This book scores lot of points for originality, as each page is written in free verse from different characters’ points of view of a high school teacher’s murder. A great book to inspire reluctant writers (especially boys).
This is just a cool book for all ages, but middle-schoolers love the mystery of this criminal mastermind who lives a Jeckyll and Hyde lifestyle. Another great book from Great Britain – is there something in the water there?
Susan Weller recommended this book to me over a year ago, and I finally got around to reading it. I should never have waited so long, as I have always enjoyed Beverly Cleary’s books. Your kids will enjoy this one, too.
The perfect book for those of you who have 12-year-old boys who don’t like to read. This collection of clever, funny, creepy and flat-out weird stories are sure to spark interesting book talks.
Touching story about child abuse that has been around for awhile and – like with too many books and authors – I am finally getting around to featuring on this site. Check out more of Irene Hunt’s books, as she is a gifted storyteller.
Ever since I read Holes (one of the best books in years), I have been devouring stories from Louis Sachar. He is my kind of writer, as his stories always make me laugh, and I always enjoy his subtle messages. Many thanks to Amparo Betancourt for recommending this book to me.
So you are trying to find a book for your teenage boy? Science Fiction is not everyone’s cup of tea, but this story seems to grab the boys (and girls) as a hypnotized teen wakes up to find he is obsolete. Suspenseful throughout.
As Halloween is approaching, I figured a good page-turner about werewolves could peek the reading interests of plenty of reluctant teen readers. Good coming-of-age story that is the first in a series.
I think what I enjoy the best about this book is its entrepreneurial spirit. If I taught an MBA course, this is one of the fun books I’d put on my reading list (along with Jeffrey Archer’sKane and Abel). A good book for kids who need to understand what it takes to succeed in business: that nasty four-letter word known as “work.”
It is rare nowadays to come across a series for teens that can be relevant without being completely depressing, so I thank Ally Carter for writing the remarkable Gallagher Girls series. Mostly harmless, lots of fun.
While this book is a little longer than other recommendations, consider that it is Japanese manga (a graphic novel) based on a video game. I have used these books to draw a lot of disinterested boys into reading graphic novels. Tip: hook kids on reading using whatever means necessary.
Gotta confess that I grabbed this book because I was curious to learn how to spell and pronounce the author’s first name. If you want your girls to have something to talk about, hand them copies of this collection of often-bizarre short stories.
Probably one of the best-written books I have ever read about bullying, this book will haunt you and prompt an important discussion among your middle school students.
Let’s face it: Linda Sue Park is one of the most talented young adult authors today. I cannot get enough of her books, and I know you’ll find this piece, set in Japanese-occupied Korea during World War II, as compelling and lovely as I did.
