When misfortune crashes down on someone’s life, numerous thoughts flood their mind. They may try to convince themselves that maybe one day, everything will improve. Maybe one day the catastrophe will cease. Maybe one day the world will stop appearing like it’s falling apart. Throughout Melissa Kantor’s new novel “Maybe One Day”, these gloomy thoughts are explored in immense detail. This story follows the friendship of the narrator, Zoe, with her best friend Olivia. Although these girls experience some issues at the start of the book, their strong friendship pushes them along. The lives of both young ladies are transformed when Olivia is diagnosed with leukemia. When Olivia begins cancer treatments everyone has high hopes for her recovery.  Zoe, who is especially positive and hopeful, goes to extremes to assist her best friend. However, as Olivia’s struggle between life and death intensifies, the harsh reality of her condition is revealed. As her cancer worsens, Olivia is clearly not the only one who feels as if she is falling to pieces.

In conclusion, Kantor displays an astonishing ability to capture the powerful emotions involved in friendship, teenage life, and sorrow. If you are willing to take an emotional but rewarding plunge into friendship and grief, this is a great book to consider.

The book Will in Scarlet by Matthew Cody is an enchanting retelling of the tales of Robin Hood and his legend of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Initially, it follows William Shackley – a boy of mischief and the son of a wealthy lord. Nevertheless, after his father leaves England with King Richard the Lionheart to fight a war in Jerusalem, William’s well-being is threatened. With the King gone, a power struggle emerges, and as a result, William is forced to flee his comfortable life into the neighboring Sherwood Forest. Here, he is taken for ransom by the Merry Men, a band of outlaws who live off of theft and greed. However, although Will’s heart is set on leaving Sherwood and revenging his family from the royal men who tore his life apart, he eventually finds that this band of thieves has more potential and compassion than he ever could have anticipated.

All in all, my favorite aspect of this book is the use of imagery. Whether Cody was writing about an event as stimulating as a wolf hunt or as simple as the aromas of a kitchen, his word choice allows readers to experience this story as if they had been transported into the adventure itself.

For those of you interested in an easy-to-read adventure book, I highly suggest giving Will in Scarlet a try!