Book reviews from the Castilleja Middle School.
Women learning, Women reading
 By: Jonathan Maberry
★★★★★ Genre: Realistic Fiction, Science Fiction Length: 400 pages Summary: Tristen is one of four teens out of forty people total to be sent on the Mars One mission to create the first colony on Mars. Even before blast off he faces challenges hard to imagine, such as rare privacy, onerous training, and saying his last goodbyes to Earth, with everything, including his girlfriend, along with it. Not only that but there is also the ever-present threat of the dangerous opposers to Mars One, the Neo-Luddites. Once in space, things only get worse, ranging from implausible mechanical errors to heartbreaking struggles to keep relationships alive over the million-mile stretch. Tristan can only rely his skills and those of the people around him to keep everyone on the mission alive. Review: Mars One is a thought-provoking book that made me consider the pros and cons of space exploration and interplanetary travel, particularly on manned missions. It gorgeously showcased the thoughts and emotions of the characters, particularly Tristen, through the descriptive language. Despite being very descriptive, Mars One is a nice, moderately fast paced book that kept me interested the entire way; I could hardly put it down. Warnings: Romance: ●●●○○ Violence: ●●●○○ Language: ●●●○○ Substances: ○○○○○ More Books Like This: Rot and Ruin The Martian Reviewed By Syd, 2024
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 By: John Green
★★★★★ Genre: Realistic Fiction Length: 313 pages Summary: The Fault in Our Stars is an emotional book about a sixteen-year-old girl named Hazel with a severe case of cancer. She is convinced that she is going to die soon, because she most likely will, so she has begun to give up on life. In the book, Hazel meets a boy named Augustus (Gus) who used to also have cancer. She falls in love with him, and they go on a huge adventure, as Hazel begins to love living again. Review: I loved this book. It gave me an idea of what it was like to have a chronic illness, and the emotional burden that comes with it. Although I, like many others, don’t usually like romance novels, I really enjoyed this book, as it was an example of the powers of friendship and love. After reading this story, I felt deeply moved, and I understood the fact that everyone deserves to have an amazing life, no matter how short or long. Warnings: Romance: ●●●●○ Violence: ●○○○○ Language: ●●●○○ Substance: ●○○○○ Reviewed by Megan, 2025  By: Jenna Evans Welch
★★★★☆ Genre: Realistic Fiction Length: 400 pages 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: ●○○○○ Substance: ●○○○○ Other Books In The Series: Love & Luck More Books Like This: P.S. I Like You The Truth About Twinkie Pie Reviewed By Krisaana, 2024  By: Stuart Gibbs
★★★★★ Genres: Comedy, Spy Fiction Length: 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: ○○○○○ Other Books in this Series: Spy School Spy Camp Evil Spy School Spy Ski School Spy School Secret School Spy School British Invasion (not yet released) More Books Like This: The FunJungle Series by Stuart Gibbs The Moon Base Alpha Series by Stuart Gibbs 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. Reviewed by Aasiya, 2024  By: Gary D. Schmidt
★★★★★ Genre: Realistic Fiction Length: 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: ●○○○○ Reviewed by Pallavi, 2023  By: Nancy Farmer
★★★★☆ 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: Romance: ●●○○○ Violence: ●●●○○ Language: ●○○○○ Substances: ●●○○○ More Books Like This: The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm Reviewed By Syd, 2024  By: Gary D. Schmidt
★★★★★ Genre: Realistic Length: 192 pages Summary: A beautifully written tale of friendship, love, and second chances, Orbiting Jupiter is one of the best books I have ever read. The book follows twelve year old Jack (Jackson) Hurd, the average kid living in the Midwest, whose family takes in a fourteen-year-old foster child named Joseph. Joseph is withdrawn, running from a tumultuous past that is rapidly catching up to him. Review: This book is on the shorter side, but it is an emotional rollercoaster and an excellent read. I loved it because even though it was fairly concise, it was a wonderful story. Reviewed by Emma, 2024  The Hate U Give
By Angie Thomas ★★★★★ Review by Lila H. The Hate U Give is a realistic fiction book about a 16-year-old African American girl who witnessed one of her best friends, a boy named Khalil, get shot by a police officer. The story follows the girl, Starr, as she tries to find justice for Khalil. This riveting book was one of the best books I have ever read. It gave me another perspective on a lot of heavy social issues. It helped me realize what is going on with police shootings and made me want to do something about it. I think that everyone should read this book because it confronts social issues that everyone needs to be aware of.  One of us is Lying
By Karen M. McManus ★★★★★ Review by Lila H. Bronwyn, Cooper, Nate, and Addy are all stereotypical high school kids. Cooper is the Jock, Addy is the pretty one, Nate is the criminal, and Bronwyn is the smart one. So it makes sense that they are confused when they all get detention for something they didn't do. But thier confusion morphs into bewilderment when Simon, the only other kid in detention, mysteriously drops dead. This who-done-it mystery was very good. I could barely force myself to put the book down as I tried to figure who killed Simon. I loved watching how the relationship between the four teenagers develops as they try to figure it out. Even if you don't normally like mystery novels, you should read it because there is so much more than just a mystery in this book. Only if you pay the closest attention will you figure this insane mystery out.  The Summer of Broken Things By Margaret Peterson Haddix ★★★★ Review by Lila H. Kayla and Avery barely know each other except for a few playdates they had when they were little. So they are both surprised when Avery’s dad offers to take Kayla along to Madrid, Spain for the summer. In spain they uncover connections about their families that turns their world upside down. This realistic fiction novel was very enjoyable. I loved seeing the relationship between Kayla and Avery adapt and develop. Even though this book is realistic fiction, it has a huge plot twist I never expected and finishes off with a sweet ending . It is also very well written. I think that you should read this book if you enjoy realistic fiction books and surprises.
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