Readers Review: “Dress Coded,” and “And Then She Was Gone”

Welcome to a new review series featuring book reviews written by teens, for teens! Each season, our reviewers will share their thoughts, critiques, and recommendations based on what they’ve read.

Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone

In a school (FMS), the main character, Molly Frost, is fed up that girls keep getting dress coded for wearing tank tops or shorts below their fingertips. So she creates a podcast that turns into a protest for girls’ rights. Carrie Firestone was able to give Dress Coded the most interesting plot twists and gossip in the story. Every time I turned a page, another new or interesting thing with a character would pop up and tangle with the plot. One thing I didn’t like about the story, though, was some of the family drama. Teens are definitely able to read this stuff but some of it was dark and depressing, and almost a bit extreme. Overall, the book was highly enjoyable and fun to read, and I completely recommend!

Submitted by Athena Karambelas

And Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

And Then She Was Gone is an engaging mystery that will hook any reader very early on. Laurel is a middle aged woman whose daughter, Ellie, disappeared ten years ago. She believes her life is over until she meets a newfound lover. However, his many connections to Ellie’s disappearance can’t possibly all be a coincidence and Laurel finds herself beginning to wonder what really happened to her daughter and if her new boyfriend has anything to do with it. Lisa Jewell’s And Then She Was Gone is a great read for anyone looking for a story that will captivate them quickly. However, this book can be easily predicted towards the end which can take away from the suspense.

Submitted by F. Gabre

Want to share your book opinions as a reviewer? Email the YA Librarian at abigail.hsu@mmt.mainlib.org.