Fiction
Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women
Meg, Beth, Jo, and Amy live with their mother; their father is away in the army. Students also recommended A Long Fatal Love Chase. Classic. Moderate.
Alvarez, Julia. In the Time of the Butterflies
Based on the true story of the Mirabal sisters, Julia Alvarez tells of a family’s life in the Dominican Republic under the rule of Trujillo, the evil dictator. Three sisters, brave Minerva, pious Patria, and carefree, beautiful Maria Teresa are attacked and killed while serving the underground movement against the tyrant. Dede, their cautious fourth sister, survives to look back on their childhood. Told from the points of view of all the sisters, the story of their innocent beginnings and their martyred ends is a magnificent blend of fact and fiction that portrays loyalty, love, and a fight for freedom. Moderate.
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice
As a young, single woman living in provincial England at the turn of the eighteenth century, Elizabeth Bennet must concern herself with finding a husband. This book explores the misjudgements and confusions that can arise in the process. "I recommend this book to people who like happy endings." Students also recommended Emma and Sense and Sensibility. Classic. Challenging.
Brashares, Ann. The of the Traveling Pants
A pair of vintage pants keeps four friends together during their first summer apart. The four friends, Lena, Bridget, Tibby and Camron send these magical pants to each other throughout the summer, while imagining where each traveled and romantic situations they experienced wearing these pants. They all have different journeys that they embark on during the summer. Tibby stays home to attend to her job. But takes back an amazing memory that will last her and her friends the rest of their lives of that magical summer with the Traveling Pants. This book reflects love, betrayal, trust, and true friendship.Easy
Burgess, Anthony. A Clockwork Orange
Can and should a criminal mind be fixed? Set in a nightmarish society, where criminals must be rehabilitated to make room in the prisons for politicos, this book explores the morals behind this question by following the retraining of one hoodlum. Challenging.
Burns, Olive Ann. Leaving Cold Sassy
This book picks up ten years after the death of Will Tweedy's grandfather and the conclusion to Cold Sassy Tree. Now twenty-five years old, Will returns home from college to go to a school picnic for Sampson, his grandfather's child. At the picnic, he meets Sanna Klein, a beautiful new school teacher, and begins to confront the ways his hometown is changing. "A great book. If you liked Cold Sassy Tree, then you will enjoy the sequel. It is unfinished though, because Olive Ann Burns died of cancer while writing it." Moderate.
Capote, Truman. Other Voices, Other Rooms
After losing his mother, Joel is sent to live with his father and his new wife. As he struggles to settle into new surroundings, Joel faces unexpected problems with his father and his wacky Uncle Randolph who shares the house with them. "I recommend this book to an advanced reader who has the patience to wait until the end of the book for the story to be pulled together." Challenging.
Carcatera, Lorenzo. Sleepers
After a small prank turns into an almost fatal accident, four boys from the streets of New York City's Hell's Kitchen end up in a juvenile correction center where they suffer daily beatings and sexual abuse. Twenty years later, they exact their revenge. "This is probably one of the best books I've read in a while." "I would recommend this book for anyone who can read." Moderate.
Chabon, Michael. The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Sammy Klayman, a struggling advertisement artist from Brooklyn, and Josef Kavalier, his Czechoslovakian cousin with a varied background in fine arts and magic, may seem like unlikely business partners. But when Josef arrives from Prague in 1939, just escaping the Nazi persecution of his people, he and Sammy strike it rich with The Escapist, one of the hottest-selling comic books of its newly popular genre. Their success is only the beginning of the pair’s sometimes exhilarating, sometimes heartbreaking adventures. Their intertwined life stories become just as fantastical as the fictional tales that made them famous. ChallengingCabot, Meg. Princess in Pink
This is one of the Princess Diaries Books. Princess Mia really would like to go to the prom with her boyfriend Michael. The problem is that Michael thinks that the prom is stupid because they play horrible music and he is not going to have a good time. It doesn't help that Mia’s mother is pregnant with her math teacher’s baby. This book takes place in New York City and of course Mia also has to deal with Princess lessons. This book is written in diary form and relates to teenagers. Easy
Chevalier, Tracy. Virgin Blue
Ella Turner, a California native and midwife, finds herself living in an unwelcoming French village after her husband gets a new position with an architecture firm. She divides her time between learning the language and rediscovering her family
heritage. Throughout Ella’s narrative, Isabelle du Moulin, one of her ancestors, and a seventeenth century peasant who lived in France , tells her own tragic and disturbing story. The events which sculpted Isabelle’s existence end up transforming Ella and leading her to reevaluate her life. Moderate
Crew, Linda. Children of the River
War in Cambodia forces Sundara to move to America when she is thirteen. This book tells the story of her struggle to adjust to her life in this new country. Sundara worries about the safety of her family in Cambodia and eventually feels torn between her loyalty to Cambodian culture and her love for an American boy. Moderate.
