Anytime is the BEST time for reading! 


 

These are a selection of intermediate or upper level books.

  • The Giver by Lois Lowry-- an interesting look at the "future"
  • Define Normal by Julie Ann Peters -- Every middle school girl should read this!
  • Harry Potter -- Join the obsession!
  • Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick - Talented drummer Steven deals with his little brother's illness, the girls in his life, and other complications.  Funny, touching and a great read.
  • Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass - Jeremy is approaching his 13th birthday when a mysterious package arrives from his deceased father, containing the "meaning of life."
  • Runner by Carl Deucker - Chance Taylor, faced with mounting financial woes caused by his alcoholic father, decides to take a "risky" job.  Suspense, danger, and hard choices for Chance pepper this thriller.
  • La Linea by Ann Jaramillo - Miguel and his sister undertake a harrowing journey on a train called mata gente, the "people killer" in order to reach their parents in the United States.  A realistic and sobering look at illegal immigration.
  • The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares-- This series is one of my favorites and shows how bonds develope between friends who are extremely different.  They are always available for each other and remind me of a group of friends I enjoy.
  • The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth G. Speare --One of my favorite historical fiction books.  I loved the romance, the history, and the growth that Kit shows as she is forced to leave her familiar surroundings.
  • Abduction by Peg Kehret
  •  Red Kayak  by Priscilla Cummings
    Voyage of Patience Goodspeed by Heather Vogel Frederick
  • Leaving Protection by Will Hobbs
  • Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
    Being a nature lover and an animal lover, this story has alwyas moved me to tears no matter how many times I read it!
  • Rash by Pete Hautman - In a future society has decided it would rather be "safe than free," sixteen year old Bo's anger problems land him in a world of trouble
  • Keeper by Mal Peet - Soccer star El Gato relates an incredible story of growing up in the rain forest with a mysterious soccer field appearing to inspire him
  • Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey - Teenager Alfred Kropp rescues King Arthur's legendary sword Excalibur from the forces of evil
    Ask me no Questions by Marina Budhos - a realistic story of a family from Bangladesh living in New York City during the events surrounding 9-11
  • Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
  • The Giver by Lois Lowry
  • The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
  • Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
  • Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn
  • Absolutely Normal Chaos by Sharon Creech
  • Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
  • A Separate Peace by John Knowles
  • Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes
  • The Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
  • I loved this book and its sequel,  The Pretties.
  • Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
  • The Downsiders by Neal Shusterman
  • Moki by Grace Penney
    This book is a good historical fiction and offers insight into the Cheyenne culture
  • The Monument by Gary Paulsen
    Another fine book by this author, this story provides a connection for those touched by Vietnam War and for the value of art
  • Runs with Horses by Brian Burks
  • Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson- I liked the adventure of pirates and buried treasure, with colorful characters throughout.
  • Robinson Crusoe by Daniel DeFoe - a great adventure of a single person's shipwreck and survival.

More Great Reads!

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
A funny, mysterious and touching story about a 13 year old who travels from Ohio to Idaho with her eccentric grandparents.  Newbery Award.

The Ear, The Eye, and The Arm by Nancy Farmer
Fantasy, mystery and adventure set in the future.  Newbery Honor Book.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Levine
A creative and hilarious retelling of the Cinderella story.

Incident at Hawk's Hill by Allan Eckert
A survival story about a boy who is adopted by a badger.   Newbery Honor.
 
The Black Pearl by Scott O'Dell
A boy finds the "Pearl of Heaven" and must deal with the hatred of his people and the notorious devilfish.  Newbery Honor.

Wringer by Jerry Spinelli
The personal struggle of a boy who does not want to become a "wringer" and must stand up for what he believes.

Holes by Louis Sachar
Sequoyah winner and fascinating story of a boy who must work off his sentence by digging holes at a strange detention camp.

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Poetically rendered telling of the heart-wrenching times during the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma.  Newbery Winner.

Search for the Shadowman by Joan Lowery Nixon
Andy finds a mysterious ancestor and begins a search through his family's past.

 Running Out of Time by Margaret P. Haddix
Jessie lives with her family in the frontier village of Clifton, Indiana, in 1840--or does she?

The Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danziger
The story of a student who organizes a protest against the suspension of a favorite teacher.

Afternoon of the Elves by J. Lisle
Something strange and wonderful has appeared in Sam & Kate's backyard:  a tiny village of sticks and leaves.
The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox
Story of a young fifer who is forced to play his fife for the slaves to keep their muscles strong. Newbery Winner.

The Pigman  by Paul Zindel
A story of love and friendship between two teens and an old man.

The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
When Hannah time travels to a Polish village in the 1940's, she begins to understand her Jewish hertiage.

The Ornament Tree by Jean Thesman
14-year old Bonnie learns about life from the women who live in her cousin's boardinghouse in 1918.
Getting Near to Baby by Audrey Couloumbis
Will Jo and her Aunt Patty always seem to be at odds as each tries to understand the death of their family's baby.

Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
The daughter of an English country knight keeps a journal in which she records the events of her life, especially her efforts to avoid being married off to her father's choices.

The Maze by Will Hobbs
Rick escapes from a juvenile detention center near Las Vegas and ends up in the Utah wilderness.

The Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron
When Merlin, suffering from a case of severe amnesia, discovers his strange powers, he becomes determined to discover his identity.

 
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
This is a fantasy about Lyra Belacqua, a half-wild, half-civilized girl. Her Life changes with the arrival of her evil uncle, Lord Asriel. In this exciting story, nothing is as it seems.

 The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton 
This has become a classic read for young people. It is about fourteen-year-old Pony Boy, tough and confused on the outside, but sensitive beneath the way the world sees him.

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
A twelve-year-old experiences a strange and wonderful summer.

The Watsons Go To Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis.
Kenny Watson tells of his African American family, the "Weird Watsons" of Flint, Michigan.  At times funny and tragic, this story takes the Watsons to Birmingham in 1963. Newbery Honor.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi.
An adventure of a young girl's sailing trip from England to Providence, Rhode Island in 1832. Newbery Honor.

Gypsy Rizka by Lloyd Alexander
Rizka, a Gypsy and a trickster, hilariously exposes the foibles of the townspeople as the book reveals her rich and good heart.