by Paul Dowswell
Lexile: 1080
This is a collection of 10 survival stories about real people who have come face to face with death and survived. From terror in the skies and space to shark attacks to a frightening experience inside an active volcano, these short stories will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Jar of Dreams
by Yoshiko Uchida
Lexile: 970
Rinko, an 11 year old, growing up in California during the Depression, is struggling to fit in. She is Japanese and feels very different from most of her classmates. She and her family are targets of discrimination which makes her feel embarrassed about her heritage until her Anut Waka comes from Japan to visit for the summer. Rinko learns a lot about her heritage and about herself and discovers that she can develop her American self without losing her Japanese self.
Lexile: 970
Rinko, an 11 year old, growing up in California during the Depression, is struggling to fit in. She is Japanese and feels very different from most of her classmates. She and her family are targets of discrimination which makes her feel embarrassed about her heritage until her Anut Waka comes from Japan to visit for the summer. Rinko learns a lot about her heritage and about herself and discovers that she can develop her American self without losing her Japanese self.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
On My Honor
by Marion Dane Bauer
Lexile: 750
Joel and Tony are on their first solo trip to a state park. Joel can hardly believe that his father gave him permission to ride all the way there on his bike. Their plans change when Tony stops his bike at the dangerous Vermillion River. Joel and Tony argue and Joel dares Tony to swim out to the sandbar. When Joel reaches the sandbar, he is alone.
Lexile: 750
Joel and Tony are on their first solo trip to a state park. Joel can hardly believe that his father gave him permission to ride all the way there on his bike. Their plans change when Tony stops his bike at the dangerous Vermillion River. Joel and Tony argue and Joel dares Tony to swim out to the sandbar. When Joel reaches the sandbar, he is alone.
No More Dead Dogs
by Gordon Korman
Lexile: 610
Wallace Wallace never lies and sometimes this gets him into trouble. When he is asked to write a book review for his Language Arts class, Wallace reports that he hates the book. His teacher, Mr. Fogelman, refuses to accept his work and assigns him detention until he writes a worthy review. Mr. Fogelman's plan backfires when Wallace gets involved with the school play that Mr. Fogelman is directing which is based on the same book Wallace needs to review. Thanks to Wallace, the play begins to take on many new directions.
Lexile: 610
Wallace Wallace never lies and sometimes this gets him into trouble. When he is asked to write a book review for his Language Arts class, Wallace reports that he hates the book. His teacher, Mr. Fogelman, refuses to accept his work and assigns him detention until he writes a worthy review. Mr. Fogelman's plan backfires when Wallace gets involved with the school play that Mr. Fogelman is directing which is based on the same book Wallace needs to review. Thanks to Wallace, the play begins to take on many new directions.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Fire From the Rock
by Sharon Draper
Lexile: 830
Sylvia Patterson is growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas during a turbulent time in history when Central High School is being forced to integrate. Sylvia is one of the students chosen to attend. She must decide if she is up for the challenge. All she really wants to do is go to high school, be a cheerleader, and find a boyfriend. Does she have the strength to stand up to all the people who are against integration?
Lexile: 830
Sylvia Patterson is growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas during a turbulent time in history when Central High School is being forced to integrate. Sylvia is one of the students chosen to attend. She must decide if she is up for the challenge. All she really wants to do is go to high school, be a cheerleader, and find a boyfriend. Does she have the strength to stand up to all the people who are against integration?
The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman
Lexile: 820
Nobody "Bod" Owens is being raised in a graveyard after his family is brutally murdered. His guardian, the mysterious Silas, and his new parents, Mr. and Mrs. Owens, do their best to protect him from the evil man Jack who wishes to destroy him. Bod struggles with whether or not he should leave the safety of the graveyard...
Lexile: 820
Nobody "Bod" Owens is being raised in a graveyard after his family is brutally murdered. His guardian, the mysterious Silas, and his new parents, Mr. and Mrs. Owens, do their best to protect him from the evil man Jack who wishes to destroy him. Bod struggles with whether or not he should leave the safety of the graveyard...
