About Louisville Public Library's Review Crew

The library’s Review Crew offers local teens in grades 6-12 the opportunity to earn community service hours for school or other organizations by reviewing teen books or adult books with teen appeal. We hope to provide local teens with great reading recommendations from their peers while also providing a flexible means of earning volunteer credit.

To join the Crew, please email Teen Services Librarian, Jessica Schwartz, at jschwartz@louisvilleco.gov for more information and review writing guidelines. You will be asked to write a sample review. If your review is accepted, you will be eligible to earn one community service hour for every review submitted. 

Ratings are out of 5 stars:

·         1 star = didn't like it

·         2 stars = it was ok

·         3 stars =  liked it

·         4 stars = really liked it

·         5 stars  = it was amazing

   

A Door in the Dark by Scott Reintgen

 Book: A Door in the Dark by Scott Reintgen

Rating: 4 stars

Review Writer: Vihaan J.

“A Door in the Dark” by Scott Reintgen is an intense story about a magical world. The story starts off with Ren Monroe, a student at the Balmerick University of Magic. Ren’s life takes a wild turn when a transport spell fails for her, leaving her stranded in the wilderness with a group of her classmates. What I loved most about this book is how real the characters felt. Ren is a great main character with a mix of bravery and fear. This story kept me on the edge of my seat with its twists and turns. Reintgen’s writing style pulls you into the magical world with imaginative writing. Another thing I liked was the dialogue, which was very witty, adding to the characters’ relationships and personalities. However, one thing that I didn’t love was the pacing of the book. There were some parts that seemed very dry and predictable and the action wasn’t always the best, but the overall experience was still very enjoyable. Overall, I would recommend this book to fans of fantasy and adventure. Specifically, this is the perfect book if you are an older teen who likes books like Harry Potter or Hunger Games.

The Dare by Natasha Preston

Book: The Dare by Natasha Preston

Rating: 4 stars

Writer: Vihaan J

The Dare by Natasha Preston is a thrilling story about Marley, who lives in a town where seniors must complete these dangerous dares as a tradition. These dares start off as a little bit of fun, but they quickly begin to threaten lives. The book kept me hooked with its suspense and unexpected twists. Marley is a well-developed character, and peer pressure struggles make her more relatable. Additionally, the tension builds with each new dare, hooking you in and making you want to keep reading. One thing that I didn’t like was the parts of the book where the dares became unrealistic and the ending seemed too perfect. However, The Dare is a great book for fans of thrillers who also enjoy a bit of mystery. It is perfect for older teens looking for suspense.