A few years ago, I challenged myself to read 50 books by the last day of school. I decided to make a subtle change to my nightly routine. I replaced my TV remote with a book and committed myself to spending at least 20 minutes a night reading. Below are the books I read and my thoughts. I hope this will inspire you to put down your Xbox controllers and pick up a book.
Embedded Files
Book 1
The Button War
Avi
This story takes place during WWI in a small, sleepy town in Poland that is occupied by the Russians. Local boys create a game (stealing buttons off Russian uniforms) to entertain themselves. The game escalates putting lives in danger. A page turner!
Book 2
The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle
Leslie Connor
Loved this book! I like stories about quirky kids and Mason is quirky. He's also sweet, sensitive and an amazing friend. He's a character I won't forget. Sadly, he is the target of bullies and is surrounded by the worst luck. The good thing is - nice guys always win.
Book 3
One for the Murphys
Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Do happy families really exist? Carley Connors is a tough 12-year-old girl who was placed in foster care. As she struggles to open her heart to her new family, she is torn. Is she betraying her biological mother? A tear-jerker that defines uncond-itional love.
Book 4
Bob
Wendy Mass
After 5 years, Livy returns to Australia to visit her grandma. Is her "friend" Bob still there? Did he keep his promise? Is this green creature real or imaginary? Why is he wearing a chicken costume and tutu? Livy must help him find his way home (If you like the movie E.T., then you will enjoy this book.)
Book 5
Restart
Gordon Korman
Interesting premise. A great read! Can a tiger change its stripes? Check out Gordon Korman talking about his book.
Can you guess my fave from the first 5 books?
Can you guess my fave from the first 5 books?
Mason Buttle!
Book 6
The Train I Ride
Paul Mosier
This novel takes place entirely on an Amtrak train heading from LA to Chicago. It's the story of Ryder (perfect name for this story!), a girl who has lost her mother and grandmother. As she shares tales with fellow passengers she realizes her painful past will help her in the future.
Book 7
Louisiana's Way Home Kate DiCamillo
A tale about a spunky kid who has to rely on her survival skills. In the middle of the night her grandmother whisks her from her home telling her they have to leave. During their escape, the grandma disappears leaving Louisiana alone to fend for herself.
Book 8
Good Dog
Dan Gemeinhart
Dog lovers must read this book! Brody risks everything to save the boy who loved him.
Book 9
Freaks Like Us Susan Vaught
Jason has schizophrenia. His best friend has disappeared. The police are questioning him. His inner thoughts are confusing him. Can he help find his friend before it's too late?
YA
Book 10
Posted
John David Anderson
Cell phones are banned in this middle school. Students resort to leaving Post Its on lockers to communicate with each other. While words can be beautiful, they can also be damaging. This will make you think about how your words and actions can hurt someone.
Book connec-tion:
In what year was the Post-it note intro-duced?
Book connec-tion:
In what year was the Post-it note intro-duced?
April 6, 1980
Book 11
Sisters
Raina Telgemeier
I have to say that I enjoyed this tale because I can relate to having siblings who were on a mission to make my life miserable!
Book 12
Inkling
Kenneth Oppel
So, this ink blot comes to life in the middle of the night. It slides off the sketch book page and sets out on its own. Strange, right? This book has a great storyline.
Book 13
It Wasn't Me
Dana Levy
This book reminded me of the movie The Breakfast Club (ask your parents). Six kids are sentenced to detention to figure out who vandalized a school project. Now queue the song "Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds (ask your parents!)
Book 14
Great Expectations
Charles Dickens
I loved this book! I would wait until you're in HS or college to tackle it. It was written in 1860, but you won't have any issue connecting with the odd assortment of characters.
YA
Who is Charles Dickens? Well, Jim Carrey brought Dickens' remorseful character, Ebenezer Scrooge, to the screen in Disney's version of A Christmas Carol.
Who is Charles Dickens? Well, Jim Carrey brought Dickens' remorseful character, Ebenezer Scrooge, to the screen in Disney's version of A Christmas Carol.
Book 15
The Book Thief
Marcus Zusak
The narrator in the novel is death (interesting!) and it tells the story of Liesel, a young foster girl in a German town during WWII and her struggles with family, war and moral conflicts.
YA
Book 16
#Never Again David Hogg & Lauren Hogg
David and Lauren survived the Marjory Stoneman HS shooting in Parkland, FL on Valentine's Day 2018. Their accounts of that day and their classmates' stories are told as well as how they are coping with a school shooting.
YA
Book 17
Mockingbird
Kathryn Erskine
Caitlin has Asperger's. In her world everything is either black or white, good or bad. In the aftermath of a tragedy that takes her brother's life, she is forced to look at her world in a different light.
