The Interpretation of Fairy Tales

The Interpretation of Fairy Tales is by Marie-Louise von Franz. A fascinating nonfiction work on how fairy tales can be interpreted using Jung's theories. 

Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10. 

A Nature Poem for Every Night of the Year

A Nature Poem for Every Night of the Year is edited by Jane McMorland Hunter. A charming book of well selected poetry for every day for the year. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The House with a Clock in the Wall

The House with a Clock in the Wall is by John Bellairs. The first book in the fantasy Lewis Barnavelt series. Lewis's parents have been killed in a car accident and he is sent to live with his Uncle Jonathan in an old mansion. Once he arrives, Lewis discovers that both his uncle and the woman who lives next door are both magicians, As Lewis tries to find a friend his age in his new town, he raises a dead magician on Halloween who threatens his new family. Fans of Harry Potter might enjoy this series. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Bones of the Holy

The Bones of the Holy is by Jennifer Allison. The fifth book in the Gilda Joyce fantasy mystery series. Gilda's mom takes a weekend trip to Florida and comes back with a fiancée. Gilda and her mom fly down to St. Augustine, Florida for the whirlwind wedding, and Gilda discovers the house her mother's fiancée lives in is haunted by a woman in a white wedding dress. Is the ghost trying to tell Gilda something about Eugene before the wedding? Fans of the series will enjoy this installment. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10. 

A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year

A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year is edited by Jane McMorland Hunter. A beautiful and well edited selection of magnificent poetry. Perfect to read one poem each day. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Finding Baba Yaga

Finding Baba Yaga is by Jane Yolen. A charming fantasy novella based on the Baba Yaga of Russian fairy tale fame. A fiction in verse tale of a young girl with a controlling father and a weak mother. Natasha runs away and ultimately finds herself in the home of Baba Yaga, the legendary witch, which moves about on chicken feet. Natasha finds a home, a friend, and her own voice. 

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Murder Must Advertise

Murder Must Advertise is by Dorothy L. Sayers. The tenth book in the historical fiction Lord Peter Wimsey mystery series. Lord Peter takes a job undercover at an advertising agency to discover if the death of a copy writer was murder; only to find himself in the middle of a much more sinister drug running scheme. This installment did seem to have some passages that could have been edited out, but overall fans will not be disappointed. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10. 

Unnatural Death

Unnatural Death is by Dorothy L. Sayers. The third book in the historical fiction Lord Peter Wimsey mystery series. Lord Peter overhears a doctor at a restaurant making a random comment and decides a murder has been committed, perhaps the perfect murder, and he is going to solve it. Fans of the series will enjoy this installment. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Clouds of Witness

Clouds of Witness is by Dorothy L. Sayers. The second installment in the historical fiction Lord Peter Wimsey mystery series. While returning from a vacation in Corsica, Lord Peter discovers from the newspaper that his brother, the Duke of Denver, has been arrested for the murder of his sister's fiancé. Determined to clear his brother's name, Lord Peter rushes home, only to find neither his brother nor his sister will tell the truth about the incident. Fans of the series will enjoy this addition. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10. 

Whose Body?

Whose Body? is by Dorothy L. Sayers. The first novel in the historical fiction Lord Peter Wimsey mystery series. Set in England after WWI, Lord Peter Wimsey is the second son of the Duke of Denver, a post currently held by his older brother, as his father is dead. Peter enjoys collecting rare books, good food and drink, and solving "perplexing problems." When a dead body, wearing nothing but a pince-nez, is found in the home of an architect named Thipps, Lord Peter, with the help of his trusty servant Bunter, decide to discover the identity of the corpse, as well as who killed him. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Othello

Othello is by William Shakespeare. The classic drama by the master of human nature. Othello is a Moor who has been hired as a mercenary by the city-state of Venice to defend them against an invasion by the Turks. He elopes with the white daughter of a Venetian noble, yet the Doge sides with Othello because Venice needs him to defend them from the Turks. He and his wife Desdemona, her maid Emelia and Emelia's husband Iago head to Cyprus at the request of the Doge. Iago is also Othello's standard bearer and hates Othello. He decides to instigate a plan to destroy the Moor, and everyone near him. A classic tale of revenge, love, and jealousy. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Sweetbitter

Sweetbitter is by Stephanie Danler. A brutal work of realistic fiction. This is the story of a young woman who leaves home and goes to New York City, where she gets a job working front of house in a famous downtown restaurant. As she gets to know her co-workers, she must also learn to navigate the high-speed world of restaurant service. This is a depressing tale of a young woman's search for her own identity in a big city filled with drugs, liquor, sex, and bitterness. Not a life I would wish on my worst enemy. This novel is depressing, sad, and unfortunately too demonstrative of the pointless, nihilistic, lives lived by so many young people today as they search for meaning and purpose. Well-written, but sad. 

Ratings: Adult - 5 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

The Word is Murder

The Word is Murder is by Anthony Horowitz. The first book in the realistic fiction Detective Hawthorne mystery series. A fast paced, but very differently written detective novel. Horowitz plays himself, the real-life author, who is contacted by a fictional ex-policeman with whom he used to work on a television show he wrote for. Hawthorne is called in as a consultant on challenging cases, and he has decided he wants Horowitz to write the story of his current case. A middle aged woman walks into a funeral parlor and plans her own funeral, and is found strangled six hours later. Hawthorne is called in to work the case and Horowitz finds himself along for the ride. A completely unique take on detective novels. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence). 

84, Charing Cross Road

84, Charing Cross Road is by Helene Hanff. A charming nonfiction classic novella that book lovers won't be able to resist. This small novella contains twenty years of correspondence from Helene Hanff in New York and the staff of a small used book store in England. Although they never met, these letters document a touching an beautiful friendship. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

An American Sunrise

An American Sunrise is by Joy Harjo. A wonderful book of poetry from America's Poet Laureate. Harjo is a Native American poet who is able to write both powerful and easily understood poetry. A must read for poetry lovers. If you can, get the audiobook version, Harjo reads it herself. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity). 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder is by Joanne Fluke. The first installment in the realistic fiction mystery Hannah Swensen series. Hannah owns a bakery in Lake Eden, Minnesota. When her dairy delivery is late, she steps out into the alley and sees the delivery truck. She wanders down to see what the problem is and finds the delivery driver shot to death with one of her cookies still in his hand. Hannah then decides she must find the murderer. This book is a charming cozy mystery complete with delicious cookie recipes. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10.  

