The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (MATURE)
by Sherman Alexie
Budding cartoonist Junior leaves his troubled school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white farm town school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. (NoveList)
Heartbreaking,
funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a
Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences,
coupled with poignant drawings that reflect the character's art,
chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as
he attempts to break away from the life he thought he was destined to
live.The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Alexie's YA
debut, released in hardcover to instant success, receiving seven starred
reviews, hitting numerous bestseller lists, and winning the 2007
National Book Award for Young People's Literature. (Publisher)Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mo Copeland
Reading Group Members: Justin D, Amaya S, Alex F, Evan H, Alex O, Leo P, Kylie S, and Andy S.
The Adoration of Jenna Fox
The Adoration of Jenna Fox (MATURE) by Mary Pearson
In the not-too-distant future, when biotechnological advances have made synthetic bodies and brains possible but illegal, a seventeen-year-old girl, recovering from a serious accident and suffering from memory lapses, learns a startling secret about her existence. (Follett) (NoveList) Available from may sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mrs. Haskins
Reading Group Members: Anisha A, Kendall D, Chloe F-G, Emma R, Madison R, Isabele R, Cara S, Laura B, Zoe C, and Eloise R.
American Born Chinese (Graphic Novel)
by Gene Luen Yang
A
tour-de-force by rising indy comics star Gene Yang, American Born
Chinese tells the story of three apparently unrelated characters: Jin
Wang, who moves to a new neighborhood with his family only to discover
that he's the only Chinese-American student at his new school; the
powerful Monkey King, subject of one of the oldest and greatest Chinese
fables; and Chin-Kee, a personification of the ultimate negative
Chinese stereotype, who is ruining his cousin Danny's life with his
yearly visits. Their lives and stories come together with an unexpected
twist in this action-packed modern fable. American Born Chinese is an
amazing ride, all the way up to the astonishing climax. (Publisher) (NoveList) Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Ms. Grenert
Reading Group Members: Brandon B, Jackson D, Neolani J, Ridley K, James R, Griffin R, and Sam B.
Reading Group Leader: Ms. Grenert
Reading Group Members: Brandon B, Jackson D, Neolani J, Ridley K, James R, Griffin R, and Sam B.
Blue Skin of the Sea -- NO LONGER AVAILABLE
by Graham Salisbury
This collection of short stories lets the reader into the workings of Sonny Mendoza's heart and mind, as he navigates the sometimes treacherous, sometimes excellent waters of growing up. Young love, great fear, resentment, confusion, bullies, friendship……it's all in here, as Sonny figures out what his life is about. All this teenage stuff is set against the backdrop of Hawaii – always suggesting the possibility of a natural paradise – just what we all hope for, right? (Sponsor) (NoveList) Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Born On a Blue Day (MATURE)
by Daniel Tammet
The first-ever memoir by an autistic savant, a man who can speak ten languages, who sees numbers with color and texture, who broke a record by memorizing over 22,000 digits of pi, and can write about it all with inspiring and heartbreaking simplicity and clarity. (Publisher)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mrs. von Ofenheim
Reading Group Members: Bryn H, Sejal D, Daniel L, Grant T, Jacob W.
The Call of the Wild
by Jack London
The adventures of an unusual dog, part St. Bernard, part Scotch Shepherd, that was kidnapped and shipped off to Alaska to work on the Klondike Gold Rush. Buck the dog quickly learns how to survive in the wild and also learns the call of the wolf. (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mr. Adams
Reading Group Members: Ben L, Jacen W, Sami W, Allie D, Skylar H, Nick M.
Chomp (HARDBACK ONLY)
by Carl Hiassen
When the difficult star of the reality television show "Expedition Survival" disappears while filming an episode in the Florida Everglades using animals from the wildlife refuge run by Wahoo Crane's family, Wahoo and classmate Tuna Gordon set out to find him while avoiding Tuna's gun-happy father. (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mrs. Seder
Reading Group Members: Colin B, Joanna C, Simon H, Katie K, Alma N, Ruby A, Alden F, and Eva H.
