Alist of Books to Satisfy Your Olympic Size Appetite

HUNDREDS OF BOOKS, HUNDREDS OF DREAMS

AList of Books to Satisfy Your Olympic Size Appetite.

By

Kristin Pierce

Creator of

A List of Books to Answer the Question, “Mom, What Should I Read Now?”

The Good, the Bad, and the Funny: A list of novels that are guaranteed to rekindle your student’s love of books or at least give it a good kick start.

Great Grabs and Perfect Picks and Everything In-Between (Parts I & II)

Novels for the Year That Will Satisfy All Readers and Not Empty Your Wallet

“…….We all know about blood clots and flying. We know so much we wish we didn’t know. This is another reason why I love children’s books. They restore us to the world before excess knowing, that keener, crisper world of filtered light and high hopes, that wide and beckoning field.”

Naomi Shihab Nye. (2007). I’ll Ask You Three Times, are you OK? New York: GreenWillow Books

Everyone has heard the proverb: Practice makes perfect. In learning to read it is true that reading practice-just reading-is a powerful contributor to the development of accurate, fluent, high-comprehension reading. In fact, if I were required to select a single aspect of the instructional environment to change, my first choice would be creating a schedule that supported dramatically increased quantities of reading during the school day.

Before they leave on vacation, few adults wander down to the nearest university library looking for thick, hard books on topics they don’t care about. In fact, adults generally, including college-educated adults, avoid hard reading whenever possible. This accounts for the popularity of magazines that offer writing that is rated as high-school level difficulty. If folks liked hard reading, then magazines such as Scientific American or The Economist would outsell Newsweek and People. But they don’t.

All readers generally prefer reading that is less demanding-unless their interest in a topic is incredibly high. Only then will most readers tolerate hard reading. I don’t think kids are very much different from adults in this regard. But adults seem always to prefer that children read difficult books rather than easy books. The evidence available has convinced me that lots of easy reading is absolutely critical to reading development and to development of positive stances toward reading.

Allington, R. (2001). What Really Matters for Struggling Readers. New York: Longman.

BOOKS THAT ARE GREAT FOR 2008

Almond, D….Wynne-Jones, T. (2007). Click. New York: Arthur Levine.

When Meg and Jason’s grandfather dies, he leaves them with a special gift related to his life as a professional photographer. As they attempt to understand Gee’s gift, their lives will be forever changed.

-10 different authors write different chapters

-beautiful!

-all royalties go to Amnesty International

Bauer, J. (2008). Peeled. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

Hildy knows that the only truth should be reported in the newspaper so when the local editor sensationalizes his stories, she feels like she needs to stand up for right.

-author of Hope was Here

-mystery

-sense of triumph

Bennett V. (2007). Cassandra’s Sister Growing Up Jane Austen. Cambridge: Candlewick Press.

Discover the life of Jane Austen while she is growing up and writing her famous novels.

-similar to Becoming Jane-based on facts

-small glimpse into the life of Jane and her family

-Junior Library Guild Selection

Bingham, K. (2007). Shark Girl. Cambridge: Candlewick Press.

When Jane’s arm gets bitten off by a shark, she must come to terms with the loss in order to achieve peace.

-written in verse

-makes the reader stop and think

-filled with despair then hope

Blume, L. (2007). The Rising Star of Rusty Nail. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Franny wants to get out of the town of Rusty Nail and she knows the only way to do that is through her piano playing.

-set in 1953

-deals with McCarthyism

-sweet story with a lot of action-more true to life

Boyne, J. (2006). The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Oxford: David Fickling Books.

Bruno makes a new friend, Shmuel, but they can never play together because of the fence that separates them. Bruno decides the only way to see how Shmuel lives is to slip to his side of the fence to a place called “Out With”!

-heart-wrenching Holocaust story

-told through the eyes of a nine year old child

-tragic

Bradley, A. (2007). Hot Lunch. New York: Dutton Children’s Books.

