Northanger Abbey

Northanger Abbey is by Jane Austen. The classic work of historical fiction by arguably one of the greatest writers of all time. The story of young Catherine who travels to Bath with friends of her family. She is an avid reader, especially of Gothic mysteries like those by Ann Radcliffe. When she meets the Tilney's and is invited to visit them at Northanger Abbey she begins to impart the sinister goings on of her books to the real life General Tilney. She falls in love, learns about the true meaning of friendship, and becomes wiser in the ways of the world. A classic Austen read!

Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Tao of Pooh

The Tao of Pooh is by Benjamin Hoff. A charming look at Taoist philosophy as represented by everyone's favorite bear. Well written and easy to read, this book gives you much to ponder. A great book for lovers of Pooh who don't read much nonfiction.

Ratings: 8 out of 10 - 9th grade.

The Shadow of the Wind

The Shadow of the Wind is by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. The first book in the historical fiction series The Cemetery of Forgotten Books. Wow! What a great book; the translation is beautifully done. Set during the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, a young bookseller's son is taken by his father to the secret Cemetery of Forgotten Books and allowed to choose a book for himself. He chooses a book called The Shadow of the Wind by the mysterious author Julian Carax. Soon he discovers someone is systematically locating every book Carax wrote and destroying them. Daniel sets out to discover the truth about his favorite author and protect his book. His search sets in motion a series of events that will change Daniel's life forever. A wonderful book! It is beautifully written, full of suspense, a book lover's delight.

Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).

Mostly Harmless

Mostly Harmless is by Douglas Adams. The fifth installment of the classic science fiction series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The end has come for Arthur Dent and his traveling buddies. Arthur discovers he has a daughter and when she returns to Earth, he follows her there. Soon all of his friends are there and disaster is at hand. The ending is abrupt and somewhat disappointing and nihilistic, but fans should enjoy it.

Ratings: 9th grade - P (profanity).

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish is by Douglas Adams. The fourth book in the classic science fiction series: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Arthur Dent finds himself back on Earth, which wasn't destroyed after all, only all the dolphins are gone. While trying to find answers he meets a girl who also remembers the destruction of the planet. He and Fenchurch (his girlfriend) seek for answers and ultimately, with Zaphod and Marvin, discover "God's Final Message to His Creation." The plot is weak, but fans should enjoy it.

Ratings: 9th grade - 6 out of 10.

Smoke

Smoke is by Dan Vyleta. A strange work of fantasy with an interesting premise. Set in Victorian England where sin results in visible smoke, naturally the aristocracy don't smoke. Thomas and Charlie, both members of the elite class, become friends at boarding school. Together with Livia, an aristocrat whose family is involved in strange experiments with Smoke, the boys learn the true nature of Smoke and become involved in a battle between rival political factions.

Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10.

The Obsidian Chamber

The Obsidian Chamber is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The sixteenth installment in the Pendergast series. Pendergast is believed to be dead, but is he? Constance returns to Riverside Drive, only to find Diogenes (who was also thought to be dead) waiting there for her. Proctor observes Constance being kidnapped by Diogenes and sets out to rescue her, and finds himself across the world and in danger. Another fascinating novel in this series, complete with all the usual twists and turns - fans won't be disappointed.

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Life, the Universe, and Everything

Life, the Universe, and Everything is by Douglas Adams. The third book in the classic science fiction series that began with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It is up to Arthur Dent and his pals to save the universe again; this time from a group of robots who have been created by the populace of the planet Krikkit who desire the destruction of all other species. Fans of the series will enjoy the craziness of this installment as well.

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.

The Library at Mount Char

The Library at Mount Char is by Scott Hawkins. One of the most violent books I have ever read. Once started I didn't expect to finish, but then found I couldn't stop reading. Carolyn and her "family" live in a vast library, adopted and forced to study various disciplines by a man they call Father - who might be a god. He is terribly cruel (this is a vast understatement actually) and Carolyn slowly begins to put a plan in place to get rid of him; for her plan to be successful she recruits the aid of a human burglar named Steve. The story flashes back and forth in time, slowly revealing both Steve's and Carolyn's past. Warning: there is extreme violence in this book, as well as a great deal of profanity. If you've got a trigger of any kind, it's in this book! The story however, is engaging and totally addictive.

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Picnic at Hanging Rock

Picnic at Hanging Rock is by Joan Lindsay. An Australian classic, this is a wonderful piece of historical fiction. Set in Australia in 1900, it is the story of a group of young ladies from a girl's school who decide on a Valentine's Day picnic at Hanging Rock. Three of the girls and a teacher wander off to explore and are never seen again. A beautifully written book, but if you are expecting an answer to the mystery you won't get one. It was interesting to read a book considered a classic in another country. It's been compared to Rebecca, and I certainly see the resemblance.

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10.

Wrath of the Bloodeye

Wrath of the Bloodeye is by Joseph Delaney. The fifth book in The Last Apprentice fantasy series. Now that the Fiend has been released into the world, the Spook sends Tom to his former apprentice for a sixth month period designed to "toughen him up." When Arkwight is captured by Bloodeye, a water witch who is also the daughter of the Fiend, Tom must risk everything he cares about and trust someone he has no reason to trust to save his friends, and himself. Fans of the series will be thrilled with this installment.

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence).

News of the World

News of the World is by Paulette Jiles. A wonderful piece of historical fiction. Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd travels through post-Civil War Texas reading newspaper stories to small town populations who either don't have access to news, can't read, or both. In Wichita Falls, he is approached and asked to escort a ten-year-old child who was kidnapped by the Kiowa when she was six and has now been rescued, back to her family near San Antonio. He reluctantly agrees, and finds himself drawn to Johanna in ways he never expected. A beautifully written and lyrical story. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).

Scepter of the Ancients

Scepter of the Ancients is by Derek Landy. The first book in the Skulduggery Pleasant fantasy series. When Stephanie's uncle dies, he leaves her his house and fortune. The teenager finds herself involved in a magical world she never knew existed. She finds herself searching for an ancient talisman owned by her uncle with his friend, a living skeleton who can work magic, helping her. Together they must stop a sorcerer from using the scepter to bring back the evil Faceless Ones. An unusual premise and an engaging story.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning is by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel. A slow, but beneficial read, that provides information about the way our brains work, how we learn, and how best to learn/teach/retain information. The last chapter provides a review of techniques with examples from the real world. Well worth the time and effort to read this interesting book.

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10.