PUT THESE ON YOUR TBR LIST FOR FALL 2014

First, some YA books by well loved authors . . .

The Infinite Sea

by Rick Yancey  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Sequel to The 5th Wave--a series that will appeal to a wide audience--not just fans of dystopian like Hunger Games. Think of handing this to readers who love scifi (aliens!) apocalypse fiction, and some romance readers. Although lets be clear, The Infinite Sea is not full of romance--there's lots of action, twists & turns, and lots of what I love in YA--dire dilemmas the characters have to face that force them to ask the tough questions. Not a disappointing sequel at all.

The Young Elites
by Marie Lu  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
From author Marie Lu of the Legend trilogy-- some survivors of a blood fever have talents that make them more then normal, which in turn makes them powerful enemies that have dark secrets of their own. Expect nothing less than great world building and characters from this author & new series!

Atlantia
by Ally Condie  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Betrayal by a twin sister, treachery surrounding her mother's death, and making a plan to cross the divide between land and Atlantia, the sea, where the main character Rio lives. Matched triliogy fans will be excited for Ally Condie's next book, and in skimming the reviews, reaction seems mostly positive and excited for this standalone book.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue
by Maggie Stiefvater  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
I feel like I have to be rather vague in order to not give away spoilers . . . we'll just say that the story of the search continues--only there are more things to search for now, including Blue's missing mother. More Gansey & Blue moments, great character development, poetic writing, and the fascinating myth that this is all based on brings you closer to the moment of truth & death that was predicted in the first book.

Illusions of Fate
by Kiersten White | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Another standalone from a best selling author. The marketing blurb "Downton Abbey meets Cassandra Clare" seems like a tall order to fill, but reviews have been positive! After leaving her home, main character Jessamin feel like an outcast until Finn. He introduces her into circles of nobility--and all that comes with it, which means she must rely on her own strength to navigate the secrets, the power, and the danger.

The Contract
by Derek Jeter | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
I love that Derek Jeter--the New York Yankee with five World Series appearances, thirteen All-Star nominations, membership in the 3,000 hit club, the legend-- now has his own publishing imprint. This is the debut book and first in a middle grade series based on Jeter's childhood. Hard work and goals are running themes throughout. I love this niche of sports and based-on-a-true-story fiction that this book fills! Jeter's nonfiction title was also a best-seller.

A taste of nonfiction . . .

What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions
by Randall Munroe | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
The subtitle gives you a good idea of what this is about. Former NASA, currently running the website xkcd.com, Randall Munroe takes on questions about pools & thunderstorms, Star Trek, energy producing capabilities of people exercising, and much more. I can think of such a diverse audience that would love this book! I'm excited to recommend it to people.

Some majorly anticipated fiction by big name writers . . .

Lila
by Marilynne Robinson | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
So if you haven't read Marilynne Robinson's Gilead (won her a Pulitzer) or Home (Orange Prize & National Book Award Finalist, you probably should. If you have, and you found out that she wrote another book set in the same town and revisiting old characters, your heart is probably beating really fast.

The Bone Clocks
by David Mitchell | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Hearing that David Mitchell also wrote another book might cause some of your hearts to beat a little fast. Shifting between different points of view, several characters receive an in depth study through a smaller portion of their life story. Each of the characters in some way ties back to Holly Sykes, who throughout her life has been involved--willingly or not--with supernatural happenings and in a few dangerous circles.

And something to think about . . .

The Learning Habit: A Groundbreaking Approach to Homework and Parenting that Helps Our Children Succeed in School and Life
by Stephanie Donaldson-Pressman, Rebecca Jackson, & Robert Pressman
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
This book talks about the most essential learning habits in the face of the Common Core State Standards, large amounts of standardized testing, screen time, and more.

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SHORT LIST 02: MIDDLE GRADE BOOKS FOR RELUCTANT READERS

I've been meaning to share this for a while, and a couple of requests made me hurry to finish up this short list of a few good middle-grade books for reluctant readers! 

    

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
A HUGE hit!                                

2. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
The beautiful artwork in this book seems to really capture kids' attention.

3. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

A great fantasy series that has a lot of appeal to imaginative middle-grade readers. 

4. Graphic novels

There's more and more good ones out there; Percy Jackson is one that has been very popular among my students. Which leads me to . . .

5. Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan has been very prolific lately, and other series by him are big hits too; I would recommend to start with Percy though. 

6. Stories from Guys Write for Guys Read by Jon Scieszka & various authors

Part of a wonderful series edited by Jon Scieszka . . . so fuuny! Great to read out loud or to pass along to kids. They'll like some better than others. 

7. Sports memoirs/biographies

I can't really recommend a specific one, but for the majority of my middle grade reluctant reader male crowd, short nonfiction texts about their favorite sports stars are absolutely necessary. 

. . . And some favorites of mine--great middle grade books but not necessarily the top of the list for reluctant readers (although they have been successful):

8. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

A perspective changing story.

9. Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

Hilarious and heart warming. 

Any suggestions for other middle-grade reluctant reader winners?

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SHORT LIST 04: BACK TO SCHOOL BOOKS

The Boy on the Wooden Box
by Leon Leyson
This memoir is from one of the youngest children to survive the Holocaust. His incredible story involves being on Schindler's List and some unimaginable amounts of courage and strength. I have a feeling that fans of The Boy in The Striped Pajamas might like this one too.











The Bone Season

by Samantha Shannon
A futuristic dystopian society exploits those with supernatural powers--the "voyants" are used, hunted, imprisoned, and killed. The main character works for a secret crime organization, until she is captured and must try to find a way to escape. Some great plot twists and great writing are promised in this big release of the season, and this new author has been compared to Suzanne Collins and even J.K. Rowling. This first book in a series of seven also has the honor of being the first pick for the new Today Show Book Club. A series, and author, to watch??

 The Smartest Kids in the World: and How They Got That Way
by Amanda Ripley
Three American teenagers spend a year attending school in some of the world's best public school systems, and investigative journalist Amanda Ripley reveals the insights into failure, persistence, hard work, and resilience that these top-performing students and schools have achieved. Let this review in the NYT get you interested.

Night Film
Marisha Pessl
The beautiful writing and gripping plot promises to have the perfect touch of noir and suspense. The main character in this thriller is an investigative journalist who looks into the death of a young woman, and in the process has to deal with a cursed family dynasty, a reclusive cult-horror filmmaker father, and a lot more to lose than he thought. This is the second book from this bestselling author. 

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READ, WHITE, & BLUE

A few patriotic picks for your 4th of July holiday:

Bunker Hill

by Nathaniel Philbrick

Like the blurb says, this book is about the " . . . Boston battle that ignited the American Revolution." Really, though, I can't wait to get this one because Philbrick is one amazing storyteller. I first became a fan after In the Heart of the Sea, and Bunker Hill is really being talked about. The detail and suspense that Philbrick endows these moments of history with are not to be missed. (Nonfiction)

Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10. 
by Marcus Luttrell

I listened to this on audio book and it was such an incredible, intense experience. Intense. He talks about how SEAL team members are selected and trained, and takes you through the play-by-play experience of Operation Redwing--the goal of which was to take out an al Qaeda leader in Taliban territory. This made me feel pride in our troops like never before. Plus, this book has really been a hit with reluctant readers of all ages--lots of teen readers, mostly boys, really find this book to be thrilling. Which, really, it is for any level of reader. (Nonfiction)

Eleanor & Park
by Rainbow Rowell

This one might not be as directly patriotic as the others, but I thought of it because it really provides a fun, interesting snapshot of America in a certain special decade (the 80s). It's just fun to read books that give you nostalgia for a decade, or if you weren't alive in that decade (I barely was)--you can laugh and learn about all the crazy things that American teenagers loved (Walkmans! Mix tapes! etc.) The story is about an unlikely couple--quirky Eleanor and quiet but strong Park. See my review here. (YA)

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SHORT LIST 02: LATE SPRING READS

A few new & can't miss books for this lovely late spring season:

YA

 The 5th Wave 
by Rick Yancey

Alien invasion, but not as you've seen it before. Post-apocalyptic world, but not as it has been written before. If you're a fan of The Hunger Games, you'll probably like this one. Cassie is running from Them, looking for her brother and trusting no one--there is no one to trust. Evan Walker might be able to help find her brother, but trust is still an issue, and so are a lot of other things, like not being found by Them--who look just like everyone else.

