Walden

Walden is by Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau's classic philosophical memoir of his time spent living in the woods near Walden Pond. He discusses reading, economics, nature, and his basic philosophy of life. A must read classic!

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Scorch Trials

The Scorch Trials is by James Dashner. The second book in The Maze Runner trilogy. Thomas and the other Gladers have made it out of the Maze. They think they are safe, but they are wrong. Now they discover they must face the Scorch Trials and must travel 100 miles across a wasteland filled with diseased Cranks and another group whose purpose is to kill Thomas. A worthy sequel! Lovers of The Hunger Games will love this set of books as well.You will find youself unable to wait to get the final book in the series.

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

The Chocolate War

The Chocolate War is by Robert Cormier. A must read classic for all young readers. This book is The Lord of the Flies set in a private school. When Jerry refuses to sell chocolates in the annual school fundraiser he not only runs afoul of Brother Leon, but of The Vigils, a secret group at the school. The results are tragic and make you realize afresh the dangers of the mob  mentality.

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

The Red Necklace

The Red Necklace is by Sally Gardner. The first book in duo set during the French Revolution. Yann, a young gypsy, falls in love with the daughter of a French nobleman. As the French Revolution breaks out Yann must save her from the Revolution and the evil Count Kalliovski who wants Sido for himself. Can he rescue Sido and get her to England where she will be safe?

Ratings: 8th grade - MP (mild profanity) - AC (some mature thematic content) - V (violence).

The Red Garden

The Red Garden is by Alice Hoffman. This novel is much like Hoffman's The Blackbird House in that it follows residents of the town of Blackwell, Massachusetts, from its founding to the modern era. The stories are moving, tragic, and satisfying. The characters are well done and so human. The book is filled with Hoffman's trademark magical realism and all fans of Hoffman will enjoy this book.

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

The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera is by Gaston Leroux. The timeless classic of love and loss set in the underbelly of the Paris Opera House. Christine is an opera singer who finds herself taking lessons from the mysterious phantom. When she falls in love with a young Vicomte she angers the phantom and endangers all their lives. The showdown at the end is masterful and what we learn about the phantom makes us both loathe and pity him. A must-read classic!

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

The Sea Wolf

The Sea Wolf is by Jack London. Humphrey Van Weyden is "rescued" from a shipwreck and finds himself aboard The Ghost, a sealing vessel captained by Wolf Larsen, a deranged and abusive man. He must learn to survive or die at sea. This 1904 maritime classic depicts the clash of materialistic and idealistic ideology, not to mention, shipwrecks, mutiny, cruelty, and escape. The plot becomes formulaic at the end, but it is a classic nonetheless.

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - MP (mild profanity) - V (violence).