A Mango Shaped Space

By Wendy Mass

 

       A Mango Shaped Space, by Wendy Mass, is about a girl named Mia who sees a life in color.   Numbers, letters, and sound each have their own color but only she knows this. As she gets older her secret is revealed and she has to choose between embracing or hiding her gift which is called synesthesia. Mango is the name of her beloved cat that helps her deal with her problems. One theme I got out of the book is that you don't realize that how amazing something is or how grateful you are until it is gone. 

       I would recommend this book to someone who likes young adult fiction with characters that come to life. This book is connected to another book, Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. They are similar because they are both about people who see the world differently. Both authors describe a character that takes something that may seem bad but ends up good in the end.

The Martian, by Andy Wier

The Martian

Andy Weir

This book was based on a scenario of a Mars mission going wrong. Astronaut Mark Watney was struck by a sharp cable during a meteor shower and his crew left him for dead and alone on Mars with no way to escape and limited supplies. Astronaut Mark Watney continually used all of his science knowledge to survive. For example, he used his and the rest of the other astronauts’ waste as fertiliser in his hab to grow potatoes. Despite all odds his crew came back to rescue him in a brave and daring escape which had a mid-space full-speed pick up. There is constant suspense throughout the book to see if he will make it back alive to earth.

The main portion of the book is about his survival on mars and him overcoming challenges.There  really were only two main characters and only one was human. Mark Watney, or as he called himself the “Martian,” had a kindergartener sense of humor, but had lots of skill which helped him survive on Mars. The only other true character  was his environment; it was never in his favor. For example, either it was 100 degrees above or 100 degrees below, there were constant meteor showers or 70 mile per hour gusts and Mars never gave him the upper hand.

This book connected to me because I enjoy learning tricks to survive in impossible situations.This book would constantly add comedy which kept the story moving .  I would recommend this book to someone who loves suspense, science and some comedy.

How To Speak Cat by Aline Alexander Newman and Gary Weitzman, D.V.M.

          How To Speak Cat  by Aline Alexander Newman and Gary Weitzman, D.V.M. is a wonderful and light-hearted non-fiction book.
          The book is all about how to communicate and build a better relationship with your cat. The book is divided into different sections by using silly names that correspond to cat and how to tell what your cat is saying when it is using its whole body. It also has ways to help change behavioral problems. Plus, it has fun quizzes so you can remember what you've learned, understand real scenarios, and have some fun.
          I think any cat lover would enjoy this interactive how to do book very very much, I sure did.

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

By Ransom Riggs


            Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs is a thrilling, moving, and suspenseful novel.
            The story takes place on a tiny island off the coast of Wales, Great Britain. After his grandfather dies, Jacob sets off on a journey to learn more about his grandfather's past. After traveling through a time loop, he meets the kids that his grandfather grew up with, and he learns the secret that his grandfather had kept his whole life. And Jacob realizes a power within himself that can protect him and the other kids from horrors that he could have never imagined. But danger is near, and Jacob must use his power, with the help of his new friends' powers, they can make the impossible happen.
             Between the pages of this mystery are photographs that go along with the story, which I found myself looking forward to with each page I turned. Two more books follow this one, the second one in the series (which I also much enjoyed) is called Hollow City, and the third one (also great) is called Library of Souls. In addition, the first book is now a MOVIE!!! You should definitely go see that, but first, read the book!

Panic

    One book I read this summer was called Panic by Sharon M. Draper. This book, I have been wanting to read since the fourth grade. But apparently according to my sister, I wasn't mature enough. But this summer, I was. And can I say one thing, I am sooooo glad I did not read this as a 4th grader.
     Panic, by Sharon M. Draper is about a girl named Diamond. Diamond is a ballerina. She knows she is good, but she never gets cast as a lead in her recitals. But one day in the mall, a strange handsome man gives her the opportunity of a lifetime. One she can't pass up. But this decision can take a toll on not only Diamond, but everyone around her. (Trust me...it will)
      I recommend this book to mature people! Please! You are in for a shock!

Stonebird

By Mike Revell



             Stonebird by Mike Revell is a thought-provoking and intriguing story that we can all relate to. This book shows how you can overcome challenges by having faith and keeping an open mind.
             Liam, ten years old, and his family move to be closer to his grandmother who suffers from dementia. Liam has left behind almost everything he has ever known, and now he must find his way through a new school, a new neighborhood, and his grandmother's illness. He gets bullied at school, his mother is greatly depressed, and his sister is constantly sneaking out of the house to who knows where. But worst of all, he must face these challenges completely alone. Well, almost alone. One day while Liam is walking his dog, he discovers an old stone gargoyle in a rundown church, and it has the ability to come to life and act out stories that Liam imagines. But his grandmother is getting worse, and his family is struggling. the situation is dire. Is the gargoyle the only thing that can save Liam's family? Or will it tear apart and destroy his family altogether?
             This one-of-a-kind story shows how anyone can make it through a struggle with a heart full of hope. And if you've ever wondered how far a story can go, this is the book for you.

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

I read the book "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin this summer.  This book is about two girls and their friendship, but after one drowns, the other girl struggles to face her friend's death, while trying to figure out how she died.

Suzy the main character's life was great up until middle school, when Suzy and her best friend Franny slowly melted apart. After breaking up for the summer, Franny drowns in Maine, even though Suzy knew she was an excellent swimmer. That's when Suzy loses her friend for good and decides to shut herself away from the real world. During a school trip to the aquarium the next year, Suzy wanders into a jellyfish exhibit. Suzy is soon obsessed with the idea that Franny had been stung and killed by a jellyfish. She decides it is her mission to find out what happened to her long lost friend, Franny. In the end, Suzy realises that she has to accept the idea that her friend is gone, and even finding out what really happened to her won't change that she's dead.

Suzy faces middle school popularity, family drama, and friendship struggles throughout the book. I connected to this book because I've had some girl dramas of my own. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes complex characters.