The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet

The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet is by Becky Chambers. The first book in the science fiction Wayfarer series. Rosemary Harper joins a motley crew of humans and aliens aboard a ship that tunnels wormholes through space. They believe they have landed the job of a lifetime, only to discover it may not be all they had hoped, and just getting to the job site may cost them their lives. 

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

A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe

A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe is by Alex White. The first book in the science fiction Salvagers series. Nilah is a famous racer on the circuit on her way to a championship cup. In the middle of a race, she witnesses the murder of a fellow driver and finds herself involved in a scheme to rule the galaxy. She joins up with a motley crew of salvagers on the hunt for the greatest warship ever built. Is the ship a legend? Is it lost forever? Who wants to make sure it is never found? A fast paced space romp that all science fictions lovers will enjoy. 

Ratings: 11the grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence). 

The Glass Hotel

The Glass Hotel is by Emily St. John Mandel. A strange, yet compelling, realistic fiction novel. Vincent is a young bartender at a resort hotel, her brother is a janitor at the same hotel. One night she meets Jonathan Alkaitis, a rich financier, and her life changes forever. This book is built around a Madoff-like Ponzi scheme whose fall affects all of the characters in the book. This book is nothing like Station Eleven, so if you go in with that understanding you will appreciate it much more. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).  

Wonton Terror

Wonton Terror is by Vivien Chien. The fourth book in the realistic fiction mystery Noodle Shop series. Lana and her family are branching out; they are now running a food truck stand at various street markets around the city. At one weekly festival she discovers old family friends are now running their own food truck. At the end of the night, their food truck explodes and Lana can't resist the urge to solve the crime herself - again. She must also deal with her aunt who has come for a visit and is constantly feuding with her mother. Fans of the series will enjoy this installment. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10. 

Ink & Bone

Ink & Bone is by Rachel Caine. The first book in the fantasy Great Library series. The Library now controls all information, owning books is forbidden and smuggling them is punishable by death. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver digital copies of books to "blanks," while the Library keeps all originals. Jess is the son of the most famous book smuggler in London, his father pays to buy him a place in the Library so he can use his position to smuggle books. Jess becomes a Postulate, and discovers that the Library is not all they have been taught. He and his friends, along with their teacher, are at risk of losing everything, including their lives. 

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

The Bat

The Bat is by Jo Nesbo. The first in the mystery realistic fiction Harry Hole series. Harry Hole is an Inspector for the Oslo Crime Squad. He is dispatched to Australia to assist the local police in finding the killer of a Norwegian woman who was found raped and strangled. Harry befriends one of the detectives and they begin to see a pattern; they may have a serial killer on their hands. A dark and depressing series with a strange cast and no end to the plot twists. 

Ratings: Adult - 3 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence). 

Rainbow in the Mist

Rainbow in the Mist is by Phyllis A. Whitney. Another great mystery realistic fiction novel from the master. Christy Loren has a "gift," she can touch an object and see visions about the person who possessed it. She has guided the police to the bodies of several murder victims, but her ability has taken a personal toll and she just wants to rest. She goes to visit her aunt in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains only to find herself trying to locate a missing woman. Can she find Deirdre and aid her tormented husband and son, or will she again arrive too late? 

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Enemy of All Mankind: A True Story of Piracy, Power, & History's First Global Manhunt

The Enemy of All Mankind: A True Story of Piracy, Power, & History's First Global Manhunt. An interesting nonfiction tale of piracy and global politics. Henry Every joined the British Navy, took part in a mutiny, stole the fastest ship available, and sailed for the Indian Ocean to begin a career as a pirate. When he takes a treasure ship belonging to the Grand Mughal and commits horrid atrocities with the women they find on board, the East India Company and the English Crown begin the first global manhunt to bring him in. 

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

The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit

The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit is by Michael Finkel. A stirring biography of a man who doesn't fit into the modern world and how he tried to escape it. The residents of rural Maine have been dealing with a series of mysterious break-ins at their lakeside cabins for two decades. No valuables are taken, just food, batteries, books, back packs, sleeping bags, and assorted clothing. In 2013, a forty-year-old man is arrested at The Pine Tree Camp while he is stealing food. His name is Christopher Knight and he walked into the woods in 1986 and disappeared. Now as his strange story comes out, no one is sure what to do with him. He won't talk to anyone except a journalist who has won his grudging trust. A fascinating tale of a man who just wants to live his own life. 

Ratings: 8 out of 10 - P (profanity). 

The Lost Book of the Grail

The Lost Book of the Grail is by Charlie Lovett. A magnificent combination of realistic and historical fiction. Arthur Prescott teaches English at the University of Barchester in England; he is also hunting for the Holy Grail which his grandfather has led him to believe is in Barchester, not Glastonbury as legend has it. He hopes to find the key to his mystery in the medieval library in the local cathedral, but he must locate the missing Book of Ewolda which tells the story of the cathedral's founder, Saint Ewolda. Then an American shows up to digitize the library and Arthur decides to thwart her efforts until he discovers she is a kindred spirit and might be able to help him find the Grail. A booklover's dream and a wonderful story. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity). 

Foxglove Summer

Foxglove Summer is by Ben Aaronovitch. The fifth book in the fantasy Rivers of London series. Two young girls are missing in the English countryside, Peter Grant is sent out to make sure there are no "magical" problems with the case. Initially he doesn't see anything suspicious, but decides to stay and help with the search. As the search continues, Peter discovers there might be a supernatural element to the case after all, and with the help of Beverly Brook, a river goddess, he tries to find the girls and return them unharmed to their parents, but is he running out of time? Fans of the series will enjoy this installment. 

