Book Talk

Book Reviews: Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

by Mariama Bah, age 18 and Haliah Berkowitz, age 14

Review by Mariama Bah:

Many people’s first interactions with Iran were through school or the news, but mine was through Persepolis, an autobiographical graphic novel written and illustrated by Marjane Satrapi. The book follows Satrapi and her family as they navigate life in Iran after the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

I read this book in 2023 as a member of Simpson Street Free Press’ summer book club. Before we got our hands on the books, we discussed Persian culture, Iran, and Islam. As a Muslim woman, I knew about Islam, but hadn’t learned much about the other topics. With my love for learning combined with my interest in the art style, I was excited to read the book. I believe that too often we learn about events from perspectives that can’t give us a different means of understanding. So, getting to learn about the Iranian Revolution through an autobiography piqued my curiosity. [Read More]

Book Review: Voices & Votes: How Government Works in Wisconsin

by Sandy Flores, age 18

The Wisconsin Historical Society recently published the latest edition of Voices & Votes: How Government Works in Wisconsin. This book is aimed at younger readers in grades 3-5, introducing children to the fundamental concepts of voting, democratic society, and the importance of civic engagement – even for those who are not yet eligible to vote.

The book has seven chapters, each offering a lesson about Wisconsin’s government and the broader national political system. Topics include the different levels of government, the history of voting in Wisconsin, and the relationships between state, tribal, and federal governments.

Each chapter ends with a section called “Getting Involved,” which highlights local individuals and organizations working to engage students in civic life. These accounts share inspiring stories of youth who are actively involved in their communities and are making their voices heard. The stories serve as a potent reminder that civic participation does not always require a vote, rather it revolves around advocating to create a long-lasting impact. The book fosters leadership among young readers with the message, “Maybe these stories will inspire you to get involved too.” [Read More]

Madison Schools and Libraries Host 2nd-annual ‘Batalla de los Libros’ Reading Competition

by Camila Cruz, age 16

Madison students in grades 4-8 recently met for a Spanish-language reading competition. The idea was to test student skills and knowledge in areas like studying, reading comprehension, and teamwork.

This event was the Madison Metropolitan School District’s second annual Batalla de los Libros. Teams of students from various elementary and middle schools in Madison gathered at Central Branch Public Library in downtown Madison. The event was sponsored by MMSD Department of Library Services. [Read More]

Free Seeds at Madison Libraries This Winter!

By Siwoo Park, age 13

Madison libraries are once again giving out free seeds of native Wisconsin plants. Madison Public Library’s Seed Library launched its winter collection on Jan. 13, 2025.

To get a seed, all you have to do is visit a library participating in the seed library project and request one or more seed packets. Then, you can use the seeds to grow beautiful greenery. The library provides a guide for when to plant them. The winter collection includes Black-eyed Susans, Wild Bergamots, Butterfly Weeds, Rattlesnake Masters, Little Bluestems, Smooth Blue aster, Golden Alexanders, and Bottlebrush grass.

The seeds were donated by the Dane County Land & Water Resources Department (DCLWRD), with an honorable mention to Dane County Parks volunteers who collected them. Volunteers prepared more than 5,700 seed packets, but once they run out, they will not be available again until spring. [Read More]

USPS to Honor Renowned Novelist Toni Morrison with Commemorative Stamp

by Riya Adhikari, age 11

Toni Morrison was a famous novelist who wrote non-fiction books about African Americans. She passed away on August 5th, 2019 at the age of 88 years old.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is designing a stamp in honor of Toni Morrison. She wrote about the struggles of being an African American in the United States and created a voice for many people.

Toni Morrison's writing was beautifully created and artistically worded. Some of her most famous novels are “Beloved,” “The Bluest Eye,” and “Song of Solomon.” After writing some of her best work, she taught literature and writing at Princeton University for 17 years. [Read More]

Movie Review:
The Right to Read

by Kadjata Bah, age 18

A new documentary film called The Right to Read adds to growing national debates about literacy and the science of reading. This timely and compelling film is streaming for free until March 9, 2023.

Directed by Jenny Mackenzie and produced by LeVar Burton, the film follows a long-time activist, a teacher, and two families as they navigate the future of education.

