See what TMAD members are reading...
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

2006 Recommendations

Amazing Grace by Megan Shull

Tennis star Grace is the new "it" girl, but she soon realizes that being the "it" girl isn't what it's cracked up to be. She decides she wants out, so she packs her bags and moves to Alaska, where she can live a normal life without paparazzi and crazed fans.
Karyn Alfini

The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon

Brent struggles with depression and self-doubt. One day, he steps into his bathtub, puts on his favorite black bathrobe, douses it with gasoline, and lights a match...burning 85% of his body. Brent spends the next year struggling to survive and questioning what he has done to his family. This is a true story. I recommend this touching tale of redemption, sacrifice, love and survival to all teens and their parents.
John Fu

The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill

Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield is just thirteen. Her father died recently in the war, and now the battle has come to her home. She must find a way to protect her kingdom, even if it means making allies with the oddest of fairytale creatures. This story of a young girl who is dauntless in the face of the enemy and definitely wild at heart is a page turner.
Felicia Tam

Define Normal by Julie Anne Peters

Antonia is a peer counselor. She ends up counseling Jazz, who is her exact opposite...or so they both think. Antonia is a "normal" girl and Jazz is a punk and part of a gang. They end up helping each other, and Antonia learns she isn't as normal as she thinks. This book was very good, and it took a teen's perspective on what "normal" really means.
Christine Chiello

The Edge on the Sword by Rebecca Tingle

AEthelflaed, the eldest daughter of the king, is suddenly thrust into a bethrothal to an ally of her father, and she realizes her carefree world will never be the same. When enemies attack, Flaed will have to prove herself worthy as a princess and a warrior. This is a great book, the story of a free-spirited girl whose coming of age makes for an action-packed tale.
Felicia Tam

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

Each story in I, Robot is about new advances in robotics in a world in which robots are common; a society of the future. The stories deal with the problems the robots have and how the testers deal with them. If you like TV shows about the future or doctors, you will like this book. I found parts a litle boring, but overall, I really liked it, and I recommend it to older teens.
Michael Stein

King Dork by Frank Portman

Tom C (or Chi-Mo) navigates a world of sadistic adults, awesome band names and classes where all you do is eat cookies (not to mention messages from his dead father). Be warned: this book has little plot and no discernible conclusion. But, if that doesn't bother you, Tom's life is super entertaining. (Warning: sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll)
Amanda Vivian

Lamb by Christopher Moore

Around the year 30 B.C., Christ was crucified on Golgotha. About two millenia later, an angel was sent forth from heaven along with Christ's childhood friend and thirteenth apostle, Biff. In an historical, hysterical and irreverant look at the world's most influential man/prophet/diety, Lamb shows Christ's childhood and the journeys that eventually led to the cross. To learn what Shaolin monks, Buddism and concubines have to do with Christianity, read Lamb.
Nick Fesenko

The Midnighters: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld

There's a 24-hour day, right? Wrong. Actually, there are 25 hours in a day, but the last one is rolled up tight, and it flashes by "most" people in an instant. But "most" does't include Dess, Melissa, Rex, Jonathan, and the new girl in town, Jessica. And, not only Midnighters are around at "blue time", so Jessica must discover her talent and what makes her a Midnighter, before she gets eaten. Prepare to be sucked into a time where only those who were born at the exact stroke of midnight can walk.
Felicia Tam

Rakkety Tam by Brian Jacques
(17th book in the Redwall Series)

Gulo the Savage, a colossal beast filled with pure evil, is on a quest to find the legendary Walking Stone. Gulo, along with his massive vermin army, has set his sights on Redwall Abbey, but the duo of Rakkety Tam and Wild Dog Plumm stand in his way. I recommend this book for fantasy fans, especially those who like the other books in the Redwall series.
Bharat Arora

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

When Isabella (Bella) Swan moves from her beloved home in Phoenix, Arizona to her father's house in Forks, Washington, she is totally unaware of the danger and adventure she will encounter after she meets the strange Edward Cullen. His awkward behavior, flawless features and extraordinary talents surprise and puzzle Bella. Who is Edward Cullen, and what is his deep secret? This thrilling and captivating novel is perfect for teens who enjoy adventure, mystery and romance.
Sukriti Toteja

