Kernel Book Talk

Kate Nash: The Girl Who Lived

Kate Nash: The Girl Who Lived 

I really enjoyed the book The Girl Who Lived, for a person that doesn't really enjoy reading I couldn't put this book down. Mrs. E had helped me pick it out for a book report and I am so glad I listened to her. The Girl Who Lived is about a young girl who goes through a traumatizing experience and finds herself going in and out of mental hospitals. Once she gets out is when it starts to get really good! Her challenge that she finds herself facing is why and who did this to her. As I read through the story, I found myself turning page after page because I couldn't put the book down!  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery books along with a short read!

Caden Hinker: Ready Player Two

Caden Hinker: Ready Player Two

This was a great read, I am not a very avid reader but this book was good! I read Ready Player One and that encouraged me to read the second one. It is about an Artificial Intelligence that tries to take over the mind of the players within the game. This may sound confusing but you need to read the book to understand it. Trust me you won't be disappointed!

Kara Magee: A Monster Calls

Kara Magee: A Monster Calls

I absolutely loved this book! I am not a big fan of reading. However, the second I picked this book up I could not put it down. A monster calls is a story about a young boy who is having a reoccurring nightmare. His challenge is to figure out why it keeps happening. Throughout the story I found myself guessing what the monster was symbolizing. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a short easy read. 

Ellie Kisor: The Cellar

Ellie Kisor: The Cellar

​Even though I do not like reading, I loved reading this book! The Cellar really keeps you guessing on what will happen next. It is about a guy, who goes by Clover, that takes girls to "save" them from the bad things in this world. He only ever has four at a time, and he names them after flowers because his mom loved flowers. He takes them to have the perfect family he never had. Clover takes a girl named Summer that has a very determined family to find her. Throughout this book it kept me guessing whether Summer's family would find her in Clover's cellar. I will definitely be reading more books by this author. I recommend this book to people who like suspenseful and mysterious books. This is also very easy to read and follow along with.
Ellie Kisor

Diony Borja: The Four Winds

Diony Borja: The Four Winds

I love to read books and have read many incredible books, and this was no exception. This book was about Elsa Wolcott, a woman trying to raise two children on a farm in the Great Plains during the Dust Bowl following the Great Depression. She struggles to make a choice of fighting for her land, even though crops are dying, and water is drying up or she can choose to go west in search of a better life. Throughout the story, I could only wonder what her kids think of this knowing how it feels like to have your parents must make a choice on leaving your family and familiar surroundings in search of a better life somewhere else. I recommend this book to people who have patience and love a good adventure. 

Paige Vander Heiden: Divergent

Paige Vander Heiden: Divergent

I absolutely loved this book! I was a good, easy read and super easy to understand. I’m not a big reader myself, but I will definitely bc continuing with this series. If you’re looking for a good thriller with a little love story, I would definitely recommend the first Divergent book!

Dakota Becker: I Am the Messenger

Dakota Becker: I Am the Messenger


I Am the Messenger is a book I did not have very high hopes for at the beginning but was very happy with the book. The beginning of the book makes you feel as Zusak was trying too hard to paint images of his story, but the lively aspects of the characters and location made the book so special. I also am not normally into mysteries, but I thought that I Am the Messenger was a great story, and I would suggest that anybody interested in mysteries should read.



Rating

Markus Zusak did it again with the beautifully crafted, "I Am the Messenger." The plotline of this eventful mystery never fails to surprise the reader, and excitement is found on each page of the book. The mystical portions of this book written on the playing cards will have you striving to get to the next page!

Madison Lord: A Man Calle Ove

Madison Lord: A Man Calle Ove

This book was not my favorite book. It is very slow in the beginning, and at times hard to understand. Once I was past the 100th page it got much better. This book shows a real situation of what happens to you when you lose a loved one. I would give this book 4/5 stars. If you like realistic fiction books centered around family then this book is for you. The book can be confusing at times, but overall, it was pretty good.  

Camen Max: Never Fear Anything

Camen Max: Never Fear Anything (Book not in MHS Library)

Review- This book always keeps you on your toes like a mystery. If you love getting an inside of our army this is a fantastic book for you. You will not have any problems with terminology as Terkla breaks it down for you in simple terms.

