"In Darkness" by Nick Lake

Nick Lake has written a shockingly dark novel about Haiti, sharing two perspectives on the country's troubled history. Our first narrator is "Shorty," a fourteen-year-old gang member who is caught in the rubble of the Haiti earthquake. The hospital collapses on him while he is being treated for a gunshot wound. The next narrator is Toussiant l'Overture, the historical figure who led the Haitian Revolution against French colonization in the 18th century. Through some mystical voodoo vortex, the two men are able to channel each other in times of crisis, each catching a glimpse of a Haiti they do not know. Shorty has spent his life in the slums. He watched his father get murdered, his sister vanished without a trace, and his mother consistently struggles to survive. Toussaint was a slave in Haiti, yet rebelled against the institution, and his success in Haiti was instrumental in expanding anti-slavery movements throughout the free world.

Be aware that the graphic nature of the conflicts and the high use of profanity may make it more suitable for older teens.

Lanesha lives in the Ninth Ward in New Orleans. It's a poor neighborhood, and her family has never had much money. Her only family is her grandma, Mama Ya-Ya, since Lanesha's own mom died giving birth to her. Mama Ya-Ya makes her feel so special and loved, with homemade southern cooking, and plenty of together time. Mama Ya-Ya has a special gift, where she can see ghosts, and has magical healing powers that help the sick. Some of the neighbors are skeptical, but Lanesha knows it's true, because she has the same power to see ghosts, inlcuding her mom.

The weathermen on the news start to warn everyone that a big hurricane is headed for Florida. As the storm hits land, and moves closer to Louisiana, it grows in size, and everyone is told to evacuate. But Lanesha and Mama Ya-Ya have no money and nowhere to go. Mama Ya-Ya's health isn't doing so well. Lanesha is determined to take matters into her own hands, and help them survive. This storm may be more than they can handle!

"Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything In It" by Sundee T. Frazier

Brendan is into science. There are so many questions to find the answers to, and he keeps them all in his top secret notebook of scientific discovery. He is mastering the study of Tae Kwon Do, and is working on creating his own rock collection. Brendan is thrilled to meet Ed DeBose, who is a famous rock collector. He is even more excited when he learns that Ed is actually his long-lost grandpa! Brendan's parents don't want to talk about why Ed hasn't been part of the family. Can Brendan use his detective powers to solve the mystery?

"Facing the Lion-Growing Up Masai on the African Savanna" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton

Have you ever been face to face with a lion, scared he's going to eat you for dinner??

This is the true story of Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton who grew up as a Masai warrior in northern Kenya. His tribe is nomadic, which means they move their houses to where the food is plentiful. Growing up in Kenya is totally different than growing up in the United States. Joseph's family lives in a hut made of sticks and cow dung, and they survive on a diet based on cow milk. Cows are very sacred to the Masai and they depend on them for everything. Lions like to eat cows, and it's up to the Masai warriors to protect their friends, family and cattle from lion attacks.

"During the middle of the night, I woke to this huge sound - like rain, but not really like rain. I looked up. The starlight was gone, clouds were everywhere, and there was a light drizzle falling. But that wasn't the sound. The sound was of all the cows starting to pee. All of them, in every direction. And that is the sign of a lion. A hyena doesn't make them do that. An elephant doesn't make them do that. A person doesn't. Only the lion. We knew right away that a lion was about to attack us."

I was able to visit a Masai village when I went on safari in Africa last year. I like learning about their culture and was so excited to find this book. It also totally counts as a biography if you need to read one for school. Other people's lives are fascinating!

"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.