Ju-An's Book Reviews

Hello, my name is Ju-An and for my personal project I decided to write book reviews for middle school students.

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Book Review #5: The Fault In Our Stars

Book Review #5

 The Fault In OurStars

by John Green

Review by Ju-An Lee

 Age Range: 13+

Grade Level: 7,8

Reading Level: Intermediate, Advanced

Genre: Young Adult Novel, Realistic Fiction, Coming-of-age

Number of Pages: 313

 Here’s a fact I found out through the long and tedious yet enjoyable hours I spent reading: it’s really hard to find books that can make you go on an emotional roller coaster ride. Despite this I was able to find a book anyone could enjoy, a masterpiece also known as The Fault In Our Stars.

Written by John Green, The Fault In Our Stars is about a 16-year-old girl Hazel Grace Lancaster who battles cancer despite the few years that have been given to Hazel through a tumor-shrinking medical miracle. Regardless of the time given, it doesn’t change that fact that she has and will forever be terminal. Her life changes for the better when suddenly a gorgeous boy, Augustus Waters, appears at the Cancer Kid Support Group she attends.

From the day they meet the two are inseparable, with them bonding over Hazel’s favourite book, An Imperial Affliction. Hazel and Augustus both have a burning desire to know the grand finale of the book, go on a pursuit to find the author, Peter Van Houten. Their search becomes a reality when Augustus uses a wish foundation to fly him and Hazel and him to Amsterdam, where the author lives. The story abruptly takes a turn when Augustus tells Hazel that doctors have found his body to be filled with cancer.

Now, as you can probably figure out from the summary I wrote the book is about cancer, which I often don’t read because it tends to make me very upset, teary and depressed all day long. Despite this I have chosen to read this book because it left me amazed at how someone could write a book this well and thankful about all the things I had that I took for granted.  The story of Hazel’s journey has taught me a lot of things but also truly inspiring.

Inspired by a courageous young woman, Esther Earl, a close friend of Green’s who passed away at the age of 16 from thyroid cancer, this book is the ultimate tearjerker filled with the right amount of laughter. If you decide to read this book, which is highly recommended, be prepared to laugh at the witty humor and cry at the heartbreaking events that take place throughout the book.

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Book Review #1

Book Review #1

To Kill A Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

Review by Ju-An Lee

 Age Range: 13+

Grade Level:  7 and 8*

Reading Level: Intermediate and above*

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Number of Pages: 384

 *Recommended more for advanced readers in Grades 7-8

 Some say To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a masterpiece of American literature and there is no doubt that it is, as it is one of the rare books that can be read without disappointment regardless of your age. Despite the fact that To Kill A Mockingbird explores sensitive topics, Lee manages to enthrall the reader with her unique and captivating portrayal of childhood innocence, racial prejudice, social injustice and its certainty that a person with virtue can endure evil.  

 Although I’ve never been to Alabama, Harper Lee, made me feel as if I was there during the hot summer of 1935 where lawyer Atticus Finch made the decision to defend a wrongly accused innocent black man. The events that happen before and after the trial are told from the view of Jean Louise Finch (nicknamed Scout), a six-year-old who remembers what it was like to be a child in Maycomb County, Alabama during the year 1935.

 Having Scout narrate the story is that she makes understanding the book easier. Not only that, having Scout tell the story in her eyes instead of an adult allows the story to be free of any biased interpretations of the trial and the events surrounding it, allowing the reader to see and feel what she see and feels without anything covering the truth. As you might have expected, there’s a lot more to the story than the trial, and Scout tells you all about it.

 One of the things that Scout tells us is about a man, Boo Radley who lives next door. Only a few have seen him so Scout and her friends have fun telling scary stories about him. The mystery about Boo Radley is merely one of the many reasons why you will keep reading To Kill A Mockingbird.

As you can see, throughout the book you’ll meet all kinds of characters from the kid who acts like a little old man to the reclusive mysterious neighbor but the most important character in the book is Scout’s father, Atticus Finch. Throughout the book you’ll realize that Scout is writing the book because she wants to show the world what a good person he was, how he tried to make and do the right thing even when the community was against him.

