PROGRAM INFORMATION | LANGUAGE ARTS | CURRICULUM HOME | DISTRICT HOME
Grades 8-12 | Submit a review
BROWSE BY GENRE:
Book Reviews:
Tales
of the Madman Underground
By John Barnes
Recommended by:
Mr. Wolk
Plot: Since 4th
grade, high school senior Karl Shoemaker has belonged to the school therapy
group known as the Madman Underground. The rest of his life
(in the "dead end" town of Lightsburg, Ohio) revolves around five
jobs, a drunk mother, his semi-famous dead father and a house full of cats.
Karl's only goal for his 12th grade year is to become "totally normal." To
achieve this aim, however, he may need to abandon and betray all of his
Madman friends, the one thing left in his life that resembles "family."
Why Read? It takes a writer best known for his science fiction to capture the surreal, "outer-space" nature of high school life. Is this the best book ever written about high school? Is Karl Shoemaker ten times more fascinating than Holden Caulfield? Read this one-of-a-kind novel, and decide for yourself.
Marcelo
in the Real World
By: Francisco X. Stork
Recommended by:
Mr. Wolk
Plot: Due to a
"cognitive disorder" resembling Asperger's Syndrome, seventeen year old
Marcelo shies away from new experiences and social interaction, preferring
instead to train horses, attend a special school and hide away in his tree
house. When he is forced to work in a law office mailroom, Marcelo must
leave his safe/secure environment in favor of the "real world." New
(and unavoidable) challenges are now everywhere including a beautiful
co-worker, the obnoxious son of a law partner and a controversial case that
may pit Marcelo against his own father.
Why read?
While easily linked to Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident,
Marcelo's story is far more "relevant" for high school readers. Stork's
novel is filled with compelling issues, heroic underdogs, detestable
villains and entertaining plot twists. Sara Zarr calls the book
"mesmerizing, a coming-of-age story in the realest sense-leaving the Eden of
childhood and awakening to the knowledge of good and evil both outside and
within."
Andromeda
Klein By:Frank
Portman
Recommended
by: Mr. Wolk
Plot:Life is hard for
Clearview High's Andromeda Klein. Her only friend
(Daisy) died of leukemia last year, and Andromeda has a lengthy list of
other problems including boyfriend issues, negative self-image
(bad hair, brittle bones, faulty hearing, a body that's too
"aerodynamic"), and an ongoing battle vs. the Friends of the Library. To
cope with these difficulties, Andromeda reads tarot cards and other signals
in the Universe around her. When predictions about her classmates prove
amazingly accurate, Andi's fortunes and popularity finally appear to have
taken a turn for the better.
Why read?
Author Frank Portman is
a champion of the high school outsider. While the meticulously researched
tarot card segments are challenging, Portman's brilliant characterization
and the satisfying conclusion make Andromeda's story a worthy successor to
the "best punk rock book ever" King Dork.
If
I Stay By:
Gayle Forman
Recommended by:
Mr. Wolk
Plot:
An early-morning collision on an icy Oregon road leaves a promising
17-year-old cellist in a coma. As Mia hovers above her bed and floats
through the hospital's halls, her mind is awash in the ordinary/profound
memories of an all too brief lifetime. Meanwhile, visitors come and go, a
wide-ranging cast of relatives and friends including most notably Mia's
upward-bound punk rock boyfriend. In the end, Mia's choice will be a
difficult one-to follow her parents and simply drift away or to return and
piece together something significant from the remains of a "broken" life.
Why read?
With some reviewers calling it
"the next Twilight"(Catherine Hardwicke apparently will direct the film
version), readers can decide whether Forman's novel lives up to some lofty
expectations. Reminiscent of Before I Die and The Lovely Bones, If I Stay is
a brief but powerful meditation that uses a tragic situation to explore the
beauty and fragility of life. The story features expert pacing, appealing
characters and one memorable scene after another.
The
Luxe
By Anna Godberson
Recommended
by: T.N.
