Book Review: White Rose

Title: White Rose

Author: Kip Wilson

Stars: 3.5 stars

Teen Reviewer: AJ Townsend

White Rose takes place during Hitler’s reign in Germany and is a historical fiction verse novel. Told through the eyes of a young anti-Nazi woman, White Rose is based on the true story of a Nazi-Resistance group. This book focuses on Sophie and her brother Hans. Sophie is living in an anti-Nazi home with a father who hates Hitler. She sees her brothers and her boyfriend being sent off to fight for Germany. At the beginning of the book, she is proud to be a German but as she comes to understand Hitler’s true plans, she says, “I once loved my country, but now the only thing that shames me is that I’m German.”(p.294). She learns that her brother has started a resistance sending out leaflets of treason to the people of Germany. She soon joins in; proud to be fighting for what is right. But sometimes, the right thing to do comes with a cost.

This book is told in first person but changes between different timelines. This can be difficult to understand at times. Other than this, White Rose was a rollercoaster of thrill and tragic action. This book encompasses courage and how hard it can be to do the right thing. I would give this book three and a half stars. This was an inspiring read and I suggest taking some time out of your busy day to delve into a shining moment of female bravery in our history.

Book Review: The Fountains of Silence

Teen Reviewer: AJ Townsend

Title: The Fountains of Silence

Author: Ruta Sepetys

Stars: 4.5/5


The Fountains of Silence takes place during General Franco’s reign in Spain and is told through the eyes of both a Spanish born girl, Ana, and a tourist of Spanish heritage, Daniel. Ana works at the hotel that Daniel is staying at and she accompanies Daniel on his photography adventures. Slowly the tourist mask of bliss is peeled away for Daniel as he discovers the Guardia Civil and what is really happening to the children of Spain. Filled with real documents, adventure, and romance, this historical fiction novel is a joy to dive into.

Wow. When I finished this book, I had to just think for a while. Ruta Sepetys incorporates so many components to this book, it really makes you think. I actually read this book twice because I did not want to miss one thing. One of the best parts of this book for me was the real historical documents. It definitely added a nice touch of reality. The character of Ana goes through so much heartbreak that you can feel her pain. I love when an author can make the reader feel the characters’ heartbreak just by using words. Through Daniel and Ana’s up and down relationship, you feel like you are going on the rollercoaster of emotions with them. I truly loved this book so I would give it four and a half stars. I highly suggest this for your next read!

Book Review: Down and Across

Title: Down and Across
Author: Arvin Ahmadi
Teen Reviewer: Se Choi
Rating: 4/5 Stars

Scott was running away from home to find a saving grace that he thought would change his pattern of giving up and getting tired of everything. A professor in Washington DC believed that grit was a way to succeed. His parents were going to travel to another country for two weeks, so Scott took a bus there to talk to the professor in person and decided to stay in DC for two days. On his way to DC, he befriended a girl named Fiora. She lent Scott a stolen bike that eventually led him to meeting Fiora’s friends that kept him company in a place Scott wasn’t familiar with. Scott’s first visit with the professor ended disastrously, so Fiora convinced Scott to to try again with the influence of a lesson on grit and an explanation through a crossword puzzle. After trying again two more times, Scott became involved in a project for the professor researching grit and people that used grit as a stepladder for success. Through friendship and crossword puzzles, their friendship grew. They overcame serious problems together and stood for one another until Scott had spent the whole two weeks in DC researching grit for the professor he only wanted to talk with and had made friends that he didn’t expect to have on the trip.From now-close friends and a professor that at first rejected him, he learned many great things about grit and friendship.

“Down and Across” invites its readers to connect and relate to the characters and situations they are put in. The novel also wants to learn something from Scott and the things he went through in the book, but at the same time feels as though it's a lighthearted read for only laughs and giggles.