Rising Form I and II Students - Landon School

Dear Rising Forms l and ll –
LANDON SCHOOL
SUMMER READING 2013
Forms I & II
Summer is a great time to kick back with a book whether you’re hanging out at home, at camp, or on a family
trip. We encourage you to read as much as possible during the summer.
You are required to read 5 books over the summer.
1. All rising Form I students are required to read Heroes, Gods and Monsters by Bernard Evslin.
All rising Form II students are required to read Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.
2. You must also read four additional (free-choice) books from the summer reading list.
The books on this list are divided into general categories. Check out the new section devoted to books written by
past and future visiting authors at Landon! We suggest that you choose your (free-choice) books from different
categories. You may listen to audio books, but not exclusively.
List all the five books (including the required book for your grade level) that you read on the form below and
bring it to Mrs. Sears or Mrs. Liu on the first day of school with your parent's signature. You may list additional
books you read on the back of the page. You will be entered into a lottery for fabulous prizes based on reading
the 5 books as well as any additional books.
Rate the books from 1 to 5 stars, 5 being the best rating.
Author Title Category Rating
1. _______________ ________________ Form I or II Required Book ___________
2. _______________ ________________ ____________________ ______________
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Student Name and Grade (printed legibly)_______________________
Parent Signature____________________________

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* Rate the books from 1 to 5 stars, 5 being the best rating.
Author Title Category Rating

REQUIRED READING
Form I
Heroes, Gods and Monsters by Bernard Evslin
The heavens hold omnipotent gods and goddesses, abounding in courage, strength and wisdom. Zeus, the king of the gods, cannot resist
feminine beauty -- mortal or divine, and his jealous and vengeful wife, Hera. Perseus, fearless mortal warrior, who takes on an impossible
challenge: slaying the monstrous Medusa, whose glance turns men to stone. The Minotaur, half-man and half-bull, the horrible fruit of a
queen's unspeakable desire, who annually destroys the young victims sacrificed to his terrifying power. A fantastic world of spells and
curses, magic and mystery, forces that create and destroy at will is described in this powerful retelling of the ancient Greek myths.
Form II
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
"Ender" Wiggin thinks he is playing computer simulated war games. The result of genetic experimentation, Ender may be the military
genius Earth desperately needs in a war against an alien enemy seeking to destroy all human life. The only way to find out is to throw
Ender into ever harsher training, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when it
begins. He will grow up fast. (There are five more in this series plus spinoffs such as The Ender’s Shadow Saga.)
VISITING AUTHOR - LANDON 2013
Jack Gantos
Dead End in Norvelt (2012 Newbery Award winner)
In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack Gantos spends the summer of 1962 grounded for various offenses until
he is assigned to help an elderly neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly dead, molten wax, twisted promises, Girl Scout
cookies, underage driving, lessons from history, typewriting, and countless bloody noses.
Hole in My Life
Story of the author’s period of personal struggle and prison confinement that marked the end of his own youth. A gaping hole of misery is
what Jack Gantos remembers when he thinks back to 1972, "the bleakest year of my life”. Gantos was in a medium security prison for his
participation in a get-rich-quick drug scam. Scared silly by the violence he saw around him in prison he was determined to turn his life
around.
Jack Henry Series
Jack's life is a crazy roller-coaster ride. His family is always moving, he suffers under desperate crushes, and he’s constantly facing crazy
teachers, pesky siblings, and weird neighbors. Five books in the series.
Joey Pigza Series
Joey Pigza can't sit still, he can't pay attention, he can't follow the rules, and he can't help it...especially when his meds aren't working.
Joey was born with ADHD, just like his father and grandmother. And whether he's wreaking havoc on a class trip or swallowing his house
key, Joey's problems keep getting worse. Joey knows he's really a good kid, but no matter how hard he tries to do the right thing,
something always seems to go wrong. Will he ever get anything right? Four books in the series.
VISITING AUTHORS FROM YEARS PAST
Diane Stanley (Landon 2012)
Saving Sky
The country is at war, terrorists strike at random, and the power grid is down. Thirteen-year-old Sky Brightman is remarkably untouched by
it all since she lives off the grid on a rural New Mexico ranch with no television or internet to bring disturbing news into her family's adobe
house. When a string of mysterious arrests begins and her new friend, Kareem, becomes a target, she summons her courage and
ingenuity and takes a stand against injustice.

The Silver Bowl
Molly, a humble scullery maid, arrives at the castle with no education, no manners, and a very disturbing secret: She sees visions, and
those visions always come true. One day, while polishing a silver bowl a voice tells of a dreaded curse that has stalked the royal family for
years. As tragedy after tragedy strikes the royal family, Molly decides she must protect the family and destroy the curse.
Mary Amato (Landon 2011)
Invisible Lines
Trevor, a seventh-grader, lives in a run-down housing project but goes to school in a rich neighborhood nearby. With his father in jail and
his mom looking for work, Trevor must balance soccer practice with babysitting his younger siblings. He finds escape from life’s pressures
when he begins to keep a required notebook for science class, which he fills with drawings, facts, and observations. You’ll recognize the
Bethesda area setting!
Guitar Notes
Tripp, who plays guitar only for himself, and Lyla, a cellist whose talent has already made her famous but not happy, form an unlikely
friendship when they are forced to share a practice room at their high school.
The Naked Mole Rat Diaries
Frankie is shocked when she discovers her widowed father was kissed while on a recent business trip. She sends e-mails to the woman,
Ayanna in an attempt to sabotage the budding romance. Ayanna works at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and is in charge of caring
for the naked mole rats. Ayanna eventually helps Frankie deal with disappointments at school and prompts her to talk to her father about
their suppressed grief over the death of Frankie's mother.
Fred Bowen (Landon 2010)
Throwing Heat
Having moved up to the Rising Stars League, 8 th grade fireballer Jack discovers that a 75-mile-an-hour fastball does him no good if he
can’t get it over the plate. Enter his big sister’s new boyfriend, a college pitching coach, who offers the insight that control trumps speed.
Rick Riordan (Landon 2009)
Heroes of Olympus
Jason, Piper, and Leo, three students from a school for "bad kids," find themselves at Camp Half-Blood, where they learn that they are
demigods and begin a quest to free Hera, who has been imprisoned by Mother Earth herself.
The Kane Chronicles
Since their mother’s death, Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant
Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane. One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he
hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to
flee for their lives.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
In the momentous final book in the popular Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy's
sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion
that he may be fighting against his own fate.
Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton (Landon 2005)
Facing the Lion
Facing the Lion is the extraordinary memoir of Lekuton’s nomadic boyhood in Kenya. Lekuton grew up a Maasai in Africa, herding cows
and playing in trees before entering a missionary boarding school, attending college in the U.S. Lekuton taught at the Langley School in
Virginia, and is now a member of Parliament in the Kenya National Assembly.
LANDON FACULTY
Ed Sundt (retired 2012)
Children of the Wind
One day in the late 1930's, Doc finds eleven year old Cully, running from his father's death. Having been abandoned by his mother two
years ago, Doc takes Cully in and teaches him the life of a rural veterinarian. When a letter from Cully’s mother arrives he begins a journey
to find her and Doc tries to piece together a repressed and catastrophic past. Cully and Doc's odyssey of discovery is steeped in
knowledge of and love for the land across which they journey.

