Lizzie Bright and the Bucknister Boy

This is another story about being comfortable with who you are even among different cultures and races. The age group this is written for needs to feel comfortable with who they are. The son of the minister doesn't fit in but then he meets a new friend that he feels the need to stand up for. I thought it was a good book with a good story.

Kids will like this story because of the good story of friendship. They will be able to relate to the characters. This book contains a lot of deep subject matter but it is an enjoyable journey.


Schmidt, Gary. (2008). Lizzie bright and the buckminster boy. Laurel Leaf.

Ella Enchanted

I love this story! It is full of enchantment, love, being okay with being different, and finding out what you're made of. I really enjoyed this cleverly told modern Cinderella story. The main character is a strong young girl and I believe girls will be empowered after reading this story. The adventure she goes on helps her find herself and her true love. The good guy always wins.

Kids, girls especially, will love this story. It is an easy read and then the kids can watch the movie. The movie was very well done. Everyone loves a good Cinderella story.

Levine, Gail. (2004). Ella enchanted (rack). HarperTeen.

James and the Giant Peach

This story feels like a classic read. I really enjoyed the adventure aspect and creativity of the journey inside a giant peach. I liked the morals weaved through the story in such an imaginative world.

The students will love the cloud men because of the creative weapons used to attack James in the peach. Students will learn how to work together and other life lessons.Roald Dahl creates amazing stories that most children are eager to read - he captivates his audience.

Dahl, Roald, & Blake, Quentin. (2007). James and the giant peach. Puffin.

On My Honor

This was a fast, well written read. This book is based in reality. The main character, Joel, loses his best friend, Tony, while the two boys go swimming in a dangerous river. Tony always seemed to be trying to prove himself so Joel didn't know he didn't really know how to swim. This was a very thought provoking story - Joel learns to deal with death but learns the love of his father.

Kids can learn to deal with death or connect with the characters in his time of grief. I would hope kids could also learn a lesson in not doing the dangerous things the kids did in the book. This book could start some good conversations about what really happens in life - and what is inevitable.

Bauer, Marion. (1986). On my honor. Yearling Books.

There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom

I enjoyed the story because the main character, Bradley, is an extreme troublemaker and lies but he becomes a better person in the end. The new counselor helps Bradley understand how to communicate with others and make good choices. The new counselor has to leave the school and he is left to make good choices without her advice. I think students could learn a lot about themselves reading this story.

Students will like this story because it realistic and kids can relate to the character even if the boy makes extreme choices. The title will grab students' attention and make them want to know why a boy is in the girl's bathroom. This is a taboo subject and kids want to know!

Sachar, Louis. (1997). There's a boy in the girl's bathroom. Random House.

Fallen

This was an incredible story about a girl discovering who she truly is, learning to overcome fears and trusting others. It is full of magic and action. Fallen has an amazing twist that takes you down the road to a fallen angel and the aftermath. I could not put the book down.

This story is geared toward teenagers an the emotional conflict that comes when deciding between two boys. The author has a fantastic way of writing and explaining the emotions so the reader feels a connection - teenagers are always looking for connections. Girls will like it for the romance and boys will enjoy the action.

Kate, Lauren. (2009). Fallen. Delacorte Pr.

Here Lies Arthur

This is not my taste in books but it was a pretty good book. There was a lot of action and could get a little gory, there was love and cross-dressing. This story takes place a long time ago and could get a little barbaric at times but more realistic than most books about the legend of Arthur. I was interested in what was going to happen next.

This books seems a little too advanced for kids. Older teenagers will probably love the book because it has so much in it to keep the reader's attention. This era usually draws attention from boys but this one is narrated by the female character, so girls might be drawn to it as well.


Reeve, Philip. (2010). Here Lies arthur. Scholastic Paperbacks.

Lord of Flies

I didn't particularly like this story. I didn't like the way the author wrote about children turning on each other so quickly. I think kids would stick together more often than ganging up on each other and killing each other - maybe it's my upbringing. Their humanity disappated too quickly. It wasn't believable for me.


Kids would probably like it because it is about kids on a deserted island left to fend for themselves. Kids can create their ideas about what they would do differently than the kids in the book. This story would spur a lot of conversation.