Dessen, Sarah. Someone Like You
Scarlett and Halley are what you would call always-be-there-for-each-other, best friends. So when Scarlett's “first love” dies in a motorcycle accident she looks to confide in Halley, who is due home from camp the next week. Alone and scared, she seeks comfort in a sketchy “no-named” guy who secretly slips her something. Scarlett wakes up the next morning only to have a horrible hangover and find out that she’s pregnant. This is a story of true friendship as Halley learns to cope with the stress and responsibilities of having a pregnant best friend while her own love story unravels. Easy
Dostoyevsky, Fyodor. Crime and Punishment
Raskolnikov commits a gruesome murder in a moment of desperation and revulsion. This books tells the story of his struggle with the moral implications of the crime; it also weaves a web thick with unique characters and intriguing sub-plots that all come together in the end. "This is an unforgettable novel that should not be missed." "The ending is perfect." Classic. Challenging.
Dumas, Alexandre. The Black Tulip
When war strikes the Ottoman Empire around 1720, Laleena’s father is recruited as a war artist, but never returns, even after it is over. Laleena, and her younger brother Cengiz, have to provide food for their family. When offered money for her family to live on, in exchange for her hand in marriage, she readily accepts. Against her mother’s wishes, she leaves her home in the darkness of the night, to fulfill what she thinks will save her family, only to find that it is a trap. Will this family ever be reunited? Read this story to find out. Challenging
Dumas, Alexandre. The Count of Monte Cristo
Falsely accused of treason, the young sailor Edmund Dantes is arrested on his wedding day and imprisoned in the island fortress of the Chateau d'If. After staging a dramatic escape, he sets out to discover the fabulous treasure of Monte Cristo and catch up with his enemies. A novel of enormous tension and excitement, Monte Cristo is also a tale of obsession and revenge. (publisherís synopsis) Classic. Moderate.
Flagg, Fannie. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
Evelyn, a depressed, middle-aged woman, meets Mrs. Threadgoode, a talkative old woman, at a nursing home. The story goes back and forth in time as Mrs. Threadgoode tells stories about life in Alabama during the 1930s. We especially come to know her two friends, Idgie and Ruth, who ran the Whistle Stop Cafe. "It was funny and also very sad." "A great book--many glimpses into the time of segregation and ordinary Southern life." Students also recommended Daisy Fay and The Miracle Man. Moderate.
Grisham, John. Bleachers
The greatly admired all-American Nelly Crenshaw of the Messina Spartans returned to Messina for the passing of his sometimes hated but other times loved coach Eddie Rake. When he gets there he sees all the other players from his generation and generations after, that were coached by Eddie Rake. Follow the players as they take an amazing trip back into the glory days and remember all of the good things with Coach Rake and the bad thing. Find out about the Spartan marathon and how Coach Eddie Rake ran these high school stars to death… literally. Moderate
Grisham, John. A Time to Kill
A Black man kills the two white men who raped and beat his daughter. This book tells the story of the trial and of the young lawyer who defends the black man. It also raises interesting questions about the ethics of taking justice into one's own hands. Students also recommended The Pelican Brief, The Firm, The Client, The Chamber, The Rainmaker, and The Runaway Jury. Moderate.
Groom, Winston. Gump & Co.
After the death of his beloved Jenny, Forrest is left to take care of little Forrest himself. He tries playing professional football, hog farming, selling encyclopedias, inventing a new Coke and other funny schemes. Now in his forties, Forrest still has the same charm he did in Forrest Gump. Moderate.
Guterson, David. Snow Falling on Cedars
Kabuo Miyamoto is on trial for killing fellow fisherman Carl Heine in the waters off San Pedro Island in the Puget Sound. In between scenes in the courtroom, the author flashes back to scenes of the characters' earlier lives, especially up to and during World War II. We learn about the evolving relationship between the whites and the Japanese-Americans in this community as we learn about the pasts of the individual characters. "A love story and a mystery." Moderate.