Recommendation Statement- This book always keeps you on your toes like a mystery. If you love getting an inside of our army this is a fantastic book for you. You will not have any problems with terminology as Terkla breaks it down for you in simple terms.

Allysia Barlean: The Cousins

Allysia Barlean: The Cousins

I thoroughly enjoyed The Cousins by Karen M. McManus. It had twists and turns around every corner and I did not expect what happened! This book is chill read, the words weren't difficult and I found myself wanting to read more. The Cousins is about three cousins who have never met before and they get the chance to be reunited and meet their grandmother for the first time on her island resort. But when they arrive on the island, their summer changes every single day. As I continued to read the story, I wanted to be the characters in the book and live out what they were going through. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a suspenseful mystery and a family aspect in their readings!

Whitney Axtell: The Hunger Games

Whitney Axtell: The Hunger Games

Review: With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me. "I volunteer!" I gasp. "I volunteer as tribute!" The Hunger Games was one of the most action-packed and exciting books I have ever read. It takes you on Katniss's adventure as she fights for her life and meets new people in the games. I really loved it because it left me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next.

Recommendation Statement: I would rate this book five stars. It is a thrilling adventure and full of twists and turns. Each moment is filled with suspense and action which makes it such a hard book to set down. I would recommend it to anyone who likes exciting dystopian and fantasy stories.

Tiffany Hatwan: Salt Slow

Tiffany Hatwan: Salt Slow

I would give this book a 5-star rating for sure! I would recommend this book to anyone who has a great imagination. If you are someone who likes to have mysterious things come up while you read, to keep you interested then this book is for one hundred percent for you. The book is the same at the end as it is in the beginning, so if you find yourself bored out at the beginning the I would recommend finding a new book. But if you love it, then keep on reading because it is AMAZING! 

"Their Sleeps ran alongside them, sticking out unsporting legs and yanking at their ponytails. I listened to their shouts with the night heavy eyelids, the whole world hushed and hot beyond my windowsill." Just in this one sections from the book there are so many different signs of imagery.  I really enjoyed this book because of the imagery. Things were constantly changing and getting even weirder than before. This book was the right book for me because I never once, while reading, found myself bored of the book. 

Brenen Rose: Smells Like Treasure (Book not in MHS Library)

Brenen Rose: Smells Like Treasure (Book not in MHS Library)

“Treasure found is for the greater good.” Proves Homer Pudding with his enormous heart and his courageous personality. This book is full of adventure and mystery and has a few plot twists along the way. There is a diverse set of characters that really keep you on your toes and give you different perspectives of what treasure hunting really is. I really like this book and it is one of my favorites.

      I recommend this book for people who like adventure and mystery. It is the second book in a series of three, so you should read the other books as well. It isn’t a very hard book to read and can be read by pretty much anyone. It is a little longer but once you start flipping through the pages you will not want to put the book down.

Carter Van Overschelde: To Wake the Giant

Carter Van Overschelde: To Wake the Giant

​I really liked the book, but at the beginning, the story is a bit boring, but towards the end, the story really blossoms into this action-packed story. It is a really good book to read if you like World War II stories. 


I think that if I had to rate this book, I would give it a 9.5/10. I would give it this rating because it is a very good book overall but, the story can be a bit boring at times. Overall, this book is great and has an amazing story about some very courageous characters.

Jayda Walton: Seventeenth Summer

Jayda Walton: Seventeenth Summer

Review: This book is an exceptional read, I enjoyed the plot line and character development. This book made me think about what in my life, truly makes me happy. Angie's character stays true to herself and I can relate to trying to be yourself. I loved the way the author described the setting, as well as the nature of the book. My favorite quote from the book is, "It was darker by that time and the moon was half hidden, cushioned in cloud"(pg. 19). Lines like this is the book make it very enjoyable to read because you can easily envision what is going on. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a classic romance book.
 
Recommendation: I would give this book four out of five stars. I would give it a four and not a five because when you read the book, it takes you a little while to figure out the time setting. Otherwise, the rest of the book is perfect. I believe this book is good for all readers. Seventeenth Summer is a book that will change you as a person, and that is why I enjoyed it greatly. As previously stated this book would be great for all people.

