The Spirit Level

The Spirit Level is by Seamus Heaney. A wonderful collection of Heaney's poetry. His vivid imagery and careful word choice make him one of Ireland's best-loved poets, and a must read for all poetry lovers - and those who would like to be.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10.

Don Quixote de la Mancha

Don Quixote de la Mancha is by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. The all time must read classic tale of the crazy Spaniard who decides to be a knight errant and the hilarious peasant he dupes into being his squire. Their adventures have become the stuff of literary legend. If you have not read this book - you should!! Poor Don Quixote, his madness causes him to be deluded, abused, and laughed at by all those he encounters - alas, the fate of many dreamers. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read!

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

Seeker

Seeker is by William Nicholson. This is the first book in The Noble Warriors series. The Nomana protect their god and his people and once a year new Nomana are selected. Seeker for Truth wants to follow in the footsteps of his brother Blaze of Justice and join the Nomana. When he is not accepted and his brother is cast out of the Nomana accused of being a traitor, Seeker decides to follow his brother and prove his innocence. While on the road he becomes involved with two others who want to be Nomana: Morning Star and the Wildman. They decide if they can destroy a weapon designed to destroy the Nomana the group of warriors will accept them and Seeker can redeem his brother. An interesting series that should apply to boys and girls alike.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence).

Aesop's Fables

Aesop's Fables are by Aesop. A classic collection of fables by the famous Greek slave and storyteller. Contains all the fables we remember and many we don't. A great book for children and adults alike; it makes us think about life and the lessons we need to learn to live it well.

Ratings: 5th grade - 10 out of 10.

Durable Goods

Durable Goods is by Elizabeth Berg. A wonderful story of a young girl whose father is career military. Her mother has died, her dad is abusive, her older sister wants to runaway, and Katie must decide what she wants out of life. When her father announces the family is transferring from Texas to Missouri, Katie must decide whether to run away with her old sister and her boyfriend or move with her distant, sometimes violent, father. Set in the early sixties, this is a moving story of growth, pain, loss, and the different ways people deal with grief.

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

African American Poetry: An Anthology 1773-1927

African American Poetry: An Anthology 1773-1927 is edited by Joan R. Sherman. A wonderful collection of African American poets and their wonderful contribution to literature in America. A must read for poetry fans everywhere.

Ratings: 8th grade - 10 out of 10.

The Atlantis Complex

The Atlantis Complex is by Eoin Colfer. The seventh installment in the Artemis Fowl series. Artemis is losing his mind, he has developed the Atlantis Complex, a disease that comes from guilt and dabbling in fairy magic. The symptoms include: obsessive-compulsive behavior, paranoia, and multiple personality disorder. Artemis's ailment couldn't come at a worse time. The fairy city of Atlantis is under assault from a deadly foe and Holly and her friends desperately need Artemis to save the day. Can Artemis recover from his ailment in time to save the fairy world - again? Fans of this series will enjoy this book as well.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.