Summer Reading: Two Teen Book Reviews

These Violent Delights, by Chloe Gong

I had read Romeo and Juliet before this book, so I assumed that These Violent Delights would be the same. On the contrary, Gong added new characters (like Kathleen) with rich backstories, as well as going into more depth with characters skimmed over in the original Shakespearean version (like Rosaline). I love that there is LGBTQIA+ representation. Moreover, it gives more complication to the story as it isn’t based on the two lovers, but their attempts to save Shanghai from a mad disease and a monster. In all, I think that the story gives more details where Romeo and Juliet was lacking, and brings a lot of context clues to help the reader understand the backstories of all the character.

--submitted by Shelby L.

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Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, by Katherine Hayhoe

Saving Us is all about how you can talk about climate change with different people, friends, family, even strangers you see on the street! It talks about what you should include in conversations and how to show the importance of talking about climate change to others and encouraging them to spread the word. I have learned a lot from this book and am SO glad that I read it this summer. I highly recommend this book.

--submitted by Orli L.

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