Mrs. Hossack's Recommended Reads

The Poet X - Elizabeth Acevedo

Fantastic quick read. Powerful prose. Timely subject. Edges itself out of a younger audience with just two scenes unfortunately. Give this to your high schoolers.

The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood

An excellent read. Quintessential dystopian. It was a little slow for me since it's not YA but definitely kept me going. Be sure to read "Historical Notes on 'The Handmaid's Tale'" at the end of the novel. It really pulls some things together. This is a book that I think almost everyone should read.

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion - Gregory Boyle

Father Greg Boyle has done amazing work with gang youth and he writes about it eloquently. He doesn't shy away from the religious aspect of his work but he speaks about it pragmatically and not heavy handed-ly. He speaks about it in a very real-world sense. Powerful read.

Ender's Game (Ender's Saga #1) - Orson Scott Card

Surprisingly slow in some parts but an interesting read as an earlier dystopian YA book. It was published in 1985. It is a lengthy series so lovers of old-school dystopia/science fiction will have lots to sink their teeth into. Give this to your higher level reading science fiction lovers.

Ready Player One (Ready Player One #1) - Ernest Cline

Set in 2045, this humorous, dystopian thriller follows Wade Watts as he solves various puzzles in a competition to gain control of the virtual world OASIS. Like a "Golden Ticket" in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", Wade's goal is to obtain the Egg. Chock full of classic video game, movie and literature references from the 1980s, Cline's language and the vibrant world he creates in the OASIS, earn it a place in high quality Young Adult dystopian literature. In addition to the classic literature, Tolkien, and Shakespeare references, Cline makes sure his readers get their fill of Star Wars, Monty Python and other popular culture shout outs. A fun and well-written read that will provide a world young readers will get lost in and just the right amount of 1980s nostalgia to hook their parents. A 2014 Senior Division Young Reader's Choice Nominee, this is an appropriate and welcome edition to any middle school or high school library.

Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier

If you like Gothic horror and romance, it doesn't get much better than Rebecca. This has everything you want in a gothic classic, mysterious setting and backstory coupled with supernatural possibilities. Give this to fans of Dracula and Jane Eyre.

Pet - Akwaeke Emezi

This is a challenging book due to the writing and therefore a slower start. The writing is descriptive and beautiful but has a different feel to it that takes some getting used to. Who each character is and how they relate to the others is confusing at first and requires some attention. All of this is forgiven during the final 1/4 of the story. Powerful and engaging. It's an interesting take on good vs. evil and how the lines can blur. Are angels monsters? Do they sometimes have to be? What's in a name? Give this to your high schoolers.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon

This was a slow starter but it is a great example of an unreliable narrator. Since the narrator is a child with a disability, his side of the story can not be taken as full truth. The author brilliantly weaves math and science concepts throughout this story, using his narrator to do so. The mystery of who killed the dog acts as a catalyst for what comes after but is never actually solved on-page. The story quickly becomes less about it than it does about family dynamics and struggle with everyday life.

Darius the Great is Not Okay - Adib Khorram

A sweet multi-cultural story about finding your roots, battling your demons and finding the strength that lies in family. Lots of references here for Lord of the Rings and Star Trek fans alike.

Ruined: A Novel - Paula Morris

This book has that traditional ghost story feel. You can't go wrong with a ghost story set in New Orleans. The writing is engaging and pulls the reader in quickly with a strong backstory. While the path is obvious from a later point in the book, there are enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested to the end. Recommend Paula Morris to fans of traditional ghost stories and gothic horror.

So You Want to Talk About Race - Ijeoma Oluo

A must read for everyone. Oluo's writing makes the difficult and important subject of race easily accessible for all readers. Her honest, straight-forward prose gives the tough stuff to readers in a direct but respectful way. This is a difficult read in parts, as it should be, but it leaves the reader with a deeper understanding of systemic racism in this country and what needs to be done about it. It lets the reader know that every one of us has power in this situation and how we can all make a difference.

Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism and You - Jason Reynolds

From one of the best Young Adult writers of our time. This YA version of Kendi's powerful "Stamped From the Beginning" is accessible, timely and beautifully written. This "not a history book" history book should be at the very least, highly recommended reading for upper middle school-high school. This will and should stick with the reader for quite some time to come. Educational, funny, thought-provoking and powerful in its' simplicity.

Britfield and the Lost Crown - C.R. Stewart

A jolly fun fantasy set in London, England. Stewart brings in some fun references to past British literature and London life. In this first installment of Tom and Sarah's adventure the stage is set for the mystery of Tom's royalty to unfold. An easy, quick and engaging read, this is great fun for readers of any age. Younger readers will appreciate the fast pace and description and older readers will enjoy knowing about the literary, cultural and geographic references. The cliffhanger ending will prime readers for the upcoming 2nd installment.

Dear Martin (Dear Martin #1) - Nic Stone

A timely and powerful story about what privilege looks like. Justyce is a strong protagonist stuck between life events working for and against him. Through his letters to Dr. Martin Luther King, we see the person he is trying to be and the heartbreak when he society determines that he is not that person. A story full of struggle, pain and hope.

Dear Justyce (Dear Martin #2) - Nic Stone

This is an interesting follow up to "Dear Martin". Quan and Justyce are back but this time Quan is the narrator. It took longer to pull me in than Martin did but it's worth it. The last 3rd of the book is powerful and moves quickly. It's does not have the feel good ending found in "Dear Martin" but that was why Stone wrote it. She needed to tell the story of those without the support system Justyce had. Well worth having if you have the first one.

The Hate U Give (THUG #1) - Angie Thomas

A game-changing book in the area of POC Young Adult Literature. Angie Thomas' "The Hate U Give" (THUG) is powerful, emotional and captivating. Starr and Khalil's story is visceral and will continue to influence authors for years to come. At the end of the Collector's Edition, Thomas includes her reasoning for naming all of her characters and in particular, the influence the writings of Tupac Shakur had on her in creating this story. This story lays open the issues of racism and police brutality but leaves the reader with the ever-present hope that, because of people like Starr and Maverick, stories like Khalil's will always be told and may even change the future for young people of color. One of the few books I've read twice. Recommended for 8th grade and up.

Heir Apparent (Rasmussem Corporation #2) - Vivian Vande Velde

This is a pretty fast read. It's the 2nd in a series but #1 was written as a prequel, so "Heir" can, and maybe should, be read first. This was a YRC book in 2016 and it's easy to see why kids loved it. Virtual reality gaming mixed with morals. It's a little slow to start but once it gets going, it's hard to put down.

Impostors - Scott Westerfeld

A great dystopian YA that feels fresh while recalling Westerfeld's earlier dystopian series "Uglies". While you don't have to have read the "Uglies" series, the nods to it in "Imposters" are that much more enjoyable when you have.

The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising #1) - Kiersten White

A fantastic spin on the Arthurian Legend. White has used the characters and legend in an inventive and fresh way, breathing new life into the story. The characters are multi-dimensional and the story is true to the foundations of the legend, drawing from all previous versions. White provides enough background that readers unfamiliar with the legend will understand, but is twisting the story and characters into a new, different and exciting version. This is the first in, likely, a trilogy. Give it to your higher-level 8th graders and up.

Sorcery and Cecelia or The Chocolate Pot (Cecelia & Kate #1) - Patricia C. Wrede

This is a great little cozy British mystery but with the bonus of magic. For those readers who are searching for something sweet but captivating, this will fit the bill. And for fans of the classics, think Jane Austen, Wrede has accommodated that style nicely without being intimidating. And there's more to be had, as this is the first in the series.

Punching the Air - Ibi Zoboi, Yusuf Salaam

Ibi Zoboi has done it again, this time with Dr. Yusuf Salaam at her side! She is a powerful author, especially skilled at giving voice to young men and women. Her writing is clear, simple and evocative. The reader easily believes that the protagonists are people they could know, and yet, remain intrigued by stories of experiences they either know too well, relate to, or know they are lucky to have never experienced. This can read down to middle school and well past high school.

The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak

Love the narrator in this book - excellent idea on the part of Zusak. The narrator will stay with the reader for years to come. A different take on the World War II era and a great read.