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

Homegoing

Homegoing is by Yaa Gyasi. An epic historical fiction multi-cultural journey spanning eight generations. Two half-sisters are born in Ghana in the 1700s in two different villages; they are completely unaware of each other. One marries a white slaver and moves to Cape Coast Castle never knowing her half-sister is below in the dungeon waiting to be sold as a slave in America. This magnificent story traces the story of their family down eight generations from tribal conflict to the founding of modern Ghana; from the plantations in the American South, to the Civil War, to the Jazz Age in Harlem, up to the modern day. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).    

The Deep

The Deep by Alma Katsu. A totally creepy historical fantasy set on both the Titanic and her sister ship the Britannic. Two maids from the Titanic, who survived the sinking, find themselves serving on the Britannic as nurses during WWI. Both served as maids in the first class section on the Titanic; Annie remembers many mysterious happenings in first class before the sinking. Now on the Britannic she meets another survivor from the Titanic, now a soldier injured in the war. Will the curse of the Titanic follow them onto her sister ship? A thoroughly enchanting ghost story, based on the historical sinking of both the Titanic and the Britannic during the early 1900s. Katsu weaves both fictional and historic characters into her story. 

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

The Starless Sea

The Starless Sea is by Erin Morgenstern. Another amazing fantasy from the author of The Night Circus. Zachary Ezra Rawlins finds a mysterious book in the library at his college; as he reads the book he discovers one of the stories in the book is about himself. Confused, he sets out to discover who wrote the book and why it contains a story from his childhood. He finds mysterious clues (a bee, a key, and a sword) that lead him to a fancy dress party in New Your City, a secret club, and a doorway which leads to an ancient library beneath the earth. Zachary's story is interspersed with other stories from various books he reads, which also link to Zachary's adventures. Fans of The Night Circus will not be disappointed. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

The Revenge of Seven

The Revenge of Seven is by Pittacus Lore. The fifth book in the science fiction Lorien Legacies series. Five has betrayed the Garde, Eight is dead, and Seven wants revenge. John is near Washington, D.C. trying to rally factions within the government to defy the Mogs. Six, Nine, and Marina work their way through the Everglades after the horrible betrayal by Five. Meanwhile, Ella, who has been captured by the Mogs makes discoveries of her own. Fans of the series will enjoy this installment. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Fall of Five

The Fall of Five is by Pittacus Lore. The fourth book in the science fiction Lorien Legacies series. The members of the Garde are hiding out at Nine's penthouse in Chicago. When they receive a signal from Five, the last remaining member of the Garde, they head out to find him/her and bring them to Chicago. But is it all a trap, and could one among them be a traitor? Fans of the series will enjoy this book.

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10. 

Broken Homes

Broken Homes is by Ben Aaronvitch. The third installment in the fantasy Rivers of London series. Peter Grant and the other officers at the Folly are still hot on the trail of the Faceless Man. When a mutilated body turns up, a city planner mysteriously jumps in front of a tube train, and a famous stolen grimoire appears, Peter decides all the cases may be connected to some very odd happenings at a housing estate. Fans of the series will enjoy this book.

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

Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band

Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band is by Christian Staelber. An amazing graphic novel multi-cultural biography of the band Redbone, most famous for their hit "Come and Get Your Love." Redbone was the first all Native American rock band in America; this is the story of their rise to success. The art is beautifully done. 

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

The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu

The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu is Sax Rohmer. The first in the classic historical fiction multi-cultural Dr. Fu Manchu series. Dr. Petrie is drawn by his friend Nayland Smith into the hunt for the evil Dr. Fu Manchu, a doctor/scientist from China who is responsible for the numerous murders in London, as well as in other countries. As the pair gets closer to proving Fu Manchu's crimes, they also find their lives at risk. These classic books are a fun and enjoyable read. 

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

Wicked Charms

Wicked Charms is by Janet Evanovich. The third book in the fantasy Lizzy and Diesel series. Diesel has reappeared in Lizzy's life, this time he needs her help to find the Stone of Avarice, which is buried with a pirate treasure. Only they're not the only ones looking for the stone or the treasure. A tale of minions, monkeys, and the usual mayhem; fans of the series will enjoy this installment. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 -  P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI is by David Grann. A fantastic multi cultural nonfiction read about a crime very few people have ever heard about. In the 1920s, the Osage tribe were some of the wealthiest Americans in the country. Oil had been found on their Oklahoma reservation and the money was pouring in; then they started to be found dead, some by poison, others just murdered. Grann relates the facts of the cases, the stories of those involved, the founding of the FBI who was sent to solve the cases, and the conspiracy that should have shocked the nation; then he reveals discoveries he made while researching the book. This book is a must read for history lovers and lovers of true crime. 

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

The Autobiography of Malcolm X as Told to Alex Haley

The Autobiography of Malcolm X as Told to Alex Haley is by Malcolm X and Alex Haley. An interesting, poignant, and classic autobiography of a man few know much about. His death was overshadowed in some ways by the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., his more well known contemporary. Haley paints an objective picture of Malcolm X, his faults and his good qualities. It is clear Haley liked Malcolm. An excellent read for a look at racial relations in the 20th century. 

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

Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story

Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story is by Leonie Swann. A absolutely charming fantasy novel that is also a mystery. In the Irish village of Glennkill there is a shepherd named George and his beloved flock of sheep. When George is found murdered, pinned to the ground with a spade, his flock decides it is their duty to discover who killed him, so justice can be done. This novel is delightfully funny and also gives some great insight into human nature as seen and understood by sheep. Lovers of magical realism, mystery, and humor will love this book.

Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity). 

Space Opera

Space Opera is by Catherynne M. Valente. A amusing science fiction tale. Imagine if Douglas Adams and David Bowie had a love child. After the Sentience Wars, the species of the galaxy decide to hold a contest, a gladiatorial music contest. All new species must send a representative musical group to prove their sentience. They must place somewhere other than last place or their entire world will be destroyed; and guess who was just contacted and must prove their deservedness to exist? Now the aliens have chosen glam-rock-has-beens Decibel Jones and the Absolute Zeros to represent Earth - we're doomed - or are we? Incredibly funny and philosophical at the same time. A thoroughly enjoyable read.  

