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"The Hawthorne Legacy" continues Jennifer Lynn Barnes' legacy as an expert psychologist and author

By Joy Song | Oct. 20, 2021, 2:08 p.m. | In Books »

Book review of "The Hawthorne Legacy" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes


Born to Run too long

By Charles Lott | Jan. 15, 2017, 7:58 p.m. | In Books »

Much like the Boss's (Bruce Springsteen's) famous concerts, his new autobiography Born to Run runs a little over time. The book serves as a guide to the prolific singer/songwriter's life, and is a must-read for any Springsteen fan or 20th century music aficionado, but the lengthy descriptions of his inspiration and medical health are a bit much.


Books to read when having an existential crisis

By Sarah Trunk | April 29, 2015, 12:43 p.m. | In Books »

With end-of-year anxieties reaching a fever pitch, you may be looking for a healthy distraction from your busy, confusing life. Here's a list of SCO's books to read when having an existential crisis.


Black-Eyed Susan Book Award recommendations

By Amalia Chiapperino, Eleanor Linafelt, Neida Mbuia Joao, Arthi Vijaykumar, Zoe Johnson, Sarah Trunk | April 23, 2015, 8:42 p.m. | In Books »

As the year winds down, it's time to make a lot of decisions: which Black-Eyed Susan Book Award nominee you'll be voting for. Silver Chips Online has read, reviewed and ranked the books--so you don't have to.


"Bruised" leaves a mark

By Amalia Chiapperino | April 17, 2015, 1:42 p.m. | In Books »

Sarah Skilton's quirky, raw, and honest debut novel offers an unpolished glimpse into the emotional and physical unraveling of a teenager burdened from a traumatic event.


"The Living" saves itself from a lack of life

By Eleanor Linafelt | April 15, 2015, 1:59 p.m. | In Books »

For a book filled with outlandish death scenes, confusing plot twists and not-fully-developed characters, "The Living" by Matt de la Pena isn't actually all that bad.


"Out of Nowhere" is packed with substance

By Arthi Vijaykumar | April 15, 2015, 1:54 p.m. | In Books »

While its means of delivering its messages isn't perfect, "Out of Nowhere" shows a refreshing sense of sincerity, sensitivity and heart.


An inspiring but unrealistic "Beginning"

By Zoe Johnson | March 26, 2015, 1:47 p.m. | In Books »

It's 335 pages of quick-paced, intriguing action and reflection on youth, life and love, with satisfying, enjoyable insights and conclusions. Ezra, the 17-year-old protagonist, is thoughtful and witty, and his emotional development and character arc are impressive.


"Go Set a Watchman" for the "To Kill a Mockingbird" sequel

By Harini Salgado | March 8, 2015, 2:08 p.m. | In Books »

Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" is pretty much the required book in high school. Here at Blair, most students read it in ninth grade.


Ground left unbroken

By Sarah Trunk | Feb. 21, 2015, 11:35 a.m. | In Books »

The concept of supernatural happenings in teen books is not a bad one, even if it is alarmingly common. But "Unbreakable," by Kami Garcia, just doesn't bring anything new.


"Clockwork Scarab" is a waste of time

By Sarah Trunk | Jan. 21, 2015, 1:47 p.m. | In Books »

"The Clockwork Scarab," by Colleen Gleason, has an interesting concept. Evaline Stoker, the sister of "Dracula" author Bram Stoker, and Alvermina Holmes, Sherlock's niece, are sent on a mysterious mission by Irene Adler to investigate the deaths of rich white girls.


A "Thousand Words" wasted

By Amalia Chiapperino | Nov. 7, 2014, 7:24 p.m. | In Books »

There is nothing more disappointing than a book with potential that falls flat. Unfortunately, prominent teen fiction writer Jennifer Brown's "Thousand Words" does just that.


Summer reading (that's not required)

By Arthi Vijaykumar | July 19, 2014, 12:52 p.m. | In Books »

Summer is a great time to catch up on your reading, especially when it's too hot and sticky to even think about leaving the house. Here are a few books that I would consider great reads when you're on a long car ride, at the beach or stuck at home on those buggy, humid days.


"The Fault In Our Stars" is just about flawless

By Zoe Johnson | Feb. 20, 2014, 11:28 a.m. | In Books »

If you are a teenager who enjoys reading, Tumblr and/or Youtube, you have almost certainly heard of "The Fault in Our Stars," John Green's #1 New York Times Bestseller novel that was a major factor in propelling him to the status of Rock God within the ranks of young adult readers. This reputation is well-deserved: "The Fault in Our Stars" is excellent.