Kareem Weaver is an Oakland-based activist with the NAACP. He is an experienced educator, and his mission is to create a world where 95% of children can read. Working with Sabrina Causey, a rookie first grade teacher in Oakland, the two make a case for a new curriculum for their students based in the science of reading. [Read More]

Book Review: Night

by Moises A. Hernandez, age 17

Night, by Elie Wiesel, is based on his own personal experiences with his father in Nazi German concentration camps. Some may not consider the book a memoir since it does not follow the memories of Wiesel himself. However, it is clear that the testimony, story, and emotional truth from Eliezer—the book’s narrator—are primarily those of Wiesel. Even though some minor details are changed, what happens to Eliezer is what happened to Wiesel during the Holocaust.

At the start of the story, in the early 1940s, Jewish teenager Eliezer lives in the town of Sighet in the then-Hungarian region of Transylvania—known today as Sighetu Marmatiei and located in Romania. During this time, Eliezer studies the Torah—the first five books of the Hebrew Bible—and the Cabbala—the ancient Jewish tradition of mystical interpretation of the Bible—with a teacher named Moishe the Beadle. However, his learning is interrupted when Moishe is deported for being a foreign Jew. in, led everyone on board into the woods, and murdered them according to a fixed plan. [Read More]

Book Review: It Ends With Us

by Sandy Flores-Ruiz, age 16

Colleen Hoover's It Ends with Us is a standalone romance novel. The slow burn story follows Lily Bloom, a 23-year-old college graduate, as she begins her new life in Boston where she meets neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. After some unconventional encounters, they eventually fall in love. However, over time Lily and Ryle’s relationship becomes complicated. What will happen when Lily meets her first love again, Atlas Corrigan, who is the owner of Lily’s favorite restaurant Bib’s?

Just as her life seemed too good to be true, she found herself in a similar position as her mother had been in, an abusive relationship with Ryle. Although she always vowed to never be in a domestic violence relationship, she found herself in one and could not find a way to leave. [Read More]

Book Review: Life of Pi

by Hanna Eyobed, age 17

Life of Pi is an acclaimed fiction novel written by Yann Martel. The riveting tale is “a story to make you believe in the soul-sustaining power of fiction,” according to the Los Angeles Times. While this book depicts a life very different from my own, it touched my soul and I’m sure it will touch yours too.

The story begins in Pondicherry, a former French colonial settlement in India. We follow protagonist Piscine (Pi) Molitor Patel in what at first seems to be a normal adolescent life. Pi is the son of a zookeeper and was given his infamous nickname after memorizing extensive digits of the infinite numerical figures of pi. Pi tells readers the story as he looks back on one of the most pivotal moments of his life. In an attempt to leave India in search of better financial opportunities, Pi and his family head to Canada via ship. In an unfortunate turn of events, the ship sinks, killing Pi’s parents and his only sibling. Shortly after, Pi realizes he isn’t alone on the lifeboat he finds himself on, but that he is accompanied by a tiger among other animals. Pi finds himself on a remarkable journey. “Survival had to start with me. In my experience, a castaway’s worst mistake is to hope too much and do too little.” [Read More]

The Four Key Ways to Create a Story

by Leilani McNeal, age 17

As an avid staff writer at Simpson Street Free Press, I believe it’s only fair to explore the four ways a writer can construct a story. Whether one chooses the complex, detailed route of descriptive writing, or the logical, clear-cut direction of expository, all writing styles contain their own unique purposes to both readers and writers.

Expository writing means to explain or expose a topic in a chronological order. This type of writing is the most common and can be found in textbooks, business writing, and journalism. The writer synthesizes multiple sources of information into an unbiased, factual, easy-to-understand paper. Some elements of expository include compare and contrast, cause and effect, and analysis. The main goal is to inform the reader about the topic at hand.

Narrative writing is when the writer tells a story to the reader. Unlike expository writing, a narrative doesn’t have to be read chronologically; the writer’s sole focus is to maintain the reader’s attention. Narratives can be fun, compelling, evoking, and even personal. Whichever direction is taken, the goal is to make the reader feel a part of the story. [Read More]

Madison Public Library Celebrates 150 Years of Community and Books

by Theodore Morrison, age 17

“It was a pleasure to burn.” This is the opening line of the book Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In this world, the main character lives in a dystopian society where firefighters start the fires, not put them out. It is these worlds that the Madison Public Library brings to our community by circulating all kinds of books, ranging from steamy romances to horror & suspense, and everything in between. These books empower Madisonians to access new worlds and challenge everyone to appreciate newer and more unique perspectives. These are the things we are celebrating - access to these amazing stories - as we honor the Madison Public Library’s 150-year legacy.