Death Cloud
by Andy LaneIn 1868, with his army officer father suddenly posted to India, and his mother mysteriously "unwell," fourteen-year-old Sherlock Holmes is sent to stay with his eccentric uncle and aunt in their vast house in Hampshire, where he uncovers his first murder and a diabolical villain. (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Ms. Rosselle
Reading Group Members: Simon C, Cole H, Natalie M, Cian M, Cameron N, Beck L, Amelia B, Neil D, Eben R, and Pavan T.
Fever Crumb
by Philip Reeve
Science Fiction
Founding Fever Crumb has been raised as an engineer although females in the future London, England, are not believed capable of rational thought, but at age fourteen she leaves her sheltered world and begins to learn startling truths about her past while facing danger in the present. (NoveList) (OBOB 2013)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mr. Purvis
Reading Group Members: Simran J, Ella M, Max O, Kyla K, Bryan T, Erin B, Jake C, Catherine L, Tess P.
The Fifth of March -- NO LONGER AVAILABLE
by Ann Rinaldi
Fourteen-year-old Rachel Marsh, an indentured servant in the Boston household of John and Abigail Adams, is caught up in the colonists' unrest that eventually escalates into the massacre of March 5, 1770. (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Firestorm (MATURE)
by David Klass
After learning that he has been sent from the future for a special purpose, eighteen-year-old Jack receives help from an unusual dog and a shape-shifting female fighter. (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mr. Hardister
Reading Group Members: Ben C, Alex C, Solomon G, Amaha M, Vaughan S, Bryan C, Nathan R
The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman
Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy.
He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy — an ancient Indigo Man beneath the hill, a gateway to a desert leading to an abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack — who has already killed Bod's family...
Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman returns with a luminous new novel for the audience that embraced his New York Times-bestselling modern classic Coraline. Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, The Graveyard Book is sure to enthrall readers of all ages. (Publisher) (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mr. Gomes
Reading Group Members: Christina B, Aneesh G, [Charlie N -- moved to The Old Man and the Sea on 7/14/12], Brenda C , Sam C, Keaton D, Elliott N, Rahul M, Camille R.
The Hunger Games (MATURE)
by Suzanne Collins
In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place. (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Cindy McEnroe
Reading Group Members: Alexa B, Maya C, Tanner du B, Henry M, Zoe R, Sahil V
Incarceron
Incarceron
by Catherine Fisher
Science Fiction
To free herself from an upcoming arranged marriage, Claudia, the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, a futuristic prison with a mind of its own, decides to help a young prisoner escape. (NoveList) (OBOB 2013)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mr. Chang
Reading Group Members: Savannah B, Morgan C, Mihir K, Amari von B, Alejandra B, Vanessa L, Abby M, Taylor O, Cal S.
Kidnapped
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Spirited, romantic, and full of danger, Kidnapped is Robert Louis Stevenson's classic of high adventure. Beloved by generations, it is the saga of David Balfour, a young heir whose greedy uncle connives to do him out of his inherited fortune and plots to have him seized and sold into slavery. But honor, loyalty, and courage are rewarded; the orphan and castaway survives kidnapping and shipwreck, is rescued by a daredevil of a rogue, and makes a thrilling escape to freedom across the wild highlands of Scotland. (publisher)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle. (As with many classics, editions abound. Just be sure to get one that is NOT ABRIDGED.)
Reading Group Leader: Dennis Sullivan
Reading Group Members: Tommy B, Evan G, Tom M, Jennifer N, Rachael W,
Amelia M, Henry T, Lydia W.
A Long Way From Chicago: A Novel in Stories -- NO LONGER AVAILABLE
by Richard Peck
Each summer over the nine years of the Depression, Joey and his sister Mary Alice--two city slickers from Chicago--make their annual summer visit to Grandma Dowdel's seemingly sleepy Illinois town. Soon enough, they find it's far from sleepy and Grandma is far from your typical grandmother. (Publisher) (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books and Multnomah County Library.
Mind Gym
Mind Gym
by Gary Mack
Drawing
on his work with some of the top teams in professional sports, noted
sport psychology consultant Gary Mack shares with you the same
techniques and exercises he uses to help elite athletes build mental
"muscle." These 40 accessible lessons and inspirational anecdotes will
help you gain the "head edge" over the competition. (Publisher)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Missy Smith
Reading Group Members: Jackie A, Kate K, Nick L, Jack M, Megan R, Emilie D, James L, Casey M, Scott S
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Missy Smith
Reading Group Members: Jackie A, Kate K, Nick L, Jack M, Megan R, Emilie D, James L, Casey M, Scott S
The Moon is Down
by John`Steinbeck
In this masterful account
set in Norway during World War II, Steinbeck explores the effects of
invasion on both the conquered and the conquerors. Occupied by Nazi
troops, a small, peaceable town comes face to face with evil imposed
from the outside--and betrayal born within the close-knit community.(Publisher) (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Justin Kerr
Reading Group Members: Colby B, Pushkar S, Caroline B, Emma F, Wil, J, Maya W
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Justin Kerr
Reading Group Members: Colby B, Pushkar S, Caroline B, Emma F, Wil, J, Maya W
The Mysterious Benedict Society
by Trenton Lee Stewart
After passing a series of mind-bending tests, four children are selected for a secret mission that requires them to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mr. Holland
Reading Group Members: Zia B, Claire C, Vernon C, Megha D, Olivia G, Griffin H, Trevor J, Sara B, Illiana S, Alex W.
The Old Man and the Sea
The Old Man and the SeaErnest HemingwayAn old fisherman battles the sea and sharks to bring home the giant marlin he caught. (Follett) (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mr. Blackall
Reading Group Members: Olivia D, Annie J, Alex M, Charlie N [moved from The Graveyard Book on 7/14/12], Raley S, Will S, Christopher S.
Outlaw
Outlaw (HARDBACK ONLY)by Stephen Davies
Jake isn't sorry to be suspended from school for 6 weeks. It means he can go home to Burkina Faso, where his parents live and where he's never bored. This visit is particularly eventful; Jake and his sister, Kas, are abducted from a diplomatic banquet and find themselves in the ruthless hands of a man who identifies himself as Yakuuba Sor. However, the real Sor, known locally as The Chameleon, is busy helping poor farmers escape government injustice, and the kidnappers have been hired to make Sor the target of a life-and-death manhunt. Disguise and concealment, mad dashes on horseback and motorbike, cold-blooded murder, "insects" carrying sophisticated tracking equipment, and laser-led missiles aimed at Sor's training camp turn up in this suspenseful adventure that challenges Jake, Kas, and Jake's versatile, high-tech phone to do their very best and survive. (Publisher) (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mr. Dams
Reading Group Members: Raja M, Savannah C, Brian G, Soren L, Tim M, Kiki Y, Cole C.
Pinch Hit
by Tim Green
Trevor and Sam look alike. But their lives couldn't be more different.
Trevor is a movie star, living the Hollywood life in a huge mansion
with his own limo, pool, and bowling alley. There's nothing he doesn't
have except the one thing he wants most: to play baseball for real.
Sam is a regular kid who seems to have what it takes to make it to baseball's Major Leagues. He's determined to get the scouts at the big USC tournament to recognize his talent. And he really wants to see his dad, a struggling screenwriter, realize his own dream.
When Sam signs up at Casting Central to make some extra money, he and Trevor come together on a movie set and see the chance to trade places—to pinch hit for each other and make everyone's dreams come true.
At first, it's all good. . . . But what happens when the boys take their game too far?
(Publisher) (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mr. Pratt
Reading Group Members: Henry G, Peter W, Shiva B, Ian C, Vineet E, John T.
