Wonder

Wonder
by R.J. Palacio

From the publisher:
" I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid-but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extraordinary face. WONDER, now a New York Times bestseller, begins from Auggie's point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel "a meditation on kindness" -indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can't blend in when you were born to stand out."


This book should be read by absolutely everyone – students, teachers, people of all ages. It has such a good message, and it is told in such an uplifting way. The main character, August (Auggie) is a ten-year old boy who was born with a severe chromosomal defect that left him with serious facial deformities. Because of the many surgeries he has had to have over the years, he has never been to school before. When he is going into 5th grade (middle school for him), his parents decide it is time for him to go to school. This book is about his journey through the pitfalls of middle school – difficult for any child, but exponentially compounded by Auggie’s condition. I love Auggie’s voice in this book. He realizes what he looks like and understands when people stare or gasp or look away in horror, but it still hurts him.

“It's like people you see sometimes, and you can't imagine what it would be like to be that person, whether it's somebody in a wheelchair or somebody who can't talk. Only, I know that I'm that person to other people, maybe to every single person in that whole auditorium.
To me, though, I'm just me. An ordinary kid.” ~ August Pullman

It was significant that the author also told the story from the points of view of others who love Auggie. I especially appreciated hearing the thoughts and feelings of his sister, Via (short for Olivia), who loves her brother, but has had her life severely impacted by his condition. I also loved his protective and supportive parents and could feel their pain when the son they loved so much was bullied or humiliated.

Our middle school participates in the Rachel’s Challenge program, which was instituted by the father of Rachel Scott – the first person killed at Columbine High School. One of the fundamental principles of Rachel’s Challenge is to start a chain reaction of kindness. This book goes hand-in-hand with Rachel’s Challenge to treat everyone with respect and kindness.

“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.” ~ Mr. Tushman

I not only recommend this book, I strongly encourage everyone to read it – as a family, as a class, as an individual.

Suggested ages:
Publisher's Weekly - Ages 8-12
School Library Journal - Grades 4-7
*Mrs. Duke says - As I said in my review, this book should be read by everyone, regardless of age!*

Revenge of the Witch

Revenge of the Witch
by Joseph Delaney

From the publisher:
"Capturing witches.  Binding boggarts.  Driving away ghosts.  For years, Old Gregory has been the Spook for the county, ridding the local villages of evil. Now his time is coming to an end. But who will take over for him? Twenty-nine apprentices have tried-some floundered, some fled, some failed to stay alive. Only Thomas Ward is left. He's the last hope; the last apprentice. Can Thomas succeed? Will he learn the difference between a benign witch and a malevolent one? Does the Spook's warning against girls with pointy shoes include Alice? And what will happen if Thomas accidentally frees Mother Malkin, the most evil witch in the county ... ?"

I had several students request this series.  I have to say I didn't enjoy it very much, but middle-schoolers probably will.  It is very scary and deals with a lot of witches and ghosts and things, so sensitive kids probably shouldn't read it.

Suggested ages:
Publisher's Weekly - Ages 10+
School Library Journal - Grades 5-8

Need

Need
by Carrie Jones

From the publisher:
"Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect lipsticks. Little wonder, since life's been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother's pretty much checked out. Now Zara's living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays "safe." Zara doesn't think she's in danger; she thinks her mother can't deal. Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn't a figment of her imagination. He's a pixie, and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He's the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he's trailing Zara. With suspense, romance, and paranormal themes, this exciting breakout novel has all the elements to keep teens rapidly turning the pages."

This is a fun read for Twilight-lovers, because you pretty much just have to substitute pixies for vampires, a small town in Maine for Forks, and Izzie and Devyn for Alice and Jasper.  But if that doesn't bother you, it is a fun read.  I enjoyed how each chapter was named for one of Zara's phobias.  Zara is spunky and funny, and there is blessedly no love triangle in the book.

There are probably 40+ uses of the "d" , "h" and "a" words.  There is some pretty passionate kissing.  The pixies in the story are not the cute little blue things from Harry Potter.  They are mean and blood-sucking, so there is quite a bit of violence.


Suggested age:
Publisher's Weekly - Ages 12 +
*Mrs. Duke says - While it is very similar to Twilight, there is a lot more language in this book."

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
By Suzanne Collins

From the publisher:
"A chilling tale of survival from the New York Times bestselling author. In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the other districts in line by forcing them to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight-to-the-death on live TV. One boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and sixteen are selected by lottery to play. The winner brings riches and favor tohis or her district. But that is nothing compared to what the Capitol wins: one more year of fearful compliance with its rule. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her impoverished district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before - and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. Acclaimed writer Suzanne Collins, author of the New York Times bestselling Underland Chronicles, delivers equal parts suspense and philosophy, adventure and romance, in this stunning novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present."

Wow - intense. Once you get a little ways into it you simply can't put it down.  However, it is very violent and tragically sad. 

A few cuss words.  Some kissing.  Intense violence.  Disturbing themes of alcoholism, starvation...

Suggested ages:
Booklist - Grades 9-12
School Library Journal - Grades 7 +
*Mrs. Duke says - This book is incredibly popular in our library - the most checked out book.  However, my recommendation is that parents read it first or at least with their child because of the violence and mature themes contained in the book and series.* 

I Am Number Four

I Am Number Four
by Pittacus Lore

From the publisher:
"Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books-but we are real. Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing. But they know. They caught Number One in Malaysia. Number Two in England. And Number Three in Kenya. They killed them all. I am Number Four. I am next."

This is the first book in The Lorien Legacies series.  There is a big controversy about the author of this book, but in spite of that I liked it.  It was recommended to me by one of my Media Aides and she loved it!  I thought it was an intriguing premise, I liked the characters, and it was a quick and easy read. I did NOT like all the bad language.  And I found the ending highly implausible.

Numerous uses of the "s" word, the "h" word and the "d" word.  Some kissing.  Heavy violence at the end.

Suggested age:
School Library Journal - Grades 7 and up
Publisher's Weekly - Ages 14 and up

The False Prince

The False Prince
by Jennifer A. Nielsen

From the publisher:
"THE FALSE PRINCE is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end.

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.

An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats."

I really enjoyed this book, and I think middle-schoolers will gobble it up. It had a great plot, fun and interesting characters, action, adventure, and humor. I liked the main character, Sage, and cared what happened to him. And I loved that the book actually had an ending of sorts. It will definitely go on, but you're not left up in the air about important things.  A fun, fun read.

No language or sexual situations.  Some violence - a teenager is killed in front of other teenagers, another boy is put in a dungeon and beaten.

Suggested age:
School Library Journal - Grades 5-8
Publisher's Weekly - Ages 8-14