FICTION

NON-FICTION

The Giver (Graphic Novel) * by Lois Lowry, and illustrated by P. Craig Russell

Jonas is assigned the rare job of ‘Receiver of Memory,’ absorbing the secrets and memories of his entire community. As he begins to understand the colorless conformity of his current world, he becomes determined to change it.

The Alchemist by Paul Coelho * MC   

Santiago dreams of seeing the world. A fateful encounter with an alchemist in Egypt brings him down a new life’s path.

America by E.R. Frank  ** MC

The tale of America, a foster child who disappears until a doctor helps him revisit all the darkness in his past to move with a new vision into his future.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie**  

Ten strangers are invited to an isolated island by U.N. Owen, and one by one, each of them is killed for a guilty secret he hides. Who is the killer? Who will survive? Who will get away with murder?

The Attack by Yasmina Khadra **   MC   

An Arab-Israeli citizen working as a respected surgeon finds his life torn apart as he deals with the discovery that his wife was a suicide bomber.

Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez   * MC   

The story of a young girl’s experience living under a Dominican dictatorship and an Anne Frank-style underground survival.

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes *   

In poetry and music lyrics during Open Mics, teens in the Bronx tell their stories, which include overcoming disabilities, teen pregnancy, image problems, and physical abuse.

Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier **    MC

Dimple doesn't know what to think. Her parents are from India, and she's spent years rebelling against their customs. Now everything from India is suddenly hip --- even her best friend Gwyn has a bindi dot as an accessory.

Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac *   MC

The first and only fictional memoir by one of the original Navajo code talkers of WWII.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone* MC

Justyce McAllister, a black high school student, has escaped his neighborhood to attend a rigorous high school. However, he can’t escape the scorn of friends left behind nor a world where racial profiling is a common occurrence. He turns to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King to navigate his perilous world.

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon, (author of Everything, Everything) ** MC

High school seniors Natasha and Daniel meet and fall for each other immediately. All should be well except one is about to be deported and the other has an interview at Yale.

Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going  * MC         

Troy Billings, a 296-pound 17-year-old contemplates ending his life when he is interrupted by a legendary punk-rock guitarist and sometime-student.

Far From the Tree by Robin Benway (National Book Award Winner) * MC

Grace, adopted at birth, is giving her own baby up for adoption. She then begins a search for her biological family only to discover she is not an only child as she had thought.

A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer*     MC   

Nhamo, a young girl, is forced out of her Zimbabwe village after refusing an arranged marriage at 12 and fights for survival over the next year in the wilds of Africa.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick*   MC  

An intricate mystery of a young orphan, clock-keeper, and thief, Hugo Cabret, who has been living undetected with his secrets in the walls of a Paris train station. Told largely through beautiful illustrations.

Landscape with Invisible Hand by M. T. Anderson*  MC

A humorous story in which aliens invade Earth and it’s not all that bad. They arrive offering advanced technology, better medicine, and a promise to end all work. Soon, humans are the underclass and struggling to survive.

The Mosaic by Nina Berkhout* MC

Pacifist high-school senior Twyla needs to complete 40 hours of community service in order to graduate and get out of her military hometown in Montana. Her assignment to assist Gabriel, a young, rude veteran Marine, is both beautiful and tumultuous.

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin **  MC

Riley, a gender fluid teen blogger, finds comfort in the online world since home and school life do not allow Riley to be completely open. Yet Riley faces being exposed and must make difficult decisions about coming out. The novel speaks directly to LGBTQ+ issues, such as abuse, assault, depression, and suicide.

Wishtree  by Katherine Applegate*

Red is the old oak “wishtree” that watches over his neighborhood. He is the place his neighbors go to leave their wishes on pieces of cloth tied to his branches. Red believes he has seen and heard it all until a Muslim family moves into the neighborhood.

Under the Persimmon Tree by Suzanne Staples  ** MC   

A young Afghan girl finds herself alone when her father and older brother are conscripted by the Taliban and her mother and newborn brother are killed in an air raid.

Slam by Walter Dean Myers **   MC  

Greg Harris, the hot shot star of his Harlem high school team, has to learn to be a team player at his new school—one that’s more academically challenging and mostly white.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green**  MC

Aza is 16 years old and trying to juggle it all and be everything for everybody. Her OCD and anxiety makes this even more difficult. Her journey to locate an old friend’s fugitive father has much to teach her about herself, love, and life.

Divergent (Book 1) by Veronica Roth *   MC         

In a dystopian Chicago, teens must select the “group” to which they will devote their lives. Beatrice’s decision is between family and who she really is—she can’t have both.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman *   MC   

After the Second Civil War, the Pro-Choice and Pro-Life armies came to an agreement: human life may not be touched from the moment of conception until a child reaches the age of thirteen.

A Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida by Victor Martinez  * MC  

In this coming of age story, Manny Hernandez and his family struggle with problems of discrimination in his attempt to acclimate to the American culture.

The Martian by Andy Weir**   MC

The funny and fast-paced thriller about Mark Watney’s solo struggle for survival on Mars as NASA attempts to rescue him when he’s left behind. Even if you don’t like space stories, you’ll like this.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman***   MC

True love, humor, adventure, sword fights, and giant man-eating rats and eels: what could make for a better story?

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith**

This charming Jane Austen-esque novel tells the story of 17 year-old Cassandra and her family living on the brink of poverty in rural England. Cassandra wants to write and is unconcerned with love until the Cotton family moves next door.

Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman**

A sensitive novel about how it may feel to live with mental illness. Caden Bosch is starting to act odd to his friends, which makes sense considering sometimes he is present, but at other times in his mind. Beautiful artwork included.

First they Killed my Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung Ung  ** MC

A Chinese-Cambodian family endures great danger when the Khmer Rouge takes over the country and initiates Pol Pot's barbaric regime.