Haddon, Mark. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Christopher is the smartest fifteen-year-old in his school yet he cowers when he has to talk to strangers, touch anything that is the color yellow, or be in crowded rooms. When Christopher sees his neighbor’s dog stabbed to death on the lawn he is determined to find the person who murdered the dog. However, while on the search for the killer he discovers more than he ever could have imagined, and unlocks the secrets of his obscured past. The story of an autistic child, Christopher’s journey is one of courage, discovery, and confidence in oneself. Moderate
Hamill, Pete. Snow in August
Michael Devlin was just an ordinary boy living in a small apartment with his mother. He lived in Brooklyn, New York, and was an only child. Michael worked at a church near his house, serving as an altar boy on Sunday morning masses. Walking back from church one day, Michael stumbled upon the doors of a Jewish temple. He did not realize that there was someone inside, and as any interested young kid would do, he went into the temple. He met a man by the name of Rabbi Hirsch, and they had many adventures together. Between going to a baseball game and summoning an ancient creature to get rid of some enemies, Michael Devlin had the most memorable summer of his life. Moderate
Haruf, Kent. Plainsong
A story of family, tribulation, and tenacity, set on the High Plains east of Denver. In the small town of Holt, Colorado, a high school teacher struggles to raise his two sons alone; a pregnant teenager, deserted by her older boyfriend, is cast out of her mother's house; two elderly brothers, lifelong bachelors, farm their declining family homestead. Despite differences of place and station in life, Haruf's unforgettable characters come together to survive, with their confusion, dignity, and humor intact and resonant. (Publisherís synopsis) Moderate.
Hassler, Jon. Grand Opening
In the 1940s, a family from the city moves to a small, quiet town called Plum and opens a store. The book tells the story of the problems they encounter with their new neighbors and the way their lives take shape during and after World War II. Moderate.
Heller, Joseph. Catch 22
Set in the closing months of World War II on a small island off the coast of Italy, this book tells the story of Yossarian, a member of a bomber squadron, who has decided to live forever. Full of bizarre characters--including Lieutenant Milo Minderbinder, Dori Duz, and Major Major Major--the book makes you laugh even as it reminds you of how stupid and awful war can be. Moderate.
Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea
An old fisherman has been having bad luck at sea until one day he sets out and catches an enormous marlin. This book tells the story of his determination to reel the fish into his boat. "It was very interesting and unpredictable." Students also recommended To Have and Have Not. Classic. Moderate.
Hersey, John. The Child Buyer
Told through the voices of different witnesses at a trial, this book tells the story of a brilliant, conceited boy and the man convicted for trying to buy him for his corporation. The trial becomes increasingly interesting as we learn more about the case and as people who swore they would never sell the boy suddenly vouch on the child-buyer's side. Hersey explores issues surrounding the methods of education and the role of geniuses in our society. "It is thrilling to read about the sale of a ten-year-old boy who has the mind of a genius and a juvenile delinquent as a best friend." Moderate.
Hurwin, Davida Wells. A Time for Dancing
Dreaming of their future, Julie and Samantha believe they will live together forever. Little do they know, the summer before senior year Julie is diagnosed with Leukemia. Once amazing dancer, Julie struggles through chemotherapy, Sam seems to become distant to her. However, during the dreadful hospital visits, optimistic Sam stays by Julie’s side, holding tight to her hand, giving her hope that she will dance with her best friend again. This is a compelling story of a sacred bond that not even the deadliest sickness can break. Easy
Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
In the rigid mental asylum, ruled over by one of literature’s most evil characters, Nurse Ratchet, there is nothing worse than even the smallest form of chaos. With patients drugged to be kept submissive, and "group sessions" in which their thoughts and feelings are picked apart methodically, the big nurse holds total control. But with the entrance of the big, brash and bold R.P. "Mack" McMurphy, a petty criminal deemed ‘insane,’ the whole system is turned upside down. McMurphy’s spark will set a flame of rebellion and the fight for freedom that ensues will leave no character – and no reader – untouched. Moderate
Kidd, Sue Monk. The Secret Life of Bees
This inspiring story follows the travels of 12 year old Lily Owens in her escape from her uncaring, strict father. After rescuing her beloved black nanny /mother figure, from prison, she journeys to find out more about a topic that haunts Lily everyday. It was said that Lily had shot her mother by accident when she was young. Two objects, a picture and old glove, from her mother’s past lead her to Tiberon, South Carolina. Here, she boards at the home of a beekeeper and her sisters, where she learns the meaning of a caring family, how terrible prejudice is, and what really happened to her mother. Moderate
Kinsella, Sophie. Shopaholic Ties the Knot
Becky and Luke will get married, but the real question is where? New York or London? They both grew up in London before they moved to New York for work. Becky’s mom is now planning a beautiful place for them to get married in London. However, Luke’s mom is also planning a spectacular theme wedding, and a lovely service in New York, Becky fancies both. This story is also about love, not just where to have the wedding. Luke doesn’t seem to care where to have the wedding; as long as the bride is happy. Easy
Lamb, Wally. Sheís Come Undone
Meet Dolores Price. She's 13, wise-mouthed but wounded, having bid her childhood goodbye. Stranded in front of her bedroom TV, she spends the next few years nourishing herself with the Mallomars, potato chips, and Pepsi that her anxious mother supplies. When she finally orbits into young womanhood at 257 pounds, Dolores is no stronger and life is no kinder. But this time she's determined to rise to the occasion and give herself one more chance before she really goes under. (Publisherís synopsis) Moderate.