Plot:
A
young girl needing to learn the difference between the duties of her heart
and the duties for her family, between true love
and the money her family needs to keep their name in upper class
Why Read? The ending is predictable, I admit. but it has a lot of fun twists in it. it's basically gossip girl meets 19th century. there is so much drama with boys and catty girls. it's a lot of fun for girls who like the drama.
Just
Listen By:
Sarah Dessen
Recommended by:
LP
Plot:
Annabel Greene seems to be the beautiful girl with the
perfect life. At least, that is the message her modeling shoots give off.
Annabel’s life is far from perfect. Her sister’s eating disorder has torn
the whole family into shreds, and her fight with Sophie, her ex-best friend,
ended disastrously. Now, at school she is isolated and left without friends.
At home she is watching the family fall apart and her sister refuse to
acknowledge that anything is wrong with her. Then, Annabel meets a friend
who she could have never pictured herself sharing things in common with. His
name is Owen- a guy who lives in a world that is all about music, always
wearing earphones. With Owens guidance, Annabel learns to speak honestly and
just listen to herself. Owen turns Annabel’s life
around completely by giving her the courage to speak up for herself.
Why Read? It was the best book i have ever read
and it made be love reading even more. It is definitely just one of those
books that you must read.
Prep
Recommended by: Vanessa O.
Plot: The main character in this book is called Lee Fiora. Lee is a teenage girl who is from a small town in Indiana. She is the oldest of three children. When Lee turns thirteen she decides to leave her small town life to attend Ault Boarding School. While in boardind school Lee goes through several challenges with herself and others around her. This book reflects on Lee's willingness to want to fit in and coping with the several problems that occur as a teenager.
Why read? In my view, this book wasn't worth reading. This is mainly because I didn't really have sympathy for Lee. The problems that Lee goes through in the book are what typical teenagers go through, but in my opinion the way Lee handled them makes her naive and immature. However, if you like books that are about the rise and falls of being a teenager, this may be the book for you.
Reviewer’s note: This may have not been a great book to me, but you should try it because everyone has their own taste.
King
Dork
Recommended by: Chandler N.
Plot: King Dork is about following a troubled teenage boy named Tom for a year of high school. In this spin off to the Catcher in the Rye, Tom gives us a play by play account of what he is thinking. Tom is an outcast in society and it is interesting to hear the story of high school through an outcast's mind. The story does not exactly have a plot to it but, from the different situations throughout the novel you find yourself rooting for the underdog.
Why read? King Dork is worth reading even if you do not like the Catcher in the Rye because it is more modern and really lets you see high school from a not so normal student. You see the hardships he endures and surprisingly can easily relate to them. Some sections of the book will make you laugh because of how dead on the novel depicts high school. The interesting events and happenings in Hillmont High School will definitely keep you hooked.
Reviewer’s
note: Must be mature to read.
read more reviews
Perks
of Being a Wallflower
Recommended by: Sarah A.
Plot: Not giving out any specific names, Charlie, the main character, explains events that occur in his life through his letters to a “Friend”. He likes to talk about the many books that Bill, Charlie’s English teacher, makes him read out of class. Making friends was not easy for Charlie in the past. However in his freshman year of high school, he has made many true and good friends like Sam and Patrick who are currently seniors. This novel reveals many areas Charlie has not experienced and events in the past that Charlie feels nostalgic for every time he remembers. Charlie and his friends and family go through the ups and downs that life throws at them like the death of his Aunt Helen. However, along with the consequences, Charlie has survived through all his obstacles with or without the support of his family or friends. This novel is a must read for all high school students. Charlie’s eccentric personality lures the readers and his very different perspective on many things leaves readers wanting to read more.
Why read? This novel is a must read for all high school students. Charlie’s eccentric personality lures the readers and his very different perspective on many things leaves readers wanting to read more.
The
Pact
Recommended by: Faryal R.