From Broken Glass: Finding Hope in Hitler’s Death Camps to Inspire a New Generation  by Steve Ross  ** MC

Separated from his family at eight years old, Steve Ross lives to survive ten Nazi death camps and to become a teacher of underprivileged youth in Boston as well as a founder of Boston’s Holocaust Memorial. His is a story of hope and compassion when the will to live has been extinguished by cruelty.

Colors of the Mountain by Da Chen ***    MC               

This memoir describes the life of Chen, as he and his family live through Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution in China where they are routinely beaten and sent to labor camps

Grayson by Lynne Cox *     MC

The true story of Lynne, a teenage girl, and her miraculous encounter with a baby whale off the coast of California.

Krik? Krak!  by Edwidge Danticat **    MC                   

Danticat, born under Haitian dictatorship and moved to the U.S. 12 years ago, relates stories that reflect the misery she has observed from afar as well the trials as an immigrant.

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah **  MC

Beah recounts his experiences as a boy growing up in Sierra Leone in the 1990s, during one of the most brutal and violent civil wars in recent history.

Odd Girl Speaks Out by Rachel Simmons*   MC

A collection of confessions from young women about the cruelty and pain adolescent girls often inflict upon each other within their friendships. The bullied and the bully both speak out, and victims offer insight into how they endured the pain to emerge stronger.

Red Scarf Girl:  A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji-li Jiang  ** MC  

This true narrative is the story of a young girl during the Chinese Cultural Revolution,  the struggles her family and others face, and their beliefs about Chinese Communism.

The Surrender Tree by Margarita Engle  ** MC               

Poems about Cuba’s struggle for freedom (1850-1899) told mainly by Rosa, a "freed" slave and natural healer destined to a life on the lam in the island's wild interior.

We Beat the Streets: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success by Sampson Davis *MC    

The true story of three boys who made a teenage pact to leave their impoverished New Jersey neighborhood, attend medical school, and become doctors.   

This Land is Our Land:  A History of American Immigration by Linda Barrett Osborne *

Immigrants arriving in the U.S. have, more often than not, been met with suspicion, anger, and prejudice. The topic is current and this book gives timely background information that is especially needed today.

Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James L.Swanson *    MC

This is a fast-paced thriller that takes you on a 12-day manhunt through city streets, swamps, and forests to catch Lincoln’s killer, John Wilkes Booth. Includes illustrations and artifacts.*

Guts by Gary Paulsen *  

A fan of Paulsen’s Hatchet and Brian series? Paulsen shares the real-life stories from his youth in the north woods of Minnesota which inspired his fictional stories. Gritty, gory survival stories.

Hidden Figures (Young Reader’s Edition) by Margot Lee Shetterly **  MC

The story, rich with photographs and historical detail, tells the true story of four African-American women who moved up the ranks of NASA employees with their mathematical expertise to help the U.S. win the space race. All of this achieved while battling race and gender discrimination.

Of Beetles and Angels by Mawi Asgedom*

“Treat all people - even the beetles - as though they were angels sent from heaven.”  Mawi’s story relates his survival as he flees civil war in Africa, lives as a refugee in Sudan, and is finally resettled in America. He will endure new prejudices before earning a full scholarship to Harvard.

Trident K-9 Warriors by Mike Ritland***

Former Navy Seal, Mike Ritland, trains canines for SEAL teams, U.S. government, and Department of Defense. His book details the training and incredible feats of these animals in combat and apprehension.

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March by Lynda Blackmon Lowery*

Arrested eleven times before her fifteenth birthday, Lynda was the youngest to march in the 1965 voting march in Selma, and each time, she had been engaged in non-violent protests. This memoir presents a straightforward narrative of events with compelling visuals.

Unbroken: An Olympian’s Journey from Airman to Castaway to Captive

by Laura Hillenbrand**  MC

The young adult edition of Hillenbrand’s bestseller tells the unbelievable story of delinquent-turned-Olympian Louie Zamperini’s survival as a POW during WWII. The story, exciting on its own, is accompanied by compelling visuals throughout.

Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers* by  Deborah Heiligman *  MC

Drawing from the 658 letters that Vincent Van Gogh sent to his brother Theo, Heiligman presents the incredible bond of the two brothers who chose very different lives. A beautiful portrayal of love, complicated lives, and art.

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown

Unwanted by their own country, unwanted by other countries, Syria’s refugees are between a rock and a hard place. Staying in Syria is far too dangerous – violence is constant and pervasive. Leaving Syria is fraught with peril - crossing the desert, falling victim to con artist smugglers, and fatal journeys by boat.

FICTION Continued

Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch*  MC

A fun, charming romance that follows Lina’s journey to Italy in search of her father with only her mother’s journal to guide her. Secrets are uncovered and love found. “People come to Italy for love and gelato, someone tells her, but sometimes they discover much more.”

Burning Midnight by Will McIntosh (sci-fi)*  

Underprivileged teens race against an evil billionaire in search of brilliant-colored spheres whose purpose remain a mystery. A good choice for gamers, adrenaline junkies, or fans of series like The Maze Runner and The Fifth Wave.

Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo *

This novel, first in the DC Icon series, tells the story of the famous Wonder Woman, the Amazonian warrior Diana. After being exiled for saving a mortal she joins with Alia to fight those who would possess the Warbringer. In the process, she learns of the human world’s sexism, racism, and greed, as well as their courage.

Thunder Head (Arc of a Scythe) by Neal Shusterman *

The Thunderhead cannot interfere in the affairs of the Scythedom. All it can do is observe—it does not like what it sees. A year has passed since Rowan had gone off grid. Since then, he has become an urban legend, a vigilante snuffing out corrupt scythes in a trial by fire. His story is told in whispers across the continent.

fiction

non-fiction

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green **  MC        

“Wrenching and revelatory.” Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a huge reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate.

