PAPER TOWNS by John Green

“‘The thing about Margo Roth Spiegelman is that really all I could ever do was let her talk, and then when she stopped talking encourage her to go on, due to the facts that 1. I was incontestably in love with her, and 2. she was absolutely unprecedented in every way, and 3. She never really asked me any questions…’ Quentin Jacobsen had always loved Margo from afar. So when she climbs trough his window to summon him on an all-night road trip of revenge he cannot help but follow. But the next morning, Q turns up at school and Margo doesn’t. She’s left clues to her disappearance, like a trail of breadcrumbs for Q to follow. And everything leads to one unavoidable question: Who is the real Margo?

What is the book about?

Quentin has been Margo Roth Spiegelman’s neighbour for as long as he can remember and when they were younger they were great friends.  However as the years went by Margot got more and more interesting and amazing, while Quentin just stayed the ordinary boy he always was, continuing to watch her from afar, though she barely paid any attention to him, and admiring her strength and Margo-ness,  something that no one else could possibly comprehend. So one night, when Margo climbs through his bedroom window, he can do nothing except follow her into an adventure he couldn’t have imagined. Although at the start he regretted it, later in the night he began to realise he made the right choice to follow the girl here he had loved for so long. After the trip of revenge and felony was over, they finally arrive back home and Quentin is ready to see Margot at school next morning. However, when he arrives at school Margo is not there – she seems to have just disappeared and run away from home. But she's done this before and she always leaves clues, like a trail of breadcrumbs leading to her location. Quentin doesn't believe that she's just gone, he believes that she made it so that he would find her, so he must follow the clues before it's too late and embarks on a journey to uncover the real Margo Roth Spiegelman.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

After reading The Fault in Our Stars  quite a while back, I realised how much I was going to enjoy the majority of John Green’s books so I made the decision to purchase as many as I could of the ones that I knew I was going to enjoy. Paper Towns was one of these books. As soon as I laid eyes on the cover, I knew that I was going to really enjoy it and the blurb did nothing but make me more and more excited at the fact that I was going to read another incredible and heart-breaking novel. When I finally began reading, after months of having it lying on my shelf collecting dust, I realised just how much I was missing out on from leaving it there so long. But slowly I continued to read and began to realise that maybe I had been too quick to judge. I truly did start of believing I wasn’t going to like this book, but now I am just disappointed and want those hours of my life back.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

This is one of the first few books where I truly do not have a favourite character. Although these characters felt more real than in any other book I have ever read because they act like real teenagers, annoyed and stressed and attempting anything just to procrastinate actually studying. However, how realistic they were is what made them so annoying because I personally feel like teenagers are annoying and I don’t really like many of them. I know this is quite hypocritical as I myself am a teen and I’m sure that many people find me annoying, but these characters where being just annoying and were constantly getting on my nerves. I hated Margo so much and I know for a fact that I wouldn’t even consider her to be my 10th favourite character, let alone the number 1. I found her so selfish and self-centred, and it was clear that she really believed that the world should revolve around her and that other people should worship her. The worst thing about her was how she made herself the victim saying that she found it tiresome being a perfect person that everyone liked. She also said Quentin should be grateful for how she had kept the other bullies, who were her friends, away from him, but I thought that was really annoying and selfish as she hadn’t thought of how she was just as horrid as them for allowing the bullying to happen in the first place. She really reminded me of all the horrible girls from my secondary school and how they always thought they were the most important. Quentin was also definitely not my favourite character and I thought he was really whiny and irritating. His obsession with Margo, who he didn't really even know because he just saw her from afar and thought she was amazing because of how pretty and cool she looked, was really annoying. I liked that the message of the book was really clear through his obsession because it shows us that we don’t really know people for who they really are, we only know the version of them that they choose to share and that we choose to see, but it was still hard to have to listen to him constantly talking about her and just abandoning everything for a girl who had paid no attention to him for years.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