Plot: The Pact revolves around two inseparable families that are coincidentally neighbors, the Hartes and the Golds. Chris Harte and Emily Gold, two teenagers, were always expected to marry in the future and were very close. After one terrible night, both families receive news that Emily is dead. Moreover, Chris Harte is accused of the murder of his girlfriend although he claims the death was a planned suicide.
Why read? Personally, I like this novel because you don't want to put it down! Jodi Picoult creates a situation where there's so much suspense and there are so many different possibilities of what really could have happened. Throughout the novel, I like that there are flashbacks of both the past and present, and of how Chris and Emily became closer to one another as they grew older. Also, I like how Jodi Picoult displays all the character’s points of views in certain situations, even though the character might not have had a big part in the novel. All in all, I really liked The Pact because of the unique situation and numerous possibilities of the truth the novel displays through characters such as Chris Harte and Emily Gold.
Reviewer’s note: Loved it!
TWILIGHT
By:
Stephanie Meyer
Recommended by:
Jessica P.
Plot:
An average girl moves into the average town of Forks. As soon as she
steps foot in the school she notices that the Cullens are everything but
normal. Their beauty and their grace amazes her but she notices weird things
going on with them. She meets Edward Cullen and they fall in love but this
could be the end of life or the beginning of a new one. She will find out
when she finds out his non human secret!
Why read? If you like love stories with intensity and passion this is the book for you.
Reviewer’s note: This is the best book in the world!! after your done with this one their is New Moon and Eclipse.
CUBA 15
Recommended by: Miss Lempka
Plot: Violet is the typical American teenager - curious about boys, tries hard in school, etc., - but comes from anything BUT the typical American family. Violet’s half Polish, half VERY Cuban family is preparing for her upcoming Quinceanera at the end of the year, which she is not so sure she is interested in—because her family can be a bit embarrassing at times, she hides her culture.
Why read? Violet learns how to accept her heritage, and what a treasure it is. Submit a review
Hitch By:
Jeanette Ingold
Recommended by: Miss Lempka
Plot: 1936...Moss is in his late teens, down on his luck, and has nowhere to go. He does know what is important in his life—his family, and he does whatever he can to take care of them. Moss learns about himself, stretches himself to new heights, and finds a leader within...someone his family can be proud of.
Why read? This book can teach you a lot about life during rough times in the 1930s and The Great Depression, as well as what some kids actually went through. Submit a review
The
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
By: Mark Haddon
Recommended by:
Mrs. Cerrito
Plot:
A young boy with autism is the narrator of this mystery book. A
senseless crime has been committed in his neighborhood, and the main
character is determined to find out who-did-it.
Why read? I was fascinated being 'in the brain' of someone with autism. The story is easy to read, humorous in places, and has a really good ending. (good endings are important to me...) read more reviews | Submit a review
Whale
Talk By:
Chris Crutcher
Recommended by:
Ms. Maffa
Plot: T.J., a student at Washington State High School, is intelligent and athletic but refuses to participate on any of the sports teams at school because of the condescending attitude the athletes have towards other students. Eventually he decides to start his own swim team made up of the school “outcasts” and makes it his mission to help every member on his team earn a varsity letter by the end of the year.
Why read? Although its focus is sports, it’s more a story of friendship and kids finding their place in a world where they don’t seem to be accepted. Funny, sad and memorable. Submit a review
Tangerine
By: Edward Bloor
Recommended by:
Ms. Maffa
Plot:
Paul Fisher has always lived in the shadow of his older brother Erik,
a star football player who pays no attention to his younger brother. In fact
Paul's whole family has just moved to Tangerine, Florida, so Erik can pursue
his football dreams. While Paul works towards his own goal of becoming a
soccer player despite being classified as legally blind, he begins to
remember the cause of his blindness and discovers some shocking secrets
about his past.
Why read? You don’t necessarily have to enjoy sports to enjoy this book. It has a quickly paced plot, and the events all lead to an unexpected ending. Submit a review
Monster
By: Walter Dean Myers
Recommended by:
Ms. Maffa
Plot:
Steve Harmon is a 14 year old boy on trail for conspiracy to murder.
