Tangerine Book Review

Posted on May 23, 2025 by Emily S.

A lie about to be exposed. The classic evil sibling. Justice finally served to a psychopath and his sidekick. Hooked? If yes, you should consider reading the realistic fiction novel Tangerine, written by Edward Bloor.

Moving from Houston, Texas, Paul soon finds his new home, Lake Windsor Downs, Florida, odd. Lightning strikes everyday at the same time, killing a high school football player. Navigating sinkholes, muck fires, and his older brother, Paul finds himself at Tangerine Middle School. He befriends his soccer teammates and overcomes the stereotypes they originally thought of him as he shows his loyalty and willingness to help, such as when he helps the Cruz family fight the freeze. This is when the citrus growers protect their trees from the biting cold, lest all their crops die, and their main source of income deplete.

Paul Fischer, the protagonist of the story, has worn extremely thick glasses ever since he stared at an eclipse for too long and went legally blind. That’s what his older brother Erik and his parents told him, though he can’t remember staring at the sun. Throughout the book, Paul gets flashbacks of past times that bring him closer and closer to the secret his family is keeping from him.

While most of us with siblings probably bicker or fight, or maybe you have rocky relationships with them, hopefully none of us are so scared of our siblings that we avoid them at all costs. Up until the end of the book, Paul is afraid of Erik. He sees Erik’s true nature, despite the star football kicker Tangerine County knows, or the Erik his parents believe in. Finally, after someone Paul knows is murdered, he screws up the courage to confront him. As Erik scoffs and skedaddles, Paul is hit with a last memory: one that reveals exactly how he lost his vision. Now, it’s time to have a chat with Mom and Dad. And the robbed homeowners. And the police. And have a third “first day of school.”

I really enjoyed reading Tangerine. Throughout the novel, there is a sense of there has to be more to it. Paul is an ordinary kid living in his big brother’s shadow, seeing more than anyone in both Lake Windsor and Tangerine. You see his character develop as he learns more about himself and his brother, and it’s great to see the underdog deal a critical blow to certain bullies. By the end, I felt really satisfied because you know how people have been hurt, but the rocky seas are starting to calm, and things are going back to normal. I also liked all the sweet symbolisms that add to the story, along with important lessons, too. Turning the final page, there’s closure felt all around, from Joey to Tino to Paul—who finally comes out into the spotlight, after fearing Erik for seven years.

Tangerine by Edward Bloor is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Little Women: Character Analysis

Posted on March 22, 2025 by River W.

Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott, is a classic story set around the time of the Civil War. It’s mostly centered around the 4 March sisters and how they grow up. All four are inspiring young women who differed in many ways despite their shared blood, and all 4 have unique morals to teach.

Margaret March, nicknamed “Meg,” starts as a girl who cares for her younger sisters but struggles with materialism. She spends the book learning to become more generous and a woman who adheres to the idea of a biblical matron. She gives birth to two children, who represent her growth.

Josephine March, otherwise called “Jo,” is introduced as a tomboyish teenager with a mind to write and an independent spirit. She struggles with becoming a feminine, considerate woman. Throughout the book, she expands her worldview and works in various writing-based jobs. In the end, however, she starts a school for disadvantaged boys with her husband.

Elizabeth March, often referred to as “Beth,” was a sweet child who always tried to be “out of the way” and a good, obedient, quiet girl. Unfortunately, she died early in the story because she caught a disease from the immigrant baby from the poor neighboring family nearby. Had she spoken up and told the others to actually do their chores and help tend to the family, she may not have been the victim of the disease. This event also makes us question their mother’s decision-making abilities, as she was a major factor in their association with the other family. Her character ~~development~~ death teaches us the importance of speaking up for oneself and not leaving any regrets.

Amy March, the only sister without a nickname, is at first a vain child who places most emphasis on herself and her looks. However, she grows to become an accomplished and kind young lady with a better tongue and a smarter mind. I thought that all the surviving girls marrying somebody was very characteristic of the times, and that Jo’s and Amy’s marriages felt quite forced, but it all depends on the view of the reader.

In my personal opinion, it wouldn’t be a far stretch to refer to the March sisters as the My Little Pony Elements of Harmony set in a realistic fiction 1800s setting. Through their trials and joys, we are left with a unique set of morals and a new perspective.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Silence Between Us Book Review

Posted on December 24, 2024 by BH

The Silence Between Us was one of those books that brought up issues that I would never even think about, even though I took ASL for 2 years. We all know being a teenager is tough enough without extra unforeseen problems. I can relate to some of the issues she experiences in the book.

Warning! Spoiler alert!

Maya, the protagonist, stands at the point in her life where change will happen whether she likes it or not. Transitioning from a world where silence was usual for her to one with voices. She’s transitioning from deaf school to traditional school. Her challenges of assimilation in these two different schools mirror the changes in her identity.

