2024 - 2025 School Year:
Rescue by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling
Genre: Realistic Fiction (Book-in-Verse)
The League of Seven by Alan Gratz
Genre: Dystopian
Light Years by Emily Ziff Griffin
Genre: Dystopian
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Genre: Dystopian
Note: A prequel to The Hunger Games
Black Star by Kwame Alexander
Genre: Historical Fiction (Award winner)
Paper Heart by Cat Patrick
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: The companion book to Tornado Brain
Tornado Brain by Cat Patrick
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Louder Than Hunder by John Shu
Genre: Realistic Fiction (Award winner and book-in-verse)
Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Land of the Forgotten Girls by Erin Entrada Kelly
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Attack of the Black Rectangles by Amy Sarig King
Genre: Realistic Fiction
The Last Word by Patricia Ford
Genre: Dystopian
Note: Sequel to The List
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
Genre: Realistic Fiction (Award winner)
Wildoak by C.C. Harrington
Genre: Historical Fiction (Award winner)
Summer of 2024:
Efren Divided by Ernesto Cisneros
Genre: Realistic Fiction
The List by Patricia Forde
Genre: Dystopian
Focused by Alyson Gerber
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor by Alan Gratz
Genre: Historical Fiction
Forget Me Night by Ellie Terry
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Verse Novel
2023 - 2024 School Year:
The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick
Genre: Dystopian
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
Genre: Dystopian
Note: Mature language
Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Verse Novel
I Can Make this Promise by Christine Day
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Notes: Award-winner; window/mirror book
The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: A mix of narrative and verse
My Own Lightning by Lauren Wolk
Genre: Historical Fiction
Note: The sequel to Wolf Hollow
Emmy in the Code of Key by Aimee Lucido
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Written in verse
A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Written in verse
Worst-Case Collin by Rebecca Caprara
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Written in Verse
Miracle's Boys by Jacqueline Woodson
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Award-winner
Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff
Genre: Ghost story (Note: Multiple award-winner)
Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton
Genre: Realistic Fiction (Note: Award-Winner)
Format: Book in verse
Summer 2023:
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Genre: Fantasy (Note: Award-Winner)
The Lion of Mars by Jennifer Holm
Genre: Science Fiction
Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Written in Verse
Two Degrees by Alan Gratz
Genre: Realistic Fiction
A Seed in the Sun by Aida Salazar
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Written in verse
Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder
Genre: Fantasy; Magical Realism (Note: Award-Winner)
What About Will by Ellen Hopkins
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Written in verse
A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat
Genre: Fantasy (Note: Award-Winner)
2022 - 2023 School Year:
Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
Genre: Realistic Fiction with some history/Sports fiction
Format: Graphic novel
Dreambender by Ronald Kidd
Genre: Fantasy/Dystopian
The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
Genre: Fantasy/Dystopian
family of liars by e. lockhart
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: This is the prequel to we were liars, so you'll want to read that book first.
The First Rule of Punk by Celia Perez
Genre: Realistic Fiction (Notes: Award-winner)
Fly Back, Agnes by Elizabeth Atkinson
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson
Genre: Historical Fiction (Note: Award-Winner)
Turtle Boy by M. Evan Wolkenstein
Genre: Realistic Fiction (Note: Award-Winner)
Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
Genre: Realistic Fiction (Note: Award-Winner)
Starfish by Lisa Fipps
Genre: Realistic Fiction (Note: Award-Winner)
The Getaway by Lamar Giles
Genre: Dystopian
Gleanings by Neal Shusterman
Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian
Note: A companion book to the Arc of the Scythe series
Peas and Carrots by Tanita S. Davis
Genre: Realistic Fiction - Coming of Age
The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Note: This is the prequel to They Both Die at the End. Contains some mature language.
Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Key Player by Kelly Yang
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: 4th book in the Front Desk series
Summer of 2022:
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi
Genre: Fantasy
The Boy Who Failed Show and Tell by Jordan Sonnenblick
Genre: Nonfiction/Memoir
Notes: Humourous but also has some really good lessons
Surviving the City by Tasha Spillett and Natasha Donovan
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic novel
Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
Genre: Fantasy
Imperfect: Poems about Mistakes edited by Tabatha Yeatts
Genre: Poetry
Between the Lines by Nikki Grimes
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: A companion book to Bronx Masquerade. Told in narrative and poety.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Genre: Fantasy
Note: Contains violence
Answers in the Pages by David Levithan
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Unique structure - 3 storylines in alternating chapters that relate to one another and come together in the end.
Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Shiny Little Things by Frank Stangle
Genre: Fantasy
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Genre: Dystopian
Note: First book in the Ascendance trilogy
Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Paterson and Kwame Alexander
Genre: Historical Fiction
2021-2022 School Year:
The Rule of 3: Will to Survive by Eric Walters
Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian
Note: This is the 3rd book in the series.
