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Below are student written book reviews and recommendations. If you are ever looking for a good book, or want to know which book to avoid, just have a quick browse through this page! The books are listed alphabetically by title. They outline the author, genre, suggested grade level, and a quick summary and recommendation.

For students creating the review:
 * Use the template below. Be sure to bold the heading. The rest of the text should not be bold.
 * The title of your book should be printed in red ink. All other text needs to be black.
 * Entries should be alphabetical by title; make sure that you leave a space between entries.
 * Do not change any font sizes.
 * Keep your summary brief (between 3-5 sentences) and make sure that you don't give away the ending.
 * You will be marked on presentation, conventions, and completion.
 * After your recommendation, please add your first name

When Noah meets Allie a rich girl who’s family was coming to coastal North Carolina for the summer his life changes forever. As soon as he sees her he knows that she is the one who he could spend the rest of his life looking for but never find. They fall deeply in love and become inseparable. However when Allie has to leave for collage at the end of the summer they end on bad terms.Neither of them were over each other, Noah wrote to Allie everyday for a year hoping for a response but never getting one. Later he finds out that Allie never received any of the letters because her parents had hidden them from her. Allie has to make the decision to either follow her heart or live the life her parents have planed for her. I would recommend this book to anyone! It it a great story with lots of twists. This book may seem to be more for girls then boys but personally i think that both could enjoy it.
 * Title: The Notebook**
 * Author: Nicholas Sparks**
 * Genre: Romantic**
 * Gr. Level: 10-11**
 * Gender: both**
 * Plot Summary:**
 * Recommendation:**


 * Title:** 1984
 * Author:** George Orwell
 * Genre:** Political Fiction
 * Gr. Level:** 10+
 * Gender:** Any
 * Plot Summary:** This novel is about a chapter in the life of a man named Winston Smith as he plunges into social dissonance. It follows his humble beginnings as a man who simply hates the powers that be, through his love affair with a rebellious young woman and to his first contact with The Brotherhood, an elusive anti-government organization. While these events take place, Winston must also conceal his hatred for the government as they would have him executed for thinking the wrong thoughts.
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this novel to everybody. It is universally hailed as a classic in which it`s disturbingly easy to draw parallels between the novel`s reality and ours. Thomas B.


 * Title:** Agnes Grey
 * Author:** AnneBronte
 * Genre:** Fiction/ Coming of age
 * Gr. Level:** 10 and up
 * Gender:** Female
 * Plot Summary:** Agnes Grey is a novel chronicling the life of Agnes Grey, the daughter of a Minister who under goes financial difficulty. To help aid her family, Agnes gets various jobs as a governess and is forced to deal with the unruly children and arrogant parents. Through her work with both the Bloomfeilds and the Murrays, Agnes has to do her best to stick to her morals and to impress them upon the children despite the less than understanding parents. Agnes struggles with the immorality of Miss Murray, the eldest daughter in the Murray family- her second post- and the flirtatious attitude she has taken. Life is changed when Agnes's father becomes very ill and they must prepare for the worst.
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this book to mostly girls, or anyone who enjoys books set in the 1800's with an old style of writing. Though slow to start, Agnes Grey is a very interesting novel that draws you into Agnes' world and gives you a glimpse of life of both an average family and a wealthy one. Shannen H.

** Title: **** A Long Way Gone ** ** Author: **** Ishmael Beah ** ** Genre: **** Autobiography ** ** Gr. Level: **** 11+ ** ** Gender: **** Male and female ** ** Plot Summary: **** A story of a child soldier and his journey through life. The book starts off when the Rebels attack Ishmael’s hometown, destroying everything, leaving Ishmael and his older brother all alone to fend for themselves. They endure starvation, slept deprivation and many other complications. One day when the boys are looking for food the rebels attack and take Ishmael’s brother, leaving him all alone. Eventually Ishmael finds a village and stays there until he is forced to become a soldier and fight in the war. He gets into drugs and for two years all he does is eat, kill and do drugs. Until he is brought to a rehabilitation center, and the book describes how he heals from his disastrous childhood. ** ** Recommendation: **** To anyone! This book is perfect to bring someone down to earth and make them realise how lucky they are to live the life they do. It is a very sad, yet honest, novel and it is very interesting to know that the human body can endure so much. Bryna M. **