Book 18
Monstrous Devices
Damien Love
One of your toys suddenly comes to life and conceals a terrifying power. There are so many twists in this story that you won't be able to put it down.
Book connec-tion:
Book connec-tion:
In Toy Story Buzz Light-year is named after this astro-naut.
In Toy Story Buzz Light-year is named after this astro-naut.
Who is Buzz Aldrin?
Book 19
Refugee
Alan Gratz
Imagine having to walk hundreds of miles to safety, fleeing your country on a rickety boat or finally tasting freedom only to have it yanked from you. The children in this book have all experienced loss and devastation, but they are survivors!
Book 20
Cameron and the Girls
Edward Averett
Cameron is a 14-year-old schizophrenic boy. When he stops taking his medication, he hears voices. This time, it's the voice of a girl who is kind to him. He likes her. The problem is if he takes his medication she goes away but, if he doesn't other voices appear that make life confusing for him.
YA
Book 21
Hello, Universe
Erin Entrada Kelly
I love books where kids find their inner strength. Virgil is a shy kid who is resigned to being the punching bag for Chet. Things change when Chet plays a "joke" and puts the life of Virgil's pet in jeopardy.
Book 22
Left for Dead: A Young Man's Search for Justice for the USS Indianapolis Pete Nelson
A movie night with his father inspired a young Hunter Scott to find out the truth behind this tragedy. In the movie Jaws, Quint reveals a story about a secret WWII naval mission that cost the lives of many sailors. Hunter made it his mission to tell the story of these brave men.
Book 23
Tight
Torrey Maldonado
A gripping tale about a toxic friendship between Bryan and Michael. My mom always said, "You are judged by the company you keep." Bryan is easily swayed into doing things that are dangerous and could harm him and others. Will he be able to find it in himself to walk away from
Michael?
Book 24
Hey, Kiddo Jarrett Krosoczka
Not a feel-good type of story. It's a memoir about the author and his dysfunctional family told in graphic format that gives hope to those dealing with the same issues.
YA
Book 25
Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon
Suzanne Slade
This is a nonfiction book about the Apollo Space Program and the sacrifices and determination it took to have a successful landing on the moon. It's chock full of information.
Book Connection:
Did you know that the Lunar Module was built right here on Long Island?
Halfway there!
Halfway there!
Book 26
Small Spaces
Katherine Arden
Beware of the "smiling man." This is a creepy ghost story about a girl who saves an old book from being tossed into the river. Somehow, the events in the book are taking form in her world. We are talking about scarecrows coming to life! If you like Goosebumps-type stories, then this is the book for you!
Book 27
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer
Fredrik Backman
This novella (short book) is beautifully written and tells the story of a boy who watches his grandpa slowly slip away from him due to Alzheimer's and the grandpa's struggles to stay with him.
YA
Book 28
Grenade
Alan Gratz
There are a lot of books about WWII and the fighting over in Europe so it was refreshing to read about the war in the Pacific (Japan). The story is told from the viewpoints of a young US Marine and a tween Okinawan, whose island (Okinawa) has just been invaded. For more information https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa.
Book Connection:
My grandfather (left) and a US Navy buddy. This picture was taken during WWII. My grandfather fought in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
Book 29
The Giver
Lois Lowry
This is a re-read, but it still counts. I found that when you read a book a second time you pick up on certain things you missed the first time (just like a movie!). So, if you have a book you loved, read it again! I appreciated this book more after reading it a second time.
Book 30
Streetcar to Justice
Amy Hill Heath
Before Rosa Parks there was Elizabeth Jennings.
Forced off a NYC trolley because of the color of her skin, she sued the railroad company and won! Why do you think Elizabeth's story isn't as popular as Rosa's? Curious about Elizabeth? Go to Elizabeth Jennings - Overlooked
Book 31
Sweep: The Story of a Girl and her Monster
Jonathan Auxier
This is probably in my top 5 reads this year. It's the story of a chimney sweep (a kid who climbs into the chimneys and cleans them) in late 1800s London. With her wits and will, Nan managed to beat the deadly odds time and time again. However, one day she gets caught in chimney fire and wakes to find a strange creature (a golem!) by her side.
Book connection
I loved this book! I couldn't help singing and tapping my feet like Bert from Mary Poppins while reading this book.
Book 32
Blended
Sharon Draper
Don't let the pink cover fool you. This book deals with some pretty intense issues, such as racism, divorce and a shooting. Draper (Out of My Mind) brings us the story of Isabella whose father is black and mother is white. She is dealing with their divorce and being swapped between each parent as well as racial tensions in her community.
Book 33
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Heather Morris
I do have a weakness for WWII books so I couldn't pass this one up. It's based on the true story of a prisoner who has to tattoo the numbers on fellow prisoners at Auschwitz and the woman he falls for.