Molly’s frustration level is rising as she is forced to make school lunch with Cassie as a punishment for a school food fight.

-student favorite

-explores issues of nutrition

Frederick, H. (2007). The Mother-Daughter Book Club. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Follow the stories of four young women as they try to deal with each other through reading Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.

-see the bonds of friendship strengthened through reading

-girls ask themselves, “What would Jo (or Louisa) do?”

-fun facts about Alcott included

George, J. (2007). Dragon Slippers. New York: Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

After Creel makes friends with a dragon, she must save her city from the evil queen-to-be.

-student favorite

-for all ages

-local author

-strong heroine

-sequel-Dragon Flight

Green, T. (2007). Football Genius. New York: HarperCollins.

Troy has an unusual talent—he can predict a football play before it happens. The problem is how to convince the Atlanta Falcons to listen to him before they have a losing season.

-reminds me of John Feinstein and Mike Lupica novels

-famous people in novel-Terrel Owens, Michael Vick, Alge Crumpler

-my 13 year old read it very quickly-boys in my classes also enjoyed it

-written by a former Atlanta Falcons player and Fox sports commentator

-companion novel-Football Hero

Grogan, J. (2007). Marley. A Dog Like No Other. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Marley is bad dog but he is always man’s best friend.

-adapted from Marley and Me-for younger readers

-loved it!-laugh-out-loud funny

-use with Bad Dog, Marley

Hemphill, S. (2007). Your Own, Sylvia. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

In a series of poems and biographical footnotes, discover Sylvia Plath in a whole new light.

-heart-wrenching

-beautifully written

-fiction but surrounded by fact

-Printz Honor Award

-for older readers-***adult ideas

Hoffman, A. (2006). Incantation. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Estrella’s life seems perfect until her town starts persecuting Jews. How will she keep her life a secret from those around her?

-Spanish Inquisition

-won many awards

-beautifully written

-draws reader into a harsh time of history

-author of Green Angel

Hoffman, M (2007). The Falconer’s Knot. New York: Bloomsbury.

When Silvano’s true love’s husband is killed, he must fake sanctuary in a monastery. When Chiara’s brother doesn’t know what to do with her because she doesn’t have a dowry, she must enter a nunnery. When murders start to happen in the monastery, Chiara and Silvano team up to find the killer.

-romance, murder, adventure, mystery

-“friars, flirtation, and foul play”

-information about famous artists and their process

Holm, J. (2007). Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf. New York: Anthenuem.

In this book of “stuff”, follow the year of Ginny and all her mishaps.

-author of Penny from Heaven

-multi-genre text

Hosseini, K. (2007). A Thousand Splendid Sons. New York: Riverhead Books.

Mariam is a child living in Afghanistan that no one wants. Laila’s family loves and appreciates her. When these two women’s lives intertwine, a tale of beauty, loyalty, and love emerge.

-for older readers

-see into the life of Afghan women

-makes you want to be a better person

-could not put it down

-author of The Kite Runner

Leavitt, M. (2006). Keturah and Lord Death. Asheville: Front Street.

Keturah wants to live and in order to do that she must cheat Lord Death. By telling him stories that keep him interested and finding her true love, she may be able to outwit death.

-has a surprise ending

-great romance

-won many awards: National Book Award finalist; Junior Library Guild Selection; 100 Best Books of the Year

Mass, W. (2007). Heaven Looks a lot Like the Mall. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

After a devastating dodgeball injury, Tessa is forced to look back on her life and see how all her decisions, good or bad, has shaped her.

-author of Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

-written in poetry form

-for older girls

-quick read-makes you want to return to it

-leaves you with hope

-“It’s a Wonderful Life meets A Christmas Carol

Mass, W. (2006). Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

When Jeremy receives a package from his dead father just before his 13th birthday, he must find keys to the box to discover the meaning of life.

-philosophical

-beautifully written

-all ages will enjoy

Michaels R. (2007). Genesis Alpha. New York: Atheneum.