 * Title:** Amphibian
 * Author:** Carla Gunn
 * Genre:** Comedic Fiction Novel (with facts)
 * Gr. Level:** 9+
 * Gender:** Both Male and Female
 * Plot Summary:** This novel is an excellent and quite humorous book about a nine-year-old name Phin. Phin is not your ordinary young kid; he has an environmentalists knowledge of animals, ecosystems, cycles of life, interactions of species and anything you could possibly imagine and beyond about the natural world. He's smart, and some of his classmates find him too smart and pick on him. What Phin //doesn't// know, is about how human relationships and interactions work, how humans co-exist and why certain problems (such as his excessive worry about how humans destroy the environment) arise. Carla Gunn's //Amphibian,// is the funny story of how Phin discovers things about life... and how he learns to differentiate from the animal world.
 * Recommendation: I** would certainly recommend this novel to anybody who appreciates reading. Not only did I learn about the environment from this book, but it made me laugh out loud. This book could be easily read by anyone in grade levels lower than highschool, although it may be difficult to understand the morals/life lessons hinted between the lines. Benia K.


 * Title:** A Stolen Life
 * Author:** Jaycee Dugard
 * Genre:** Non Fiction
 * Gr. Level:** 9+
 * Gender:** Female
 * Plot Summary:** When Jaycee Dugard is kidapped by a stranger at the age of eleven, her life is turned upside down. She was kept in a shed for eighteen years and not allowed to say her own name. She deals with loneliness, sexual and emotional abuse over the course of the novel. She becomes pregnant with the children of her rapist/kidnapper, and gives birth to two daughters with no medical care. The book describes Jaycee being reunited with her mother and sister, and her emotional road to recovery after she is rescued.
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this book to older girls who like non fiction books. It was an easy book to understand, and very hard to put down, it's an honest account of how Jaycee's life was stolen from her from the time she was eleven to when she turned twenty nine. Alyssa Y.

**Title:** Beautiful Boy **Author:** David Sheff **Genre** Biography **Gr. Level:** 10 and up **Gender:** Male & Female **Plot Summary:** This is a story about how a father is affected with his son's addiction to methamphetamines. David's life is sent into a roller coaster when his son becomes addicted to drugs, and refuses treatment. He goes to researchers and therapists trying to find a way to get Nic to go to rehab, however he does not expect what he finds when Nic comes home. With Nic angry and very irritable, David gives him a choice : rehab or the streets. Nic chooses to leave and through the book we learn of the stuggle an entire family can have when a member is addicted to drugs, but, after all of David's work, can Nic ever manage to stay sober? **Recommendation:** I would recommend this book to anyone, especially anyone who has read Tweak, which David's son Nic wrote. This book gives you insight into how an entire family can be affected by addiction, and is very hard hitting. Overall, just a fantastic book. Christina D.

** Title: **** Double Cross ** **Author:** **Samuel M. and Chuck Giancana** **Genre:** **Non Fiction** **Gr. Level:** **Grade 10+** **Gender:** **Male** **Plot Summary:** **The book is about a gangster named Sam Giancana’s life and his rise through what we would now call the mafia in Chicago from 1908 – 1969 through the eyes of his brother Chuck and his son Sam M. The book also includes the plots and the assassinations of Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy and how Sam Giancana conducted business of the mafia while trying to gain complete cont** **rol of the USA.** **Recommendation:** **I would recommend this book to anyone who is a focused reader and is interested by history or wants to hear a story about the mafia.Sam R.**
 * Title:** Cut
 * Author:** Patricia McCormick
 * Genre:** Realistic Fiction
 * Gr. Level:** 9 +
 * Gender:** Female and Male
 * Plot Summary:** Cut is about a teenage girl named Callie who deals with her emotions by self-mutilating. When the school nurse sees Callie's cuts, she is sent to a residential treatment facility called Sea Pines. Callie is sent to Sea Pines against her will and is forced to confront her personal issues and learn how to better cope with her feelings. She is not allowed to return home or to school until she stops her dangerous behavior or starts to take an active role in her recovery.
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this book to any teenager that enjoys reading a novel about the struggles of high school. Cut is a captivating novel that contains a lot of emotion and is easy to relate to. Alisha V.
 * Title: Destined - House of Night **
 * Author: ** P.C Cast and Kristen Cast
 * Genre: ** Fiction
 * Gr Level: ** Grade 8+
 * Gender: ** Female
 * Plot Summary: ** The books plot is about this vampyre High Prietess in training name Zoey Redbird. She has to prove to the High Council that Neferet has officially chosen to follow Darkness, but she doesn't know how to do that. Also, Zoey has to deal with love and her guardian Stark. She has to deal with her friends, family, school work and training to become a High Prietess. Zoey has to try and stop Neferet from taking over the world, and killing all the humans on the planet, while she juggles all the other dilemma's in her life.
 * Recommendation: ** I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Twilight, because it's a put together well. I would recommend this more for girls, because the books is sweet and romantic but at the same time it is suspensful and mysterious. I would recommend it to a teenage girl who is having boy troubles, and has to deal with the struggles of highschool and life at such a young age. Robbyn M.
 * Recommendation: ** I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Twilight, because it's a put together well. I would recommend this more for girls, because the books is sweet and romantic but at the same time it is suspensful and mysterious. I would recommend it to a teenage girl who is having boy troubles, and has to deal with the struggles of highschool and life at such a young age. Robbyn M.


