John Winthrop Middle School
Suggested Summer Reading List for Rising Seventh and
Eighth Graders
June 2009
Shea Jezek, Librarian
The following websites may be used to assist you to find titles that are not on
this list.
www.amazon.com
What Do I Read
Next?
Parents,
please help your child to make their summer reading experience a pleasurable
and valuable one. This is a
wonderful time for a discussion of your childÕs interests and reading choices.
Biography/Autobiography
Armstrong,
Lance. ItÕs Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life.
Champion Tour de France cyclist and marathon runner Lance Armstrong
describes his triumph over cancer.
Ashe, Arthur. Days of Grace: a Memoir. Read
the inspiring memoir of Arthur Ashe - tennis champion, social activist and a
person with AIDS. He was the true embodiment of courage,
elegance, and the spirit to fight.
Blake James.
Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life.
James Blake had it all ~ a charmed life complete with international
tennis rankings. Life set three
giant obstacles in his path: the death of his father, disease and
paralysis. Did he turn away? Not Blake; he faced them head-on and
became an even more powerful and compassionate individual.
Devaney, Sherri and
Mark. Barack Obama. Follow the 2008 President of the
United States from his humble beginnings to his rise through the political
system.
Freedman, Russell. The Life and Death of Crazy Horse. The reader follows Crazy Horse, the great Sioux warrior who
defeated Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn.
Cox, Lynn. Swimming
to Antarctica. Meet Lynn Cox a
young girl who has a passion for swimming and setting goals. Share the adventures of her record-setting
swim across the English Channel.
As if that is not enough, she swims the rat invested Nile River, the
shark infested Cape of Good Hope and AlaskaÕs Glacier Bay. Each swim holds great adventures.
Gordeeva, Ekaterina. My Sergei. Learn about the storybook romance of Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov,
their multiple skating championships, the sudden death of Sergei, and
EkaterinaÕs struggle to build a new life for her daughter and herself.
Jackson-Britton,
Livia. I Have Lived a Thousand Years: Growing Up in the
Holocaust. Elli Friedman
describes her life in the concentration camp at Auschwitz.
Joyner-Kersee,
Jacqueline. A Kind of Grace:
The Autobiography of One of the WorldÕs Greatest Athletes. Three-time Olympic gold medalist
Jackie Joyner-Kersee tells the inspiring story of her triumphs not only in
sports but in her personal life.
Krull,
Kathleen. They Saw the Future:
Oracles, Psychics, Scientists, Great Thinkers, and Pretty Good Guessers. Do you believe? Do you wonder? Read a
fascinating book that explores the lives of twelve visionaries from 700 B.C. to
the present.
Lisandrelli, Elaine Slivinski. Maya
Angelou: More Than a Poet. The reader follows the life of a
phenomenal woman who has become a major influence in society today. (Readers may substitute other titles
written by Maya Angelou.)
Lowe, Janet. Michael Jordan Speaks ~ Lessons From the WorldÕs Greatest Champion.
Michael ÒAirÓ Jordan is a legend defying gravity, transforming the role of
celebrity endorsements and keeping fans on their feet for decades. What about Michael Jordan the man? What are his views on winning, teamwork
and the spirit of life off the court?
Fans of basketball, you will not want to miss this book.
Senna, Carl. Colin Powell. This book examines the life and career of the U. S. Army
General who became the first black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Spain, Valerie. Meet Maya Angelou. Read all about a wonderful,
successful poet, actress and teacher.
Strege, John.
Tiger: A Biography of Tiger Woods.
Learn about one of the most significant players to enter the game in the
past fifty years.
Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women. This book is based on AlcottÕs
childhood. Little Women is
a story about the March sisters as they stretch their wings to find their own
identities. This story
takes place during the Civil War period.
Burnett, Francis
Hodgson. The Secret Garden. Share the magical story about two
children who find happiness in a most unlikely place. Published in 1911, The Secret Garden has
withstood the test of time.