Just like how I didn’t have a favourite character, I also don’t think that I have a favourite part of the book. Overall the book wasn’t that good, but highlighting some parts of the book and getting rid of the more boring and annoying parts doesn’t make it that bad of a book. Some of the parts that I did really enjoy were the chapters with the incredible inspirational quotes and the parts that had the funny and really ridiculous quotes. The book really did make me laugh, especially at the beginning. The ending might have been my favourite if it hadn’t have been so plain, but it really was good how it showed the true message of the book and how people aren’t who they seem, they are who they show you and what you choose to see. The beginning I think is probably my favourite then because it was a hilarious introduction to the characters and the start did actually make me laugh out loud quite a bit, but I am not sure if I could actually call it my favourite part.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, this probably wasn’t one of the best books I have read and, although I was a really big fan of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, I found this book quiet disappointing and boring. The further I got into the book, the worse I got. Firstly, let’s begin with the few things that I actually liked about the book. I think the thing that I liked best was probably the road trip. It was fun and entertaining and showed how really the only thing that teens actually want is to get the chance to drive around feeling all independent and strong and that travelling is one of the things that the majority of people want to get a chance to do in their lives. However it was a little bit unrealistic. Another thing that I did like was the quotes in the book. There were actually some very inspirational ones and this is one of the things that I enjoy the most about John Green’s books; he really is a phenomenal writer. One specific quote that I really loved was one about Margo and how she wasn’t some incredible being or mythical creature, or some “precious thing”, “she was a girl”. I really liked that Quentin finally realised that Margo wasn’t incredible; she was just a regular girl. Now let’s start listing the things that I didn’t like about the book and one giant one is Margo. She was definitely the most annoying character I have ever read about. The constant repetition of her name has made it impossible for me to ever forget the name Margo Roth Spiegelman. She was portrayed as the perfect girl. A legend that was entitled to do whatever the hell she wanted. I didn't care if she would be found or if she had killed herself, and to be honest I think it would have been a much better book if she had killed herself because then it would make sense and she could have been the girl constantly being forced into perfection and feeling the pressure. She really didn't deserve the attention she got and I am glad that I never have to read about her again.  I also got very confused at what the plot even was and it’s another thing I didn’t like because I was just so puzzled at the end at what the purpose of the book even was. There was also maybe supposed to be some romance or something but I was also really confused at what all of that was about. It truly didn’t make any sense. The pace was just really slow after a certain point and I feel like a lot could have been avoided. Another thing that I didn’t like was the fact that Quentin and his friends skipped their graduation for a road trip to find one of the most annoying human being on the planet. I found it extremely unrealistic and so confusing. After a while I started to really wish that the book would end so I could move on with my life, but a part of me wished that something actually happened at the end so that the book could have made sense. It was a decent book at the start, but I would have done a lot of things differently in the middle and at the end.

Would you recommend this book?  

I don’t really recommend the book, but feel free to read and waste your time. If you do read it I recommend it for over 14 year olds, who enjoy a little adventure and don’t mind getting quite annoyed at cheesy and needy characters. But do not read it if you aren’t prepared for a confusing and utterly pointless plot. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A slow paced road trip adventure with inspirational quotes but a pointless plot.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

SPINDERELLA

What is the book about?

A spider that does not know how to count and gets help from a hairy godmother, who tells her what numbers are.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

 My favourite character was Spinderella because she liked numbers like me and she liked football like me.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

 My favourite part of the book was when Spinderella scores a goal at the end and wins the game because it was very fun and I liked that Spinderella won.

What did you think of the book and why?

I really liked the book because it was very interesting and had lots of things that I liked in it and it was very cool how Spinderella had a hairy godmother who had magic and helped her. 

Reviewed by Fabiola Gutierrez Reviriego

SMILE by Raina Telgemeier

“Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there’s still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. Raina’s story takes us from middle school to high school, where she discovers her artistic voice, finds out what true friendship really means, and where she can finally…smile. 

What is the book about?