Maya discovers many problems and challenges as she navigates the traditional school; along the way, she learns to embrace her true self amidst society and others’ expectations. The Silence Between Us by Alison Gervais brings readers into an intimate exploration of self-discovery and resilience. It’s a powerful story of a teen finding herself in a world where people often overlook the silence.

As she confronts heartbreak and other hurdles that are adolescence and Deaf culture problems. The author was skillful in showing the emotional layers and experience through words, inviting readers into Maya’s world as she struggles with questions that transcend typical teenage worries.

I can relate to Maya on so many levels. The Silence Between Us, a touching coming-of-age book, differs from most other stories. The book’s raw honesty and unwavering portrayal of human connection make this a book worth reading. It deserves every accolade, including the esteemed Schneider Family Book Award for Best Teen Honor Book 2020. If you need a summer read, I recommend this one. Of course, this book is available in the Mission Viejo Library and audio on Libby.

Happy Reading!
Bella H.

Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Hugh H.

Louisiana’s Way Home, by Kate DiCamillo, is a novel written from the perspective of a twelve-year-old girl named Louisiana Elefante. At the beginning of the story, Louisiana is abruptly awakened in the middle of the night by her grandmother. Granny says, “The day of reckoning has arrived. The hour is close at hand. We must leave immediately.” Louisiana does not think this is a big deal, because Granny had said things like that before. However, this time is different. Louisiana soon realizes that they are moving from their home in Florida and embarking on a journey to Georgia. This time, Granny intends to leave Florida for good.

As Louisiana faces the uncertainty of her new circumstances, her mind is filled with a mix of hope and fear. This book captures the emotions of a girl trying to make sense of her life in the midst of chaos. She struggles with feelings of loneliness after she is separated from her best friends. She meets many strange and sometimes funny characters in her travels, but she yearns to find her way home. This book deals with themes of resilience, friendship, and identity, as Louisiana learns to navigate her changing world and uncovers secrets about her family.

This is a touching and emotional book. I was impressed by the inner strength that Louisiana develops as the story progresses. Her raw feelings are wonderfully described by the author, and she becomes a very sympathetic character. The story is highly realistic and it brings Louisiana’s world to life. This book also teaches powerful lessons about love and forgiveness. I found the ending to be bittersweet, reflecting the harshness of Louisiana’s feelings but also her personal growth. As she comes to terms with her past and recognizes the potential of her future, it becomes clear that she has come a long way. I definitely appreciate this book overall and would recommend it to readers of all ages, and especially to young readers.

Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Posted on June 18, 2024 by Adella S.

I recently saw the movie, The Goldfinch, and when I learned it was based on a book I knew I had to read it. After researching the book I realized that the author, Donna Tartt had another book called The Secret History, so I decided to read both of them.

Set in New England, at Hampden College, a transfer student Richard Papen is the protagonist coming from an average middle-class household, Richard is thrown into a world of classic literature and wealthy individuals. Richard joins an exclusive class with only five other members studying classic literature. He believes that to connect with his classmates, he needs to disguise himself as wealthy. He succeeds, and the six of them begin to grow close. Richard soon discovers that this eccentric group of misfits he’s joined has more secrets than what meets the eye.

I liked this book I think that the characters and storyline were well-developed. These characters all have unique characteristics that make them seem real to the reader. I thought that Tartt’s use of Richard’s observant nature to establish the setting and characters was ingenious. The twists create an incredible amount of suspense throughout the second half of the novel. Another thing that I liked about this novel was the realistic nature of the main characters when I was reading, I felt that I connected with the characters and understood their point of view and overall nature. I also enjoyed the overall vibe of the story it felt like a “dark academia” and eclectic type of novel.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys realistic fiction or likes classical literature. Although it does have some dark undertones and is quite lengthy, it is a fun read with lots of twists. I would also recommend Donna Tartt’s other book, The Goldfinch, which has some similar themes that The Secret History reflects.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Fault in Our Stars: A Masterpiece

Posted on November 10, 2023 by Sophie L.

The Fault in Our Stars has been talked about a lot. It’s moving, it’s tragic, it’s so wonderfully and horribly true.

(It’s making me wax poetic as we speak!)

I don’t know quite what I would say in a spoiler review, so instead let this post be here to convince you, to be that sign to check out TFIOS. You won’t regret it.

A sixteen year old girl named Hazel Grace has, as she puts it, lungs that “suck at being lungs.” She uses a cannula to breathe and carries an oxygen tank around; she suffers from thyroid cancer. Every week she goes to a cancer meeting of survivors and patients, as forced by her mother. Hazel, of course, is in the patients group- her disease is terminal and always has been.

Eventually, Augustus Waters, who has been cancer-free for a year and bears a prosthetic leg for his burden, comes into a meeting. And so the two click.

Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters; love in its rawest, purest, most untainted form. As John Green so famously wrote, and as Hazel Grace so famously said: “…I fell in love the way you fall asleep. Slowly, and then all at once.”

Filled to the brim with enough wit and metaphors to last a lifetime, the pair thrives off of each other’s sharp and astute nature. Books and poems, the thrill of the chase.

