39 Clues
This series of books, written by various kids authors, takes the reader on the adventures
of siblings Amy Cahill and Dan Cahill and their worldwide quest to unlock the secret of
their family's power.
Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
When Death tells a story, you pay attention. Liesel Meminger is a young girl growing up
outside of Munich in Nazi Germany. When her foster father helps her learn to read and
she discovers the power of words, Liesel begins stealing books from Nazi book burnings
and the mayor's wife's library. As she becomes a better reader, she becomes a writer,
writing a book about her life in such a miserable time.
Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
In October, 1942, seventeen-year-old Helmuth Hubener, imprisoned for distributing antiNazi leaflets, recalls his past life and how he came to dedicate himself to bring the truth
about Hitler and the war to the German people.
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
Eragon tries to uphold the oath he made to save Katrina from King Galbatorix, while
being pulled in different directions by the needs of the Varden, elves, and dwarves--all of
whom need his help and strength to overcome the tyranny of the king.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
In the sequel to the hugely popular The Hunger Games (2008), Katniss Everdeen and
Peeta Mellark, having won the annual Games, are now rich and famous--and trapped in
the fiction that they are lovers. They are seen as a threat to the Capitol, their unusual
manner of winning an act of rebellion that could inspire uprisings throughout Panem.
Knowing her life is in danger, Katniss considers escaping with her family and friends but
instead reluctantly assumes the role of a rebel, almost forced into it by threats from the
insidious President Snow.
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
In the spring of 1776, Isabel, a teenage slave, and her sister, Ruth, are sold to ruthless,
wealthy loyalists in Manhattan. While running errands, Isabel is approached by rebels,
who promise her freedom if she agrees to spy. Using the invisibility her slave status
brings, Isabel lurks and listens as Master Lockton and his fellow Tories plot to crush the
rebel uprisings, but the incendiary proof that she carries to the rebel camp doesn’t bring
the desired rewards.
A Child Called It by David Pelzer
David Pelzer, victim of one of the worst child abuse cases in the history of California,
tells the story of how he survived his mother's brutality and triumphed over his past.
Cover-Up by John Feinstein
As 14-year-old Steve heads to Indianapolis to cover the Super Bowl with fellow reporter
Susan Carol Anderson, Bill Thomas tells his son, "Just promise me you won't get into
any trouble this week." But when they get to Indianapolis, they uncover a plot to cover up
drug tests failed by the offensive line of the California Dreams, and the junior Woodward
and Bernstein face a nervous quarterback, a drunken letch, an outraged owner of the
Dreams and hired thugs trying to get the reporters to back off.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney
This book takes a humorous look at school and family life, told in the form of an
illustrated diary by the main character, Greg Heffley, who has just started middle school.
Eldest by Christopher Paolini
Eragon continues his Rider training in this dense sequel. After the epic battle at Farthen
Dûr, Eragon travels to the elven city Ellesméra to complete his magical education. There
he learns from Oromis and Glaedr, a wounded Rider and his dragon who have been
hidden for years, ever since Galbatorix overthrew the old order and slew the Riders.
Meanwhile, inhuman servants of Galbatorix have invaded Eragon's home village
Carvahall, hoping to capture Eragon's cousin Roran. Roran leads the villagers to join the
Varden rebellion against Galbatorix's tyranny.
Football Hero by Tim Green
Middle schooler, Ty Lewis is going through a tough time following the death of his
parents. He has been taken in by his aunt and uncle, but they treat him badly, dressing
him in hand-me-downs, making him sleep on a mattress on the floor of the laundry room,
and forcing him to use a portable toilet in the backyard even though there is a bathroom
in the house. Ty is having problems at school as well, where his appearance, social status,
and bookishness lead to his being bullied. Through all his troubles, he is buoyed by his
faith in his older brother, who is an All-American college football player soon to sign a
lucrative pro contract. Ty has his own dreams of football glory after being recruited by
the middle school coach, who has noticed that Ty is the fastest boy in the sixth grade. His
plans are derailed, however, when his uncle makes him work after school in his cleaning
business. After Thane signs his pro contract, Uncle Gus's organized-crime associates
press Ty for inside information on injured players on Thane's team, which he innocently
supplies. This gets both brothers in trouble with the FBI, but they cooperate with
authorities and all ends well.
Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix
A plane arrives at an airline gate unnoticed by radar and most personnel. There are no
flight attendants, no pilot, in fact no adults at all, but there are 36 passengers-each seat is
inhabited by an infant. Thirteen years later in Ohio, teenage adoptees Jonah and his friend
Chip begin receiving ominous messages declaring that they are among "the missing" and
that someone is coming to find them. Frightened yet intrigued, the boys begin a search
for their real identities with the help of Jonah's younger sister. Their search leads them to
a discovery that strains credulity and leads them into danger greater than they ever
imagined possible.