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

The Half Has Not Been Told: Slavery & the Making of American Capitalism

The Half Has Not Been Told: Slavery & the Making of American Capitalism is by Edward P. Baptist. An interesting nonfiction look at slavery, King Cotton, and how slavery was the driving force behind the American economy even in non-slave states. The book is well researched and thought provoking. 

Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

The Switch

The Switch is by Beth O'Leary. A poignant and funny realistic fiction novel. Leena has a high-powered job in London. Her grandmother Eileen lives in a small town in Yorkshire. Leena's beloved sister has died of cancer and her grandfather left Eileen and ran off with a dance instructor. Leena is having panic attacks and just blew a huge presentation at her job. When he boss forces her to take a two month sabbatical, she decides to switch places with her grandmother, who is looking for a new man in her life. They switch cell phones and homes and of course, hijinks ensue. Both Leena and Eileen find what they were looking for, just not where they expected to find it. This is a charming novel. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother is by James McBride. The classic multi-cultural autobiography of one man's tribute to his amazing mother. James McBride is one of 12 children born to a white mother, who married two different black men in the 1930s. When he finally persuades his elderly mother to tell her story he discovers she was the white daughter of a Jewish rabbi who was born in Poland, came to America, and then fled her family to live in New York where she married a black minister. Upon his death, she married another black man and lived in the Red Hook, New Jersey projects where she raised her 12 mixed race children. This is a Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. A fantastic book about a remarkable woman. 

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

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe

Midnight at the Blackbird Café is by Heather Webber. A wonderful realistic fiction book with more than a hint of magical realism. Anna Kate returns to the small town of Wicklow, Alabama after the death of her grandmother who owned the local café. She intends to bury her grandmother, sell the café, and head back to Boson to start medical school. However her grandmother's will states she must remain and run the café for two months before she can sell it. The café is known for its mysterious blackbird pie which allows those who eat it to receive messages from the dead; sung to them in their dreams by the blackbirds who nest in the mulberry trees out back. Only the women of the Callow family can bake these pies. A charming book of family secrets, forgiveness, and learning to follow your heart. 

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

The Half-God of Rainfall

The Half-God of Rainfall is by Inua Ellams. A charming multi-cultural epic poem. Demi has a problem, when he is upset or cries rivers burst their banks and floods happen. Then he discovers basketball and even the gods take note. Modupe, his mother, realizes that eventual the gods will tire of him, and she must decide what she will be willing to do to protect her son. A wonderful mix of Greek and Nigerian mythology, all in one beautiful poem. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Chasing Chopin: A Musical Journey Across Three Centuries, Four Countries, & a Half-Dozen Revolutions

Chasing Chopin: A Musical Journey Across Three Centuries, Four Countries, & a Half-Dozen Revolutions is by Annik LaFarge. A wonderful biography of the famous composer and his beloved Funeral March. The book follows the three years it took him to write the piece and follows his life, illness, love affair with novelist George Sand, and his death. This is a marvelous book for lovers of classical music, and even has a website with performances of the music discussed in the book. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Us Against You

Us Against You is by Fredrik Backman. The sequel to the realistic fiction Beartown. This novel picks up where Beartown leaves off. As the rape in the first novel has split the team, so it has split the town. The star players and coaches have left Beartown to play in Hed. It begins to look as if Beartown will lose hockey forever, then a politician with his own agenda steps in to save the team. He brings in a new coach and a new sponsor, but will it be enough to save Beartown hockey? Fans of the first book, will love this sequel. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

A Passage to India

A Passage to India is by E.M. Forster. A classic multi-cultural historical fiction tale of colonial India. When an Indian doctor takes a young English woman and her soon-to-be mother-in-law to tour some caves, he loses her for a short time. He believes she has found her way back and when he returns home, he is shocked to find himself under arrest. She has accused him of an ambiguous assault on her person. The British and Indians find themselves embroiled in a contentious trial that demonstrates the hatred and distrust the two sides have for each other. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content). 

Frida Kahlo: An Illustrated Life

Frida Kahlo: An Illustrated Life is by Achy Obejas. A wonderful biography told in graphic novel format. Frida Kahlo was an amazing artist with a sad, yet productive life. This book tells her story in graphic novel format, reworking some of her most famous paintings. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content). 

Peace Talks

Peace Talks is by Jim Butcher. The sixteenth book in the fantasy Dresden Files series. Harry is caught between a rock and a hard place, what else is new? He is the Winter Knight and also a Warden of the High Council and is trusted by exactly, no one. When the Supernatural powers decide to meet to end ongoing hostilities, Harry must attend and make sure things go as planned - but they don't and as usual Harry must make choices that will not make him popular with anyone. Fans of the series will love this installment and hate waiting for the next one. 

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

Black Boy

Black Boy is by Richard Wright. The classic autobiography of racial inequality in both the South and the North. Wright documents, in his own beautiful style, his birth and childhood in the South and his migration North to find a better life, only to discover that race is still a problem even in the North. He documents his involvement with the Communist Party and the circumstances that led to his ouster from it. A class story of racism in America that everyone should read.

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

Pandora Gets Frightened

Pandora Gets Frightened is by Carolyn Hennesy. The final installment in the fantasy Pandora series. Pandy and her friends must travel to the Underworld to find and capture the final of the great evils she loosed on the world, Fear. Hera is determined to stop her, can Pandy and her friends defeat the Queen of the Gods before her time limit is up? Fans of the series will enjoy its conclusion. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10. 

Auntie Poldi and the Handsome Antonio

Auntie Poldi and the Handsome Antonio is by Mario Giordano. The third in the realistic fiction mystery Auntie Poldi series. Auntie Poldi's Tanzanian husband shows up unexpectedly looking for his brother who has disappeared. John worries that Thomas has stolen something very valuable and is being hunted by the Tanzanian equivalent of the mafia. All he has of his brother's is a slip of paper with a phone number and a name "handsome Antonio." Will Auntie Poldi be able to solve this mystery with the help of Chief Inspector Montana and her friends and family? Fans of the series will thoroughly enjoy this installment. 

