Born of Illusion by Teri Brown
This book is set the 1920’s U.S. and features a young illusionist (magician) named Anna. Since she was young Anna has performed in circus acts with her mother, who pretends to be a medium who can talk to the dead. While her mother is a gifted performer, it is Anna who really has the power of the clairvoyant. They seem to be moving up as they hit the big time in New York, performing regularly on stage and offering private seances to the wealthy elite. But as Anna’s powers develop, she attracts unwanted attention from people who wish to harm her and her family. At the same time her mother remains controlling as ever, and Anna is confused by romantic emotions she feels towards two very different young men. To complicate matters, the question of who her father is continues to plague her – is she Harry Houdini’s daughter?
I enjoyed this story a lot but wish it had been better written. I wanted more complexity and depth to emerge but instead the story remained surface level, with every thing tying up nice and neat at the end.
Review by Ms. Rosenkrantz
had been labeled lewd and perverted, as Humbert, a middle-aged man, not only falls in love with a young girl, but has an ongoing relationship with her as well. While Humbert and Dolores (Lolita for short), travel across America, exploring its lush landscape, they discover more about themselves, as well as what they mean to each other. At times, it may make you doubt your own personal beliefs, which can be challenging, as Humbert Humbert is often described as simply a lonely man trying desperately to find his way among the throngs of disappointment when it comes to loving Lolita. But in sum, this classic novel is a necessary read, as it delves deep into the workings of the mind, in a poetic and comedic way, to truly discover love, especially how it can be both a catalyst for madness and for joy.
w grieving the death of Khalil and deciding whether or not to reveal the fact that she was the “Girl Who Survived” this horrific incident.
symphony during this horrific time that would rally his fellow citizens and awaken the rest of the world to the plight of Russians during the siege. 
Southern US all feature prominently throughout the book. You can find sauces, salsas, and stews, sweet and savory snacks, and beautiful images accompanying each of the sections. A whole chapter is devoted to okra, black-eyed peas and watermelon – scrumptious! Each receipt also has a soundtrack and/or reading suggestion to get you in the proper cooking mood. Though many of the offerings are a bit more complicated than I can usually manage in the kitchen (I mean I have a 9 month-old LOL!), I wish someone would make them for me because they sound delicious!
When Naeem first arrived in the US he did all the right things – obeyed his parents, worked hard at school, hung out with the good kids. But now that he’s a senior in high school things aren’t going so well. Not only is he totally behind in school, but his so-
called friend sets him up to take the fall for a crime. Waiting to be booked Naeem is approached by two police officers who have a
e thing I liked most about this book was THIS BOOK! 
on the able-bodied, able-minded spectrum. Amy and Matthew begin to get to know each other when Matthew is hired by Amy’s parents as her peer-helper, because Amy needs help with many things – she has cerebral palsy, uses a walker and a computer voice box, and can’t eat solid foods. On the other hand she is hella smart, creative and determined to be a part of the high school experience. Matthew, while his body works just fine, has a mind that is constantly tricking him into doing things over and over again, counting and ordering and clearing. He has undiagnosed OCD which separates him from his peers. Their story is complicated, but isn’t love always?
Highly Illogical Behavior
This is a story about a German boy and a blind French girl in World War II. This is not a very romantic love story, but it is love that helps the girl survive. 
Senior year and graduation is over. Daisy, Lucy and Jazz want a little adventure and fun. Lucy thinks that it will come in the shape of the mural artist known as “Shadow”; if only she can find him. Jazz wouldn’t mind finding his partner “Poet.” Daisy just wants to forget about her boyfriend who stupidly egged her after school. Instead they wind up hanging out with Ed, Leo and Dylan (Daisy’s dumb boyfriend). Told in alternating chapters by Ed and Lucy a story unfolds of loneliness, longing, fear and unanswered questions – and it all happens in one night. The characters are smart and funny as well as realistic and honest.
The Girl on the Train
Nil
Reading@Berkeley High 