Parnassus on Wheels

Parnassus on Wheels is by Christopher Morley. A book lovers historical fiction novella set in the early 1900s. Roger Mifflin roams the country in a traveling book wagon he has named Parnassus. His goal is to convince everyone he meets of the importance of reading. When he decides to sell Parnassus to Miss Helen McGill, who buys Parnassus to make sure her brother doesn't, rollicking good times result. Helen discovers a woman can have adventures of her own and that books really can change people's lives. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Conference of Birds

The Conference of Birds is retold by Peter Sis. This book is based on a 12th century work by Persian poet Farid Ud-Din Attar. Sis has taken the epic poem and reworked in a beautifully illustrated story. The poem is an allegorical tale of a group of birds who band together to seek their true king, Simorgh, who lives on a distant mountain. The text is compelling and the artwork is simply gorgeous. A wonderful book for reader's of all ages.

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10.

My Friend Dahmer

My Friend Dahmer is by Derf Backderf. Ok, this is creeeepy! A nonfiction graphic novel written by a high school classmate of serial killer, Jeffrey Dahmer. Backderf manages to make you feel pity for Dahmer, while never excusing his horrendous crimes. The graphics are extremely well done and give you a real feel for what is happening. You will walk away from this book asking the same question Backderf asks, "where were the adults"? If someone had paid attention, would Dahmer's victims still be alive?

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

One

One is by Sarah Crossan. Wow, just wow! This is a fiction-in-verse novel about two co-joined twins, Grace and Tippi. A moving piece of realistic fiction that gives the reader an inside look at what it means to be an individual, what it means to love, and what it means to face adversity in life. This book will make you laugh; it will make you cry; most of all, it will make you feel. A must-read for all young readers.

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

Rain, Four Walks in English Weather

Rain, Four Walks in English Weather is by Melissa Harrison. A magnificent little nonfiction work! This is Harrison's account of four different walks she took in various parts of England in the rain. The four essays are short, but beautifully and descriptively written. A great example of beautiful nature writing; it will make you want to book a flight to England and pray for rain.

Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10.

Bluebird Bluebird

Bluebird, Bluebird is by Attica Locke. Darren Matthews is an African American Texas Ranger. On suspension pending a grand jury decision, Darren is contacted by a friend at the FBI and asked to investigate two murders in a small town in East Texas. The bodies of a black man and a white woman have been found, and Darren must decide if race is a factor in the murders. But is anything in this case what it seems, can Darren solve the crimes and save himself in the process? An excellent work of multi-cultural crime fiction.

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

Yentl

Yentl is by Leah Napolin based on the short story by Isaac Bashevis Singer. This classic play is the story of a Jewish girl, Yentl, who wants to study the Torah, an activity forbidden to girls in Poland in the 1800s. After the death of her father, she sells everything, cuts her hair, disguises herself as a boy, and leaves town. She enrolls in school in a nearby town. There she falls in love with Avigdor, and decides to marry the girl he loves - because nothing can possibly go wrong with that.

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