Elsewhere

by Gabrielle Zevin
Although this book does start with a young girl, Liz, dying, it turns out that this was probably one of my favorite books.  It is written with littel humor but very realistic.  This book also makes your really think, what could be out there? I would definitely recommend this book.  ~Vanessa 

Elsewhere was an interesting book.  I thought that they way it was told was interesting. Also it made you think about if something like this does happen when you die.  In conclusion, I think it was a good book and recomend it to both boys and girls ages 12 and up.  ~Colie

An Iliad

“The Iliad”, by Homer, is a novel almost every high school kid dreads reading. If the length isn’t enough to inspire fear, than the fact that it was written in 800 B.C.E surely will. Alessandro Baricco’s “An Iliad” tells the tale in far fewer words, and, while he stays true to Homer’s writing style, is far easier to comprehend.

The story is told from 21 different perspectives, from Achilles to The River, giving the reader a larger range of emotions, and diving into the characters as individuals in a way that Homer couldn’t.

Whether you’re reading it in preparation for “The Iliad” or simply to discover more about the famous war (who cares if it really happened?!), “An Iliad” is definitely worth discovering. ~Carly

Ask Me No Questions

I kind of liked the book.  It was not my favorite because it was kind of confusing in some areas like when they applied for asylum.  I did not know what they meant when they said asylum.  I recommend the book for ages 12 and up.
~Colie

 

Lord of the Flies

As the first book written by William Golding, Lord of the Flies offers suspense, humor, and an unexpected perception into human nature. 

The novel starts off by introducing several British school boys, ranging between the ages of 5-12, who have plane-crashed onto an island with no means of communication - except for a signal fire - and no adults.  A power struggle is shown between two main characters, Jack and Ralph, as the children become anxious that no rescue will come for them, and  opinions differ as to what the most important aspect of life on the island is: control or order.  This novel is a classic example of Good versus Evil and those who become demoralized by temptation in order to survive.
~Rene, Grade 10

 

Angels In Pink Raina’s Story

I loved this book!!!

I read it in a day and a half and i haven’t read such a good book in such a long time!!

In this book there are three best friends: Raina, Holly, and Kathleen.  they all volenteer at the local hospital. 

During the story the girls face many problems that life throws at them without fear.  They are faced with family members suffering from terminal illnesses and overly strict parents.  But underneath they are just regular teenage girls.
~Sarah

 

 

Abundance- A Novel of Marie Antoinette

                     
by Sena Jeter Naslund

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The French Revolution directly implies the name of the famous queen Marie Antoinette. After that name comes to mind, we recall how her life ended; via the guillotine.  It’s not often that someone suggests, however, that this was a cruel fate for her. After all, she drove the French people into turmoil with her frivolous purchases, gambling, and scandals- she was asking for it, right?

In “Abundance”, Naslund takes a different side than the one we usually hear. She adopts the voice of Marie Antoinette, telling the tale from the young queen’s point of view. As a reader, you will not only be convinced of the unjust nature of her fate, but will find a character whom you can relate to.

This novel deserves to be historical fiction, despite the genre it was placed under. 

Save it for a rainy day- this is a read you’ll have trouble putting down! - Carly

 

Spanking Shakespeare

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Spanking Shakespeare”, by Jake Wizner, is a witty narrative about school, life, and dumb names. The protagonist is Shakespeare Shapiro, a senior in high school, and the book follows his quest to write the perfect memoir, get into college, and get the girl. However, it’s not as easy as it seems. Shakespeare has to bear with his crazy parents and his infuriatingly popular brother Gandhi. Jake Wizner describes Shakespeare’s teachers, his friends, and his enemies with great accuracy and wit, and suceeds in making a hilarious, coming-of age book that you won’t want to put down. - Kate

Right Behind you

 by Gail Giles

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How long should mistakes made as a child rule our lives?  This is the question that 14 year old Kip has to grapple with as he tries to move forward after spending years insitutionalized after killing a neighborhood child when he was only nine years old.  Why did he do it?  Is/was  he a psychopath or an angry, hurt upset child?  Will the life he has led, growing up in locked mental institutions prepare him to lead a normal life when he is released.  Can he ever live a normal life?  Kip and his family try to make a fresh start, but the past alwasy has a way of catching up.  This book is riveting, and very current.  It really made me take a step back and examine my response to all the current news items about juvenile offenders.       

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian

by Sherman Alexie

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Winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature

Okay, this book gets the prize for the book that I really didn’t want to read, but felt I had to (see major league award above).  Which goes to say that my mother was right, “try it, you’ll like it”.  This book was great! Very funny, very emotional, I found myself really hoping that all would turn out great for Junior, a budding cartoonist who leaves his Native American Indian Reservation school to find more opportunities  in the larger, better funded town school - which happens  to have have a predominately white student body.  As Junior tries to juggle family problems, loyalty to his Native tribe, and being a teenager, he learns that you don’t have to forget who you are to become who you want to be.    

Keturah and Lord Death

by Martine Leavitt

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When Lord Death comes to claim sixteen-year-old Keturah while she is lost in the King’s Forest, she  charms him with her story and is granted a twenty-four hour reprieve in which to seek her one true love.