Homeland

Homeland
Cory Doctorow

Do you think Cory Doctorow is related to E. L. Doctorow?

Quick Stats:

Page Count: 400
Age Range: 14 and up
Year: 2013
Genre: Realistic

Series: Sequel to Little Brother

Marcus Yallow is renowned in the cyber community for his skills as a hacker. When he comes up on 800,000 documents exposing corruption and lies perpetrated by the U.S. government, he knows he must overcome his fears and his sense of self-preservation in order to change the way we use technology forever.

This book would be suitable for young adults interested in politics, government, and technology. It is not an easy text, but would be very rewarding for reading together with a fluent adult.

-Katie

Going Bovine

Going Bovine
Libba Bray

Moo.

Quick Stats:

Page Count: 496
Age Range: 13 and up
Year: 2010
Genre: Adventure, Humor

When 16 year-old Cameron is diagnosed with Mad Cow Disease (the human kind), he goes on an hallucinatory quest with his best friend to try and cure himself, and save the world. This adventure story is full of dry wit and questions about existence.

This book is a great read for anyone who considers themselves unique, or for anyone with a dry sense of humor. Teen readers experiencing serious changes in their lives, or who do not get along well with their families, might relate to this book.

-Katie

Tiger Eyes

Tiger Eyes
Judy Blume

Is that a mushroom cloud in the background?

Quick Stats:

Page Count: 224
Age Range: 7 and up
Year: 1981
Genre: Realistic

This book is a story of how a mother, a daughter and a son cope with the sudden death of their father/husband. Davey, the daughter, is the main character. Her father was killed in a robbery at the convenience store up the road. Her mother decides that the family needs a vacation after Davey is sent home from school 3 days in a row. On the vacation Davey makes some new friends, and volunteers at a hospital. Her mother begins looking for new work and tries to establish a new life for her family.

This is a great book for students who have experienced loss. Davey is an inspiring character as she faces the death of her father and searches for ways to cope. The reader will also read about how the mother is coping and how new ideas and goals will help them get through such a traumatic event.

-Miss Jenny

Superfudge

Superfudge
Judy Blume

That jar of worms is making me nervous.

Quick Stats:

Page Count: 128
Age Range: 7 and up
Year: 1980
Genre: Realistic

Series: 3rd of 5, Fudge series

Peter is a fourth grade boy in charge of babysitting his little brother Fudge. Fudge is a cute kid that everyone adores, but causes trouble for Peter as he is expected to solve any problems that Fudge causes. Fudge is a troublemaker and give Peter a lot of problems, for instance refusing to eat until Peter stands on his head or eating Peter’s turtle. The book teaches patience and the importance of being a big brother!

I think that this book is awesome for kids in the 9-10 age range…or even for kids who are level 2 or 3 readers. It is funny, teaches responsibility and kids with younger siblings can relate.

-Miss Jenny

The Outsiders

The Outsiders
S. E. Hinton

S. E. Hinton was only 18 when this book was published!

Quick Stats:

Page Count: 192
Age Range: 8 and up
Year: 1967
Genre: Realistic, Coming-of-age

Ponyboy is a 14-year-old kid living with his two older brothers, Sodapop and Darry. Ponyboy and his brothers are, in their community, called “Greasers.” They’re from the poor part of town and are ostracized by the wealthier class, the Socs. Ponyboy and his friends verbally and, more often, physically fight with members of the rival class. The story follows an incident where the fighting gets too violent and someone winds up killed. Ponyboy’s real struggle is with his own moral boundaries and the definition of brotherhood.

The story follows adolescent boys, so it’s a good bet that boys might like this more than girls. That said, the story is engaging for all audiences. The story has ethical undertones that make this book more meaningful towards a mature audience.

-Ms. Jessie

I Am J

I Am J
Cris Beam

So you’re <T ?

Quick Stats:

Page Count: 352
Age Range: 13 and up
Year: 2011
Genre: Realistic

J is a typical teenager, who struggles to fit in and always feels different. However, J is actually different from his peers, J was born with a female body, but he feels like a boy. J explores his identity, coming out to his parents, and trying to transition, all while dealing with regular teenage drama too.

Any student who struggles with their identity will find something in common with the main character, J. LGBT students will especially love this book.

-Ms. Kost

Rage: A Love Story

Rage: A Love Story
Julie Anne Peters

…against the machine?

Quick Stats:

Page Count: 292
Age Range: 13 and up
Year: 2009
Genre: Romance

Rage is the story of two girls, Johanna and Reeve, who both come from vastly different backgrounds. Johanna is wise beyond her years after caring for a dying mother, and Reeve is tough and cold from years of abuse at home. The teenagers experience the dark side of a first love, and struggle to find a bright future together.

This book is great for any LGBT student, or student who may be struggling with their identity.

-Ms. Kost

I Am Not Joey Pigza

I Am Not Joey Pigza
Jack Gantos

Apparently there’s no Selznick cover for this one.

Quick Stats:

Page Count: 240
Age Range: 10 and up
Year: 2011
Genre: Realistic

Series: 4th of 4

This is the fourth and final Joey Pigza book….so far… (I really am not sure if the author is going to do more.) Joey is back and so is his father, Carter Pigza. Except this time Carter has won the lottery, changed his name and won back the heart of Joey’s mother. Joey’s mother also changed her name at one point in her life so why not change Joey’s?! Joey is called Freddy in this book and it is driving him nuts! Joey has to accept the new name, the reunited of his parents and forgive his dad. Read the book to find out how Joey deals with all of this chaos!

This story is great for middle school, and specifically this fourth book as Joey is now in the 6th grade. I do recommend reading the first 3 books before this one as the reader will want to get to know Joey and his family dynamics. Joey teaches students who are going through hardships at home how to deal with the chaos and forgive his family.

-Miss Jenny

Everlost

Everlost
Neal Shusterman

I do NOT want to be lost in those creepy woods.

Page Count: 384
Age Range: 12 and up
Year: 2006
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

Series: 1st of 3, Skinjacker Trilogy

Nick and Allie didn’t survive the car accident, but they didn’t exactly die either. They are thrust into the world of Everlost, where if they stand still too long they could sink to the center of the earth, or stay in a dead zone and get stuck in the same pattern for eternity. Allie is set on finding a way home, but according to Mary Hightower there is no way out. When Allie finds out that there is someone who might know a way out she is willing to try anything, but at what expense?

I recommend this for anyone who likes action and adventure.

-Ms. Z

The Red Pyramid

The Red Pyramid
Rick Riordan

Try as I might, I can’t think of a pun about their names.

Quick Stats:

Page Count: 544
Age Range: 10 and up
Year: 2010
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Series: 1st of 3, The Kane Chronicles

Sadie and Carter Kane have been separated sense the death of their mother. Sadie has lived with their grandparents and Carter has traveled with his father Julius. On a visit with Sadie the trio goes to a museum. The father seems fascinated with the Rosetta Stone, and to Sadie and Carter’s surprise he somehow blows it up. A mysterious man named Amos comes in to takes them to safety, bringing them to what he calls their family home. Soon enough Sadie and Carter find out that they are descendants of Egyptian Gods and that their father has been captured by Set the Egyptian God of chaos who was released when the Rosetta Stone blew up, along with many others. Now Sadie and Carter must rescue their father and stop Set from creating chaos.

I recommend this book to any one who has an interest in Egyptian Gods, action and adventure.

-Ms. Z