This book is a true story based on the life of Raina Telgemeier. Raina seems to have a perfectly normal, drama free life. But one night, everything changes when she trips and falls while running with her friends after a Girl Scouts meeting, and knocks out both her front teeth. The story follows Raina as her dentist, Dr Golden, tries his best to fix her teeth and leave her with a healthy and normal looking mouth. On top of all that dental drama, Raina also has to deal with boys, friendships, a major earthquake and the transition from middle school to high school. Here she is finally able to be her true self and finds true friends and discovers her love of art. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I have never really liked to read and personally I think it is extremely boring, but my sister is insistent on the fact that books aren’t boring and if I think that then I’m just not reading the right books for me. So, finally after years of trying different types of genres, she found one that she was almost 100% sure that I would love – a graphic novel called Smile. When she handed it to me I wasn’t too sure what I would think of it. It didn’t look like it would be that interesting and I wasn’t really used to graphic novels so I was a bit confused as to why she thought I would like it. But, as soon as I read the first page I knew why she thought I would definitely enjoy this book – it was fast-paced and had so many pictures; it was perfect for me. I whizzed through the book and soon I found myself asking my sister for another book like it. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Raina because she was like what every person feels like on the inside when they are in their teenage years, awkward and weird and out place. She made me feel a little bit more confident in myself because I knew that I was not the only one who was feeling a little bit alone and I think now I feel like I can be more like myself now and not how other people want me to be. I particularly admired her when she finally stood up to her so-called friends, because this is something that I don't think I would ever be able to do myself because of how scary it is to be on your own and, even if they aren’t real friends, at least having someone to make it look like you aren’t a loner, makes secondary school (high school) a whole lot easier. I’m having some friendship issues myself at the moment and seeing that I’m not the only one makes it easier to keep going and to just fight back and make a stand for myself. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was definitely when Riana finally stood up to her friends because it had been bugging me from the first time I saw them being mean to her and I just really wanted to slap them all. This part really showed me that I should have more self-respect and that I don't deserve to be treated badly by anyone and no one should ever have to feel like their own friends or family aren’t there for them.  This also showed me that Raina wasn’t just some weird, awkward teen and that she was actually very brave and she had her own views and her own things to say.  This really showed me that sometimes you have to leave behind the people who you spend every day with because sometimes they are holding you back and you need to just let them go and see what you can do for yourself. Her friends had been doing terrible things to her and I had to just sit there and read through those parts when I really just wanted to tell her to man up and tell them to stop, and when she finally did it I realised that I should also be able to do that if I was ever put in that situation. It was a really inspirational part of the book and I really enjoyed it.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Smile and I sped through it completely and reached the end far too quickly. One thing that I really liked about it was how fast-paced it was and that it really just went straight in. With most books I read, I find that I get extremely bored after only a couple pages because the author introduces things too slowly or gives me an extremely boring backstory that I really don't care about, but with this book I got none of that feeling of boredom and I just couldn't put it down. Another thing I also liked about it was the incredibly drawn pictures that made it feel like I wasn't really reading at all and I was actually experiencing the story for myself. I never really thought I would feel something like this as I've always believed that books are just words on paper, but I realise now that my sister was right all along and books  can make you feel something and can connect with you on a whole different level. This graphic novel really was amazing and I just can't wait to read another book like this. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy all of Raina Telgemeier’s books, especially if they like Smile. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I recommend this book to anyone around 9-13 years old who is looking for a book that they will finally not find boring and will actually enjoy. It is perfect for first time enjoyment readers. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An incredibly well written and drawn graphic novel based on a true story.

Reviewed by Aldara Gutierrez Reviriego

NOTHING MORE TO TELL by Karen M. McManus

“True crime can leave a false trail… Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favourite teacher. The case was never solved, but she’s sure that the three kids who found Mr Larkin’s body know more than they’re telling, especially her ex-best friend Tripp Talbot. He’s definitely hiding something. When Brynn gets an internship working on a popular true-crime show, she decides to investigate what really happened that day in the woods. But the further she dives into the past, the more secrets she finds. Four years ago, someone got away with murder. Now it’s time to uncover the truth…”

What is the book about?

Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favourite teacher, Mr. William Larkin. The case was cleanly solved, with a random drifter thought to be to blame for the murder, though actually the murder was never truly solved. When Brynn is heading back to her home town, she is not sure if she is ready to face her classmates again, but she is determined to stay apart from everyone and suffer through the next few months until she can leave again. When an opportunity presents itself, Brynn decides to go for a once in a lifetime internship, and in order to appear more interesting to the true crime TV show, Brynn brings up the unsolved murder at her interview. She believes that the 3 kids from her year group that discovered the body know more than they are telling, so she decides to investigate further. But some secrets are better left alone, and, even though she goes into school determined to keep her internship secret and stay away from everyone else, she ends up in a tangled web of lies and it turns out the murder is a lot more complicated than she initially thought...

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As soon as I discovered that Karen M. McManus was writing another book, I immediately searched for it on Amazon and pre-ordered it. I had been waiting for this book for so long when it finally arrived and, as soon as I got it, I was already bursting with excitement at the thought of reading it. I have always loved Karen M. McManus' books but as soon as I laid eyes on Nothing More To Tell I realised, and I don't really know how I knew this, that this book was going to be better than any other book I have read by her so far. As soon as I read the blurb and got into the book, I was completely sure that Nothing More To Tell was going to be an incredible read that I was never going to forget. Then, after reading only the first chapter of the book, I had already been completely absorbed into the mystery and soon I was looking up completely confused at the fact that I was in my room at home and not solving a murder. The whole time I was reading I was wishing to reach the end and find out the truth, but also I was hoping the book would never end and I could just keep reading more about the mystery. This was one of my favourite books (which you can probably tell from the lengthy review below).

Who was your favourite character and why? 