In celebration of the anniversary, the Madison Public Library designated this year's theme to be Celebrating the Past, Inspiring the Future. Founded in 1875, the Madison Public Library was intended to “confer its blessings on all,” according to former Mayor Silas Pinney. The library has faced turbulent times, and survived, then thrived with the help of the community. This message has been extended to the entirety of the community; the library has invited everyone to utilize its literature and other resources. This anniversary marks an important milestone in this institution’s history, signifying 150 years of public service and education.

To celebrate this milestone the Madison Public Library has launched several programs to draw attention to the libraries. In an attempt to encourage book consumption, the Library has challenged library members to check out 150 books. Upon completion of the challenge, participants will receive a drawstring bag emblazoned with the Madison Public Library logo. If a library member is not interested in the book challenge, they may take some photos below a themed book arch at the Central Library or educate themselves on some of the history of each library branch with displays located in each of the respective nine locations. There will be celebrations at all of these branches, many of which are ongoing, including at the Central Library (May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Monroe Street Library (May 31 from 9 to 11 a.m.), Pinney Library (May 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Lakeview Library (May 31 from 1 to 3 p.m.), and Hawthorne Library (May 31 from 3 to 5 p.m.), all of which are offering cake and coffee to entice members of the public to show up and show out. [Read More]

Book Review: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

by Lincoln Roos, age 11

The Wild Robot is a fantastic book by Peter Brown and it is worth your time. One would think, after reading this touching story, that the book deserves to be a bestseller and a movie. Well in fact, it is.

The reason I personally love this book is that it takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster through the eyes of the main character, Roz.

The story begins with a cargo ship full of thousands of robots crashing on a remote island. Most robots were damaged beyond repair except one, Roz, who gets activated by a bunch of curious otters. At first, Roz is confused and must quickly figure out how to survive on the wild island. [Read More]

Book Review: Front Desk by Kelly Yang

by Nae McNeail, age 13

Front Desk is a partly true story about author Kelly Yang’s childhood, highlighting the importance of hard work and perseverance.

Ten-year-old Mia Tang is the main character of Front Desk, the first of a series of books. Mia was born in China and moved to the United States when she was younger. Since her family was not rich, her parents searched for work. Mia’s parents found employment at the Calavista Motel, a real motel in Anaheim, California. Mia’s parents do not want her to become injured while working, so she helps the family by working the front desk, and welcoming the guests. The Tang family was able to live at the motel, which was great for them since they did not have the money to afford a home. While at the front desk, Mia meets Hank. Hank is one of the weeklies, which is what they call permanent residents at the Calivista Motel.

Their boss and owner of the motel, Mr. Yao, is a bitter man who makes life difficult for the family, making them work long hours and speaking rudely to them. Mr. Yao has a son, named Jason. The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, because Jason also gives Mia a hard time. Mia will not stand for bullying, creating a dynamic in which Jason and Mia both pull pranks on each other and are mean to one another. Despite all of this, as the story unfolds, a friendship is created. [Read More]

Book Review: The Ghosts We Keep by Mason Deaver

by Siwoo Park, age 12

The Ghosts We Keep by Mason Deaver is a young adult novel that primarily explores themes of grief and the process of moving forward after loss. Although the book is fictional, the story realistically portrays the struggles of losing someone you love.

This story develops around junior Liam Cooper after his older brother (Ethan) dies. As if the death of his brother was not enough, fate also decided to ruin his friendships. Throughout the story, Liam often feels unacknowledged by his friends, Joel and Vanessa. The most prominent reason was because the two were dating each other, usually spending time together without Liam. Liam’s family life was not ideal either. While his parents were moving on from Ethan’s death, Liam remained attached to the past and hung on to grief.

He only ever felt safe and stable in the novel when he hung out with his brother’s best friend, Marcus. Liam could only grieve with and relate to Marcus, often meeting him to recall memories of Ethan and make some of their own. [Read More]

Why Writing by Hand Is Better for Memory and Learning

by Camila Cruz, age 16

There’s been evidence for years that it’s better to take notes by handwriting than typing. New research is finally giving us an answer as to why.

