| Dystopian tales filled with violence, intrigue and romance. Ultimately through the courage of those who challenge the new world order, there is hope. Well-written and thought-provoking, these are a must read. Recommended for middle and high school students and their parents! | ||
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When best friends Chris and Win go on a cross country bicycle trek the summer after graduating and only one returns, the FBI wants to know what happened. Liz says: “This is a favorite for many kids. Girls and boys rave about this one! It’s an intriguing mystery with the perfect combination of suspense and good storytelling. I recommend this one to kids who like to read and to reluctant readers!!” |
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In 1947, with her jovial stepfather Joe back from the war and family life returning to normal, teenage Evie, smitten by the handsome young ex-GI who seems to have a secret hold on Joe, finds herself caught in a complicated web of lies whose devastating outcome change her life and that of her family forever. Liz says: “This reads like film noir from the 1940s. It is highly atmospheric and intriguing. 8th grade girls LOVE this book!” |
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A younger sister has a difficult time adjusting to life after her older sister has a mental breakdown. Liz says: “Through beautifully written free verse poems, Sones recounts the year that her sister was diagnosed as a manic depressive.” |
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When her sixteen-year-old sister is hospitalized for depression and her parents want to keep it a secret, fourteen-year-old Elena tries to cope with her own anxiety and feelings of guilt that she is determined to conceal from outsiders. Liz says: “Told with extraordinary directness, this is the story of the impact of Depression on an entire family. With a true economy of words, Schumacher deftly portrays each multi-dimensional character allowing for complicated emotions and relationships.” |
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When she is almost sixteen years old, Rosemary decides she is sick of being overweight, mocked at school and at Heavenly Hair–her mother’s beauty salon–and feeling out of control, and as she slowly loses weight, she realizes that she is able to cope with her mother’s cancer, having a boyfriend for the first time, and discovering that other people’s lives are not as perfect as they seem from the outside. Liz says: “This story has the magic of being able to make you laugh and cry from one page to the next. Tackling tough issues of self-image and self-esteem with unflinching reality and humor, Supplee has written a delightful book that is sure to be a winner with 7th and 8th grade girls.” |
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Eighteen-year-old Lia comes to terms with her best friend’s death from anorexia as she struggles with the same disorder. Liz says: “Anderson is one of my favorite authors but I have to say that I can only recommend this book to a very limited audience. Wintergirls deals very realistically with the physical and emotional devastation of eating disorders; there is no sugar-coating or easy answers found in this story. If you or someone you know is suffering from anorexia or bulimia, you will want to read this as a cautionary tale.” |
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Twelve-year-old Annie ponders the many rhythms of life the year that her mother becomes pregnant, her grandfather begins faltering, and her best friend (and running partner) becomes distant. Liz says: “Awesome! This is an amazing vampire romance story. I can’t wait to find out what happens to Edward and Bella next. See the whole series under the Favorite Series link. The movie is coming out soon and you can see a trailer for it on MTV.” |
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A traumatic event near the end of the summer has a devastating effect on Melinda’s freshman year in high school. Liz says: “Melinda Sordino is one of the most memorable characters ever. She narrates her story through snapshots/scenes which are divided into the 4 quarters of her 9th grade year. The format and the story are compelling. This is a must read for girls.” |