Keyes, Daniel. Flowers for
Algernon. Can
science fiction become science fact?
This is a fascinating science fiction book about Charlie Gordon who embarks
on a compelling but dangerous journey from mental retardation to genius.
Sewall, Anna. Black Beauty. Enjoy this timeless story as a horse in nineteenth-century
England recounts his experience with both good and bad masters.
Speare, Elizabeth
George. The
Witch of Blackbird Pond. A high-spirited teenage girl rebels
against the narrow-minded ways of Puritan Connecticut and befriends a lonely
old woman who is subsequently accused of being a witch.
Rawlings, Marjorie Kinnan. The
Yearling. Enjoy this Pulitzer prize-winning
classic about backwoods Florida and the tender relationship of a young boy and
his tame fawn.
Steinbeck, John. The Red Pony. Follow the dreams of a boy who dreamed great dreams, of the
colt that was the focus of those dreams, of the land that nourished them, and
of the mountains that hid their fulfillment.
Stevenson, Robert L. Kidnapped. After being kidnapped by his villainous
uncle, sixteen-year-old David Balfour escapes and becomes involved in the
struggle of the Scottish highlanders against English rule.
Saroyan, William. The Human Comedy. In the midst of World War II, Homer, a member of the Macauley family, learns some poignant lessons on the road
to becoming a man.
Verne, Jules. Around the World
in 80 Days. If you love adventure, you will
enjoy this fast-paced, action-packed book about Phileas
Fogg who undertakes a hasty world tour as the result
of a bet made at his London club.
Arkin, Alan. The Lemming Condition. It is a common belief that lemmings
self regulate their population by jumping into the water although they are
unable to swim. Bubber is not your Òeveryday lemming.Ó He questions this practice and thinks
about the consequences. The reader
will not only learn about Bubber but may also learn something
about him or her self.
Bauer, Joan. Backwater. Ivy may sound like a girly-girl, but she is all spunk
and no bluster as she sets out on an outward-bound adventure through the
wilderness with Mountain Mama as her guide. Bauer once again creates a strong-willed young woman
peppered with a great sense of humor.
Brashares, Ann. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. They were just a pair of pants, and
they were so much more. They were
magical pants that gave confidence, represented love, courage, death and
forgiveness. This is the first
book of a most engaging series. You
may read any of the books in the series.
Brooke, Lauren. Coming Home (Heartland Series Book #1).
Horse lovers will love the stories from Heartland, a horse ranch
with the mission of healing, helping and changing the behaviors of abused or
neglected horses. This is the
first book in a series of twenty! You may read any of the books in the series.
Bunting, Eve. Face at the Edge of the World. Haunted by the suicide of his best
friend Charlie, Jed attempts to re-create his friendÕs last weeks and discover
why Charlie took his own life.
Also by Bunting: Blackwater.
Brooks, Bruce. The Moves Make the Man.
A black boy and an emotionally troubled white boy in North
Carolina form a precious friendship.
Choldenko, Gennifer. Al Capone Does My Shirts.
Moose Flanagan is sentenced to Alcatraz, and he did not even commit a
crime. His father has taken a job on Alcatraz Island as a guard. On
the island he meets other kids from families just like his. Thus begins
the fun, adventures and the problems!
Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango
Street. Follow the trials of a young girl
growing up in the Latino section of Chicago, coming into her power and
inventing for herself what she will become.
Clancy, Tom. Hunt for Red
October. Clancy writes
true to form with this riveting military story filled with espionage and
suspense. A real thriller.
Cooney, Caroline. The Face on the Milk Carton. JanieÕs
world is turned upside down when she realizes that she is the little girl
looking up at her from the milk carton. With her friend, Reeve, she
begins to unravel the mystery. A real page-turner! Catch the
sequels!