Handwriting uses more regions of your brain and builds connections between physical and visual parts of the brain. That makes it easier to learn and pay attention, according to a recent study in Frontiers in Psychology by Audrey van de Meer and Ruud van der Weel at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

The two researchers dove into the intricate workings of the brain during note-taking by using helmets with sensors to monitor students' brains. The research builds on a study from 2014, which hinted at the lower effort of typing notes on a computer as compared to handwritten notes. Van de Meer and van der Weel found that handwriting produces higher levels of electrical activity across interconnected brain regions responsible for sensory processing, movement, memory, and vision. On the other hand, typing led to minimal activity in these areas. [Read More]

The Mysterious Disappearance of Novelist Agatha Christie

by Riya Adhikari, age 12

Agatha Christie was a novelist from the 1900s who went missing on December 3, 1926. Her disappearance shocked many people.

Christie was born on September 15, 1890, in Torquay, Devon, England. She was homeschooled by her mother, and her father died in 1901. Sometime after that, Agatha attended an all-girls school in Torquay, Devon. Her mother was British, and her father was American. Agatha is believed to have taught herself how to read and write at the age of five.

Agatha Christie’s writing career began when she was working as a nurse for wounded soldiers during World War I. During this time, she started writing novels, with the war shaping some of her early work. Agatha’s first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920), introduced Hercule Poirot, an important character in Christie’s works. Poirot was known for being a bit full of himself and was quite a unique individual. He appeared in nearly 25 books and stories before he met his end in Agatha’s novel Curtain (1975). [Read More]

Book Review: Out of My Mind

by Siheon Park, age 11

Out of My Mind is a realistic fiction novel that shows the struggles of the main character with cerebral palsy and how she overcame them, published by Sharon M. Draper in 2010. The story begins with the protagonist Melody Brooks. She is a ten-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, a condition that limits her ability to speak and move. She also has synesthesia, a condition that allows her to visualize flavors and see colors when music is played. In the book, she states, “Jazz to me sounds brown and tan, and smells like dirt,” and “Country is lemons—not sour, but sugar sweet and tangy.” The author’s personal experience of raising a child with developmental difficulties inspired Melody’s character.

Mrs. V, a family friend, has taken care of Melody since she was a toddler. Rose and Catherine are friends that Melody made at the beginning of the book. Penny is Melody’s little sister; and Molly and Claire are the antagonists of this story.

One day, Melody's friend, Rose, showed off her new computer in school. This gave Melody and her other friend, Catherine, the idea to get Melody a Medi-Talker – a talking board with big buttons that are easy to press and speak the words that are on the keys. Catherine printed out the information and tucked it in Melody’s bag after searching the internet. When Mrs. V, a family friend, took care of Melody and her little sister Penny, Melody showed her parents and Mrs. V her information about the Medi-Talker. Melody's new Medi-Talker came on the Wednesday before Christmas. Melody was excited because she had the ability to communicate, which gave her the opportunity to be on the quiz team to gain more knowledge. [Read More]

Theater Review: “What the Constitution Means to Me”

By Camila Cruz, age 16

Forward Theater’s production of “What the Constitution Means to Me,” directed by Jen Uphoff Gray, captures audiences with its unique approach to considering the United States Constitution.

Leading actress Colleen Madden of American Players Theater portrays playwright and protagonist Heidi Schreck in this autobiographical play. Madden opens the play by introducing herself as Heidi Schreck and explaining her connection to the Constitution. As a high schooler, Schreck competed in constitutional speech and debate contests, for which she earned college scholarships. At age 15, Schreck loved the Constitution and its study, and she felt deeply inspired by this “living document.”

The first part of the play revolves around 50-year-old Schreck “recreating” one of her high school competitions. She acts like her polite and invigorated 15-year-old self. But she also pauses her reenactment to comment on how her understanding of amendments and clauses has deepened through time and experience. [Read More]

Book Review: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

by Siwoo Park, age 12

A world of book bans, manipulative media, and social detachment is not too hard to imagine. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury resonates even after over 70 years since it was first published.

While emphasizing the themes of censorship and individuality, the book warns us against hedonism and detachment from education and literature. It is a reminder of the importance of building our personas and facing reality, even when that reality is more grim than people hope.

