FICTION

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Pines Book Cover
Echo Book Cover
Reading Pines, it feels like waking up in a town that feels almost familiar but just off enough to keep your skin crawling. Ethan Burke mysteriously wakes up in a hospital in a random town in the middle of Idaho. The doctors tell him he was in a “car accident,” but that seems to be far from the truth. As he tries to piece together what happened, he quickly realizes the town isn’t what it seems. The locals are cagey, escape is impossible, and anyone who asks questions disappears. The more Ethan digs, the more surreal and sinister the town becomes, leading him to a shocking truth that redefines everything he thought he knew, not just about Wayward Pines, but the world itself.

I would recommend this to anyone that’s a fan of mysteries, thrillers and/or sci-fi. This is the first book of three, and the more you read the more truth is revealed and the more interesting it gets. Although this book may be directed towards late middle/high school students, I think anyone of any age can comfortably read and enjoy this series.

This middle-grade novel by Pam Muñoz Ryan (of Esperanza Rising fame) is a story told in three parts, following a magical harmonica and the encounters it has with three kids across time and location. First, a young German boy in 1935 with a conducting obsession and a birthmark on his face; second, two brothers in an orphanage in 1935 Philadelphia; and last, a Mexican-American girl in California in 1942. Each child has a talent and love for music, but are prevented from following their dreams by life’s difficult circumstances. Their only solace is this harmonica that allows them to indulge in their dreams for a moment of respite.

Football Hero by Tim Green is a book mainly directed toward middle school and early high school students, but if you’re a sports fan, it’s an amazing read no matter your age or grade. It follows a high schooler named Ty Lewis who’s trying to move up the ranks and become a world-class recruit. His dream is to one day be as big as his older brother, “Tiger” Lewis, a rising NFL star. But Ty’s path isn’t easy, his Uncle Gus gets caught up in an illegal gambling ring and drags Ty into it, forcing him to work instead of focusing on football. Will Ty make the NFL just like his brother?

Overall, Tim Green is my all-time favorite author, bringing back hints of nostalgia every time one of his books are mentioned—It reminds me of my middle school days, back when I would sit in class, flipping through the pages of his books, completely absorbed by action-packed, exciting stories. He has a way of mixing sports with suspense and real-life problems that made reading fun. Football Hero is no different—it’s packed with action, and it keeps you hooked the whole way through.

Fredrik Backman has been taking the shelves by storm as of late — I don’t feel like I have to tell you to read Beartown or A Man Called Ove, even though you should. This one is a little less popular, but it’s a favorite of mine — it follows an oddball seven-year-old girl, Elsa, who is reeling from the loss of her beloved grandmother. Her grandmother has left behind a fantastical imaginary kingdom, as well as several letters apologizing to people she has wronged, which Elsa is now tasked with delivering. The narration explores complicated interpersonal dynamics through the non-judgmental eyes of a child, displaying that deeply kind and compassionate emotional core that Backman absolutely excels at.