Foxcraft: The Taken

Posted on April 19, 2026 by Iris N.

Foxcraft: The Taken by Inbali Iserles is the first book of the Foxcraft trilogy. It is about a young fox named Isla, who has begun dabbling in the mysterious arts of Foxcraft- such as being able to turn invisible and shapeshift. Unlike most foxes in the city, Isla lives with her family, which consists of her grandma, parents, and beloved brother, Pirie. When disaster strikes one day and her home and family disappears, Isla must venture into the heart of the city, where she has never set foot. Isla encounters new allies (including a strange, shapeshifting fox), vicious threats, confusing pathways, and humans! I really enjoyed reading this story- Iserles did a great job with the description- it’s breathtaking, as it’s from a foxes point of view, not a human’s, and you can clearly tell! “The air in his wake had a gossamer sheen, like light bent through the wings of bees. The earth was a blur of grass and soil.” (Iserles, pg 3) This helped me imagine the scenes in the story much more clearly, all through Isla’s perspective. Along with this, Isla discovers that she possesses the magical powers of foxes- the namesake of the book, Foxcraft. Her new shapeshifting ally helps her master these powers, which become more and more important as she ventures deeper into the city.

Another thing I loved about this story is the rhymes and quotes foxes have among themselves, which shows their traits and community. “I am fearless. I am friendless. I am Fox.” Another rhyme that Isla and her brother like to joke with each other is “Mad fox, bad fox, just another dead fox!”. However, this rhyme takes a dark turn when Isla realizes the reality of this quote. One thing I would change about this book is how quickly it climaxes. Already, in the first chapter, Isla flees from her destroyed home. The author doesn’t give much introduction to Isla’s normal life before, thrusting the reader into a high stakes fight for survival. Of course, there are nice parts amid the action when Isla learns more about herself, her skills, and her mysterious ally, but it would be nice if the reader got more of a feel of Isla’s everyday life before everything was upended.

Another thing I like about this story is how the author wrote the origin story about the cubs of Canista: wolves, dogs, and foxes, and how they differentiated. It also provides a fascinating and good explanation of the characteristics and personalities of these canines- you’ll have to read the book to find out! It gave me more background and explanation about how the species act with each other, and the class differences.

Foxcraft definitely isn’t the deepest or most outstanding book I’ve read, but it surely stands out in the genre of fantasy with animals as the main character (Think Warriors and Odder). Foxes are some of my favorite animals, and Iserles does a great job characterizing them and their differences, along with how they are commonly persecuted by humans and their own.

If someone asked me for fantasy book recommendations, I would recommend this, but this isn’t the best book out there, though it is a pretty great read. Overall, Foxcraft: The Taken, is a decent, sweet read probably for younger teens.Would I read again? Yup! I got it from the library bookstore. 🙂

Top 5 Fantasy Books You Can’t Miss

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Jessie L.

If there’s one thing about fantasies is that they’re hard to write. It takes a lot of creativity and good writing to create a book readers will actually enjoy. This genre requires the author to create entirely new worlds which can sometimes be overwhelming for the reader. With that being said, here are five fantasy books that I think live up to their hype.

Powerless by Lauren Roberts
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

1. Powerless

Paedyn Grey has always been one of the ordinaries that are hunted and banished. She’s hidden her true identity her whole life by pretending that she’s something that she’s not. There is a perfect mix of tension, magic, and romance in this fast-paced book. I was hooked in from the start and the suspense building was really good.

2. Shatter Me

A dystopian world controlled by the Restablishment where Juliette Ferrars has been locked away from society because of her touch that can kill. Shatter Me is a six book series and is perfect if you enjoy emotional stories, slow-burn romance, and high stakes. The book captures the feelings of isolation and desire and shows a lot of character growth. It’s intense and draws you in until you become invested in it.

3. The Cruel Prince

If you enjoy something a bit darker and more political, then I recommend The Cruel Prince. Jude Duarte is a human girl who is brought into the world of Fae after her parents were killed. This book is mostly about court politics, betrayal, and power struggles with Jude’s main conflict being with the cruel prince.

4. Six of Crows

Six outcasts. One mission: break into a heavily guarded place to rescue a scientist who created a world changing drug. Six of Crows is a fantasy duology featuring a crew of six outcasts that attempt a near-impossible, deadly heist. I feel like each member of the group has their own skills and character development that makes the plot a lot more interesting than just the mission. The characters are carefully built which adds a lot more depth to the book. It’s a really action packed and entertaining book.

