The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Arnold, also known as Junior, is poor. He was also born with an array of mental health problems. None of this really gets in his way though, because Arnold refuses to let all the crap in his life get him down. Like the fact that he is Indian and life on the reservation seems to be made to make sure he never survives. There is also the fact that his best friend is always angry and punching things, even Arnold. Also, his sister has turned into a hermit and is living in the basement. Or the fact that everyone he knows seems to be an alcoholic--a bad one. All of these things, coupled with many other hardships that Arnold needs to deal with on the rez, finally breaks him when he realizes that his school books are older than his mom. He loses it. Mainly because he knows that if he is ever to break the cycle of death, anger, and just being broke he needs to leave the rez. And this is the hardest decision for an Indian to ever make. How will Arnold survive when he is not accepted by the white man, yet shunned by his own people as well, just for wanting to better his life?

It has been a long time since a book has made me crack up at the same time as making me feel as though I should shed a tear or two. You really feel for Arnold and root for him to win; yet you feel so bad that this type of decision even needs to be made. It almost makes you feel...wrong about how things can go uncorrected for so long in a countries history. The matter-of-fact language used is realistic compared to how high school students currently speak. The book also contains drawings made by Arnold to visually explain certain things, and they are hilarious; they fit in perfectly with the story. This was an amazingly quick read, because I did not want to put it down at all. This book is highly recommended and can be used to appreciate other cultures and ways of life. The author, who is Indian, has stated that this was partially based on his life; something to know as you are reading this tale. A lesson without seeming like one, this book teaches many things, and you won't even realize that you're learning something because it is just that good!

Gr. 7-10

The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride, Book 1) by James Patterson

Max is like any other girl. Except she has lived most of her life in a cage. And she is super strong. Oh, and she is being chased and followed, possibly to her death. And she has five family members, but she is not really related to them. She also has voices in her head telling her what to do, but not in the creepy death way. Oh yeah, and she has wings that let her fly. So maybe Max is nothing like other girls, but she still wants what they have. A safe house, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and some parents who love her. Max is fourteen, but instead she feels like a mom to the other mutant genetic freaks she calls family. Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel also had their DNA intertwined with bird DNA. The six of them do whatever they can to stay safe, and alive, while being chased by erasers (creepy wolf-men), and find the secrets to their past: who did this to them, why, and did they ever have parents or were they just lab-created test-tube babies? Join Max as she finds out.

Warning! You may want to get all of the Maximum Ride books at once so you can continue reading, because once you start--you won't want to stop! This is the first of five books in the series and it leaves you wanting more! Max has a sarcastic persona about her that makes you feel as though you are really 14 and doing everything right along with her. All the characters are intense and have amazing individualistic aspects to them. Whether it's learning what makes them tick or figuring out their new ability right along with them, you feel for these freaky, mutant bird kids. This book is a perfect, action packed, sci-fi novel, especially for those who claim to hate the genre. Max narrates, in first person, and other alternate characters are narrated in third person. It moves really fast with short, interesting chapters that make you want more. I highly recommend this series for anyone who enjoys action, adventure, danger, sci-fi, fantasy, or teenagers in their stories. It really captures everything you would want in a book.

Gr. 6-11

Shakespeare Bats Cleanup by Ron Koertge

Kevin is at a loss. He has mono. That means resting for a very long time. This also means...no baseball! How will he survive? Before he goes crazy with boredom, Kevin decides to take matters into his own hands. He tries to write poetry. Not because he likes it and not because his father is a writer, but because he is bored. But if Kevin is so bored why can't he stop writing in his journal/poetry book? Kevin writes about all kinds of things: baseball (of course), school, friends, make-out sessions with previous girls, the new girl he kinda likes, and his mom...who is no longer around. Before Kevin realizes it, his mono is gone, the girl he likes may like him back, and he can't stop writing poetry! What is going on!

This was one of those books that surprised me because it was very different than what I ever expected. The book is written in novel in-verse, which has Kevin trying different poetry patterns such as sonnets, free verse, haiku, and much more. Kevin is a normal boy, with normal boy activities--girls and sports. But there is more there and the desire to express himself in some way, because of the pain trapped inside, was wonderful to see. The author does a great job of letting the character come out as the story evolves. I really enjoyed this book and I think it can appeal to all types of readers, even those who never knew poetry did not have to rhyme, and it could tell a story at the same time. This was a super quick read as well, so that made it lots of fun!

Gr. 6-9

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar

Poor Scott Hudson; things are changing all around him and he has no control over any of it. He is starting high school, his friends are drifting apart, the girl he was once friends with in kindergarten, but has no idea who he is now, is suddenly super hot, and oh yeah--his mom is pregnant! Scott quickly learns the survival tips needed for high school, but fears he will forget them by the time his younger sibling, affectionately named 'Smelly' by Scott, is ready for high school. So he decides to write to Smelly (it is NOT a journal) all the tips, tricks, and hints to preserve them. Along the way Scott learns that change, being true to oneself, and taking chances in life is not the worst thing that can happen.

Hilarious! This book had me gasping and giggling at all the right parts because it reminded me of how horrible high school can be. Poor Scott! Sometimes you felt so bad for the guy because of all the stuff that happens to him, but to be honest he does a lot of it to himself! Stupid decisions over girls and sometimes being too nice seem to doom him. I really enjoyed how real this character was; sometimes the decisions he makes are horrible ones, but them you see the good guy in him do what is right and you cheer right along with him. This is a great book with wonderful high school tips for the 8th grader in all of us!

Gr. 7-10

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1) by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson is a bit of a loser. Getting kicked out of a different school year after year, because of fights, and having trouble with his studies, because of his ADHD and dyslexia, is a normal thing for him. Having a real jerk for a stepfather seems to be the icing on the miserable cake of his life. The only good things are his best (and only) friend Grover and his mom. She loves him and wants to protect him, but exactly what is she protecting him from? Percy finds out soon enough as a disaster forces him to spend the summer at Camp Half Blood; a camp for the children of the Greek gods and mortals! Percy learns a lot about his life in a short amount of time including the theft he supposedly made from the god Zeus! As Percy goes on his first incredibly dangerous, and possibly last mission, he is accompanied by Grover and Annabeth, friends, who are by his side, even though the prophet Oracle claims of betrayal and danger.

I just finished this book after staying up until 3am the night before. It was so good I did not want to put it down. This book has everything for all readers: action, questions, suspense, family issues, monsters, and powers. Don't be surprised if after reading this kids gain a healthy interest in learning about Greek mythology. With characters like the Furies, Medusa, satyr's, and wood nymphs curiosities should run rampant. This is the first of Percy's adventures, and book four has just come out. Make sure you have access to all in the series, because once you start you will not want to stop!
Gr. 5-9