Books!

You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend. — Paul Sweeney

Sometimes it is hard to find the perfect book. This page aims to help you locate books that you might enjoy. In May, 2012 and 2013, seventh and eighth grade English student were asked to pick one book that they would highly recommend to their peers. Each book is listed in the table below, organized alphabetically by author (but you can search for titles or your friends by hitting CTRL-F on Windows or ⌘-F on a Mac). Click on the row to read the student’s full review.

Author Title Genre(s) Subject(s) Pages Reviewed By
Laurie Halse Anderson Catalyst Realistic fiction girl drama 231 Lea M.
Jay Asher Thirteen Reasons Why Realistic fiction, mystery 336 Macy B.
Jay Asher Thirteen Reasons Why Realistic fiction 336 Heba S.
Joan Bauer Close to Famous Fiction cupcakes, humor 250 Maren F.
Ishmael Beah A Long Way Gone Memoir, Non-fiction, Autobiography war 240 Netta K.
Louise Bernikow Bark If You Love Me Non-fiction dogs 206 Oona P.
Kelly Bingham Shark Girl Realistic Fiction animals, girl drama, romance, survival 288 Taylor R.
Pseudonymous Bosch The Name of This Book is Secret Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery exploration, survival 384 Stephanie L.
Mark Bowden Black Hawk Down: A Modern Story of War Non-fiction war Henry G.
John Boyne The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Historical fiction holocaust 186 Charlie W.
Alan Bradley A Red Herring Without Mustard Mystery exploration, murder, death 417 Maya E.
Ann Brashares Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Fiction friendship, magic Bridget H.
Ann Brashares Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Hannah S.
Dan Brown Angels and Demons Action/Adventure, Mystery
 713 Alena P.
Dan Brown The Da Vinci Code Mystery   489 Allison A.
Dan Brown The Da Vinci Code Mystery puzzle solving 597 Charles C.
Dan Brown The Da Vinci Code Action/Adventure, Mystery 490 Spencer E.
Orson Scott Card Ender’s Game Science fiction Willa G.
Orson Scott Card Speaker for the Dead Science fiction 382 Noah K.
Isabelle Carmody Obernewtyn Science fiction Leah H.
Kristin Cashore Fire Action/Adventure, Fantasy war 480 Solomon J.
Kristin Cashore Fire Action/Adventure, Fantasy war, rebellion 243 Maya S.
Kristin Cashore Bitter Blue Action/Adventure betrayal, love Elliott T.
Agatha Christe And Then There Were None Mystery survival 288 Ethan M.
Harlan Coben Seconds Away Action/Adventure 338 Austin L.
Eoin Colfer Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident Action/Adventure 300 John S.
Eoin Colfer Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident Fantasy fairies, goblins 300 Matt S.
Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games Action/Adventure, Science fiction romance, politics 374 Minnie A.
Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games Action/Adventure, Science fiction 374 Jack G.
Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games Action/Adventure, Science fiction 374 Olivia K.
Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games Action/Adventure, Science fiction 374 Elena M.
Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games Action/Adventure, Science fiction 374 Eva M.
Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games Action/Adventure, Science fiction  374 Drew O.
Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games Action/Adventure, Science fiction 374 Sam P.
Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games Action/Adventure, Science Fiction action, adventure 374 Muneil R.
Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games Action/Adventure, Science fiction love, work, poverty 374 Claudia R.
Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games Action/Adventure, Science fiction 374 Ian S.
Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games Action/Adventure, Science fiction poverty 374 Emilee S.
Suzanne Collins Mockingjay Action/Adventure, Science fiction 390 Peter S.
John Coy Crackback Sports fiction sports 201 Franci V.
Sharon Creech Heartbeat Action/Adventure exploration, Relationships, life 180 Mary G.
Sharon Creech Walk Two Moons Action/Adventure   280 Hallie S.
Michael Crichton Jurassic Park Science Fiction Tommy M.
Kara Dalkey Little Sister Fantasy, Historical Fiction 200 Mary G.
James Dashner The Death Cure Action/Adventure, Science fiction survival, war, apocolypse 324 Ivan G.
James Dashner The Maze Runner Action/Adventure, Science fiction exploration, survival 384 Wyatt B.
James Dashner The Maze Runner Action/Adventure, Science fiction survival, Pandemic 384 Hunter H.
James Dashner The Maze Runner Action/Adventure, Science fiction survival 384 Jack R.
James Dashner The Scorch Trials Action/Adventure, Science fiction survival 368 George S.
Tatiana de Rosnay Sarah’s Key Historical fiction holocaust 294 Sabrina B.
Kate DiCamillo Tiger Rising Adventure, mystery Jonny A-O.
Sarah Dessen Lock and Key Realistic fiction girl drama, romance, survival 422 Blaire B.
Emma Donoghue Room Action/Adventure, Realistic fiction survival, Escape 336 Liz S.
Nancy Farmer The House of the Scorpion Science fiction civil rights, race/culture, survival 380 Anna B.
Nancy Farmer The Sea of Trolls Action/Adventure 459 Amodhya S.
John Feinstein Last Shot Sports, Mystery sports 272 Michael O.
John Flanagan The Outcasts Fantasy 432 Tony M.
John Flanagan Ranger’s Apprentice Book 1: The Ruins of Gorlan 272 Spencer E.
Alex Flinn Diva Realistic fiction girl drama 272 Alice T.
Elizabeth Gilbert Eat, Pray, Love Memoir self-discovery 331 Christine L.
William Goldman The Princess Bride Action/Adventure, Classic romance, survival 398 Shefali B.
John Green The Fault in Our Stars Realistic fiction romance, survival 336 Michelle H.
John Green The Fault in Our Stars Realistic fiction 336 Mackenzie K.
John Green The Fault in Our Stars Realistic fiction 336 Sam M.
John Green The Fault in Our Stars Realistic fiction 336 Muneil R.
John Green The Fault in Our Stars Realistic fiction 336 Amodhya S.
John Green The Fault In Our Stars Realistic fiction romance, humor, Cancer, Drama 336 Gustaf S.
Sara Gruen Water for Elephants Realistic fiction romance, friendship 331 Neeti K.
Dan Gutman The Homework Machine Realistic fiction 146 David S.
Margaret Peterson Haddix Sent Science fiction 320 Bridget M.
Shannon Hale The Goose Girl Fantasy animals, Fairy Tale/Medieval 400 Noor Q.
Frank Herbert Dune Science fiction war, leadership 544 Samuel P.
Carl Hiassen Chomp Realistic fiction, Humor animals, survival, Reality TV, Florida 304 Grace H.
Carl Hiassen Hoot Realistic fiction birds Charlie H.
Charlie Higson By Royal Command Action/Adventure   361 Matthew J.
Charlie Higson The Enemy Action/Adventure survival 384 Jon R.
Oscar Hijuelos Dark Dude Realistic fiction race/culture, Coming of Age 439 Katie B.
Laura Hillenbrand Unbroken Action/Adventure, Non-fiction survival, war 473 Moira M.
S.E. Hinton The Outsiders Realistic fiction History 180 Layne C.
Diana Wynne Jones Howl’s Moving Castle Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery romance, survival 428 Elena Y.
Peg Kehert Stolen Children Mystery survival 208 Sonya G.