Josh loves his older brother so when he is accused of a horrific murder, Josh refuses to believe it.

-deals with cloning-great timing

-thinking novel

-suspenseful

-favorite among students

Miller, S. (2007). Miss Spitfire. New York: Atheneum Books For Young Readers.

In this beautifully written story about Annie Sullivan, see how she helps Helen Keller through her own words.

-Miracle Worker written as a novel

-see frustration followed by amazing joy

-background of Annie Sullivan mixed in

-tribute to an amazing women-Annie Sullivan

Meyer, C. (2008). In Mozart’s Shadow. His Sister’s Story. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc.

Nannerl Mozart, the older sister to Wolfgang, must try to live her life as best she can considering she is living in the shadow of one of the greatest musicians of all time.

-historical fiction

-author of Mary, Bloody Mary

-see into the life of this troubled family

Nye, N. (2007). I’ll Ask You Three Times, Are You OK? New York: Greenwillow Books.

In this collection of short stories, Naomi Shihab Nye describes all the adventures that surrounding driving and being driven.

-beautifully written

-excellent metaphors

Pfeeffer, S. (2008). The Dead and the Gone. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc.

In this companion novel to Life as We Knew It, see how Alex tries to keep himself and his sisters alive in New York City when chaos ensues do to the shifting moon.

-see the same story from a different part of the world

-boys perspective

-dark and gruesome but fascinating

Rabin, S. (2007). The Curse of the Romanovs. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.

In this time travel novel, Alexi Nilolayevich comes to New York in 2010. He is desperate to find a cure for his hemophilia and to help save his family.

-wonderful historical information

-told in 1st person from Alexi’s view

-boys and girls will enjoy

Sandell, L. (2007). Song of the Sparrow. New York: Scholastic Press.

Elaine has always been in love with Lancelot and greatly respects Arthur. When the fate of Briton rests in her hands, Elaine is determined to help them any way she can.

-poetry form

-long but quick read

-about the Lady of Shallot

-beautifully written King Arthur legend

Schmidt, C. (2007). The Wednesday Wars. New York: Clarion Books.

It is 1967 and Holling has to meet with his teacher every Wednesday to discuss Shakespeare. Through Shakespeare’s plays, Holling learns about love, loyalty, and fairness.

-author of Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy.

-beautifully written

-funny

-great for voice

-all teachers should read

-incorporates Shakespeare’s plays

-author of Born to Rock and Son of the Mob

Selfors, S. (2008). Saving Juliet. New York: Walker & Company.

Mimi is tired of performing in Romeo and Juliet so when she falls into the play, Mimi is forced to finally see life through the young 13-year old Juliet.

-alternate ending

-***for older kids-language, adult themes

-appreciate Romeo and Juliet so much more

-very interesting

-girls love it!

Sharenow, R. (2007). My Mother the Cheerleader. New York: Laura Geringer Books.

Louise’s mom is a “cheerleader” in the 1960’s, a woman who came to throw food and insults at Ruby Bridges. When a northerner comes to town, both Louise and her mother start to see things from a different perspective.

-***very adult themes-not for younger kids

-see things from a different perspective

-beautifully written

Shields, C. (2008). I am Scout. New York: Henry Holt and Company.

Follow the life of Harper Lee and the way in which Scout’s life parallels her own.

-wonderful pictures

-Junior Library Guild Selection

-see how the novel became bigger than its author

-all teacher of To Kill a Mockingbird should read this

Strasser, T. (2007). Boot Camp. New York: Simon & Schuster.

When Garrett is kidnapped and taken to Boot Camp, he must survive against insurmountable odds.

-***adult themes

-fast-paced quick read

-makes reader think

Turner, M. (1996). The Thief. New York: A Greenwillow Book.

The Queen of Attolia

The King of Attolia

In this trilogy, follow the adventures of Gen, the queen’s thief, as he does all he can to bring peace to three countries.