Leroux, Gaston. The Phantom of the Opera
This book tells the story of the phantom who, the author insists, really did inhabit the Paris Opera House at one time. The phantom falls in love with one of the opera singers, Christine, and plans to take her away to live with him forever. At the same time, another man is in love with Christine and is determined to save her. "It's a really good book because the plot is constantly twisting and turning and is very intricate, yet not completely confusing." Classic. Moderate.
Levitin, Sonia. Silver Days
This book is the sequal to Journey to America. The Platts are finally together again after escaping from Nazi Germany, but they discover that starting over in a new land, even America, is hard. Papa and Mama, once among the elite in Germany, now must work hard to make ends meet. Lisa, who envisioned America based on what she saw in the movies, must deal with her disappointment. And she and her sister find themselves alone more than they ever were before. These might not be the golden days for which the Platt family wished, but they may become "silver days." Moderate.
Lichtman, Wendy. Telling Secrets
This book really tells two stories in one: how Toby deals with her father being in jail and how she adjusts to life in college. After Toby's mother finds out that she has told someone at school about her father, the two need to come to some sort of reconciliation. Moderate.
Lipsyte, Robert. The Chief
Sonny Bear, the Tomahawk Kid, is in major trouble. His career in the professional boxing league is leading him nowhere. After losing another frustrating match he cleans out his locker at the gym, with the strong possibility of quitting boxing in his mind. His friend and writer Martin Witherspoon, and Alfred his manager, who is a cop and once was a contender, get Sonny to go to Las Vegas to get his title match back. The problem is that Sonny doesn’t enjoy the life of a star as much as he wants to. Now in this fight he has to decide how he wants to lead his life. Easy
Maclean, Norman. A River Runs Through It and Other Stories
In the title novella, the main character tells us about his father, a Presbyterian minister who sees "no line between religion and fly fishing," and his brother Paul, who fishes with talent and grace but cannot seem to make his way in the world otherwise. We learn a lot about frontier Montana, fly-fishing and family relationships by the end. Moderate.
Marchetta, Melina. Saving Francesca
Francesca’s a lively, girl, though no one would know. Ever since she started St Sebastian’s, a nearly all boys school, she feels like she has no one. Her normally determined mother has fallen into depression, she no longer tells Francesca to take new risks, and to fight for what she believes in. Francesca starts to feel depressed herself and isn’t winning any of her battles. She finds herself with five unbelievably caring friends and realizes she has all she ever wanted. This book is about being true to yourself, no matter the obstacle. Easy
Markandaya, Kamala. Nectar in a Sieve
Promised to her husband at age twelve, Rukmani leaves her family to begin life as a grown woman. Hardly an adult, she must learn to be a wife to a peasant farmer of India whom she has just met. Like the other villagers, Rukmani and her husband live from harvest to harvest on the bare necessities. India is changing however, more are leaving the simple agricultural lifestyle behind, and when a tannery is built in their small village Rukmani’s sons leave their father’s land with hopes of a better life. Rukmani struggles with poverty, hardships, and modernization while also fighting to keep her family strong. Moderate
Mitchard, Jacquelyn. The Deep End of the Ocean
After Beth loses her son at a reunion, she and her family struggle to cope with their loss. Her other son, who blames himself for what happened, has an especially rough life. Then years later, the mother recognizes the boy who mows their lawn as her lost son and the characters face a whole new set of issues. Moderate.
Mitchell, Margaret. Gone with the Wind
This is the famous story of Scarlett O'Hara, who begins the belle of her southern county but ends up a confused outcast. After the Civil War, Scarlett sets up a lumber business--something unheard-of for a woman--in order to keep her home. She also meets Rhett Butler. The fate of her home and her relationship make up the rest of the story. "The book went quickly despite its 1,000 pages. A good book for those interested in the Civil War." Classic. Moderate.
Myers, Walter Dean. Hoops
Imagine living in Harlem, NY and the only talent you have is playing basketball. In this book, Lonnie Jackson tries out for a team to try to get into college. The team’s coach, Cal Jones, always tries to embarrass Lonnie. It turns out that Cal used to play in the National Basketball Association. Lonnie and Cal help each other out with personal problems throughout this book. Mary-Ann, Lonnie’s girlfriend and his best friend’s sister, also helps him overcome his problems. This is a book about friendship and finding out what is important in life. Easy
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Send No Blessings
Beth is a fifteen-year-old girl living in a trailer with her parents and her seven younger brothers and sisters. She has ambitions to leave her small West Virginia town by learning to type, but her plans become more complicated when she falls in love with a boy several years older than she. "It's really easy to relate to and funny." Moderate.
