• Among the Hidden

    by Margaret Peterson Haddix Year Published:

    In a future where the Population Police enforce the law limiting a family to only two children, Luke, an illegal third child, has lived all his twelve years in isolation and fear on his family's farm in this start to the Shadow Children series from Margaret Peterson Haddix.

    Luke has never been to school. He's never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend's house for an overnight. In fact, Luke has never had a friend.

    Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family's farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside.

    Then, one day Luke sees a girl's face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he's met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows -- does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to?
     
    This book kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. If you like a mystery mixed in with a twist this is the book for you.  Just know this is book one in the series of six.
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  • Artichoke's Heart

    by Suzanne Supplee Year Published:
    Blubber meets Steel Magnolias in this funny and honest story about body image and family. Rosemary Goode is smart and funny and loyal and the best eyebrow waxer in Spring Hill, Tennessee. But only one thing seems to matter to anyone, including Rosemary: her weight. And when your mom runs the most successful (and gossipy) beauty shop in town, it can be hard to keep a low profile. Rosemary resolves to lose the weight, but her journey turns out to be about everything but the scale. Her life-changing, waist-shrinking year is captured with brutal honesty and humor, topped with an extralarge helping of Southern charm. A truly uncommon novel about an increasingly common problem.
     
    For any girl that has felt they aren't who or what they should be this book is for you. Rosemary is extremely relatable as a character. Most girls feel they aren't perfect in the eyes of everyone and that's something Rosemary explores in this book. Learning to love and accept who you are this the theme found within the pages. 
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  • Beastly

    by Alex Flinn Year Published:

    I am a beast. A beast! Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright. I am a monster.

    You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll,stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.

    Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.

     

    I loved Beastly.  It's a modern take on the classic Beauty and the Beast.  Since it is set in modern day it was easier to relate to.  There's also a powerful message to be learned. If you like fairy tales but with a modern twist then you will love Beastly!

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  • City of Bones

    by Cassandra Claire Year Published:

    When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

    This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...

    I loved this entire series! There's vampires, werewolves, warlocks, demons and the battle between good and evil.  I loved the fact that an ordinary girl learns she isn't so ordinary.  She's a strong character!

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  • Clockwork Angel

    by Cassandra Claire Year Published: Fantasy

    Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still. Discover the riveting first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices Trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

    In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

    The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them....

     

    I loved this series!!! There's mystery, romance, and robots!! You don't have to read Cassandra Claire's other series The Mortal Instruments in order to read this one, it's prequel.  You will understand everything that is going on.

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  • Divergent

    by Veronica Roth Year Published:

    This first book in Veronica Roth's #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy is the novel the inspired the major motion picture starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, and Kate Winslet. This dystopian series set in a futuristic Chicago has captured the hearts of millions of teen and adult readers.

    Perfect for fans of the Hunger Games and Maze Runner series, Divergent and its sequels, Insurgent and Allegiant, are the gripping story of a dystopian world transformed by courage, self-sacrifice, and love. Fans of the Divergent movie will find the book packed with just as much emotional depth and exhilarating action as the film, all told in beautiful, rich language.

    One choice can transform you. Beatrice Prior's society is divided into five factions—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Beatrice must choose between staying with her Abnegation family and transferring factions. Her choice will shock her community and herself. But the newly christened Tris also has a secret, one she's determined to keep hidden, because in this world, what makes you different makes you dangerous.

     

    I haven't personally read this book or the series but it sparked my daughter's love for reading. If you're a fan of the Hunger Games or The Maze Runner, then this one is for you!

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  • Fallen

    by Lauren Kate Year Published:

    There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

    Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

    Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

    Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story. 

     

    This four book series is one I also loved reading.  The battle between good and evil...a love triangle...past lives...angels...

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  • Flipped

    by Wendelin Van Draanen Year Published: realistic fiction

    The first time she saw him, she flipped. The first time he saw her, he ran. That was the second grade, but not much has changed by the seventh. She says: “My Bryce. Still walking around with my first kiss.” He says: “It’s been six years of strategic avoidance and social discomfort.” But in the eighth grade everything gets turned upside down. And just as he’s thinking there’s more to her than meets the eye, she’ s thinking that he’s not quite all he seemed.

    This is a classic romantic comedy of errors told in alternating chapters by two fresh, funny voices. Wendelin Van Draanen is at her best here with a knockout cast of quirky characters and a hilarious series of misunderstandings and missed opportunities. But underlying the humor are two teens in transition. They are each learning to look beyond the surface of people, both figuring out who they are, who they want to be, and who they want to be with.

     

    I really enjoyed this book, especially how it gave not only the girl's point of view, but the boy's as well about the same situation.

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  • Forest of Hands and Teeth

    by Carrie Ryan Year Published: Fantasy

    If you like to read about zombies with a little romance then this is the book for you. 