Read the first 70 pages here. You'll like it. (Review coming soon!)

Eleanor & Park 
by Rainbow Rowell

This is a great spring pick because it has all of the light-heartedness and humor of a new relationship and unique characters, but also has a serious, though-provoking side. Set in 1986, Eleanor and Park are an unlikely pair who met on a bus ride to school. She's the quirky new girl, and he's some kind of incredibly sweet secret ninja kind of guy.
This is perfect for fans of The Fault in Our Stars, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, or Stargirl. 

See my review here.





Fiction

TransAtlantic 
by Colum McCann

If you liked his earlier, award winning Let The Great World Spin, then you are sure to love this. Once again, the writing will carry you away--this time through a series of stories from 1845, 1919, and 1998 that blend real events and people with fiction. The stories are all connected through time and different places in the world, and told beautifully. There's a lot to look forward to with Colum McCann--his writing and masterful storytelling make the world seem small and big at the same time. This is exactly what I want to be reading right now!

Nonfiction 

Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work
by Chip Heath & Dan Heath

Another selection that I'm excited for based on the author's previous books. Made to Stick and Switch are must-reads, so here's hoping that this one turns out great as well!

It turns out that making a decision isn't a simple thing--there are a lot of factors that influence our decisions--some of which enhance or take away from the effectiveness of the decision and outcome. Decisive looks at these factors, as well as current research on the matter, and offers ways to make the making of decisions more effective.

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SHORT LIST 01 FOR RELUCTANT READERS

Presenting the first Short List! Check out some of these books that I hand picked for reluctant readers. Not a reluctant reader? You'll enjoy them anyway!

And remember, when finding a book for the reluctant reader it's best to go for a book on their reading level that will deliver a powerful reading experience. That's what we're going for here-- the experience of reading! You know-- that I'm hooked and can't put it down, just finished and still thinking about it, now I want another--kind of reading experience. If you're going to attain that, a book has to be fairly close to the target reader's reading level. If it's too hard (even if it delivers a whopper of a reading experience) than the reluctant reader won't get into enough to enjoy it. So build up the positive reading experiences with books close to their level, then as their reading muscles get stronger you can give them a greater variety of books.

You wouldn't go weightlifting as a beginner and start with lots of weight, would you? Nope. Hopefully some of these books fit the reading level of your intended reluctant reader, and if not, I always take requests! With that being said, here's Short List 01 for The Reluctant Reader:

You by Charles Benoit
This is a fairly short, direct novel that will greatly appeal to boys. The main character, Kyle, tells the story of how he ended up in a rather terrible spot: somewhere he shouldn't be at a times he shouldn't be there, surrounded by shattered glass and blood. Told expertly in 2nd person, Kyle's story really gets you in his head, and to the point that you are understanding and sympathetic to his choices and his fate. Like I said, this would have great success with a boy audience, but I wouldn't hesitate giving it to girls either. (910 Lexile)

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
This book will provide a powerful reading experience--it's emotion packed and the action gets deeper and deeper the more you read, and you'll be sucked in, guaranteed. Definitely better for a girl audience, it's about a girl who leaves 13 tapes behind . . . 13 tapes for 13 people with 13 reasons why she couldn't stand living anymore. It's really a thought-provoking book with everyday drama that people can relate to-- even as it escalates. (550 Lexile)








Cinder by Marissa Meyer 
Click here for my review.
At a 790 Lexile level, this book will do great with lower level readers looking for a good time. It's a retelling of Cinderella, but there's much more that involves cyborgs as well as lots of juicy secrets and volatile diplomatic dynamics between a futuristic China and Lunar (a Moon kingdom). Perfect for readers who like manga/anime type stuff, or for readers who like fantasy. But I'm neither of those, and I still really liked this book. Bonus: it's a series so if that reluctant reader likes this one, they'll probably get hooked on the rest of them! 

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