BOOKS BOYS SHOULD READ BY THE TIME
THEY LEAVE MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Greene
This is the classic story of social justice and outrageous cunning. Robin Hood is champion of the poor and oppressed in twelfth-century
England by the cruel power of Prince John and the brutal Sheriff of Nottingham. He takes refuge with his Merry Men in the vast Sherwood
Forest, emerging time and again to outwit his enemies with daring and panache.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
He's rude, arrogant, cold, unfriendly, and easily bored. But nobody minds, because Sherlock Holmes is a genius at solving mysteries.
These are some of the finest mystery stories ever written and will challenge your powers of deduction. With an emphasis on detail and an
eye for the unusual clue, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle transports the reader to an England gone by. Read any collection of stories.
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
As Alice is dreamily considering making a daisy chain she spies a white rabbit who frets at the time after pulling a watch from his vest. Her
curiosity peaked Alice follows him down the rabbit hole and finds herself in a world where nothing stays the same and nonsense rules.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
An affectionate, sometimes bashful pig named Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen. Wilbur is
devastated when he learns of the destiny that befalls all those of porcine persuasion. Determined to save her friend, Charlotte spins
amazing webs to convince the farmer and surrounding community that Wilbur is no ordinary animal and should be saved.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Candy for life and a tour of Willie Wonka's top-secret chocolate factory is the prize for buying a candy bar containing a Golden Ticket. The
five prizewinners are repulsive children, with the exception of Charlie Bucket, a boy whose family is so poor he could only have one candy
bar a year. Rich in humor and acutely observant, this story will entertain the most discriminating readers.
A Cricket in Time Square by George Seldon
After Chester, a cricket, arrives in the Times Square subway station via a picnic basket from his native Connecticut, he takes up residence
in the Bellini's newsstand. There, the tiny creature is lucky enough to find three good friends: a little boy named Mario whose parents run
the unsuccessful newsstand, a fast-talking Broadway mouse named Tucker and his pal, Harry the Cat. The comic, sometimes tragic side of
life in the city is brought into relief as the friends struggle to bring success to the almost bankrupt newsstand
D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths by Ingrid and Edgar D’Aulaire
Spend your summer with the Olympians. In the D'Aulaires' book of myths all of the great gods and goddesses of ancient Greece are
depicted in a beautifully illustrated and skillfully told rendition of the classic myths. From petty squabbles to heroic deeds, their actions
cover the range of godly--and mortal--personalities. Try D’Auliares Book of Norse Myth’s too.
Island of the Blue Dolphin by Scott O’Dell
Imagine living alone on an island in the Pacific Ocean for 18 years, fighting off a pack of wild dogs, finding your own food, and dealing with
loneliness and terror all by yourself. According to history, this is what an Indian girl named Karana experienced in the early 1800's. This is
the story of how one girl overcame her hardship through self-reliance, strength, and serenity. It's a book you'll remember long after you've
finished reading the last page.
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
This story filled with danger and excitement, tells of the turbulent, passionate times in Boston just before the Revolutionary War. Johnny, a
young apprentice silversmith, is caught up in a dramatic involvement John Hancock, and John and Samuel Adams in the exciting events
that lead to the Boston Tea Party and the Battle of Lexington.
Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling
These stories are collection of children's animal fables linked by poems by Rudyard Kipling, published in 1902. Most of the stories include
far-fetched descriptions of how certain animals developed their peculiar physical characteristics, as in "How the Leopard Got His Spots."
Read any compilation of these stories.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (translated by Richard Howard)
The narrator is a downed pilot in the Sahara Desert, frantically trying to repair his wrecked plane. His efforts are interrupted one day by the
apparition of a little prince, who asks him to draw a sheep. "In the face of an overpowering mystery, you don't dare disobey," the narrator
recalls. The Little Prince was published in 1943, only a year before the author’s Lockheed P-38 vanished over the Mediterranean during a
reconnaissance mission. More than a half century later, this fable of love and loneliness has lost none of its power. (Recommended for
French students)
Phantom Tollbooth by Norman Juster
When Milo returns home resigned to the boredom that is his life he finds a gift; an easy to assemble tollbooth. When he drives through it in
his toy car, Milo finds wild adventures in lands of Dictionopolis, Digitopolis, and many places in between. He is on a quest to bring back the
Princess of Rhyme and Reason. Along the way he finds plenty to appreciate.

Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
In the spring of 1863, as he faces battle for the first time at Chancellorsville, Virginia, a young Union soldier matures to manhood and finds
peace of mind as he comes to grips with his conflicting emotions about war.
Rip Van Winkle and other Tales by Washington Irving
Long ago in the Catskill Mountains of New York, Rip Van Winkle went into the mountains, bowled a little, and fell asleep for twenty years.
Read about Rip, the hapless Ichabod Crane and other characters devised through the craft and imagination of Washington Irving.
Stuart Little by E.B. White
Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and
Snowbell the cat. Though he’s shy and thoughtful, he's also a true lover of adventure. Stuart's greatest adventure comes when his best
friend, a beautiful little bird named Margalo, disappears from her nest. Determined to track her down, Stuart ventures away from home for
the very first time in his life. He finds adventure aplenty.
Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
Blown off course by a raging storm, the family-a Swiss pastor, his wife, their four young sons, plus two dogs and a shipload of livestockmust
rely on one another in order to create a new life for themselves on a strange and fantastic tropical island.
Tales from the Arabian Nights
Full of mischief, valor, ribaldry, and romance, these are the tales that saved the life of Shahrazad, whose husband, the king, executed each
of his wives after a single night of marriage. Beginning an enchanting story each evening, Shahrazad always withheld the ending: A
thousand and one nights later, her life was spared forever. The tales include Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, Sinbad the Seaman and
Sinbad the Landsman, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Read any compilation of these stories.
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
A revolutionary Victorian scientist who claims to have invented a time travel machine recounts his adventures in the futuristic world to a
group of skeptical friends.
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
A mysterious seaman hides at a country inn; cut-throats raid a sleepy English village; suddenly, young Jim Hawkins becomes the owner of
a map leading to a lost tropical island and a fortune in stolen gold. Three adventurers--Jim, Squire Trelawney, and Dr. Livesey set out to
find the treasure. Enjoy this classic pirate tale.
Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne
Join the professor and his two companions as they sail above and below the world's oceans as prisoners on the fabulous electric
submarine of the deranged Captain Nemo who has chosen to abandon civilization, and restlessly roams the undersea world in an attempt
to find peace of mind.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and the mischievous Toad live a quiet life on banks of the River Thames with the rest of their animal friends. But
Toad tends to get into trouble, and his passion for cars eventually results in his being caught and kept a helpless prisoner in the remotest
dungeon of the best-guarded castle in all the land. Dressed as a washerwoman—and with some help from his friends—Toad manages to
escape the castle and begins his journey home to Toad Hall.
CLASSICS NEW & OLD
1984 by George Orwell
Thought Police. Big Brother. Orwellian. These words have entered our vocabulary because of George Orwell's classic dystopian novel,
1984. The story of one man's nightmare odyssey through a world ruled by warring states and a power structure that controls not only
information but also individual thought and memory, 1984 is a prophetic, haunting tale. Ask your parents or grandparents about reading it
before 1984!
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
This is Agatha Christie’s most suspenseful who-done-it. Ten strangers are brought to an isolated island on false pretenses only to be
accused of murder by their unknown host. One by one they are knocked off to the theme of a children’s nursery rhyme. If you enjoyed this
try Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile.
Don Quixote retold by Martin Jenkins
The adventures of the aging, not quite sane country gentleman of La Mancha obsessed with ideas of chivalry that he has read about in
books. Don Quixote sets off with a lance and sword to defend the helpless and destroy the wicked. Along the way he convinces the not-soclever
but philosophical peasant, Sancho Panza, to be his squire.
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Written in the form of letters and diary entries, Dracula chronicles the vampire's journey from his Transylvanian castle to the nighttime
streets of London. There, he searches for the blood he needs to stay alive—the blood of strong men and beautiful women—while a small
band of men and women, horrified by the supernatural forces arrayed against them, risk their lives and their very souls to oppose the evil
known only as...Dracula.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
A young Swiss student uncovers the secret of animating lifeless matter and, by assembling body parts, creates a monster that vows
revenge on his creator after being rejected from society.
The Good Earth by Pearl Buck
This story presents a graphic view of a China when the last emperor reigned and the vast political and social upheavals of the twentieth
century were but distant rumblings for the ordinary people. This moving, classic story of the honest farmer and his selfless wife is must
reading for those who would fully appreciate the sweeping changes that have occurred in the lives of the Chinese people during this
century.
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathon Swift
This is a story of the fantastic voyages of Lemuel Gulliver, principally to four marvelous realms: Lilliput, where the people are six inches tall;
Brobdingnag, a land inhabited by giants; Laputa, a wondrous flying island; and a country where the Houyhnhnms, a race of intelligent
horses, are served by savage humanoid creatures called Yahoos. Beneath the surface of this enchanting fantasy lurks a devastating
critique of human malevolence, stupidity, greed, vanity, and short-sightedness.
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
Kidnapped is a stirring adventure story about the orphan, David Balfour, who, after escaping through the Scottish Highlands from the hands
of his villainous uncle, becomes involved in Scotland's struggle for independence.
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
You’ve seen the movies—now read the books. This trilogy follows The Hobbit telling the great and dangerous tale of the quest undertaken
by Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship of the Ring: including Gandalf the wizard; Samwise; Gimli the dwarf; Legolas the elf; Boromir of
Gondor; and a mysterious stranger called Strider. The future of Middle Earth depends upon their success.
Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis
Ransom, a linguist, is on a voyage to the planet Malacandra (Mars), where he learns that Thulcandra (Earth) is called the silent planet
because there has been no communication from it in years. The spiritual being in charge of the latter, having been corrupted, has
essentially cut Thulcandra off from the other planets. Ransom is ultimately sent back to Thulcandra with the two earthlings who had
kidnapped him and brought him to Malacandra.
The Pearl by John Steinbeck
Kino, a poor Mexican pearl fisher, finds a valuable pearl. Yet instead of bringing blessings, the pearl acts as a harbinger of misfortune to
Kino and his wife, Juana. Ultimately, it is returned from whence it came.
The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
Set in sixteenth-century England, Mark Twain's classic tale features two identical-looking boys - a prince and a pauper - who trade clothes
and unintentionally step into each other's lives. While the urchin, Tom Canty, discovers luxury and power, Prince Edward, dressed in rags,
roams his kingdom and experiences the cruelties inflicted on the poor by the Tudor monarchy.
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
A shipwreck’s sole escapee, Robinson Crusoe endures 28 years of solitude on a Caribbean island and manages not only to survive but
also to prevail. A warm humanity, evocative details of his struggle to tolerate his lonely existence, and lively accounts of his many exploits
make Robinson Crusoe the most engaging of narrators.
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
The memorable story of two boys and the evil that grips their small Midwestern town with the arrival of a "dark carnival" one autumn
midnight. How these two innocents, both age 13, save the souls of the town (as well as their own), makes for compelling reading on
timeless themes.
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
London lawyer, John Utterson, investigates a series of disturbing occurrences between his old friend, Dr Henry Jekyll, and the monstrous
Edward Hyde. This classic gothic tale was written and set in the Victorian era in England.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Okonkwo is a Nigerian whose sense of manliness is more akin to that of his warrior ancestors than to that of his fellow clansmen who have
converted to Christianity and are appeasing the British administrators who infiltrate their village. The tough, proud, hardworking Okonkwo is
at once a quintessential old-order Nigerian and a universal father figure. Achebe creates a many-sided picture of village life and a
sympathetic hero.
True Grit by Charles Portis
Mattie Ross, is just 14 years old when a coward by the name of Tom Chaney shoots her father down in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and robs him
of his life, his horse, and $150 in cash money. Mattie leaves home to avenge her father's blood. With the one-eyed Rooster Cogburn, the
meanest available U.S. Marshal, by her side, Mattie pursues the murderer into Indian Territory.
War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
Written in 1898, this early science fiction novel describes an invasion of England by aliens from Mars. It is one of the earliest and bestknown
depictions of an alien invasion of Earth. The 1938 radio broadcast caused mass hysteria, as many listeners believed that an actual
Martian invasion was in progress.