5. Once Upon a Broken Heart

Once Upon a Broken Heart follows Evangeline Fox, a girl that believes in love, who makes a dangerous deal with the unpredictable fate, Jacks, AKA the Prince of Hearts, that ends up with her getting pulled into a magical and chaotic world. This book is romance with a fairytale vibe. There are a lot of twists in the book as well as magic and it’s an enjoyable read.

A Song for You and I

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Eden B.

The graphic novel, A Song for You and I, is written by Kay O´Neill, and follows the adventure of a ranger called Rowan who endures an accident that causes them to follow a new path than what they wanted to accomplish, and overcome obstacles that makes them rethink about their future. This book is beautifully illustrated with well executed and pronounced details that capture the audience´s attention.

I have loved every single book that Kay O´Neill has wrote, the first series I read from them is the Tea Dragon Society which I am obsessed with, it is such a pleasant, wonderful book to read that I would also highly recommend. This graphic novel is one of their recent books that they have released and I was so excited to start reading it, I was not surprised when I first opened it by seeing the beautifully drawn illustration by Kay O´Neill, they are a wonderful artist, and I love their style of drawing. This book I would say is not much of an action, suspenseful read, it is more of a type of comfortable, cozy fantasy book that you are searching for which is a great alternative when you want to relax and just enjoy reading a stunningly drawn book.

I would highly recommend this book for fans of fantasy books, and people who prefer reading pleasant books compared to suspenseful books. Kay O´Neill is a fantastic author that I would recommend for you to also read their other books. A Song for You and I is not currently available to check out at the Mission Viejo Library today, but you can find other books written by Kay O´Neill that are available today!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Hugh H.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a short novel by Roald Dahl. The story revolves around a young boy named Charlie Bucket. Charlie lives in a tiny house with his parents and grandparents. They are very poor, and life is extremely uncomfortable for them. Charlie is almost always hungry, and even though he loves chocolate, he only gets to have it once a year. Every year, his family saves up so that Charlie can have one small chocolate bar as a special birthday gift.

Despite his challenging circumstances, Charlie is cheerful and kind-hearted. He loves to hear stories from his grandparents about a magnificent chocolate factory that is run by a man called Willy Wonka. One day, the newspaper has a huge headline that Willy Wonka will allow five lucky children to visit his factory. To select these children, he will hide five golden tickets in completely random Wonka bars. The children who find these golden tickets will be allowed to enter Willy Wonka’s factory.

Once this exciting news gets out, everyone in town rushes to find one of the golden tickets. Charlie wishes that he could get one of the tickets, but he knows that he has very little chance. However, one day he miraculously finds a dollar bill. He uses it to buy a Wonka chocolate bar. As he opens the wrapper, he is shocked to see a brilliant flash of gold. Against all odds, Charlie becomes the last child to discover one of the five golden tickets. The experiences that come next are more amazing than he could have ever imagined.

I really enjoyed reading this book, because I liked all of the fun and entertaining characters. I especially liked reading about Willy Wonka’s eccentric personality. I also found the story very engaging. I constantly wanted to know what would happen next. The book is filled with surprises and it was hard to put it down once I started reading. I also especially enjoyed all of the quirky inventions that Willy Wonka kept secret inside his factory. Overall, this book is exceptionally humorous and exciting, and I would recommend it to readers of all ages.

Divergent

Posted on March 28, 2026 by Eden B.

Divergent is the first book of the dystopian series by Veronica Roth, I first set my hands on this book when I was gifted it on my birthday. This book captured me, because of how its story line and plot follows along the same lines as Hunger Games, which is one of my favorite series. Divergent takes place in a futuristic Chicago where there are four factions, Dauntless, Abnegation, Erudite, Amity, and Candor. It follows the journey of a 16 year old girl named Beatrice, who must go through the choosing ceremony to discover which faction she belongs in and discovers she is ¨Divergent.¨

Ever since I started reading this book, I could not remove it from my hands it is such a great read! The word choice and syntax used in this book group together to create meaningful sentences, and serve to move the plot forward in a captivating, very actionable way. I especially love dystopian novels like this one, that take place in the future and create tension and dramatic effects when reading the book, all in all this is what makes a book a good read and captures the audience, which is exactly what Veronica Roth accomplished. I was excited to see that there is even a movie based on the book, which I will definitely be watching, hopefully it is as good and explains the same details as in the book. Next, I will be reading the second book in the series, which is Insurgent, which I am really excited to read because the first book leaves you in suspense, forcing you to read the remaining books in the series.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book for action seeking readers, and dystopian fans who are seeking a book that always holds you in suspense and brings you on the edge. I will definitely be writing more reviews on the remaining books of the Divergent series, so stay tuned. The Divergent book is currently available to check out at the Mission Viejo Library today!

