Tag Archives: Death

Review: Speechless by Adam P. Schmitt

By | | , ,
Comments Off on Review: Speechless by Adam P. Schmitt

Speechless by Adam P. SchmittSpeechless
Adam P. Schmitt
Candlewick Press
Published on November 6, 2018

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
About Speechless
As if being stuffed into last year’s dress pants at his cousin’s wake weren’t uncomfortable enough, thirteen-year-old Jimmy has just learned from his mother that he has to say a few words at the funeral the next day. Why him? What could he possibly say about his cousin, who ruined everything they did? He can’t recall one birthday party, family gathering, or school event with Patrick that didn’t result in injury or destruction.

As Jimmy attempts to navigate the odd social norms of the wake, he draws on humor, heartfelt concern, … Continue reading →

Review: Scythe by Neal Shusterman

By | | , , ,
2 Comments

Scythe by Neal ShustermanScythe
Neal Shusterman
Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published on November 22, 2016

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Scythe
Thou shalt kill.

A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.

Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

My Review
… Continue reading →

Review: The Opposite of Here by Tara Altebrando

By | | , , ,
Comments Off on Review: The Opposite of Here by Tara Altebrando

The Opposite of Here by Tara AltebrandoThe Opposite of Here
Tara Altebrando
Bloomsbury
Published on June 5, 2018

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About The Opposite of Here
Natalie’s parents are taking her and her three best friends on a cruise for her seventeenth birthday. A sail-a-bration, they call it. But it’s only been a few short months since Natalie’s boyfriend died in a tragic accident, and she wants to be anywhere but here.
Then she meets a guy on the first night and sparks fly. After a moonlit conversation on a secluded deck of the ship, Natalie pops down to her cabin to get her swimsuit so they can go for … Continue reading →

Review: Scorch by Gina Damico

By | | , , ,
2 Comments

Scorch by Gina Damico

Scorch
Gina Damico
HMH Books for Young Readers
Published September 25, 2012

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Going home after her sister’s death is the hardest thing Lex has ever had to do. But life in Croak isn’t getting any easier for the teenage Grim Reaper. Though her friends stick with her, the rest of the town blames Lex for Zara’s murderous rampage. After all, Zara wouldn’t be able to Damn souls if Lex hadn’t somehow transferred that ability to her. That Zara killed Lex’s sister doesn’t seem to matter either. Irrational fear and poor leadership whip the town into a frenzy of paranoia until Lex and her friends have no choice but to flee to … Continue reading →

Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

By | | , , , ,
12 Comments

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief
Markus Zusak
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published March 14, 2006 (Orig. published 2005)

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

A mysterious narrator gives an account of a young girl who has an unusual vice: she steals books. Death comes for the girl’s brother as she and her mother wait for a train to take them to a foster home where the children will be safe. It is he, the collector of souls, who is the only witness to the girl’s first thievery, and he begins to follow her story.

Life in Liesel’s new home is a difficult adjustment, plagued with nightmares, but through them, she and … Continue reading →