Student Book Reviews

Stateless

by Elizabeth Wein

Agatha Christie meets Karen McManus in this thrilling mystery, packed with adventure, intrigue, love, and betrayal, from bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth Wein.

When Stella North is chosen to represent Britain in Europe’s first air race for young people, she knows all too well how high the stakes are. As the only participating female pilot, it’ll be a constant challenge to prove she’s a worthy competitor. But promoting peace in Europe, the goal of the race, feels empty to Stella when civil war is raging in Spain and the Nazis are gaining power—and when, right from the start, someone resorts to cutthroat sabotage to get ahead of the competition.

The world is looking for inspiration in what’s meant to be a friendly sporting event. But each of the racers is hiding a turbulent and violent past, and any one of them might be capable of murder—including Stella herself.

Where Wolves Don't Die

by Anton Treuer

Ezra Cloud hates living in Northeast Minneapolis. His father is a professor of their language, Ojibwe, at a local college, so they have to be there. But Ezra hates the dirty, polluted snow around them. He hates being away from the rez at Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation. And he hates the local bully in his neighborhood, Matt Schroeder, who terrorizes Ezra and his friend Nora George.

Ezra gets into a terrible fight with Matt at school defending Nora, and that same night, Matt’s house burns down. Instantly, Ezra becomes a prime suspect. Knowing he won’t get a fair deal, and knowing his innocence, Ezra’s family sends him away to run traplines with his grandfather in a remote part of Canada, while the investigation is ongoing. But the Schroeders are looking for him…

From acclaimed author Anton Treuer comes a novel that’s both taut thriller and a raw, tender coming-of-age story, about one Ojibwe boy learning to love himself through the love of his family around him.

Jupiter Rising

by Gary D. Schmidt

Award-winning author Gary Schmidt is at his best in this poignant, powerful companion to Orbiting Jupiter. Readers pick up Jack's story of grief and challenges as his P.E. coach pairs him up with Jay Perkins to train for the cross-country team. Neither of the boys is happy about the situation given their less-than-amicable history. Dealing with Jay Perkins is the last thing Jack wants to do in the midst of the potential upheaval he's facing in his family life. But given time, Jack realizes that Jay is dealing with issues of his own. As Jack's relationship with Jay grows and his running improves, he starts to feel more like himself than he has in a very long time. He's finding his stride until the rug is pulled out from under him and Jack wonders if he's destined to lose everything important to him.