 * Title: ** Dreamland
 * Author:** Sarah Dessen
 * Genre:** Fiction
 * Gr. Level:** 9+
 * Gender:** Female
 * Plot Summary:** “Dreamland is the secret story of many contemporary teen relationships. Compelling reading.” – SLJ, starred review. Caitlyn finds herself falling apart when her older sister runs off to be with her boyfriend miles from home. Her sister had always been the star child and recently got accepted to Yale. Now that her sister is gone Caitlyn feels the stress of trying to be the perfect child to please her parents. When Caitlyn meets Rogerson Biscoe her life flips around again and the stress of being perfect seems to disappear. The mysterious Rogerson fascinates Caitlyn to the point where she falls in love with him. The mysteries of Rogerson’s character begin to unravel throughout the novel. The day he hits Caitlyn we find out who he really is.
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the mysteries of some teenage relationships and the emotions that come with it. Mychaela D.


 * Title: **Water for Elephants


 * Author: **Sara Gruen


 * Genre: **Historical Fiction/ Romance

**Gr. Level:** 11+


 * Gender: **Mainly Female

**Plot Summary:** Jacob Jankowski as an elderly man is reflecting on his years in the 1930's. He is informed of his parent’s car accident during his final exams of veterinary school. This leads to the loss of his parents, money, home, and future occupation. With nothing left of his old life he jumps a moving circus train and convinces them to let him stay with his veterinary education. He finds himself in a chaotic mess of animals, love and secrets.


 * Recommendation: **I would recommend this novel mainly to girls because it has a heavy focus on romance. It is different than most books; it is set in the 1930’s with all the struggles and hardships of the times. It’s a well written, endearing and emotionally charged novel that you won’t want to put down. – Chelsa H.


 * Title:** From A Buick 8
 * Author:** Stephen King
 * Genre:** Fiction/ Mystery
 * Gr. Level:** 10 and up
 * Gender:** Male
 * Plot Summary:** Ned Wilcox is a kid fresh out of high school and is ready to work. His late father, Curt, was a Penn State Trooper and had an obsession about cars. But only one car really peaked his interest, A 1953 Buick Roadmaster. After people started going missing, Curt went after the car and tried to find out as much about it as possible. Meanwhile, a second storyline involves Ned, who is learning all about his courageous father. Curt's story takes place in 1979 while Ned is learning about him in 2002.
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this book to mostly boys who are Stephen King fans. He writes with a huge passion for suspense and this will definetly keep you out of your seat. If this were a movie, it would be more popular than Avatar. - Jesse T.

grieving over their loss they finally make it to their friends wit some help from a band of traveling kids. T hey finally found their friend but they dont like what tey find.
 * Title: T ** he Fear
 * Author:** Charlie Hison
 * Genre: ** Fantasy/Action
 * Gr. level: **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">8+
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gender: ** Boys
 * Plot Summery: ** T <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h e t <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">hird book in this series, a boy named Danny Trejo sets off into the post apocalyptic city of London in searc<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h of his friends w<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h o <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">he was separated from in t <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">he last book. Danny and h <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">is friends travel by boat along t <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">e river. they encounter many people along t <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">ere way including a power mad kid, bent on ruling t <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">is new <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">London, but <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">e needs an army to do so. Catching on t <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">at David is crazy, they escape <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">only to be <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">ambushed by t <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">e infected g<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">rown-ups. T <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">ey all survive at t <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">e expense of their friend.
 * Recommendation: ** I would recommend t <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h is book to boys w <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h o likes zombie type books but still as a lot of good plot and lots of plot twists. Its written in a way t <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h at you never know w <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h o t <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h e aut <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">h or might try to kill off next. Scott M.