He decides to tell his story through journal entries from jail and a
screenplay he's making about his life. The more we learn about his case, the
more the question begs to be answered: Is Steve innocent or guilty?
Why read? The screenplay format in itself makes this book an interesting read, but the plot, characters and questions the book raises are so compelling they soon overshadow the format. Surprising, thought-provoking, and powerful. Submit a review
The Afterlife
By: Gary Soto
Recommended by:
Miss Lempka
Plot:
A random act of violence occurs on page three. Follow the main
character’s spirit deal with “the
afterlife” as well as the reaction of his friends
and family to his murder.
Why read? Gary Soto makes you question wanting revenge when someone does you wrong. Submit a review
First Part Last
By: Angela Johnson
Recommended by:
Miss Lempka
Plot:
Consequences of teen pregnancy from the father’s
point of view.
Why read? Flashbacks explain how Bobby came to raise his newborn daughter. Definitely will make you question your choices. Submit a review
Al Capone Does My Shirts
By: Gennifer Choldenko
Recommended by:
Miss Lempka
Plot:
Picture it—Alcatraz Island, 1935. All Moose
wants is to play baseball with his friends and keep his sister Natalie safe.
His father gets a job at Alcatraz to help support his sister's school bills
(she needs to go to a school for special children.) Moose has heard of the
infamous mobster Al Capone, and with his buddies tries to get a glimpse Al.
Why read? If you enjoy historical fiction—great read for you. Also good insight to families with children of special needs. Submit a review
Crackback
By: John Coy
Recommended by:
Miss Lempka
Plot:
Football, girls, school, peer pressure - and not necessarily in that
order.
Why read? What would you do to make the team? impress a girl? make your father proud? Is it worth it in the long run? Submit a review
True Confessions of a
Heartless Girl By: Martha
Brooks
Recommended by:
Miss Lempka
Plot: Alone and in trouble—or at least that what Noreen thinks. She leaves her sister and boyfriend, runs away and ends up a stranger in a new town, mad at the world—only this world helps her find her way home.
Why read? Makes you think your problems aren’t that bad after all. Submit a review
Alt Ed
By: Catherine Atkins
Recommended by:
Miss Lempka
Plot: Everyone at one point of high school feels self-conscious of themselves—Susan feels this way all the time. She ends up getting in trouble and because of her father’s position as head football coach, she is put in “Alt Ed” after school instead of being suspended. In this program she meets many kids, many who she fears and is intimidated by, and who she needs to share with to do her time. She ends up becoming friends with another “misfit”, and learning why her father treats/ignores her the way he does.
Why read? Addresses many stereotypes found in every school.
The
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants By:
Ann Brashares
Recommended by: Ms.
Lomicky
Plot: This book follows the lives of four fifteen-year-old best friends during their first summer apart. Mexico, Greece and South Carolina are all far from their home town in Maryland, but the girls stay in touch by writing letters and sharing the “magical” jeans purchased at a thrift store. All four of the girls grow up a bit during this summer. Bridget, Lena, Carmen and Tibby experience love, loss and weird family situations.
Why read? Any female reader will be able to identify with one of the four girls, or with one of their situations. There is an athlete, a beauty, a hot-tempered Latina, and a rebel who stays home to work. The authors writing style allows for an easy read that you will not want to put down. Just as you read about Bridget sneaking off to find the male camp counselor Brashares pauses and brings you to Lena in Greece struggling to open up her true feelings.
Fame,
Glory, And Other Things On My To Do List By:
Jannet Rallison
Recommended by:
Alyssa B
Plot: This book is
very exciting. It is about a girl who is about 17 years old. She meets this
guy who is really cute by getting into his car by accident.
She has the same exact car as him so read this book to find out what happens
to both characters.
Why read? It is very exciting because you really want to know what will happen next.