Golding, William, & Blumenthal, Bob. (2006). Lord of the flies. Trafford.

Crispin

This is a dark tale about things that have happened in the past such as the Black Plague. There is a journey and adventure and I was intrigued and engaged throughout the story. I hope I will never have to run for my own life like he does in the story. It was a good read.

Student's will be able to read what it is like to have nothing - most student's will understand what that is like for the first time and some will be able to relate to the character. This is not a bright and shiny book but kids need to read this side of life too. It is a bit sugar coated but it is an introduction to the dark side.

Avi. (2003). Crispin. New York, New York.

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod

I thoroughly enjoyed this story because it's a story of a teenager boy learning to be a vampire. He must learn to control his desire for blood. Vampires are "in" right now and this story can be compared to Twilight but aimed at teenage boys. I enjoyed the mystery and how Tod uncovers many secrets that surround his family. This story also touches on stalking and who the main character truly is. We all try to find how each person that we meet actually is on the inside. It was a nice quick read.

Teenage boys need more books like this one. Twilight is aimed at girls and has hit the big screen. This story should become a film as well to draw more boys into the world of reading.

Brewer, Heather. (2008). Eighth grade bites. Speak.

The Hunger Games

This is an adventure story with a little romance. Who doesn't love a little romance? This story reminds me a little of the Gladiator times and a fight between the social classes is a big theme in the story. The story is intense and the reader is anxious to find out what happens next.

Boys and girls would both dive into this story. The boys will like the violence and actions and the girls will enjoy the romance in the story. The book looks like an adult book - reminiscent of John Grisham but it is made for teens.

Collins, Suzanne. (2008). The Hunger games. Scholastic.

The Magician's Elephant

I did not care for this book. The story was slow and choppy and did not hold my interest. A boy is an apprentice and comes across a piece of information from a fortune teller and what happens throughout the rest of the story changes his life. I honestly couldn't make myself finish the book.

I don't think kids will engage in this book either. My niece, an avid book reader, could not finish it either. I do not recommend it. Maybe boys would be interested in it because the main character is a boy.

DiCamillo, Kate. (2009). The Magician's elephant. Candlewick Pr.

The Tale of Despereaux

This is a classic story. It is a magical tale that dives into the point of view of different characters - the readers gets to swim around in their heads. This story teaches how to be true to yourself and how to love and care for someone that is different than you. There is danger, kidnapping, poverty, villains and heroes. I love any story that teaches others how to accept people for who they are.

Kids would like it because it's fun, exciting, and magical. It has also been made into a movie - I find that kids like to read books when they can also watch a movie to put their pictures in their head onto the big screen.

DiCamillo, Kate, & Ering, Timothy. (2006). The Tale of despereaux. Candlewick Pr.

Frog and Toad Together

This is another classic story that will be around for many more years. It is a great story that shows how friends can help each other. One friend is always anxious and the other always tries to calm him down. I can relate very well to this story. This is a very quick read and everyone should read the Frog and Toad series. I also enjoyed the pictures on almost every page.

Kids will like the story of friendship of these two amphibians. They will love the simple pictures and the simple things the friends do together. A lot can be learned by reading about these two friends.


Lobel, Arnold, & Lobel, Arnold. (1972). Frog and toad together ;. HarperTrophy.

Because of Winn Dixie

This was such a sweet story. Opal is new to town and discovers things about people in her town through her new-found dog. Opal also finds new information about her mother that abandoned her. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Kids would love this book mainly because if the great dog and great people Opal meets. Opal and her dog bring the whole town back together. Kids will be able to identify with the characters. This book has also been made into a movie.

DiCamillo, Kate. (2009). Because of Winn-dixie. Candlewick Pr.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Once again, Harry Potter is back with his aunt and uncle during the summer where he stirs up trouble with the family when he argues with his great Aunt Marge and blows her up into a big balloon. Harry Potter runs away from home, finds his way back to Hogwarts where the escaped prisoner from Azkaban is attempting to locate Harry. Harry defeats Dementors by unleashing his inner patronus, a silver stag, he learns more about his father and his father's friends shape shifting abilities, and Snape's hatred for them as Harry discovers that the prisoner, Serius Black, is the wolf he has been seeing. Harry learns that the true traitor to Harry's family was actually Peter Petigrew and not Serius Black , the Dementors attack Black anyway and Harry saves Serius with his patronus again. Harry discovers after Serius has once again been taken prisoner that Serius is indeed Harry's godfather. Dumbledor and Harry plot out away for Serius to once again escape to keep from getting the Dementor's kiss.