Nobody's Fault
by Patricia Hermes
Lexile: ???
Emily gets tired of the tricks that her older brother Matthew is constantly playing on her, and decides to try and get even with him. In the midst of her plan, something terrible happens to her brother and Emily fears that it is her fault. She finds it difficult to accept what happens to her brother and struggles to tell the truth about what happened on that terrible day.
Lexile: ???
Emily gets tired of the tricks that her older brother Matthew is constantly playing on her, and decides to try and get even with him. In the midst of her plan, something terrible happens to her brother and Emily fears that it is her fault. She finds it difficult to accept what happens to her brother and struggles to tell the truth about what happened on that terrible day.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
by Rodman Philbrick
Lexile: 950
Harold and Homer are living with their mean uncle in Pine Swamp, Maine during the Civil War when their uncle decides to ship Harold off to fight in the Union Army. Homer figures out that what his uncle did was illegal and runs away to find his brother. Along the way he meets some interesting folks; some who help him and some who don't. Will he find Harold before it's too late?
Lexile: 950
Harold and Homer are living with their mean uncle in Pine Swamp, Maine during the Civil War when their uncle decides to ship Harold off to fight in the Union Army. Homer figures out that what his uncle did was illegal and runs away to find his brother. Along the way he meets some interesting folks; some who help him and some who don't. Will he find Harold before it's too late?
Ansty Does Time
by Neal Shusterman
Lexile: ???
Fans of Shusterman's book The Schwa was Here will enjoy this book about Antsy Bonano's friend Gunnar Umlaut. Gunnar tells Antsy that he has a fatal disease and has only months to live. As Antsy spends more time with Gunnar and concocts a plan to buy him some more time, he learns some interesting things about Gunnar's family. Watching Gunnar's family unravel along with a tragedy in his own family, Antsy learns to better appreciate what he has.
Lexile: ???
Fans of Shusterman's book The Schwa was Here will enjoy this book about Antsy Bonano's friend Gunnar Umlaut. Gunnar tells Antsy that he has a fatal disease and has only months to live. As Antsy spends more time with Gunnar and concocts a plan to buy him some more time, he learns some interesting things about Gunnar's family. Watching Gunnar's family unravel along with a tragedy in his own family, Antsy learns to better appreciate what he has.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Harlem Summer
by Walter Dean Myers
Lexile: 910
It's summer in Harlem and 16 year old Matt has a job at a newspaper publishing office. Hes sort of interested in the job and the people he's meeting there, but his real dream is to become a famous saxophone player. Some of the activities he involves himslef with during his free time get him in a bit of trouble, first with his parents, then a mobster named Dutch Schultz and eventually the police.
Lexile: 910
It's summer in Harlem and 16 year old Matt has a job at a newspaper publishing office. Hes sort of interested in the job and the people he's meeting there, but his real dream is to become a famous saxophone player. Some of the activities he involves himslef with during his free time get him in a bit of trouble, first with his parents, then a mobster named Dutch Schultz and eventually the police.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Leepike Ridge
by N.D. Wilson
Lexile: 780
Thomas goes down to the river to float on a foam raft without realizing that his life is about to take a dramatic turn as he is swept underground and finds a castaway who has information for Tom that will change his life forever...if they can find a way out!
Lexile: 780
Thomas goes down to the river to float on a foam raft without realizing that his life is about to take a dramatic turn as he is swept underground and finds a castaway who has information for Tom that will change his life forever...if they can find a way out!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Peak
by Roland Smith
Lexile: 780
14 year old Peak Marcello has climbing in his blood. His father leads groups to the top of Mount Everest while Peak stays busy (illegally) climbing skyscrapers in New York City. When the police catch up with him, his father offers him a chance to leave his troubles in New York City behind. Peak travels to Mount Everest and begins a climb that will change his life forever.
