Book Recommendations

August Pullman was born with a face that didn't look quite like everyone else's, and it's had an impact on his whole life. In fifth grade, he attends a mainstream school for the first time — Wonder tells this story from Auggie's perspective as well as his peers'. This book encourages kindness in a real and relatable way that resonates with readers.

Eleanor and Park's young love story will draw you in and drop you hard — but it's a heart wrenching read that will stay with you long after you've finished the book.

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter's life is forever changed after she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer. Her friend was unarmed, and his death draws international media attention and ignites protests all over the country. Starr finds herself in a precarious position, unsure of what to say — or not to say. The Hate U Give is an important and insightful read for young people of all backgrounds.

This book chronicles Margaret’s religious curiosity at a time when she is also dealing with puberty, two themes that are always relevant. One side of Margaret’s family is Jewish, the other Christian. She doesn’t feel connected with either faith but is starting to question her family about God. Add Nancy, her more experienced and confidant friend, and her life really starts to swirl. Watching Margaret figure things out makes for a wonderful read.

Anyone of any age that hasn't read the Harry Potter series, should absolutely read it immediately. In the words of Stephen King, "It's a spellbinding saga," about a very well-crafted magical world. The first book might seem like it starts off slow and some of the later books might seem daunting, but they are well worth finishing.

This is another book series that is well worth the time it takes to finish all three books. The series begins with The Golden Compass and our heroine Lyra. Lyra is an orphan living in a parallel universe in which science, theology, and magic are entwined. The epic story that takes us through the three novels is not only a spellbinding adventure featuring armored polar bears, magical devices, witches, and demons.

A Series of Unfortunate Events is true to its name. Terrible things happen to the Baudelaire siblings. However, if you can endure the awful things they encounter, there's an intriguing mystery and exciting adventure to the series overall. Also, I personally like that definitions and examples of literary terms are mentioned throughout the series.

Based on a story by author and activist Siobhan Dowd, this beautifully illustrated novel combines fantasy with reality as it follows a young boy whose mother is terminally ill. Though this book can be for the whole family, note that it is profoundly sad.