The Rule of 3: Fight for Power by Eric Walters
Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian
Note: This is the 2nd book in the series.
Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Genre: Historical Fiction
Note: This is by the same author as A Night Divided.
Loretta Little Looks Back: Three Voices Go Tell It by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Genre: Historical Fiction
Note: Told in monologues from 3 different characters in the same family as time passes.
Amina's Voice by Hena Khan
Genre: Realistic Fiction
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
Genre: Science Fiction
Note: Award-winner
New From Here by Kelly Yang
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: If you read and liked Front Desk, this is the same author.
The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Award Winner
House Arrest by K.A. Holt
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Book in Verse
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Award-Winner
Note: I can see why it was a triple award-winner. It's an excellent book!
Ghost by Jason Reynolds
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: First book in the Track series.
Billy by Laura Roybal
Genre: Realistic Fiction with some mystery/suspense
Beetle and the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne
Genre: Fantasy, Award-Winner
Format: Graphic Novel
When you Trap A Tiger by Tae Keller
Genre: Magical Realism, Award-Winner
Battle Dragons: City of Thieves by Alex London
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Room to Dream by Kelly Yang
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: This is the 3rd book in the Front Desk series.
Runs with Courage by Joan M. Wolf
Genre: Historical Fiction;
Note: Good for a November read, which is Native American Heritage Month.
The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Award Winner
Violets are Blue by Barbara Dee
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Internment by Samira Ahmed
Genre: Dystopian
Halfway Normal by Barbara Dee
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summer of 2021:
Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Contains a couple of curse words.
Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Linked by Gordon Korman
Genre: Realistic fiction mixed with some historical fiction
Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorra
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Black Boy Joy edited by Kwame Mbalia
Genre: 17 short stories in a variety of genres including realistic fiction, poetry, and graphic novel style. Authors you may know include Jason Reynolds, Jerry Craft, and Varian Johnson.
One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Note: Mature content
Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Excellent book for reading about a refugee situation.
The Unteachables by Gordon Korman
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Very relatable
The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Unplugged by Gordon Korman
Genre: Realistic Fiction
When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Muhamed and Victoria Jamieson
Genre: Nonfiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Note: Even if you don't enjoy nonfiction, this graphic novel style may be appealing to you.
2020-2021 School Year:
The Scourge by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Genre: Fantasy; Dystopian
King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Same author as Hurricane Child
The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Three Keys by Kelly Yang
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: The sequel to Front Desk
Ground Zero by Alan Gratz
Genre: Historical Fiction (based on 9/11 and the war in Afghanistan that followed)
I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin
Genre: Historical Fiction/Award-Winner
It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
Genre: Nonfiction/Autobiography
Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
Genre: Realistic fiction with historical facts mixed in
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
Genre: Historical Fiction; Award-winner
Game Changer by Neal Shusterman
Genre: Science Fiction, Sports, Real-world issues (i.e. sexism, racism)
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
Genre: Historical Fiction/Award-Winner
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Notes: The prequel to The Hate U Give. Contains mature content (I recommend for high school readers and up).
Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Lily is transgender and Dunkin struggles with bipolar disorder. Middle grade appropriate.
Hatch by Kenneth Oppel
Genre: Science Fiction
Note: This is the 2nd book in the trilogy. The first book is Bloom.
Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
Genre: Realistic Fiction
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Young Readers Edition by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
Genre: Nonfiction
Hurricane Child by Kacen Callender
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Winner of the Stonewall Book Award (This award is given to books that have "exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience".)
After Zero by Christina Collins
Genre: Realistic fiction
Class Act by Jerry Craft
Genre: Realistic fiction
Format: Graphic novel
Note: This is the companion book to New Kid.
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
Genre: Nonfiction
Format: Graphic novel
That's Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Dear Justyce by Nic Stone
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: This is the sequel to Dear Martin. Contains mature content.
The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Note: This book is the sequel to The War That Saved My Life
What Light by Jay Asher
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Romance
Note: Middle school appropriate romance
Summer of 2020:
New Kid by Jerry Craft
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Note: This is the first graphic novel to win the Newbery Medal!
Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby
Genre: Realistic Fiction
War Stories by Gordon Korman
Genre: A mix of realistic fiction and historical fiction
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Genre: Nonfiction
Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
Genre: Fantasy
Note: 1st book in a large series
Other Words For Home by Jasmine Warga
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Written in verse
Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: One of the saddest books I have read. The main character is a nonverbal autistic child and it incorporates the Challenger space shuttle tragedy.
Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis with Tracy Sorell
Genre: Historical Fiction; Biographical Fiction
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay
Genre: Realistic Fiction (with some history of the Philippines mixed it)
Note: Contains some curse words
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Genre: Science Fiction
Note: This is a prequel to The Hunger Games; contains violence
2019-2020 School Year:
The Other Half of Happy by Rebecca Balcarcel
Genre: Realistic Fiction; Award winner
The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Far From the Tree by Robin Benway
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Some mature content
Bloom by Kenneth Oppel
Genre: Dystopian; a bit creepy!