In this futuristic plot, Guy Montag is a fireman, but his job isn’t to put fires out. His job is to burn books. The government made almost all forms of literature illegal and assigned firemen to incinerate them. Since books are unobtainable, people succumb to enhanced technology, finding mindless enjoyments like “Parlor Families,” “Fun Parks,” and other entertainment. The government controls the people, convinces them to think that books create unhappiness, and manipulates them with subtle media messages. [Read More]

Book Review: Stuntboy, In The Meantime

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 9

Stuntboy, by Jason Reynolds, is a great book filled with action. The illustrations by Raul the Third are just as amazing too!

The main characters in this book are Portico and his best friend Zola. This book begins with Zola transferring to Portico’s new school. The problem is Herbert Singletary is bullying her and Portico. Because of this, Portico pretends to be Stuntboy, who has superpowers.

Portico is an optimistic child. His mom works as a barber and his dad works as a trashman, which Portico thinks are cool jobs. Zola lives right next to Portico’s apartment and often helps Portico calm down when he stresses about his parents fighting over the smallest things. [Read More]

Anne Frank’s Story and the Diary that Survived the Holocaust

by Ayelen Flores Ruiz, age 14

Anne Frank is known for her famous diaries from the Holocaust which are filled with many emotional memories. Anne went into hiding, was captured, and died during WWII. She would not be known today if it were not for her father Otto Frank, who published Anne’s diary.

Before the tragic events of the holocaust, Anne lived a normal teenage life. She was born into an upper-class Jewish family in Frankfurt, Germany. When the Nazis started to implement their policies, Otto decided to leave Germany and move to Amsterdam. He started his business called the “Dutch Opekta Company.” During this time, as the Nazis became more aggressive, Jews were taken to concentration camps and treated inhumanely. The treatment from Nazis became so harsh that the Franks, alongside four other friends, went into hiding. They hid above Otto’s business, called the annexe, with the help of other friends. Two weeks before going into hiding, Anne turned 13, and was gifted her diary, “Kitty.”

In Anne’s diary, she wrote about her experience in the annexe and her daily life. She talked about how careful they had to be when making noise, because any small noise would give their hiding place away. The diary contains short stories, fairy tales, essays, and the beginning of a novel. Anne loved writing; she dreamed of becoming a famous journalist. When she heard that any documents would be kept as a record, she started revising her diary. [Read More]

Unlocking Opportunities with a Madison Library Card

by Ayelen Flores Ruiz, age 13

The city of Madison is home to nine public libraries, as well as a mobile library, the Dream Bus. While the Madison Public Library system still lends out books, movies, CDs, and even video games, it has grown to offer a variety of additional opportunities and resources to Madisonians. The key to accessing these opportunities within Madison libraries and the South Central Library System: is a library card.

There are multiple ways to sign up for a library card. For example, sign-up can be done online or at any Madison Public Library location. You will need an ID and proof of your current address. The first card is free and then you can request free replacement cards.

The Madison Public Library website has a list of 30 things a cardholder can do with their card, such as checking out movies, books, computers, DVDs, ebooks, current newspapers, magazines, and many more interesting things. Students and other individuals can reserve a study room to work on homework or school projects. The rooms were made for people to use as a tool to meet with friends or group work members and study. [Read More]

Complement vs. Compliment: What’s the Difference?

by Leilani McNeal

From grammar and punctuation to spelling and vocabulary, the complexities surrounding the English language can be difficult to digest. While several linguists and experts alike have unfolded its functions, there remain certain kinks and crinkles that are hard to iron out. Consider the words “compliment” and “complement” and their similar, yet contrasting meanings.

Misusing “compliment” and “complement” is a common mistake – however, a precise breakdown of these seemingly fraternal pairings will surely resolve your confusion.

Historically, these two words have the same etymology, hence why it’s no coincidence that both the spelling and meanings share similarities. Complement used to mean to compliment, but that definition has become obsolete. [Read More]

Book Review: Unwind

by Elim Eyobed, age 11

If you're looking for a suspenseful dystopian fiction detailing one’s rights to their own body, then Unwind is the book for you. Unwind is a fantasy full of action, mystery, romance, and horror. This dystopian book written by Neal Shusterman starts with a boy attempting to run away from his parents to sign a contract to “unwind” him.

To “unwind” is essentially when the parents have the legal right to redistribute their child’s body parts before they’re 18. The parts keep their muscle memory but are transplanted onto strangers. The “unwind” law was passed after a civil war broke out over reproductive rights, an idea similar to present-day conflicts regarding abortion. The two sides made a compromise: you could “unwind” your child if you decided it was right for you or your family.