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Posted on March 6, 2026 by Eden B.

The first impression I got from watching the quirky, animated stop-motion film “Fantastic Mr. Fox” is that it’s a fun, lighthearted film about clever animals and the angry, vengeful farmers who seek to harm them. The film follows Mr. Fox, an ex-thief, who cannot help himself from returning to his old ways of stealing food, despite the promises made to his wife that he would try to live a safer, more quiet life. When Mr. Fox does finally give in to his wild nature again, his actions put his family and friends at risk and causes chaos to erupt. Even though the film has many laughs and is action-packed, it also is a thoughtful and emotional film, especially concerning family, identity and growing-up.

When I first started reading the first few pages of this book, I just could not stop. This book is like my cup of tea, I love dystopian, fantasy novels, and if you are looking for a book in that genre, this is totally the book for you. It is so interesting to follow the journey of Haymitch as a 16 year old boy, because he is so different in his character compared to when he first makes his appearance in the first book of the Hunger Games series. This book is beautifully written with much detail, and action, and is associated with feelings of sadness, and catches your eye throughout the whole book. I am a huge fan of the Hunger Games world, and when I saw that Suzanne Collins was going to release a new book, you have no idea how excited I was, but I also had mixed feelings on if it was going to be as good as the last Hunger Games, the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, I was not disappointed at all and love this book.

I would highly recommend this book for action, and adventure seekers, and fans of fantasy and dystopian novels. I would recommend however, reading the first Hunger Games book in the series and continuing through in order, before reading Sunrise on the Reaping, as it better follows through with the story and will allow you to better understand the different characters, and the story. Sunrise on the Reaping is now available to check out at the Mission Viejo Library today! And is going to become a major motion picture in theaters in November!

Book Review: Animal Farm

Posted on March 3, 2026 by Olivia B.

Cover of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell featuring a silhouette of a pig and the text, 'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others', against a red background.

Animal Farm by George Orwell was one of my first classics, and is one of my favorite pieces of literature. It is a dystopian novella that, despite having complex ideas and themes, is quite easy to understand, making it a great read for beginners. However, it should be noted that this story contains mature themes, such as violence.

Taking place in a mid-20th century English farm named Manor Farm, the book follows farm animals that overthrow their abusive human farmer, Mr. Jones; the animals hope to establish an equal society within the farm. However, the pigs, led by Napolean, take control and tyrannically oppress the other animals.

The plot is interesting, keeping readers engaged the entire time. Orwell’s writing style and language is a bit challenging, but still understandable. The slow build up to the pigs’ corruption is thrilling yet terrifying; the reader slowly begins to understand that the pigs are no better than the humans. Despite being published in 1975, Animal Farm‘s themes are still significant to society today. It criticizes totalitarianism, revealing how power corrupts.

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” This quote by George Orwell is ironic, satirizing tyrannic leaders. It means that ideals of equality can be destroyed by unchecked power. The corrupt pigs of the farm demonstrate this danger.

Perhaps I am a bit biased because it is one of my favorite books, but I cannot provide any criticism when it comes to The Animal Farm. To me, it is an amazing book that challenges readers to contemplate society and its flaws. This novella is powerful, despite its seemingly simple story.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Posted on March 3, 2026 by Abi G.

One of the most powerful elements of the film is the relationship between Ash and his father. Ash spends most of the film wanting to prove to his father that he can live up to his idea of exceptional. However, Ash continually feels like he is being over-looked by his father, especially with the arrival of Kristofferson. Kristofferson is naturally talented and appears to be perfect, everything Ash believes he is not. The comparisons of Ash and Kristofferson cause Ash to feel insecure and believe he will never be good enough in the eyes of his father.

This dynamic of comparing oneself to another person that appears to be superior is particularly relevant to teenagers today. With so many avenues to compare ourselves to others , it is easy to fall into the trap of believing you are inferior. Ash’s frustrations aren’t simply jealousy, it is the fear of never being able to measure up to his father in whatever way he sees fit. His struggles reflect the common pressures teenagers deal with daily, which include figuring out who they are while being compared to everyone around them.

What makes the film “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, so powerful is that it does not suggest that the pursuit of perfection is the ultimate goal. Ash does not become Kristofferson, nor do I think he needs to. Instead, Ash begins to realize that the things that make him different (even the awkward and messy aspects), are the things that provide him with confidence and strength. At the same time, Mr. Fox begins to understand that being “fantastic”, is not necessarily about standing out above all others, but rather about providing for those who depend on you.