Creech, Sharon. Heartbeat
or Love That Dog. Readers will become involved in the lives of
each of the characters in either of these books. Creech has a wonderful
style. Both of these books are written in free verse and are most enjoyable
to read. Both books are quick reads.
Crutcher, Chris. Staying Fat for
Sarah Brynes. Sarah Brynes, a girl whose face
and hands were badly burned in a mysterious childhood accident, and overweight
Eric Calhoune become fast friends. When Sarah learns the truth behind her
Òaccident,Ó Eric is there to help her.
Farley, Walter. The Black Stallion. This action story details the developing relationship
between Alex and the Arabian stallion he befriends while they are stranded
together on a deserted island.
Fleishman, Paul. Whirligig. Brent BishopÕs goal in life is to fit in. When things do not go well for him at a
party, he angrily leaves. His car
becomes a Òweapon of destruction.Ó
Now his credits include vehicular manslaughter. Brent now must get on with the business
of righting this wrong. Join Brent
as he begins his journey to the four corners of the United States.
Grisham, John. The Client. A young boy is
caught between the legal system and a mob killer desperate to cover up his
crime.
Heldring,
Hatcher. Toby Wheeler Eighth-Grade Benchwarmer. Toby Wheeler loves basketball. He loves a pickup game at the local
recreation center. In fact he
lives and breathes basketball. So why not play on the school team? Toby Wheeler knows how to play
basketball, but he also has to learn how to be a benchwarmer.
Henkes, Kevin.
OliveÕs Ocean. During a summer visit to her grandmotherÕs cottage by the
ocean, Martha, a twelve-year old, gains insight on the death of her
classmate and her relationships with other people in her life. Readers will
join Martha in a journey they will not soon forget.
Henry, Marguerite. King of the Wind - The Story of the Godolphin Arabian. Horse lovers will enjoy this Newbery Medal book.
Travel with Agba, the stable boy, and Sham, a mighty
thoroughbred as this story spans the lands from the royal courts of France to
the green pastures of England.
Hesse, Karen. The Music of
Dolphins. After
surviving a plane crash Mila is adopted by a family of dolphins. She is taught kindness, compassion and
the beauty of music.
Suddenly ÒrescuedÓ by the Coast Guard she is thrown into the world of
humans. Will Mila choose to live
with the humans or return to her dolphin family?
Holt, Kimberly
Willis. When Zachary Beaver
Came to Town. This book was selected as one of the
top five new novels. It is a winner
of the National Book Award. A
fabulous read.
Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Nobody can tell it better than Greg Heffley
when it comes to the trials of being in middle school. He will tell you right off that it is
not a diary but a journal. It is
not quite a graphic novel and not quite a comic book; but it will keep you
laughing out loud. This is a New
York Times Bestseller.
Konigsburg, E.L. Journey to an 800
Number. Bo learns about kindness and love from
the unusual characters he meets when he is sent to live with his father after
his mother decides to remarry.
Korman, Gordon, Everest:
The Contest. Meet five young men and women as they put their bodies
and minds to the test, hoping to be selected for the Everest Team. The sequel
to this book is The Climb and The Summit. Learn
what it takes to accomplish such a feat and what the consequences are when
individuals do not know the meaning of Òteam.Ó
Limb, Sue. Girl, 15, Charming But Insane. Have you ever had a
friend that seemed to be one step ahead of you in EVERYTHING? You are
insecure; she is confident. You
are smart; she is smarter. . . .and the list goes
on. Meet Jess, the narrator and
main character. Join Jess in
this LOL book as she tries to juggle Flora and Fred, her friends, and Ben, a
possible love interest!
Miller, Sara. Miss Spitfire ~Reaching Helen Keller. In this fictional book about Annie
Sullivan readers will learn that although she lost teeth and dodged the fists
of Helen Keller, it was because of Miss Spitfire that the world was opened to
Helen Keller.