The trial of Tom Robinson, a wrongly accused black man, takes place during the segregation between black and white people (not allowed to socialize together). Throughout this time period, when a white man accused a black man of committing a crime, the black man was presumed guilty. Despite the law requiring a trial, everybody knew that the defendant would be convicted. Atticus Finch is the one who challenges this thought that whatever a white man says is right by trying to persuade the jury that bigotry is wrong. If I had to choose my favourite part of the book it would definitely be Atticus’s speech given to the jury, as his words eloquent and deeply moving.

Atticus defends Tom Robinson by demonstrating that he couldn’t have possibly committed this horrendous crime. Despite Atticus’s courageous action, this puts him but also his family in danger. The trial of Tom Robinson makes readers question their own beliefs but also allows us to rethink and reflect the prejudices we carry in our minds.

 As we all know, in a just world an innocent man, regardless of his background, should be found not guilty. If you want to know the final verdict and what happens to Scout and those around her… you’ll have to read the book!

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Book Review #2

Book Review #2

The Giver

by Lois Lowry

Review by Ju-An Lee

 Age Range: 11+

Grade Level: 6+

ReadingLevel: All*

Genre: Social Science Fiction

Number of Pages: 240

 *Recommended more for Grade 6 Advanced and Grade 7 Beginner

 Summary of The Giver written by Lois Lowry

 “Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. Jonas lives in a seemingly ideal world.

 When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver does Jonas begin to understand the dark secrets behind this fragile community. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.”

 The Giver by Lois Lowry is written from Jonas’s point of view, an 11-year-old boy living in an idyllic futuristic society that has wiped out all pain, fear, war and hatred. Along with this, the society he lives is guarded and peaceful, having also embraced sameness.

 At first, it seems to us that the world Jonas lives in is desirable but as the story progresses we soon realize this world seems to have lost all humane qualities, which can be seen through rituals like the Release of The Old. The fact that the things we take for granted such as the ability to see color, hear music, feel emotions and relive memories do not exist, makes this society too good to be true.

 Perhaps the toughest part of the story to understand is the idea that in this society, Memory is kept by one of the town Elders, as supposed to where in our society memory is something private that each individual owns. When I first came across this it was very startling yet fascinating (try imagining a complete stranger knowing everything about you!). There is only one person who keeps the Memory so that the townsfolk don’t need to be burdened by the emotion wrecking memories. Through the keeping of the Memory, he is able to counsel the other Elders when making important decisions. I guess I was fine until this part but when I found out the truth about Releasing Newchildren or the Old, I was shocked. Since many people may not have read the book yet I will refrain from making any spoilers.

 Personally, instead of the over complex plot, the simplicity of Jonas trying to escape his community allows the reader to be more engrossed and notice the tiny details in the story more. This also leaves more room for the reader to think deeply about the issues within the book.

 Everyone is entitled to have their own opinion, whether they hate or absolutely adore this book. Either way, it is a fact to many people that The Giver is a beloved modern classic that allows readers to learn, think and discuss about concerning issues. Ignore all the things you’ve heard about this book and give it a try.

 NOTE: If you enjoyed this book please read the other fantastic books in this series by Lois Lowry!

 Book 1: The Giver

Book 2: Gathering Blue

Book 3: Messenger

Book 4: Son

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Book Review #3

Book Review #3

 The Catcher in the Rye

byJ.D. Salinger

Review by Ju-An Lee

 Age Range: 13+

Grade Level: 8+

Reading Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Genre: Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age

Number of Pages: 214

 Originally published in 1969, The Catcher in the Rye written by J.D. Salinger still remains as one of the greatest works of American Literature. Though many people may have conflicting thoughts and emotions about this book, it does not change the fact that it is a book anyone can relate to.

 The story begins when sixteen year old, New Yorker, Holden Caulfield leaves prep school in Pennsylvania and goes underground in New York City for three days. However, for the worse, things turn awry for Holden.