GENERAL FICTION
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
In this graphic novel, three humorous and seemingly unrelated stories keep the reader's attention until they come together at the end. The
first story concerns a Chinese-American boy trying to fit in. The second is a retelling of the Chinese fable of the monkey king. The third
story involves a Chinese cousin who visits an American boy each year. It's a nice combination of a fable and contemporary stories to
convey the wonderful lesson of accepting one's culture and identity with pride.
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Luke is a shadow child, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his entire life in hiding. One day, Luke is shocked to see
a girl's face in the window of the house next door where he knows two other children already live. Jen, a shadow child like himself, is
willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows. Does Luke dare to get involved?
As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins
Sixteen-year-old Ry is traveling by train to summer camp when he finds out its been cancelled. When he hops off the train in Montana to
figure out what to do his troubles begin—the train moves on without him (but with all his stuff), leaving him alone with a dying cell phone
(charger is on the train). He befriends a man named Del, and they set off on a cross-country road trip to get Ry back home. Along the way
a number of minor and major catastrophes happen.
Ashes by Kathryn Lasky
In 1932 Berlin, blond thirteen-year-old Gabriella looks like the Aryan purists ideal, but her strongly anti-Fascist family members are
derisively called “white Jews,” and her astrophysicist father is friends with Einstein, whose theory of relativity is termed “Jewish physics” by
the Nazis. From Gabriella’s viewpoint, Lasky tells a gripping story about Hitler’s early rise to power, including the Germans’ bitterness about
their suffering after World War I.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family
from the comfortable life they’ve known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her
young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin’s
orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.
The Big Field by Mike Lupica
Hutch has always been the star shortstop until the arrival of Darryl “D-Will” Williams. D-Will, a top shortstop prospect from Florida,
displaces Hutch in more ways than one. Second base feels like second fiddle, and when he sees his father giving fielding tips to D-Will—
the same father who can’t be bothered to show up to watch his son play—Hutch feels betrayed. With the summer league championship on
the line, just how far is Hutch willing to bend to be a good teammate?
Bucking the Sarge by Christopher Paul Curtis
Deeply involved in his cold and manipulative mother's shady business dealings in Flint, Michigan, fourteen-year-old Luther keeps a sense
of humor while running the Happy Neighbor Group Home For Men, all the while dreaming of going to college and becoming a philosopher.
Bystander by James Preller
Eric is the new kid in seventh grade. Griffin wants to be his friend. It’s hard to know who to hang out with—and who to avoid. Griffin seems
cool, confident, and popular. But something isn’t right about Griffin. As Eric gets drawn deeper into Griffin’s dark world, he begins to see
the truth about Griffin: He’s a liar, a bully, a thief. Eric wants to break away, do the right thing. But in one shocking moment, he goes from
being a bystander . . . to the bully’s next victim.
The Cardturner by Louis Sachar
Alton Richard's great-uncle Lester Trapp is rich and ill, a combo that leads Alton's parents to hatch a plan for the teen to cozy up to the old
man and carve out a chunk of inheritance. Though blind, Trapp is a brilliant, world-class bridge player and needs someone to read him his
cards and make his plays. Enter Alton, who wouldn't begin to know how to decipher questions like “One banana, pass, pass, two notrump”.
Despite constant barbs from his irascible uncle, Alton grows more intrigued by the game.
Change-up: Mystery at the World Series by John Feinstein
Teenage sportswriters Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson are assigned to cover the World Series, where the underdog
Washington Nationals are meeting the Boston Red Sox. While checking out the Cinderella story of Nationals' rookie pitcher, Norbert Doyle,
the friends discover a shadowy incident in the man's past. Although Doyle, his children, and especially his agent attempt to deceive,
manipulate, and intimidate them, in the end the two reporters base their decision about running the story on the good it would do versus the
harm it would cause.
Climbing the Stairs by Padma Ventatraman
During World War II and the last days of British occupation in India, fifteen-year-old Vidya dreams of attending college. But when her
forward-thinking father is beaten senseless by the British police, she is forced to live with her grandfather's large traditional family, where
the women live apart from the men and are meant to be married off as soon as possible. Vidya's only refuge becomes her grandfather's
upstairs library, which is forbidden to women. But when Vidya's brother makes a choice the family cannot condone, Vidkya must question
all she has believed in.

Code Talker: A Novel About the Navaho by Joseph Bruchac
World War II and sixteen-year-old Ned Begay claims he’s old enough to enlist, breezes his way through boot camp, and suddenly finds
himself involved in a top-secret task, one that’s exclusively performed by Navajos. Code talker. With his native Navajo language as code,
he must send crucial messages back and forth to aid in the conflict against Japan. His experiences in the Pacific—from Guadalcanal to Iwo
Jima and beyond—will leave him forever changed.
Define Normal by Julie Ann Peters
When Jasmine, straight A goody goody, meets Antonia with the black lipstick and pierced eyebrow in peer counseling neither realize that
they will end up helping each other deal with family issues they are hiding.
Dodger by Terry Pratchett
A scruffy lad sees a girl leap desperately from a horse-drawn carriage in a vain attempt to escape her captors. Can the lad stand by and let
her be caught again? Of course not. Seventeen-year-old Dodger may be a street urchin, but he gleans a living from London's sewers, and
he knows a jewel when he sees one. He's not about to let anything happen to the unknown girl—not even if her fate impacts some of the
most powerful people in England.
The Door Within by Wayne Thomas Batson
Aidan Thomas’s family has moved to help his ailing grandfather. Aidan is unhappy about almost everything, but life really turns upside
down when he discovers several ancient scrolls in his grandfather's basement. In short order, he finds himself opening "the door within"; on
the opposite side is a world of noble kings and treacherous knights, and the inevitable struggle between good and evil.
Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams
Ingrid is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or at least her shoes are. Getting them back means getting involved in a murder
investigation rivaling those solved by her idol, Sherlock Holmes, and Ingrid has enough on her plate with club soccer, school, and the plum
role of Alice in the Echo Falls production of Alice in Wonderland.
Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Six rambunctious brothers can make life miserable for Callie, but 1899 brings changes and bold discoveries. Callie and her brothers have
always feared and ignored their grandfather, a dedicated naturalist with shelves of specimens in jars and an off-limits library. Callie’s
curiosity grows. What do you think she does?
Ever After Ever by Jordan Sonnenblick
In Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, 8 th grader Steven struggles to deal with his four-year-old brother Jeff’s leukemia diagnosis amid the
normal drama of being a teen. In this sequel, Jeffrey is now in 8th grade and just as he's getting his first girlfriend, wondering why his best
friend and fellow cancer survivor is acting so weird, and trying to cope with some post-cancer disabilities. In a year of emotional and
physical challenges, heartache, humor, and love, Jeffrey learns to depend on himself and live life to the fullest.
Go Big or Go Home by Will Hobbs
Fourteen-year-old Brady and his cousin Quinn love extreme sports, but nothing could prepare them for the aftermath of Brady's close
encounter with a meteorite after it crashes into his Black Hills, South Dakota bedroom.
Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel
Ben Tomlin was an only child until his mother brings home Zan--an eight-day-old chimpanzee. Ben's father, a famous behavioral scientist,
has a plan to determine whether chimps can acquire advanced language skills. At his parents request he begins to treat Zan like a little
brother. It isn't long before Ben starts to see Zan as more than just an experiment. His father disagrees. Soon Ben is forced to make a
choice between obeying his father or protecting his brother from an unimaginable fate.
Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde
While playing a total immersion virtual reality game of kings and intrigue, fourteen-year-old Giannine learns that demonstrators have
damaged the equipment to which she is connected, and she must win the game quickly or be damaged herself.
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer (Landon/Holton MS Book Club Selection 2012)
In a future where humans despise clones, Matt enjoys special status as the young clone of El Patrón, the ancient leader of a corrupt drug
empire in Mexico. It slowly dawns on Matt what it means to be the clone of one of the most powerful and feared men on earth. He must
make some hard decisions and make them fast.
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
In a land where it is considered to be a misfortune to be the eldest of three sisters, Sophie is resigned to her fate as a hat shop apprentice
until a witch turns her into an old woman and she finds herself in the castle of the greatly feared wizard Howl. Now there is a sequel The
House of Many Ways.
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Incarceron is a prison so vast that it contains not only cells, but also metal forests, dilapidated cities, and vast wilderness. Finn, a
seventeen-year-old prisoner, has no memory of his childhood and is sure that he came from the Outside. Very few prisoners believe that
there is an Outside, however, which makes escape seems impossible. Then Finn finds a crystal key that allows him to communicate with a
girl named Claudia who claims to live Outside. Finn is determined to escape. The sequel is Sapphique.
In the Name of God by Paula Jolin
Seventeen-year-old Nadia, a young Syrian girl, strives to walk the straight path and follow the laws of Islam. She is conflicted about her
Westernized friends, the internal economic, social, and political struggles of her country, and the war raging in Iraq. When her cousin is
arrested for speaking out, Nadia finds herself drawn into the dark world of Islamic fundamentalism, eventually contemplating the ultimate
sacrifice to take a stand for her people and her religion.