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

From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, & Finding Home

From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, & Finding Home is by Tembi Locke. A charming and heart-rending multi-cultural autobiographical memoir. Tembi Locke met the love of her life while studying in Italy. Saro is a chef from Sicily who is willing to move to the United States to be with his new bride. Tembi is heartbroken when she discovers her new in laws don't want anything to do with her or Saro because she is black. Then Saro is diagnosed with cancer and dies. Tembi and their adopted daughter take his body home to Sicily and against all odds a strong bond forms between Tembi and her mother-in-law. This is a story of loss and the power of love and family ties. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity). 

The House in the Cerulean Sea

The House in the Cerulean Sea is by T.J. Klune. A magnificent fantasy novel! Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He travels to orphanages where magical children live and determines if they are being treated well. When he is given a special assignment to go to a house with a collection of six very different children, his life is changed forever. The Master of the house, Arthur Parnassus, will do anything to keep these dangerous children safe, but he has secrets of his own. This magical story is a tale of love, loneliness, belonging, and the family we choose for ourselves. This book is wonderful! A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10 - AC (adult thematic content). 

Invisible Man

Invisible Man is by Ralph Ellison. The classic multi-cultural historical fiction novel of a young black man's transition from college to life in New York City. The unnamed narrator discovers his life is not going to turn out as he planned. He was raised in the South, attended a Negro college believing he would become a teacher there - only to find himself expelled. He believes he is sent to New York to find a job with letters of recommendation, only to find he has been deceived. He becomes the spokesman in Harlem for a radical group called "The Brotherhood," only to retreat into the darkness where he becomes the invisible man he believes himself to be. A strange, yet powerful novel of the African American experience. 

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

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West is by Dee Brown. The classic nonfiction story of the conquest of the American West from the perspective of Native American tribes. This is a story that needs to be told and heard by all races. It clearly portrays men as men, good and bad, on both sides. White, Native American, race doesn't matter we are all humans: the good, the bad, and everything in between. We must understand both sides of history to really comprehend the mistakes that were made and try to avoid them in the future. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content). 

Crazy Horse: A Life

Crazy Horse: A Life is by Larry McMurtry. A short, but informational, biography of Crazy Horse. Little is really known about this legendary Native American warrior, but McMurtry faithfully imparts what information is known with as little speculation as possible. A great introduction to Crazy Horse and biographies for younger readers. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 7 out of 10. 

War Dances

War Dances is by Sherman Alexie. A realistic fiction collection of poems and short stories by one of the most prolific Native American writers. Alexie has a way of weaving his Native American heritage into his work in a way that makes it relatable to all readers. His poetry is powerful and yet easy to understand. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Heart of Darkness and Selected Short Fiction

Heart of Darkness and Selected Short Fiction is by Joseph Conrad. The classic historical fiction novella is combined with three of Conrad's other powerful short stories in one volume. "Heart of Darkness" is the story of Marlow, a Brit who gets a job as a captain of a steamship in the Belgian Congo. He travels up the Congo to find a man called Kurtz, who is said to be both able and idealistic in his treatment of the "savages." What Marlow finds when he arrives at the station Kurtz controls shocks him to the core. This is a Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. It is a classic tale of the horrors of colonialism, one man's descent into madness, and another's failure to speak out about what he witnesses. The other short stories are also magnificently done and worth the time to read. Warning: there are racial slurs in this book that were in common usage at the time it was written. 

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

Black Elk Speaks

Black Elk Speaks is by John G. Neihardt. The classic biography of an Oglala Lakota holy man, who was related to Crazy Horse and survived the massacre at Wounded Knee. Neihardt, a poet, was seeking an interview with Native Americans who remembered the Messianic Movement of the late 1800s in order to complete his epic poem about the settling of the West. When he is introduced to Black Elk, the elderly man offers to tell him of a vision he had when he was nine that changed his life. The result is a beautifully written story of one man's vision, and a nation's destruction of its indigenous tribes. The text is lyrical and poignant. This is a must read classic for anyone interested in Native American history. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10.  

My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me: A Black Woman Discovers Her Family's Nazi Past

My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me: A Black Woman Discovers Her Family's Nazi Past is by Jennifer Teege. A painful memoir about families and the secrets they keep. At age 38, Jennifer Teege picks up a book in the library and recognizes her mother and grandmother in the photographs in the book. This is how she discovers that her mother, who gave her up for adoption, was the daughter of a Nazi war criminal, who was hanged for his crimes. Her beloved grandmother, who she remembers so fondly, was the mistress of the Butcher of Plaszow. This discovery throws her life into turmoil and sends her on a journey of discovery to come to terms with her family history and the truth she was never told, but now has to deal with. 

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

Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir

Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir is by Ruth Reichl. A charming nonfiction memoir by the former editor-in-chief of Gourmet Magazine - at one time America's premier food magazine. Reichl went from the New York Times to Gourmet at a time when Conde Nast ruled the magazine world. This memoir follows her life from the time she was hired until Gourmet went under. This book provides a window into the world of New York restaurants, food writing, and the magazine business. Her chapter covering 9/11 is worth the price of of book.

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Lies of Locke Lamora

The Lies of Locke Lamora is by Scott Lynch. The first book in the fantasy Gentleman Bastards series. Set in an amazingly well drawn world where ancient technology, magic, and alchemy combine, this action-packed fast paced novel will not fail to please. Locke Lamora is an orphan and a thief. Sold to the blind priest of the Thirteenth God, Locke joins the camaraderie of the Gentlemen Bastards, the fellowship of thieves who inhabit the temple of Perelandro. Locke grows to become a brilliant conman, who specializes in stealing from the rich of Camorr. But there is a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows who is more ambitious and deadly than anything Locke has ever faced. This book is filled with everything a fantasy lover could want: swords, magic, strange creatures, the fabulously rich set against the devastatingly poor. Fantasy lovers will race through this book to get to the next one. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence). 

