Book reviews from the Castilleja Middle School.
Women learning, Women reading
 By: Lauren James
Rating: ★★★★☆ Genres: Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult Length: 204 pages Summary Romy Silvers is the final crew member aboard the Infinity. Despite being hurtled through space towards Earth II, she wants nothing more than to be an average 16 year-old girl. With no parents and no companions, save for Dr. Molly Simmons, her psychologist who is a million miles too far. One day, she receives an email from Molly, explaining that they are sending another ship to meet her halfway through the journey and accompany her. Ecstatic, she sends a email to the Eternity now in tow. Message by message she slowly begins to fall for J, the captain. As the ship draws closer though, something begins to feel off. Review This book was a really quick read. In the beginning it feels a little cliché, but as the book moves on, it takes a turn. I really liked this book, and by the end it left me feeling a little rattled. In the beginning, you in a way pity Romy for her sad life. She’s alone, in the middle of nowhere. But as hope comes along in the form of the Eternity, you can’t help but to root for her, but by the end, the book takes a sharp turn, leaving you terrified and saddened. This book, despite short, will leave you with a rollercoaster of emotions. Warnings: Romance:●●●○○ Violence: ●●●○○ Profanity: ●○○○○ Substance: ○○○○○ Review by Pallavi, 2023
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 By: Kristin Levine
Book Rating: ★★★★☆ Genre: Historical Fiction Length: 320 pages Summary This book is a very inspirational story about a girl named Marlee, who lives in the town of Little Rock, Arkansas. In her town, there are many people who don’t support integration, and that confuses Marlee. She is very quiet, and doesn’t have many friends. A new, nice girl comes into school, and befriends Marlee. But when she finds out the truth about the girl’s background, everything changes. Review: This story was very inspirational, and heartwarming. It is an example of how racism is a very large problem in our world, and has been for a long time. The book takes place in a dark time in our history, and it focuses on the things that people were doing to help the oppressed, and how some people didn’t know about the horrible things happening in their own towns. Warnings Romance: ●●○○○ Violence: ●●●○○ Language: ●○○○○ Substances: ●●○○○ Reviewed by Megan N, 2025  By: Jenna Evans Welch
Book Rating: ★★★★☆ Length: 400 pages Genre: Realistic Summary Love & Gelato shares the perspective of Lina, a 16-year-old girl who was sent spend the summer in Italy, as it was her mother’s dying wish. There, she meets her long-lost father and is given her mother’s diary. Although she never wanted to go to Italy in the first place, she makes friends, goes on an adventure, and uncovers a deep secret. Review This book was absolutely riveting, It is the perfect combination of light-hearted and deep. The author did a wonderful job balancing out romance, mystery, adventure, sadness, and hope. The characters were very developed, and they each had their own personality and backstory. Additionally, the setting was described beautifully. However, this book was very predictable. Overall, Love & Gelato was very enjoyable. Warnings Romance: ●●●●○ Violence: ○○○○○ Language: ●○○○○ Substances: ●○○○○ Other Books In The Series Love & Luck More Books Like This P.S. I Like You and The Truth About Twinkie Pie Reviewed By Krisaana, 2024  By Stuart Gibbs Book Rating: ★★★★★ Genres: Comedy and Spy Fiction 353 Pages Summary: Spy School Goes South follows 12-year-old Ben Ripley, an agent in training at the CIA’s secret spy school, as he goes to Mexico to fight the CIA’s biggest enemy: an evil organization called SPYDER. In the previous books in the series, Ben foils SPYDER’s plans multiple times, dealing with spies, bombs, and missiles in an attempt to rid the world of the agency. Ben and his fellow spy school companions are sent on a “risk-free” trip in order to locate SPYDER’s secret hideout, but end up thwarting bad guys, fighting alligators, helping traitors, and eating way, way too much free food. Review: Spy School Goes South is an amazing book filled with adventure and humor. Ben is a likable character with relatable problems, and the other characters have equally strong personalities. Stuart Gibbs challenges spy stereotypes, and created a book with an elaborate, confusing, and ingenious plot. I highly recommend this book, as well as the rest of the series, for people who love mysteries, spies, and humor. Warnings: Romance: ●●○○○ Violence: ●●●○○ Language: ○○○○○ Substances: ○○○○○ Note: This is book 6 of the Spy School series. If you are interested in the book, we suggest reading the first 5 books of the series first for context. More Books Like This: The FunJungle Series by Stuart Gibbs The Moon Base Alpha Series by Stuart Gibbs Reviewed by Aasiya, 2024  Author: Anne Frank
Review: ★★★★☆ Pages: 283 Genre: Non- Fiction Summary This book is about a young girl named Anne Frank. She lived in Frankfurt, Germany during the second world war. It was very hard for her at the time because her family was Jewish. Anne and her family had to hide from the Nazi soldiers so then they won't be taken to a concentration camp. She had people who weren't Jewish helping them get food, clothes and any of their other needs. Review This is a very sad, but inspiring story. If you are interested in history of World War 2 then this is the book for you. It feels like you are in her shoes and it makes you think about more of the serious questions in life. When you start reading you will be hooked onto it. Warnings Romance●●○○○ Violence: ●●○○○ Language: ●●●○○ Substances: ○○○○○ Similar books Counting the stars or I am Malala. Reviewed by Mia Monsalve, 2025  By: Gary D. Schmidt