O'Brien, Tim. The Things They Carried
In a series of short stories, O'Brien describes people, places, and events that he encountered in the Vietnam War or that he imagines based on his experiences there. Full of vivid, violent imagery and powerful emotions, this book explores the tragic nature of the war and the fine line between fact and fiction in such surreal settings. Challenging.
Orwell, George. 1984
Newspeak, doublethink, thoughtcrime--in 1984, George Orwell created a whole vocabulary of words concerning totalitarian control that have since passed into our common vocabulary. More importantly, he has portrayed a chillinglycredible dystopia. In our deeply anxious world, the seeds of unthinking conformity are everywhere in evidence; and Big Brother is always looking for his chance. ( amazon.com review--Daniel Hintzsche) Moderate.
Palahniuk, Chuck. Fight Club
Every weekend, in the basements and parking lots of bars across the country, young men with good white-collar jobs and absent fathers take off their shoes and shirts and fight each other barehanded just as long as they have to. Then they go back to those jobs with blackened eyes and loosened teeth and the sense that they can handle anything. Fight club is the invention of Tyler Durden, projectionist, waiter, and dark, anarchic genius, and it's only the beginning of his plans for revenge on a world where cancer support groups have the corner on human warmth. As the narrator of Fight Club puts it: "If people thought you were dying, they gave you their full attention." Where does Tyler Durden come from? Why do his violent schemes so capture the troubled, insomniac narrator? What events bring them to the roof of the world's tallest building, wired to explode in ten minutes? What will the end of the millennium feel like? Readers of this novel are going to find out. (Publisherís synopsis) Moderate.
Pfeffer, Susan Beth. Fantasy Summer
Robin is a sixteen-year-old who has the opportunity to spend the summer as a magazine publisher's intern in New York City. Robin has a range of experiences with the three other girls who are also interns. In the end, all four girls have different boyfriends, and one ends up on the cover of the magazine. "A great book for teenagers." Moderate.
Potok, Chaim. The Chosen
Set in the Jewish community in Brookly just after World War II, the book begins with a baseball game between the school teams of two rival Jewish sects. The game becomes fiercely competetive until Danny, at bat, nearly blinds Reuven, the pitcher. When Danny visits Reuven in the hospital, they begin an intense friendship which will eventually change Reuven's relationship with his strictly Hasidic father. "I learned a lot about Judaism. The book also has some very powerful lessons about life, especially friendship." Moderate.
Price, Reynolds. Kate Vaiden
Kate Vaiden's early life is full of tragedy, from the death of both her parents' to that of her fiancee. Despite misfortune as well as mistakes, Kate's character remains passionate and strong. We follow her until she reaches middle age, discovers a yearning for the child she abandoned with her aunt years before, and decides she is ready to confront a part of her life she once left behind. Moderate.
Rawls, Wilson. Where the Red Fern Grows
Billy trains his two hounds, Old Dan and Little Ann, to be the best hunting team in his small Appalachian town. He has so much success that he begins entering many more contests with them. "An exciting story with a tragic, touching ending." Easy.
Rostand, Edmond. Cyrano de Bergerac
Cyrano has an uncommonly large nose, an uncommonly large heart, and a wonderful way with words. Christian has an extremely handsome face and a tongue perpetually tied in knots. Both men love Cyrano's cousin Roxane. They figure that they can win Roxane's love with Christian's looks and Cyrano's eloquence, but their scheme eventually brings them into conflict with each other. Classic. Moderate.
Rubin, Susan. Emily Good as Gold
Emily is a thirteen-year-old with small mental disability. Her parents send her to a special school and are afraid to give her the same freedom her friends have. She has grown tired of being treated like a baby when she is suddenly faced with a difficult problem. This book tells the story of how she learns to deal with this problem and eventually grows up in her family's eyes. Moderate.
Salinger, J.D. Catcher in the Rye
Salinger's classic coming-of-age story portrays one young man's funny and poignant experiences with life, love, and sex. Classic. Moderate.
Sebold, Alice. The Lovely Bones
"I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973," Susie Salmon said looking down on her family from heaven. From this point on, the story develops very quickly, and this teenager describes to us beginning exactly how she was murdered and who the murderer was. This breathtaking story shows how each member of the family had to cope with her startling death at such a young age and how she let go. Lovely Bones is a heartwarming novel that sends a powerful message about families needing to stay together and remain strong through the disasters and struggles life may bring. ModerateSparks, Nicholas. A Bend in the Road
Miles Ryan is deeply in love with his wife when she unexpectedly dies in a hit-and-run car accident. The devastated Miles vows to bring the murderer to justice, but soon there are no new leads to follow. Two years later, he finds himself falling in love, something he had never dreamed could happen again, and is soon spending all his time with Sarah Andrews, his son’s teacher. However, as the truth of the murder finally begins to surface, the dark, hidden secrets uncovered threaten to tear up their relationship forever. Nicolas Sparks’ brilliantly written story tests the strength of love. Moderate.
