Whalefall

Whalefall is by Daniel Kraus. A very strange realistic fiction novel. After his father commits suicide by diving off of a boat, his son - Jay Gardiner - decides to look for his father's bones to bring closure to his family. He and his father never got along and he left home before his father's death and never settled things with him, As he makes the dive, he is swallowed by a sperm whale who is chasing a giant squid for food. Jay is swallowed when his gear gets tangled with the squid's tentacles. This is a bizarre story that boys might really like as it has a very high ick factor. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence).

A Fatal Grace

A Fatal Grace is by Louise Penny. The second in the Chief Inspector Gamache realistic fiction mystery series. When a nasty newcomer to Three Pines is killed, Chief Inspector Gamache and his team return to Three Pines to find her killer. But how do you narrow down the suspects when everyone hated the victim? Fans of the series will love this installment as well. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store is by James McBride. A powerful historical fiction novel set in rural Pennsylvania. When workers digging a well find a skeleton, secrets from the past emerge. Chicken Hill is near Pottstown; it has always been a lower income part of town inhabited mainly by African Americans and immigrant Jews. Moshe and Shona live there and run a grocery store that serves all of the community equally. When the state comes looking to institutionalize a young deaf black boy, Moshe and Shona help to hide him. This sets off a terrible chain of events. A powerful heart-wrenching story of the power of friendship, love, and resilience.

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

There There

There There is by Tommy Orange. A strange and shattering realistic fiction novel. The novel follows 12 Native American characters, each from their own point of view and perspective, as they travel to the Big Oakland Powwow. You get insights into all of the characters and what has brought them to the event and the horrifying shooting that occurs there and its aftermath. This book slips back and forth in time and between characters' voices - it is not always easy to follow and with 12 characters it is sometimes a challenge to remember who each of them are and how they are related to each other. 

Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).  

The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure

The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure is by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt. A nonfiction look at what has gone wrong on college campuses. The book discusses what has happened, why it has happened, and what can be done to reverse the damage. While I don't agree with all of the points the authors make, the book does make you think - and there is a lot to think about. 

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10. 

The Future of Work: Compulsory

The Future of Work: Compulsory is by Martha Wells. A brief prequel to the science fiction Murderbot series. No one knows Murderbot has fried its governor module, but when a miner is in danger after a pointless argument, Murderbot must decide whether to continue watching The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon or risk giving itself away by saving the miner instead of obeying orders. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10. 

Starter Villain

Starter Villain is by John Scalzi. A bizarre science fiction tale with super villains and intelligent cats.  Charlie is a divorced substitute teacher barely making it. He is living in the house his father left him in trust when he died and his two step-siblings, who are also part of the trust, are desperate to get Charlie to agree to let them sell the house. If he can't get his life together, they just might get their wish. Then his uncle dies, a rich uncle he hasn't seen since he was a child, and leaves Charlie control of his super villain empire - complete with a volcano lair, talking cats with enhanced intelligence, a giant laser death ray, talking dolphins who want to unionize, and a super-secret multinational collection of villains who want him dead. So what can possibly go wrong? Scalzi is a delight! The twist at the end is typical of his wonderfully weird mind. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Death in the Dark Woods

Death in the Dark Woods is by Annelise Ryan. The second book in the realistic fiction Monster Hunter mystery series. When a hunter and a fisherman are killed in the woods by what appears to be a Bigfoot, the local game warden asks for Morgan's help. Morgan and Newt travel to a Bayfield County, Wisconsin to see if Bigfoot is real, or if there is a murderer on the loose. This installment was every bit as fun as the last one and watching the relationship between Morgan and Jon develop is sweet. 