Martin, Anne E. A Corner of the Universe. Hattie expected a
lonely summer; her best friend is away, and she is left to help her parents run
the family boarding house. Along
comes Adam (her mentally challenged uncle she never knew about and the familyÕs
best kept secret). Through their
friendship, Hattie comes to appreciate his love of life and his courage in
facing all those who reject him.
Kidd, Sue Monk. The Secret Life of Bees. Fans of The Lovely
Bones and Lucky will not want to miss this book. Lily is a
survivor, and she will impress you. Lily, a fourteen-year old
run-away, finds safety in the home of a trio of black, beekeeping
sisters. (The time is 1960; the onset of desegregation.) Here she
learns not only about bees and making honey but also about life.
Mikaelsen, Ben. Sparrow
Hawk Red. Join
the danger and suspense as Ricky Diaz tries to learn why his father lied to him
to about the death of his mother. Where will the trail of unanswered
questions lead him? This book could have easily been called A
Handbook for Teens!
Myers, Walter Dean. Handbook for Boys. Meet Jimmy and Kevin who are
sentenced by a judge to Òhang outÓ at DukeÕs Barber Shop instead of spending
time at the juvenile detention center for a series of crimes they
committed. Stay with them at the barbershop and find out which of the two
will be spending time in jail.
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. The Keeper. A bodyguard
is hired by the head of a womenÕs clinic to protect her from a series of death
threats.
Oats, Joyce
Carol. Big Mouth Ugly Girl. This is a most unlikely name
of a book just as it is most unlikely for the schoolÕs most popular guy Matt to
be thrown together with Ursula Riggs ~ a less than popular and attractive
girl. Yet it is MattÕs very big mouth that lands him in trouble, and it
is UrsulaÕs stellar character that could save Matt from total
destruction!
OÕDell, Scott. Sing Down the Moon. A Young Navajo girl recounts the events of 1864 when her
tribe was forced to march to Fort Sumner as prisoners of the white
soldiers.
Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet. When BrianÕs single engine plane crashes in the Canadian
wilderness, Brian finds himself stripped down to the barest essentials. He quickly learns that self-pity does
not work, and if he intends to survive, he needs to be physically and
mentally strong. Armed with
nothing but a hatchet, Brian sets out on the journey of his life. Paulsen is a prolific writer. You may read any of his books.
Peck, Robert Newton. Cowboy Ghost. While Titus
Mac Robinson tries to prove his worth to his father by embarking on a grueling
cattle ride across Florida, he discovers some fascinating insights about
himself.
Peck, Robert Newton.
Strays Like Us. Dumped in yet another foster home, Molly
feels more like a stray cat than ever. But she is not alone. Right
next door to her lives Will. He too is a stray. Together they find
their way.
Peters, Julie Anne. Define Normal. There is enough peer counseling in this
book for everyone! How can
Antonia, a straight A, normal, overachieving student counsel Jazz, a psycho,
freaky, whacked-out punker? She
thought not. But when AntoniaÕs
life begins to unravel, Jazz may be her only hope!
Philbrick,
Rodman. Freak the Mighty. Is Freak the Mighty so small
because his brain is so big and that is the only part of his body that is
growing? Is Max, the big lug that he is, really so stupid or is it that
he just chooses to forget some of the horrible incidents of his past?
Together they Òslay dragons, rescue fair maidensÓ and learn about themselves.
Also by Philbrick-The Young Man and the Sea.
Plummer, Louise. Finding
Daddy. When Mrs. Kent, MyraÕs mother, refuses to discuss her father, Mira
takes it upon herself to find him.
Thus begins a sequence of frightening and suspenseful events that will
keep the reader turning the pages.
Sachar,
Louis. Holes.
How can the theft of a pair of sneakers turn into such a bizarre, life-altering
experience for Stanley? A wonderful story filled with mystery and
intrigue.
Snicket, Lemony. The
Bad Beginning ~ A Series of ÒUnfortunate Events (Book #1). If you like stories with happy endings, you better not
read this book! It is the
first of a series of twelve books that highlight the unfortunate events of the
Baudelaire children as they try to escape the evil Count Olaf. If you enjoyed the first book, you will
want to read the next eleven!