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Billy buys two coon hunting dogs with his own money, names them Old Dan and Little Ann, and, with his grandfather's help, trains and takes care of them. They become champion hunting dogs, and when Billy runs into a life-threatening situation they save his life. Later, there is much sadness, some happiness, and the meaning of the red fern is revealed in this heart-grabbing book.
Kristina Duarte

2005 Recommendations

Beware Princess Elizabeth by Carolyn Meyer

After Princess Elizabeth’s father (King Henry VIII) dies, her world turns upside- down. Her younger brother Edward becomes king, but the sickly boy soon dies. When the devout Catholic Mary Tudor becomes Queen, things turn for the worse for Elizabeth. She is threatened with marriage and thrown into prison, the same prison her mother was trapped in. Does Princess Elizabeth stand a chance of becoming Queen of England.
Lindsey Greenberg

The Dark Elf Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore

The Drow are an evil, cold race of subterranean elves. Drizzt is different from other Drow; he feels compassion and has innocence and kindness. After 50 years, (Drow live for several centuries), Drizzt leaves his home to separate himself from his heritage, and he ends up on the surface. Will he ever find his place in the world, or will he be drawn back to the horrific underworld of the Drow?
Nick Fesenko

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Guy Montag is a fireman, but not the kind of fireman you might think of. Instead of putting out fires, he makes them. He burns books. In the society he lives in people don’t read; wives watch TV, husbands work and relax. One day Guy meets a girl named Clarisse, who changes his opinions, and his life goes through a great change.
Michael Stein

Suggestions From Our Teen Librarians

Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi

In 14th century England, a 13-year-old motherless boy, known as “Son of Asta,” is on the run after being accused of murder. All he owns is a lead cross; and the writing on the cross, which he can’t read, holds the secret to his real identity and explains why the officials from his village are so anxious to find him.

Crown Duel (series) by Sherwood Smith

To fulfill a deathbed promise to her father, Countess Meliandra and her brother begin a rebellion against their corrupt king. But their untrained band of rebels is no match for the king’s army, and they soon find themselves in dire circumstances and unsure who is truly friend or foe.

The Edge on the Sword by Rebecca Tingle

Aethelflaed, the daughter of a 9th-century West Saxon King, is sent to Mercia, with an armed guard, to marry her father’s friend and ally Ethelred. When her party is attacked on the road by Danes, she puts her untested fighting skills to use to defeat her attackers.

The Hunting of the Last Dragon by Sherryl Jordan

Jude is on a quest to destroy the last dragon after it has killed his family. Joined by a beautiful noblewoman, Jude faces many trials on his quest, the greatest of which is what he, a simple peasant, can do against the terrifying power of the dragon.

The Queen’s Own Fool: A Novel of Mary Queen of Scots by Jane Yolen, Robert J. Harris

13-year-old orphan Nicola is part of a troupe of traveling entertainers. She is noticed by Mary Queen of Scots, and is taken into the Queen’s court to serve as her personal fool. There she has many adventures, as she witnesses courtly intrigues, political plots and the Queen’s disastrous marriages.

Stravaganza: City of Masks by Mary Hoffman (series)

Lucien finds himself transported from his modern-day England sick bed to an alternate universe. Once there he discovers that he has certain powers and he soon becomes embroiled in the complex politics of a Venice-like city run by a masked Duchess.

Swords for Hire: Two of the Most Unlikely Heroes You’ll Ever Meet by Will Allen

In this humorous book, a farm boy with no military experience named Sam Hatcher leaves the farm, at the request of his father, to join the Royal Guard. He becomes squire to Rigby Skeet, and together they set off to find the deposed and imprisoned King Olive and restore him to his throne.

Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce

After being captured by pirates and sold as a slave, spy-trained Aly finds herself making a deal with a trickster god to protect a chosen family. But it will take all of Aly’s training and the help of some very unusual crows to fulfill her mission and win her freedom and a chance to go home.

2004 Recommendations

Close To A Killer by Marsha Qualey

This book is about a girl named Barrie who is just a normal teenager, except she has a mother who is an ex-convict.  Her mother works at a hair salon called KILLER LOOKS with other ex-convicts who she met in prison.  That is when all of the killings start to happen.

Recommendation:  If you like murder mysteries and you like to solve them, this book is for you.  This book will keep you guessing till the end.
Kayla

Blue Avenger Cracks the Code by Norma Howe

This is the second book about a weird guy who changes his name to "Blue Avenger."  In this book he goes on an adventure in Venice, Italy.

