"Grief Girl - My True Story" by Erin Vincent

This is Erin Vincent's true autobiography about how her life completely changed when she was 14. Both of her parents were killed in a car accident, leaving Erin's older sister Tracey in charge of her and their younger brother Trent. Erin struggles with her loss and her sense of responsibility regarding her parents' untimely death. This book makes you realize how powerful of an emotion grief can be, and how each of us handles it differently. Erin uses a LOT of language to describe her feelings. Other than that, I think it's good for high school, maybe middle school, and even adults!

"Does My Head Look Big in This?" by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Amal attends a highly prestigious prep school in Australia. She comes to the decision to wear the hijab, a Muslim head scarf, as a sign of her religion. How will Amal's friends and family react? This is a great book about friendship, faith, and coming to terms with your personal beliefs. Recommended for grades 7th and up.

"An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green

After finishing high school, Colin and his best friend Hassan decide to embark on a road trip. Colin has had it with Katherines. He's been dumped 19 times by girls with that name, and he's determined to find out why. As a child prodigy, Colin is fascinated by anagrams and equations, but can he use his math skills to figure out why he can't keep a girlfriend?

"Monster" by Walter Dean Myers

Steve Harmon is in big trouble, BIG. He's awaiting trial in prison, charged as an accomplice to murder. Steve tells his story as a play, where he's the lead role. Life in prison is rough and brutal, and this novel is the same. Recommended for high school. Winner of the Printz Award.

"What Happened to Cass McBride?" by Gail Giles

Cass McBride leads the perfect life. She's gorgeous, a straight A student and the most popular girl at her high school. Dating the football star, she is well on her way to becoming homecoming queen. David Kirby, on the other hand, is a notorious loser. What happened to Cass McBride? She has been kidnapped and buried alive by Kyle Kirby, who holds her personally responsible for his brother's untimely death. The next 48 hours are crucial for Cass. Her father has taught her well in the art of negotiations. But will her smooth talking skills be enough to be able to convince Kyle to let her go? You can read this thrilling book in one sitting. But I strongly advise you if you're at all claustrophobic, to read it an big, open space with all the lights on. Recommended for 8th grade and up.

"Elsewhere" by Gabrielle Zevin

After being killed in a bicycle accident, Liz finds herself on a cruise ship full of old people. This boat is going to Elsewhere, and Elsewhere is where you go when you die. But Liz isn't ready to be dead, she's supposed to be getting her driver's license and shopping for a prom dress. Elsewhere is a weird place, her dead grandma is there and everyone ages backwards until they turn into a baby. Is it possible that a life lived in reverse is no difference than a life lived forward? Is life in Elsewhere really that different than life on Earth? To find out, read Elsewhere! Good for 8th grade and up. This book follows a similar plot line to "The Lovely Bones," but it's not as harsh in subject material.

"9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation" by Sid Jacobson & Ernie Colon

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States put out a report in 2004, detailing the attacks of 9/11 and the response of our government. The original report had 567 pages in it, and was filled with some dense material. This graphic adaptation of the report is great. The illustrations are wonderful, it's logical and sequential, and best of all, it's an accurate representation of the events that day (based on the original Commission report, that is!). Great for high school history classes and anyone interested in the events of 9/11.

"Hugging the Rock" by Susan Taylor Brown

What do you do when your mom runs away from home? This is what Rachel must figure out. She's feeling abandoned and alone, and her dad is struggling with how to cope with her mom's absence. Rachel learns about her mom's battle with bipolar disorder, and how her father dealt with her mother's illness when Rachel was younger.

"Shug" by Jenny Han

AnneMarie Wilcox (aka Shug) has been neighbors and friends with Mark Findley ever since she can remember. But they're starting middle school this fall, and Shug can sense things are changing. Her friends are talking about boys, her body's doing weird things, and her parents and twittering on the brink of divorce. When did life get so hard?? Shug is forced to tutor Jack, who drives her crazy, and Mark isn't giving her the attention she craves. Shug's older sister Celia is perfect, popular and has boys calling all the time. Will middle-school ever get easier? Recommended for 5-8th grades.

Gossip Girls Survey

Hey, if anyone loves the Gossip Girls books, take this survey from my friend Jennifer, and tell her what you think of the series!

"Time Stops For No Mouse - A Hermux Tantamoq Adventure" by Michael Hoeye

Hermux Tantamoq is an upstanding citizen and well respected watchmaker. He is your typical mouse, enjoying mellow evenings at home, reading, and playing with his pet ladybug. One day, Linka Perflinger, a daredevil aviator, brings a watch into Hermux's shop for repair. Hermux quickly falls for Linka, and is intrigued by her travels and adventures.

A shady rat attempts to pick up Linka's watch, and Hermux discovers that Linka has mysteriously disappeared. Loyal Hermux is intrigued and sets out to find out what happened. The quest is on to discover the formula for eternal youth, and Hermux finds himself entangled in a race against time. Some mice will murder for the fountain of youth!