 * Title:** Grave Peril
 * Author:** Jim Butcher
 * Genre:** Fantasy/mystery
 * Gr. Level:** 9+
 * Gender:** Both
 * Plot Summary:** Grave peril is book number 3 in the series called the Dresden files. In this book the main character Harry must face one of the toughest opponents he has ever had to face. A living night mare who is back from the dead and ready to hunt Harry and those who helped kill him in the first place. When Harry’s friends are put in danger he must look to the only people that can help him, his friend Michael a Knight of the cross and SI agent Karen Murphy. Can Harry and his friends stop this night mare from entering any more dreams or will it haunt them forever.
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this book to any person who enjoys some adult like fantasy/mystery novels. They are very well written and always keep you on your toes and wanting more. Mark.S

**Author:** Monica Hughes **Genre:** Fiction **Gr. Level:** 9+
 * Title: Hunter in the Dark **
 * Gender:** Both
 * Plot Summary:** This book is about a 15 year old male named Mike Rankin who is diagnosed with a special type of leukemia. he battles the disease and has to go to the hospital all the time for stomach turning treatment. At the same time he is also in swan hills trying to tag a trophy white-tailed deer. the setting switches every few chapters making it hard to track whats going on. it switches between mike being at the hospital, his home, his town and being at Swan Hills. his life is difficult because the doctor can not tell him very much about his condition because his parents refuse to let him know. so mike finds out on his own and plans the hunting trip. read this book to find out if he gets his trophy deer or not.
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this book to male and females, because anyone can like books about hunting or even books about diseases and things like that. very good book everyone should read it. -Austin Miller


 * Title:** Jaws
 * Author:** Peter Benchley
 * Genre:** Fiction/Suspense
 * Gr. Level:** 10+
 * Gender:** Male
 * Plot Summary:** After a rampant shark terrorizes the town of Amity, police chief Martin Brody is called to deal with the matter personally. Amity, a small sea side residence that depends on the summer visitors to carry them through the slower winter months is crushed when Brody decides to close the beaches. When Mr. Vaughan the town's mayor threatens to fire Martin from his position as police chief, Brody reopens the beaches to much celebration of the town. The celebration is short lived though as the wild shark wastes no time ripping tourists limb from limb. With the ever increasing threat of the shark and the possibility of losing his job from the loss of tourists, Martin Brody knows it's time to jump in the water and hunt the shark down himself.
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this book to any guy who's in to action/suspense stories. It's a great book with lots of gory parts and fast paced action. Definitely not a book for someone who's into flowers and cute furry animals. -Ashton C.


 * Title: Just Listen **
 * Author: ** Sarah Dessen
 * Genre: ** Fiction
 * Gr Level: ** Grade 9+
 * Gender: ** Female
 * Plot Summary: ** After a summer of isolation, Annabelle Greene must return to school and come face to face with Sophie. Once her best friend but now her worst enemy, Sophie harsses her daily by shouting unkind words at her down the hallways of their high school. Everything began to fall apart when Sophie's boyfriend Will forced Annabelle down at a party and took advantage of her. Of course, he told everyone she had been the one to try and hook-up with him. Unfortunately, everyone believed him and Annabelle was shunned. On top of that, one of her sisters was fighting anorexia. However, as the story progressed things began to improve, she makes a new friend named Owen and her sister slowly heals... but what is to become of her friendship with Sophie?
 * Recommendation: ** I would definitly recommend this to any girl who enjoys reading realistic yet entertaining books about an average teenage girl. -Dori J.