Sparks, Nicholas. The Notebook
The story begins when Allison Nelson, a beautiful 28 year-old socialist, visits Noah Calhoun, an attractive 31 year-old dreamer and a “poet,” in New Bern, North Carolina. During the first three days they spend together, they fall in love with one another, just like they did 14 years ago. But then Allie hesitates between her fiancé and her first love Noah. Allie chooses the one she loves and later they face unfortunate challenges. This story is an example of true everlasting love that everyone admires.Moderate
Shute, Nevil. A Town Like Alice
This book tells the story of a young English woman who survives a Japanese death march in Malay during World War II. During the march, Jean meets an Australian soldier who helps her and her comrades at great risk to himself. Several years later, Jean sets out on a search that leads her back to this man and to the Australian outback where they build their relationship as they build a new town. "Read this book!" Students also recommended On the Beach.. Moderate.
Smith, Betty. Joy in the Morning
Annie and Carl Brown are a young couple in the 1920s. Married young, without their parents' blessings, they face tough circumstances together. At one point, Carl is juggling law school and three jobs, while Annie is taking care of a new baby. Their relationship survives despite these challenges. "I got really involved in this book and finished it in two days. I liked reading about how a lunch cost five cents." Moderate.
Smith, Zadie. White Teeth
"We’re not licensed for suicides," the butcher tersely growled at Archie Jones, who was sitting in a car full of carbon monoxide. Across town, Samad Iqbal, in a relentless battle against life, was punched in the nose. Meanwhile, Clara Bowden, trying to escape her faith, gets in a motorcycle accident, but emerges unscathed except for missing her two, front pearly-whites. White Teeth is an eye-opener set in the vibrant society of 1980’s London, where the lives of these individuals and others are intertwined in a chaotic whirlwind of struggling with: belonging, love, how to live life, temptations, and letting go. Challenging
Spinelli, Jerry. Stargirl
Leo is a normal boy who is just one of "them". Mica High School is full of "them". Then Stargirl Caraway shows up to make the world spin out of control. She strums her ukulele at lunch and wears bright, colorful skirts and steals Leo’s heart. The whole school gets more spirit as she joins the cheerleading squad but one wrong move and the school starts shunning her. She has to decide if trying to fit in is the way to happiness when she’s born to stand out. As Stargirl learns, being yourself is important. This book is about staying true to yourself and not changing yourself for others. Easy
Stewart, Mary. Nine Coaches Waiting
An English woman is about to become a governess for a little boy, when she falls in love with the boy's older cousin and gets caught in the middle of a family crisis involving the boy, the family's money, and the family's property. Students also recommended My Brother Michael. Moderate.
Tan, Amy. Hundred Secret Senses
Olivia Laguni, a young Chinese girl in San Francisco, discovered on her father’s deathbed, of her long-lost step sister, Kwan Li. Expecting a tall, thin, younger sister to be looked up upon throughout their childhood, Kwan arrives at the airport as a complete retrograde upon Olivia’s prevision. Naturally, the younger sister acts as the more "annoying" than the responsible one. Agitated because of Kwan’s constant obstructions, Olivia discovers Kwan’s "secret senses." Through Kwan’s "yin" eyes, Olivia discovers a love for the lost culture of China, and a whole new way to see the world. Moderate.
Twain, Mark. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
The main character is sent back in time to King Arthur's court, where he introduces various technologies and tries to "civilize" the people. "Whether the boss is making dynamite grenades or teaching the knights to play baseball, this book is sure to please." Students also recommended Pudd'n Head Wilson. Classic. Moderate.
Tyler, Anne. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant
Pearl has three children to take care of by herself after her husband leaves. Cody takes his father's departure hardest, becoming wild as a teenager, greedy and ambitious as an adult. Jenny, determined to succeed from the start, achieves her goal of becoming a doctor but fails in her personal relationships. Ezra is the only child who never leaves home. Passive and gentle, he opens a restaurant where he hopes to create the kind of family atmosphere his life has always lacked. This book tells the story of how all four get along, not only with each other but also with the rest of the world. "I recommend this book highly. It is not hard reading, but it is entertaining." Students also recommended The Clock Winder. Moderate.
Verne, Jules. Around the World in Eighty Days
Phineas Fogg makes a bet for 20,000 pounds that he can go around the world in eighty days, a feat never before accomplished. He faces many obstacles to his goal, including being charged with a bank robbery, taking a train on an unfinished track, missing scheduled departures and saving an Indian girl. Classic. Moderate.
