The Golden Compass (audio)

The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman [YA Fiction, YA book on CD]

by Wendy, 12th grader

When I first read Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass, I was absolutely hooked by the world, the characters, and the plot. I didn’t think it could get any better. I was wrong. The audiobook takes the novel to a whole new level. Narrated by Pullman himself and a full cast, if you didn’t feel anything reading it silently, you will feel it when you hear it acted out. I had chills down my spine during one of the more dramatic moments (corny-sounding, but listen and you’ll know what I mean). Lyra Belaqua’s voice is perfect. Superb acting and narrating on Pullman’s part. A worthy investment for those fans of Pullman who are waiting for the movie — just watch out, Iorek Byrnison’s voice will make you laugh.

Posse of Princesses

Posse of Princesses, by Sherwood Smith [not yet published!]

by Christine, 12th grader, who read an advance copy

Don’t be deceived by the girly title. This wonderful book is filled with action. When Rhis of Nym is called to a gathering of all of the royal youth of the area, she never dreams she will be responsible for saving the diplomatic relations of almost every country there. With an interesting and page-turning plot, Posse of Princesses, has become one of my favorite books.

The Aeneid

The Aeneid, by Virgil [adult nonfiction -- epic]

by Wendy, 12th grader

Talk about epic, timeless, and class — it doesn’t get any more so than The Aeneid. Odysseus wasn’t the only one with an after story. Heckled by Juno, Aeneas goes everywhere from the city of Carthage to the depths of the Underworld, “until he could found the Roman race.” And Aeneas is far from the classic stoic hero.

Lord of the Kill

The Lord of the Kill, by Theodore Taylor [YA Fiction]

by Maria, 7th grader

Ben was 16 years old when he became the head of his family’s big-cat preserve, Los Coyotes. His parents had left on one of their famous trips, this time to India, to track down tiger poachers, and the person they left in charge fell sick. So, Ben is on his own with the small staff of inexperienced animal keepers, a student vet, and a secretary. Ben is confident he can handle the place when he spots something uncomfortably unusual in the jaguar compound. Their faces are covered in blood, but they aren’t wounded — so whose blood is it? Ben searches the compound and discovers a body, half-eaten and covered partially with a green window drape. Whose body is it? How did it get into the armed park and locked compound?

My Sister’s Keeper

My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult [adult fiction]

by Shreya, 8th grader

This book is amazing. The unique topic kept me hooked. Jodi Picoult, as you will see in her other books, often has very intense subjects. Such as this book, her topic all about the controversial stem-cell research and “designer children.” Kate was diagnosed with leukemia at age two and with a soon-to-be desperate need of a donor, so her parents decide to create a child who will be a perfect match for Kate. So that is how Anna is born and lives her life as Kate’s donor. She’s had countless surgeries and treatments so her sister can live for just one more day. By age 12, she, like many other teenagers, is trying to find out who she is and hires a lawyer to fight for a right to her own body. Her fight for her own rights may tear her family apart…but that’s a risk she’s willing to take. And what happens in the end will surprise you more than you can imagine….

Jodi Picoult is known for her quality of writing, especially through different perspectives of the characters. The story itself is gripping, but the constant switch between characters just makes it more interesting.

MARS

Mars manga series, by Fuyumi Soryo [YA manga]

by Wendy, 12th grader

Most high-school dramas are full of shallow characters and overused plot devices. Not so with Mars. Spanning fifteen books, this manga series follows the characters of Kira, a shy artist, and Rei, a wild playboy. Sounds cliched and overdone, but these two are actually some of the deepest and most profound characters I have ever read about as their relationships, personalities, and pasts gradually emerge. Full of drama and twists and turns, Mars provides some interesting perspective on issues like love (of course!), bullying, sexual harassment, and humanity. Don’t look for sugar-coating high school life, though — it doesn’t get more nitty gritty than this.

Macbeth

Macbeth, by William Shakespeare [adult nonfiction -- plays]

by Christine, 11th grader

Macbeth, Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, is filled with interesting, multi-layered characters. The egotistical Macbeth, his seemingly guilt-free Lady, and the conniving witches and their goddess, make Macbeth an intriguing look at just how much fate controls us. My favorite part was reading about the prophecies coming true and Macbeth’s reaction. He had it coming to him.