Sam and CY students & staff are reading…

Who would like this book? Teens and preteens who like mysteries and suspense. A must for Haddix fans.

Why? Bethany has been raised by doting, overprotective parents that have barely let her out of their sight. Then, just before she turns thirteen, her parents become unglued. Her mom cannot stop crying, and her dad takes her to a strange town to the house of a woman who he says is his sister, her Aunt Myrlie. With unexplained secrecy and speed, her parents drop her off at Aunt Myrlie’s house for a stay of unspecified length and promptly disappear. Bethany has no way to contact them, and her father’s calls are sporadic and filled with fear and mystery. Fortunately for Bethany and for us readers, Aunt Myrlie is a cool lady and so is her grown daughter Joss. The mystery escalates, though, when people in the town seem to recognize Bethany, and when Aunt Myrlie and Joss begin to share some information about the family that her parents have never told her. This book will keep you on the edge.

The details: 218 pp. 2005

Who would like this book? Teens and pre-teens who like a good mystery and are fascinated by Shakespeare. Who was Shakespeare anyway?

Why? Hero, named for the heroine of Much Ado about Nothing, hates her name and the incessant teasing that it generates. When she starts sixth grade at a new school, things go from bad to worse. Hero finds solace in her growing friendship with Mrs. Roth, her eccentric, elderly neighbor. When Mrs. Roth tells her the mystery surrounding an enormously valuable diamond that is rumored to be hidden in Hero’s house, Hero launches into a stealthy plan to find it. An unlikely friendship with Danny, the cutest boy in the eighth grade, and lots of fascinating historical connections with Anne Boleyn and Edward de Vere (a nobleman who some believe the real Shakespeare) add interest and depth to the mystery. Elise Broach is a Shakepeare scholar, and it’s great that she’s written a book aimed at people in their middle school years.

The details: 250 pp. 2005

Who would like this book? Teens who are intrigued by the idea of a futuristic society in which everyone is made Pretty when they turn 16 and want to follow the story of one girl, an Ugly, who is approaching her 16th birthday.

Why? Tally Youngblood is lonely: all of her friends have already turned 16 and had the operation to make them Pretty and have gone to Prettytown to party. As Tally amuses herself by hoverboarding (think skateboarding through the air) and doing “tricks,” the pasttime of Uglies, she meets Shay, another girl who is still an Ugly. The two girls share some exciting adventures, and eventually Shay leads Tally to a concept that is new to her: maybe turning Pretty isn’t such a great idea after all. Tally’s world turns upside because of her friendship with Shay and the realization that there is another option for living. What follows is a story that zips along with adventure, romance, friendship, betrayal, and self-realization. It’s the first of a trilogy, followed by Pretties and Specials.

The details: 448 pp. 2005

Who would like this book? Pre-teens and teens who like the possibilities and the challenges of a girl pretending to be a boy. Liking dogs is also a big draw for this book.

Why? Joannie has been frustrated by the boys at her school, mainly because they won’t let her play sports with them. When she moves to a new school and her name mistakenly shows up as “John” instead of “Joan,” she runs with it and enthusiastically plunges into life as a boy. Of course, she soon discovers that being a boy has just as many challenges as being a girl. The process of this discovery is humorous, engaging, and insightful. Her evolving relationship with her mom (and dog) is noteworthy. Interspersed throughout the book are Joanie’s installments of her “Superkids” stories, which teachers accept now that she’s a “boy.” Reading this book would be a great way to open up discussion about gender stereotypes.

The details: 160 pp. 2005

Who would like this book? Pre-teens and teens who are interested in Mexico and in the story of a 13-year-old girl who must immigrate from Mexico to the United States and from a position of economic privilege to one of economic deprivation.

Why? Pam Munoz Ryan used the experiences of her grandmother in writing Esperanza Rising, and this historical connection fills the story with authenticity and poignancy. Esperanza is an endearing character who must adapt to a jarring turn-around in her life. She has lived as a princess on her father’s ranch in Mexico, where the world revolved around her. When a tragedy makes it necessary for her to escape with her mother to the United States, Esperanza must adjust to life as a worker in the Depression-era agricultural camps in California. The details of her friendships and the challenges that she faces (the description of her learning to sweep is riveting) are great, and the historically accurate depiction of the strikes and deportations during the Depression add to the value of the book.

The details: 262 p. 2002

Who would like this book? Pre-teens and teens who want to be charmed by two characters (Lord Scarecrow and his trusted servant Jack) in a fairy-tale-style story that is fun, captivating, and meaningful.

Why? I love Don Quixote, and this book by Philip Pullman reminded me of his sincerely misguided adventures with his servant Sancho Panza. It’s all here: the absurd adventures, the unlikely romance, the moral, and the irony. You will love the common sense of young Jack, who keeps finding replacement parts for Lord Scarecrow (their adventures take a toll on his body parts). Their adventures are inspired by Lord Scarecrow’s need to find Spring Valley, a place that is inscribed in his heart. Mystery and danger follow them as they journey to Spring Valley – the evil Buffaloni family have their greedy plans for this land – and Lord Scarecrow must thwart evil at every turn!

The details: 229 p. 2004

Who would like this book? Anyone who is interested in the meaning and power of family, people to love and a place to belong. The target audience is preteens and young teens, but it’s the kind of book that would warm the heart and prick the mind of readers of any age.
Why? Because of Lucky, a plucky 10-year-old who grabbed my heart with her honest take on the world, her need for a family, and her search for the “Higher Power” of the ten-step programs that she listens in on through the window. Her mom died two years earlier in a freak accident, and her absentee father sent for Brigitte, his French ex-wife, to care for her. Brigitte brings a French touch to their life in Hard Pan (population 42), but Lucky worries that she might be feeling restless and wanting to get back to France. Her worries about Brigitte spurn her to make a drastic decision. Lucky has big friendships with her faithful dog, HMS Beagle, and her neighbors Miles and Lincoln, who she tries to imagine “how he’d look when he grew into his ears.” (p. 63) I love the quirky take on everyday life.

The details: 134 p. 2006

Who would like this book? Pre-teens and younger teens with a twisted sense of humor and like Dav Pilkey, Goosebumps, Lemony Snicket, and maybe Mad magazine. The absurdity of this story outdoes itself.

Why? Lily Gefelty is a curious 12-year-old with two seriously talented friends (Kate is the star of “Horror Hollow” and Jasper is “Boy Technonaut”) and a father who fails in his attempt to make his job appear normal. Lily wonders why her dad’s boss wears a sack over his head and become alarmed when she overhears him talking about taking over the world. She takes this threat seriously, and Jasper and Kate pledge their allegiance to her as they fight to save the world. It’s a zany fight, with continual digressions and, of course, whales on stilts. If that phrase resonates with you, you’ll probably love this book and laugh out loud throughout. If the phrase makes you roll your eyes and yawn, look for something that’s more grounded.

The details: 188 pp. 2005