Spinelli, Jerry. ThereÕs a Girl in My Hammerlock. Thirteen-year-old Maisie joins her
schoolÕs formerly all-male wrestling team and tries to last through the season
despite other students, her best friend, and her own teammates.
Historical Fiction
Almagor, Gila. Under the Domim
Tree. This book chronicles the
joys and troubles experienced by a group of teenagers living in an Israeli
youth settlement in 1953.
Boyne, John. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Nine year old Bruno
is living during WWII but has no clue about the role of the Nazis or
concentration camps. This may not
sound strange, but not only is his father Commandant of Auschwitz, but Bruno
lives in a house right outside this camp.
Collier, James Lincoln and
Collier, Christopher. War Comes
to Willy Freeman. A free, thirteen-year-old black girl in
Connecticut is caught up in the horror of the Revolutionary War and the danger
of being returned to slavery.
Creech, Sharon. Chasing
Redbird. ZinniaÕs life changes
when she finds a overgrown and hidden path located on
her familyÕs farm. It is through
clearing this path that she discovers her past and how it will lead her to the
future.
DeFlice,
Cynthia. Nowhere to Call Home.
When Francis Elizabeth Barrow becomes an orphan, she hops a freight train and
becomes a hobo. Dressed as a young
boy she is befriended by Stewpot.
Thus begins a wonderful adventure of a sub-culture of the world.
Hauggard, Erik
Christian. The SamuraiÕs Tale. In turbulent 16th
century Japan readers will meet Taro, a young orphaned boy, who is taken in by
a general who serves a great warlord.
Taro grows up to become a Samurai who fights for the enemies of his dead
family. War, friendship, love and
death are discussed as the reader is introduced to the lives and culture of
ancient Japan.
Hunt, Irene. Across Five Aprils. In this historically accurate story Jethro
Creighton comes of age during the turbulent years of the Civil War.
Lisle,
Taylor. Black Duck. What if someone told
you that you could no longer enjoy your favorite snack? How far would you go to make sure you
had that snack? This is just what
happened in the United States during the 1920Õs; a time known as
Prohibition. It was illegal to
drink alcohol. It was a time when
rum-running boats such as the Black Duck delivered their precious cargo of
alcohol to the shoreline towns of Connecticut and Rhode Island. You will recognize some of the names of
the towns! Black Duck is filled with fast boats, spies, turncoats, and
shoot-outs!
Magorian,
Michelle. Good Night, Mr. Tom. London is on the
brink of World War II. For safety
purposes parents are evacuating their children to the English countryside. Willie Beech, an abused child, is
placed in the care of Tom Oakley.
Mr. Tom lives alone after the death of his wife and only child. A wonderful story detailing how two
people learn to care and trust again.
This book also gives insight into the social and political atmosphere in
London in the early 40Õs.
Myers, Walter Dean. The Glory Field.
Enjoy this epic tale that follows an African-American family through five
generations. From slavery to the
end of segregation, a vivid picture of American history will unfold.
Otsuka, Julie. When the Emperor was Divine. The characters in this book are never
named! But it is their story ~ the
story of a Japanese family living in an internment camp during World War II. It is a story of a family driven from
their home, separated from their father, and kept for three years in a desert
camp. It is a story of
prejudice.
Paulsen, Gary. Mr. Tucket.
Traveling westward by wagon train, fourteen-year-old Francis
is captured by Pawnee Indians and then rescued by a mountain man. Sequels include Call Me Francis Tucket and TucketÕs
Ride.
Rinaldi, Ann. Hang a Thousand Trees with
Ribbons: The Story of Phillis Wheatley. Kidnapped as a child and
sold as a slave to a wealthy Boston family in 1761, Wheatley learns to read and
write, becoming AmericaÕs first black poet.