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 13, because it is a lot of fun and you learn a lot!
Michael

Sandman by Neil Gaiman

There are seven of them, the endless.  They are not gods, but till the end of time these siblings will rule their realms and effect all around them.  Yet the capture of Morpheus, Lord of Dreams, and his nearly century-long imprisonment in a glass cage will change them all forever.

Recommendation: From scary to simply exciting, and form ironically comical to deeply tragic, this graphic novel series spans ten will-written, and often well-drawn books.  Due to some adult content, as well as a plethora of hidden allusions, I would recommend these books to older teens.
Kate

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

One day, Arthur Dent sat in front of his house to protest the mad idea of building a bypass right through where his house is located.  Then his friend, Ford Prefect, came along and with the help of a towel, got them both a ride off the planet.  Ford is actually an alien, and a reporter for the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.  The novel also includes white mice, a whale, Arthur's inability to get decent tea and much more.

Recommendation: Don't panic!  This is actually a hilarious science fiction classic that could be recommended for teens of all ages, as well as adults.
Kate

The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci

When an odd, socially inept boy disappears, people feel badly about how they've treated him and the protagonist becomes curious and looks for him.

Recommendation: I recommend this book to people who don't usually like mysteries.
Nick

The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney

Janie Johnson is just a typical teen, or so she thinks.  Then, one day at lunch in school, she sees the picture of a missing child on a milk carton and the picture looks just like her.  Janie begins to have memories she didn't know she had, and she begins to wonder...is she Janie Johnson from Connecticut, or is she really the long-lost Jennie Spring from New Jersey?

Recommendation: I enjoyed this book and I recommend it to mystery lovers.
Lindsey

Fell by M.E. Kerr

Woodrow Pedigree, a rich man, does not want his son Ping to go to a fancy prep school, but his wife wants him to go, so Mr.  Pedigree convinces another teenage boy, Fell, to go in his son's place.  At Gardiner, the elite school, Fell managed, by pure chance, to get into a group called "The "Sevens" who control the school.

Recommendation: I would recommend Fell to teenage readers.  It is a book they can relate to because it is part mystery, part love story, and part suspense.
Andrew

What Happened to Lani Garver by Carol Plum-Ucci

Having skipped two years of school due to leukemia, Claire somehow manages to become part of the popular clique and desperate enough to do anything to keep her friends.  Then Lani, a boy who looks like a girl, moves to town.  With his help, Claire moves towards attaining individuality while still trying to figure out just who or what is Lani Garver.

Recommendation: This is a good novel on individuality, and I would recommend this book for younger teens.
Kate

Tenderness by Robert Cormier

Lori Cranston is 15, and a bit troubled.  She develops obsessions with people, specifically an aspect of a person, and the obsession lasts until she does something involving that fixation.  Eric Poole is an 18-year-old serial killer, but only the murder of his mother and stepfather were proven to be his handiwork.  Now, he's paid his debt to society and he has a fresh start.

Recommendation: See what happens when Eric and Lori's paths cross in Robert Cormier's Tenderness.
Nick

2003 Recommendations

Idoru by William Gibson

In the world of the future one can plug into a computer and fell himself in the net. In this world, Idoru isan electronic pop star, who is about to get married to pop singer Rex. But, someone has hired a man to trace Idoru and Rex's presence on the net, and the two fall into the intrigues of the Tokyo mafia and official fan clubs, each with their own agenda. The future of the couple hangs in the balance.
Recommendation: Well-known for his cyberpunk novels, William Gibson provides yet another amusing novel in Idoru. I recommend this book for older teens.
Kate

Dead Zone by Stephen King

Johnny Smith, a schoolteacher from Maine, lives an average life until a car accident lands himain a six-year long coma. When he wakes up his fiancée is married, his mother is dead, and he discovers that he can see events from the past, present and future of whatever he touches. 
Recommendation: This book is a masterpiece of suspense.
Nick

Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements

Bobby was a normal kid living in Chicago. Then one morning he looks in the mirror, but he isn't there. Only his parents know that he is invisible. One day he goes to the library without any clothes on so no one can see him. He meets a blind girl named Alicia and tells her his secret, and soon Alicia's dad and Bobby's dad start working on how to bring him back. But, Bobby does some research himself, and finds another invisible friend named Sheila. Read this book to find out what happens to Bobby and Sheila. 
Recommendation: This book is for kids who are into fantasy. I thought it was a really good book and I would read it again.
Michael

