This year, even more than most, many are wishing for a vacation, a break, time to process this pandemic. But, with shutdowns and mandates, for most this dream is unachievable. Yet here in the LHS library students can escape to a world beyond their own with an adventurous book hand-picked by the librarian, Mary Peters. 

BOOK #1 

Book Title: “The Inheritance Games” 

Book Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Book Explanation: “The Inheritance Games” is a stellar mystery novel, surrounding a young woman who inherits a large sum of money, from a man she has never met. The main character, Avery,  has struggled her entire life to make ends meet and decides to take the opportunity to receive this inheritance. 

After traveling to his home, she is given additional details from the family of this gentleman; there’s a catch to this money… In order to gain her inheritance, she is forced to pick up the life she once knew and live in a home with the older man’s family. On top of this, she realizes that the gentlemen had a peculiar obstacle to receiving this money… she has to be involved in a real-life game, and not an easy one. 

Number of Pages: 376

Librarian’s Recommendation: This novel involves both male and female characters, therefore it is suitable for both male and female readers. 

Mrs. Peter’s Take: “This book kept me interested,” said Peters. “I never stopped wanting to read more and solve the ending.”

BOOK #2

Book Title: “The Companion” 

Book Author: Katie Alender 

Book Explanation: This story could be considered a bit of a twisted tale, but if you are into a little bit of darkness, it’s perfect for you. The novel begins with a tragic backstory… the main character, Margo, is the only family member to survive a horrible car accident. Sadly, she is placed in foster care and sent to a group home. Here, the other children consider Margo ‘lucky.’ Each night, she experiences ‘episodes’ of screaming, crying, and cold-sweats. 

After some time spent in the group home, Margo is contacted. Her father’s old college buddy is interested in bringing Margo into his home. Of course, Margo accepts. But, when she arrives, the home seems a bit peculiar. As we dig deeper into the story, it is discovered that Margo was brought into the home to be a ‘companion’ to their daughter, Agatha. 

Agatha is a teen girl who struggles with socialization She cannot speak and seems to have some sort of mental disability, but she is physically healthy. After spending some time with the Suttons, she decides that the companion arrangement is her best option. 

Yet, unfortunately, after agreeing to stay, strange things begin happening… the mother refuses to let Margo into town or use a cellular device. Then, Margo begins to find words written around her bedroom walls. She wonders… is this her own writing, her mind stirring in the night during her terrors? Or is Agatha trying to warn her? 

Number of Pages: 439

Librarian’s Recommendation: Anyone is more than capable of reading this novel, but the characters are mainly female; therefore, girls may have better luck with this story. 

Mrs. Peter’s Take: “It was good! I loved the way it twisted me back and forth,” said Peters. “It led me one way, then another, and ended up in a completely different scenario than I had pictured.”

BOOK #3 

Book Title: “Kingdom of the Wicked” 

Book Author: Kerri Maniscalco 

Book Explanation: This novel is brand new to the LHS library, but Peters has already dug into the tale of the twins. This fantasy is pictured around two sisters, Emelia and Vittoria, and more specifically, two twin witches. In a small town, secrets are bound to be told, but not this one. Their family is restaurant owners who have kept the secret of their magical powers for years. 

When the children were only young, their grandmother gave the twins two amulets and explained to them that they are never to put them together. Of course, they are only children and frequently disobey. At a young age, the twins take their amulets and make them into one. This produced a strange glow, that created a curiosity within the children, but to this day, neither brings it up.

Ever since this event, Amelia has had additional powers. She assumes that her sister received them too, but on the contrary, Vittoria was a normal witch, until one day Vittoria turns up murdered. Amelia is determined to find the killer and narrows it down to the ‘fates.’ Anger, Wrath, and the usual demons are her suspects. Amelia essentially makes a deal with the devil to find out the cause and killer of her sister’s death, but she casts the spell wrong. She had now bound herself with wrath. Now, she is forced to continue the search for her sister’s killer, while trapped by the devil. 

Number of Pages: 372

Librarian’s Recommendation: Anyone could read this novel! It includes both male and female characters. Although it does lean towards a female reader, the demons add interest for male readers. 

Mrs. Peter’s Take: “This book surprised me,” said Peters. “I’m not usually a fantasy reader, but this story had some mystery components, which intrigued me.” 

BOOK #4 

Book Title: “Grown” 

Book Author: Tiffany Jackson

Book Explanation: “Grown” is a realistic-fiction novel, posed around the main character, Enchanted, who opens the eyes of readers to the real-world issue of rape-culture and the preservation of your innocence. 

Enchanted has grown up in an average, middle-class family, but wishes for more. After finding her voice while attending private school, Enchanted goes out on a limb and auditions for an open-mic night competition. 

To her surprise, R&B artist Korey Fields adores her talent and offers her the dream of a lifetime: the opening spot on his world tour. But things aren’t quite as they seem. There’s a dark side to Korey… an abusive one. And when Korey ends up dead, who else is there to blame but Enchanted? 

The number of pages: 372

Librarian’s Recommendation? This book is mainly geared towards female readers, as it exposes the vulnerability of young women. 

Mrs. Peter’s Take? “This book was a great read! It has a bit of mystery, which is my favorite, but it is also an eye-opener,” said Peters. 

BOOK #5 

Title: “None Shall Sleep’”

Author: Ellie Marney 

Book Explanation: This novel focuses on two teenagers, Emma, a survivor of a serial killer and a kidnapping, and Travis, the son of a man who was killed by the serial killer. The two teens are recruited by the FBI to help interview young killers and give the FBI insight on a few cold cases. But the two teens get caught in an active case, and now they must try and help catch a killer by talking to one of the most well-known killers, Simon Gutmunsson. But readers will discover that not everything is as it seems. Is Simon really helping them, or are they pawns in his own devilish games?  

The Number of Pages: 400

Librarian’s Recommendation: This book would be great for both boys and girls! 

Mrs. Peter’s Take: “This kept me on the edge the whole read,” said Peters. “It is a teen book version of ‘Silence of the Lambs’ that will thrill all readers.”