Rinaldi, Ann. In My FatherÕs House. The marriage of Will McLean, a Northerner, to OsciÕs mother, a Southerner, sets the stage for an
interesting plot as the North and South are poised on the brink of the American
Civil War. How can a Northerner
manage slaves, when he does not believe in slavery? Will Osci and Daddy Will admit to
the mutual respect they share for each other? It is a very moving book that will give the reader many
insights into one of our nationÕs most divisive times. Anne Rinaldi
is a writer of several other historical fiction books.
Scholastic, Inc.
Dear America Series.
Meet the young men and women who made their way through the 17th, 18th,
and 19th centuries. See Europe and America as it was before
the days of wireless communication and mass transit. Enjoy all
seventy-one titles in this fabulous series.
Wilson, Diane Lee. I
Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade. Injured by a freak accident when only a young
child, Oyuna must prove that she does not bring bad
luck to her family. Set in ancient
China, Oyuna joins Kubla
KahnÕs army to prove her self-worth to her family and her clan. If you are a fan of horse stories, you
will love this book. Much of the
action is centered on the main character, Oyuna and
her horse.
Mystery
Avi. Wolf Rider: A Tale of Terror. After receiving a call from a man
claiming to have committed murder, fifteen-year-old Andy finds his close
relationship with his father crumbling as he struggles to make everyone believe
him.
Christie, Agatha. Murder on the Orient Express. Detective Hercule
Poirot searches for a killer among a group of
passengers aboard the Orient Express.
Cornwell, Patricia. Cause of Death. In her latest case, Dr. Kay Scarpetta
investigates the death of a young reporter who has drowned at an inactive Navy
shipyard.
Dixon, Franklin W. The Hardy Boys
Series. Reader may select any title from
the series.
Hamilton, Virginia. House of Dies
Drear. A black family
tries to unravel the secrets of their new home that was once a stop on the
Underground Railroad.
Hamilton, Virginia. The Mystery of Drear House: The
Conclusion of the Dies Drear Chronicle. The treasure
is found, and the Small family must decide what to do with it!
Hammett, Dashiell. The Maltese Falcon. The story of Sam Spade, a private eye with his own code of
ethics.
Holland, Robert. Summer
on KiddÕs Creek.
If you like books about adventure and exploration, you will love the adventures
that Asa and Ike encounter during the summer at
KiddÕs Creek. Look for other titles by Robert Holland.
Keene, Carolyn. Nancy Drew Mystery
Series. Readers may select any title from the
series.
Van Draanen,
Wendelin.
Sammy Keyes and the Hollywood
Mummy. (Sammy Keys
Series) SammyÕs mother has changed
her name and the color of her hair, and Sammy wants to know why!
Enjoy any of the super sleuthÕs adventures.
Warner, Gertrude
Chandler. The
Woodshed Mystery. Meet the Alden children and follow along as they
solve a mystery that dates back to the days of the Revolutionary War.
Weber, Ken. 5
Minute Mysteries. Here is the ultimate Òwho done itÓ book.
Readers will be presented with thirty-seven challenges of murder and mayhem to
solve. Reconstruct the crimes and identify the culprits! Do not be
stressed, all the solutions are in the back of the book!
Non-fiction
Albom,
Mitch. TuesdayÕs with Morrie. Meet
Morrie Schwartz, a man suffering from Lou GehrigÕs
disease, and Mitch Albom, a past student and friend.
Morrie and Mitch visit every Tuesday . . . thus
the title. This book promises to be an inspiration to all who read
it. Readers will find it to be filled with Òpearls of wisdom.Ó
Bissinger, H.G. Friday
Night Lights: A Town, A Team and A Dream. Football lovers
will take an in-depth look at the impact the Permian High football team of
Odessa, Texas, has on the team, their families and the town.
Burns, Marilyn. The I
Hate Mathematics Book. A wonderful resource of mathematical
ideas for those who think they do not like mathematics.
