Believarexic: A Mediocre Review

Believarexic, by JJ Johnson

Published October 1st, 2015, ages 12 and up.

“Fifteen-year-old Jennifer has to force her family to admit she needs help for her eating disorder. But when her parents sign her into the Samuel Tuke Center, she knows it’s a terrible mistake. The facility’s locked doors, cynical nurses, and punitive rules are a far cry from the peaceful, supportive environment she’d imagined.

In order to be discharged, Jennifer must make her way through the strict treatment program—as well as harrowing accusations, confusing half- truths, and startling insights. She is forced to examine her relationships, both inside and outside the hospital. She must relearn who to trust, and decide for herself what “healthy” really means.”

I originally asked for the proof copy, because, I have a huge interest in Anorexia nervosa, how it works, and how to cure it.  This book definitely satisfied my curiosity about Anorexia, Bulimia, and other eating disorders.  This book is based on the author’s struggle with Anorexia in 1988-1989, and it shows the struggles she went through.  The goal that Jennifer wants to achieve is to get out as fast as possible, and to be cured, but it is a lot harder than she thinks.  She meets other patients, and befriends some of them, but realizes, that for some, it is just an act.  She befriends some nurses, but makes enemies of others.  The book is written is a way, where it makes it easy to keep track of time, even though sometimes, it is not said what time it is.  You become attached to the characters, and are sad when the book ends.

Elite: A Mediocre Review

Elite, by Mercedes Lackey

Published September 6, 2016, ages 12 and up.

“Hunting monsters was supposed to be the hard part. When Joy came to Apex City, all she cared about was protecting the Cits from the dangers lurking outside protective barriers. She understood the need for the secrecy surrounding her Hunts-no need to cause a panic by announcing just how real a threat the Othersiders pose. But as she quickly discovered, the conspiracies of the city run much deeper.”

A great mix of Attack on Titan and Percy Jackson, this book describes the “hero’s journey” of Joy, a member of the Hunter Elite.

As you read this book, you follow Joy through a story of mystery and fighting.  Along the way, the main character finds love, fear, and betrayal.  As someone that did not read the first book, Hunter, it was still quite easy to pick up on what the plot of the first book was, because the author goes over a basic synopsis of the first book.  This book was fantastic, a joy to read, and even though I did not read the first book in the series, Elite could easily be a stand alone book, and a great one at that.

Anna and the Swallow Man: A Mediocre Review

Anna and the Swallow man, by Gavriel Savit
Published January 26, 2016, ages 14+

Anna and the Swallow Man is a story that is filled with sadness, but is also an uplifting story of a girl blossoming into a young adult.  The story revolves around a mysterious man, called the Swallow Man, and Anna’s relationship.  Their relationship started while talking to each other in different languages.  The book takes place in World War II, in Northern Europe. It starts in Poland, where Anna was originally from, and moves around from country to country over the course of a few years.  The book is narrated from a view of Anna, a seven year old girl, who acts extremely mature for her age. This book truly captures the struggles of a lost child, a child and her companion, and a young adult and her friend.

Bound by Blood and Sand: A Mediocre Review

Bound by Blood and Sand, by Becky Allen, ages 14 and up.

On sale October 11, 2016

"Sometimes, when the sun made her dizzy and her skin burned and peeled and there was

no water to spare, Jae thought about revenge."

Bound by Blood and Sand is the "coming of age" story of Jae, a teenager born into slavery.  She seeks revenge, because she believes that her bloodline was wrongly enslaved.

In my opinion, this book gives a somewhat realistic look into Chattle Slavery, a version of slavery in which slaves are viewed as personal property.  It is dehumanizing, and cuts these people off from society and freedom.  This is how they treat the slaves in this book; like pieces of property. It also shows how desperate people can become, when they lose their power, or become opposed by someone more powerful.  Overall, this book is a great coming of age story, driven by the anger of the main character towards her enemies.

Highly Illogical Behavior: A Mediocre Review

Highly Illogical Behavior, by John Corey Whaley, ages 14 and up.

"One morning when I was in middle school, a boy I didn't know stripped off his clothes and jumped into the fountain in front of my school.  And then he disappeared.  For three years, I didn't hear any else about him.  His name is Solomon Reed, and he is my personal experience with mental illness.  But, he shouldn't be.  I had no right to do what I did, but he said it was okay.  He said I could write this."

Highly Illogical Behavior is not a book about a doctor and her patient, it is a story about friends.

In my opinion, this book was a great illustration of the struggles of trying to juggle school, family, and friends.  It also shows the main character's struggles with being gay, and that character trying to juggle his feelings and his friendships.  In this book, you will see breakups, heartbrokenness, and sadness, but at the same time, you will see happiness and joy within the characters.  Overall, this book is a fantastic coming of age story that demonstrates the struggles of life.