If you choose to read a novel, leave a comment below and let others know which one you chose and if you think it would be a good read for others. It may even be helpful to tell others what you liked about it! Just remember not to give away the endings!
Continue to check the blog over the summer! As I read books I will continue to post ones I think would be great picks for you as well! Happy Reading!
The Raft by S.A.Bodeen
Genre: Fiction - Action
This is the book I read about the girl named Robie who is visiting her aunt in Hawaii and on her flight back to Midway her plane crashes in the Pacific Ocean and her struggle to survive. There is no sequel, but if you like this one, this author also writes The Compound, which many students have recommended to me in the past.
The Limit by Kristen Landon
Genre: Fiction - Futuristic/Sci Fi
This is the book that started out slow with Matt and his friends playing basketball in the driveway. At dinner Matt and his family talk about a little girl who was "taken" from the middle school that day because her family went over their limit and she is not having to work off the family's death. However, the story takes a turn when Matt is then "taken" when his family goes over their limit and his struggle to find out what their government is doing with the taken kids.
Girl, Stolen by April Henry
Genre: Fiction - action/suspense
This is the book that started with Cheyenne sleeping in the car while her stepmom was in the drug store and someone steals the car, not knowing that she is in it. He promised that he will let her go once he finds out that Cheyenne is blind and all he really wants is the car. However, (what I didn't read you) is that once he finds out who Cheyenne is, he goes back on his word. If you like this book, try The Girl Who Was Supposed To Die by the same author.
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
Genre: Fiction - suspense
When we read his book, it started with Janie at lunch with her friends. While at lunch she notices that her face (from many years earlier) is on the back of the lunch milk carton as a missing child who was abducted many years ago. She struggles to find out the truth about what happened to her and if her parents are really her parents. If you like this book, Cooney writes many other great youth novels, including The Voice on the Radio.
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
Genre: Fiction - realistic
In the part that I read to you Steven writes a journal entry about his little brother, Jeffrey, and how annoying he is. He explains how his little brother used his "special sticks" to make his Dangerous Pie and how he told all his friends that he practices the drums at home in his underwear. One morning Steven is making his brother oatmeal and he falls and has a terrible nosebleed that won't stop. After a trip to the hospital the family learns that Jeffrey has cancer. The story is about how Jeffrey's cancer turns his family - and his 8th grade year - upside down. If you like this book, there is a sequel called After Ever After. Sonnenblick also writes many other novels.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Genre: Fiction - realistic
This started with August, who was born with many abnormalities and deformities that have led to many surgeries that have kept him from attending a regular school. Now that his surgeries have slowed down and he is about to start middle school, his parents think he should start a regular school. The story is about Auggie's first year at real school and the same things middle schoolers encounter - people that judge, people that are nice, people that are honest, and people that aren't. However, there is a terrible incident that is taken the wrong way and changes everything. This is also the book that I shared they are turning into a movie and it is in production.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Genre: Fiction - mystery
This is the book we read as a reader's theatre and had a different classmate for the 12 characters on Indian Island. We also had the chart that we filled out together about each person - their history, why they are coming, and their characterization. This story started with each character's story and we stopped as they all arrived at the island. The book is a murder mystery. After the first murder on the first night, the others think it is a coincidence. However, when it happens again, they know there is a murderer on the island and rush to find out who it is. Remember, I wanted you that this book is a higher-level book and can be a challenge, but is worth the read! Agatha Christie is a well-known mystery novel and writes many other things if you liked this book.
Zane and the Hurricane by Rodman Philbrick
Genre: Fiction - realistic/historical
This book started out with Zane telling you about his family and his dog, Bandit, and how his dad passed away right before he was born when his dad was hit by a car. Now that Zane is older, his mom has reached out to his dad's family so Zane can learn a little more about him and finds out that Zane has a great grandmother in New Orleans. Zane travels to meet her and happens to be there when Hurricane Katrina strikes New Orleans. This is Zane's story of surviving the event that ripped apart this city and many families.
