Midnighters The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld

Dreams are illusions, but the illusions Jessica keeps having are real. Every day at the stroke of midnight, the clock stops and everyone freezes, but four people. Now Jessica Day, who moved to Bixby, Oklahoma, has discovered the secret. With the help of the Midnighters, Jessica must find out exactly what she is doing in the secret hour and how to save it from evil.
Eleni

THE ALCHEMYST (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel) by Mixhael Scott

Sophie and Josh, normal teenage twins, are spending the summer in California with their aunt while their archeologist parents are off on another dig in the desert. They have each found a job to keep them busy, Josh in a bookstore and Sophie in a coffee shop across the street. One day a couple of men in sunglasses show up at the bookstore and nothing is ever the same again. Sophie and Josh are drawn into an adventure with 600 year old people all of whom look under forty and must help them save a book, which in the wrong hands, could destroy the world. During their adventures, they discover some magical things about themselves as well.

DAY OF TEARS by Julius Lester

Pierce Butler is the owner of a grand plantation and many slaves in the South. He is a fair and just slave owner, although slavery itself was not fair or just. When his wife leaves him to raise his two daughters on his own he begins to gamble away his fortune. One day his slaves discover that he has decided to sell them off, one by one, to pay off his debts. The final indignity is when Butler decides to sell Emma, nurse maid to his girls after promising her mother this will never happen. Emma and many of the others tell the story of their sale and life in a very moving way ending with Emma's granddaughter questions about her. If you'd like to know more about how tough it was to survive as a slave read DAY OF TEARS.

PARK'S QUEST by Katherine Paterson

Park cannot understand why his mom will never speak about his dad who was killed in Viet Nam. Life is tough for the two who live outside of Washington, D.C. where money is always tough to find. To escape from his questions about his dad and his rough life, Park immerses himself in the life of a knight in shining armor. One day Park finds out about a grandfather he has never met and gets permission from his mom to spend some time visiting him. Park's trip brings many surprises and he returns home at the end, a changed boy. Read PARK'S QUEST to get the juicy details.

PROJECT MULBERRY by Linda Sue Park

Julia and Patrick are best friends and members of the Wiggle Club at school. 'Wiggle' stands for Work Grow Give Live and the student members are involved in all sorts of projects involving animals and plants. After a great deal of discussion and dread on the part of Julia the two friends decide to raise silkworms for their entry into the state fair. Julia isn't happy about this since she is Korean American and really wants to do an "American" project. The title of the story comes from the fact that silkworms eat only mulberry leaves, something difficult to find in America. Between each chapter telling the exciting story of all Julia and Patrick go through to finish their project, is a discussion between Julia the character and Linda Sue Park, the author of the book, which adds some insight into Julia's feelings. Read PROJECT MULBERRY for a great story of two friends who will be friends forever, despite occasional disagreements.

SHOOTER by Walter Dean Myers

The idea for SHOOTER came from the shootings at Clumbine High School although the story is pure fiction. Walter Dean Myers is a great author who really understands the problems children face growing up, a fact which is obvious when you read SHOOTER. The book is written in question and answer format in the form of interviews of some of the students who participated in or were friendly with those involved in a school shooting. We learn to understand the characters and the reasons for what they do. Although sad and somewhat frightening, SHOOTER holds the readers' interest throughout the book. The book also contains a fascinating interview with the author.

THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

North America in the future is a scarey place to live. There are twelve districts, not 50 states. The government is very cruel and keeps the citizens obeying by forcing competition among the districts. Every year each district must send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a fight to the death which is broadcast live to the rest of the citizens on TV, sort of like SURVIVOR. Each participant must find food and shelter and destroy the others in order to 'win' the game. Katniss, a hardworking sixteen year old who has supported her family by hunting and gathering edible plants since her dad died in a mining accident, jumps up and volunteers to take her six year old sister's place when her name is selected to participate in the 'games.' She encounters monsters, almost dies of thirst and heat or cold and makes friends with some of the people she must destroy. Read THE HUNGER GAMES for a truly exciting adventure story.

Now You See Her by Jacquelyn Mitchard

For Hope Shay the world is a stage. Acting is in her blood and it has been her dream ever since she can remember. Hope will do anything to get a starring role. She gets involved with her Romeo and her life will never be the same. Read this book to find out if she and Romeo live happily ever after.

Mrs. C

Upstate by Kalisha Buckhanon

Dear Natasha,
January 25, 1990

"Baby, the first thing I need to know from you is do you believe I killed my father?"

This book had me hooked from the very first sentence....Antonio is writing to his
girlfriend Natasha from prison and lives to hear from her. But he wonders, does
she believe he is guilty of murder. Find out about Natasha and Antonio's love
story and can it survive.

Mrs. C

Twisted by: Laurie Halse Anderson

Tyler is a high school senior…somehow he never quite fit in. His family life is
difficult at best, his sister Hannah is going to be in high school with him this year.
She is excited because her brother now has “a reputation”. Hannah thinks it will
help her popularity. Tyler is always trying to do the right thing but sometimes
it is hard. He falls for Bethany, who happens to be the twin sister of Chip his
biggest rival and his father’s boss’s daughter. What is a guy to do…read Twisted
to find out if Tyler gets the girl and his rival!