Invisible by Pete Hautman
Doug and Andy are unlikely best friends--one a loner obsessed by his model trains, the other a popular student involved in football and
theater--who grew up together and share a bond that nothing can sever.
The Last Mission by Harry Mazer
This fast moving World War II story follows a fifteen-year-old Jewish boy from Brooklyn who passes himself off as his older brother to enlist
in the Army Air Corp. Jack is sent oversees and gets more action than he bargained for and learns about the reality of war. Anyone who
enjoys action, adventure or war stories will enjoy this book
The Lab by Jack Heath
Meet a sixteen-year-old superhuman: Agent Six of Hearts. He's the strongest, most effective agent in the Deck, a team of special agents
fighting to uphold justice in a completely corrupt world. Six would be invincible...if not for a deadly secret. He is the product of an illegal
experiment by the Lab--a ruthless division of the corporation that controls his world. When the Deck begins to investigate the Lab, Six
walks a tightrope between his two worlds, trying to keep his origin secret. But then he meets Kyntak, a boy whose past equals his own.
Lockdown by Dean Walter Myers
Fourteen-year-old Reese is in the second year of his sentence for stealing prescription pads and selling them to a neighborhood dealer. He
fears that his life is headed in a direction that will inevitably lead him “upstate,” to the kind of prison you don’t leave. His determination to
claw his way out of the downward spiral is tested when he stands up to defend a weaker boy, and the resulting recriminations only seem to
reinforce the impossibility of escaping a hopeless future.
Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork
Marcelo Sandoval has always attended a school for autistic students. But the summer after his junior year, his father demands that Marcelo
work in his law firm's mailroom in order to experience "the real world." When Marcelo meets coworker, Jasmine, and Wendell, the son of
another partner in the firm, he learns about competition, jealousy, anger and desire. But it's a picture he finds in a file that truly connects
him with the real world: its suffering, its injustice, and what he can do to fight.
Mary, Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer
As the oldest daughter of Henry VIII, Mary Tudor’s story is a bitter tale of mistreatment, political machination, and battling wills. Henry casts
aside her mother, Catherine of Aragon, for the wicked Anne Boleyn, then separates Mary from her mother and deprives them of wealth and
security. Certain that she will one day be queen, Mary fights back in the only ways she can, by becoming an accomplished spy, and
refusing for years to sign the acknowledgement of her illegitimacy.
Misfits by James Howe
Bobby Goodspeed is not your typical twelve-year-old. He's probably the world's youngest tie salesman. He also meets his friends at the
local Candy Kitchen for regular "forums." When his friend Addie decides they need to create a third political party for the school election,
Bobby gets an idea that could really change Paintbrush Falls Middle School.
Ninth Ward by Jewell Park Phodes
Twelve-year-old Lanesha lives in a tight-knit community in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. She doesn't have a fancy house like her uptown
family or lots of friends like the other kids on her street. But what she does have is her fiercely loving caretaker who is able to predict the
future. So when Mama Ya-Ya's visions show a powerful hurricane--Katrina--fast approaching, it's up to Lanesha to call upon the hope and
strength Mama Ya-Ya has given her to help them both survive the storm.
No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman
Eighth-grade football hero Wallace Wallace is sentenced to detention attending rehearsals of the school play where, in spite of himself, he
becomes wrapped up in the production and begins to suggest changes that improve not only the play but his life as well.
Notes from the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick
After drinking and taking his mom's car for a spin, sixteen-year-old Alex Gregory finds himself in big trouble. Alex is sentenced to 100 hours
of community service at a nursing home. Soon Alex grows fond of Sol Lewis, a crotchety, old man who teaches him something about the
guitar, respecting the elderly, and taking responsibility for his actions.
One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (2013 Newbery Award winner)
Ivan, a silverback gorilla, has lived in a glass, metal, and concrete enclosure at Big Top Mall for 27 years. Bored, he watches TV, draws
pictures, throws “me-balls” (dried excrement) at visitors, and enjoys the company of an old elephant named Stella. After a baby elephant
arrives, Ivan makes Stella a solemn promise that seems impossible to fulfill. His story is based on the life of a gorilla now living at Zoo
Atlanta.
One Good Punch by Rich Wallace
Michael Kerrigan is almost too good to be true. Dedicated athlete, captain of the track team, editorial assistant (obituary writer) at the
Scranton Observer, he's never been in trouble, and he doesn't associate with troublemakers. This is the most important track season of his
life - and he's ready. That is, until the police find four joints in his locker. Mike is faced with a choice that will determine the kind of athlete,
friend, and man he becomes.
Operation Redwood by Terrel S. French
When his mom heads off on a trip to China, twelve-year-old Julian—whose father died when he was six—is left with his wealthy uncle and
aunt, the least sympathetic adult relatives. Things get interesting when Julian discovers his uncle has acquired a grove of old-growth
redwoods for logging. With the help of friends, Julian launches a campaign to save the historic trees.