Dust by Arthur G. Slade

A boy is becoming a man. His little brother goes missing and the town seems to be in a trance. Even his parents don't seem so concerned about finding the little boy. It is up to the older boy to find his brother and break the spell on the town.
Recommendation: This book was very interesting . The suspense seems to capture you. This truly is a good, suspenseful mystery book.
Meagan

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

A little girl faces a dangerous situation when a supernatural creature living on the other side of a bricked-up wall claims to be her "other mother." The "other mother" kidnaps the girl's parents, hoping to adopt her and sew buttons onto her eyes.
Recommendation: A delicious book which is occasionally deeply scary but mostly just mesmerizing. Fun.
Amanda

Garden of Angels by Lurlene McDaniel

Darcy and Adel and their family live in the small town of Conners, Georgia. Darcy is in high school. Her mother has just been diagnosed with breast cancer, and Darcy's world falls apart. She feels alone, but she finds peace in her mother's garden.
Recommendation: If you like books that are both sad and interesting, you will like this book. This book teaches people about life and what it is all about.
Fatme

Pure Sunshine by Brian James

A blond kid does LSD and is unhappy. Other than that, I don't know what is really happending in this book or what we're supposed to have realized by the end. But, the writing is really amazing and full of random images and poetry, and it's worth reading for that alone.

Charlotte's Rose by A.E. Cannon

A father and his daughter, along with a group of Mormons, travel to America in search of new things. Along the way, the girl takes on a major task that she may come to regret. Traveling to new territory with a great burden will prove very difficult.
Recommendation: This book was very interesting from beginning to end. This story showed the trials of coming to a new country while suffering prejudice.
Meagan

The NEW Rules of High School by Blake Nelson

Max is sick of being so pressed. He has a perfect girlfriend, and his parents are constantly bugging him about college. He wants to be free and be his own person. Suddenly he decides to break up with his girlfriend, and everything changes. He meets new people such as goths, punks and preps and suddenly he doesn't know all of the answers. And, to make matters worse, a 9th grade girl is crushing him and getting him into trouble. 
Recommendation: This is a great book for teens from 12-19. I definitely recommend this book; it's great.
Katie

Amelia and the Outlaw by Lorraine Heath

Amelia is the daughter of a judge and she has two elder brothers. Jesse, an outlaw, is brought by Amelia's father to the ranch where they live to work out the rest of his sentence. Jesse is trying to find his place in life. Amelia finds Jesse intrguing and is very attracted to him. They both feel connected to each other. 
Recommendation: If you love romance novels and adventure, this is just the book for you. Read this book, it is great.
Fatme

The Wish by Gail Carson Levine

The Wish is about a girl who wished that she was popular. Then, one day on a train, an old lady grants her wish . She wishes to go to her graduation dance at school. Then she gets letters from boys and she doesn't know what to do. She also goes to a sleepover with some popular girls, but they talk about one of her friends. Is it a good thing that her wish was granted?
Recommendation: I thought this book was really nice to read and it was funny.
Reginalda

2002 Recommendations

The Ropemaker by Peter Dickinson

Tilja has lived her whole life in the peaceful valley. There was an empire outside, ruled by a fierce emperor, but magic instilled by a sorcerer kept the emperor's troops from invading Tilja's home. But, the magic is weakening and somebody has to go and ask for help in restoring it. Because Tilja is one of the few women in her family who can't sustain the magic by singing to the cedars, she is chosen to go. After Tilja embarks on this journey with three companions, it seems that she alone may have the power to save them all, for having no magic at all might prove to be a power all on its own. 