If you liked "Stuart Little," Hermux is a great addition to literary mice. This is the first book in a mystery series, so make sure to check out "No Time Like Show Time," and "The Sands of Time."

Recommended for Middle School

We're reading this book for our book club meeting, Monday, December 17, 3-4 PM at the North Bend Library. Free Pizza!

"The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick

12 year old Hugo lives in the walls of a Paris train station, where he keeps the clocks running and shoplifts food and necessities to survive. His father has left him a broken robot or automaton, and Hugo is obsessed with trying to get it back up and running. This book is HUGE, 500 + pages, but the majority of these pages are filled with wonderful illustrations of Hugo's mission. The automaton has a message to deliver, one that Hugo is determined to discover. This book will be made into a movie soon....read it soon before it does!

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

14 year old Arnold Spirit, aka Junior, is a total dork living on the Spokane indian reservation. He is encouraged by a teacher to leave his community plagued by alcoholism and attend a pretigious white school. now he's teased by bullies at his new school and resented by his old friends for leaving them. Joining the basketball team seems to help his social status, but junior must come to terms with his family's issues, and what options he has as a native american living in poverty. This is a wonderful book, lots of quirky illustrations drawn by junior, and is also nominated for LOTS of book awards. 5 STARS! There is swearing and "mature" situations, be warned. Recommended for high school readers.

"Plain Janes" by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg

After a major terrorist attack (9/11?) , Jane's parents move her to suburbia to attend a new high school. Jane meets 3 other girls named Jane in the cafeteria and they form a secret club called the P.L.A.I.N.--People Loving Art in Neighborhoods. they create stellar art projects and have the city stumped as to who's behind these installations. Cool illustrations. reminded me of "Ghost World."

"A Swift Pure Cry" by Siobhan Dowd

It's 1984 in Ireland and 15-year-old Shell Talent's mother has died. Shell's dad turns to drinking, and Shell finds herself responsible for her younger siblings, with little means to do so. She develops an intimate relationship with her school friend, Declan. Declan moves to America, leaving Shell in an unfortunate predicament. Shell feels hopeless and alone, and turns to a new priest, Father Rose for emotional support. This book is powerful and the character development is superb. Recommended for older teens in high school.

"American Born Chinese" by Gene Luen Yang

This is a great story, well, actually 3 stories in 1. Jin Wang is the only Chinese American at his school and he hates it. Then there’s the monkey king, who hates being a monkey and wants people to think of him as god. And finally there’s Chin-Kee, who is Danny’s cousin and embarrassing Danny to death at school. Great kung-fu fight scenes. This book won the Printz award!

"Sold" by Patricia McCormick

Lakshmi is 13 years old and lives in the Himalayan mountains. Her life is simple but hard. Her family is incredibly poor and her stepdad drinks away all the family’s money. After all of their crops are destroyed by a monsoon, she is told she’s going to be a maid for a woman in Calcutta to help earn money for the family. but when she arrives in India, she discovers that she’s trapped and she’s been sold into prostitution. Recommended for high school. A 2007 Best Book for Young Adults!

"Un Lun Dun" by China Mieville

This is a great fantasy story for all ages. Two girls find themselves in an alternate reality, a backwards mirror image of London. Zanna discovers she is the "Shwazzy" or chosen one to save this mysterious city from being overtaken by an evil smog. Magical characters are everywhere including an evil umbrella and a pet milk carton. If you liked "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman, or "Alice in Wonderland," by Lewis Carroll, this book is for you! Recommended for 5th grade and up - your mom or dad might like it too!

"The Innocent's Story" by Nicky Singer

"Okay. This is what I think happened: I got blown up. Boom boom, explosion. Cassina Dixon, aged thirteen, is blasted limb from limb." A suicide bomber kills Cassina and her younger sister in an attack at a train station. Cassina must come to terms with her new identity as a para-spirit, a ghost being that can enter people's brains, and perceive the world around them. This novel starts off in a similar vein to "The Lovely Bones," with Cassina witnessing her family's reaction to the tragedy. It morphs into a more serious discussion on terrorism, religion, and a fictional mysterious sect called the T'lanni. Cassina attempts to discover how suicide bombers can justify their actions, and learns that another terrorism plot is on the horizon. Can Cassina prevent other senseless deaths from beyond the grave? Heavy subject material, not a happy book, but well written. For 9th grade and up.

"Freak Show" by James St. James

Billy Bloom is fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. Billy is flamboyant, flashy, and the best dressed drag queen you'll ever meet. His sense of style unfortunately doesn't mesh well at his conservative high school, and Billy's having a hard time fitting in, and defending himself against vicious attacks. Billy becomes determined to win homecoming queen and show his fellow students what he's made of. Recommended for high school readers.