 * Title:** Looking for Alaska
 * Author:** John Green
 * Genre:** Teen Fiction
 * Gr. Level: 10+**
 * Gender:** Both
 * Plot Summary:** Miles Halter is a high school junior with an addiction to memorizing the last words of famous people. Looking to escape his boring and ordinary life, he decides to move to a private boarding school in Alabama to begin to seek "the Great Perhaps", as put in the last words of Francois Rabelais. When he arrives to Alabama, his experience is nothing like he could imagine. His friendship with his new roommate, Chip Martin, leads him to the girl of his dreams: beautiful, intelligent and endlessly fascinating Alaska Young. As the school year goes by, Miles becomes an adventurous troublemaker, but also must deal with the difficulties in answering the great questions of life.
 * Recommendation:** I would highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially to those between the ages 15 and 18. Mia P.


 * Title:** Lord Sunday
 * Author:** Garth Nix
 * Genre:** Fantasy
 * Gr. Level:** 9 and up
 * Gender:** Both Male and Female
 * Plot Summary:** The book is about Arthur Penhaligon who continues his quest to find the last piece of the Will and retrieve the seventh key from the evil Lord Sunday. With the House continuing to fall apart due to the Nothing that has leaked through and is now eating up different parts off the House. With this news, Arthur and his friends are forced to race against time because in order to keep The Piper's army away from Lord Sunday they must immediatly get to Sunday in order to get the key first so Arthur can fill his destiny to become the Rightful Heir to the Archeitech of the House. During his quest, he finds himself in different situations that scare him as he doesn't know what to expect inside the house.
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy novels. Matthew Marr


 * Title:** Mockingjay
 * Author:** Susan Collins
 * Genre:** Fiction
 * Gr. Level:** 7+
 * Plot Summary:** Mockingjay is the third and final book in The Hunger Games series. katniss Everdeen and the other rebels fight a war to take down "The Capitol" and President Snow for good. This novel is packed with violence, supence and action. In the end, Katniss makes her dicission between Peeta and Gayle. It was a wonderful end to a great series.
 * Recommendation:** I would recomend this book to anyone. The Hunger Games are some of the best books I have ever read. Bronte T.


 * Title:** Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit
 * Author**: Nahoko Uehashi
 * Genre:** Fantasy
 * Gr. Level:** 8+
 * Gender:** Both
 * Plot Summary:** Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit is set in a fictional land in ancient Japan. Balsa, a 30-year-old female bodyguard, is hired to protect Chagum, the Second Prince who becomes the guardian of the cloud spirit's egg, from the the Mikado's plots to kill him. If the egg does not hatch safely, it would mean a drought for the country. After taking him away from the palace, Balsa learns that she has another enemy -- a creature called Rarunga from another world that hunts the egg. The story revolves around the legends and history of that land, as well as martial arts and the theme of fate.
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy novels and folk legends. The vocabulary is not difficult and the story keeps the reader interested at all times. It has a lot of action and the characters are very interesting. It also has a hint of romance for people who like to read romance novels. Lie Yun K.


 * Title:** Nothing Short of Perfect
 * Author:** Day Leclaire
 * Genre:** Fiction/Romance
 * Gr. Level:** 9+
 * Gender:** Female
 * Plot Summary:** Billionaire engineer, Justice St.John, lost his parents in a car accident as a child and grew up being bounced between foster homes. He is finally placed in a home with a real family, until he spends the summer having a behind-the-scenes relationship with one of his foster sisters, Daisy. He is taken in by his uncle, his only remaining family, and must adjust to living his lifestyle; he has a very severe social-anxiety disorder and cannot be around any people at all. After a car wreck, destroying a large portion of his memory, Justice discovers that the isolation in which he has been living has led to him having no one there for him; no family, no wife, no children, nothing. During his first public appearance in over five years, he makes an instant connection with a beautiful young woman, and blinded by the accident, no longer remembers her; his teenage love. After one of the most wonderful nights of his life, his memory is triggered and he goes back into hiding, furious at her for the damage she'd caused him as a teen. Twenty months later, she is on his doorstep, aggravated, relieved, exhausted, and with some life changing news....
 * Recommendation:** I would highly, highly recommend this book to any girl that loves a great romance/family novel. I absolutely adore every book in this series of short romance/family novels and this one was no different. I, myself, never have any time to read outside of school and flipped through this novel in two short days, not able to put it down. It was definitely a page turner and a fantastic read. Anneke L.

