THE BOOK THIEF by Marcus Zusak

"Originally published: Australia : Pan Macmillan Australia, 2005. Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel--a young German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors."

Follett Library Resources

An astounding book. Zusak towers over other writers in his absolute command of language. That said, I confess I had to start it twice. I just couldn't warm up to Death as the narrator at first. After a second attempt, however, I was completely hooked. Zusak is a brilliant and passionate writer who describes the experiences of a young German girl, her family and friends whose lives are shattered by World War II. This should be on every high school reading list. A select few middle school readers could also tackle it, but it's really one of those fabulous adult novels that is content appropriate for teens. It is worth experiencing in both audio and print format.

Zusak also wrote I Am the Messenger, which won a 2006 Printz Honor Award for Young Adult literature and is next on my reading list. He is truly a magnificent writer.

A CORNER OF THE UNIVERSE by Ann M. Martin

"The summer that Hattie turns twelve, she meets the childlike uncle she never knew and becomes friends with a girl who works at the carnival that comes to Hattie's small town."

Follett Library Resources

A 2003 Newbery Honor Medal, this is one of those books that's been in my to-read pile for a long time, mainly because my students keep recommending it. They are right. It is a gem that would be great as assigned reading or a teacher read aloud. The discussion possibilities are terrific: friendship, teasing, acceptance, actions and consequences, comparing social views of disabilities in the 1960s versus today. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards, although an adult read, comes to mind as another portrayal of misunderstandings and actions in response to a disability that have profound life altering effects. Not a difficult read, but extremely thought provoking. Excellent choice for fifth, sixth and possibly seventh grades.