Author: AmandaStheLibrarian

Jonah had always been a bit reckless, but Liv never imagined that he would do anything like this. When Liv’s older brother accidentally shoots himself after acting carelessly with a gun in his best friend Clay’s attic, she can hear the screams from a house over. Jonah is alive, but he doesn’t respond to anyone and can no longer take care of himself. No one meant any harm, but that doesn’t mean that no one is getting blamed. Liv’s mother is suing Clay’s father, the owner of the gun, for money to take care of Jonah. As tension grows in their small town, Liv refuses to leave Jonah – or Clay – behind.

Grief is something that was illustrated well in this book. In my opinion, watching the one you love fade away is even more painful than just watching them die. Seeing anyone I love in the state that Jonah was in would absolutely break me. And Liv shows that she is breaking. She starts spending more time with Jonah, her grades drop, and something happens to her where she can no longer understand it when some people talk. The state of mind of just barely getting through every day and hardly understanding what’s happening hits me in the heart. The memories and stories that she tells are meaningful and show how much her family means to her. Liv has friends that she still hangs out with outside of her brother and Clay, which is an important part of the grieving process, so I’m grateful for it. Also, I thought that Clay and Liv were a great pair in general. The way they interacted just made me happy. They very clearly enjoyed each other’s company and understood what the other was going through.

One memorable thing from the story would be when Liv narrates about her friends. She goes on to talk about the hardships that her friends have gone through. Liv claims that everyone has something. She has Jonah’s situation. This moment especially hurts because you start to realize that everyone is going through something, and some people are going through things you may never understand.

Reviewed Annabel, Twin Hickory Library

When Todd Mayer is found dead, he seems like just another kid to Georgia, someone who has nothing to do with her. However, as the investigation unfolds, Georgia realizes that Todd might be more connected to her than she thought, and before she knows it, her family is at the epicenter of the murder. Meanwhile, Todd is a ghost of who he once was: literally. After being found dead in the snow, he feels as if he’s woken up from a deep slumber. Now, he spends his days watching the investigation from above, reflecting on his life and how he got here. He’s left helpless as the secrets of his life are peeled away one by one, finally revealing what happened to him that fateful night.

I really enjoyed this book, especially because of how descriptive it was. Everything was told in great detail making it very easy to visualize the characters and places. I feel like we really get to know Georgia, even though she doesn’t take the front seat in the investigation. The connection she feels to Todd, who she’s never met, allows us to get a glimpse into who she is and what she cares about. The ending was something I never saw coming, even though there were quite a few clues leading up to it. The story is woven in a way that leaves a trail of signs, while being utterly inconspicuous. Overall, this slow burning mystery carefully unfolded into something deeper, making for a great book.

Something memorable about this book is how Georgia and Todd’s chapters are told from different points of view. Georgia’s chapters are in first person and Todd’s are in third person. I really like how this gave Georgia’s chapters a more personal feel and made Todd’s more omniscient, especially because he’s seeing everything from above as a ghost.

Reviewed by Nainika, Twin Hickory Library

Scottie Zajac’s life has become a lot more complicated. While driving out of the school parking lot, her car suddenly crashes into the car of Irene Abraham, one of the most popular girls at school and her nemesis. Scottie’s car is still driveable, but Irene’s most certainly isn’t, and thanks to her mother, Scottie has been volunteered to carpool with Irene until Irene’s car is fixed. At the same time, Scottie is still dealing with heartache and anger after breaking up with her girlfriend Tally. An idea to get revenge on her is raised, and Scottie is willing to execute it. With her amazing persuasion skills (and a bribe) Scottie convinces Irene to start a fake relationship with her. Everything is perfect, from her heightened popularity to Tally’s jealousy, until real feelings between the girls threaten to come to the surface.

The characters left me feeling nostalgic when I finished the book. They were charming, unique, and the relationships between all of them felt like a real school environment. It is quickly pointed out that the main characters have flaws, which is more than needed in any story. Plus, the book then proceeded to allow Irene and Scottie to grow, which was refreshing to see. Every single romantic scene was adorable and felt authentic. My favorite character was Irene, which is a popular opinion, but it’s obvious why. Irene spoke her mind, went after what she wanted, was funny, caring, and shut down any patronizing thing that someone had to say about her. She had her values and morals that she stuck to. And yet she still let her guard down, because it’s okay to be weak sometimes. She as a person made me admire cheerleaders more than I already did.
This book included how Scottie had to heal from her past relationship before going to a new one, and that must have meant so much for anyone that has been through a breakup. It was specifically stated that healing and moving on was important. I’ve never read a romance that said anything like that. That process is always glossed over. I’m grateful for this story, because of how real it felt. I’m definitely reading all of Kelly’s other books.

One memorable part of the book that I’ve already noticed playing into my behavior is Irene’s confidence. I know I already ranted about her, but the way she stood up tall and didn’t back down showed me a trait that I want to have. I’m a quiet person. I’ve begun speaking louder, and more people are listening. And this specific quote from a character named Honey-Belle: “I always say when I like things so the universe will hear me clearly.” Everyone takes things for granted or forgets to tell others that they make them happy. When I read that for the first time, I immediately told my best friends how much I loved them.

Reviewed by Annabel, Twin Hickory Library

The Ivory Key is about Vira, a young girl who wants to become the queen of Ashoka. However, the only magic that is protecting Ashoka is running out and that can affect Vira’s chance of becoming queen. Even if she does become queen, Ashoka’s opponents will take the chance of stealing the last of the magic. Though, one thing that can help Vira have victory, the Ivory Key. The Ivory Key can bring new magic into set. In order for her to do that Vira needs to reunite with her siblings, Riya, Ronak, and Kaleb. Each one of them are determined to find the Ivory Key and use it to fix up their past mistakes. Altogether with different plans, will they be able to successfully find the Ivory Key?

I think that The Ivory Key was an amazing book. I liked how all of the characters had unique personalities which in the end led them to success. However, I feel that the Ivory Key has too many extra details in it which makes the story confusing, but important details were missing. My favorite character was Ronak because he didn’t let anything hold him back from doing what he wanted to and his reason for wanting to find the Ivory Key wasn’t as cruel as his other siblings. Overall, I would recommend this book anyone who likes a good fantasy book with a magical twist in it.

One memorable thing about The Ivory Key was the writing style. I think this was memorable because the writing style helped me as a reader, understand all four of the siblings feelings and thoughts. Every chapter when the character changed, it felt I was going into a whole new persons life because every chapter alternated between the characters point of views.

Reviewed by Radhika, Twin Hickory Library