Sue Monk Kidd The Secret Life of Bees Realistic fiction civil rights, race/culture 302 Rachel H.
Sue Monk Kidd The Secret Life Of Bees Realistic fiction civil rights, girl drama, romance 302 Shelby T.
Stephen King Under the Dome Science fiction 1074 Milo W.
Steve Kluger The Last Days of Summer Realistic fiction, epistolary novel, Sports fiction sports, war 368 Patrick C.
Steve Kluger My Most Excellent Year Realistic fiction  416 Sophia M.
Steve Kluger My Most Excellent Year Realistic fiction 416 Kathryn S.
Fawzia Koofi The Favored Daughter Memoir civil rights, politics, survival 272 Gitanjali R.
Iain Lawrence Ghost Boy Realistic fiction 352 Oona P.
David Levithan Boy Meets Boy Action/Adventure, romance romance 192 Madeeha R.
Michael Lewis Boomerang Non-fiction 213 Charlie M.
Michael Lewis Moneyball Non-fiction baseball 288 Emerson E.
Josh Lieb I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be Your Class President Fantasy, Realistic fiction, Humor exploration, Middle School 304 Brendan M.
Pittacus Lore I Am Number Four Action/Adventure, Science fiction survival, life 452 Mason K.
Pittacus Lore I Am Number Four Action/Adventure, Science fiction survival, war 440 Noah L.
Pittacus Lore Power of Six Action/Adventure, Science Fiction 416 Austin L.
Pittacus Lore The Rise of Nine Action/Adventure, Science Fiction 360 Mark A.
Lois Lowry Gathering Blue Science fiction Kate B.
Lois Lowry The Giver Science fiction Kieran M.
Lois Lowry The Giver Fiction love, family, friendship, finding yourself 150 Clare T.
George R.R. Martin A Game of Thrones Fantasy politics, war 819 Will D.
George R.R. Martin A Game of Thrones Action/Adventure, Epic, Fantasy politics, war 819 Sam T.
George R.R. Martin A Storm of Swords Action/Adventure, Fantasy 1118 Maggie G.
Stephenie Meyer The Host Science fiction romance, survival 619 Vanessa M.
Alex Milway The Mousehunter: The Curse of Mousebeard Action/Adventure, Fantasy animals, survival, war 345 Colin O.
Perry Moore Hero Fantasy civil rights 432 Laura S.
Lorrie Moore Who Will Run the Frog Hospital? Realistic fiction romance, life 160 Lauren M.
Lauren Myracle TTYL Realistic fiction girl drama  234 Genevieve Z.
Vicki Myron and Bret Witter Dewey Memoir, Non-fiction animals 271 Sara B.
Donna Jo Napoli Hush Action/Adventure, Historical fiction, Mystery, Realistic fiction race/culture, survival, war, kidnapping 330 Emily B.
Naomi Shihab Nye Habibi Realistic fiction romance 271 Emily D.
Lauren Oliver Before I Fall Mystery, Realistic fiction girl drama, finding yourself 470 Elizabeth B.
George Orwell Animal Farm Classic, Satire animals, politics, survival 95 Eesha I.
Chuck Palahniuk Fight Club Realistic fiction civil rights, race/culture, survival, war 224 Angel S.
James Patterson Confessions of a Murder Suspect Mystery 372 Noah L.
James Patterson Witch and Wizard Action/Adventure, Fantasy politics, survival 307 Barbara B.
Gary Paulsen Hatchet Action/Adventure survival 197 Emre K.
Gary Paulsen Hatchet Realistic fiction survival Sarah M.
Gary Paulsen Hatchet Fiction Jack S.
Susan Beth Pfeffer Life As We Knew It Action/Adventure, Mystery, Science fiction survival 337 Emilio A.
Susan Beth Pfeffer Life As We Knew It Action/Adventure, Science fiction exploration, survival, Apocalypse 337 Nissa R.
Jodi Picoult My Sister’s Keeper Realistic fiction survival, cancer 448 Boraan A.
Jodi Picoult Salem Falls Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Realistic fiction girl drama, politics, romance, Judicial System 434 Ella H.
Ellen Potter The Kneebone Boy Mystery, Realistic fiction exploration 304 Lutalo J.