-adventure

-for older kids

-romance

-all novels stand on their own but to really appreciate the richness of the books, read all three

-BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN

-all who read the series loved them

-King of Attolia is the favorite

Webster, E. (2007). Lost in Austen. New York: Riverhead Books.

Create your own Jane Austen adventure in this fun, true-to-the-books novel.

-great for Austen readers

-clever

-laugh-out-loud funny

Wilson, B. (2008). Before Green Gables. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons.

Find out what happens to Anne in the 11 years before she comes to Green Gables.

-not as good as the originals but a good read

-read the originals before the prequel

- a lot of sadness but filled with hope

…AND MORE FAVORITE READS

Avi. (2008). Seer of Shadows. New York: Harper Collins.

When Horace’s boss decides to swindle his clients into believing in ghosts, Horace is astonished to discover that the ghosts are real!

-author of Crispin

-creepy ghost story!

-quick, easy read

-boy protagonist

-short chapters

-set in 1872

Cannon, A. (2008). The Loser’s Guide to Life and Love. New York: HarperTeen.

At Reel Life Movies, Ed has to wear a workers badge that once belonged to someone named Sergio. When a beautiful girl mistakes him for the exotic Brazilian, it is all Ed can do to keep up with his lie.

-great for voice-hilarious

-each chapter is written from different character’s perspective

-boys and girls will enjoy

-author of Cal Cameron By Day, Spiderman By Night

-short chapters

-local author

-set in Salt Lake City

Fleming, C. (2003). Ben Franklin’s Almanac. Being a True Account of the Good Gentleman’s Life. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Reader.

Witness the life of Ben Franklin through a “scrapbook.”

-can read the book in any order

-makes Franklin’s life accessible

-has all aspects of his life—experiments, life abroad, schooling, etc.

-James Madison Honor Book for Excellence in American History

-excellent photos and pictures

Going, K. (2007). The Garden of Eve. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc.

When Evie and her father move to New York to assume control over a dead “cursed orchard”, Evie just wants to go home to be close to her mother’s grave. However, when she is given a special seed to plant, many of her life’s mysteries are solved.

-beautiful

-fantasy elements

-author of The Liberation of Gabriel King

Mondloch, H. (2007). An American Breeze. A Whirlwind Theatrical Tour of American Literature. Virginia Beach: Scriptworks Press.

Learn all about American literature through this humorous and engaging play.

-all American Literature teachers should read

-funny, sarcastic, interesting

-great learning tool

Temple, B. (2008). The Titanic. An Interactive History Adventure. Mankato: Capstone Press.

Will your character live or die on that fateful night in 1912 aboard the Titanic?

-Choose Your Own Adventure-3 story parts

-first class passenger

-third class passenger

-crewmember

-great for reluctant readers

-all based on historical facts

-others in series-Bunker Hill; California Gold Rush; Golden Age of Pirates; Irish Immigrants in America; Underground Railroad.

Van Draanen, W. (2008). Confessions of a Serial Kisser. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

In an attempt to receive the perfect kiss, Evangeline tries to kiss as many guys as possible to see if “it” really exists.

-short chapters

-author of Flipped

-quick read; easy to get into

Velde, V. (2007). Remembering Raquel. Orlando: Harcourt Inc.

After Raquel’s death, see how those around her respond to her untimely end.

-short chapters-told from different people

-hopeful ending

-author of Heir Apparent

-for reluctant readers

COMFORT READS

Birdsall J. (2008). The Penderwicks of Gardam Street. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

The Penderwicks are home following their fabulous summer vacation. Life is turned upside down for them when their father starts dating.

-better than The Penderwicks

-humorous situations

-get to know all the all the girls

Clements, A. (2007). No Talking. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Who talks more, boys or girls? The kids at Laketon Elementary decide to find out the answer to the question by participating in a competition that will have everyone speechless.

-author of Frindle

-deals with the power of language

-very interesting!

Goscinny, R. & Sempe, J. (1963). Nicholas and the Gang. New York: Phaidon Press.