The Good Braider by Terry Farish **  MC      

In spare free verse laced with unforgettable images, Viola's striking voice sings out the story of her family's journey from war-torn Sudan, to Cairo, to Portland, Maine.

Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers  ** MC   

“Birdy” Perry, a new army recruit from Harlem, isn’t quite sure why he joined the army, but he’s sure where he’s going – Iraq.

Blood, Water, Paint by Joy McCullough ** MC

Her mother died when she was twelve, and suddenly Artemisia had a stark choice: life as a nun in a convent or life grinding pigment for her father's paint. She chose paint. By seventeen, Artemisia did more than grind pigment. She was one of Rome's most talented painters, even if no one knew her name.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak **    MC    

A novel told by “Death” is about a young girl sent to live at a foster home in Germany during World War II, who struggles through the horrors of the war but still manages to treasure many small things like learning to read.

Sold by Patricia McCormick  *  MC       

Lakshmi is a thirteen-year-old girl who lives with her family in a small hut on a mountain in Nepal.  When the harsh Himalayan monsoons wash away all that remains of the family’s crops, Lakshmi is unknowingly sold into the cruel world of prostitution and must work to pay off her family’s debts.

Eldest by Christopher Paolini  ** MC   

The sequel to Eragon, in this novel he and his dragon, Saphira, travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein **       MC  

Bilbo Baggins and the dwarves' goal is to return to their ancestral home in the Lonely Mountains and reclaim a stolen fortune from the dragon Smaug.

At the Edge of the Universe  *  by Shaun David Hutchinson  MC                 

Tommy and Ozzie have been best friends since the second grade, and boyfriends since eighth, and then Tommy vanished, erased from the minds and memories of everyone who knew him.  Ozzie begins to suspect something more is going on--that the universe is shrinking.

Every You, Every Me by David Levithan **    

In this high school-set psychological tale, a tormented teen named Evan starts to discover a series of unnerving photographs—some of which feature him. The more Evan starts to unravel the mystery, the more his paranoia and insomnia amplify, and the more he starts to unravel himself.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs**    MC   

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. 16 year-old Jacob finds a crumbling home…for children.

Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine  **          

Two girls separated by race form an unbreakable bond during the tumultuous integration of Little Rock schools in 1958.

Darius the Great Is Not Okay  by Adib Khorram **

Marked by depression and high-school unpleasantness, Darius’ lackluster existence takes an unexpected turn when he travels to Iran to meet his grandparents for the first time. There, a meaningful friendship opens up new possibilities to Darius.

Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan  * MC              

A traumatized teen mother magically escapes to her own personal heaven in this daring and deeply moving fantasy derived from "Snow-White and Rose-Red."

Kit's Wilderness by David Almond *      MC           

When Kit meets John Askew, another boy whose family had both worked and died in the mines, Askew invites Kit to join him to play a game called Death.

Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer *     MC  

Sixteen-year-old Jenna gets a job driving the elderly owner of shoe stores to confront the owner’s son; along the way Jenna finds the strength to face her alcoholic father.

The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka**   MC        

A gorgeous novel by that tells the story of a group of young women brought from Japan to San Francisco as “picture brides” nearly a century ago.

Matched by Ally Condie **  MC   

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe.  But when it comes to matching her with someone she will be with forever, she starts to doubt the society she has always known.

Bad Girls Don’t Die by Katie Alender *  MC   

When Alexis' little sister Kasey becomes obsessed with an antique doll, Alexis thinks she is just being her usual weird self. Things get weirder, though, when their house, and Kasey, start changing.

Fangirl  by Rainbow Rowell *    

Cath and her sister are Simon Snow fans, and this “fandom” is what got them through their mother leaving when they were just kids.  But when they go their own ways after high school, Cath isn’t sure how to make it without her sister by her side.

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell *   MC

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

Malcolm X: A Graphic Biography (graphic novel) by Andrew Helfer** MC

A graphic novel based on the life of Malcolm X as he grows from a young black man oppressed by Jim Crow ideology to a gifted, dynamic orator for the Civil Rights movement.

Tiger Force: A True Story of Men and War by Sallah and Weiss  ***    MC          

A compelling story drawn from firsthand accounts in interviews with victims' families and members of the Tiger Force, as well as a suppressed document that came out of an army investigation. The result is one of the most important books on the Vietnam War.

Philosophy: A Discovery in Comics by Margaret de Heer **

What is thinking? Who are we? Find out some theories in this fun graphic novel introduction to basic principles of philosophy and history of philosophers.

Eagle Blue by Mike D’Orso ***   MC        

This novel follows the Eagles, winners of six regional championships in a row, through the course of an entire 28-game season, from their first day of practice in late November to the Alaska State Championship Tournament in March.

Funny and Farsi: A memoir of growing up Iranian in America by Firoozeh Dumas **   MC   

In 1972, when she was seven, Firoozeh Dumas and her family moved from Iran to Southern California, arriving with little knowledge of this country. More family soon followed, and the clan has been here ever since. The novel humorously depicts the family’s struggles to understand American traditions and culture as they assimilate to the United States.  

Gods Like Us: On Movie Stardom and Modern Fame by Ty Burr **

Why do we obsess about Hollywood and its stars? Burr’s history of cinema and acting illuminates why we love—and sometimes love to hate—the idea of celebrity.

Art That Changed the World  by Ian Chilvers, Iain Zaczek, and others *

This beautiful and extensive collection examines the history of art. Organized chronologically, the combination of visuals and informative text is both approachable and easy to grasp.

Die Young with Me: A Memoir by Rob Rufus **  MC

A story of punk rock, first love, cancer and the incredible power of music to get us through the hardest times in our lives. Rufus details his brave fight for his life in this tender and contemplative memoir.

Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune by Pamela S. Turner **  

Bushido, or samurai culture, has been widely explored in film and literature; here, its origins are presented for a teen audience with the tale of the "ultimate samurai," Minamoto Yoshitsune. A fast-paced and unexpectedly funny tale filled with family feuds, bloody battles, and sweeping romance.