Connor, the protagonist, meets two others, Lev and Risa. Lev is a rich “tithe,” which is a person conceived and raised to be unwound. He is helpful at first but a bit problematic. On the other hand, Risa is a ward of the state, living in a “state home.”She is a talented pianist, but according to the shelter, not talented enough to be kept alive. Later on, these three characters run away from the police force to avoid being unwound. [Read More]

Gwendolyn Brooks Made History with Her Words

by Katina Maclin, age 15

Amanda Gorman is a well-known poet, scholar and activist in America today. But before there was a young, powerful, Amanda Gorman, there was Gwendolyn Brooks.

Gwendolyn Brooks used her passion and command of language to advocate for change during the Civil Rights movement. She experienced many changes of American history in her lifetime, Gwendolyn Brooks found her voice, and her voice as a Black women, through writing.

Today, Brooks is remembered as one of the most respected writers of the 20th century. She was a Poet Laureate and a Pulitzer Prize winner. [Read More]

Book Review: The Distance Between Us

by Camila Cruz, age 15

“The Distance Between Us” by Reyna Grande is an autobiography. The book was first published in 2012. The story begins in Mexico with Reyna, her two siblings – Carlos and Mago – and her mother. Early on we find out that Reyna's father has crossed the border from Mexico to the United States, also referred to as “El Otro Lado.'' He left when Reyna was very young and a picture of him was all Reyna had to remember him.

In January 1980, Reyna’s mother would be getting an unexpected phone call from her husband, Reyna's dad, asking her to join him and make the journey to the United States. Reyna’s dad quickly faced hardship and realized it was not as easy in El Otro Lado as many expected. He wanted her help to pursue his dream, the reason why he left his family in the first place. His dream was to earn as much money as he could, to build his family a house in Mexico and be able to return to his homeland and provide for his loved ones.

When the ladies from la Colonia of Guadalupe found out that Reyna’s mom had received the call from her husband they all felt resentful. Most of the men who cross to “EL Otro Lado'' with the same dream, after a while would eventually forget about the family they left behind and some would even start a whole new family in the United States. [Read More]

Book Review: We Were Liars

by Sandy Flores Ruiz, age 16

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart is a book whose title you will want to remember. We Were Liars details the summers of Cadence, the oldest granddaughter of the Sinclair family. She tries to find answers on why her cousins stopped talking to her, why she has daily painful headaches, and why she stopped going to “the island”. Along the way, she discovers a dark secret that her family hid from her.

The liars—Cadence and her cousins Jonny, Mirren, and Gatwick (Gat)—were close until the summer when Cadence was fifteen, the summer when everything changed. Cadence got into a serious accident that left her very injured with no memory of what her life was like before. For that reason, she decides to take it upon herself to discover what happened.

All Cadence remembers is that the liars went to their grandparents' private island off the coast of Massachusetts every summer and that she was also in love with Gat—who was Johnny's mother’s partner's nephew, meaning he was an adopted cousin. [Read More]

Book Review: Artemis Fowl

reviewed by Theodore B. Morrison, age 13

Artemis Fowl is the first book in the Artemis Fowl book series written by Eoin Colfer. The fantasy novel follows Artemis Fowl, a twelve-year-old boy prodigy who lives on a fantasy Earth where magical creatures, known as fairies, live underground.

The plot begins when Fowl kidnaps a Lower Elements Police (LEP) recon officer in hopes of obtaining a ransom of a one-ton of 24-karat gold. The story describes how the kidnapping plays out for Fowl and his personal bodyguard nicknamed “Butler.” Artemis Fowl is such a unique book as it has a young, highly intelligent, and villainous protagonist whose story will keep you at the edge of your seat.

This book takes a unique approach to the good guy. bad-guy formula by telling the story of the bad guy (Fowl), the anti-hero. The story displays how ruthlessly far Fowl is willing to go to achieve his goals, which he does in a cold and emotionless manner. [Read More]

Book Review: The Hate U Give

by Yani Thoronka

As Winter break draws to a close and marks the beginning of another stressful semester; a good book may just be the remedy to ease back into the remaining portion of the school year. If this is the case, I have the perfect book suggestion, The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas. This book was published in 2017, and following its release, a movie was soon developed.

