THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kidd

Realistic Fiction, African American, Families, Coming of Age, High School

301 pages

Description

"Teenagers; Women; Racism; Beekeeping. "Fourteen-year-old Lily and her companion, Rosaleen, an African-American woman who has cared from Lily since her mother's death ten years earlier, flee their home after Rosaleen is victimized by racist police officers, and find a safe haven in Tiburon, South Carolina, at the home of three beekeeping sisters, May, June, and August." 

My Comments
A poetic journey with passages that make you pause and read again. It is a manageable and riveting read for older students, grade 8 and up. This is a great discussion book for a reading group or class.

LIFE OF PI by Yann Martel

Psychological Fiction, Survival, Adventure

High School

319 pages

Description

"Pi Patel, having spent an idyllic childhood in Pondicherry, India, as the son of a zookeeper, sets off with his family at the age of sixteen to start anew in Canada, but his life takes a marvelous turn when their ship sinks in the Pacific, leaving him adrift on a raft with a 450-pound Bengal tiger for company." (Follett)

My Comments
This currently ranks as one of my favorite books of all time. It is breathtaking, brutal, tragic and humorous. This is a challenging read, but deserves to be included as a suggestion for advanced readers. Not for the fainthearted. Consider listening to the audio version as I did. The narrator is superb.

THE WISH GIVER by Bill Brittain

Fantasy, Magic, Scary, Wishes

175 pages

"When a strange little man comes to the Coven Tree Church Social promising he can give people exactly what they ask for, three young believers-in-magic each make a wish that comes true in the most unexpected way."

Follett Library Resources

A good choice for that fifth grader who wants a "scary" book. The reader knows Thaddeus Blinn's offer must be a devil's bargain, but it is too tempting for the characters to resist. The results are predictable, but still compelling. Good discussion book and choice for students looking for a manageable page-turner.

WOLF RIDER by Avi

Mysteries and Detective Stories, Horror, Suspense

202 pages

Book Description

"After receiving an apparent crank call from a man claiming to have committed murder, fifteen-year-old Andy finds his close relationship with his father crumbling as he struggles to make everyone believe him." Reading Level: Young Adult" (Follett)

My Comments
This is a terrifying story of a boy's increasing involvement with a killer as he tries to protect a girl from murder. You feel his frustration, isolation and desperation build when no one will listen. He becomes obsessed with stopping what he believes is inevitable and is himself accused of stalking. A great recommendation for students who are looking for a really scary book. Just make sure they can handle it!