Laughing at My Nightmare by Shane Burcaw *

In this focused, intelligent, and most of all hilarious memoir, Shane Burcaw recalls both the normal and deeply unique experiences he has endured living with spinal muscular atrophy. With a sharp wit, Burcaw is self-deprecating but never defeatist, even in the face of his terminal condition.

The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix ** A true and gripping spy story, this graphic biography describes pivotal moments in the career of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, whose religious faith led him to devote his life to the German Resistance to Hitler. Visual metaphors in the powerful illustrations convey the looming danger.

Hey, Kiddo:  How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction  by Jarrett J. Krosoczka **

A raw graphic memoir, author-illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka depicts his complex upbringing - including a search for his father, difficult interactions with his heroin-addicted mother, and day-to-day life with his grandparents. Illustrations–ample in gray, burnt orange, and earth tones–conjure the feeling of vague memories.

#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women edited by Mary Beth Leatherdale and Lisa Charleyboy **

The editors present a stereotype-busting, zine-like collection of personal essays, illustrations, and photos from and about the marginalized experiences of indigenous young women. This energetic showcase of contemporary lives demonstrates the strength and vitality of living heritages through a rich, visually stunning riot of art and memoir.

Fiction continued

Thanks for the Trouble by Tommy Wallach **   MC   

Parker Santé hasn’t spoken a word in five years. While his classmates plan for bright futures, he skips school to hang out in hotels, killing time by watching the guests.

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour ** MC (Printz award 2018)

California native Marin, devastated by grief and questioning her reality, plans to spend her winter break in an empty dorm in upstate New York. But now her best friend, Mabel, is on her way to visit, and Marin must confront the loneliness that is threatening to take over her heart.

Long Way Down  by Jason Reynolds * MC (award-winning audio version too)

The story of a haunting 60-second elevator ride that changes the life of 15-year-old Will as he encounters people from his past. Jason Reynolds reads his riveting free verse novel with authority, authenticity, and emotion.

fiction

non-fiction

The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin *  MC  

Sensationally popular 18-year-old artist Addison Stone has died and this faux biography recounts her story in the form of interviews, photographs, and examples of her art.

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn **  MC   

This book will blow your mind. The unnamed narrator meets a wise, learned gorilla named Ishmael that can communicate telepathically. Through Ishmael, Quinn examines the history of our civilization, illuminating the assumptions and philosophies at the heart of many global problems.

Children of Blood and Bone by Toni Adeyemi MC

Magic was lost and Diviners blessed by the gods were killed by the King, including Zelie's mother a once great Reaper. Now Zelie, her brother Tzain and the rogue princess Amari, must restore magic to Orisha before it is lost forever.

Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A. S. King * MC

Beware of drinking liquefied bats! Glory O’Brien does and suddenly finds she can see the past and future of everyone she encounters. Everyone except herself. What does her future hold?

Wildlife by Fiona Wood * MC  

Classmates and new friends Sibylla and Lou spend a semester in the wilderness and see their lives changed.

Kerplunk! Stories  by Patrick McManus  *   MC    

In these tall tales, McManus and his buddies learn how not to net a fish, why you should never get your haircut by someone who's mad at you, what to do when a deer wanders into camp but your sleeping bag has frozen shut, and how to avoid bird-dog flatulence.

Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod. When the water in the tap runs dry, Southern California is forced into a state of emergency. Neighbors turn on one another, and suburbia is a hot zone for “water-zombies.” When Alyssa’s parents go missing, she must do whatever it takes in order to survive the Tap-Out.

American Road Trip by Patrick Flores-Scott *

Teodoro's family is sinking fast: his father lost his job, his brother returned from Iraq with PTSD, and his parents are struggling to cope. T’s sister spirits her siblings away on a road trip, taking them to reconnect with family, to heal and to find a way forward

A Gracious Plenty by Sherri Reynolds  * MC   

In this poignant story, Finch Nobles, a young girl, ostracized because of burn scars, is able to commune with spirits of the dead.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline **    MC   

It’s the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place. Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS.

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo  **

In this detailed look at World War I, Thomas Peaceful, who lies about his age to fight alongside his brother, details his experiences on the battlefield.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green  ** MC          

When Will Grayson, an awkward teen who is unsure of how to connect with others without getting hurt, and Will Grayson (same name, different kid), an angry teen, both living in the suburbs of Chicago, meet by chance, their lives are forever changed…and connected.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett **    MC        

Bestseller since 2009, a young white woman in the early 1960s in Mississippi becomes interested in the plight of the black maids that every family has working for them. She writes their stories about abuse and heartbreaks of working in white families' homes-- but it is so much more than just stories.

The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley *  MC

Prince Award Winner. In 1993, Maggie is dismayed to leave Chicago and her beloved Uncle behind when she moves to a small Irish town. Yet it is within this evocative setting that Foley unwinds Maggie’s exceptional coming-of-age tale, where Maggie discovers music and forgiveness as antidotes for grief.

Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody   *  MC                                        Born to a poor couple who were tenant farmers on a plantation in Mississippi, Anne Moody lived through some of the most dangerous days of the pre-civil rights era in the South. The week before she began high school came the news of Emmett Till’s lynching.

No Country for Old Men by Cormac Mccarthy ** MC

Llewelyn Moss comes across a drug deal gone wrong.  After taking the money at the crime scene, little does he know that a transmitter is bringing the assassin right to him.

Library of Souls : The Third Novel of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs * MC

The adventure that began with Miss Peregrine’s Home and continued into Hollow City comes to a thrilling conclusion. Sixteen-year-old Jacob discovers a powerful new ability, and soon he’s diving through history to rescue his peculiar companions from a heavily guarded fortress. Thrilling fantasy blended with vintage photography.