Heat by Mike Lupica
When Michael Arroyo is on the baseball diamond, everything feels right. He's a terrific
pitcher who dreams of leading his South Bronx All-Stars to the Little League World
Series in Williamsport, PA. It's a dream he shared with his father, one they brought with
them as they fled Cuba and wound up living in the shadow of Yankee Stadium. Michael's
ultimate dream is to play in the major leagues like his hero, El Grande, Yankee star and
fellow Cuban refugee. Tragically, Papi died of a heart attack a few months back, leaving
Michael and his older brother, Carlos, to struggle along on their own. Afraid of being
separated, they hide the news of their father's death from everyone but a kindly neighbor,
Mrs. Cora, and Michael's best friend, Manny Cabrera. When a bitter rival spreads rumors
that Michael is older than he appears, the league demands that he be benched until he can
produce a birth certificate.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
Harry, Ron, and Hermione set out on the mission left to Harry by Albus Dumbledore, to
search for the remaining Horcruxes, the hidden pieces of Voldemort's soul that must be
destroyed to ensure his final defeat. Harry and his friends find themselves fugitives, but
help comes from unexpected quarters and old friends. Harry is also searching for the truth
about Dumbledore's life, as he tries to reconcile rumors about the man's past with the
heroic headmaster he thought he knew. The legend of the Deathly Hallows, three magical
objects that have the power to overcome death, proves to be related to Dumbledore's past
as well as the present conflict.
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Up-In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by
drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the
Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are
selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal
intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout
Panem as the 14 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all
citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as
the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and
her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting
skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives
who have trained for this their whole lives.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a
Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his
undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.
Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka
A memoir of what it was like to grow up in the 1950s and other almost true stories about
boys, for boys and anyone else interested in baseball, fire, and peeing on stuff.
Marley and Me by John Grogan
The author presents a tender story of his family's love for their yellow Labrador retriever,
Marley, and recalls how he grew from a mischievous puppy into a nearly impossible
adult that no amount of obedience school training could correct, and of the love they felt
for him.
Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson
The series follows six human/avian fugitives. Bred in a science lab called "The School",
the Flock endured scientific experiments that rendered them 98% human and 2% avian.
The Angel Experiment picks up the story as the Flock reengages with their struggle
against scientists and evil hybrids after having been freed from the School by Jeb
Batchelder years before.
Sent by Margaret Patterson Haddix
Alex and Chip were snatched out of time but have now been sent back to their rightful
lives in fifteenth-century England. Unfortunately, siblings Jonah and Katherine
accidentally went with them. They are caught in the midst of a deadly royal scheme, and
it will take more than knowledge of the future to rescue the two princes.
Slob by Ellen Potter
Twelve-year-old Owen and his sister attend a progressive New York City school where
there are no desks, “Just workstations. Which are basically desks.” Despite the school
motto, “Compassion, Not Competition,” overweight Owen is victimized by his sadistic
gym teacher as well as by many fellow students. In his spare time, he attempts to
construct a video playback time machine in order to discover who murdered his parents
two years earlier. Slowly, Owen realizes whom he can trust and what matters to him now.
Swindle by Gordon Korman
Eleven-year-old Griffin Bing is "the man with the plan." If something needs doing,
Griffin carefully plans a fix and his best friend Ben usually gets roped in as assistant.
When the town council ignores his plan for a skate park on the grounds of the soon-to-be
demolished Rockford House, Griffin plans a camp-out in the house. While there, he
discovers a rare Babe Ruth baseball card. His family's money worries are suddenly a
thing of the past, until unscrupulous collectables dealer S. Wendell Palomino swindles
him. Griffin and Ben plan to snatch the card back with a little help. Pet-lover Savannah
whispers the blood-thirsty Doberman. Rock-climber "Pitch" takes care of scaling the
house.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
What if the gods of Olympus were alive in the 21st Century? What if they still fell in love
with mortals and had children who might become great heroes -- like Theseus, Jason and
Hercules? What if you were one of those children? Such is the discovery that launches
twelve-year-old Percy Jackson on the most dangerous quest of his life.
Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer
Twilight is a series of four vampire-based fantasy/romance novels. It charts the life of
Isabella “Bella” Swan, a teenage girl who moves to Forks, Washington, and finds her life
radically changed when she falls in love with a 104-year-old vampire named Edward
Cullen. The series is told primarily from Bella’s point of view, with the epilogue of
Eclipse and Part II of Breaking Dawn being told from the viewpoint of Jacob Black, a
werewolf.
Year of the Bomb by Ronald Kidd
In 1955 California, as "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" is filmed in their hometown,
thirteen-year-old Arnie discovers a real enemy when he and three friends go against a
young government agent determined to find communists at a nearby university or on the
movie set.
Zoobreak by Gordon Korman
Griffin Bing, "The Man with the Plan," and his full complement of co-conspirators from
Swindle (2008) are back. Animal whisperer Savannah's Capuchin monkey Cleopatra
turns up missing, and a suspicious banana leads Savannah to the conclusion that Cleo's
been monkey-napped. They find her in a run-down floating zoo, but adults and
authorities are no help in getting the monkey back. Griffin already has worries enough,
since his best bud, the narcoleptic Ben, is about to be shipped off to a special school for
those with sleep disorders. Even so, everyone agrees to a plan to spring Cleo--but they
end up having to spring the whole zoo. The plan to hide 40 animals from parents and
police and Mr. Nastase, the awful zookeeper, only works for so long, prompting Griffin
to move on to plan three....