**Author:** Sheree Fitch
 * Title:** Pluto's Ghost
 * Genre:** Fiction/Thriller/Young Romance
 * Gr. Level:** 9+
 * Gender:** Both
 * Plot Summary:** Skye disappears, rumored to be pregnant, while Jake frantically sets out to find her. Travelling from a small town in Nova Scotia all the way to Halifax in search of Skye, Jake leaves crime and destruction in his wake. After and night and a day of frustration, drama and danger, he finds himself in the back of a police cruiser with a body-bag and a long trail of mounting evidence against him.
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this to everyone because its a great novel with a lovesick bad ass narrator (Jake) on a desperate quest. Peter L.


 * Title: ​** ​ The Fire Within
 * Authour:** Chris D'Lacey
 * Genre:** Fantasy Novel
 * Gr. Level:** 9 and up
 * Gender:** both male and female
 * Plot Summery:** When David moves in with Elizabeth Pennykettle and her eleven year old daughter, Lucy, he discovers a collection of clay dragons that come to life. David's own special dragon inspires him to write a story, which reveals the secrets behind a mystery. In order to solve the mystery and save his dragon, David must master the magic of the fire within- not only with his hands but also his heart.
 * Recommendation:** I would recomend this to any one. It is a great novel, and it's not as bad as it sounds. David G.


 * Title**: The Grapes of Wrath
 * Author**: John Steinbeck
 * Genre**: Historical Fiction
 * Gr. Level**: 11+
 * Gender**: Male and Female
 * Plot Summary:** Tom Joad, the second oldest son of the Joads family, has recently been released out of McAlester prison for homicide and finds his house has been deserted. When he meets his family at his uncle's house, he learns that his family had been kicked out of their homes by the banks, as the Joads couldn't pay their loans after their farmlands were devastated by series of dust storms. The Joads decide to invest everything they have for their long journey to California, influenced by handbills which describe open opportunities and higher wages in the state. Although they began hopeful, various obstacles, such as death and desertions of family members, poverty, starvation and social discriminations test their will to continue their journey to the land of promise.
 * Recommendation**: I would recommend this book to anyone because this novel not only brings awareness to the plight of the poor, but also discusses themes of equality, rights, traditions, family, conscience, power structures, role of religion, etc. Also, it is written in a way which captivaes the readers' attentions. Yoon S.


 * Title:** The Green Mile
 * Author:** Stephen King
 * Genre:** Fantasy/Fiction
 * Gr. Level:** 9+
 * Gender:** Male and Female
 * Plot Summary:** Paul Edgecomb, a guard and executioner at the Coal Mountain Louisiana State Penitentiary's death row nicknamed the 'Green Mile', gets a new inmate to look after. This big black man named John Coffey doesnt seem like the type to rape and murder two young girls, but has been given the death sentence because of it. Paul, who witnesses a few miracles on the 'Green Mile', now has to find out the truth about John Coffey, and a few others along the way. The only question is, will the truth make a difference?
 * Recommendation:** I would deffinately recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a novel with a lot of emotion. Kyana.H.


 * Title:** The Help
 * Author:** Kathryn Stockett
 * Genre:** Realistic Fiction
 * Gr. Level:** 10+
 * Gender:** Female
 * Plot Summary:** The Novel The Help follows the lives of three women in a small town of Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960's. Minnie and Aibileen, two maids who work for white ladies, team up with a white woman named Miss Skeeter. Miss Skeeter is an educated woman who wants to become a writer and write something important; so Miss Skeeter comes up with an idea for a novel but will need the help from Minnie, Aibileen and the other maid's in town. The ladies together put themselves through great risks and danger as they write a novel about what it's like to be a maid for white woman. Even if they do get the book published in time for the new year, it will only be a matter of time before the town starts talking about who wrote the book.
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this book to any girl because this book is captivating and it really allows you to connect with the characters, overall an excellent read. Elizabeth D.