Twisted by Andrew Kaufman **

Dr. Christopher Kellan comes across a familiar face while he oversees a unit known as Alpha Twelve, home to the most deranged and psychotic killers imaginable.

Playing For Pizza by John Grisham*

An American football player is forced out of the NFL and has no choice but to play football in Italy.

Between the Lines by Nikki Grimes **

Aspiring journalist Darrian Lopez signs up to participate in a poetry slam at his school. Using their poetry, students piece together their stories; Darrian learns that though they may be different, they are all just trying to do their best with the life they have been given.

What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper

This is a haunting, first-person account of Gerta, a musically talented teenager, who learns of her Jewish heritage only after being sent to Auschwitz and, later, Bergen-Belsen. Torn from her father, she clings to his viola and discovers her own voice and strength after the liberation. Lovely, lyrical prose and ethereal illustrations make Stamper’s unusual story sing.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Novel-in-verse about Xiomara, who struggles to come into her own power amid her restrictive upbringing. Over the course of these lyrical, expressive, and honest poems, she grows from speaking with her fists to embracing her identity as the Poet X.

CLASSICS

The Awakening by Kate Chopin **      MC   

Edna Pontellier, a wife and mother, yearns to change her stagnant life in pursuit of romance and art.

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway **    MC    

Set during WWI in Italy, a wounded American soldier named Frederick Henry falls in love with nurse Catherine Barkley.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith*    MC    

Francie, the protagonist, grows up in the slums of Brooklyn during the early part of the twentieth century.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck **  MC  

Steinbeck narrates a story of guilt and betrayal intertwined into sibling rivalry. Spanning the period between the American Civil War and the end of World War I, the novel highlights the conflicts of two generations of brothers; the first being the kind, gentle Adam Trask and the second,  his wild brother Charles.

Slaughter-House Five by Kurt Vonnegut ***       

Billy Pilgrim, a former WWII POW, travels backward and forward in time as he attempts to come to grips with the horrors of war and his readjustment to civilian life.

A River Runs Through It by Norman MacLean ** MC

A semi-autobiographical collection of stories about a western Montana town populated with drunks, loggers, card sharks, and a bit of promiscuity. Surrounded by small towns, trout streams and mountains of western Montana, MacLean’s stories concern themselves with the complexities of fly fishing, logging, fighting forest fires, playing cribbage, and being a husband, a son, and a father.

Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II’s Greatest Rescue Mission by Hampton Sides  * MC   

1945: 121 selected U.S. troops slipped behind enemy lines in the Philippines. Their mission: march thirty rugged miles to rescue 513 POWs languishing in a hellish camp, among them the last survivors of the Bataan Death March.

Boots on the Ground: America’s War in Vietnam by Elizabeth Partridge *

A chronological account of the Vietnam War as experienced at home and in the field, from a wide variety of perspectives.  Stories of eight young soldiers are highlighted by means of personal interviews and thoughtfully chosen photographs.

If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box me up and Ship me Home by Tim O’Brien  ** MC

In this memoir, O’Brien recalls his days as a Vietnam War infantryman, and calls into question the definitions of “heroism” and “cowardice.”

No Excuses!:  The True Story of a Congenital Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wrestling and in Life by Kyle Maynard  * MC   

This inspirational account details the life of a young man who defied all odds in his quest for success.

Scorpion Tongues: Gossip, Celebrity and American Politics by Gail Collins **   MC

Think today’s politics get nasty? This timely history of political gossip begins with George Washington’s administration and traces the relationship between gossip and government to the blurring of lines between politicians and celebrities.

An Invisible Thread: The True Story of an 11-Year-Old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive, and an Unlikely Meeting...by Laura Schroff **  MC

Stopping was never part of the plan . . . She was a successful ad sales rep in Manhattan. He was a homeless, eleven-year-old panhandler on the street. He asked for spare change; she kept walking. But then something stopped her in her tracks, and she went back.

War by Sebastian Junger **   MC    

Junger narrates his 14 months time in 2007–2008 embedded with a platoon of the 173rd Airborne brigade in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley, one of the bloodiest corners of the conflict.

Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam by Bernard Edelman *  MC

Letters written by American soldiers during the Vietnam War reveal the impact of war on the men and women who served.

Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki  ** MC   

The true story of Wakatsuki who was seven years old when her family was uprooted from their home and sent to live at Manzanar internment camp--with 10,000 other Japanese Americans. Along with searchlight towers and armed guards, Manzanar held within it a little known tragedy of American history.

Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War by Steve Sheinkin ***  MC

Award for Best Non-Fiction. A thrilling journalistic account of government insider who leaked the Pentagon Papers and exposed the questionable decisions that led to the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War. A timely exploration of American history that crackles with tension and excitement.

Yoko Ono: Collector of Skies by Nell Beram and Boriss-Krimsky **   MC

Many people know Yoko Ono’s name, but they don’t know her story. A musician, an artist, a performer, a writer, an activist, a mother, a wife, but most importantly—a collector of skies.

Gay America: Struggle for Equality by Linas Alsenas **  MC

This work provides a chronological overview of public attitudes toward homosexuality throughout American history, as well as the experience of gay people during these prescriptive, restrictive, and even dangerous periods.

Humans of New York: Stories by Brandon Stanton *  

In pictures and interviews that captivate, puzzle and reveal, photojournalist Brandon Stanton collects an immeasurable range of human emotions and perspectives. The photos draw us in and their subjects’ words leave us wondering and cheering at the variety of humanity.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates **

National Book award Winner. Coates writes to his 15-year-old son about the inborn hazards of being black in America and his own intellectual, political and emotional confrontation with the need to live fully in the face of racialist culture.

March:  Book Three by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell ** MC

Powerful and captivating, this graphic novel depicts the Civil Rights movement from fall of 1963 through the signing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965. The artwork brings to life the brutality, loss, and successes.

