Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Asher, Jay. Thirteen Reasons Why. New York, NY : Penguin Young Readers, 2007. ISBN 978-1-59514-171-2

When Hannah Baker kills herself she leaves behind a lot of stunned people- but, should her suicide really have come as such a shock? After the tapes, sent to the thirteen people whom she believes drove her to her suicide, begin circulating people will begin to realize how their decisions ultimately effect people.

Book's Website

Chanda's War by Allan Stratton

Stratton, Allan. Chanda's War. New York, NY : HarperTeen, 2008. ISBN : 978-0-06-087262-5

When her mother dies, Chanda promises to take care of her younger brother and sister at their home in the city. A recurring dream causes her to go visit her mother's estranged family in the village of Tiro, hoping to make amends. Instead, the headstrong Chanda deepens the rift when she refuses her families' plans of wedding her to their neighbor's son, Nelson. When rebels attack the village and steal all of the children as slaves, including Chanda's siblings, she dares to go and rescue them, with Nelson as her only help.

Suggested grade 8 and up.

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Reading Guide

Huge by Sasha Paley

Paley, Sasha. Huge. New York, NY : Simon & Schuster, 2007. ISBN : 978-1-4169-3517-9

April and Wil are roommates at camp Wellness Canyon (aka fat camp). While April really wants to lose weight, even saving up for the pricey camp herself, Wil's parents are forcing her to go. Wil's decision to gain weight at camp, to spite her parents, baffles April; April's shameless pleas to get in with the popular girls ("the barely chubbies") at camp embarrasses Wil. When driven together by a common hatred they team up to pull the best prank- and possibly even become friends.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. New York, NY : Little, Brown and Co., 2005. ISBN : 0316160172.

Bella Swan is moving to boring Forks, Washington to live with her dad for awhile and she isn't looking forward to it. While life in Forks is as dreary as Bella assumed it would be, it isn't at all boring- especially once Bella gets involved with handsome and mysterious Edward Cullen, who just so happens to be a vampire. While Edward and his family do not threaten Bella (as they have made a pact to specifically not hunt humans), her relationship with Edward puts her at risk to be preyed on by other vampire packs.

I'll be honest, I didn't think I would like this book. I'm not really into vampires and it kind of sounded cheesy. But, I am hooked! I requested the second book at the library and I check often to see if it has come in yet! I also can't wait for the movie (and if you know me well you know that I do not like going to the movies!)
Check out the movie trailer...

Twilight

clip taken from MyspaceTV

How They Met and Other Stories by David Levithan

Levithan, David. How They Met and Other Stories. New York, NY : Alfred A. Knopf, 2008. ISBN : 978-0-375-85886-5.


Every reader can find a story to identify with in this collection of 18 stories about various types of love- ranging from unrequited to committed to new puppy love.

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr

Zarr, Sara. Story of a Girl. New York, NY : Little, Brown and Company, 2007. ISBN: 0-316-01454-0

Deanna is the school slut. Well, at least that is what everyone thinks. Her dad caught her hooking up with her 17 year old brother's best friend when she was just 13. Of course the story got around, all the different versions of it, except Deanna's. This one mistake has defined Deanna over the past few years. Defined her to her friends, her classmates, her family and even to herself. Through writing in her journal she is able to put her past behind her, make amends with the boy who started the rumors and maybe even start to make amends with her family.

National Book Award Finalist