Network Effect

Network Effect is by Martha Wells. The fifth installment and first full length novel in the science fiction Murderbot series. Fans of the novellas have eagerly awaited this book and they won't be disappointed. When his human friends are kidnapped and another "friend" from his past is involved, Murderbot steps in and saves the day - again. This novel contains everything you loved in the novellas, only more. Murderbot is the perfect antihero: he's sarcastic, unwilling to get involved, and yet loyal to those he cares about - even if he won't admit it. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Making of Rumours: The Inside Story of the Classic Fleetwood Mac Album

The Making of Rumours: The Inside Story of the Classic Fleetwood Mac Album is by Ken Caillat. "Rumours" has long been one of my favorite albums and this nonfiction memoir by the album's co-producer shed a great deal of light on the turbulence, pain, and wonder that went into this incredible record. Caillat is honest and is obviously not trying to "dish dirt." The story is a music fans joy from beginning to end. 

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

The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star

The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star is by Vaseem Khan. The third book in the Baby Ganesh realistic fiction mystery series. When the famous Bollywood star, and playboy, Vikram Verma disappears, Chopra is hired by the star's mother to locate him. The search will take Chopra and Ganesh into the heart of Bollywood, and will unearth secrets someone is desperate to keep hidden. Fans of the series will enjoy this installment as well. 

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

The Satapur Moonstone

The Satapur Moonstone is by Sujata Massey. The second book in the historical fiction Perveen Mistry mystery series. Set in 1922 India, Perveen is called on to negotiate a dispute between two Maharanis over the education of the new Maharaja who is only a child. As the Maharaja's grandmother and mother fight over his future, Perveen suspects the death of the previous Maharaja might not have been a hunting accident after all. Can she negotiate the desires of the two Maharanis and the British government and discover the truth of the former Maharaja's death? Fans of the first book will love this installment and long for the next book in this series. 

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

Convenience Store Woman

Convenience Store Woman is by Sayaka Murata. This is a multicultural realistic fiction gem of a novella. Keiko has spent her entire life working part time at a convenience store in Japan. Her family and co-workers are pressuring her to get married and start a family, but she is happy as she is. Can she live life her way and still satisfy everyone else's expectations, or should she even care what others think. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.  

The Fear Institute

The Fear Institute is by Jonathan L. Howard. The third book in the fantasy Johannes Cabal series. Johannes is approached by the Fear Institute to lead their expedition to the Dreamlands to seek the "Phobis Animus" the source of all fear. However, everything about the expedition is not as it seems and Johannes might not make it back from this little trip. Fans of the series will love this book.

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

Ninth House

Ninth House is by Leigh Bardugo. The first book in the fantasy Alex Stern series. Alex is the only survivor of a mass murder in a drug house. In the hospital she is approached by a man who offers her a scholarship to Yale. The catch, she is to become a part of one of the secret societies at the college, Lethe, which polices the magic practiced by the other societies to make sure they obey all the rules and keep their practices under wraps. Then her mentor disappears and a girl is murdered and Alex must discover if any of the societies are involved. You won't be able to wait for the next book in this series, and if you're planning on going to Yale - beware. :)

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

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires is by Grady Hendrix. Another fantasy horror masterpiece by Hendrix. A group of upper middle class white Southern women form a book club to read true crime novels. When African American children begin to die, the women suspect one of their neighbors is a vampire. Their husbands, however, don't believe them and they must decide if they can kill a vampire without aid. This book is creepy and wonderfully Southern at the same time. If you love horror, this is your book.

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

The Raven

The Raven is by Patrick Carman. The fourth book in the fantasy Skeleton Creek series. Ryan and Sarah are still following the trail of clues left by the Apostle. But the ghost of Old Joe Bush is still out there, and the Raven is still stalking Ryan. Can Ryan and Sarah solve the mystery before it's too late. Fans of the series will enjoy the book and the videos created to go along with the story. 

Ratings: 5th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Last Wish

The Last Wish is by Andrzej Sapkowski. The beginning of the fantasy Witcher series is a collection of short adventures which pre-date the first book of the series. Geralt is a Witcher, a person whose sole purpose is the hunt and kill the monsters who plague humanity. But is every being who is ugly evil? Fans of the video game will love the books.

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

Whispers Under Ground

Whispers Under Ground is by Ben Aaronovitch. The third book in the fantasy Rivers of London series. When a dead body is found in the underground station at Baker Street, stabbed with a piece of pottery which has a magical aura, Constable Peter Grant is called in to solve the case. To do so, he must head into the haunted depths of the largest subway system in the world. Fans of the series will love this installment. 

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

Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, & A Dream

Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, & A Dream is by H.G. Bissinger. A classic nonfiction exploration of Texas high school football. The Permian Panthers of Odessa, Texas, live for one thing - football. This is the story of the 1988 team and their quest for the State Championship. Bissinger looks at the team: it's members and coaches, and the town and its history and challenges. Having grown up in a small Texas town that still managed to seat over ten thousand in the high school football stadium, I related to this book in many ways. Anyone who lives in a town dominated by a sport of any kind will enjoy this book. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Hot Pterodactyl Boyfriend

Hot Pterodactyl Boyfriend is by Alan Cumyn. A very bizarre fantasy romance. Shiels rules Vista View High School, she is in charge of organizing everything at the school. One day a new student transfers into the school, he's hot and he's a teenage pterodactyl - that's right a human/pterodactyl hybrid. Where does he come from? No one knows. But once he arrives at the school Shiels finds her life turned upside down. This book is very strange, yet a fun read. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood

Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood is by Alexandra Fuller. Fuller's autobiography of her childhood in Africa with her eccentric parents. Fuller's family lived in various African nations over the years; they were involved in civil wars, under the rule of despots, and struggled with drought and famine. Yet, her family never lost their love for each other or their sense of humor. Fuller's story is powerful and unflinching. 