Recommendation: This book is a great read for middle school and the beginning of high school. I recommend it to young teenage fantasy fans.
Kate

 

Say Goodnight Gracie by Julie Reece Deaver

Morgan and Jimmy are best friends. Jimmy loves to dance and wants to be a famous dancer one day. Morgan loves to act and she hopes to become a famous actress one day. They do everything together. One day, Jimmy and Morgan go to the theatre in the city, then Jimmy goes to an appointment. He tells Morgan he'll pick her up at 5:30. When he is late Morgan begins to worry. Then her father arrives. He tells Morgan there has been a terrible accident and Jimmy got hurt. Morgan can't believe that Jimmy was in an accident; she keeps saying he has to be okay. To find out what happens to Jimmy, and to Morgan, read this book. 
Recommendation: I really recommend this book for teenagers to read. It teaches people not to take anything or anyone for granted. This book teaches us that our lives can turn all around in just one second.
Rasha


 

A Step from Heaven by An Na

This is a classic story of the trials and triumphs of Young Ju, a South Korean immigrant to the United States. 
Recommendation: The author's descriptive selection of words allows the reader to understand the challenges that come with having a different color face and of trying to find your own identity in the cultural clash.
Christina

The Gospel According to Larry by Janet Tashjian

Josh Swenson, a 17 year-old boy who hates commercialism and wants to change the work, is about to find out that you should be careful what you wish for. He starts a website that quickly becomes an international phenomenon. Everyone loves it, including his best friend Beth. But, there are two problems, an Internet hacker named Betagold, and the fact that nobody, not even Beth, knows that Josh is Larry. 
Recommendation: Janet Tashjian is a very good writer. The Gospel According to Larry is a great book, which a recommend to everyone.
Erica

The Watcher by James Howe

Many families rent houses near the beach for the summer, and as a result, the beach is crowded with people during the day. In this book we come to know only four of them - Chris, a lifeguard who is unsure to what to do with his life, Callie and Even, siblings whofear that their parents are divorcing, and Margaret, "The Watcher," a quiet, mysterious girl who writes in a notebook while watching the other three. 
Recommendation: This is an intriguing book. It is well-written and it always keeps your attention.
Amanda

Shattered Mirror by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Sarah Vida was always different than her family, but Sarah's family isn't your normal family, they're vampire hunters and the most powerful witch family in the world. Sarah has a good idea of how life is; good and evil, black and white, until she meets Christopher and Nissa. They have an unexpected family history, and they teach Sarah that life is more than black and white, it's colored in shades of gray.
Recommendation: This book is very good, especially if you like books about vampires. I recommend this book to anyone who likes books about demons and witchcraft.
Erica

Bruce Lee: The Celebrated Life of The Golden Dragon by Bruce Lee

When the stars of today's action movies were asked "who had the most impact on the world of action movies?" the answer was always the same, Bruce Lee. His very name became a legend. In his brief life he managed to make less than ten movies, yet each was a blockbuster and each set a standard for action movies to come. This book takes the readers behind the scenes of Bruce Lee's life. The book gathers quotations from Bruce Lee about himself, his work and his family. 
Recommendation: This one-of-a-kind biography provides a unique view of Bruce Lee and is a great read for students of all ages.
Kate

A Rose for Melinda by Lurlene McDaniel

A Rose for Melinda is a very heart-warming book about a girl named Melinda and a boy named Jesse. Since both families are close friends, one summer Jesse stays at Melinda's house, and Melinda and Jesse have the most romantic summer ever. But, after the summer, Jesse leaves and both are depressed. Melinda wants to study ballet, and she is accepted into the best ballet school. But, one day while dancing she goes blank and falls to the ground. At the hospital she finds out that she has leukemia. To find out what happens to Melinda and Jesse, read A Rose for Melinda. Recommendation: This is a great book for teens. I have suggested it to all of my friends, and they have said it was great.
Danice

I'll Be Seeing You by Lurlene McDaniel

Ever since she was twelve, Carley has been scarred by a facial deformity, the result of a cancer operation. Now she is sixteen, and she uses her sense of humor and her loving family to help her cope with all of the pain and agony she has to go through. During Christmas, Carley breaks her leg and ends up in the hospital. There she meets and becomes friends with Reba and Kyle, two teenagers that are dealing with handicaps of their own.
Recommendation: This is a very wonderful book that teaches you about handicapped people and what they feel inside. They are just like the rest of us. They also have feelings like the rest of us.
Fatme

Counting Stars by David Almond

This book is a collection of eighteen slightly fictionalized stories about the author's childhood in Britain. Most are centered on family, loss and religion. 
Recommendation: Although all of the stories are poetically written, some (ex. "Chickens" and "Beating the Bounds") are difficult to get through and don't seem to have much of a point. Others ("The Subtle Body" and "The Kitchen") are captivating and entrancing.
Amanda