Chambers, Veronica. MammaÕs Girl. Veronica is
anything but a MammaÕs Girl. In
fact she wishes that she really were her mammaÕs girl. This memoir tells the story of her life
as a young girl trying and failing to gain the acceptance of her divorced
parents. It is a story of
emotional abuse. It is a story of
perseverance and achievement.
Covey, Sean. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. Could
it really be that easy to: ~Build wonderful relationships? ~Improve your
self-image? ~Resist peer pressure? ~ And get along with your
parents? This may sound too good to be true, but this book addresses each
of these issues. This book is written in a format that allows readers to
target their areas of their interest.
Dolan, Ellen,
M. Susan Butcher and the Iditarod Trail. Join Susan
Butcher on her 1,163 mile dog sled race across the frozen terrain of
Alaska.
Gatto,
Kimberly. Michelle Kwan. Follow the career of Michelle Kwan
as she skates her way to over forty-five medals and awards. In this book
the reader will meet a young girl who followed the advice of her parents:
work hard, be yourself and have fun!
Goodwin, Doris
Kearns. Wait Till Next Year: A
Memoir. The author recalls her childhood through
the 1949 baseball season of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Baseball fans will enjoy this book.
Hawk, Tony. Between
Boardslides and Burnout. Follow the world renowned skateboarder
as he travels throughout the United Stated and Europe. Readers will learn
that what Tony makes look so easy has taken years of persistence and
perseverance. The diary format of this book makes for light and enjoyable
reading.
Jacobs, Thomas, A. They
Broke the Law ~You Be The Judge: True Cases of Teen Crimes.
The author of this exciting book is a former juvenile court judge
who shares with the reader a look at the Òbehind the benchÓ of several cases.
You will be introduced to truant students who would not attend school, family
fights that went way too far, and a story of an auto theft. Read about the crime, the decision of
the judge, what happened to the juvenile, and what he or she is doing
today. This is a great book and a
quick read.
Jacobs, Thomas, A. What Are My Rights? 95 Questions and
Answers About Teens and the Law. Thomas A. Jacobs has written yet
another informative book for teens.
Do I have to go to school?
Can my property be searched and seized? Can I get in trouble for using the telephone? This book will address many
questions about the law and how it applies to you and your life.
Kimmel, Elizabeth Cody. Balto and the
Great Race. Enjoy
the adventures of Balto, part husky and part wolf, as
he leads his team of sled dogs through a blizzard to bring medical supplies to
a town that is stricken with a diphtheria epidemic.
Kirberger,
Kimberly. No BodyÕs Perfect. If you are one of the millions
of teenage girls who looks in the mirror and sees what is ÒbadÓ about you
instead of what is ÒgoodÓ about you, please read this book. Written in a
format that is a series of letters and poems, it is a journey of self-discovery
and love. Treat yourself to a great book!
Krakauer, Jon. Into Thin Air. Readers will enjoy this thrilling
account of Jon KrakauerÕs Mt. Everest disaster.
McLain, Bill. What
Makes Flamingos Pink? Do
spiders sleep? Why are most barns
painted red? How many innocent
people have been executed in the United States since 1990? Who invented the bumper sticker? So many questions; so little time! This book is a fun and relaxing read -
guaranteed! Just open to a page
and learn something new!
Menzie,
Morgan. Diary
of an Anorexic Girl. Travel with Blythe, a fictional
character, as she fights the disease that affects thousands of teens each
year. Be with her as she triumphs
over the disease and understands that it is O.K. if you are not always perfect.
Mortenson, Greg and David Oliver Relin. Three Cups of Tea ~
One ManÕs Mission to Promote PeaceÉOne School at a Time (Young ReaderÕs
Edition). Greg Mortenson set out to climb K2, but life had other plans for
him. He becomes lost and finds
himself in a poor village. After a
short stay he promises to return to build a school. Over the next ten years he returned to Pakistan and
Afghanistan time and again to build over sixty schools.
