"Always Running - La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A." by Luis J. Rodriguez

This powerful memoir recounts Rodriguez's youth as a gang banger in the barrios of East L.A. in the early 1960's. He served time in prison for attempted murder, had near-death experiences involving crack and heroin, and witnessed the premature death of many friends and neighbors. His language is raw and powerful, this autobiography was written to help deter his own son from following in his gang footsteps. Rodriguez found support within his community, and was able to break free of his gang activity. He is now a leading Chicano author. "Always Running" won a Carl Sandburg Literary Award, and was a New York Times Notable Book. In 1999 the American Library Association called Always Running one of the 100 most censored books in the United States.

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney

Greg Heffley is keeping a diary. But it's really more of a journal, cause Greg wouldn't be caught dead in middle school with a diary. Greg's into weight lifting, video games, cartooning, and hanging out with his weirdo best friend, Rowley. This quirky book is pretty funny and has lots of tips on how to avoid getting your butt kicked by big 8th graders.

"Companions of the Night" by Vivian Vande Velde

Kerry sneaks out of her house to rescue her younger brother's stuffed bear, which he'd left at the local laundromat. She stumbles across a hostage situation and helps the imprisoned man escape, only to discover he's a vampire. Now Kerry finds herself hostage and her family has gone missing. Every choice Kerry makes either leads her one step closer to finding her missing family, or being turned into a vampire herself.

"10th Grade" by Joseph Weisberg

Jeremy is in 10th grade and has a pretty normal life. But what's normal for your sophomore year in high school? He plays sports, hangs out with the smokers during lunch, and has a huge crush on the most popular girl in high school, Rene Shopmaker. Jeremy's vivid imagination has Rene falling madly in love with him, and his fellow students ooh-ing and aah-ing at his superior athletic ability and masculine charm. Follow Jeremy as he navigates the social hierarchy of high school and finds his identity as well as a date for prom. Strong language, adult situations, best for upper high school.