In the Shadow of Liberty:  The Hidden History of Slavery, Four Presidents, and

Five Black Lives by Kenneth C. Davis **

Davis looks at the relationship between five enslaved persons and the former presidents who considered them property. In weaving together the story of these lives, Davis explains the contradiction between America’s founding ideals and the harsh reality of human bondage.

A Brilliant solution--Inventing the American Constitution by Carol Berkin*

From an outsider's perspective, the constitutional convention in 1787 seemed easy.  This book takes a more in depth look at just how difficult it was to create this document that is still used today.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed ** MC

A powerful story that captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

Just Mercy by Stevenson, Bryan ** MC

Test your perspective on capital punishment in the United States.

Wolf Boys by Dan Slater **

True story of two American teenagers who are transformed into dangerous assassins for the Mexican cartel.

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown *  MC

Nine working class Americans and their quest for gold in rowing at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

CLASSICS

A Night to Remember by Walter Lord **

This nonfiction story is the tragic account of the night the Titanic sank.

Black Boy by Richard Wright  *** MC     

This powerful, stark memoir details the author’s harsh experiences as a young black person growing up in rural Mississippi, amidst widespread racial and economic prejudice.

Black Elk Speaks by John Neihardt  ** MC   

This inspirational and powerful story reveals the life and visions of the Lakota healer Nicholas Black Elk (1863-1950) and the tragic history of his Sioux people during the final decades of the Old West.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told by Alex Haley by Attallah Shabazz, et al. ***    MC    

This autobiography addresses one of the most misunderstood figures in American History: Malcolm X, erroneously viewed as a racist hate-monger and depicted as the champion of modern day militant pro-Black radicals

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck**   MC   

Focusing on the acceptance of life as it is and unburdened by the material necessities of the more fortunate, the denizens of Cannery Row discover rewards unknown in more traditional society.

Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury **    MC

This collection of short stories presents Bradbury's Mars--a place of hope, dreams and fossil seas where a fine dust settles on the great, empty cities of a silently destroyed civilization. It is here the invaders have come to despoil and commercialize, to grow and to learn from a world with no future toward a promise of tomorrow.

fiction

non-fiction

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant **     MC   

In the Bible, Dinah’s life is only hinted at alongside Jacob and his twelve sons. Told in Dinah's voice, Diamant imagines the traditions and turmoil of ancient womanhood--the world of the red tent reaches out from a remarkable period of early history and creates an intimate connection with the past.

Armageddon in Retrospect by Kurt Vonnegut ** MC         

Vonnegut presents a vivid portrait of his harrowing escape from the fire-bombing of Dresden. The story then moves into fiction full of humor, the impossibility of peace in the world, and exposes truths through jokes and an Apocalypse.

I, Claudia by Mary McCoy

In this political thriller set in a privileged high school, underestimated and unreliable narrator Claudia chronicles her rise to power. Sharp, biting humor pervades McCoy’s novel about vicious high school students embroiled in an explosive struggle for control.

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett   * MC   

Moist encounters ghosts, the voices of unsent letters, and a ruthless corporate conspiracy in an attempt to save the postal industry. Fortunately Moist has friends: the determined Miss Dearheart, a golem with more than feet of clay, and a secret society of unemployed and very unusual postal workers as well as a vampire named Oscar.

Looking for Alaska by John Green *   MC   

Sixteen-year-old Miles Halter's adolescence has been one long non-event -- no challenge, no girls, no mischief, and no real friends. He leaves Florida for a boarding school in Birmingham, AL. His roommate’s best friend is Alaska with whom Miles and every other male falls instantly in love.

Lawn Boy By Jonathan Evison

Twenty-something Mike Muñoz is passionate about the art of landscaping--a fresh cut lawn and a creative topiary. Caught between taking care of his mother and brother and trying to strike out on his own, his struggle is familiar and heartbreaking, and it’s impossible not to root for him.

Feed by M.T. Anderson  **   MC    

It started out like any ordinary trip to the moon -- a chance to party during spring break and play at the Ricochet Lounge. Unfortunately this was before the crazy hacker caused all their feeds to malfunction, sending them to the hospital to lie around with nothing inside their heads for days. A dystopian novel unnervingly close to the here and now.

Lowboy by John Wray  *  MC   

Will Heller, a 16-year old paranoid schizophrenic off his meds, sets out on an odyssey to single handedly rescue the world from destruction as a result of global warming.

The Long Run: A Novel  by Leo Furey **   MC

By day the boys are obedient students, but when the sun goes down the Dare Klub rules the night: raiding the bakery; stealing sacramental wine; and talking endlessly about girls and sex.  They help each other through waves of loneliness and sadness, but when the Brothers discover the wine is missing, they go on a manhunt.

My Ishmael by Daniel Quinn **  MC

The sequel to Daniel Quinn's novel Ishmael. The agricultural revolution gave rise over time to the modern-day Taker culture. With this rise the Taker's put forth the attitude that they were in control of their own destiny and chose to live in a seemingly unnatural way. They decided for themselves to conquer the world without care of the consequences to all other life.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini  ** MC    

A heart-wrenching story about two Afghani women’s power of love, the bonds of friendship, the love of country, and the struggle to survive. The book covers the issues of class, religion, work, education, sexuality, and raising children. All are highlighted by the tumult of Afghanistan's history.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel *   MC

The son of a zookeeper, Pi Patel is an expert at animal behavior.  During his travels to North America, Pi’s ship sinks and he is forced to survive on a life raft which he shares with a 450 lb Bengal tiger.

Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy **

Rainbow is a top secret counter-terrorist organization made up of the world’s elite soldiers.  The team is called in when they discover that a bioweapon has made its way into the hands of the wrong people.