Characters are very strong and are very believable. Dialogue shows each of the characters in more depth and allows the reader in to see their personalities.

Rowling, J. (1999). Harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban. Scholastic Paperbacks.

Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone

A lonely orphan named Harry Potter was sent to live with his snobby and dispicable Aunt, Uncle, and cousin and was never told of his parent's secret life. After turning 11, Harry is visited by a half giant named Rubeus Hagrid and is told about his life destined to be a wizard, and how he was the only survivor from Lord Voldemort's attack that killed his parents. Harry soon finds himself on a mysterious train to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry where he befriends a boy named Ron and earns an enemy named Draco Malfoy. Harry and Ron befriend a very intellectual girl named Hermione and the three discover after several events that the hated Professor Snape is after the fabled Sorcerer's Stone. The three get past the three headed dog, through the trap door and pass through the series of traps set up by the professors in the school. The last obstacle Harry realizes that Snape isn't the thief, the villain is Voldemort who shows himself through Professor Quirrel, and Harry outsmarts them by obtaining the stone through the mirror. Harry defeats Quirrel thus defeating Voldemort in spirit form and turns the Sorcerer's Stone back to the head of the school, Professor Dumblebor, and Harry becomes the hero of Hogwarts.

Plot is a VERY strong element because so many details go into this story and series that carry the reader along. The characters are very believable even though they are doing things that normal humans cannot - magic. The characters still suffer everyday tribulations of teenagers.

Rowling, J. (1998). Harry potter and the sorcerer. Arthur A. Levine Books.

Savvy

Savvy is a story about a family who resemble witches - all except Poppa. Every time a family member turns thirteen, the child gets a Savvy which is an extra special ability to they keep for the rest of their life. Mibs is about to turn thirteen and everyone wonders which Savvy she will receive and she starts being able to hear and see tatoos and ink move and speak - this is her Savvy. Mibs hitches a ride and goes on a journey to the hospital with her siblings to save her Poppa who is in a coma from an accident. The driver discovers the stowaways, lets them stay, but their ride takes many stops along the way, the driver meets Lill who understands and cares for the children. The children finally get to the hospital and Mibs tells her father that he has a Savvy too, to never give up, and Poppa speaks to Mibs through his mermaid tatoo that he will never give up and he ends up waking up from his coma.

The plot is very creative and interesting and takes the reader to an interesting world where the children have a bit of magic. Unexpected insights allow Mibs to discover her fathers Savvy.

Law, Ingrid. (2008). Savvy. New York, NY: Dial.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Rodrick Rules

This was a humorous tale. I thought it was very believable and everything in the book could actually happen. The children are creative in the story and turn a bland day into something great. The illustrations are great!

The book has a nice format (a diary) and engages kids that are not particularly interested in reading. Illustrations are cute and comical. Boys and girls will enjoy this boy and will be able to identify with the characters. It is also now a movie.

Kinney, Jeff. (2008). Diary of a wimpy kid. Amulet.

The Magician's Boy

A boy is a magician's assistant and the boy puts on a puppet show after the magician's show. The boy wants to learn magic and doesn't understand why the magician won't show him any magic. The two must go to a very important party and the boy discovers one of his puppets, Saint George, is missing. The magician tells the boy he must find the puppet and the boy is thrown into the Land of Story to find Saint George. The boy wanders through stories and questions characters so he can find the dragon and Saint George. In the end, the boy discovers that he is Saint George and he carried the puppet show off in outstanding form and the magician will now teach him magic just as he wished.

The pictures are bright and colorful to add to the magical mood of the story. The pictures add to the text of the story. The pictures also help to establish the setting because this story has so many setting changes in the Land of Story.


Cooper, Susan, & Riglietti, Serena. (2005). The Magician. New York, NY: Margaret K. McElderry.