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

Unfreedom of the Press

Unfreedom of the Press is by Mark Levin. Another nonfiction masterpiece by Mark Levin. Levin researches the history of journalism in the country and how it has changed and the danger to our way of life if the press ceases to perform its constitutional function and becomes the weapon of a particular political party or ideology. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Rise of Nine

The Rise of Nine is by Pittacus Lore. The third book in the science fiction Lorien Legacies series. Four and Nine head west to look for Sarah and Sam. Six goes to Spain and meets Seven and Ten and they all head to India to find Eight. Can all of the Loriens get together in time to stop the Mogs from destroying them, as well as Earth? Fans of the series will enjoy this installment. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz is by Erik Larson. Another magnificent nonfiction work by the master of contemporary nonfiction. This is the story of Churchill's first year as Prime Minister. It follows his election, the creation of his cabinet, and the beginning of the Blitz. The book also gives us an inside look into Churchill's personal life and that of his family and friends, and other Brits of the time. Fans of Larson will not be disappointed by this book. Fans of Churchill will discover new tidbits about the man who, in the eyes of many, helped save the world from Hitler. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Help

The Help is by Kathryn Stockett. A wonderful historical fiction novel set in the South in the 1960s. This is the story of a group of African-American maids and the white families they work for. The story takes place in Jackson, Mississippi at the beginning of the Civil Rights movement. Aibileen, Minny, and several other maids decide to work with a white woman to tell their stories, despite the extreme danger these revelations could cause them in the South of the time. A poignant and moving story and examination of human nature and race relations. 

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

Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist is by Charles Dickens. The classic historical fiction story of an orphan boy in 19th century London. Oliver is born in a workhouse to a mother who dies shortly after his birth leaving him an orphan and few clues as to his family. He is raised in the horrendous orphanages of his day, apprenticed to a coffin maker, and after running away, finds himself in the company of the numerous thieves and pickpocket gangs that frequented London at the time. The story follows a miraculous set of events that lead to Oliver finding his true family and heritage. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read! One of Dickens' most poignant and powerful tales. 

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

The Wild Girl

The Wild Girl is by Kate Forsyth. A masterful work of historical fiction. Dortchen Wild and her family live across the street from the Grimm family. One of six sisters Dortchen's father is an apothecary, who does not approve of the poor Grimm family. Dortchen has loved Wilhelm Grimm all her life and tells him some of the stories he so loves to collect, even facing her father's disapproval. The story takes place in the small German kingdom of Hesse-Cassel before, during, and after the Napoleonic Wars. Forsyth draws from the true history of the Grimm brothers and the Wild's who lived next door. It does contain some very mature subject matter, as do the original Grimm fairy tales. Lovers of Grimm's fairy tales should read this book as well. 

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

Lost and Fondue

Lost and Fondue is by Avery Aames. The second book in the realistic fiction Cheese Shop Mystery series. When her friend Meredith asks Charlotte to help cater a fundraiser at a local mansion that Meredith is trying to turn into a college, Charlotte warily agrees. She has a lot on her plate. Her cousin/business partner's ex-wife has returned to town, her boyfriend wants to plan a trip to France, and a body has been found in the cellar of the mansion turned college. Charlotte can't resist the urge to solve another mystery, but this time she might have bitten off more than she can chew. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Bookish Wife of Nina Hill

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill is by Abbi Waxman. A charming realistic fiction comedy. Nina works in a bookstore and lives alone with her cat. Her mother never married her father and refuses to tell Nina who he was. One day a lawyer arrives to tell Nina her rich father has died and left her a portion in his will. He also tells Nina she has a very large eccentric family. Nina must decide if she wants to be a part of a family who may not want her, and what she received from her father and what she wants to do with it. She also has to decide what to do with her trivia team nemesis with whom she is smitten. This is a delightfully funny romantic comedy. 

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

Collected Verse of Edgar A. Guest

Collected Verse of Edgar A. Guest is by Edgar A. Guest. A book of collected poems by one of my favorite poets. Some find his poetry kitschy, but I have always found it redolent of typical Americana. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.  

Behemoth

Behemoth is by Scott Westerfeld. The second book in the steam punk science fiction Leviathan series. The airship Alek and Deryn are on reaches Istanbul, where the eggs it is carrying are meant for the sultan. Once there Alek manages to escape and join a band of rebels who are fighting the Germans. Deryn, who everyone still believes to be a boy, is charged to head up a secret mission. When everything goes south, they both find themselves hunted by their enemies. Fans of the series will enjoy this installment. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Everything I Never Told You

Everything I Never Told You is by Celeste Ng. A magnificent realistic fiction novel. Lydia's father is Chinese, her mother is white; not a common sight in 1977 Ohio. When Lydia is found dead one morning, her family must struggle with the reason for her death and come to terms with issues the family has long ignored. A tragic tale of a family who really doesn't understand one another at all, but will be brought together, or torn apart, by one tragic event. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

The Japanese Lover

The Japanese Lover is by Isabel Allende. A wonderful realistic fiction novel. The story begins when Alma Belasco is at the end of her life in an expensive care facility in San Francisco. Her new caregiver, Irina, and her grandson, Seth, set out to learn her history before it's too late. The saga weaves back and forth in time from Alma's tragic history as a Jewish child in Poland, to her trip to America, and her love for a Japanese gardener which will shape the entirety of her life. A beautifully written and moving tale of love and tragedy and how to overcome. 

Ratings: 11th grade - AC (mature thematic content). 

The Rook

The Rook is by Daniel O'Malley. The first book in the fantasy Rook Files series. Myfanwy Thomas awakes to find herself in a London park surrounded by dead bodies with no memory of who she is or how she got there. In her pocket she finds a letter from her former self giving her instructions on who she was and what she will need to do to survive. Myfanwy belongs to a secret organization called The Checquy and someone in the organization is trying to kill her. Only her former self doesn't tell her who, can Myfanwy unravel the mystery before it's too late? A wonderfully different and suspenseful thrill ride.

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (some mature thematic content).  

Moon Over Soho

Moon Over Soho is by Ben Aaronovitch. The second book in the fantasy Rivers of London series. Peter Grant, member of London's Magical Crime Unit, discovers that jazz musicians in Soho are being murdered by a mysterious creature. He and his mentor, Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, must hunt down the killer before it can kill again. But everything in Soho is not as it seems, and there is more going on than Peter originally suspects. Fans of the series will love this installment. 

