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Link to our catalog 
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Becky's Picks |
 Avatar by Abi-Station's
Portrait Illustration Maker. |
Author Joseph Bruchac's books based on American Indian Legends, especially Skeleton Man
Molly wakes up one morning to find her parents never came home the night before. Social services turn her over to a mysterious uncle and Molly begins to have dreams about the Skeleton Man, a character in an old Indian story, a character the mysterious uncle closely resembles. Molly has misgivings about the uncle from the first time she sees him. Then her dreams warn her of danger. Her teacher has promised help if only she can find even one shred of evidence. Can she? Will she find it in time to save herself and her parents?
Monster, by Walter Dean Myers
Steve Harmon is a basically good boy with seedy friends. He has made a VERY bad choice. Monster chronicles his experiences and self examination as he spends time in prison and the court room...
at his own trial...
for murder.
Esperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan
Esperanza's fairytale life in the upper echelon of Mexican society comes crashing down as first her father dies and then her home is burned to the ground. With the help of beloved servants, she and her mother flee to America where they become immigrant farm workers. Facing strained labor relations, the Great Depression, and racism within the workers' camp, Esperanza most go from being the princess to the pauper. Will she ever learn to sweep and cook? Can she explore a budding romance with Miguel now that he is no longer her servant? Most importantly, can she hold her family together and fill her mother's shoes as family patriarch when "valley fever" threatens her mother's life?
Holes, by Louis Sachar
Is the Yelnats' family luck really dependant upon the actions of Stanley's "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather"? After Stanley is convicted of a crime he didn't commit, he is sent to Camp Green Lake. There is no lake and nothing is green. Stanley spends his time digging holes for the warden and avoiding deadly yellow-spotted lizards. He also develops a friendship which takes him on an escape attempt and back. Then the family luck changes. Does it have anything to do with the fact that the great - great granson of Stanley Yelnats carried the great-great-grandson of Madame Zorino to the top of a mountain? A little mystery, a little male humor, a little delinquency. Holes is a fun read.
Maus and Maus II, by Art Spiegelman
Two graphic novels that chronicle Spiegelman's family history in Poland throughout World War II. His parents meet, marry, and survive first as free Jews in Poland and later in Auschwitz and Dachau. Told mainly from his father's point of view, these graphic novels are a wonderful way to explore history.
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Kathy's Picks |
 Avatar by Abi-Station's
Portrait Illustration Maker. |
London Calling, by Edward Bloor
Can a World War II radio that Martin Conway's grandmother left him when she died really be luring the teenager back in time to war-torn 1940's London? And why?
Bucking the Sarge, by Christopher Paul Curtis
Fifteen-year-old Luther T. Farrell gets paid handsomely for helping his mother run her string of group homes. He runs errands (with an illegal license) and cares for the elderly residents, but all the while he dreams of having a normal teenaged life. Will his ruthlessly ambitious mother keep him in Flint, Michigan, or will he escape?
Al Capone Does My Shirts, by Gennifer Choldenko
It's 1935 and Moose Flanagan is leaving his old neighborhood, and his beloved baseball team, to move with his family to the prison on remote Alcatraz Island where his father has just taken a job. Moose's new neighbors will be Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. But with an autistic sister to care for, and little time to get back to the mainland, who will become Moose's new friends?
Un Lun Dun, by China Mielville
When umbrellas start dancing and dogs begin to stare Zanna and her friend Deeba begin to sense that modern-day London is also home to another strange city - unLondon - full of thrown-away objects and amazing people. Is Zanna really the "shwazzy," the chosen one, of this alternate world? |
Peer Picks |
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Peeps, by Scott Westerfeld
This was and awesome, exciting book which kept you hanging until the last moment. He, the author, made you think in a different way by saying vampirism is a disease. Suspense, suspense, suspense!
Reviewed by anonymous
The Kid Who Only Hit Homers, by Matt Christopher
"I liked this story because it is about a kid who loves baseball but isn’t very good at it. Then a stranger comes into town. A stranger no-one but Sylvester (the kid) can see. The stranger’s name is George Baruth and he teaches Sylvester how to hit like Babe Ruth (who’s 1st name is George). Every time Sylvester is up to bat he hits a home run. Then when Mr. Baruth’s vacation ends and he goes home, Sylvester ‘s talent is gone. He strikes out! Who is Mr. Baruth? I think Mr. Baruth is Babe Ruth’s spirit. George Ba(be) ruth. Mr. Baruth says that he goes on vacation to a different town every year. I think every year, Mr. Baruth goes to help a different kid. He only appears to that kid so that no-one else gets suspicious. In the book, Mr. Baruth is described just the way Babe Ruth looked."
Review by Grace Jannotta.
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