Bibliotechies » It’s a Guy Thing

Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Lizsays — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:15:24 +0000

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!

Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Lizsays — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:22:18 +0000

Bored and lonely after his family moves from Berlin to a place called “Out-With” in 1942, Bruno, the son of a Nazi officer, befriends a boy in striped pajamas who lives behind a wire fence.

Liz says:

“This is a unique and poignant look at Nazi Germany.”

2010 Newbery Medal Winner When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Lizsays — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:05:21 +0000

As her mother prepares to be a contestant on the 1980s television game show, “The $20,000 Pyramid,” a twelve-year-old New York City girl tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of time and space.

Liz & Rob (Liz’s son) say:

“This is a thought-provoking, fun story. You have to pay attention to details and suspend your disbelief and you will be in for a real treat!”

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

pforray — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:17:38 +0000

A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards’ families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.

Liz says:

“This is a very accessible book that sheds light on what life might be like for the sibling of a special needs child. While this book treats this issue with insight and sensitivity, the book is given levity by its setting and entertaining characters. This Newbery Honor winner is truly a winner.”

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

pforray — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:47:58 +0000

When his younger brother is diagnosed with leukemia, thirteen-year-old Steven tries to deal with his complicated emotions, his school life, and his desire to support his family.

Liz says:

“Through the honest, sometimes funny, sometimes profoundly worried voice of 8th grader Steven Alper, we see the impact of a life-threatening illness on an entire family. There is sadness and humor in this story and I think it’s an important book for adolescents as its ultimate message is one of empathy and hopefulness. I believe this is a perfect 7th grade read.”

carascherzer — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:35:28 +0000

Alabama Moon by Watt Key

carascherzer — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:56:50 +0000

After the death of his father, ten-year-old Moon Blake is removed from the Alabama forest where he was raised and sent to a boy’s home, where, for the first time, he has contact with the outside world and learns about friendship, love, and humanity.

Liz says:

“This is the best survival story I’ve read since Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet (see below). Moon’s father, a Vietnam Vet, distrusted the government so much that he took his wife and son to live in the forest with no ties to civilization (except for occasional trips to a convenience store for bare necessities). Moon’s mother dies when he’s very young and his father dies when he’s 10. He’s left to fend for himself. His greatest obstacle is his loneliness. When given the chance to decide between a reclusive life in the woods or a life in society, what will Moon decide? You’ll learn a lot about survival skills and much, much more!”

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

carascherzer — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:49:12 +0000

Ten-year-old Bud, a motherless boy living in Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depression, escapes a bad foster home and sets out in search of the man he believes to be his father–the renowned bandleader, H.E. Calloway of Grand Rapids.

Liz says:

“You will love Bud as he takes you on his journey and learns much about his father and himself. This is a must read.”

Crash by Jerry Spinelli

carascherzer — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:44:50 +0000

Crash Coogan, rising football sensation, and his friend, Mike make a regular practice of tormenting the school nerd, Penn Webb, but when Mike takes a prank too far, Crash finds himself locked in a moral dilemma.

Liz says:

“This is told from the perspective of an adult Crash looking back on a year in his life. (I believe it’s 7th grade). The voice is fresh and funny and the story deals with the important concept of not judging others and ridiculing them for their differences. This is a very accessible story that boys love and I highly recommend it.”

Danger Zone by David Klass

carascherzer — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:36:24 +0000

When he joins a predominantly African American “Teen Dream Team” that will be representing the United States in an international basketball tournament in Rome, Jimmy Doyle makes some unexpected discoveries about prejudice, racism, and politics.

Liz says:

“Boys absolutely love this book and so do I. There are lots of great basketball scenes and many poignant moments. Jimmy and the other characters are believable and the story moves quickly. I would not recommend this before 6th grade.”