Natali Hobbie: The Lake

Natali Hobbie: The Lake

The Lake: The Lake is one of the eight thriller books by Natasha Preston that are in the MHS library, and are some of my personal favorite books. I love thrillers and Natasha Preston never disappoints, especially not in The Lake. The book is basically about these two girls who go back to a summer camp where they went when they were younger, but something bad happens. When they come back, somebody knows what happened and is spying on and tormenting the campers and counselors, all who have secrets of their own. I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves suspenseful thrillers and wants to be thrilled. It was a very good book and I read it in a day, so that should tell you how good it really is!

Kaylee Bauder: Words In Deep Blue

Kaylee Bauder: Words In Deep Blue

Overall, I would rate this book a 4 out of 5. The reason being is, it was hard to follow for the first few "chapters". The book's chapters alternate from Henry's point of view to Rachel's. I will admit that this book took me a while to like, but after really taking my time on it it really grew on me! I recommend this book for any teen that likes fiction and romance novels! "We are the books we read and the things we love."

Connor Delehant: Grenade

Connor Delehant: Grenade

 Grenade is a historical fiction told from two sides of the Battle of Okinawa. One point of view is from an American soldier named Ray Majors. He enlisted in the marines against the wishes of his parents, and now finds himself on the Island of Okinawa during the last major battle of World War II. The conflicting point of view is from a 14 year old Okinawan boy named Hideki. Once the Americans invade, school children like Hideki are forced into battle. He is told to kill as many Americans as possible and is only armed with two grenades. 

I would highly recommend reading this book to anyone interested in WW II. It is easy to read and understand. It adds unique perspective to the war and shows what the citizens felt like on the other end of the war.

I loved this book because it gave a unique perspective on a battle of WW II that is almost never mentioned. The narrator of the book changes every chapter between Ray and Hideki. I have never read a book that has this style before, but I enjoyed it very much.

Jackson Childs: Bearskin

Jackson Childs: Bearskin

Rice Moore, a wanna be biologist that gets stuck in the Appalachian Mountains studying its life forms for the summer and is in for an unwelcome treat. During his time at the camp he is led to a dead bear which had been killed by poaching. Throughout the book Rice goes on many adventures to track down the killers of this bear. Along his journey he runs into many challenges and faces his fears. Will Rice find the killers? Or will he get caught in the act and never leave the Appalachian Mountains? Read the book Bearskin, by James McLaughlin to find out what happens next. 

Bearskin was an incredible book, not only does McLaughlin take you on a plot rollercoaster but he also nails the characters traits. It combines seriousness with comedic relief in the meager social life of Rice.

I would give this book a 4/5 stars. I would highly recommend it to anyone that is into mystery and adventure books. But I truly believe anyone could like and enjoy this book.

Amber Moller: Pressure is a Privilege

Amber Moller: Pressure is a Privilege 

This book is about the challenges of becoming a  respected woman in the athletic community. Raising the rights for everyone, women, men, LGBTQ, and just equality for all. This goes into detail on specific parts of Billy Jean King, while she was growing up, and the hardships she faced as a bisexual woman athlete. This book covers many life lessons, and a historical moment in the sports world:  The Battle of the Sexes. The Battle of the Sexes was a tennis match played between Billy Jean King and Bobby Riggs. If you want to figure out how that went, you must read the book!

This was overall a great read. It isn't just for women either. It shows you many valuable life lessons that everyone could learn from. Billy Jean King did an amazing job writing the book, she changed the world for many people, and she had to tell her story. She tells her story as if you were there, being very descriptive, and very intriguing. Pressure is a Privilege - it only comes to those who earn it. - Billy Jean King. 

I would give this book 5 stars, and a must read. It covers an important part of history in a very down to earth way. This book is a great book for anyone willing to give it a try. 

Allison Gukeisen: Surviving the Extremes

Allison Gukeisen: Surviving the Extremes

“A cascade of electrical and chemical brain circuits is activated to coordinate the thinking and behavior that converts a passive human into a streamlined survival machine.” This really shows that attitude is everything. A common recurring theme is you need to have the right attitude to survive. It really changed my perspective on how I look at simple actions such as just moving. I enjoyed reading this book because it taught me many new things.

I would give the book 4.5/5 stars just because some of the background information that is given can be a bit boring. If you like adventure and understanding the human body this book is definitely for you. Each story will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to find out what will happen next. 