The incredible beauty of the "Secrets of the Universe"

By Zoe Johnson | Jan. 26, 2014, 6:10 p.m. | In Books »

"Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe," by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, is one of the most absorbingly relatable and exquisite books I have ever had the pleasure to read.


An eloquent, thought-provoking "Day"

By Zoe Johnson | Jan. 6, 2014, 11:12 a.m. | In Books »

It's a testament to David Levithan's writing ability that the premise of "Every Day" is not the best thing about it. With A, the genderless, precocious protagonist, as guide and narrator, Levithan asks deep, provocative questions about the nature of self while maintaining the bluntly emotional voice of a teenager trying to find their place in the world. The combination of beautiful writing, a fascinating premise and a realistic (as realistic as possible, anyway) plotline is the foundation of this extraordinary book.


"Don't Turn Around" reveals little

By Zoe Johnson | Dec. 3, 2013, 11:30 a.m. | In Books »

When sixteen-year-old Noa wakes up on an operating table in an abandoned warehouse, she is understandably upset: she has no idea where she is, why she's there or what's going on. Unfortunately for Noa—and for the reader—it takes a long time to get answers.


Amazing movies require inspiration

By Saaraa Farooq | March 22, 2012, 10:37 p.m. | In Books »

After tonight, the "Hunger Games" books may be left in the shadows, but they will not be alone.


"Anatomy of a Boyfriend," just your average class

By Maya Calabrese | Nov. 5, 2007, midnight | In Books »

Instant messaging, sex, e-mail and more sex- "Anatomy of a Boyfriend" contains all the stereotypical teenage-novel elements possible in 260 pages, and even more that should be left to the imagination. But the worst part is, it's hard to put down.


"Deathly Hallows" is Rowling's final treat

By Priyanka Gokhale | July 21, 2007, midnight | In Books »

Fans gave Harry Potter author JK Rowling a tall order: craft a final tale that matches the quality of the previous books but also ties up the myriad loose ends dangling throughout numbers one through six. And, using style, wit and a wave of the wand, Rowling delivers. In an ideal world, the series would never end, but what better way to end than with "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," which clocks in at a monstrous 759 pages (though it is no doubt slimmer than "Hogwarts: A History").


Broomsticks, horcruxes and a whole lot of unanswered questions

By Kate Harter, Miriam Ragen | July 7, 2007, midnight | In Books »

*SPOILER ALERT* For the past 735 days, diehard Harry Potter fans have been left in the dark, wondering who will die, who will prevail and who will come together to fight in the final Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," which comes out July 21. Since the sixth book was released, numerous websites, books and articles have been created to predict how this popular series will end. So, two muggles have put their heads together to speculate on seven of the questions left unanswered by the first six books.


A light hearted "Lulu Dark"

By Alexis Egan | March 12, 2007, midnight | In Books »

Right from the beginning, readers can tell that the title character from "Lulu Dark Can See Through Walls" isn't a typical mystery detective. She can't spot a crime scene like "CSI" folks, drill a witness like Sherlock Holmes or even properly tail a suspect like Nancy Drew. But, despite these shortcomings, Lulu Dark makes an intriguing and humorous heroine thrown into unpredictable circumstances with wild results.


"The Gunslinger Born": a brilliant birth

By Bridget Egan | Feb. 22, 2007, midnight | In Books »

If "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is the epitome of spaghetti Westerns, and Stephen King's "The Dark Tower" series is the epitome of fantasy fiction, then the new Marvel comic "The Gunslinger Born" is their offspring whose godparents are H.P. Lovecraft and Clint Eastwood.


"Nature Girl": A natural disappointment

By Alexis Egan | Jan. 26, 2007, midnight | In Books »

A neurotic ex-wife, her recently-released-from-jail-ex-husband and their son, split between the two. A jilted obsessed wife, a cheating husband with a quick temper and the investigator pulling them together. A trashy co-ed, several religious maniacs and a fugitive on the run from the law. At first glance, the cast of Carl Hiaasen's recently released novel "Nature Girl" appears to be compiled of characters from a soap opera, but soon they reveal themselves to be something far worse: not worth anyone's time.


"Drawing a Blank": A few spaces

By Alexis Egan | Nov. 22, 2006, midnight | In Books »

You can draw pictures, guns, curtains, conclusions and lines. You can draw a breath, draw to an end, be drawn to a place and have a drawn face. And then you can draw a blank.

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