Lexile: 780
14 year old Peak Marcello has climbing in his blood. His father leads groups to the top of Mount Everest while Peak stays busy (illegally) climbing skyscrapers in New York City. When the police catch up with him, his father offers him a chance to leave his troubles in New York City behind. Peak travels to Mount Everest and begins a climb that will change his life forever.
Zen and the Art of Faking It
by Jordan Sonnenblick
Lexile: 840
San Lee is the new kid in school and decides to create a new identity for himself to hide the fact that he is adopted and his dad is in prison. Things go great at first...he impresses his teacher, meets a great girl, and avoids having to speak to his father. How long will he be able to keep everyone fooled?
Lexile: 840
San Lee is the new kid in school and decides to create a new identity for himself to hide the fact that he is adopted and his dad is in prison. Things go great at first...he impresses his teacher, meets a great girl, and avoids having to speak to his father. How long will he be able to keep everyone fooled?
Friday, July 24, 2009
The Dead and the Gone
by Susan Pfeffer
Lexile: 680
This is the companion novel to Life As We Knew It and tells the story of the life changing asteroid hit from the perspective of a boy living in New York City. Alex Morales is 17 and suddenly finds himself in charge of his family. When the asteroid struck the moon, his father was in Puerto Rico and his mother was on her way to work. He hasn't heard from either of them so it is up to him to take care of his two younger sisters. He is forced to make some tough decisions to save them all.
Lexile: 680
This is the companion novel to Life As We Knew It and tells the story of the life changing asteroid hit from the perspective of a boy living in New York City. Alex Morales is 17 and suddenly finds himself in charge of his family. When the asteroid struck the moon, his father was in Puerto Rico and his mother was on her way to work. He hasn't heard from either of them so it is up to him to take care of his two younger sisters. He is forced to make some tough decisions to save them all.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
One False Note (39 Clues Book Two)
by Gordon Korman
Lexile: 680
The race to find the 39 clues continues in Europe. Amy and Dan travel to Vienna to search for a clue hidden in Mozart's music. They run into several obstacles along the way, courtesy of the other competitors, but Amy and Dan don't give up...their quest for fame and fortune continues.
Lexile: 680
The race to find the 39 clues continues in Europe. Amy and Dan travel to Vienna to search for a clue hidden in Mozart's music. They run into several obstacles along the way, courtesy of the other competitors, but Amy and Dan don't give up...their quest for fame and fortune continues.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Notes from the Midnight Driver
by Jordan Sonnenblick
Lexile: 930
Alex Gregory crashes his car into Mrs. Wilson's garden gnome one night and is forced to do community service at a nursing home as his punishment. Alex is assigned to a grumbly old man named Sol, who eventually becomes more than just his community service project when they discover they have something in common.
Lexile: 930
Alex Gregory crashes his car into Mrs. Wilson's garden gnome one night and is forced to do community service at a nursing home as his punishment. Alex is assigned to a grumbly old man named Sol, who eventually becomes more than just his community service project when they discover they have something in common.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Life As We Knew It
by Susan Pfeffer
Lexile 770
Miranda's entire world has just fallen apart. A meteorite strikes the moon and knocks it closer to the earth which drastically changes the earth's climate. Supermarkets run out of food, gas supplies are slim, school is closed and electricity disappears. Everyone is in on the race for survival. Will the world as Miranda knew it ever return?
Lexile 770
Miranda's entire world has just fallen apart. A meteorite strikes the moon and knocks it closer to the earth which drastically changes the earth's climate. Supermarkets run out of food, gas supplies are slim, school is closed and electricity disappears. Everyone is in on the race for survival. Will the world as Miranda knew it ever return?