Sam is a regular kid who seems to have what it takes to make it to baseball's Major Leagues. He's determined to get the scouts at the big USC tournament to recognize his talent. And he really wants to see his dad, a struggling screenwriter, realize his own dream.
When Sam signs up at Casting Central to make some extra money, he and Trevor come together on a movie set and see the chance to trade places—to pinch hit for each other and make everyone's dreams come true.
At first, it's all good. . . . But what happens when the boys take their game too far?
(Publisher) (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mr. Pratt
Reading Group Members: Henry G, Peter W, Shiva B, Ian C, Vineet E, John T.
The Soloist -- NO LONGER AVAILABLE
The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (MATURE)
By Steve Lopez
A portrait of gifted violinist Nathaniel Ayers traces his education at Juilliard, his struggles with schizophrenia, the factors that led to his homelessness in Los Angeles, his friendship with the author, and the author's efforts to improve the musician's life. (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
The True Meaning of Smekday
The True Meaning of Smekday
by Adam Rex
In the chaotic turmoil that follows the Boov invasion of Earth, eleven-year-old Gratuity Tucci finds herself driving her mother's car to Florida, where all of the humans are being relocated, with her cat and a renegade extraterrestrial named J. Lo as her copilots. (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books and Multnomah County Library.
Reading Group Leader: Phillip Craig
Reading Group Members: Erin B, Ky B, Karenna H, Alison T, Sarah T, Emily M, Edgar S.
Under the Blood Red Sun
Under the Blood Red Sun
by Graham Salisbury
Historical Fiction
Tomikazu Nakaji's biggest concerns are baseball, homework, and a local bully, until life with his Japanese family in Hawaii changes drastically after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941. (NoveList) (OBOB 2013)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Nancy Gray
Reading Group Members: Ellie C, Spencer F, Skylar K, Audrey M, Trey S, Will A, Jordan A, Evan C.
Virals
by Kathy Reichs
Tory Brennan ["niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show)"] is the leader of a band of teenage 'sci-philes' who live on an island off the coast of South Carolina and when the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever. (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Becky Tooley
Reading Group Members: Grace D, Zoe H, Anna S, Noah S, Maya H. Belle S. Gabriel S, Lexy T.
Walk Two Moons
by Sharon Creech
After her mother leaves home suddenly, thirteen-year-old Sal and her grandparents take a car trip retracing her mother's route. Along the way, Sal recounts the story of her friend Phoebe, whose mother also left. (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Ms. Holmberg
Reading Group Members: Stephanie F, Harper H, Anisha K, Ella C, Margaux R, Julianne Z, Meg H, Oliva P, Nicholas C.
The Westing Game
by Ellen Raskin
The mysterious death of an eccentric millionaire brings together an unlikely assortment of heirs who must uncover the circumstances of his death before they can claim their inheritance. (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Annie Russell/Patrick Fuller
Reading Group Members: Rhea M, Anna B, Jack C, Owen W, Aidan W, Chandler W.
Wildwood
Wildwood (HARDBACK ONLY)
by Colin Meloy
When her baby brother is kidnapped by crows, seventh-grader Prue McKeel ventures into the forbidden Impassable Wilderness--a dangerous and magical forest in the middle of Portland, Oregon--and soon finds herself involved in a war among the various inhabitants. (NoveList)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Ann Sulzer
Reading Group Members: Rahul D, Meaghan D, Katherine F, Rachel L, Rebecca W, Sophie S.
A Wrinkle in Time
Meg and Charles Wallace set out with their friend Calvin in
a search for their father. His top secret job as a physicist for
the government has taken him away and the children search through time and space to find him. (NoveList) (OBOB 2013)
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mr. Lyon
Reading Group Members: Ian C, Maya L, Bridget M, Christopher R, and Emma S.
Available from many sources, including Powell's Books, Multnomah County Library, and Kindle.
Reading Group Leader: Mr. Lyon
Reading Group Members: Ian C, Maya L, Bridget M, Christopher R, and Emma S.
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