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card
Rigg is well trained at keeping secrets. Only his father knows the truth about Rigg's strange talent for seeing people's pasts. But when his
father dies, Rigg is stunned to learn just how many secrets Father had kept from him--secrets about Rigg's own past, his identity, and his
destiny. And when Rigg discovers that he has the power not only to see the past, but also to change it, his future suddenly becomes
anything but certain.
Peak by Roland Smith
When fourteen-year-old Peak Marcello's long-lost father presents the opportunity for them to summit Everest together, Peak doesn't even
consider saying no--even though he suspects there are a few strings attached. And if he makes it to the top before his birthday, he'll be the
youngest person ever to stand above 29,000 feet. It's not a bad turn of events for a guy who's been stuck in New York City with only
skyscrapers to (illegally) scale. Also see Elephant Run, Jack’s Lie and Jack’s Run.
Pool Boy by Michael Simmons
When his father is arrested for insider trading and his family loses all their money, Brett Gerson takes a job as an assistant to a 70something
pool cleaner in his former wealthy California neighborhood and learns some valuable life lessons
Quicksilver by Stephanie Spinner
Hermes—also known as Mercury, Wayfinder, and Prince of Thieves—has many talents. Wearing his famed winged sandals, he does the
bidding of his father Zeus, leads the dead down to Hades, and practices his favorite arts of trickery and theft. He’s an entertaining and ideal
narrator on a fast-paced journey through ancient Greek mythology—from Medusa’s cave to Trojan War battlefields to the mysterious
Underworld. Try Quiver by the same author.
The Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings
Brady loves his life on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. Tragedy strikes when the kayak of one of Brady’s new wealthy friends overturns in
the bay, and Brady wonders if it was more than an accident. Soon, Brady discovers the terrible truth behind the kayak’s sinking, and it will
change the lives of those he loves forever. (The newly published sequel is The Journey Back.)
Running Dream by Wendy Van Draanen
Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. As she struggles to cope with crutches and prosthesis, Jessica feels
oddly both in the spotlight and invisible. People don't know what to say and act like she's not there. She could handle it better if she weren't
keenly aware that she'd done the same thing to Rosa, a girl with Cerebral Palsy. Rosa has been tutoring her in math. Although, Jessica
may be able to run again, she wants to take Rosa with her across the finish line.
Rush for the Gold by John Feinstein
Stevie Thomas covers the progress of his beautiful, brilliant, talented girlfriend for a Washington paper as she makes her way through the
Olympics Trials and then the early heats in London. He begins to smell a rat when he spots an associate of pushy agent J.P. Scott meeting
with a hot-looking Russian swimmer who is competing against her.
Savvy by Ingrid Law
Mississippi (Mibs) eagerly awaits her 13 th birthday when she, like everyone else in Beaumont family develops a supernatural ability, or
“savvy, ” which must then be tamed. When her father is in a serious accident far away, Momma goes to his side, leaving the rest of the
family to cope with Mibs’ 13th birthday on their own. Initially believing that her savvy is the ability to restore life, Mibs sets out with her
siblings and friends to find the hospital and heal her father. Scumble is the sequel.
Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
Climate change and violent storms have put much of the Gulf coastal area under water, petroleum-based fuel is scarce, and oil tankers are
obsolete. As part of a light scavenge crew, Fifteen-year-old Nailer teams with other teens to strip deserted tankers of all valuable scrap
material. Nailer's future seems bleak until he discovers Nina, the wealthy, attractive survivor of a shipwreck. Rather than kill Nina and steal
the salvage, Nailer opts to save her, triggering a harrowing journey to the submerged cities of Orleans to find people loyal to Nina.
Thunder Over Kandahar by Sharon McKay
When her British and American-educated parents' return to Afghanistan is cut short by a terrible attack, 14-year-old Yasmine is sent to
Kandahar for safety. Instead, the driver abandons her and her friend Tamanna along the way, and they must travel on their own through
Taliban controlled mountains.
Transall Saga by Gary Paulsen
Mark's solo camping trip in the desert turns into a terrifying and thrilling odyssey when a mysterious beam of light transports him to another
time on what appears to be another planet. As Mark searches for a pathway back to his own time on Earth, he must make a new life in a
new world. His encounters with primitive tribes bring the joy of human bonds, but violence and war as well--and, finally, a contest in which
he discovers his own startling powers.
Trash by Andy Mulligan
Raphael, Gardo, and Rat are “dumpsite boys” that make a living picking through the mountains of garbage on the outskirts of a large city in
a Third World country. One day, Raphael finds something very special and very mysterious. So mysterious that he decides to keep it, even
when the city police offer a handsome reward for its return. That decision brings with it terrifying consequences, and soon the dumpsite
boys must use all of their cunning and courage to stay ahead of their pursuers. It’s up to the boys who have no education, no parents, no
homes, and no money—to solve the mystery and right a terrible wrong.

True Legend by Mike Lupica
Basketball phenom, Drew Robinson, buys in to his own hype, much to the chagrin of his mother, who wants to keep her boy's head
grounded--and suddenly trouble has a way of finding him. That is, until a washed-up former playground legend steps back onto the court
and takes Drew under his wing.
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Joey, a beautiful red colt, has been loved and cared for by Albert, a young English farm boy. As World War I begins, Albert's father sells
Joey to a captain in the cavalry. Life in the army is difficult but gets much worse when he is captured by the Germans and used to pull
hospital carts and then gun carts through the muddy trenches. As the soldiers from both sides share their thoughts and feelings with Joey,
readers get unique and perceptive views of World War I.
Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls
Eleven-year-old Sam knows that he is dying from leukemia. He has decided to write a book that includes his thoughts on the matter as well
as his lists and his questions, particularly those that no one ever answers like, "Why does God let kids get ill?" Through his writing, Nicholls
has drawn a portrait of a family coping with a child's terminal disease. Readers meet Sam's mother, father, and younger sister, each of
whom is dealing in a different way with his illness.
When Legends Die by Hal Borland
When his father killed another brave, Thomas Black Bull and his parents sought refuge in the wilderness. There they took up life as it had
been in the old days, hunting and fishing, battling for survival. But an accident claimed the father's life and the grieving mother died shortly
afterward. Left alone, the young Indian boy vowed never to return to the white man's world, to the alien laws that had condemned his
father.
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. But things start to unravel when
Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason and Miranda’s apartment key is stolen. Then Miranda finds a mysterious
note scrawled on a tiny slip of paper. The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows all about
her, including things that have not even happened yet.
Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick (Landon/Holton MS Book Club Selection)
When thirteen-year-old San Lee moves to a new town and school for the umpteenth time, he is looking for a way to stand out when his
knowledge of Zen Buddhism, gained in his previous school, provides the answer--and the need to quickly become a convincing Zen
master.
FICTION SERIES
Read any book in the following series.
Bartimaeus by Jonathan Stroud
England is in the power of magicians who hold all government offices. Young Nathaniel is apprenticed to a mediocre bureaucrat who does
not see the boy's exceptional talents. When Nathaniel is humiliated by a most powerful and evil magician, he seeks revenge by
experimenting with spells far beyond his years. With vengeance now his master, Nathaniel summons forth a 5000-year-old djinni named
Bartimaeus. Summoning him is one thing but controlling him is another.
Beyonders by Brandon Mull
A day at the zoo ends when thirteen-year-old Jason suddenly is transported from the hippo tank to Lyria, a place unlike anything he's ever
seen. Jason meets Rachel, who was also mysteriously drawn to Lyrian from our world. With the help of a few scattered rebels, Jason and
Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor.
Brian’s Saga by Gary Paulsen
After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the wilderness, learning to survive initially with only the aid of a hatchet
given him by his mother, and learning also to survive his parents' divorce. Read other books in the Brian’s Saga series.
The Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanagan
This trilogy, a spinoff of the Rangers Apprentice series (see below), follows the exciting adventures of Skandian youth, Hal and his
brotherband friends, as they pursue the pirate, Zavac. Zavac has the Andomal, the priceless Skandian artifact stolen when the
brotherband let down their guard.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—
honesty, selflessness, bravery, peacefulness and intelligence. On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the
faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she
really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
Five Ancestors by Jeff Stone
Twelve-year-old Fu and his three temple brothers don’t know who their parents wereOne terrible night, the temple is destroyed. Fu and his
brothers are the only survivors. Charged by their grandmaster to uncover the secrets of their past, the five flee into the countryside and go
their separate ways. (Of special interest to those that enjoy anime and martial arts.)

Gone by Michael Grant
One seemingly normal day everyone over the age of fourteen simply disappears. A girl driving with her grandfather plunges into a horrific
car wreck; food and medical supplies dwindle; and bullies take over as the remaining children attempt to set up some form of workable
society. Even stranger though, are the bizarre, sometimes terrifying powers that some of the kids are developing.
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and controls the 12 districts
by forcing them all to send one girl and one boy to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. When Sixteenyear-old
Katnis’s sister is chosen for the Games, Katniss volunteers to take her place. Although she sees it as a death sentence she
resolves to outwit the games creators. Sequels include Catching Fire and Mockingjay.
Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous
terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary
Dragon Riders?
Klaatu Disko by Pete Hautman
Tucker is thirteen when he sees his father, the devout Reverend Feye, disappear through a hazy disk-shaped area just above the roof of
his house. When his father returns a few hours later, he is much changed. Suddenly, everything Tucker knows and thinks he believes
begins to change, and his family stability begins to shatter. The disks appear to be time travel portals. To save his family, Tucker must see
what lies beyond.
Last Survivors by Susan Beth Pfeffer
It's been a year since a meteor collided with the moon, catastrophically altering the earth's climate. For Miranda Evans, life as she knew it
no longer exists. Many of her friends and neighbors have died, the landscape is frozen, and food is increasingly scarce. The struggle to
survive intensifies when Miranda's father and stepmother arrive with a baby and three strangers in tow.
Legend by Marie Lu
The former western United States is now home to the Republic, a totalitarian nightmare, battling both the Colonies and a homegrown
terrorist group. June, an orphaned, privileged prodigy and rising military star, and Day, a whip-smart, good-hearted street kid whose
nonviolent crimes and ability to escape capture have made him the Republic’s most-wanted offender. When Day is framed for June’s
brother’s murder, June is ordered to hunt him down. See newly released Prodigy.
Maximum Ride by James Patterson
Max Ride and five other human-avian genetic hybrids fly (literally) from the lab where they were created as experiments and forge a new
life in hiding. When six-year-old Angel is captured, Max leads her makeshift family in a rescue attempt, raising questions about their origins
and destiny.
Middle School by James Patterson
Rafe is a typical sixth grade student. He is nervous and unsure of himself. On the first day, while listening to all the rules he will have to
follow at Hills Village Middle School, Rafe decides to break every rule in the book. Things start to unravel when he gets caught vandalizing
property and bully Miller the Killer sends his mom a copy of his notebook that details his rule breaking plan Operation R.A.F.E.
The Missing by Margaret Peterson Haddix
One night a plane appeared out of nowhere, the only passengers aboard were 36 babies. As soon as the babies were taken off the plane,
it vanished. Now, thirteen years later, two of those children are receiving sinister messages, and they begin to investigate their past. Their
quest to discover where they really came from leads them to a conspiracy that reaches from the far past to the distant future—and will take
them hurtling through time.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Young Sam Gribley feels closed in by the city and his large family, so he runs away to the Catskills. He spends a year in the wilderness
where he sets up house in a huge hollowed-out tree, with a falcon and a weasel for companions and his wits as his tool for survival. Read
On the Far Side of the Mountain and Frightful’s Mountain.
The Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan
Fifteen year-old Will has been chosen as a Ranger’s apprentice. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them
invisible to ordinary people. What he doesn’t realize yet is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of
battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle
brewing.
Sherlock Holmes-the Legend Begins by Andrew Lane
Fourteen-year-old Sherlock Holmes, on break from boarding school, is staying in Hampshire with his strange uncle and aunt. When two
local people die from symptoms that resemble the plague, Holmes begins to investigate what really killed them, helped by his new
American tutor. So begins Sherlock’s true education in detection, as he discovers the dastardly crimes of a brilliantly sinister villain of
exquisitely malign intent.
Virals by Kathy Reichs
After rescuing a stray wolfdog pup from a top-secret lab, Tory and her friends are exposed to a rare strain of canine parvovirus, changing
them--and their DNA--forever. Now they are more than friends. They are a pack. They are Virals. And they're dangerous to the core. But
are they unstoppable enough to catch a cold-blooded murderer?