Friday, July 10, 2009
Born to Rock
by Gordon Korman
Lexile: 780
Leo Caraway is set to graduate from high school and head off to Harvard with a big scholarship. He has his life perfectly planned out until a misunderstanding during an algebra tests causes him to lose his scholarship. No longer unable to afford the tuition costs at Harvard, Leo has to figure out what to do with his future. At the same time, Leo learns that his real father is none other than a famous punk rock star who is ready to begin a summer reunion tour. Could meeting his father for the first time be what Leo needs to solve his problems?
Lexile: 780
Leo Caraway is set to graduate from high school and head off to Harvard with a big scholarship. He has his life perfectly planned out until a misunderstanding during an algebra tests causes him to lose his scholarship. No longer unable to afford the tuition costs at Harvard, Leo has to figure out what to do with his future. At the same time, Leo learns that his real father is none other than a famous punk rock star who is ready to begin a summer reunion tour. Could meeting his father for the first time be what Leo needs to solve his problems?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Bird
By Angela Johnson
Lexile: 710
This short novels introduces 3 characters who don't know that their lives have intersected. Bird is a runaway searching for her stepfather, Ethan is recovering from a life long illness, and Jay is dealing with the death of a brother. Each takes turns telling their stories in individual chapters. As the book progresses, the reader slowly begins to see what these characters have in common.
Lexile: 710
This short novels introduces 3 characters who don't know that their lives have intersected. Bird is a runaway searching for her stepfather, Ethan is recovering from a life long illness, and Jay is dealing with the death of a brother. Each takes turns telling their stories in individual chapters. As the book progresses, the reader slowly begins to see what these characters have in common.
Case Closed, 40 Mini-Mysteries for You to Solve
By Jurg Obrist
Lexile: ???
If you like mysteries and "I Spy" type books, you will love reading this book. You will need your best observation skills to figure out clues hidden in pictures. You will also figure out secret codes, assemble some puzzles, and arrange events in a sequence. This book is a great way to put your logical thinking skills to work!
Lexile: ???
If you like mysteries and "I Spy" type books, you will love reading this book. You will need your best observation skills to figure out clues hidden in pictures. You will also figure out secret codes, assemble some puzzles, and arrange events in a sequence. This book is a great way to put your logical thinking skills to work!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Claws
By Will Weaver
Lexile: 540
Jed is living the perfect life. High school is awesome; he's got cool parents, a girlfriend, good grades, a Camaro to drive to school and back, and is having a winning tennis season. One day he finds a mysterious note under his windshield which leads him to a strange girl named Gertrude who has information that Jed can't believe. Is his perfect life about to unravel?
Lexile: 540
Jed is living the perfect life. High school is awesome; he's got cool parents, a girlfriend, good grades, a Camaro to drive to school and back, and is having a winning tennis season. One day he finds a mysterious note under his windshield which leads him to a strange girl named Gertrude who has information that Jed can't believe. Is his perfect life about to unravel?
The Exploading Toilet; Modern Urban Legends
collected and retold by David Holt and Bill Mooney
Lexile: ???
This book is a collection of modern urban legends that you will certainly want to retell to friends. My favorite was one about a mother who called poison control because her daughter ate some ants. Poison control told her that it was fine, the ants wouldn't harm her daughter. The mother was relieved and told the person on the phone that she was sorry she had fed her daughter ant posion to kill the ants if they were harmless! Get ready to laugh at these unbelievable stories!
Lexile: ???
This book is a collection of modern urban legends that you will certainly want to retell to friends. My favorite was one about a mother who called poison control because her daughter ate some ants. Poison control told her that it was fine, the ants wouldn't harm her daughter. The mother was relieved and told the person on the phone that she was sorry she had fed her daughter ant posion to kill the ants if they were harmless! Get ready to laugh at these unbelievable stories!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Summer's End
By Audrey Couloumbis
Lexile: 720
It's summer time, Grace has turned 13, and it seems as if her whole world is changing. The Vietnam War is forcing the young men in her family to make serious decisions. Some of them are going to fight, while others, like Grace's older brother, Colin, are choosing to flee to Canada. Colin's decision impacts Grace and her family in ways that Grace struggles to understand.
