An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green

Everyone has a type - Colin Singleton's type is purely linguistic. He's been dumped nineteen times in his short, annagrammatically full life, and all nineteen of those times, it's been a Katherine that broke his heart. Born a prodigy, he struggles to find genius within himself with his his best friend a quasi - religious Sunni muslim. Having just been dumped for the nineteenth time, Colin embarks upon a roadtrip to find his 'Eureka moment' or moment of genius. Follow Colin and his friend, Hassan, on their roadtrip across America, as they struggle to find themselves, a future for themselves, and a way to explain love in An Abundance of Katherines.

Newes from the Dead by Mary Hooper

In 1650, a young medical student is ecstatic to be in attendance at his first autopsy. He is ready with pen and paper until he notices a small flicker. Did the body just move? Could this girl have survived a hanging? She was tried for a crime and put to death should she be revived if she is not dead. This is a great story that is told in alternating chapters by the medical student and Anne the dead girl. It is intriguing to think about her story and in the appendix an actual account of the real story is printed. Great Read!!

Antsy Does Time, by Neil Shusterman

When Anthony Bonano (aka "Antsy") finds out that his friend only has a limited time to live as a consequence of a grave illness, he is so fueled by friendship and sympathy that he signs a month of his life over to his “dying” classmate Gunnar Umlaut. Soon everyone at school follows suit, giving new meaning to the idea of “living on borrowed time.” But Gunnar seems to have other issues, too: a father who is mysteriously absent and a "hot" sister who likes Antsy. Does Gunnar really have only six months to live, or is news of his imminent death greatly exaggerated? And will Antsy's father ever stop working enough to spend precious time with his family? The juxtaposition of these two families in this darkly comic novel will make every reader look at his own family in a new way.

Two Parties, One Tux, and a Very Short Film About The Grapes of Wrath, by Steven Goldman

When David tells Mitchell Wells he’s gay, Mitchell’s okay with it—but it still seems to change things between them. Since David’s not "out" to anyone else, the guys agree to be set up with prom dates by Mitchell's sister. Then, one of the most popular girls in school decides to date Mitchell, and he’s gone from zero to two girlfriends in sixty seconds. From his tanking English grade(a not especially realistic sub-plot) to his floundering friendships to his love life—the one thing that’s taken a bizarre turn for the better—Mitchell is so confused, he’ll be lucky if he lasts another week in high school! And then there’s the prom . . . Poignantly written, the loose plot lines are resolved a little too conveniently, spoiling a story whose characters are realistic and likeable. Note: graphic sexual descriptions may put some readers off. They get in the way of the important themes of finding one's own identity and being true to oneself.

Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney

This is the first in the series called the Last Apprentice. Tom is the seventh son of a seventh son which gives him some unique gifts. Since there are few opportunities for seventh sons to find work, Tom is asked to apprentice the local spook. The spook deals with all the unearthly and unmentionable things in the land. He deals with boggarts, ghosts, and witches. Tom is reluctant to pursue such a career but with little other options becomes the apprentice. While his master is away Tom is tricked into aiding a imprisoned old witch. His error costs him dearly. The pace is quick and some of the horror parts quite graphic. Recommended for grades 7 - 12.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Every year in the 12 districts tributes are selected to participate in the hunger games. In some districts kids have been training their whole life for the chance to be a tribute. In Katniss' district it is a guaranteed death sentence. The two tributes selected from each district are sent to an arena where they must kill each other in order to survive. The last person standing is declared the winner and given a comfortable life for the rest of his/her days. Katniss has no intention of participating but when her younger sister is called to serve as tribute she volunteers to go in her place. This is a great read!! The characters are well developed and the plot is fast paced. Highly recommend - Grades 8 - 12

Chasing Yesterday - Awakening

J.D. wakes in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. The doctors inform her that she has retrograde amnesia. She begins to have flashbacks of her former life. At times she is so overwhelmed by these visions that strange things happen. Glasses shatter and she seems to have incredible strength. Her mother arrives to take her home but it all seems unfamiliar. Can she learn to become the girl she used to be? Will she ever feel normal again? The adults in her life seem to fill her with unease and paranoia. Who is she and will she discover the answers she needs before it is too late?