Philip Reeve Mortal Engines Action/Adventure, Science fiction, Steampunk/Post-apocalyptic Municipal Darwinism (Moving cites that eat other cities and towns…) 310 Joel T.
Adam Rex The True Meaning of Smekday Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Science fiction, Comedy exploration, survival, war 432 Lexi F.
Ingrid Ricks Hippie Boy Memoir Family Issues 244 Justin Z.
Ransom Riggs Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Action/Adventure, Fantasy
352 Navodhya S.
Ransom Riggs Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Action/Adventure Supernatural powers 352 Maggie V.
Rick Riordan The Serpent’s Shadow Fantasy war 401 Jackson J.
Rick Riordan The Mark of Athena Action/Adventure, Fantasy 574 Lutalo J.
Veronica Roth Divergent Action/Adventure, Romance 496 Isabelle B.
Veronica Roth Divergent Action/Adventure, Romance Nina P.
J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Fantasy Magic 320 Raegan S.
Brent Runyon The Burn Journals Memoir survival 336 Karsten R.
Louis Sachar Holes Action/Adventure, Mystery, Realistic fiction exploration, race/culture, survival, war 233 Rafa B.
J.D. Salinger Catcher in the Rye Classic, Realistic fiction exploration, street 288 David N.
Michael Scott The Alchemist Action/Adventure, Fantasy survival, Magic 400 Tabeer N.
Brian Selznick The Invention of Hugo Cabret Fiction 550 Charlie M.
Brian Selznick The Invention of Hugo Cabret Action/Adventure Enzo V.
Brian Selznick Wonderstruck Realistic fiction Jasper L.
Holly Goldberg Sloan I’ll Be There Realistic fiction romance, Human connection 400 Jane J.
Alexander Smith Lockdown Action/Adventure, Horror survival 225 Cameron G.
Roland Smith Zach’s Lie Realistic fiction 211 Ross K.
Hope Solo Solo: A Memoir of Hope Memoir, Sports 304 Lauren H.
Jordan Sonnenblick After Ever After Realistic fiction romance, survival 272 Sonia S.
Gary Soto Taking Sides Realistic fiction sports 154 Dalante P.
Rebecca Stead When You Reach Me Mystery, Realistic fiction, Science fiction race/culture, time travel 197 Nina Z.
M.L. Stedman The Light Between Oceans Realistic fiction 343 Mackenzie K.
John Steinbeck Of Mice and Men Realistic fiction, Classic race/culture, survival 107 Peter B.
Kathryn Stockett The Help Historical fiction civil rights, race/culture 464 Cait G.
Kathryn Stockett The Help Fiction friendship, taking a risk Claire R.
Kathryn Stockett The Help Historical fiction freedom, African-Americans 464 Emily T.
Laurie Faria Stolarz Project 17 Fantasy, Mystery, Horror survival, ghosts 256 Chloe W.
Todd Strasser The Wave Nonfiction race/culture, war, Simulation (?) 144 Danish M.
Todd Strasser The Wave Nonfiction power 144 Justin J.
Carrie Vaughn After the Golden Age Action/Adventure, Superheroes Superheroes 304 Miriam T.
Scott Westerfeld So Yesterday Mystery, Suspense and Thriller Innovation and Coolness 256 Lexi B.
Elie Wiesel Night Non-fiction, Auto-biography holocaust, survival, war 115 Helen S.
Carlos Ruiz Zafon The Shadow of the Wind Realistic fiction mystery, romance 486 Diane H.
Roger Zelazny A Night in the Lonesome October Fantasy Game/Contest 280 Ellie B.
Markus Zusak I am the Messenger Action/Adventure, Mystery, Realistic fiction exploration, race/culture, romance, survival, forgiveness 357 Caroline M.

3 thoughts on “Books!”

  2. Pingback: How Do You Find a Good Book to Read in the eBook Age? « Tim Kane Books

  3. Great recommendations everyone! Lots to consider. You put so much thought into your writing; I love to see so many of you passionate about reading. It’s truly a lifelong pleasure!

    Reply

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