Myron, Vicki with Brett
Witter. Dewey ~ The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World. Cat lovers, you will want to read this
book. Meet Dewey Read More Books a
very famous cat who was found in the book drop of the Spencer Public Library. Dewey made the library his home for eighteen
years. Imagine all the people he
met and the experiences he had!
Pesky,
Johnny. Diary of a Red Sox Season.
This is a must read for any Red Sox fan. From the signing of Daisuke Matsuzaka
to the last out of the 2007 World Series, this book has it all. Only an insider such as Johnny Pesky
could bring you the real scoop of what goes on in the clubhouse and behind the
scenes.
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Asimov, Isaac. Fantastic Voyage. Four men and a woman are reduced to microscopic size and
sent in a miniature sub through the body of a dying man.
Clarke, Arthur C. 2001 ~ A Space
Odyssey. Two astronauts find their space
journey and their lives threatened by a jealous computer named Hal.
Crichton, Michael. The Andromeda
Strain. When a
lethally contaminated satellite returns to earth, four American scientists are
ordered to work against the threat of a worldwide epidemic.
Farmer, Nancy. The Ear, The
Eye and The Arm. General MalsikaÕs
three children ÒescapeÓ their fortress home, are kidnapped by She Elephant, and
are forced to mine plastic from the 20th century. Three mutant detectives are hired to
use their special powers to find them.
Hunter, Erin. Warriors:
Into the Wild. Both fantasy
and animal lovers will not want to miss the chance to meet Rusty, a very
ordinary house cat. Life is very
calm until he meets the clans of wild cats that share the forest. This is the first book in a series of
four.
Jacques, Brian. Redwall: The
Wall (or any book in the Redwall Series). Readers will
become involved in the battle between good and evil in Redwall. This is the first book of this
series.
Meyer, Stephanie. Twilight (or any book in
the Twilight Saga). Readers
who have never read fantasy may wish to start with this book! Bella and Edwin, a vampire will definitely
draw you into their lives and struggles.
Napoli, Donna Jo. The Prince of the Pond. An evil hag casts a spell on a handsome
prince. Suddenly he becomes a frog! How will he survive in the well
in which he finds himself? Will his fellow frogs ever come
to understand this strange frog? What happens when the beautiful
princess enters the scene? This fun book has all the trappings of a
well-known fairy tale!
Nimmo, Jenny. Midnight for Charlie Bone. Charlie Bone can hear the thoughts of people in
pictures. It is a ÒgiftÓ that he
really does not want. Because of
this ÒgiftÓ he must attend BloorÕs Academy for other gifted children. Here is where all the fun and mystery
begins. Fans of Harry Potter will
want to read this book.
Rodda, Emily. Deltora Quest ~ DragonÕs Nest (Book #1).
The Deltora Quest saga is the first
book of this series. The quest, a
blend of magic, courage and dragons, proves to be a recipe for great summer
reading.
Shan, Darren. Cirque du Freak ~ A Living Nightmare
(Book #1). Seasoned with werewolves,
grotesque creatures and vampires, this series has all the ingredients of horror
and adventure combined! Fans of
Harry Potter and Goosebumps, you have just found another great series!
Somper,
Justin. Vampirates – Demons of the Ocean.
If vampires are bad and pirates are even worse, what would it be like to
meet a Vampirate? The twins, Connor and Grace, are about to learn. After the death of their father,
they are shipwrecked and separated.
They must fight to find each other again. This is the first book in the series.
Verne, Jules. Journey to the Center
of the Earth. A team of explorers goes where no one
has gone before as they enter a crater in Iceland and travel to the center of
the earth. Here they make some incredible
and horrifying discoveries.
Weis, Margaret. Time of the Twins. (Dragonlance
Legends). The War of Lance
begins, but peace settles uneasily to the land.
June 1, 2009