Heir Apparent

Heir Apparent, by Vivian VandeVelde [YA Fiction]

by Maria, 7th grader

Imagine if you could go to a gaming center in the future when you could experience a “total submersion” gaming experience where you are inside the game and get to have all five senses. Then imagine an anti-gaming protest gets out of control and equipment that’s hooked up to you shorts out so you get more lives than you paid for. Except not too many more. And the only way to exit the game is to win. And if you don’t….well your real brain back in your real body won’t be able to handle the two identities — real and game — and it will die. This book is thrilling and hilarious, a must-read.

Book of a Thousand Days

Book of a Thousand Days, by Shannon Hale [YA Fiction]

by Christine, grade 12

Book of a Thousand Days is by far Shannon Hale’s greatest achievement yet. Dashti is such an amazing character, the kind that makes you want to be friends with her. When Dashti’s Lady Saren gets locked away in a tower for 7 years, Dashti chooses to go with her. Lady Saren is being punished for not marrying who her father wants her to. When Saren’s other suitor shows up at the tower, Saren forces Dashti to impersonate her. Eventually they begin to run out of food, and Dashti begins to try to escape with Saren. I highly recommend this book. I loved it!

The Sea of Monsters

The Sea of Monsters, by Rick Riordan [YA Fiction]

by Jessica, 7th grader

Percy is at camp again and of course is going on another amazing adventure. This time he has to make his way across the sea of monsters to get a magical wool to bring back the magical boundaries that surround the camp. Can he make it past the giant cyclops and save his friend and the camp? Read to find out!

That Summer

That Summer, by Sarah Dessen [YA Fiction]

by Maria, 7th grader

Haven’s life is moving too fast. Her father just left the family for a too-young, pregnant weathergirl. And her best friend comes back from camp what her mother would call “easy” and not ashamed of it. Now her older sister is Bridezilla, finally ending the chain of boyfriends that have been around the house for as long as Haven can remember. Everything’s changing for Haven and she can’t take it. But then Summer, the only memorable boyfriend of her sister’s, shows up and becomes a link to when everything was good and when she still had a family. But what if Summer isn’t what she thought he was?

The Street Lawyer

The Street Lawyer, by John Grisham [adult fiction]

by Shreya, 9th grader

The Street Lawyer is a unique, profound book that makes its readers think about people other than themselves for once. The story is told through a rising hotshot lawyer, Michael Brock, who is flying through life, eyes on his rising salary. He never stops to think about anything in his life besides his work. His work is his life. Suddenly, a violent encounter with a D.C. homeless man completely changes his outlook on life. Unable to get this man out of his mind, he finds out everything about him and learns a dirty secret about his giant D.C. firm. Michael’s priorities changed completely, and he bolts from the firm, leaving his 9-figure salary behind. He ends up on the streets advocating for the homeless: a street lawyer. This story is so different than anything I have read and I think many readers will enjoy it.

Specials

Specials, by Scott Westerfeld [YA Fiction]

by Aziza, 7th grader

SPOILER ALERT!!!

This book is the last in the series Uglies. At first, I couldn’t get over what had recently happened in the second book, Pretties, and what was now happening in Specials. But, after a while, I got used to Tally being Special, and began to love the book again. With (as always, promised by the author) a spectacular adventure, and an ending that sends fireworks into your stomach, this book is an excellent novel kids and teens of all ages should read. I loved it!

Dante’s Inferno

Dante’s Inferno, by Dante Alighieri [adult nonfiction]

by Christine, grade 12

Though some may find Dante’s poetry hard to swallow, I find it extremely interesting. As Virgil guides Dante through the 9 circles of hell, we are shown a world of horrible, yet fascinating, punishments. The ninth circle was my favorite. There was something so very compelling about the description. And I loved the irony of the devil’s entrapment. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who does not have a weak stomach.

DiMaggio: the Last American Knight

DiMaggio: the Last American Knight, by Joseph Durso [adult nonfiction]

by Sage, 7th grader

This book is about Joe DiMaggio, an Italian immigrant playing baseball for the New York Yankees. He lived in San Francisco. He was married to Marilyn Monroe. He hit a 56 game hitting streak. He won 10 World Series and 13 pennants. I loved this book.

Sundancer

Sundancer, by Shelley Peterson [YA Fiction]

by Meghan, age 12

Sundancer is about a girl named Bird who has a special ability — she can talk to animals! (not vocally, but mentally) No one knows, though, because she hasn’t spoken a word since she was six. When a mysterious horse with an abused past arrives at Bird’s ranch, she can’t seem to get through to him. Will Bird be able to find out Sundancer’s past? Read this book to find out. (5 star rating)