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

   

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

 
Title: One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Rating: 4 stars
Review Writer: Teodora B.

 

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus follows an intriguing plot that will hook readers in instantly. 5 students walk into detention. 4 leave. Who murdered the 5th? 

 

Each student - Bronwyn, the brain; Addy, the beauty; Nate, the bad boy; Cooper, the athlete - has their own story, and fair share of secrets. But most importantly, they all have their own reasons for wanting Simon, the school’s most notorious gossip blogger, gone. When he dies under suspicious circumstances, they all become suspects. As the investigation unfolds, tensions rise, friendships are tested, and the truth becomes harder to hide. 

 

I really enjoyed this book, because the characters are all relatable. There’s such diversity in their backgrounds and personalities, that everyone can find a character they connect to. I also like how each chapter is written from a different character’s perspective. It really allows you to understand where they are each coming from, and their reasons for doing certain things or behaving a certain way. It also has a very unexpected ending, so if you usually instantly guess who did it, this will be much harder for you to figure out. However, one thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was the pacing. The book has a slower pace as compared to other murder mystery books. Some of the scenes seem unnecessary, as they do not contribute to the plot. Overall, I would recommend One Of Us is Lying to fans of murder mystery novels, and thrillers. 

 

The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

 

Title: The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
Rating: 5 stars
Review Writer: Ava P.

The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni follows Kiva, a skilled healer locked away in the dangerous prison in Zalindov. When the Rebel Leader arrives and is near death, Kiva is forced to treat her or face execution. Knowing that the Rebel Leader will not survive the trials set before her, Kiva volunteers to face the deadly trials in her place.  While fighting to survive, she uncovers dangerous truths about the prison and her own past. In a world where survival is a constant struggle, Kiva must make impossible choices to save herself—and perhaps everyone else. 

I really enjoyed how there were so many plot twists and mysteries which have the reader at the edge of their seat throughout the book.  It was a page turner! The only thing I disliked about the book was that it was in third person which didn’t allow me to really connect with the main character. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy fantasy but also like reading mystery. Overall, I rate this book 5/5 stars.