wexler, a teen who uncovers a mystery while working as a tour guide on an island. After accidentally burning a family friend’s house, Marlowe is in need for a new summer job. She ends up at Morning House, an abandoned mansion in Raston Island. The Ralston family, its’ old inhabitants (which consisted of a scientist, his wife, his sister, and his 7 children), lived in a health-obsessed lifestyle in the early 1900’s. However, tragedies had struck the family, and 2 of their children lost their lives. Her new friends are pretty nice, but there’s an air of suspicion– Marlowe gets sucked into the drama, accidents happen, and the true secrets of the mansion are revealed. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style in the novel. The use of the two timelines greatly kept me engaged and captivated my interest. I liked how the author wrote the supporting characters as well- they were very well fleshed out. However, the book ended with a lot of unexplained factors for many parts of the plot. I also felt like the plot twist was underwhelming and generic– I wish that I could’ve gotten the opportunity as a reader to figure out the mystery, instead of being given it. The mystery took a lot of time to get to, and was solved too early on. I felt like this book had a lot of potential, but the mystery was a lot less compelling than I had expected. In general, if you’re a fan of YA and mysteries, I would recommend this book– it deserves 3 stars out of 5.

The Silence That Binds Us

by Joanna Ho