Von Ziegesar, Cecily. Gossip Girl
What will Blair do when her gorgeous old best friend Serena transfers back to Manhattan from private school, while Blair’s boyfriend Nate is sexually attracted to Serena? It’s a totally different story for Serena when she gets back to Manhattan from her Connecticut private school. Gossip goes around about Serena, which doesn’t help Serena’s efforts to be friends again with Blair. Many different events occur at school and at parties which don’t help Blair’s and Serena’s friendship situation. What will happen among Blair, Nate, and Serena? Easy
Walker, Alice. The Color Purple
The book tells the story of Celie who lives with her abusive husband, separated from her sister and children. When her husband's lover, Shug, comes to visit one day, the two women form a bond which changes Celie's life. "A beautiful book, written in the strained English of the main character." "You will come out knowing that you can do anything you want to, but you make just need that push to help." Moderate.
Waller, Robert James. The Bridges of Madison County
Francesca is a farmwife yearning for attention; Robert is a photographer with a very romantic side. The book tells the story of their week-long love affair through the point of view of Francesca looking back years later. "I saw the movie about a year ago but I definitely liked the book better." Moderate.
Wells, Rebecca. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
When Siddalee Walker, oldest daughter of Vivi Abbott Walker, Ya-Ya extraordinaire, is interviewed in the New YorkTimes about a hit play she's directed, her mother gets described as a "tap-dancing child abuser." Enraged, Vivi disowns Sidda. Devastated, Sidda begs forgiveness, and postpones her upcoming wedding. All looks bleak until the Ya-Yas step in and convince Vivi to send Sidda a scrapbook of their girlhood mementos, called "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." As Sidda struggles to analyze her mother, she comes face to face with the tangled beauty of imperfect love, and the fact that forgiveness, more than understanding, is often what the heart longs for. (Description from Amazon.com) Moderate.
Wiggin, Kate Douglas. Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
This book tells the story of Rebecca Randall's life, from her early years at home taking care of her brother and sister to her later years living with her aunts and attending school. "This is a great book about life in the early 1900s." Moderate.
Auel, Jean M. The Clan of the Cave Bear
This book is the first of a series about a woman named Ayla living during the Stone Age. After an earthquake kills Ayla's mother, Ayla is found half-dead by Iza, the medicine woman of the clan of the Cave Bear. The clan accepts Ayla and treats her as Iza's daughter, but Ayla brings them problems by refusing to take the role that Clan women have. "This book is interesting because it describes a lifestyle totally foreign to us. The names are hard to keep track of, because they are so unfamiliar, but I would definitely recommend this book." Students also recommended The Mammoth Hunters and The Plains of Passage. Moderate.Barrett, Tracy. Anna of Byzantium
Princess Anna Comnena has everything that she has ever wanted. She will one day be Empress of Byzantium, and she is her father’s first born and favorite child. She is betrothed to a handsome man of upper class; also, she and her sister are close friends and do everything together. But there is a problem, a baby brother is born, John. John is spoiled and cannot even read. He is not fit to rule Byzantium until Anna is forced to give it up. Is this the end of Princess Anna Comnena? Or will she become the greatest woman in Byzantine history? Moderate.
Dumas, Alexandre. The Count of Monte Christo
Falsely accused of treason, the young sailor Edmund Dantes is arrested on his wedding day and imprisoned in the island fortress of the Chateau d'If. After staging a dramatic escape, he sets out to discover the fabulous treasure of Monte Cristo and catch up with his enemies. A novel of enormous tension and excitement, Monte Cristo is also a tale of obsession and revenge. (publisherís synopsis) Classic. Moderate.
Golden, Arthur. Memoirs of a Geisha
This book takes the reader behind the rice-paper screens of the geisha house to a vanished floating world of beauty and cruelty, from a poor fishing village in 1929 to the decadence of 1940s Kyoto, through the chaos of World War II to the towers of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where the gray-eyed geisha Sayuri unfolds the remarkable story of her life. (synopsis from Barnes & Noble) Moderate.
Haley, Alex. Roots
This book begins with a birth in an African village in 1750, and ends two centuries later at a funeral in Arkansas. And in that time span, an unforgettable cast of men, women, and children come to life, many of them based on the people from Alex Haley's own family tree. While Haley created certain unknown details of his family history, ROOTS is definitely based on the facts of his ancestry, and the six generations of peopleóslaves and freedmen, farmers and lawyers, an architect, teacheróand one acclaimed authoródescended from Kunte Kinte. (Publisherís synopsis) Moderate.