All American
Girl By: Meg Cabot
Recommended by: Betsy
W.
Plot: Samantha Madison has spent her life in the shadow of her siblings; her older sister is the most popular girl in school and her younger sister is a genius. Samantha Madison’s life is turned upside down when she saves the President from being shot. It gets more complicated when she finds out that the boy in her art class that she secretly has a crush on is the President’s son.
Why read? Meg Cabot is a funny writer who can weave a lively plot that is in tune with teenage life. Her top ten lists will inspire you to write some of your own.
Crank
By: Ellen Hopkins
Recommended by: Ryan B.
Plot: This book is about this girl that lives with her mom and siblings, but for the summer she goes down to see her dad. While she's there, she meets her other side of her personality called Bree. From that day on, she is a completely different person and likes it that way.
Why
read? This
book is written in an interesting way because it is written as poems. There
are so many unexpected turns and is a definite
page-turner.
read more reviews
The Clique:
Best Friends For Never
By: Lisi Harrison
Recommended by: Mara
M.
Plot:
Ultra high-maintenance Massie Block is not just your average
teenager. Massie and her group of snobby friends don’t include anyone in
there circle of friends, unless your “one of us”. Massie is also the richest
and most popular kid in her school, OCD. But things slowly fall apart when
Massie’s fathers old friend needs a play to stay after a pay cut. This means
definite trouble for Massie because his daughter, Claire , and the rest of
her family is staying in the guest house too. Claire is little by little
trying become one of Massie and her other three best friends. Will Massie
except Claire, or just put her back in her place?
Why read? If you like reading about teenagers who are snobby and girly, then you’ll definitely love this book! Reading this realistic fiction novel will surely teach you that being mean is not so nice. This book is also a series, so if you can handle the drama, then of course you can handle the next few books. This book is a pretty easy read and deserves a 10/10! read more reviews
Saving Jessica
By: Lurlene McDaniel
Recommended by: Laura
G.
Plot: Jessica McMillan and Jeremy Travino are a perfect couple. When they met in high school, Jessica helped Jeremy to see that there is a reason he was spared in the car accident that killed his brother. But now Jessica has been diagnosed as having kidney failure and is so depressed that she’s not sure she wants to live. Her one hope is a kidney transplant and her parents aren’t suitable donors. So, Jeremy wants to donate his kidney but his parents won’t let him. Will Jeremy find the strength to go against his parents’ wishes and do what he must to save Jessica?
Why read? It is a great book that you will not want to put down.
The Usual
Rules By: Joyce Maynard
Recommended by: Anna
R.
Plot:
The morning before her mother is killed, Wendy gets in a fight with
her about visiting her father in California. Her mother doesn’t
want her to go, but Wendy does. Her mother is killed on 9/11. While she and
her stepfather and younger brother are trying to cope with her death, Wendy’s
father comes to take her to live with him. It is a story of loss and
healing.
Why read? 9/11 affected all of us, although some more than others. The Usual Rules is a story about struggling to move on when we lose someone we love suddenly.
I
Was A Non Blonde Cheerleader By:
Kieran Scott
Recommended by:
Olivia G.
Plot: As a new student to Sand Dune High in Florida, Annisia Gobrowski not only has to deal with being the new girl in town, but she is one of only 2 brunettes in a school full of not only blonde students but teachers as well. Follow as Annisia struggles to get through High School while everyone around her sees her as an outsider.
Why read? It’s a great book for any teen so that they can relate to the problems facing many young adults in High School.
The
Murder of Bindy Mackenzie By:
Jaclyn Moriarty
Recommended by:
Gabrielle D
Plot: A girl named Bindy doesn’t have many friends and is too involved in her schoolwork and struggles in a new class FAD (Friendship and development). And there is a surprising twist at the end!
Why read? The author writes in a unique way and the story is both about how Bindy changes and a surprising end that is mysterious.
The Night I Disappeared
By: Julie Reece Deaver
Recommended by: J.T.