    In Mary's world there are simple truths.
       The Sisterhood always knows best.
       The Guardians will protect and serve.
       The Unconsecrated will never relent.
       And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.
       But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power. And, when the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness.
       Now, she must choose between her village and her future, between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

     I enjoyed reading this whole series.  There's a mixture of scare and romance...a perfect combination.

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  • Hush Hush

    by Becca Fitzpatrick Year Published:

    For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. At least, not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and probing eyes, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment. But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora’s not sure who to trust—she can’t decide whether she should fall into Patch’s arms or run and hide from him. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth more unsettling than any feeling Patch evokes. For Nora stands amid an ancient battle between the immortal and those who have fallen—and choosing the wrong side will cost her life.

    I really enjoyed the whole Hush Hush series.  It's a battle between good and evil and an average girl in the middle of it all. If you've read Fallen you will love Hush Hush.

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  • No More Dead Dogs

    by Gordon Korman Year Published:

    Nobody understands Wallace Wallace. This reluctant school football hero has been suspended from the team for writing an unfavorable book report of Old Shep, My Pal. But Wallace won`t tell a lie-he hated every minute of the book! Why does the dog in every classic novel have to croak at the end? After refusing to do a rewrite, his English teacher, who happens to be directing the school play Old Shep, My Pal, forces him go to the rehearsals as punishment. Although Wallace doesn`t change his mind, he does end up changing the play into a rock-and-roll rendition, complete with Rollerblades and a moped!

     

    This is a book for the boys! This book was funny and entertaining.  Gordon Korman knows how to write a good book!

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  • Shipwrecked: Island book 1

    by Gordon Korman Year Published:

    Luke, J.J. Will, Lyssa, Charla, and Ian. They did'nt want to be on the boat in the first place. They didn't want to be stuck at sea with a bunch of strangers. But when you're in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, there's no easy way out. And when a terrifying storm hits, there's no way to fully prepare. It's all about survival.

     

    There is a lot of action/adventure and comedy in this book.  It's an easy and fun read.  I really enjoyed reading it. This is book one in a three book series.

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  • Shiver

    by Maggie Stiefvater Year Published:

    For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

    Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

     

    This is not your typical werewolf book; nor are they shapeshifters. The weather determines whether or not Sam lives as a wolf or as a boy.  Eventually one will win out. I loved this fresh new take on werewolves.

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  • The Outsiders

    by S.E. Hinton Year Published:

    No one ever said life was easy. But Ponyboy is pretty sure that he's got things figured out. He knows that he can count on his brothers, Darry and Sodapop. And he knows that he can count on his friends—true friends who would do anything for him, like Johnny and Two-Bit. And when it comes to the Socs—a vicious gang of rich kids who enjoy beating up on "greasers" like him and his friends—he knows that he can count on them for trouble. But one night someone takes things too far, and Ponyboy's world is turned upside down...

    Written over forty-five years ago, The Outsiders is a dramatic and enduring work of fiction. S. E. Hinton's classic story of a boy who finds himself on the outskirts of regular society remains as powerful today as it was the day it was first published.
     
    This is by far my favorite book of all time.  I have read this book so many times, I practically know it word for word. Even though it takes place in another time period than today the characters are extremely relatable and how they react and interact with each other is something everyone can understand and be familiar with.
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  • There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom

    by Louis Sachar Year Published:
    Bradley Chalkers, a fifth grader at the Red Hill School, has trouble getting along with his classmates until he meets Carla, a new school counselor. She not only listens to his wacky stories, but encourages him to use his powerful imagination. But just when Bradley's social world begins to broaden, the school board decides to let Carla go. What will happen to Bradley now? This heartwarming story of a young boy's search for friendship and acceptance is one of Sachar's most popular novels, and readers will identify with Bradley's troubles and eventual transformation when he finds a friend in Carla. There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom is a touching selection for adolescent readers.
     
    This book is an old favorite. If you like funny stories and can relate to the battle of boys vs. girls. Then you have to read this book!
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  • Twilight

    by Stephenie Meyer Year Published:

    Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife-between desire and danger.Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

     

    This is the book that started my love for reading.  After reading Twilight I was hooked. If you like vampires and shape shifters with a mix of romance then this book is for you. Team Edward! 

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  • Unsinkable: Titanic book 1

    by Gordon Korman Year Published:

    The Titanic is meant to be unsinkable, but as it begins its maiden voyage, there's plenty of danger waiting for four of its young passengers. Paddy is a stowaway, escaping a deadly past. Sophie's mother is delivered to the ship by police - after she and Sophie have been arrested. Juliana's father is an eccentric whose riches can barely hide his madness. And Alfie is hiding a secret that could get him kicked off the ship immediately.
    The lives of these four passengers will be forever linked with the fate of Titanic. And the farther they get from shore, the more the danger looms. . .

    A piece of history meets fiction. I really enjoyed reading about the lives of these young kids on the Titanic and how things all play out. There is a not only adventure but mystery as well. This is book one in a three book series.

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Last Modified on July 27, 2017