Harris, Robert. Pompeii
Marcus Attilius has not been the aquarius of the Aqueduct Augustus for more than a few weeks when the aqueduct fails, and the entire Pompeii region is without water. This is the largest in a series of recent events, which, unknown to the characters, are foretelling the catastrophic event in the near future. Set in the few days before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii is a suspenseful and intriguing book by Robert Harris, which tells the tale of a flowering city and how it was turned to ruins in just a few days. Moderate
Leroux, Gaston. The Phantom of the Opera
This book tells the story of the phantom who, the author insists, really did inhabit the Paris Opera House at one time. The phantom falls in love with one of the opera singers, Christine, and plans to take her away to live with him forever. At the same time, another man is in love with Christine and is determined to save her. "It's a really good book because the plot is constantly twisting and turning and is very intricate, yet not completely confusing." Classic. Moderate.
Levitin, Sonia. Silver Days
This book is the sequal to Journey to America. The Platts are finally together again after escaping from Nazi Germany, but they discover that starting over in a new land, even America, is hard. Papa and Mama, once among the elite in Germany, now must work hard to make ends meet. Lisa, who envisioned America based on what she saw in the movies, must deal with her disappointment. And she and her sister find themselves alone more than they ever were before. These might not be the golden days for which the Platt family wished, but they may become "silver days." Moderate.
Mazer, Harry. The Last Mission
Jack Raab leaves his family, school and friends at the age of fifteen in order to sneak into the army. Being Jewish and having lost family members to Hitler, he feels it is his duty to fight. In the course of the story, he becomes a decorated flying crew member, a P.O.W., and a man. Moderate.
Mitchell, Margaret. Gone with the Wind
This is the famous story of Scarlett O'Hara, who begins the belle of her southern county but ends up a confused outcast. After the Civil War, Scarlett sets up a lumber business--something unheard of for a woman--in order to keep her home. She also meets Rhett Butler. The fate of her home and her relationship make up the rest of the story. "The book went quickly despite its 1,000 pages. A good book for those interested in the Civil War." Classic. Moderate.
Richter, Conrad. The Light in the Forest
This book tells the story of a young man torn between two worlds. Born into a white family, True Son is captured by and "adopted" into a nearby Indian tribe at the age of four. Eleven years later, when the Indians make a treaty with the settlers and agree to return all of their captives, True Son has learned to speak, act, think, and feel like an Indian. Moderate.
Robb, Candace. The Lady Chapel
Will Crounce, a member of the Mercer's Guild, is found with his throat slit and hands cut off in York in 1365. When Owen Archer begins to investigate, he finds himself drawn into a tangle of rivalries and betrayals within the guild. Eventually, he becomes so busy trying to find the murderer that he does not notice that he and his wife are in danger themselves. "This book gives ideas of what it was like back then and about Edward III and his wool trade." Moderate.
Rockwood, Joyce. To Spoil the Sun
Rain Dove is a Cherokee Indian woman born in America before the arrival of the Europeans. Telling her own story, Rain Dove recounts her experiences growing up, learning about life in her Indian community, and finally facing the white settlers and the horrible disease they bring with them. "This book is very sad, especially since it is something that actually took place in history. I loved it, and highly recommend it!" Moderate.
Shaara, Jeff. The Glorious Cause
The year is 1776, and the fledgling United States struggles against the Super power that gave birth to it. The colonies realize that they will be hard pressed to gain their independence from Great Britain, and therefore must rely on a few ordinary men who must rise to the occasion and help their country. See the war through the eyes of George Washington, Ben Franklin, Charles Cornwallis, and the infamous Benedict Arnold. From the Battlefields of Trenton and Yorktown, to the Royal Courts of France, Shaara depicts the undying patriotism and determination of America’s forefathers. Moderate
Uris, Leon. Exodus
This book tells the story of both Israel's battle for independence and the relationship between an Amerian nurse and an Israeli freedom fighter caught up in the battle. Set in various places and times, the book shows how different characters survived World War II, came together in Israel, and struggled against great odds for the birth of that nation. Students also recommended QB VII. Challenging.
Yolen, Jane. Queen’s Own Fool
The year is 1559, and for 13 year old Nicola Ambruzzi life seems monotonous and miserable. Part of a shabby troupe of traveling entertainers, she has been trudging through the drenched streets of Rheims, unsuccessfully trying to find any passersby to perform for. When a carriage halts nearby, Nicola wrongly prepares herself for another routine performance. However, she and her troupe have been ordered to entertain the new King, who is here for his crowning. The following day, Nicola finds herself the personal fool of the visiting Queen Mary and a new addition to the royal court. Leaving behind her only companions, she now follows the queen wherever she goes, whether to different palaces within the county or faraway to Scotland. Throughout her journeys with the queen, Nicola is witness to plots of treachery and bloodshed, yet she still learns how to trust and love the people closest to her, including the queen. Most significantly, though, Nicola discovers a new friend in the young queen and uncovers the true meaning of friendship. Moderate