Plot: Jamie doesn’t seem to fit in. So she ditches class to go see her best friend Webb. They basically do everything together, until Webb has to go backpacking in Europe and Jamie has to go to Chicago to see her mom. While Jamie is in Chicago she meets a girl named Morgan in the E.R. after a bicycle accident. They become best friends, but Morgan starts to see a strange change in Jamie.
Why read? This book is worth reading for the suspense, mystery, and great solution of all the mysteries.
Reviewer’s note: This was a nice way to start reading for the summer.
Impulse
By: Ellen Hoplins
Recommended by:
Jessica M.
Plot: A very interesting, and sometimes suspenseful book about three kids who wind up in a psychiatric hospital/treatment place. They form some bonds with each other and the other kids in the place they are in. They learn things about themselves and about dealing with the challenges that brought them to the hospital in the first place. It is a very intense story, but definitely worth reading.
Why read? You really learn a lot about things that you might not have known about before. Following these kids through the journey of finding themselves and what they encounter, is really amazing.
Reviewer’s note: Read this book. Definitely. I wasn’t sure about reading it when I first saw it, and I am so glad I read it. It’s not like other books. It is set up with each page being a blurb by one of the kids.
Practical
Magic By: Alice Hoffman
Recommended by: ALP
Plot:
The journey of two sisters, who are as different in their
personalities as in their features, through their childhood to their mid
thirties. Through thick and thin, through magic and might, these sisters
realize that they can find themselves, and love, by sticking together.
Why read? This book reflects on a person and makes them realize how if they love they are loved. Also, that everything they need is there in front of them and that everybody they need will always be there for them.
Sloppy Firsts
By: Megan McCafferty
Recommended by: MS
Plot:
When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New
Jersey hyper observant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A
fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost
than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate
has gone. How is she supposed to deal with the boy- and shopping-crazy girls
at school, her dad's obsession with her track meets, her mother salivating
over her big sister Bethany’s lavish wedding, and
her nonexistent love life?
Why read? It’s always interesting and teenagers can relate very well. Laugh out loud funny. There are also three other books in this series, so the endings are always very interesting and keep you invested in getting the next one.
Leaving Paradise
By: Simone Elkeles
Recommended by: Amy
B.
Plot:
Caleb Becker and Maggie Armstrong are neighbors. Caleb just spent his
past year in a juvenile detention center and Maggie in and out of surgeries
and physical therapy because of Caleb's mistake. She gets a job to pay for
her trip to Spain and she sees that Caleb has come to do his community
service at the same place. She is against him being there, but once a fight
on the way to the bus breaks out she realizes he has changed. Caleb wants
everyone to think that he hasn't changed. Can they ever forgive each other
and regain their friendship?
Why read? Throughout high school, I’ve never been a big reader. I feel though, if I have a book where its in the 21st century, and you can see other kids relating to it, then it's definitely worth reading.
Day
of Tears By:
Julius Lester
Recommended by:
Dominique c.
Plot: This book is about the biggest slave trade
in history!
Why read? This book is interesting because it is written in dialogue and you will NOT want to put it down!!!
Reviewer’s note: SUCH AN AMAZING BOOK !!!
An
Abundance of Katherines
By: John Green
Recommended
by: Angelo K
Plot:
A washed up child prodigy and an unmotivated fat boy decide to take a
road trip to escape their problems. Colin Singleton, a once child prodigy
has just been recently dumped (for the 19th time) and he finds himself in
utter turmoil. In an effort to “save” his best friend, Hassan
(the unmotivated fat boy) takes Colin on a road trip. The duo make
their way to Gutshot Tennessee and find them selves in unusual and hilarious
situations. Will the duo ever make it back home or will they be forced to
stay in good old Gutshot?
Why read?