NONFICTION
A Night to Remember by Walter Lord
A riveting account of the Titanic's fatal collision and the behavior of the passengers and crew, both good and bad. Some sacrificed their
lives, while others fought like animals for their own survival. Wives pleaded with husbands to join them in lifeboats; gentlemen went stiff
upper lipped to their deaths in full evening dress; and hundreds of steerage passengers, trapped below decks, sought help in vain. From
the initial distress flares to the struggles of those left adrift for hours in freezing waters, this edition brings that moonlit night in 1912 to life
for a new generation of readers.
Beautiful Swimmer by John Barth and William W. Warner
This book describes the world of the Chesapeake's most intriguing crustaceans, the winds and tides of the Bay itself and the struggles of
the waterman who make their living in pursuit of the blue crab.
Bomb: the Race to Build-and Steal-the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery. When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium
atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific race that spanned 3 continents. This is the story of the atomic bomb: the
plotting, the risk-taking, the deceit, and genius that created the world's most formidable weapon.
The Boys of Winter by Wayne Coffey
The story of the victory by the U.S. men's hockey team over the vaunted Soviets in the 1980 Winter Olympics is still as luminous and
improbable as it was nearly 25 years ago: a group of plucky but not overwhelmingly gifted young amateurs, whose style of play is
overhauled by their mercurial but visionary coach Herb Brooks, taking on the virtually unbeatable Soviet pros on their way to a gold medal.
Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson
"This story is true. All the characters are real and were alive during the great manhunt of April 1865”. So begins this fast-paced thriller that
tells the story of the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth: a wild twelve-day chase through the streets of Washington, D.C., across the
swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of Virginia.
Chew on This: Everything You Don’t Want to Know About Fast Food by Eric Schlosser & Charles Wilson
Chew on This covers the history of the fast-food industry and the agribusiness and animal husbandry methods that support it. From the 37day
life of the pre-McNugget chicken to the appallingly inhumane conditions of slaughterhouses and meatpacking plant the gruesome
details behind the tasty burgers and sandwiches are laid out. Equally disturbing is his revelation of the way that the fast-food giants have
studied childhood behavior and geared their commercials and free toy inclusions to hook the youngest consumers.
The Dangerous Book For Boys by Conn Iggulden and Hal Iggulden
The bestselling book for every boy from eight to eighty, covering essential boyhood skills such as building tree houses, learning how to fish,
finding true north, and even answering the age old question of what is the big deal with girls?
The Dark Game: True Spy Stories from Invisible Ink to C.I.A. Moles by Paul Janeczko
From clothesline codes to surveillance satellites and cyber espionage, the author uncovers two centuries’ worth of true spy stories in U.S.
history. Ever since George Washington used them to help topple the British, spies and their networks have helped and hurt America at key
moments in history. Colorful personalities, daring missions, the feats of the loyal, and the damage of traitors are interspersed with a look at
the technological advances that continue to change the rules of gathering intelligence.
Elements: a Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe by Theodore Gray
Elements are what we - and everything around us - are made of. But how many elements have you seen in their pure, raw, uncombined
form? This book presents photographic representations of the 118 elements in the period table, along with facts, figures and stories about
each one.
The Great Adventure: Theodore Roosevelt and the Rise of Modern America by Albert Marrin
Theodore Roosevelt is one of America's liveliest and most influential figures. He was a scholar, cowboy, war hero, explorer, and a brilliant
politician. As president, Roosevelt's far-reaching policies abroad and at home forever changed both our nation's place in the world and the
life of every modern American.
The History Puzzle: How We Know What We Know by Susan Beller
Learn about the detective work that historians use to better understand our past, including the mysteries of the Stone Age, Herculaneum
and Pompeii, Noah's Ark, the Great Wall of China, the legend of King Arthur, and more.
How Everything Works by Louis Bloomfield
The amazing gizmos and gadgets that are part of our everyday life don’t rely on magic but on physics! Examines everything from roller
coasters to radio, knuckleballs to nuclear weapons, How Everything Works reveals the answers to such questions as why the sky is blue,
why metal is a problem in microwave ovens, how MRIs see inside you, and why some clothes require dry cleaning.
The Illustrated Longitude by Dava Sobel
This is the story of how 18th-century scientist and clockmaker William Harrison solved one of the most perplexing problems of history-determining
east-west location at sea. This was no obscure, curious difficulty--without longitude, ships often found themselves so far off
course that sailors would starve or die of scurvy before they could reach port. When a nationally-sponsored contest offered a large cash
prize to the person who could develop a method to accurately determine longitude, the race was on.