As we leave a year of racial awakenings, this book provides an in-depth perspective into the life of a teenage girl named Starr, who has witnessed a tragedy. During recent years we’ve all seen tragedies broadcasted by various media outlets. This book offers a personal and intimate experience as the main character deals with tragedy. Starr learns to speak up and speak out. Through her character development, we, the readers, see Starr mature and evolve. We see her at her highest and lowest points, battling her emotions and managing her pain.

I first read this book as a 7th grader, and at the time I was just beginning to understand the extent of racial injustice in America. I was beginning to learn about systemic racism and other systems such as redlining or mass incarceration, which are factors in grander-systematic oppression. [Read More]

Las escuelas y bibliotecas de Madison organizan el segundo concurso anual de lectura 'Batalla de los Libros'

por Camila Cruz, de 16 años

Los estudiantes de Madison en los grados 4-8 se reunieron recientemente para una competencia de lectura en español. La idea es evaluar las habilidades y conocimientos de los estudiantes en áreas como estudio, comprensión lectora y trabajo en equipo.

El evento fue la segunda Batalla de los Libros anual del Distrito Escolar Metropolitano de Madison. Equipos de estudiantes de varias escuelas primarias y secundarias de Madison se reunieron en la Biblioteca Pública Central en el centro de Madison. El evento fue patrocinado por el Departamento de Servicios Bibliotecarios del distrito escolar.

En el evento participaron equipos de estudiantes de cuatro escuelas intermedias y nueve escuelas primarias. Los padres están invitados a asistir. [Read More]

Book Review: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

Reviewed by Katina Maclin, age 16

Many of us are aware of the racial injustices that society has been fighting against for many years, especially these past two years. Through these years, many shortcomings pertaining to black disparities in education have been exposed. Change comes in many different stages and society is beginning to evolve into a stage of education so that injustices can be avoided altogether.

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson is a nonfiction detailing the stories of countless individuals who were treated unfairly in the criminal justice system. Stevenson is a social justice activist and an American lawyer. He is most famous for representing an innocent black man, Walter McMillian, and gaining his freedom from death row in a racist criminal justice system. Then later he won the emancipation of another innocent black man, Anthony Ray Hinton. Stevenson’s work is famous nationally and is very controversial. A hidden figure in the black community, he has contributed much of his life to winning justice for underserved people through his non-profit, the Equal Justice Initiative.

This book essentially details Stevenson’s journey of restoring justice. It dives deep into what most criminal justice systems wouldn’t want people to know and it allows readers to understand the lives of people facing the system. Stevenson also analyzes the emotionally taxing parts of his job. He narrates the background, history, and interactions he has with individuals, some of which are emotional and graphic. [Read More]

Book Review: The School for Good and Evil — by Josepha Da Costa, age 17

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani is the first installment of a six book fantasy and fairytale series. This is a young adult book aimed towards middle schoolers, although anyone could give it a read. [Read More]

Book Review: Front Desk — reviewed by Aissata Bah, age 11

I recently read Kelly Yang’s Front Desk, a book that won the 2019 Asia/Pacific American Award for Literature. Front Desk is a story about Mia Tang, a 10-year-old girl whose family immigrated from China to America, and the challenges that come with living in a new country. Aspiring to be a writer and even a motel owner, Mia wants to feel like she belongs. She experiences many difficulties including navigating a new school and environment, being stereotyped, and feeling the need to hide her immigration status. But that isn't even half of it, there are even more! With all these challenges, will she do it all? [Read More]

Book Review: Four Secrets — by Allison Torres , age 13

Four Secrets by Margaret Willey is a book that follows three best friends Katie, Nate, and Renata who end up getting in trouble. They find themselves in detention accused and facing charges of kidnapping and druggin Chase Dobson. Chase is an infamous bully at school. His parents are rich and his grandfather used to be the mayor. What matters is that Katie, Nate, Renata won’t stand up for themselves against Chase. They also made a big promise and can’t break it. They would be able to go back home and return to their normal lives. [Read More]

Puss in Boots Sequel Set to Air Late 2022 — by Amare Smith, age 18

In 2011, the Puss in Boots movie was released. It was a spinoff of the hit movie “Shrek.” Since the film's release, many films have been made and displayed on Netflix. Ten years later, Puss in Boots finally has its sequel! The sequel will center around Puss getting his nine lives back after losing eight. To get his lives back, he must go on a journey to find a genie to grant him a wish. [Read More]

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