Shark Girl, posted by Mrs. Schauer

SHARK GIRL, by Kelly Bingham
AR: Yes
Interest Level: High School

This novel in verse tells the story of fifteen year old Jane, who is attacked by a shark in the waters of California. The book is broken into three sections. The first delves into her recovery process in the hospital, the second deals with Jane's fear of returning to her high school--she worries about how people will react to her and how she'll manage with only one arm. The final part describes how Jane comes to accept the reality of her situation.

For those of you out there that enjoyed CRANK, BURNED, and WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW, this novel in verse might be just what you're looking for...

CHEATED, by Patrick Jones Posted by Mrs. Schauer

CHEATED, by Patrick Jones
AR: Yes
Interest Level: Upper Grades

A couple of teenagers beat a homeless man to death after he stiffs them two bucks on a beer run. Talk about an opening that sucks the reader in! This is the story of Mick, one of the kids who was there and witnessed the murder. This book tells about the series of events that led up to the murder and the attempt to cover it up and avoid punishment. Jones does a fantastic job of taking the reader into the mind of a tortured and confused young man—a definite page-turner!

KISSING TENNESSEE, by Kathi Appelt Posted by Mrs. Schauer

KISSING TENNESSEE, by Kathi Appelt
AR: Yes
Interest Level: Upper Grades

A menagerie of short stories, all centering around one event—the Stardust Dance at Dogwood Middle School. Some of the stories include a boy questioning his sexuality, a girl remembering her upbringing in sadistically fundamentalist home, a boy trying to forget his dead girlfriend and move on, and a girl working up the courage to report that she’s been raped by the star athlete and most popular boy in town. Each one of these stories finds its way into the reader’s heart—I loved this book. It's a great, quick read that I was not able to put down.

UGLIES, by Scott Westerfield Posted by Hailee, Freshman

UGLIES, by Scott Westerfield
AR: Yes
Vocabulary Quiz: Yes
Interest Level: Upper Grades

Picture this: you live in a world where everyone who's normal is ugly. That's what it's like for Tally Youngblood and she can't wait for what's coming up.... Her sixteenth birthday. Where Tally lives when you turn sixteen you have an operation that makes you stunningly gorgeous, and that is all that Tally has ever wanted. Everything is great and on schedule when one night someone new comes into her life and shows her that being pretty isn't everything. Tally soon has to make the decision to either become perfect and gorgeous or remain ugly.......... FOREVER. Now I'm not a reader at all and I loved this book and I am currently reading the third of its series. To find out what Tally's decision was do what I did and become hooked on this amazing series.

Eleven and Twelve, by Lauren Myracle, Posted by Ashlynn S., 6th Grader

ELEVEN, by Lauren Myracle TWELVE, by Lauren Myracle
AR: Yes
Interest Level: Middle Grade

I read both of these books and they were really great. I think it might be one of the best books I have ever read. Both of these books are about a little girl named
Winnie. The little girl reminds me of myself. We are very similar
in different ways. These books truly are some of the best books I have
ever read and I encourage you to read them.