Spellbound by Janet McDonald

Raven, a seventeen year old girl, had a lot going for her in life. She had dreams of finishing high school, and planned on going to college shortly after. All that changed when Smokey, her baby, came along. Raven, a rising senior at the time, was forced to drop out of school to take care of Smokey. Raven is struggling, while having to dealing with hardships of being a single mother. She can’t even get a decent job because she doesn’t have a high school education. She relies on the support of her mother Gwen, her best friend Aisha, and her sister Dell. Dell realizes the pain and struggles her sister is going through because she had gone through the same thing about 5 years earlier. Dell, trying to be a loving sister suggests a spelling bee. The winner of the spelling bee receives a full 4 year scholarship to college. Raven, apprehensive at first, decides to do it. During her studying process, her sons’ father comes back into the picture. Check the book out to see if she won, and trust me this book is a page turner. You won’t want to put the book down. I would recommend it to just about anyone!

Sydney R., Class of ‘13

The Hoopster by Alan Sitomer

Andre is a 18 year old boy who loves to write and play basketball. His dream is to become a famous writer. Everything is going his way when he’s asked to write an article for a local magazine about racism. Andre feels a little out of place when asked to write it. He thinks that he was picked because of his African-American heritage. But aside from his feelings, Andre writes the article and it is a big hit. Everyone loves the article; he got letters and phone calls left and right. Just as everything is going all good for Andre, everything suddenly goes in a downward spiral for him. Read it to find out what happens. This book his an emotional roller coaster. I definitely suggest it to anyone looking for a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Robby B., Class of ’13