 * Title**: The Last Song
 * Author**: Nicholas Sparks
 * Genre**: Romantic Fiction
 * Gr. Leve**l: 9+
 * Gender**: Female
 * Plot Summary**: The novel The Last Song is a romance novel about a young girl who is faced with the reality of her parents being divorced. This realization leaves the main character, Ronnie Miller, in a state of not wanting anything to do with her father, and doing everything in her power to disobey her mother. Ronnie's mother, in the best interest for her, sends her and her little brother Jonah off to live with her dad for the summer in Wrightsville, North Carolina. The last thing Ronnie wants to do is spend the summer with her dad, so she finds herself hanging out with high school volley-ball player, Will. After Will helps Ronnie to love again, she finally forgives her father, and starts trying to earn back the time they had lost together throughout the years.
 * Recommendation**: I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a very detailed tear jerker, with a great story line and an overall amazing book. Alisha M.


 * Title:** The Lovely Bones
 * Author:** Alice Sebold
 * Genre:** Fiction
 * Gr.Level:** 10+
 * Gender:** Male & Female
 * Plot Summary:** "The story of a life and everything that came after." Susie Salmon a fourteen year old girl from a small town out side of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania lives an average life until one day that changed her life. On December 6, 1973 when Susie is walking home from school she passes her suspicious neighbor who lures her away and murders/rapes her. In this story you get to experience what Susie's heaven is like and how she wishes she could be back on earth with the ones she loves. Susie, while in heaven, does her best to help lead her friends and family to her murderer. Clues are picked up while her killer tries to hide his tracks which eventually leads to him being nearly impossible to be found.
 * Recommendation:** I recommend this book to anyone who can handle violence and likes a unusual ending. Also if you are a person who can be dedicated to finishing a book, once you pick it up you will not want to put it down**.** Sarah M.


 * Title**: The Old Man and the Sea
 * Author**: Ernest Hemmingway
 * Genre**: Tragedy
 * Gr. Level**: 9+
 * Gender**: Male and Female
 * Plot summary**: An old man, named Santiago, lives by a small fishing village and is thought of as one of the inferior fisherman, so he sets sail to catch the biggest fish he can. He catches a very large fish on his fishing wire, but it pulls his boat towards the middle of the sea for several days. The old man is faced with a few problems along the way that test his strength and endurance.
 * Recommendation**: I recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy read, but also enjoys books packed with imagery and symbolism. Though it is an easy read, this book holds a lot of meaning. - Kieran S.


 * Title:** Room
 * Author:** Emma Donoghue
 * Genre:** Fiction
 * Gr. Level:** 9+
 * Gender:** Male and Female
 * Plot Summary:** Kidnapped at the age of nineteen, the woman we know as "Ma" was taken by Old Nick. Jump ahead seven years and she is still in captivity, but she now has a five-year-old son, Jack. Jack knows nothing of the outside world, and to him Room is home. But to Ma, it is an eleven by eleven prison where she has been held for seven years. As her son grows, so does her desperation and determination to escape...
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a more serious read, as some of the book's content is rather heavy. It is a book that both females and males might enjoy, but the story is very driven by emotion. Rian S.

-Sydney G.
 * Title: ** The Sorceress
 * Author:** Michael Scott
 * Genre:** Fiction
 * Gr. Level:** 9+
 * Gender:** Male and Female
 * Plot Summary:** Pernelle Flamel is trapped on Alcatraz Island by Dr. John Dee. Nicholas Flamel and twins, Sophie and Josh Newman, go to London, England in search of Gilgamesh. Nicholas is hoping that he will train the twins in the magic of Water. During their quest they run into John Dee and two other Immortal Elders, they end up having to battle in a dilapidated car lot that is formed like a castle. You will have to read the book to find out who wins!
 * Recommendation:** I would recommend this novel to anyone who is into the thought of magic, action, and fun and terrifying adventures. However this is the third novel in the series, so I would recommend that you read book one (The Alchimist) and book two (The Magician) before reading this book.


 * Title:** Safe Haven
 * Author:** Nicholas Sparks
 * Genre:** Fiction
 * Gr. Level:** 10+
 * Gender:** Female
 * Plot Summary:** Safe Haven is a novel about a mysterious woman named Katie who moves to Southport, a small town in North Carolina, looking to start everything over and to live a better life. She tends to keep to herself due to a past that she does not wish to share. She is beautiful, yet avoids to become close to anyone and questions about her begin to rise. Katie eventually starts to get close to her neighbor, Jo, and Alex, a widowed store owner with two children; without Katie really noticing she slowly lets her guard down, becoming attached with Alex and his family. Katie begins to fall in love but secrets and the past that she keeps still haunt her, secrets that left her traveling to Southport. However, Jo helps Katie realize that she has options, and that she can choose who to love and where to stay.
 * Recommendation:** I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a fictional but realistic story about love and friendship, a book that can make you cry and laugh and put you in the same position as the characters. A book that will keep you turning the page. Vanessa P.