It’s filled with rides and waves and those beautiful aha moments and those crushing, sweep you off your feet realizations.

Oh, this book takes your heart and whips it up into a pretty cream just to drop it and watch it splatter on the sidewalk

In a good way, of course.

I developed a tendency to put mini-sticky bookmarks over particularly good quotes, scenes, or anything I might want to come back to.

And I have to say, this book is an endless trove of remarkable quotes – I ran out of bookmarks

I’ll have to stop here before I ramble on any longer. Seriously, genuinely, from the bottom of my heart, read this. Maybe there are a few tropes in the plot, but the writing far outweighs it. Brilliant execution.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. It’s one of the best reads I’ve ever had.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Esperanza renace escrito por Pam Muñoz Ryan

Posted on October 9, 2022 by Isa M

Sabes cuándo un libro está escrito originalmente en español, y “Esperanza renace” es uno de los mejores. “Esperanza renace” fue escrito por Pam Muñoz Ryan y está en clases de inmersión de quinto grado alrededor del mundo. “Esperanza renace” se enfoca sobre una niña de 13 años y su viaje a los Estados Unidos y a una nueva vida. En el comienzo del cuento, Esperanza vive con su mamá, su papá y su abuelita en El Rancho de las Rosas. Tiene sirvientes magníficos y campesinos lindos, incluyendo sus amigos Hortensia, Alfonso y Miguel. Su vida es perfecta. Desafortunadamente, todas las cosas buenas van a llegar a su fin. Como un tiburón, bandidos mataron a su papá y su vida quebró.

Sus tíos tienen derechos a su propiedad y cuando su mamá dice que no se va a casar con su tío Luis, él quema su casa y las mujeres no tienen un hogar. Con la ayuda de Miguel, Hortensia y Alfonso, Esperanza y su mamá viajan a California para trabajar. “Esperanza renace” es un libro escrito con amor y belleza, quisiera nunca parar de leerlo. Este libro es perfecto como una rosa, brillante, muy bonito y con mucho amor.

Esperanza renace (Esperanza Rising) by Pam Muñoz Ryan is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby. English versions are available from the Mission Viejo Library or Libby.

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

Posted on November 27, 2021 by Coralie D.

It was a cute, riveting, and young love story. It captured the maturity of literature and poetry but was also able to include light-hearted contented and funny references to the well-known DC character Batman. I liked how the book was relatable but the dream that any teen girl would have about a brooding good-looking boy. I smiled a lot because it had the classic trope where the mysterious standoffish boy would end up being soft for the nerdy shy girl. It had all the elements that a cheesy romance novel would have too. Moved into a new town, a new girl at a new school, making new friends, etc. The author was able to bring in much humor and seriousness in such a relatable and casual way that I thought was interesting.

I hope to find similar novels that have a similar style that are well written and as captivating as this one was. So if you’re looking for a sweet, giddy read this is the book you should check out next. It is great. It is great. It is great. (You’ll get the reference if you read the book haha).

-Coralie D.

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum is available for checkout at the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Overdrive.

Book Review: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Posted on November 11, 2021 by Vaidehi B.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio is a beautiful and heartwarming book about the power of friendship and a community in the face of hate.

August, by all accounts, is a normal ten-year-old kid- except for one thing. He has a rare genetic disorder and despite twenty-seven different surgeries, he will never look like other kids his age. This makes life extremely difficult for “Auggie” and his family. His older sister is overprotective of him, and gets angry when people stare at him funny in public- and his parents, who only want what is best for him, do not want to send him to a public middle school where he may be bullied. However, what Auggie finds at school is something much different- he discovers friendship, and the power of love.

This novel was an incredible journey from beginning to end- and it is no ‘wonder’ that it was adapted into an award-winning movie. Wonder is essentially a book about discomfort- the discomfort we feel when we see a person that looks different from us in public, the discomfort they feel at the inordinate stares and whispers. However, it shows that this discomfort and pity can be overcome- to make way for community, love, and acceptance.

-Vaidehi B.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio is available for checkout at the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Overdrive.

Book Review: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Posted on September 30, 2021 by Coralie D.

This is a light, fluffy read that has made me feel hopeful and happy. Love stories come in all types of forms but this one was different. The characters had unique personalities and the story isn’t a perfect ending. Lara Jean and Peter’s mannerisms made for a comedic and relatable read. It was a refreshing change of pace from other love stories. If you would like to read something lighthearted and cute this is the book. It’ll keep you captivated until the very end leaving you wanting more.

I was so ecstatic to find out that there was more to the series. Throughout the series, I felt that I was able to see the character development and the gain of knowledge and wisdom as they get ready for college. I know that it’s only a story but it’d be nice to have that same whimsical outlook on life like Lara Jean does. She truly gets to live the romance novel she reads daily; From having her lover to the evil ex who has a change of heart. As Lara Jean once said, “I’d always fantasized about falling in love in a field, but I just never thought it’d be the kind where you played lacrosse.”