The Off Season

The Off Season by  Catherine Gilbert Murdock  [YA Fiction]

by Marina, 9th grader

The Off Season is an incredibly well written book about a girl named D.J. who lives in the Midwest and is linebacker for her high school football team. Her boyfriend is the rival high school’s quarterback, and her two older brothers play college ball. Her younger brother is super-smart, and they all live on a dairy farm that is doing well- until everything goes downhill. D.J.’s life is slowly falling apart, and she becomes totally alone- what will she do? A really great sequel to Dairy Queen, and good for anyone ages 11 and up to read.

Perfect Match

Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult  [Adult Fiction]

by Shreya, 8th grader

Nina Frost is a hotshot prosecutor lawyer who deals with sexual abuse cases every day. Being a mother and being a lawyer had always been two equal parts of her life, but when her own five-year-old son is affected by a sexual assault, her world turns upside down. Suddenly, being the victim instead of the lawyer has Nina frustrated and very confused. Jodi Picoult develops realistic characters and shows how hard some decisions can be when it comes to your duty or your family.

That Summer

That Summer by Sarah Dessen  [YA Fiction]

by Trisha, 7th grader

The book That Summer by Sarah Dessen is the story of a sixteen-year-old girl named Haven who is going through many emotional changes. First, her dad, recently divorced from her mom, gets married to Lorna, the Weather Lady at the dad’s TV station. The girl’s sister is getting married and leaving Haven and her mom, changing their home from a family of four to a family of two. I love how Haven becomes free from all the stresses and pressures of her life at last. This book is funny, sad, and inspiring. I recommend this book!

Boy Toy

Boy Toy by Barry Lyga

by Marina, 9th grader

Boy Toy is about a very confused boy who is a senior in High School. His life been going down the toilet since he was twelve. His worst nightmare was released early from prison, so the girl from his past is back to haunt him. What is he to do? A really awesome book but definitely only for much older teens.

Good Enough

Good Enough by Paula Yoo [YA Fiction]

by Wendy, 12th grader

The author, Paula Yoo is an incredibly funny person (I had the pleasure of emailing her and she wrote back!). Her character Patti Yoon is a perfect Korean-American honor student slated for the big three: HARVARD/PRINCETON/YALE, but senior year changes everything. With sharp, intelligent and witty observations, Patti learns about what it’s like to be her own person. If readers are looking for trite, sappy teenage romance, then this is not the novel for you. Through recipes, jokes, and even SAT word spoofs, Paula Yoo delivers the truth about growing up, being happy, and moving on.

The Runner

The Runner by Cynthia Voigt [YA Fiction]

By Aziza, 6th grader

This very emotional book was one I wasn’t too sure about when I first read it. Once I finished it, though, I was in tears by how much this book touched me. It was a great piece of literature, but it also involved many times when the reader needed to read between the lines. It was a very interesting story, and if you enjoy emotional books, then this is the one for you.

Love, Stargirl

Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli [YA Fiction]

by Jessica, age 12

I really enjoyed Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. I liked the fact that it was written in the form of a letter. It is cool that it is from Stargirl’s point of view instead of Leo’s this time. Any girl in elementary school will LOVE this book!

Who Put That Hair In My Toothbrush?

Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush? by Jerry Spinelli  [J Fiction]

By Jessica, age 12

This is the story of two siblings who quarrel about everything. Finally at the end of the book, the most tragic of things happens, and that finally brings Megin and Greg together. You have to really read it to find out what happens- this funny and tragic story by Jerry Spinelli will make you want to keep reading.

Salem Falls

Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult  [Adult Fiction]

By Shreya, 8th grader

Jodi Picoult delivers once again with Salem Falls. Salem Falls is a brew of mystery, conviction, and small-town secrets. The main character, Jack St. Bride, a handsome prep school soccer coach, escapes to Salem Falls, New Hampshire, hoping to forget his past and the judge’s verdict. Yet, trouble seems to follow this unlucky man everywhere. He is convicted of the same crime as before and the chances that the jury will find him innocent are slim. Filled with the secrets of modern-day witches, twisting events, and the quest of finding and recognizing true love, Salem Falls will keep you hanging until the end.

After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away

After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away by Joyce Carol Oates  [YA Fiction]

By Aziza, 6th grader

I read about a horrible incident that occurred in this book where the main character is left alone when her mother dies on the Tappan Zee Bridge. This impelled me to read on, and I was immediately hooked by this emotional story. Although the author ended this story without much detail, this story was truly one of my favorites. If you love to read emotional, heart-touching stories, this book is the one for you.