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

Talon

Talon is by Julie Kagawa. The first book in the fantasy Talon series. Ember and her twin brother Dante are dragons. They belong to a secret group called Talon that seeks to preserve dragons and keep them from being discovered by humans. Ember and Dante are brought to California to practice integrating into human society like regular teenagers. Dragons of Talon are hunted by the Order of St. George, who have been seeking out and killing dragons for centuries. Garrett and his partner are sent to California to seek out the dragons believed to be hiding there and kill them. When Ember meets Riley, a rogue dragon who has left Talon, she begins to see that Talon is not everything she has been led to believe; and when she meets Garrett, they both have decisions to make that could change their lives forever - if they survive. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The September Society

The September Society is by Charles Finch. The second book in the historical fiction Charles Lenox mystery series. When the son of a society family vanishes without a trace from his room at Oxford, his mother Lady Annabelle seeks Charles' aid in finding him. The search leads him to a mysterious group called The September Society. What is this group? Did they kill the missing young man, and if so why? Fans of the series will thoroughly enjoy this installment. 

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

Sunburn

Sunburn is by Laura Lippman. A thrilling realistic fiction suspense novel. Polly has left her husband and child and is hiding out in a small town working for cash at a local bar. Adam is a private detective hired to find Polly, but he wasn't hired by her husband. As Adam gets to know Polly he begins to fall for her, but is anything about her real? Can he trust her at all, especially since he has his own secrets. A thrill ride to the very end. 

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

Landline

Landline is by Rainbow Rowell. A charming realistic fiction rom-com with a touch of magical realism. Georgie is a television writer, her husband Neal is a stay-at-home dad. Two days before they are to leave to spend Christmas with Neal's parents, Georgie tells Neal she can't go as she has to stay and work on a script that could be her big break. To her surprise, Neal and the kids leave anyway and she is left alone. Heartbroken and torn, she returns to her parent's house where she discovers that the landline in her old room allows her to speak to Neal at a time in the past before they were ever married. Can Georgie use this chance to work out their present issues before they are even married? Is there still a chance to work things out? A charming novel. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity). 

Vinegar Girl

Vinegar Girl is by Anne Tyler. A charming realistic fiction re-telling of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew". Kate lives with her scientist father and teenage sister Bunny. Their mother has died and Kate takes care of her father, who is completely consumed by his research, and her boy-crazy sister. She left college and works in a pre-school; even though she is not happy, she doesn't really seem motivated to change things. Then her father's brilliant research assistant discovers his visa is up and he will have to leave the country. Kate's father decides to solve this problem by having him marry Kate, so he can stay. Hijinks ensue! This book is funny and moving. People aren't always as they seem. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Library Book

The Library Book is by Susan Orlean. A wonderful nonfiction book. In 1986 the Los Angeles Central Public Library burned. The fire lasted seven hours and destroyed over 400,000 books and damaged 700,000 more, many other items on microfilm, pictures, rare, and historic items, etc. were lost forever and can never be replaced. A young man was arrested, but was never brought to trial. Orlean traces the story of the fire itself, as well as the accused arsonist, but she also tackles the history of California libraries and the changes the modern world has brought to libraries in general. If you have ever used a public library or wondered what librarians really do all day, this is the book for you. 

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

Crooked River

Crooked River is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, The 19th installment in the realistic fiction mystery Pendergast series. Pendergast and Constance are on vacation, until over a hundred severed feet encased in green shoes wash up on a remote Florida beach. Then he finds himself involved in a case that might lead to the highest levels of government. Fans of this series will not be disappointed. 

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence). 

Idaho

Idaho is by Emily Ruskovich. A realistic fiction novel that is uplifting and sad at the same time. Anne and Wade live a rugged life on a mountain in Idaho. Anne used to teach music and Wade trains hunting dogs and makes knives. Wade is descending into dementia and as Anne tries to care for him and deal with his memory loss, she also tries to understand the truth about what happened to Wade's first wife Jenny and their two children. The book bounces back and forth in time, which is a struggle at times, but I found it quite enjoyable. 

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

Southern Cross the Dog

Southern Cross the Dog is by Bill Cheng. A strange and compelling historical fiction multi-cultural novel. The young children and their families are caught in a great flood in 1927. Robert Chatham, and the two others, embark on an odyssey which leads them throughout the South of the late 1920s to the early 1940s. This book is a powerful look at what it was to be black and poor in the Deep South during the Great Depression. When Robert is brought back together with his two friends at the end of the novel, it is distressing and sad. 

Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence). 

Melmoth

Melmoth is by Sarah Perry. Another beautifully written realistic fiction novel by this author. Melmoth, the Witness is a mythical woman who wanders the Earth witnessing man's inhumanity to man. Helen Franklin lives in Prague, where she works as a translator. When a friend, Karel discovers documents that purportedly give historical accounts of Melmoth, he gives them to Helen and the result brings all of her guilt and fears to the fore where they must be dealt with. This novel is much creepier than The Essex Serpent, but just as beautifully written. It is a dramatic look at what guilt can do to a person unless it's dealt with. 

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

Whisper

Whisper is by Alyson Noel. The final installment in the fantasy novella Riley Bloom series. Riley is given her most challenging Soul Catch. She must travel to the Coliseum in Rome to lead an ancient gladiator over the bridge to the Here and Now. Other Soul Catchers have tried and have never returned; can Riley succeed or will this be her final mission? A charming ending to this series. 

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Dreamland

Dreamland is by Alyson Noel. The third novella in the fantasy Riley Bloom series. Riley decides she wants to go to Dreamland and contact her sister Ever in the real world. She wants advice on how she can prepare to be a real teen. But Dreamland, is not the happy place she imagines, and she finds herself trapped by a truly lost soul. Fans of the series will enjoy this book.

Ratings: 7th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The White Dragon

The White Dragon is by Anne McCaffery. The third book in the classic science fiction Pern series. Jaxom and his small dragon Ruth must prevent a dragon war on Pern when the Southerners steal a queen egg from Benden Weyr. We also learn more about Pern's past in this novel. Fans of the series will love this book.

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

Castle Roogna

Castle Roogna is by Piers Anthony. The third book in the classic fantasy Xanth series. Dor is given a quest by King Trent to go back in time 800 years and find the Zombie Master to receive a zombie restoration potion for the zombie Millie loves. Dor discovers much about himself and about the history of Xanth that surprises him. Fans of the series will enjoy this installment. 

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