Book Rating: ★★★★★ Realistic Fiction 192 pages Summary Orbiting Jupiter is a story about a 14-year old boy named Joseph Brook who is taken in by a foster family after being convicted of assaulting his teacher at his previous school. Before his foster parents meet him, a social worker warns them that Joseph has a three month old daughter, Jupiter. This emotional story follows Jack Hurd as he observes Joseph adapting to his new life, still searching for Jupiter. Review This book is a quick and easy read for anyone who might be a bit impatient when it comes to books. It is incredibly emotional and heartfelt, one that may leave you in tears. The story is almost like a series of moments and events within Joseph’s stay with the Hurds, each one revealing a little more about him and how the story truly unfolded beneath the disguise of a reckless kid. Warnings: Romance: ●○○○○ Violence: ●○○○○ Profanity: ●○○○○ Substance: ●○○○○ Review by Pallavi, 2023  , By: Traci Chee
Length: 442 pages Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult ★★★★★ Summary The Reader takes place in a world where reading is forbidden- and forgotten. Sefia has been on the run her whole life from the people who killed her parents. Her one inheritance- a book. A book that holds stories with more truth to them than she knows. Review This book is an immersive fantasy with gorgeous imagery and a riveting story. The whole series is set in a very well fleshed out universe. It’s really detailed without being tedious. There were also a lot of unexpected twists and turns! This is book 1 of the trilogy, named "Sea of Ink and Gold" Warnings Trigger Warning: Descriptions of violence Romance: ●●●●○ Violence: ●●●○○ Language: ○○○○○ Substances: ●●○○○ Books in This Series The Storyteller The Speaker Review by Emma, 2024  By: Nancy Farmer
Book Rating: ★★★★☆ Genre: Realistic Fiction Length: 320 pages Summary A Newbery Honor-winning book, A Girl Named Disaster is about a girl, Nhamo, who lives in a small village in Zimbabwe, with her family. While already facing troubles about her mother’s death and her defamed father, she is suddenly to be married off to a cold-blooded man, unwillingly. In an attempt to escape this horrible fate, Nhamo runs away, meeting new adventures on the way, and discovering the truths about herself and her family. Review A Girl Named Disaster is an inspiring book that took me through many heartfelt roller coasters and taught me about the culture of Zimbabwe. It is great for middle schoolers, particularly girls, who can relate to much of what Nancy Farmer captivatingly describes, while also shining a light on what many of us have never experienced. With detailed descriptions, it may be slow for some, but portrays an interesting picture of Nhamo's environment for others. This is an amazing, moving, and compelling book about the women in our societies and the true meaning of family. Warnings Trigger Warning: Multiple instances of physical abuse Romance: ●●○○○ Violence: ●●●○○ Language: ●○○○○ Substances: ●●○○○ More Books Like This The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm Reviewed By Syd L, 2024  By: Nicola Yoon
Book Rating: ★★★★★ Length: 384 pages Genre: Realistic Summary: The Sun is Also a Star is a book from multiple perspectives, the two main ones being from Natasha and Daniel. Natasha believes in only science and facts. Fate and true love aren’t real to her. Daniel is on track to become a doctor, though he secretly wants to be a poet. Fate and true love could very much be real to him. Their lives cross and are forever changed in a music store. Review This is such a beautifully written book. The connection between the two was beautiful, and it did seem like true. I questioned the concept of fate for a few days after reading this book. It also gave me a perspective on someone who might be or is being deported, since Natasha is an illegal immigrant. This is a great book to just sit down and read cover to cover in one sitting. If you like philosophy and romance, then this is a good book for you. Warnings Romance: ●●●○○ Violence: ●○○○○ Language: ●●●○○ Substances: ○○○○○ Reviewed By Ellie, 2023  By: Maile Meloy Book Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Genre: Fantasy length: 362 pages Summary The Apothecary is about a young girl named Janie Scott and her adventures through London with her new found friend Benjamin. Janie has just moved to London when she meets Benjamin at school. They become fast friends and go on an adventure to find Benjamin’s father, the apothecary. Review I love this book because it is a fun adventure with plot twists and a little magic. As you learn more about each of the characters you become more attached to them and every time something happens you feel like you are as much a part of it as the characters themselves. Meloy has written a story full of magic, where challenges must be overcome and stories must continue. When I finished reading this book all I could think about was reading the next one and finding out what was going to happen to Janie, Benjamin and all of there friends. The Apothecary is one of my favorite books and I love it to this day. Warnings Romance: ● ○ ○ ○ ○ violence: ● ○ ○ ○ ○ Language: ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ substances: ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Other Books in Series The Apprentices The After-Room Review By Hannah, 2023
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