Mrs. C

The House You Pass on the Way by: By: Jacqueline Woodson

Although Staggerlee has a big loving family she sometimes feels alone.
Her grandparents were famous entertainers but what is extremely
difficult is her mother is white and her father is African American and
they live in all black town. Staggerlee finally has a friend when her
cousin Trout comes to visit. Find out how Trout helps Staggerlee.... in
ways you might not imagine.

Mrs. C

Street Love by: Walter Dean Myers

Life sometimes can take you places you cannot imagine. Junice’s
mom is sentenced to 25 years in jail for selling drugs. Junice and her sister
Melissa wonder what will happen to them. Junice meets Damien a good boy
who makes her want more…can he help her find the happiness she desperately
wants!

Mrs. C

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows By: J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is an exciting novel where the first time ever Harry Potter does not return to Hogwarts. He goes on an intrepid journey to stop Voldemort from taking over the world. They go through events including werewolves and a wedding. Can Ron and Hermione help Harry save the world?
Jack

THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan is about a teenage boy named Percy, his friend Annabeth, satyr friend Grover, and his half brother Tyson. The evil, banished Lord Cronus is rising again and the four friends must stop him with the help of their godly parents. The Battle of the Labyrinth is an action packed book full of suspense and hilarity. In order to save Mount Olympus and stop Cronus, Percy and his friends must enter the ancient Labyrinth, find the inventor Daedalus, and ask for his help in guiding an army through his maze. The friends must find him before their old enemy Luke does. If they don’t, it will be the end of western civilization and most importantly, time. If you are looking for an excellent book to read this summer, The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan is the book for you.

Joseph A.

New Moon By: Stephanie Meyer

If you’re a person who likes romance and adventures then this is the book for you. It’s called New Moon. It’s about a girl named Bella the only thing that was important to her was her boyfriend, Edward Cullen. But little does she know that he’s too dangerous for her. She knows he is a vampire but refuses to act like she’s dating one. One day he promises her that he will never see her again then he just left her alone in the woods forever. Bella was miserable for months she was always hearing his voice. Then one day Edward hears that Bella died, (but she didn’t) so he fly’s to Italy to go see her. The suspense isn’t over yet read this book to find out what Edward will do and if Bella will ever get to see him.

Katherine

Marley and Me by:John Grogan

I read the book Marley and Me. It is a true story about a family and their wacky, insane dog. This family has to live life around a dog that causes nothing but destruction and chaos. If you enjoy twisted scenes and cute pictures Marley and Me is the perfect book for you. I feel very bad for the family because every time there were thunderstorms things went wrong, extremely wrong. I enjoyed it and so will you. I couldn’t even put the book down and when I finished it I had to read it again because it was so hilarious. If you want to find out about Marley strange life and what happens when there is a thunder storm, read Marley and Me, you will not regret it.

Jenna

The Invisible By: Mats Wahl

On a morning like any other, Hilmer Eriksson walks into his high school classroom only to discover that he has become invisible. No one can see him, hear him or touch him. That very morning a detective named Harald Fors comes to investigate the disappearance of the teenager. Little did he know that the as he’s traveling the village, investigating, Hilmer is not far behind. Always watching and listening but never seen or heard. How did he become invisible? Was it foul play like Fors suspects? What about the people and future that Hilmer was leaving behind? In this thrilling mystery, expect the unexpected and don’t pick this up if you’re looking for a light read.

Christina

“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” By:Ryder Windham

Archeology, intrigue, greed, adventure! Indiana Jones is the star in this incredible quest for the Ark of Covenant. If you want to read about evil Germans, strange passageways, and incredible treasures, this book is the one for you! The story takes place in the Desert, to be more exact, Egypt! The beautiful desert is overcome by the Nazis, who are looking for the Ark of Covenant, but Indy will do whatever it takes to save the wooden, gold trimmed case with the Ten Commandments from Moses. While he is looking for it, he finds an old friend: Marion Ravenwood, Indy’s friend’s daughter. The beautiful Marion comes with Indiana to find the ark, plus, Sallah, a very rich man from Cairo helps them! With all these people, there’s no way Indiana Jones could fail!

Ziggy

Chasing Yesterday: #1 The Awakening by Robin Wasserman

In Chasing Yesterday a girl wakes up at an abandoned crash site with amnesia. She doesn’t remember anything and is sent to an orphanage center. There she meets a boy named Daniel who calls her J.D (Jane Doe) and they try to piece everything together. But soon her supposed mom comes to take her home. Now she has a completely different life. Her name is Alexa Collins, there are pictures of friends she can’t seem to remember, and she’s visiting this doctor but when her appointment is done, she can’t remember a single thing. Based on the information Daniel and she found out in at the center, J.D starts to understand what’s going on. Daniel and J.D plan to run away and never come back. But somehow their idea doesn’t go as planned.
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BEST FRIENDS FOR NEVER By Lisi Harrison

In this book Massy, Clair, Alicia, Dylan, and Kristen were best friends. But then they have a fashion show and spread apart. There is a new girl Olivia who is friends with Alicia and they team up for the fashion show and switch boxes for the results with Massy ,Clair, Dylan and Kristen who were another team. Read the book to find out the rest.

Lauren