YA
Book 34
The Afterwards
A.F. Harrold
This novel is a tearjerker and covers a sensitive topic -- the death of a friend. Ember desperately wants to have her friend Ness back. Her sketchy uncle takes her to a secret place to retrieve Ness, but he has other plans for Ember. It's a story about loss, grieving and letting go. Read with a box of tissues.
Book 35
The Echo Room
Parker Peevyhouse
Rett wakes up on a cold and dark floor. He doesn’t know where he is or how he got there. Confused and curious, he gets up and begins to walk around to figure out just where he is and what is going on. He notices blood on the front of his shirt. How did it get there? Did he hurt someone? This is a suspenseful novel set in a dystopian-type of world.
YA
Book 36
City of Ghosts
Victoria Schwab
She almost drowns. She is saved by a ghost. They become friends and travel to spooky Edinburgh, Scotland and explore haunted castles. What's not to love?
Book 37 (nonfiction)
A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919
Claire Hartfield
Chicago 1919: Eugene Williams and his friends were bathing at "white" beach when he was struck in the head with a rock and drowned. This event deeply divided Chicago, a city already dealing with racial issues.
Book 38
A Story About Cancer (With a Happy Ending)
India Desjardins
This graphic novel tackles a tough topic -- what it's like to be a 10-year-old living with leukemia.
Book 39
Goldfish Boy
Lisa Thompson
Thank you, Mr. Krauss for this suggestion. It's the story of a missing toddler and a 12-year-old boy who may have the answers to who took Teddy. The only problem is that Matthew has a severe case of OCD and has difficulty leaving his house. Will he overcome his fears and help solve this mystery?
Book 40
The Raft
S.A. Bodeen
Robie survives a plane crash and now must somehow survive her time on a raft without food or water. It reminds me of Tom Hanks' movie, Castaway. There are twists in this novel to keep you interested.
YA
Book connection:
What did Tom Hanks name the volleyball in the movie Castaway?
Book 41
Be Prepared
Vera Brosgol
The story of a tween girl who has trouble fitting in. She wants so badly to go to summer camp, but when she does go it is a major bummer until she figures out how to enjoy it.
Book 42
Cardboard Kingdom
Chad Sell
My kids will tell you I am the master of creating airplanes and forts out of boxes. In my house, boxes are better than what came inside. I thought this book was great. It has a bunch of creative kids who develop friendships through imaginative play. Put down your iPhones!
Book 43
You Don't Know everything, Jilly P!
Alex Gino
I really liked Alex Gino's book George, so I thought I'd give this one a go. It's an interesting read about a girl whose little sister is born deaf. Jilly reaches out on social media for advice. ASL students will connect with this book, as it addresses things you have discussed in class.
Book 44
The Season of Styx Malone
Kekla Magoon
I really enjoyed this book. Maybe it was the beautiful weekend weather and being outdoors reading, but this book was a fun read. Styx is a great character who has been through his share of problems. He meets Bobby and Caleb and they stick by his side unconditionally.
Book connection:
If you liked the movie The Sandlot - boys, friendships and summertime fun - give Styx a try!
Book 45
Okay for Now
Gary Schmidt
Did you know that the author is from Hicksville? This is a great read about a kid growing up in the 60s who finds the good in bad situations. Doug is a kid you root for. This is the sequel to The Wednesday Wars, which takes place on Long Island!
Book 46
New Kid
by Jerry Craft
Jordan is going to a new posh private school where he is one of a handful of minority kids. The author shows us how we can be racist even when we don't realize we are. This is a great read.
Book 47
The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James
by Ashley Herring Blake
I chose this book because of the cover. I have a picture of my daughter and her BFF since kindergarten (they are now 19!) that is just like the cover. OMG. There's so much going on on this book! You're on an emotional roller coaster until the end.
Book 48
The Book of Boy
by Catherine Gilbert Murdoch
A hunchback boy and shady character go on a pilgrimage to collect relics of St. Peter hidden throughout France and Italy. There's mysteries and secrets, demons, angels and miracles. It was an unexpected pleasant read which shows you that sometimes you have to stick with a book.
Book 49
The Outsiders
by SE Hinton
I should practice what I preach, "Read the book, first!" I saw this movie when I was a teen, so it has taken me a long time to get around to reading the book. What I love about this book is the fact that the author wrote it while in high school! It has everything to interest a teen - a little romance, gang rivalry, peer pressure and home lives that are less than desirable.
YA
Book 50
The Song from Somewhere Else
by AF Harrold
This isn't your typical bullying book. Nor is it a typical friendship story. There's a touch of fantasy mixed with horror that delves into the psyche of the bullies and bullied. The illustrations also make this a recommended read.
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