The Math Book: from Pythagoras to the 57 th Dimension: 250 Milestones in the History of Mathematics by Clifford Pickover
Have you ever wondered “what is math good for”? You’ll find out in this book. This book covers 250 milestones in mathematical history.
Learn about cicada-generated prime numbers, magic squares from centuries ago, the discovery of pi and calculus, and the butterfly effect.
Each topic gets a lavishly illustrated spread with stunning color art, along with formulas and concepts, fascinating facts about scientists’
lives, and real-world applications of the theorems.
The Mysterious Universe: Supernovae, Dark Energy and Black Holes by Ellen Jackson
Follow Dr. Fillippenko and his High-Z Supernova Search Team to Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii, where they study space phenomena and
look for supernovae, dying stars that explode with the power of billions of hydrogen bombs. Dr. Fillippenko looks for black holes--areas in
space with such a strong gravitational pull that no matter or energy can escape from them--with his robotic telescope. And they study the
effects of dark energy, the mysterious force that scientists believe is pushing the universe apart, causing its constant and accelerating
expansion.
Philosophy: 100 Essential Thinkers by Philip Stokes
Who am I? What is justice? What does it mean to live a good life? This book explores the questions and arguments of philosophy through
the work of one hundred of the greatest thinkers within the Western intellectual tradition Plato, Aristotle, Rousseau and Nietzsche, to name
just a few--and the questions and observations that inspired them.
The Secret Life of Money by Kira Vermond
What is money? What is credit? What is interest? What is an entrepreneur? These topics are covered as well as the economics of money
and its social and psychological impacts. Through anecdote, analogy, interviews, and personal experience, Vermond conveys a range of
concepts, including a brief history, working and earning, credit and saving, and sharing the wealth responsibly.
Speak Up and Get Along! by Scott Cooper
School work can be challenging but learning how to get along with people can be just as important. This book will give you tips on how
make friends and get along with all sorts of people. Provided is a collection of 21 concrete strategies kids can pull out and use to express
themselves, build relationships, end arguments and fights, halt bullying, and beat unhappy feelings.
The Story of Britain from the Norman Conquest to the European Union by Patrick Dillon
The history of Britain is a thrilling story of kings and queens, battles and truces, discoveries and inventions, expansion and diplomacy. From
William the Conqueror’s arrival in 1066 to the end of the twentieth century, The Story of Britain celebrates the rich diversity of a people and
culture, as well as the events, good and bad, that have shaped Britain — and the world — over the past thousand years.
Sugar Changed the World by Marc Aranson
From the slave trade through abolition; from revolutions (American, French, and Haitian) to the Louisiana Purchase; from the decline of
honey to the rise of saccharine, these events and many more are directly traced to the cultivation and production of sugar cane around the
world. With a focus on slavery, the authors demonstrate how this one crop, with its unique harvesting needs, helped to bring about a
particularly brutal form of slavery.
Stronger than Steel: Spider Silk DNA & the Quest for a Bulletproof Vests, Sutures and Parachute Rope by Bridget Heos
Learn how this amazing material might someday be used to repair or replace human ligaments and bones, improve body armor, strengthen
parachute rope, and even tether an airplane to an aircraft carrier! Explore rapid advancements in the application of genetic medicine and
their potential to save and improve lives while considering the crucial ethical concerns of genetic research.
They Call Themselves the KKK by Susan Bartoletti
The Ku Klux Klan began as a small mischievous social club but evolved into a powerful, destructive organization. As the federal
government struggled to provide law and order and to protect the rights of freed slaves, secret groups of Southern whites banded together
to vent their anger over lost property, prosperity, and power. The KKK dens spread across the South targeting, terrorizing and sometimes
murdering freed blacks and their supporters.
Trapped: How the World Rescued 33 Miners from 2,000 Feet Below the Chilean Desert by Marc Aronson
A captivating account of the 2010 Chilean copper mine collapse that trapped 33 miners for more than two months. The author explains how
the Earth’s formation and plate tectonics created the copper lines. He follows with a brief history of metalworking and mining which leads
the reader to the small, secluded mine in the Atacama Desert region. From there the story becomes as intriguing and suspenseful as any
work of fiction; the miners’ struggle to survive below ground is contrasted with the frenzy of the work aboveground by the mine officials, the
government, and many others working to save the men.
Useful Mathematical & Physical Formulae by Matthew Watkins
This book fits the major equations from Math and Physics into one tiny, complete-with-cartoons volume. This book covers algebra,
statistics, geometry, probabilities, trigonometry, mechanics and much more. (This is a great choice for math fans.)
War to End All Wars: World War I by Russell Freedman
This first global war in which modern weapons inflicted mass slaughter and an estimated 20 million people were killed is described in this
book. The battle details of No Man’s Land, trench warfare, machine guns, poison gas, tanks, and emerging aircraft technology are
contrasted with the military leaders’ distance from the mass of soldiers and everyday people. The connections between this war and the
causes of future conflict, including World War II and discord in the Middle East are explained.
Wheels of Change; How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom by Sue Macy
Take a lively look at women's history from aboard a bicycle, which granted females the freedom of mobility and helped women gain the
right to vote and make choices regarding their lives. This witty book deftly covers early (and comical) objections, influence on fashion, and
impact on social change inspired by the bicycle, which, according to Susan B. Anthony, "has done more to emancipate women than
anything else in the world."

Why is Milk White? By Alexa Coelho
How does sunblock protect your skin from getting burned? Why is hair gel so slimy? Why do your feet smell? What makes your breath
smell bad? Find the answers to these and many other chemistry questions in this book!.
World War II for Kids by Richard Panchyk
This book is packed with fascinating information, from Hitler's rise to power in 1933 to the surrender of the Japanese in 1945 and is filled
with excerpts from actual wartime letters written to and by American and German troops, personal anecdotes from people who lived
through the war in the United States, Germany, Britain, Russia, Hungary, and Japan, and gripping stories from Holocaust survivors-all add
a humanizing global perspective to the war.
Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland by Sally M. Walker
Take an archaeological tour of human and material remains from 17th- and 18th-century Jamestown and colonial Maryland. Burial sites of
colonists from various backgrounds are excavated, including a teenage indentured servant hastily buried in a trash pit. Find out how
archaeologists determine the gender and age of a skeleton, or whether a skull represents a person originating from Europe or Africa.
Years of Dust: The Story of the Dust Bowl by Albert Marrin
Before global warming, there was dust. In the 1930s, dangerous black storms swept through the Great Plains. Created by drought and
reckless farming, these lethal storms were part of an environmental, economic, and human catastrophe that changed the course of
American history. Learn about the causes of the Dust Bowl disaster and the impact on those who lived through it.
MEMOIR/BIOGRAPHY
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
When the Sudanese civil war reaches his village in 1985, eleven-year-old Salva becomes separated from his family and must walk with
other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who, after
emigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in Sudan.
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
This is the story of a boy caught up in the brutal wars of 1990’s Sierra Leone. He was a regular boy who enjoyed hip-hop, Shakespeare,
and mischief-making until rebel forces stole his childhood innocence by destroying his village and driving him from his home. Eventually he
was recruited by the national army, made a full soldier, and learned to shoot an AK-47. A few years later agents from the United Nations
pulled him out of the army and placed him in a rehabilitation center. As the anger and hate slowly faded away, Beah began to work as an
advocate for children’s rights. (For more mature Form I and II.)
Charles and Emma: The Darwin’s Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman
A thought-provoking account of the man behind evolutionary theory: how his personal life affected his work and vice versa. Darwin
published The Origin of Species, his revolutionary book on evolution, in 1859. Nearly 150 years later, the theory of evolution continues to
create tension between the scientific and religious communities. This tension raged within Darwin himself, and played an important part in
his marriage: his wife, Emma, was quite religious, and her faith gave Charles a lot to think about as he worked on a theory that continues to
spark intense debates.
Claudette Colvin by Phillip Hoose
On March 2, 1955, fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin fed up with the daily injustices of Jim Crow segregation, refused to give her seat to a
white woman on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Instead of being celebrated as Rosa Parks would be just nine months later,
Colvin was shunned by her classmates and dismissed by community leaders.
Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther
Johnny Gunther was only seventeen years old when he died of a brain tumor. During the months of his illness, everyone near him was
unforgettably impressed by his level-headed courage, his wit and quiet friendliness, and, above all, his unfaltering patience through times of
despair. This deeply moving book is a father's memoir of a brave, intelligent, and spirited boy.
Discovering Wes Moore by Wes Moore
Moore grew up in a poor Bronx neighborhood. His single mom worked multiple jobs so that he could attend private school. After he
narrowly escapes prison, she sends him to military school where he excels. The issues surrounding success and failure are explored as he
recounts the events of his life and compares it with the story another man, someone who shared the same name, was almost the same
age, grew up fatherless in a similar Baltimore neighborhood, but is serving a life sentence for murder.
Escape: The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman
Adopting a tone somewhere between vaudeville announcer and carnival barker, Fleischman lures readers to the greatest show of all:
reading. A magician himself, Fleischman does not disappear from the narrative but offers personal comments and conjures up verbal
wordplay. He displays the drama of Houdini's escapades and adventures with sure and energetic pacing.

