Recommended by: Mrs. Clark

Plot: This non-fiction book examine how the suburbs were created and what it is like to live in them, also examining what it is like to plan a city and how decisions are made. The book treats why suburbs are attractive to average sets of parents who want to raise a family, but also why they end up not being good for teenagers (below driving age) and the elderly.

Why Read? For someone living and growing up in the suburbs, the book is does a great job of articulating why living in the suburbs can be frustrating. The book also interestingly explores sprawl and how it affects the way people live. We don’t always think about the places in which we live and this book forces us to do so.

Recommended by: Mr. Moran

Plot: Think “childhood” is something natural? Think again. Neil Postman explains how childhood was invented—as a separate phase of human life that is different from others—in the 19th century. He also offers the argument that childhood is (yes) disappearing from modern life.

Why read? Postman is smart, convincing and provoking. You’ll be simultaneously depressed and enlightened while reading his book.

Why read? If you only know Orwell from 1984 or Animal Farm, you're missing out. His observations and opinions are as relevant now as they were 50 or so years ago.

Why read? This is the funniest book you'll ever read about economics. However, O’Roarke is not just a comic—he’s smart and convincing. If you think economics sounds boring, read this book, since that's the foundation of his investigations: most people have no idea about just what the study of economics entails—and when these same people are in charge of heaps of money, there are real-life consequences. (The book is also very reader-friendly.)

Diamond By: Matthew Hart
Recommended by: Ms. Donahue
Plot: For centuries, diamonds have been a symbol of wealth but the diamond industry remains shrouded in mystery. The author follows the diamond trail from Africa around the globe. He is a reporter with a gift for storytelling that combines history, science, business and adventure.

Why read? Today, 85% of all American women own a diamond yet the diamond industry remains one of the world's most mysterious businesses. When a young woman discovers a diamond mine in Canada—the only diamond mine in the North American continent—she goes up against the giant DeBeers cartel and wins!

Isaac’s Storm By: Erik Larson
Recommended by: Ms. Donahue

Plot: The most catastrophic hurricane ever to hit the US (before Katrina) arrived on shore in Galveston, Texas in 1900.

Why read? Reading this account makes you feel as if you are actually there with the water rising around you. Nature is a force to be reckoned with. Nature wins.

Why Read? By: Mark Edmundson
Recommended by: Mr. Moran
Plot: Edmundson’s book is a short but inspiring work that reminds readers why they love spending so much time alone with a book.

Why read? If you already love to read, Edmundson’s your man.

Thunderstruck By: Erik Larson
Recommended by: Ms. Donahue

Plot: Marconi invented wireless communication at the turn from the 19th to the 20th century. His story is interwoven with another headliner from the time period, a murder.

Why read? Marconi traveled the world to prove that his theories about waves were correct. Go with him aboard luxury liners to meetings of scientific genius. Who would have guessed there was so much politics involved in science?

Into the Wild By: Jon Krakhauer
Recommended by: Mr. Pellicane
Plot: Alexander Supertramp (if that is his real name) decides to figuratively vanish into America -- and then literally into the Alaskan wilderness.

Why read? To learn what happens to Alex and to decide if he is a fool or a visionary.

Inherit The Wind By: Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
Recommended by: Allie B.

Plot: It’s all about the monkey trial that rocked America. This is a play that was written on the controversial 1925 Scopes trial when B.T. Cates is arrested for teaching evolution in his high school biology class. This very easy to read and short book tells what was said in the debates between Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan in the courtroom.

Why read? This book was taken mostly from transcripts of the trial and so it is very historical and educational. It shows the ignorance people had towards science and can also make you laugh (a little) with Clarence Darrow’s dark humor.

The Napoleon of Crime: The Life and Times of Adam Worth, Master Thief By: Ben Macintyre
Recommended by: Mr. Moran

Plot: Adam Worth was a bad guy—but a charming one whose adventures were detailed in the newspapers of Victorian England. With his gang of fellow crooks, Worth committed grandiose heists and ran secret criminal operations all over the world. His “greatest” success was his theft of a painting of the Duchess of Devonshire, an ancestor of Princess Diana. Nobody could find the painting for twenty years after he stole it—and just how he did it makes for great reading.

Why read? At least once every other page, you’ll say, “I can’t believe this really happened.” But it all did, and Macintire tells the story in a very entertaining, breezy way.

The Cult of the Amateur By: Andrew Keen
Recommended by: Mrs. Rivera
Plot: Do you ever consider the grave consequences of the web? Andrew Keen examines how this very innovation has changed our culture and has made society too reliant on an advancement that may not be all that reliable.

Why read? Researchers, Bloggers, Videographers, Netsurfers—this book challenges the technological advancement made by the web. It forces its users to question its threat on society and our own values.

Moneyball By: Michael Lewis

Recommended by: Spencer I

Plot: How does the wittiest general manager in all of Baseball (Billy Beane) field a competitive team with the small amount of money he has?

Why read? It's a great book for people who love sports.

Night By: Elie Wiesel
Recommended by: Greg K.
Plot: As a young boy Elie was taken from his home town in Transylvania by the Gestapo during the ending years of World War II. He was separated from his young sister and Mother since the first train and never saw them again. He spent a few years in Auschwitz working by moving bricks until the fighting front became too close and the Nazi forced the prisoners to walk miles upon miles in the frigid German winter. The walk was too much for Elie’s father who died by freezing. The Russian army find the very few Jewish still alive from Auschwitz with no German in sight.

Why read? I think this book is worth reading because you get a little tiny piece of what life must have been like for so many millions of people during the time period. It shows you how ruthless the Third Reich truly was to the Jewish people. As well as giving you a back tingling chill from suspense.

Reviewer’s note: I would recommend this book to any person who finds history interesting.

Geek High By:Piper Banks
Recommended by: Olivia K
Plot: This book is about a girl named Miranda that does not fit in. She is forced to live with the 3 people she hates most in her life which is her father, step sister, and especially her stepmother. Why? Because her mom chooses that she is to go to London to expand her writing career. When her mom is in London,Miranda goes through ups and downs in her life. read this book and you will find out what goes on with Miranda. will she get along with her step family? will she finally get a boyfriend? and will she get her dream guy? Read this book and find out!
Why read? Because it was exciting and never would you think that will happen moments. this book is filled ups and downs. and so much more!
Reviewers note: This book is for more girls, but if boys read it. they will understand how hard a girl's life can be at times.

Geek Abroad  By: Piper Banks
Recommended by: Olivia K
Plot: This book is about a girl named Miranda, and she goes to London to visit her mom for Christmas and new years. but when she is up in London she meets a guy but she is worries about Dex, the guy that kissed her before she went to London. why? because she is worried that the kiss meant something. and if she likes this guy, then what will happen with Dex? when she comes home, she tries to keep her love life that happened in London to herself and her 2 best friends, Charlie and Finn. but when Dex finds out, he is really ad at Miranda. will Dex and Miranda make up? will they get together? read this book and find out!
Why read? because it is filled with exhilaration and excitement. you will never want to put the book down! I had to keep reading it!
Reviewers Note: This is the second book to Geek High. read this and it will answer the questions that you might have had from the first book.