 

2001 Recommendations

Dreamland: A Novel by Sarah Dessen

Caitlin is faced with reality asshe can no longer look to and depend on her older sister. As a maturing teenager, she is ambitious to try new things. She goes as far as foining the cheerleading team, while dating a hotshot named Rogerson. Caitlin eventually realizes the challenges of temptation, drugs and friends before it is too late.
Recommendation: I recommend this book to all teenagers out there. It will help you understand that all of us go through the same obstacles in life.
Christina

Drawing Lessons by Tracy Mack

This book is about a girl named Rory and her artist dad. He gives her drawing lessons, and she has a sketchbook that she takes everywhere. Rory and her father are painting a picture together fo her mother's birthday. One day, Rory runs home from school to work on the painting, but something happens and the next day when she wakes up, her father has left. After her father leaves, Rory is totally lost. To find out what her dad did and if Rory finds herself again, read this book.
Recommendation: Personlly, I found this to be a very interesting book. It tells how children can get stuck to their parents and really feel lost when they leave. I really loved it.
Fatme

The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman

Lyra Belacqua is not like any other girl. With every turn she takes, she always seems to get herself stuck in yet another mystifying adventure. This fantasy book has its own number of different worlds, animals and witches to make your heart beat faster as you struggle along beside Lyra's race to save the lives of all the innocent children and their daemons (souls in animal form)
Recommendation: If you are a big fan of the Harry Potter series and are up for a greater challenge, I guarantee this is the perfect book for you.
Christina

Behind the Wheel: Poems About Driving by Janet Wong

Behind the Wheel is a collection of 36 original poems that are all about driving, but also about life.
Recommendation: This is a fantastic book for any teen that is, or is daydreaming about, driving (and what teen isn't?). It is a collection of very funny, as well as real, poetry that tells it like it is for a new driver. This is sure to be a book that you'll always remember.
Kristen

The Great Santini by Pat Conroy

This universal novel explores the adversity that can come to the bond of a father and his family and how that bond remains strong through the human spirit even in grotesque circumstances. Lillian Meecham, Bull's wife, is a strong woman who demands of her children the utmost civility while trying to cope with her husband's violent temperament. Ben, the oldest son, athletic and calm, loves his father as much as he hates him. Mary Anne, the oldest daughter, finds her father to be the most interesting man she has ever met. There are two younger children, Matt and Karen. All of the Meechams must persevere for a year with a man they have come to know as a military monster and loving father.
Recommendation: This is an adult novel, recommended for mature teen readers.
Daniel
 

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Esperanza has all she would ever dream of. Then, one day, she loses all that she thought was happiness. From experiencing the life of a princess in Mexico to the life of a servent in California, she goes through a lot of tough times during her teenage years. However, as she learns that happiness doesn't come from material goods, she learns to appreciate the better things in life.
Recommendation: This is a great book for those who enjoy learning about other cultures, as many Spanish words are used with the English translation right next to it.
Christina

145th Street by Walter Dean Myers

145th Street had ten different unforgettable short stories that take place on 145th Street. The book is mainly about life on 145th Street and what the different life situations are that people deal with. Throughout the stories you are faced with many characters who explains their life to you. These stories tell you and show you the dangers joy and happiness that people go through.
Recommendation: I suggest that people read this book because it shows you how life is in different places and what people deal with at certain times of their lives. It teaches lessons that people should know and the joy of family and having friends there for you. It lightens your day when you read this book. I liked it a lot and it was exciting to read.
Rasha


 

Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho by Jon Katz

Geeks is a book that follows the lives of two computer geeks who use their skills to get out of their hometown and make it in Chicago. They move steadily into better and better apartments. 
Recommendation: This tale is a true story that would be interesting to anyone as an inspiration. It also very aptly captures a picture of society during the recent Internet boom.
Kristen

Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan

Mr. Griffin is an English teacher, and a very tough one. Some of his students aren't satisfied with his teaching methods, so they decide to kidnap him, just to scare him. They take him up to the mountains where they leave him for the night. Upon return the next morning...he's dead. They didn't mean to kill him...or did they? To answer that, you'll have to read the book.
Recommendation: This is a great book for anyone who is into suspense. It is a great mystery, filled with surprising events that you never expected. 
Robyn