A Monster Calls By Patrick Ness

                                Student Reviewer: Jesus H. 

     The book I read was A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.  The genre of this book is horror/fantasy.  I think this book deserved the Westchester Award because it describes the theme and gives specific details.

     In the beginning the story takes place near a grave yard.  The author helps us know the main character by giving Conor a brave ability, making him not afraid of the monster.  The monster shows up at Conor’s window and tells him three stories based on Conor’s life. Could the monster be one of Conor’s biggest enemies or could he be a good friend? Read A Monster Calls to find out!

                I’ll give this book five stars.  I liked it because it has a lot of details and I encourage people to buy to buy this book.  I would recommend this book to a person into horror/fantasy. 

The End of the Line by Angela Cerrito

                                                                                           

                                      

                             Student Reviewer Lesley C.

        The End of the Line by Angela Cerrito is a descriptive novel. This book is an example of realistic fiction because of being set in a school that doubles as a prison; prison can actually happen to people. The End of the Line won Honorable Mention for the Westchester Award. 

       The End of the Line  takes place in a construction zone, Great Oaks School Prison, and at the main character's suburban home town, River Falls. Angela Cerrito (in my opinion) has done a exquiste job illustrating the main character of Robbie. From the story, I understood that Robbie was a big runner, loved his uncle, and was just another kid going to school everyday.

        The major conflict that goes throughout the book is getting Robbie to talk about Ryan. During this time period his main goal is it get out of Great Oaks. But to do so he is going to have to do as the guard tells him. He finds himself locked up in a room getting crazy, trying to talk to anyone he can, running small laps around the room, and making lists in order to get food. Do you think he will get out of Great Oaks? Find out in The End of the Line.

       What I really enjoyed about Angela Cerrito's writing is that she contained flashbacks that led to Robbie being in Great Oaks. She incorporates them to show how he was before and how he is now. The flashbacks told stories about what Robbie had done with Ryan.

       In conclusion, The End of the Line deserved the Gold Medal Westchester award instead of the Honorable Mention. I believe this because it was an excellent story that is unique because it conatined flashbacks unlike other stories. It is truely unique I would recommend teenagers from 12-15, buy this book because it is a page turner.