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

Still Life

Still Life is by Louis Penny. The first in the realistic fiction Chief Inspector Gamache mystery series. When an elderly woman is killed in the woods in a small town in Canada, it is thought she was mistakenly shot by a hunter. Inspector Gamache, however, suspects it was murder. But everyone seems to have loved Jane Neal, so who would have killed her and why? Mystery lovers will enjoy this series very much. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Winters in the World: A Journey Through the Anglo-Saxon Year

Winters in the World: A Journey Through the Anglo-Saxon Year is by Eleanor Parker. A wonderfully interesting nonfiction look at Anglo-Saxon England. The book takes you through the Anglo-Saxon year using poetry, historical sources, literature, and religious observances. For anyone interested in Anglo-Saxon England this book is a must read. It is informative, yet easy to read and comprehend. Be warned it will increase your TBR with Anglo-Saxon poetry and literary references. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Howard's End

Howard's End is by E.M. Forster. Forster's historical fiction classic tale of class and social conventions. This is the story of two families that intertwine as time passes. It details death, marriage, engagements made and broken, societal conventions flaunted - it is also the tale of a house. Howard's End itself is a character in this classic book. This is a challenging read, but well worth the effort. The language is stunning and the ending is heartwarming. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Lemesurier Inheritance

The Lemesurier Inheritance is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Poirot must determine if a family curse is real or an excuse for murder. Christie fans will enjoy this selection. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Double Clue

The Double Clue is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Medieval jewelry is stolen from a safe after a party and Poirot must unmask the thief. Christie fans will enjoy this selection. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Cornish Mystery

The Cornish Mystery is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. When a murder at a Cornish lodge stumps the police, Poirot must solve the mystery. Christie fans will enjoy this selection. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Lost Mine

The Lost Mine is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Poirot tells a story of how he was rewarded shares in a mine for solving a mystery. Christie fans will enjoy this selection. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Adventure of the Clapham Cook

The Adventure of the Clapham Cook is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Poirot is stunned when he is asked to help locate a missing cook, and yet there is more to the disappearance than meets the eye - as Poirot soon discovers. Christie fans will enjoy this selection. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Submarine Plans

The Submarine Plans is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Important submarine plans have been stolen from an aspiring Prime Minister. Only Poirot can find the plans and solve the mystery. Christie fans will enjoy this selection. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Case of the Missing Will

The Case of the Missing Will is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Miss Violet Marsh's uncle has died and left a strange will. She comes to Poirot to help her solve the riddle her Uncle left for her. Christie fans will enjoy this selection. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman

The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Poirot must solve the death of an Italian nobleman. Christie fans will enjoy this selection. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Market Basing Mystery

The Market Basing Mystery is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. A landowner is dead and it seems to be suicide, yet Poirot suspects murder. Christie fans will enjoy this selection. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Adventure of Johnny Waverley

The Adventure of Johnny Waverley is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Poirot is called on to solve the kidnapping of a young boy, taken from his home while both the police and Poirot were present. Christie fans will enjoy this selection. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Case of the Veiled Lady

The Case of the Veiled Lady is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Poirot is approached by a veiled lady who is being blackmailed and needs Poirot's help to recover some letters before they can be shown to her fiancé. But is the lady all she seems? Christie fans will enjoy this selection. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb

The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Poirot is contacted by the widow of a dead archeologist to decipher the curse of Men-her-Ra. Can even the great Poirot stand up against an ancient curse? Christie fans will be delighted. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Aunty Lee's Delights

Aunty Lee's Delights is by Ovidia Yu. The first in the realistic fiction Singaporean mystery series. Aunty Lee runs a restaurant and her step-son has asked her to cater his wine tastings - as he is trying to push his business as a wine merchant. When two of the guests don't show, and are then found dead in bags on the beach, Aunty Lee decides to assist the police in finding the killers. A charming series cozy mystery fans will love. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content). 

On the Fringe

On the Fringe is edited by Donald R. Gallo. A realistic fiction collection of short stories by a variety of YA authors. Each story is about a teen "on the fringe," the outsider in their high school. Some of the stories are very good, others push agendas - but all are thought provoking. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 4 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content). 

The Chocolate Box

The Chocolate Box is by Agatha Christie. A historical fiction short story mystery by the master of Golden Age Detective fiction. Poirot tells Hasting's a case he failed to solve, or did he? In his days as a Belgian policeman, a young woman asks him to help her prove an important member of the government was murdered. The clue: a box of chocolates. Christie fans will not be disappointed. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge

The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge is by Agatha Christie. A historical fiction short story mystery by the master of Golden Age Detective fiction. Poirot is sick with the flu, so when a man is murdered and Japp requests his aid, he sends Hasting's to gather information and report to him. Christie fans will not be disappointed. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10.