Ultimately, the film presents that growing-up is not about finding someone new to become, but instead finding your own sense of self and accepting yourself for who you already are. For teenagers dealing with the pressure of expectations, comparisons, and complex relationships with their parents, “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, provides a gentle reminder that one’s identity is not something earned, but rather something that grows as you mature.

Avatar: The Last Air Bender: a Netflix Series Review

Posted on January 5, 2026 by BH

Recently some friends and I binge-watched Netflix Avatar: The Last Airbender. We all sang along as soon as the theme song started. It’s not the same without the sing-along. I haven’t had so much fun in a long time since school started, and we have all been busy grinding away at our test prep and homework.

We were happy to see all the characters we recognized, like Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Zuko.

The characters were all so different but very relatable. We saw characteristics that we have and would use in day-to-day situations. Sokka’s fun and goofy jokes got us double over with laughter. At the same time, Zuko’s intense moments reminded us of the emotional rollercoaster we’re all on sometimes. Honestly, it felt like we were right there. These characters were so relatable that it got us thinking about things that happened to us in real life.

Each episode is more exciting than the next. We all kept saying let’s just watch this last one, then go to the park but it dragged on till the 5th episode, and my mom finally told us to get out and get some air.

The Avatar: The Last Airbender animation is so beautiful. As a person who loves art, when I watch any movie, I focus on the art, especially if it’s animated. Of course, The Avatar did not disappoint. The animation is beautiful, and the storyline is just as good. It’s relatable, and I felt myself rooting for the good guys and wanting them to win. It reminds us that we all need family and friends to cheer for us. Whether you’ve been frozen for hundreds of years or are living your everyday life, you need that support system that will cheer you on to do the right thing and save the world from your evil opposition. The show defintely has a knack for making you feel like that more than you want to.

It makes us talk about how important family, friends, and the support system help pull us through all the hard times.

The protagonist in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Aang, is only 12 years old biologically, but chronologically he’s 112 years old. He acted like a 12-year-old boy in these episodes. He’s portrayed as a reluctant hero who spent a century suspended in an iceberg before Katara and Sokka discovered him while fishing. The three of them went on a quest to master the elements and save the world from the Fire Nation.

This short review does nothing to prove to you how great the series is as it is animation, so watching it makes me appreciate the beauty of the art. As the writer, I love how the story tries to make it relatable to the typical person watching the show.

Being High school students, we are all busy and move through the bustle of everyday busy life. Still, it is good to remember to spend time with family and friends and just relax and catch up. A movie or series like Avatar is a great excuse to do just that.

Happy binge-watching!

Bella H.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

Posted on May 19, 2025 by Abi G.

Jacqueline Harpman’s novel, I Who Have Never Known Men, surrounds the theme of what it means to be human in a world where you have been stripped of everything that makes you feel human.

The novel follows a young woman, the narrator, with no memory of her past or the outside world, living in an underground cage with 39 other women, guarded by men who never speak. During her time in this cage, the narrator, who remains unnamed throughout the entire novel, lives with a constant urge to gain knowledge of the outside world and what humanity is really like. Relying on the broken memory of the other women, the narrator struggles to put together the notion of the outside world, like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces that don’t fit together. She finds herself holding on to anything that makes her human, while being faced with dehumanizing circumstances everyday, such as defecating without privacy, walking with nowhere to go, and attaining intellectuality without proper books or educational material. This marks an important aspect of what makes humans, humans: The strive for knowledge and persisting curiosity.

One day, an alarm in the bunker where the women are imprisoned goes off, initiating the fleeing of the guards who accidentally leave the cage open when feeding the women. After a moment of wondering whether the guards would return and in disbelief that they were actually free, the women run from the cage, starting up the stairs of the bunker and facing the sky for the first time in years, feeling raindrops fall to their faces like water hadn’t existed, and feeling their heartbeats rise in adrenaline like their heart hadn’t beat before.

However, once free, the women face an unforgiving post-apocalyptic world, unlike the one they had remembered like a distant dream, and slowly begin to die, one by one, not just of illness, but of the burden of grief of missing their past lives. The narrator, having no recollection of this life and having had grown up in an imprisoned world, persists in her efforts to find her humanity while being the last of the women to survive a world unlike the one the women had described.

What I love about this book is that its a story of a human with so much of her humanity stolen from her, yet she still finds herself asking the most fundamentally human questions: Why am I here? What does this all mean? It’s a story about how even when born into a society so different from any that exists now, humans will always find hope, love, and wonder.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman can be downloaded from Libby.

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