During the summer and the school year, I love reading novels that are part of the summer reading program at UMS, MHS, or are recommended from students, colleagues, friends and family.  

Some additional summer reads...

Rebound by Kwame Alexander, told in poetic form, the novel takes readers back in time to learn about the father of the twins in Crossover.  A wonderful story about growing up and healing through love, support, and the strength of family (and of course, basketball)!

Another great novel by Marie Lu, Warcross.  This novel speaks to the world of gaming!  For those readers who are into Fortnight, Overwatch or other addictive video games, this novel is for you.  You won't be able to put it down! 

Project 1065 by Alan Gratz is a haunting novel about an Irish boy who is a spy as a member of the Hitler Youth during WWII.  A VERY intense read.  

The Rose Society #2 in the Young Elites trilogy, by Marie Lu.  A dark book that is a continuation from the first told primarily through the main character's eyes. Adelina Amouteru, a character who has struggled to find her identity, is still haunted by her past and seeks to find her place in the fantasy world of Kenettra.  

Fabulous historical fiction novels from Ruta Sepetys!

Between Shades of Gray and Salt to the Sea take place during WWII.  

Out of the Easy takes place in the 1950s New Orleans.

A fabulous fantasy series by Marie Lu.  This series is for Young Adults who enjoy fantasy novels and are looking for an engaging trilogy with a female main character.  Adelina is a strong individual who works to figure out who she is, what she believes in, and how she can stay true to those beliefs.

Two Fabulous books for 7th Grade students...

Save Me A Seat: Follow the life of Ravi and Joe during one week of school as they learn to navigate the start of the school year.  Ravi, a recent immigrant from India, and Joe, a struggling student.  An easy, enjoyable and fast read.

Ghost: the first in a series about a group of runners on an elite running team.  Ghost, AKA Castle Crenshaw is fast, not just kind of fast, he is really fast.  He has been running for a long time, but not always for reasons of winning a race.  An honest and heart warming novel that leaves readers wanting more.  Luckily, the second book, Patina, just came out...

If you LOVED Ghost, you may want to try, Patina!

 The novel picks up where Ghost leaves readers and continues the story from Patty's perspective.  It was a great

This was a wonderful sequel to Ghost, I really enjoyed reading from Patty's perspective.  

A Great novel for mature 7th Graders, 8th Graders or anyone who enjoys a good story...

The Sun is Also A Star: A story of two teenagers who meet and spend a day together in New York City.  One character, a Korean American, loves poetry and believes in love and the other character, a Jamacian who is about to be deported, believes in the power of science and the scientific method.  Some mature content and an honest portrayal of what each of these two characters struggle with in their lives.

The Outsiders: Summer reading for rising 8th grade students.  A classic novel that has some mature content.  As a kid, I saw the movie which had an incredible cast of actors and actresses.  As an adult, this novel reinforced my love of this story.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian:  Summer Reading for rising 9th grade students. Based upon Sherman Alexie's life in Spokane, Washington, this honest novel provides readers many lessons about life and following your passions.  It also has some mature content.

Persepolis, Book 1: Summer Reading for rising 11th grade students.  Another true story of an Iranian woman living in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution.  It also has some mature content.

Reading from the Summer/School year 2016/17...

Mosquitoland, David Arnold: The summer reading for rising 9th grades during the summer of 2016.  Mature content, but a very engaging and honest read.

In The Shadow of Blackbirds, Cat Winters: The summer reading for rising 10th graders during the summer of 2016 and 2017.  This is a historical mystery fiction novel that can be classified as a ghost story.

Prodigy, Marie Lu: The second novel in the Legend trilogy.  This is a dystopian novel that is continues the story of Day and June that was set up in the first novel, Legend.

Champion, Marie Lu: The third novel in the Legend trilogy.  This is a dystopian novel that is engaging and culminates the story of Day and June.

Eleven, Patricia Reilly Giff : A realistic fiction mystery novel that is great for most 7th graders.  A quick, fast paced read.

Booked, Alexander Kwame:  A novel written in poetic form.  It is realistic fiction and fast paced.

Cracker, The Best Dog in Vietnam, Cynthia Kadohata:  A historical fiction novel that is great for 7th grade students.

A Night Divided, Jennifer A. Nielsen: A historical fiction novel that takes place in Germany at the time the wall is erected to separate the east and west side after WWII.

The Young Elites, Marie Lu: Fantasy novel appropriate for most 7th Grade Students.  Some mature content.

Gossamer, Lois Lowry: Fantasy novel appropriate for most 7th Grade students.

A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry: This play will be read at MHS during 10th grade for most students.  

The Nightingale, Kristen Hannah: This is an adult Historical Fiction novel about WWII in France.