This novel is a great read for anyone no matter who you are. It is a
quick read that will keep you flipping the pages. It is filled with humor,
witty remarks, awkward situations, and self realization. The main character
is Colin Singleton, who has been dumped by 19th Katherines is trying to find
out why he was dumped. In order to figure this out he spends the majority of
his time trying to make a formula that will calculate relationships and
love. He decides to take a road trip with his best friend Hassan and as he
travels he learns more and more about himself. The funny situations that
ensue Colin and Hassan are more then enough to keep you wanting to read more
and more. This book is worthy of being turned into a movie. I give this
books two thumbs up.
The
Luckiest Girl By: Beaverly
Clearly
Recommended by:
Kishal B
Plot:
Shelly Latham is not happpy with her boring life. She finds away out
when she goes to California to live with friends of her family for her
junior year. She finds her new life to be just what she expected.
Why read? Its worth reading if your around the age of the main character and if you can relate to her in a way.
Remember
Me? By: Sophie Kinsella
Recommended by: Meera
J
Plot: Lexi Smart
awoke in the hospital hearing that she was in a terrible car accident. Three
years of her memory has been knocked out- and more than she expected has
changed within that time. She has to live this new luxurious life with her
husband who is a stranger to her. She hits different surprises often
unraveling her life more and more.
Why read?
It is different than many other novels out there. It keeps you
engaged and holds your attention as it includes - love, friendship,
hardships, confrontations and more!
A
Solitary Blue By:Cynthia
Voigt
Recommended by:
Rebecca G.
Plot:
Jeff Greene's mother abandoned him when
he was seven years old. Years later, his mother wants him to visit her
again. She is as caring as he remembers. But the next thing he knows, his
life turns upside down and he doesn't know whom he can trust.
Why read?
I found the book to be very intriguing.
The book wasn't very slow-moving, but I loved the emotions, the feelings,
and the thoughts that were contained in the story. I would highly recommend
it!
Pendragon: Quillian Game By:
DJ MacHale
Recommended by:
Matthew B
Plot:
The main character is Bobby Pendragon, a traveler from
Second Earth. Travelers are people from one of the ten
territories, or planets, that can travel between territories and have
other special powers. Some have the ability of persuasion, transformation,
speak any language and even heal faster and heal others. Bobby's nemesis is
Saint Dane, where he follows him to Quillian to try and stop Saint Dane's
plot of destroying the territory.
Why read?
It is definitely worth reading because
of the many twists and turns throughout the book and the many cliff hangers
through the chapters. You can never put the book down. Saint Dane will make
you shiver.
Reviewers Note:
The book is written as a journal from Bobby Pendragon sent to his best
friends Mark and Courtney.
Gossip Girl
By: Cecily Von Ziegesar
Recommended by:
Ashley.S
Plot:This
book is about the life of young privlaged teens living on the Upper East
Side. You follow them through their lives and what they do with their time.
Why read?
It's an
amazing series and you will never want to put the book down once you start.
Summer
Boys By: Hailey Abbott
Recommended by:
Amanda D
Plot:
It's summertime and four girl cousins are spending
their summer at their family's beach house in Maine. Things get hot steamy
when boys come into the picture. But also tears are mascara run as
heartbreak comes around. See how these girls share an unforgettable summer.
Why read?
This book is worth reading because it
teaches you a lot about family and friendship. It is also very exciting and
a new love scandal happens every minute.
Reviewers Note:Get
ready for summer and read Summer Boys! You will love it and if you want to
read more, there are 3 more books in this series. Each summer gets hotter
and hotter.
Chasing
Harry Winston
By: Lauren Weisberger
Recommended by:
Melissa K
Plot: Leigh, Emmy,
and Adriana are three best friends living in New York City. They experience
love, shopping, and job opportunities. They also enjoy fabulous boyfriends
but not so fabulous breakups. In search of the perfect man and lifestyle,
the girls have their stories heard in Chasing Harry Winston.