Note: This is the first book in a trilogy
We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pride by Ibi Zoboi
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Genre: Realistic Fiction
The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi
Genre: Adventure/Fantasy - This will be a book club option.
Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
Genre: Realistic Fiction/2019 Schneider Family Book Award Winner
Paperboy by Vince Vawter
Genre: Realistic Fiction (almost autobiographical)/Award-Winner
Crush - Love Poems by Kwame Alexander
Genre: Poetry
Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Award-Winner
Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk
Genre: Historical Fiction/Award-Winner
Note: Same author as Wolf Hollow
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Award-Winner
butterfly yellow by Thanhha Lai
Genre: Historical Fiction
Note: Author of Inside Out & Back Again; written in 3rd person
The Toll by Neal Shusterman
Genre: Science Fiction/Suspense
Note: This is the 3rd book in the Scythe trilogy. Be sure to read Scythe and Thunderhead first. This book was an AMAZING conclusion to the trilogy; I highly recommend the series to any science fiction fan.
Allies by Alan Gratz
Genre: Historical Fiction
Downsiders by Neal Shusterman
Genre: Suspense/Dystopian
Note: If you are a fan of Mr. Shusterman's newer books (the Scythe trilogy, the Unwind series), you'll like this older novel (published in 1999).
Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Mr. Reynolds newest book
Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt De La Pena
Genre: Fantasy
Note: Contains some curse words.
Grenade by Alan Gratz
Genre: Historical Fiction
Note: It's about war so there is violence and a couple graphic scenes.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summer 2019:
Simon vs the Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Genre: Realistic Ficiton
Note: Mature language
Flying Lessons and Other Stories edited by Ellen Oh
Genre: Short stories, variety of genres
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
Genre: Fantasy
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Mystery/Suspense/Historical Fiction
Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley
Genre: Fantasy
2018-2019 School Year:
Black Wings Beating by Alex London
Genre: Fantasy
Note: Some violence; lots of settings, characters, etc. so it can be a bit tricky to follow the storyline
The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Genre: Historical Fiction
Note: Written in verse
Minrs by Kevin Sylvester
Genre: Science Fiction
Note: I loved this book! It was fast-paced, adventurous, and had numerous twists. I can't wait to read the second book in the series.
George by Alex Gino
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Main character is 4th-grader who is transgender.
Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir by Nikki Grimes
Genre: Nonfiction/Memoir
Note: This is an advance reading copy. The book is scheduled to be published in October. It is a memoir written in verse. The publisher is recommending for it ages 12 and up, but there is some mature content.
Proxy by Alex London
Genre: Sci Fi
Notes: Book contains violence.
The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz
Genre: Award-winner; Historical Fiction
Note: Beautiful storytelling!
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
Genre: Award-winner; historical fiction
Note: Such a good book! I would love for more of you to read this so we can discuss it.
Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
Genre: Award-winner; realistic fiction
Note: Excellent book; everybody should read this!
After the Shot Drops by Randy Ribay
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Some mature language
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Mature Content; not a sequel to The Hate U Give but set in the same city and references the events in THUG.
Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac
Genre: Historical Fiction
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: This will be an 8th grade book club option.
Children of Eden by Joey Graceffa
Genre: Science Fiction
Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo
Genre: Fantasy
Riot by Walter Dean Myers
Genre: Historical Fiction
Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas
Genre: Action/Suspense
Notes: Violence, a couple curse words, a couple of kisses
Grayling's Song by Karen Cushman
Genre: Fantasy
Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Some violence
Swing by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Genre: Realistic Fiction interwoven with Historical Fiction
Note: Some violence; grades 4-8
Life as We Knew It by Susan Pfeffer
Genre: Science Fiction
Note: 1st book in the series; grades 7-9
Ascent by Roland Smith
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: 3rd book in the Peak series; grades 7-9
Summer 2018:
The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall
Genre: Historical Fiction; grades 5 - 6
Words with Wings by Nikki Grimes
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Award Winner
Note: Written in verse; very short so it's a quick read (but worth it); grades 3-7
Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar
Genre: Historical Fiction; Award-winner; grades 4-6
Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
Genre: Realistic Fiction; Award-winner
Note: About mental illness (bipolar disorder). I would recommend this book to a student who can follow two separate but intertwined storylines (one in the main character's imagination and one in real life). Grades 8 and up
we are all made of molecules by Susin Nielsen
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Mature content; grades 7-9
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Mature content; grades 8 and up
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (reread)
Genre: Tragedy
Note: This is the rising Freshman summer reading book. Grades 7 and up
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: Mature content; Grades 8 and up
Restart by Gordon Korman
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Note: This will be a book club option. Grades 3-7.