Clear and Present Danger by Tom Clancy **

Jack Ryan, who just become the director of the CIA, is asked by the President to investigate a murder of a businessman.  When Jack discovers that there are connections to the Cartel, he heads down to Columbia to oversee the operation of a covert military force and discovers the truth of the murder.

I Crawl Through It by A.S. King **

Four accomplished teenagers are on the verge of explosion. The anxieties they face at every turn have nearly pushed them to the point of surrender: senseless high-stakes testing, the lingering damage of trauma, the buried grief of guilt and of tragic loss. They are desperate to cope—but no one is listening.

Live by Night: The American Dream Has a Price by Dennis Lehane MC

Unflinching tale of the making and unmaking of a gangster in the Prohibition Era of the Roaring Twenties.

Breaking Faith by E. Graziani MC

Faith Emily Hansen narrates her life from age five to eighteen in this gritty but often funny novel about family, mental illness and addiction.

A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti

Struggling with PTSD in the wake of a terrifying tragedy, Annabelle decides to run across the country in a physically demanding journey that mirrors the path of her emotional recovery. Caletti insightfully explores trauma, loss, and guilt while illuminating the damaging expectations our culture places on teenage girls.

CLASSICS

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley **       MC  

Originally written in 1932, this novel predicts the future which includes people who are genetically designed to be passive and therefore consistently useful to the ruling class.

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller ***      MC  

The novel is a satire that describes the murderous insanity of war as nothing less than a rite of passage.

Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo **   MC  

Victor Hugo writes the story of Quasimodo, a deformed man, who is believed to be evil.  Yet beyond the deformities, he is a good person.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte ***   MC   

A Gothic romance, Jane Eyre is the story of an orphaned girl who, after securing a position as governess at Thornhill Manor, falls in love with Rochester, its owner.

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe **     MC   

Son of a middle-class Englishman, Crusoe takes to the sea to find adventure and finds it when on one of his voyages he is shipwrecked on a deserted South American island for thirty-five years. After scavenging his broken ship, he had only his skills and ingenuity to keep him alive.

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse ***    MC  

Siddhartha, who is a Brahmin, is a young man searching for the truth in life.  Although he is torn between the spiritual and the materialistic, the ascetic and the indulgent lifestyles, he has an epiphany by the end of the novel that will never leave its reader.

Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas **    MC  

This story about a young nobleman who travels to Paris in hopes of joining the Musketeers, and a group of adventurers who serve King Louis XIII is filled with swordplay and treachery.

A Very Expensive Poison: The Assassination of Alexander Litvinenko and Putin’s War with the West  by Luke Harding **   MC  

In 2006, journalist and Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned in London. He died twenty-two days later. The cause of death? Polonium—a rare, lethal, and highly radioactive substance. Harding unspools a real-life political assassination story—complete with KGB, CIA, MI6, and Russian mobsters.

Loving vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case  by Patricia Hruby Powell**  MC

The story of a landmark civil rights case, told in spare and gorgeous verse. In 1955, in Caroline County, Virginia, amidst segregation and prejudice, injustice and cruelty, two teenagers fell in love. Their life together broke the law, but their determination would change it.

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich ** MC

Can you really survive on minimum wage? To find out, Ehrenreich left her middle-class life for a year to see what life is really like for America’s working poor.

What is an American Muslim? by Abdullah Ahmed An-Na’Im  ** MC

Since 2001, there has been a tremendous backlash against the very idea that it is possible to be both American and Muslim--the controversy over the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque" and the attempts to ban Shari'a law are examples. Even within the Muslim community many leaders urge believers to integrate more fully into the mainstream of American life. Is it possible to be both full American and devout Muslim?

The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad  *** MC  

An intimate and brutally honest portrayal of the lives of Afghani citizens living under fundamentalist Islam. Seierstad uncovers shocking stories and her visceral account is equally seductive and repulsive. An international bestseller, it will likely stand as one of the best books of reportage of Afghan life after the fall of the Taliban.

Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet by Oliver Morton ***   MC

A quest to understand how plants may have kick-started the complex life cycle on Earth and how photosynthesis might be harnessed to regain balance in the earth’s temperature. Morton includes technical discussions and elegant synthesis of biology, physics and environmental science that can inform our discussions of urgent issues

Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001 by Steve Coll  *** MC    

Includes revealing details of the CIA's involvement in the evolution of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in the years before the September 11 attacks. A complex study of intelligence operations and an invaluable resource for those seeking a nuanced understanding of how a small band of extremists rose to inflict incalculable damage on American soil.

A People’s History of the United States 1492-Present by Howard Zinn ***   MC

A comprehensive history of the United States, from the impact of Columbus’ and others’ arrival in the New World through modern times. This is the history that is usually not told, about America’s misuses of African Americans, Native Americans, and other traditionally disenfranchised groups.

The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives  by Dashka Slater *

In the news: an agender teen falls asleep on an Oakland city bus. A black teen sets their skirt on fire. Two young lives, forever entwined because of proximity in a moment, eventually spark an entire community’s shift towards restorative justice.

My Losing Season:  A Memoir  by Pat Conroy **      MC  

The true story of Conroy’s pivotal senior year as captain of the Citadel Bulldogs. 1966–67 season: tough disciplinarian coach, the joys of winning, and the hard-won lessons of losing. Most of all, he recounts playing a sport that would become a metaphor for a man whose spirit could never be defeated.

The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham ** MC    

The true story of a baseball hero from a small town in Oklahoma who winds up a mentally unstable Major League washout railroaded onto death row for a hometown rape and murder he did not commit.

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy  ** MC

The author transforms the classic fairy tale into a haunting story of two children surviving in WWII Poland.

Fire and Forget: Short Stories of the Long War by Ed. Roy Scranton and Matt Gallagher **     MC

Searing and true stories from the war zones of Afghanistan, Iraq, written by those who were there and those waiting at home --a necessary collection to write and to read.    Contains graphic language and content.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand ** MC

A troubled child discovers his athletic ability and makes his way to the Olympics in Berlin, Germany.  Unfortunately with the outbreak of WWII, Louis finds himself in the Air Force where he is shot down and forced to survive in both the open ocean as well as a prisoner of war.

