Specials by Scott Westerfeld

I finally got around to finishing the third book in the Uglies series, Specials. It did not disappoint! In this book, Tally-Wa, now a Special/Crumbly, faces many new challenges. She has new responsibilities from Dr. Cable, love issues with Zane and David, and conflicts of interest with Shay-La. As with the other books in the series, it's full of action and drama (and hoverboard antics).

Westerfeld, Scott. Specials. New York: Simon Pulse, 2006.

Stitches by David Small

Stitches is a memoir and a graphic novel by David Small. In the book, David recalls his difficult childhood. When he was little, he needed throat surgery to remove a bump. The surgery went awry and he was left unable to speak. To be honest, I did not really like the book as I had a difficult time relating to David and his situation. What I did like, however, was his art. This is a dark, depressing read, fyi.

Small, David. Stitches: A Memoir. New York: W.W. Norton, Co., 2009.

The Hunger Games Trilogy

This trilogy is AMAZING! The first book is called The Hunger Games, book two is Catching Fire, and the last book (which doesn't come out until Aug. 24) is called Mockingjay.

The series is narrated by the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, resident of District 12. She lives in the post-apocalyptic Panem, which is now run by the Capital. Each year, the Capital holds a reaping where two children (ages 12-18) from each district are chosen to represent their district in the Hunger Games. The object of the game is to be the last tribute standing, meaning that one must kill the other tributes (unless they die of other causes in the arena). These games are televised and act as a reminder of the Capital's control over the districts.

These books are FULL of suspense and action and make for a quick read. You won't want to put them down!

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008.

Collins, Suzanne. Catching Fire. New York: Scholastic Press, 2009.

Collins, Suzanne. Mockingjay. New York: Scholastic Press, 2010.

The Book Thief

I can hear my students now, as they pick up this 552 page book in my classroom or the library, "This is too long! I'm not reading this." Please stop judging books based on length!

This book is amazing! It takes place in Nazi Germany during WWII and the protagonist is a young girl named Leisel. Leisel is German and, after the death of her brother, is taken to live with another family as their foster child. Oh...and the book's narrator is Death.

Death first meets Leisel when she steals her first book in a graveyard. She cannot read, but is fascinated with the words on the page. Her foster father soon teaches her to read and she begins stealing more books from none other than the mayor's home. The story evolves and we learn more about Leisel's foster parents and their reluctance/refusal to join the Nazi party. Soon, the family hides a Jewish man in their basement named Max. Max has a profound influence on the whole family, but most importantly, on Leisel.

I'm not going to say any more as I do not want to spoil anything. But I will say that I cried at the end of it.

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. New York: Alfred K. Knopf, 2005.

Safe Area Gorazde: The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-1995

This book is nonfiction and is also a graphic novel written by Joe Sacco. It tells the story of life in Gorazde during the Bosnian War from '92-'95.

I read this book for a few reasons: one, based on my husband's recommendation and two, for a better understanding of the war I so often hear my students talking about. I am warning you now that it is an emotional and difficult read at times. Joe Sacco spent a lot of time in Gorazde getting to know what life was like there. I've read other books about various wars before, but having Sacco's illustrations there, along with reading the difficult life stories of the people he met while there, can bring one to tears at times (myself included).

It's a great read and I learned so much about the war in Bosnia. Sacco has two other books about Bosnia and the war: The Fixer and War's End, which I also recommend. I just also finished reading another book of his called Palestine, which was another excellent and challenging read about the tension in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Palestine.

Sacco, Joe. Safe Area Gorazde: The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-1995. Washington: Fantagraphics Books, 1992.