Addison Duchenaux: All American Boys

Addison Duchenaux: All American Boys

The book All American Boys by Jason Retnolds and Brendan Kiely is about racial inequality in the U.S. The book takes place in Springfield, Illinois and it follows 2 high school boys, Rashas and Quinn. I would highly recomend this book to everyone and anyone, because it serves as the crucial first step to discussing our nation's most pressing issues. This book does an amazing job of telling both sides of the story. There are other book that I've read where I feel that if it could have had that other perspective. It would have just taken it over the top and that's exactly what this book does. This book's topic is very current right now and I honestly cannot recommend this book enough. ​

Lauren Anderson: You Badass (Book not in MHS Library)

Bryce Palmer: My Side of the Mountain

I enjoyed this book , however it is not my favorite. This 
book is full of adventure and excitement 
It teaches me about courage, independence, and 
need for companionship. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, "I can only say that after living so long with the birds and animals, the movement of a human is like the difference between the explosion of a cap pistol and a cannon." This shows  how destructive and scary we really are, and it brings out some of the flaws that we as human have.
Recommendation  I give this book a 4 out of 5 star review. This book is full of exciting moments, and you wont be able to put the book down. This book will give you a different view of the world. If you like adventure and survival, this is the book for you.

Bryce Palmer: My Side of the Mountain

Lauren Anderson: You Badass (Book not in MHS Library)


The author is very good at explaining how she understands and how she used to be a teenager, too. It is a great book for my age because it gives you a lot of validation of your feelings and hope that it will get better. I feel like it will help you figure out who you are and help open your eyes to so many different things and opinions that you might not have had before reading this book. I love how much I am learning from this book and how i feel connected to the author. It really helps with how to deal with your anxiety and how to navigate your emotions. There is also a meditation portion that really helps you when you feel stressed or worried. I also really like how in every chapter; she states that you should love yourself and has a different reason each chapter. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who needs some motivation. Also, if you are searching for any sort of validation to your feelings, this is a great book. The author is great at opening to the readers and giving them insight to what growing up felt like to her.

Abbey Grajkowske: Forever For a Year (Book not in MHS Library)

Abbey Grajkowske: Forever For a Year (Book not in MHS Library)

I chose Forever for A Year by B. T. Gottfred for my quarter three book report. Review: This book is great if you love romance. The rollercoaster you will experience while reading this will be intense. Reading this book will be worth it for the love and hate the book expresses. Recommendation Statement: I am one for reading romance and emotional books. Reading this book will be worth all the pages of heart pounding emotions hoping the couple will stay together after the hill they climb together. If you do read this book, be prepared to let your heart warm up to the thought of this couple and their troubles.

MacKenzi Stange: Today Tonight Tomorrow (Book not in MHS Library)

MacKenzi Stange: Today Tonight Tomorrow (Book not in MHS Library)

I recommend this book to people who want to learn about themselves. It is more of an educational read. Which makes it somewhat hard to read at times, but it is a very good book.

​ I really like reading Brene Brown’s books, because she relates her own life experiences to what others have experienced. She also is a very humble person. It is easy to learn a lot from her. When I read her books it inspires me to focus on how I treat people in my life. I like to be the best version of myself, and this book is perfect.

In “The Gifts of Imperfection” the author speaks about embraces who you really are in order to fully live your life. To the author, Brown, living wholeheartedly is the main idea of a happy life. This means really digging to understand yourself as you grow. Many things she touches on are the rough patches she went through in her life, and how she wishes she dealt with them differently. She also speaks on the difference between happiness and joy. Her goal is to help as many people as possible make their wholehearted journey. 

Adam Fahey: The Grand Escape

Adam Fahey: The Grand Escape 

The book “The Grand Escape” is an amazing book. The plot of the book is 10 Allied soldiers planned an escape from the “Hellminden” prison in Germany. They had several attempts that failed, but they eventually got out successfully. This inspired many prison breaks throughout World War 1 and into World War 2. I recommend this book to anyone who likes war books and wants a fast read

 Alivia Siegel: One of Us is Next

Alivia Siegel: One of Us is Next

This book was amazing to read. If you are the type of person that loves mystery books, this is the one for you. I have read all of Karen M. McManus's books, and I would suggest reading the first and second before reading this one. This book is the sequel to "one of us is lying" so it is kind of hard to say anything about it without giving it away, but there are 4 kids and a murder. The kids must figure out how that person died and who did it. ​