Lexile: 720
It's summer time, Grace has turned 13, and it seems as if her whole world is changing. The Vietnam War is forcing the young men in her family to make serious decisions. Some of them are going to fight, while others, like Grace's older brother, Colin, are choosing to flee to Canada. Colin's decision impacts Grace and her family in ways that Grace struggles to understand.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Zoobreak
by Gordon Korman
Lexile: ???
If you've read Swindle, the team is back! This time they are out to steal back a monkey that was illegally sold to a floating zoo. In the process of stealing the monkey, the team realizes they can't leave the other animals behind. Where to hide 30 stolen animals? The team has to come up with several plans in this funny adventure.
Lexile: ???
If you've read Swindle, the team is back! This time they are out to steal back a monkey that was illegally sold to a floating zoo. In the process of stealing the monkey, the team realizes they can't leave the other animals behind. Where to hide 30 stolen animals? The team has to come up with several plans in this funny adventure.
Paralyzed
by Jeff Rud
Lexile: 670
Reggie Brown is a senior, hard-hitting, front linebacker making his way through a successful football season until one night when a player he hits is unable to get up and move off the field. When Reggie is held responsible for the accident, he is forced to deal with his guilt and decide whether or not he will continue to play the game he loves.
Lexile: 670
Reggie Brown is a senior, hard-hitting, front linebacker making his way through a successful football season until one night when a player he hits is unable to get up and move off the field. When Reggie is held responsible for the accident, he is forced to deal with his guilt and decide whether or not he will continue to play the game he loves.
The Maze of Bones (39 Clues Book One)
by Rick Riordan
Lexile: 610
Amy and Dan Cahill have recently discovered that their family is one of the most powerful in history. They are given the choice of taking their one million dollar inheritance or participating in a dangerous race to find 39 clues that will lead to one winner who will discover the secrets to their family. Accompanying this series of books are online games and prizes to be explored at www.the39clues.com.
Lexile: 610
Amy and Dan Cahill have recently discovered that their family is one of the most powerful in history. They are given the choice of taking their one million dollar inheritance or participating in a dangerous race to find 39 clues that will lead to one winner who will discover the secrets to their family. Accompanying this series of books are online games and prizes to be explored at www.the39clues.com.
Spellbound
by Janet McDonald
Lexile: 580
Raven's life is not turning out the way she planned. At age 16 she has a 3 month old son, has dropped out of school and is envious of the life her college graduate sister has created for herself. Raven decides to make some changes and with the help of her mother, sister, best friend, Aisha, and a spelling bee, she is able to create a future for herself and her son.
Lexile: 580
Raven's life is not turning out the way she planned. At age 16 she has a 3 month old son, has dropped out of school and is envious of the life her college graduate sister has created for herself. Raven decides to make some changes and with the help of her mother, sister, best friend, Aisha, and a spelling bee, she is able to create a future for herself and her son.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The First Part Last
by Angela Johnson
Lexile: 790
Bobby isn't ready to become a father at 16. He's still busy hanging out with his friends and enjoying his teenage years. But when he meets his baby daughter, Feather, and learns that he has to raise her on his own, he is forced to grow up quickly.
Lexile: 790
Bobby isn't ready to become a father at 16. He's still busy hanging out with his friends and enjoying his teenage years. But when he meets his baby daughter, Feather, and learns that he has to raise her on his own, he is forced to grow up quickly.
The Boy in the Basement
by Susan Shaw
Lexile: 470
Charlie's home has been the basement for a long time, abandoned there by his abusive father. When he mistakenly gets locked outside at night, he is rescued and begins a long journey as he discovers all the things in life he has missed out on during his time in the basement.
Lexile: 470
Charlie's home has been the basement for a long time, abandoned there by his abusive father. When he mistakenly gets locked outside at night, he is rescued and begins a long journey as he discovers all the things in life he has missed out on during his time in the basement.
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