The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P.T. Barnum by Candace Fleming
Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, step right up and meet the man who created the American Museum in New York City, who won
a seat in the Connecticut legislature, and who, at the age of 60, joined the circus!
Isaac Newton by Kathleen Krull
What was Isaac Newton like? Secretive, vindictive, withdrawn, obsessive, and, oh, yes, brilliant. His imagination was so large that, just "by
thinking on it," he invented calculus and figured out the scientific explanation of gravity. Yet Newton was so small-minded that he set out to
destroy other scientists who dared question his findings.
Lafayette and the American Revolution by Russell Freedman
Inspired by an idealistic belief in the cause of liberty and a determination to prove himself worthy on the battlefield, Lafayette, a 19-year-old
French nobleman, left his young wife and daughter, ignored a royal order, crossed the ocean to America, and took up a commission in the
Continental army. Lafayette’s courage and personal charm endeared him to Washington, who gradually gave him more difficult missions,
culminating in the containment of Cornwallis’ troops at Yorktown.
Leonardo da Vinci by Kathleen Krull
With a totally captivating opening and a conversational writing style, Krull offers a vivid description of life in the Middle Ages: no printed
books, no bathrooms, and a belief in magic. In a time when pig manure was used to cure nosebleeds, the dawning of the Renaissance
would have been quite a contrast indeed. The book moves along at a steady clip and adds details to bring da Vinci and his times to life.
Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull
Most people can name some famous artists and recognize their best-known works. But what's behind all that painting, drawing, and
sculpting? What was Leonardo da Vinci’s snack of choice while he painted Mona Lisa's mysterious smile? Why did Georgia O’Keeffe find
bones so appealing? Who called Diego Rivera “Frog-Face”? Find out what makes them so fascinating?
The Notorious Benedict Arnold: a True Story of Adventure, Heroism and Treachery by Steve Sheinkin
Arguably, the United States most vilified traitor, Benedict Arnold was reckless and adventurous. Without his impetuous personality and
willingness to hurl himself into a fray, the war might have been lost. Arnold’s fall is understandable, if inexcusable. How much did his
wounds, colossal ego, and need for money sway him to become a potential betrayer?
Sport Short: An Anthology of Short Stories by Joseph Bruchac, et al.
A collection of eight semi-autobiographical stories about the authors experiences with sports while growing up. They range from the game
"Bombardment" over the lunch hour, sports from gym class, karate, ballet, wrestling, to baseball, basketball and football.
Steve Jobs: the Man Who Thought Different by Karen Blumenthal
The riveting story of the Apple computer creator - the roller-coaster life and intense personality of a creative entrepreneur whose passion
for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing,
and digital publishing.
Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer by Lynne Cox
Cox is one of the world's leading long-distance swimmers, has been a risk-taker ever since she was nine. It isn't until she competes in the
Nile River swim that the tale turns ugly-she's swimming in raw sewage and chemical waste, fending off the dead rats and broken glass.
Undeterred, she plans more ambitious swims-around the shark-infested Cape of Good Hope Cox ends her story with her swim to
Antarctica.
The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis
Peter Sís was born on the communist side of Iron Curtain. As a child, he loved Stalin and believed what he was told to believe. As the Iron
Curtain began to crack and news from the West slowly filtered in he began to question these beliefs. Then came the Prague Spring of
1968, and for a teenager who wanted to see the world and meet the Beatles, this was a magical time but brought to a sudden and brutal
end by the Soviet-led invasion.
We Were There, Too: Young People in U.S. History by Phillip Hoose
A fascinating collection of stories about young people at the center of every event that shaped America, from 12-year-old Diego Bermedez
who sailed with Christopher Columbus in 1492 to high school junior Claudette Colvin's refusal to give up her seat in 1955 Montgomery,
Ala., nine months before Rosa Parks.
POETRY
Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems by John Grandits
A 15-year-old girl named Jessie voices typical and not so typical teenage concerns in this unique, hilarious collection of poems. Her
musings about playing volleyball and cello, dealing with her annoying younger brother and writing poetry to cat are never boring or
predictable.
Committed to Memory: 100 Best Poems to Memorize by John Hollander
A selection of 100 poems ranging from Blake and Hughes, Bishop and Thomas, to Yeats and Hayden. These are classics that lend
themselves to memory, being short; often in form, or at least metrical; always rhythmic; and delightful.

Dream Keeper and Other Poems by Langston Hughes
Black-and-white scratchboard illustrations express the emotion and beat of the poetry, the laughter that hides pain, the celebration and the
struggle of the African American experience, and the music of the weary blues. The poems are as powerful today as when they were first
published, 60 years ago.
A Fury of Motion: Poetry for Boys by Charles Chigna
While the first ten poems are about sports, the remaining thirty-plus cover a variety of topics, including a haircut, a firefly, different seasons,
playground showdown, ants, eternity, family, death, and dreams. There is a good balance of funny and serious, rhyming and free verse.
The poems are targeted at teens, but are appropriate for younger children as well.
19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems from the Middle East by Naomi Shihab Nye
Beginning with a work inspired by the events of September 11, Naomi Shihab Nye brings together 60 of her poems in 19 Varieties of
Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East including "Different Ways to Pray," "The Palestinians Have Given Up Parties" and "Football" focus on
the Middle East and the Arab-American experience.
The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano by Margarita Engle
A story about the boyhood of the nineteenth-century Cuban slave Juan Francisco Manzano, who secretly learned to read and wrote poetry
about beauty and courage in his world of cruelty and brutality.
Residence on Earth by Pablo Neruda
Residence on Earth is on of Neruda's greatest work. One reviewer called this bilingual publication "a revolution... a classic by which
masterpieces are judged". (A good choice for students studying Spanish)
Technically, It’s Not My Fault: Concrete Poems by John Grandits
An eleven-year-old boy named Robert voices typical—and not so typical—middle-grade concerns in this unique collection of hilarious
poems. His musings cover the usual stuff, like pizza, homework, thank-you notes, and his annoying older sister.
The Trouble with Poetry and Other Poems by Billy Collins
Using simple, understandable language, Collins captures ordinary life–its pleasure, its discontents, its moments of sadness and of joy.
When a City Leans Against a Sky by Allan De Fina
This collection of poems celebrates the many "lives" of a city. Insightful observations capture the ambience and diversity of a city's sights,
sounds, and cultural mixes. The everyday becomes extraordinary through momentary pauses, showing that life in the city can be an
experience, not just an existence.
GREEN BEAR BOOKS
Natural History/Environment
Bottlemania: How Water Went on Sale and Why We Bought It by Elizabeth Royte
An investigation into the commercialization of drinking water traces the process through which companies acquire, bottle, and market
water, in an account that addresses such issues as the risks of water-decontaminating practices.
Earth Hero’s: Champions of the Wilderness by Carol Malnor and Bruce Malnor
Earth Hero’s brings to life the lives of great environmentalists in a fresh and moving way. You can feel their idealism and reverence for life
in the stories of these remarkable men and women. The passion and profound impact of the heroes of yesterday will inspire the young to
be our leaders tomorrow.
Earth in the Hot Seat: Bulletins from a Warming World by Marfe Ferguson Delano
This book is a celebration the Earth and clearly explains the dangers and challenges of global warning. This beautiful volume explains the
science of this global threat succinctly and visually, and is a call-to-arms to help the Earth. Enjoy the many fun features, from climate
connections in global hotspots, to amazing before and after snapshots, to questionnaires answered by climate scientists and celebrities.
If the World Were a Village: A Book about the World’s People by David J. Smith
There are currently more than six billion people on the planet! This enormous number can be difficult to grasp. But let’s imagine the whole
world as a village of just 100 people. In this village; 22 people speak a Chinese dialect , 20 earn less than a dollar a day, 32 are Christian,
17 cannot read or write, 39 are under 19 years old. This book will help you better understand the world's peoples and their ways of life.
These statistics -- some surprising, some shocking -- and David Smith's tips on building "world-mindedness" will encourage readers to
embrace the bigger picture and help them to establish their own place in the global village.

Material World: A Global Family Portrait by Peter Menzel and Charles Mann
A fascinating look at the material possessions of “average” families throughout the world. The contents of their houses are moved outside
in order to create visible representations of their relative standards of living. The dirt house and few possessions of Mali residents contrast
vividly with the 4 cars, 45-foot long sofa, and 12+ oriental carpets lined up outside the luxury home of a family from Kuwait. Each chapter
includes interesting comparisons as televisions, meals, and toilets.
John Muir: My Life with Nature by John Muir and Joseph Cornell
This unique “autobiography” of John Muir is told in his own words, brimming with his spirit and his adventures. The text was selected and
retold by naturalist Joseph Cornell. The result is a book with an aliveness, a presence of goodness, adventure, enthusiasm, and sensitive
love of each animal and plant that will give young adults an experience of a true hero. It is a book that expands your sense of hope,
adventure, and awareness.
Scientists in the Field series
This series shows scientists immersed in the unpredictable and dynamic natural world. The books show firsthand adventures in the great
outdoors—adventures with a purpose. Highly recommended volumes from a variety of authors include; The Bat Scientists, Polar Bear
Scientists, Science Warriors: Battle against Invasive Species, Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsom and the Science of Ocean Motion, Frog
Scientist, and Wild Horse Scientist, Hive Detectives: Chronicle of a Honeybee Catastrophe, among others.
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
In 1960, a woman noticed the birds had stopped singing and their population had severely decreased in her neighborhood. She asked her
friend, biologist/writer Rachel Carson, to investigate this wildlife mystery. Rachel discovered that he over-spraying of DDT, dieldrin and
other pest killers was poisoning the entire world of living things, humanity included. Silent Spring, released in 1962, offered the first
shattering look at widespread ecological degradation and touched off an environmental awareness that still exists.
The Story of Stuff: How Our Obsession with Stuff isTrashing the Planet, Our Communities and Our Health – and a Vision
for Change by Annie Leonard
Why is there so much garbage, and where does it go? Leonard has traveled the world tracking trash and its wake of destruction. She’s
convinced that the impossible dream of perpetual economic growth and the rampant consumer culture it engenders are at the root today’s
environmental crises. She describes the extraction of natural resources and the production, distribution, consumption, and disposal of
various products and makes a strong case for focusing on quality of life not quantity of stuff.
World without Fish by Mark Kurlansky
This book connects all the dots—biology, economics, evolution, politics, climate, history, culture, food, and nutrition—in a way that kids can
really understand. It describes how the fish we most commonly eat, including tuna, salmon, cod, and swordfish, could disappear within 50
years, and the domino effect it would have—oceans teeming with jellyfish and turning pinkish orange from algal blooms; seabirds
disappearing, then reptiles, then mammals. It describes the back-and-forth dynamic of fishermen and scientists. It covers the effects of
industrialized fishing, and how bottom-dragging nets are turning the ocean floor into a desert.