Why read? Chasing
Harry Winston was very fun to read; it was filled with lots of action and an
excellent amount of humor. There is constant switching of the three girls’
lives, keeping the reader very entertained. From love to flings to traveling
to four karat diamond rings, this book thoroughly covers many of the most
important parts of being a girl. Any lover of chick lit would enjoy this,
and there's a slight chance even a boy could enjoy the humor in the novel.
You'll never get bored with the plot and the author of The Devil Wears Prada
definitely knows how to write. Chasing Harry Winston was more than a
pleasure to read.
Forever
in Blue:The Fourth Summer
of the Sisterhood By: Ann Brashers
Recommended by:
Sabrina C.
Plot:
All of the girls from the past summers have one last adventure. All
of them find something out about themselves that they didn't know during
this summer.
Why read?
This book keeps you reading until your eyes fall out. I couldn't stop
reading it.
To
Be Someone
By:Louise Voss
Recommended by: Becky
S.
Plot:
Being a superstar isn't all that it's made to be in this novel.
Helena deals with controversy by her critics and the general public;
however, she must deal with it. Throughout the story, Helena reflects back
on her youth, realizing that a lot of events have caused her to be the way
she is. She struggles with the effects of losing someone special to her,
moving to a completely foreign place, dealing with school and new cliques,
as well as being famous throughout the United Kingdom. After all, she
realizes that being famous isn't as fun as being "normal".
Why read?
This book is easy to understand and is
overall written well. The story can relate to many young people, and is fun
to read.
Reviewers note: This book is lengthy,
but it goes by quickly. It's hard to stop reading this novel, because it is
so well-written and realistic. There are quite a few twists in the plot as
well.
Spud
By: John
van de Ruit
Recommended by:
Phyllis B.
Plot:
From the book jacket: "Spud Milton is about to start his first year
at an elite boys-only boarding school in South Africa. Armed with only his
wits and his diary, Spud takes his first hilarious steps toward manhood -
learning a little about life, first loves, and friendship along the way.
SPUD is a rowdy boarding school romp full of illegal midnight swims, raging
hormones, and catastrophic holidays.
Why read?
Boys will take a special interest in this book. It's a good
summer read that can easily hook you away from the television and computer.
Reviewers Note: Highly recommended by NY Times best YA books
and by WNYC radio YA reviewers.
The
Kingdom Keepers By: Ridley
Pearson
Recommended by: Kara
F.
Plot:
In this fantastical thriller, five young teens tapped as models for
theme park "guides" find themselves pitted against Disney villains and
witches that threaten both the future of Walt Disney World and the stability
of the world outside its walls. Using a cutting-edge technology called DHI--which
stands for both Disney Host Interactive and Daylight Hologram Imaging--Finn
Whitman, an Orlando teen, and four other kids are transformed into hologram
projections that guide guests through the park.
Why read:
Well a lot people still do love Disney world and this book puts a
different prospective. in addition, no one has been in a park by themselves
at night, so it is cool to see how one persons imagination can run.
The
Catcher in the Rye By: J.D.
Salinger
Recommended by: Kara
F.
Plot:
Superficially the story of a young man's expulsion
from yet another school, The Catcher in the Rye is in fact a perceptive
study of one individual's understanding of his human condition. Holden
Caulfield, a teenager growing up in 1950s New York, has been expelled school
for poor achievement once again. In an attempt to deal with this he leaves
school a few days prior to the end of term, and goes to New York to 'take a
vacation' before returning to his parents' inevitable wrath.
This free script provided by
JavaScript Kit
Have a book you’d like to see
listed?
Please Note that while movies have ratings to help parents and students make better decisions about what material may or may not be appropriate, there are no such ratings in the publishing world. We trust that our students, with the help of their parents, can make appropriate choices for their grade levels.
Questions? e-mail us
Resources:
Alibris.com - good as new used books
Fiction:
Adventure
General Fiction
Historical Fiction
Humor
Mysteries & Thrillers
Relationships
Sci Fi & Fantasy
Young Adult
Non-fiction:
Biography
History
Medicine & Health
Memoirs
Science & Technology
Sports
Other