Extras

Extras, by Scott Westerfeld [YA Fiction]

By Shreya, 8th grader

If you thought the Uglies/Pretties/Specials trilogy was over, you were wrong. Mr. Westerfeld has done it again. Extras is as thrilling as the other three. But this time, Tally Youngblood is not the main character. Aya now lives in a world entirely dependent on fame. The story is a little slow, but once you get to Part II, it is all worth it. Extras is like a new season soap opera, with the drama, boys, and a special appearance at the end of the show. And just like the best soapies, it gets you hooked.

Ophelia

Ophelia, by Lisa Klein [YA Fiction]

by Jeana, 9th grader

A new twist on an old tale: Ophelia tells the story of a motherless girl with a taste for adventures, and for a certain prince of Denmark. Though it stays faithful to the story of Hamlet, the author adds her own vital twist to Ophelia’s “madness.” The author makes Ophelia a truly strong character, rather than a dependent, weak character like in the play, while seamlessly joining it with the play’s events. She also adds her own ending to the story, making the book original and addicting. I recommend this book to any Shakespeare fan, or anyone who wants to read a good book with a strong female lead.

Emma

Emma, by Jane Austen [adult fiction]

by Hanna, age 17

This is an amazing and interesting book written during the 19th century in England.
It provides a very funny and subtly cynical look at society at the time. It pokes fun at the pastimes and petty hobbies of the young unmarried women and shows how class differences affected the personalities and expectations of all of the different characters. But even with these underlying messages, the book as a whole is fun and lighthearted and a great read.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. Rowling [J Fiction]

by Sage, 6th grader

Harry Potter heard voices when he was alone. Harry went in the girl’s bathroom and went down the sink, and found someone who was almost dead. Harry fought a giant snake and killed it with a sword that got stuck in its mouth.

The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney

The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney, by Suzanne Harper [YA Fiction]

by Marina, 9th grader

Sparrow is the 7th daughter of the 7th daughter in a family of mediums. Except Sparrow doesn’t want to be a part of her mystical family’s profession. She refuses to interact with spirits. When she finally gets the chance to start over at a new high school, without her weird reputation, she thinks she has a chance to be normal. But then a ghost finds her and won’t leave her alone. No matter what she does to ignore him, the ghost won’t give up. Can Sparrow help this ghost move on, still seem normal, and win the mysterious guy in her history class? A wonderful book for teens.

Brave New World

Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley [adult fiction]

by Wendy, 12th grader

In Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, life is perfect — no disease, no hate, no war, just endless fun and games in their utopian society. But happiness is equivalent to ignorance, and what it means to be truly human is lost. When a man named John comes to live in the “civilized world” from his remote Indian reservation, his humanity comes to a clash with society’s norms and all hell breaks loose. Excellent for lit students, psychology students, and sci-fi lovers.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, by Gabrielle Zevin [YA Fiction]

by Trisha, 7th grader

This book is about a girl who loses her memory falling down the stairs. The girl’s name is Naomi. When she wakes up, she forgets all her friends, her boyfriends, and, most importantly, her parents’ divorce. I love this book. It is funny how she can’t seem to
remember what she likes so much about her boyfriend. She also is attracted to the mysterious James with a mysterious past. 0000! Funny, serious, unique, definitely read this!

The Shining

The Shining, by Stephen King [adult fiction]

by Ryan, 12th grader

A writer, his wife, and his 8 year old son run maintenance at the Overlook Hotel, over winter. As the writer gets writer’s block, he starts to act strange. This horrifying tale of spirit and insanity is written by Stephen King.

Gingerbread

Gingerbread, by Rachel Cohn [YA Fiction]

by Marina, 9th grader

Gingerbread is the story of a rebellious girl and her troubled past. Cyd has to escape her annoying mom and still have time to hang out with her boyfriend Shrimp and not fall in love with his older brother or any other boy who passes by. Her only true friend is her doll, Gingerbread, whom her biological father gave her when she was five. She hasn’t seen him since. So what happens when she’s shipped off to New York City to live with him? A very interesting book, but definitely not for preteens or children.

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment, by James Patterson [YA Fiction]

by Christine, age 17

Although I’ve heard people denounce Maximum Ride as a “younger kid” book, do not be deceived. This series is appropriate for anyone, whether you like comedy, action, or a little romance. Max’s sense of humor is amazing. She is constantly making fun of her enemies using her spectacular sarcasm and quick wit. It makes the book extremely entertaining. The story could not possibly be filled with more action. It’s about 6 kids who were genetically combined with birds as an experiment. The result was human kids with wings. They are constantly being tested, until they escape. The book is about how she keeps her “flock” safe and away from the scientists.