Overthrow by Stephen Kinzer ** MC

A fast paced narrative history of coups, revolutions and invasions by which the United States has toppled fourteen foreign governments - not always to its own benefit.

Small Island by Andrea Levy **

In the wake of World War II, Jamaicans immigrate to Great Britain only to find that the empire for which they fought does not easily embrace newcomers.

CLASSICS

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte ***       MC   

Set on the moors of England, Bronte writes a foreboding story of obsessive love.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath **   MC  

Plath brilliantly draws the reader into Esther's breakdown with such intensity that her insanity becomes palpably real, even rational—as accessible an experience as going to the movies. A deep penetration into the darkest and most harrowing corners of the human psyche, The Bell Jar is a haunting American classic.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas ** MC

Thrown into a prison for a crime he did not commit, Edmond Dantes plans an elaborate escape to retrieve the treasures hidden on the island and use it to seek revenge on those who framed him in the first place.

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison** mature content MC

A powerful examination of our obsession with beauty and conformity, Toni Morrison’s virtuosic first novel asks powerful questions about race, class, and gender with the subtlety and grace that have always characterized her writing.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens *** MC

Follow along with the adventures of an orphan named Pip as he grows and develops while traveling across the city of London.  This book depicts some of Dicken’s most famous scenes and characters that are still mentioned in pop culture today.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne **     MC  

This classic novel chronicles the exploits of explorers Captain Nemo and Professor Aronnax aboard the Nautilus as they explore the vast regions below the sea.

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marques *** MC

tells the story of the rise and fall, birth and death of the mythical town of Macondo through the history of the Buendía family. Inventive, amusing, magnetic, sad, and alive with unforgettable men and women -- brimming with truth, compassion, and a lyrical magic that strikes the soul -- this novel is a masterpiece in the art of fiction.

Ms. Zeiner

We Should Hang Out Sometime by Josh Sundquist * MC

Josh is wondering why he is still single in his 20s, so he decides to track down all of his exes from his past to find out, starting with his middle school crush. (Written by paralympic ski racer and motivational speaker - true story)

Ms. Clifton

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi* MC

Zélie remembers when Orïsha was filled with magic, before the monarchy killed her mother and the maji. Now, Zélie has a chance to bring back magic and help her people rise, but the journey ahead is filled with enemies, danger, and sacrifice. If you’re into fantasy, you’ll love the world created in this book.

Mrs. Worthen

Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi (juniors or seniors) ** MC

Trudi Montag is a “Zwerg” (German translation - Dwarf Person). She is short, undesirable, different-- the voice of anyone who has ever tried to fit in. Eventually she learns that being different is a secret that all humans share. Historical Fiction -- taking place in Nazi occupied Germany.

Mrs. Penrose

The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler ** MC

The Dalai Lama (leader of Tibetan Buddhism) and Howard Cutler (a Western doctor) summarize world theories about how to achieve happiness and peace.

Mr. Burgess

Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie*

Detective Hercule Poirot is enjoying his vacation until his Nile River cruise is interrupted by a vengeful stalker, stolen pearls, and murder!  This is one of Agatha Christie’s most ingenious puzzles, and the ending is a shocker!

Mrs. Coffey

The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit  by Michael Finkel *

Wildly interesting true story of a man who hid in the woods of Maine for 27 years

Ms. Mitchell

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman* MC

A feel good story about a bitter old man, with a profound personal story, who forms unexpected friendships with his bubbly neighbors.

Mrs. Dinunzio

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline * MC

In 2044, everyone chooses to escape reality in the limitless, utopian virtual world of the OASIS. A high school boy stumbles on the first of the fiendish puzzles set up by the OASIS creator and competes with thousands to claim a prize of massive fortune.  Lots of puzzles, gaming and 80’s references, VR, murder and adventure!

Mr. Hurst

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman **

Neil Gaiman collects and retells the stories of the Norse gods. Starting at the beginning of the universe and carrying all the way through the end of the world, Gaiman finds the drama and the humor in the daily lives of Thor, Loki, and the rest of the gods of Asgard. If you like the Marvel version of Thor, get ready to see him fight ice giants, fire demons, and a serpent big enough to encircle the world.

Mrs. Gorman

Waldameer Mystery Files MC

Mrs. Gorman’s own nephew writes an excellent children’s series of mystery books set at Waldameer, an amusement park in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Beirn

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Since their childhood, two young magicians have been unknowingly engaged in a deadly competitive duel orchestrated by their instructors. The Night Circus, arriving without warning and only open at night, is a gorgeous Tim Burton-esque wonderland complete with intrigue, magic, love, and a bit of the terrifying.

The Absolutely True-Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie MC

We were Liars by E Lockhart MC

Carrie by Stephen King MC

Will Greyson, Will Greyson by John Green MC

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas MC

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell  MC

Looking for Alaska by John Green MC

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han MC

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Album MC

The Collectors by David Baldacci MC

More Than This by Patrick Ness MC

Soldier Boys by Dean Hughes MC

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky MC

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson *

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider MC

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson MC

House Rules by Jodi Picoult MC

The Collectors by David Baldacci MC

Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper

It by Stephen King MC

Ask the Passengers by A.S. King MC

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

The Pact by Jodi Picoult MC

Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man’s Miraculous Survival by Joe Simpson

After Long Silence: A Memoir by Helen Fremont

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

The Lost Airman: A True Story of Escape from Nazi-Occupied France by Seth Meyerowitz

After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick MC

Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli

Don’t Die Dragonfly  by Linda Joy Singleton

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta MC

Lone Wolf David Archer Series

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr MC