 * Title:** Safe Haven
 * Author:** Nicholas Sparks
 * Genre:** Romance/Drama
 * Gr. Level:** 9+
 * Gender:** Female
 * Plot Summary:** Safe Haven is about a woman named Katie who desperately needs to escape an abusive marriage. After months of careful planning she runs away to Southport, a small coastal town in North Carolina. Once she is there, Katie must figure out how to keep her identity a secret, and survive on her own. Despite her efforts to avoid close contact with the people around her, Katie begins to build relationships with Alex, the owner of the local general store, and his kids. Through these relationships, we see Katie struggle to figure out whether or not she is ready to feel close to someone again, and how the constant worry that her husband will track her down affects her behavior toward the ones she grows to love. Jo, Katie's neighbour, is the only friend she has to help her work through her issues and try to leave her past behind.
 * Recommendation:** I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who would enjoy a romantic story with hints of comedy, suspense and action. Sparks does an excellent job of putting you in the characters' shoes, allowing even the most dissimilar readers to fully understand, relate to, and feel what Katie is going through. Meghan C.

**Author:** Bob Probert with Kirstie Mclellan Day
 * Title:** Tough Guy
 * Genre: ** Autobiography
 * Gr. Level: ** 13+
 * Gender: ** Male and Female
 * Plot Summary: ** Tough Guy is about the life of a former well known NHL player Bob Probert. Bob played in the National Hockey League from 1985 to 2002 and was best known for his fighting and tough guy attitude. Throughout his career, Probert worked hard on the ice but developed one major problem in his life. He became addicted to alchohol. This addiction led Probert to stay out late and party until eventually his actions started to affect his career. Throughout the story we learn the steps it took for Bob to overcome his addiction.
 * Recommendation: ** I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves sports, hockey in partuicular and who enjoys autobiographys. It gives a realistic view of fame on and off the ice.

Title: Tweak ** Author: **** Nic Sheff ** ** Genre: ** Autobiography ** Gr. Level: **** 10 & up ** ** Gender: **** both female & male ** ** Plot Summary: ** Tweak is about a young man who is trying to get over his addiction. Once being addicted to meth cocain and haroin he is in the 12 step program with a very supportive sponser! But Nic feels like its time to go back to L.A. and do just one more shot. Of course that one shot turned into many and he quickly started back down the path of drugs and dealing and selling his body to other men. Through out the book Nic falls in and out of this cycle a couple of time, of course each time is a little diffent. It all depends on where he is at who he is with and if his sponser and parents can find him. If his parents find him Nic will surely be back into another rehab center. Nic does however realize what he is doing and how it is recking his relationship with the his sponser and his sponsers family his own family including his younger brother and sister. But everybody wants him to leave the girl he says he loves ** Recommendation: **** I ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">would recommend this book to anyone who likes true stories. There is a fair amount of action and will keep you on the edge of your seat. It isn’t even boring when you first start the book there is a lot taking place. I wouldn’t recommend this book for anyone in the grades lower then 10 because of language and certain content. All in all this is a very good book. - Nick.m

Caitlin. K
 * Title:** The Vampire Lestat
 * Author:** Anne Rice
 * Genre:** Fiction, Romance, Horror
 * Gr. Level:** 11+
 * Gender:** Female
 * Plot Summary:** "The Vampire Lestat" is about a young man in pre-revolutionary France who runs away to Paris to be an actor. It is then that he is kidnapped and made into a vampire against his will. When his creator kills himself, Lestat, with no one to guide him in his new life, faces the concepts of what is good and what is evil, hoping to discover the answer as he faces the ages with his new found immortality. In his quest for the truth, he will face many challenges and meet many new faces that will change his life forever, and when your immortal, forever is literal.
 * Recommendations:** I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, dark romance, and for all those who enjoy a more mature read. The book is very detailed with a rich text that will keep you captivated from start to finish.