 Although it has been almost 50 years since its publication, it is still a beloved and sometimes deeply hated book. The main reason why readers usually either hate or love this book is because of Holden Caulfield. Holden can seem to be a very simple character yet he is also a complex one because of the way the author portrayed him. In spite of the fact that the dialogue seems so natural and that the characterization for each character was done magnificently, I still found the book a bit too cynical and harrowing. This was probably because Holden is hypocritical and contradicting at the same time. Holden is a hypocrite because he says despises phonies but he himself is a phony. J.D. Salinger captured Holden’s bitter state of mind really realistically, maybe a bit too realistically, which probably made me dislike this character. Despite this I still enjoyed how J.D. Salinger managed to introduce the theme that humans are broken and are not capable of fixing the problems they find.

 Regardless, whether you are or have been Holden Caulfield, it doesn’t change the fact that this is one of the greatest pieces of American literature ever to be written.

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Book Review #4

Book Review #4

 American Born Chinese

by Gene Luen Yang

Reviewby Ju-An Lee

 Age Range: 13+

Grade Level:  7-8*

Reading Level: Intermediate+

Genre: Graphic novel

Number of Pages: 240 (paperback edition)

 *Grade 7’s may read too but mostly recommended to Grade 8

 Sometimes reading books can be a bit tedious –especially if you’ve read a wide range of books. Despite the fact that these happenings occur once in a blue moon, it really makes it difficult to find a book that doesn’t bore you with its similarity when it does happen.

 So what do you read if you’re somewhat fed up with the same old plot and want something new?

 Well… if you’re like me you’d read a graphic novel of course!

 The good thing about graphic novels is that anyone, regardless of their age, gender or thoughts on reading, can enjoy it as long as they choose one that suites their tastes. There are myriads of graphic novels out there ranging from the famous Nancy Drew series to the widely loved Batman series. But trying to find one with illustrations and a plot that you want is hard. Even so, there is always a graphic novel that anyone can turn to when in need of a good laugh without the cheap action thrills. The perfect fit for this is American Born Chinese written by Gene Luen Yang.

 Within this graphic novel are 3 tales that are somehow mysteriously linked together in the end.

 The novel’s first tale is based on the legendary folk tale of Sun Wukong, better known as The Monkey King from the famous Chinese novel Journey to the West.

 The second tale is the story of Jin Wang, a second-generation child of immigrants, who struggles to fit within his new school and American culture. The story of Jin Wang who has recently moved from San Francisco’s Chinatown to a mostly white suburb, is the link between the first and third tale.

 The third and last tale journeys through the story of a white American boy, Danny, who is troubled by Chin-Kee, his Chinese cousin’s annual visits.

 As you can imagine just from his name, Chin-Kee is the complete package of the “Asian” stereotype. First of all, he speaks with an accent, pronouncing the “L’s” as “R’s”. Secondly he dresses in outdated Chinese clothing while favoring a traditional queue hairstyle. Thirdly, he is short, has slanted eyes and has a pasty yellow complexion. In addition, he knows every single answer, whether it’s related to U.S. Government or Algebra. There’s no doubt that all 3 characters are trying to overcome obstacles but as the story progresses and the fate of these 3 characters get tied together, they start to find solutions.

 This being my 12th year living in Beijing and going to an International School (more or less 80% of my life) has allowed me to experience and learn about a wide range of cultures. As a foreigner living in a foreign country, just like Chin-Kee (though he’s only visiting) I’ve seen and heard the stereotypes portrayed in this novel a lot, whether it was meant as a light-hearted joke or not.

 Regardless of this, reading this book for the first time in Middle School allowed me to think about stereotypes and what they are and more deeply about my own identity. Jin Wang, Danny and Chin-Kee were what prompted me to think more deeply.

 One of the reasons why I recommend this book is because of Chin-Kee. Truth be told, I just absolutely loved Chin-Kee’s character. Maybe it’s because I had a hard time stifling my laughter whenever Chin-Kee said something or maybe it has to do with the fact that he is down-to-earth and knows for sure who he is.

 Regardless, American Born Chinese is a book that most people can relate to, making it all the more fun to read.