This truly was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made because for some reason this is one of the books that had 2 main characters that weren’t annoying. The main character is usually some whiny person that constantly thinks themselves the best and that they are the most important in the whole book (although this is all true). . Brynn was an extremely likeable main character, always striving for perfection in every story she wrote and she wouldn’t give up until she was able to figure out the truth, no matter what happened. At the end, although I was glad that she continued and never stopped replaying the facts of the story, I did think it was a little hypocritical of her to blame herself for everything and then continue doing the same thing that got her into the mess in the first place. But she wasn’t annoying at all, and did things logically and strategically. Tripp, however, was different. At the beginning of the book, I thought that he was going to be like any other high school hot jerk and the fact that he was a scholarship kid and was still considered elite really confirmed that for me at the start – a rich boy wannabe. But when I got to know his story a little more, I started to like him a bit more. I truly felt sorry for the burden he had had to carry for years, especially at such a young age. He had to cope with so much and, hearing his story fully, I realised just how brave and strong he had to be to pull off everything he had, and in the end I really ended up liking him (it also didn’t help that he was good looking!). Interestingly both Tripp and Brynn were most likable characters the author ever created and it was also perfect that the romance in the book was between them. Despite the incredibly well written main characters, I think that my favourite character was probably Brynn’s little sister, Ellie, who I think was the one who actually solved the mystery and without her they wouldn’t have been able to do it. It was kind of embarrassing for Brynn and Tripp that they would probably not have figured it out without her trap, at least not for a lot longer. Ellie was such a great character, fun and charismatic (the friendlier, more social and more exciting sister) and I would love more of her in the future, so I really hope that the sequel stars her (like how the sequel of One of Us is Lying stars Bronwyn’s sister) or her own mystery to solve. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

The whole book was absolutely incredible and I really enjoyed every single part, so this decision is really difficult for me. It was actually so difficult that this is the first time that I actually cannot choose a favourite part; however one thing that I can tell you for sure is that it is definitely not the ending! But thankfully, now that I have nothing more to tell (pun intended) about my favourite part, there is more room for my overall impression of the book (which I have lots to say about).

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Nothing More To Tell was a marvellous read and I truly adored everything about it (except one tiny detail that stopped it from being a true 10/10). One thing that made this an absolutely incredible book is the fact that the story was told from the perspectives of two likable characters, and this made it better than Karen M. McManus’ previous works. I was so grateful for this because it wasn’t at all confusing to have multiple points of view and, as I liked both characters and they both led very interesting sides of the story, I didn’t (not even once) wish for it to switch back to either of the characters. Another thing that I will never ever stop thinking about is the fact that all of the books covers are the exact same style and this is the main reason why Karen M. McManus’ books are my absolute favourite. They just look so beautiful and organised on my bookshelf and I am a little bit (a lot!) of a perfectionist with a bit of OCD and these books satisfy me so much with how clean and perfect they are. I just cannot get over the smooth, identical perfection! One thing that I also cannot get over, which is not a good thing, is how abrupt the ending was. I was so shocked at the fact that the book ended so quickly summarising everything so quickly and just moving on. I was just so confused and it was almost like Karen M. McManus had a word limit or something and she was just trying hr hardest to fit everything in. This book had so much potential and the plot was incredible, but I think she should have changed the epilogue completely and just made a second book. But, when it came to the real epilogue I was in shock at the fact that, rather than the killer showing up, I turned the page to see that it was the epilogue, where everything should sweetly end with the characters in their lovely lives 5 years later. I was so confused and seriously believed I had skipped pages. It didn’t make any sense and I didn’t understand how we could just end up with such a rough and horrible explanation of who the killer was. Also, the biggest shock to me was the fact that Brynn was just willing to let all of this go and leave the killer to walk free when she had put in so much more before and nothing and no one had been able to stop her. However, I still suspect a follow-up to this book, even though we know who the killer was (at least I think so??) because of the shocking epilogue twist that occurred right at the last second, and I do think this could be very good if well planned and written, but we’ll just have to wait and see. But, if a sequel isn’t written I will be very angry as there are many things left unsolved and some plot holes. One last thing I would like to mention is the fact that the plot was just so incredible and you can really tell that the author put a lot of work into it, so much work that she included references to all the previous mystery cases, which I really loved and cannot stop thinking about. All of Karen M. McManus’ books are absolutely incredible and I really loved them all, but Nothing More To Tell is definitely my favourite because it had everything – amazing character development, an incredibly well written academia mystery and a dual narrated story; it completely blew my mind! This book is definitely in my top 10!!

Would you recommend this book?  

I absolutely adored Nothing More To Tell and would 100000% recommend it to anyone. Particularly, I think that you will most enjoy the book if you are over 13 and enjoy murder mysteries, crime novels, thrillers and a bit of romance. It is an amazing book and I think everyone who reads it will love it.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A shocking and thrilling mystery with a sprinkling of romance.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego