The Last Battle: C.S. Lewis

Narnia is no longer the place we once knew.  It has ben tainted by evil and is slowly falling apart.  During the last days of Narnia, the land is facing its most difficult challenge yet—and its not what yo might expect.  Narnia is not facing a great invader from some unknown place.  Narnia is at war against herself.  The land is filled with creatures and people who would choose to believe the lie that a treacherous ape is letting them, instead of believing in the true Aslan.   Lies and treachery have taken root, and only the king and a small band of loyal followers can prevent the destruction of all they hold dear in this, the magnificent ending to The Chronicles of Narnia.

Be prepared to get choked up!! This novel is an excellent finale to the Chronicles of Narnia.  
Grade Level: 5.6

Wildwood: By Colin Melloy

"Prue McKeel's life is ordinary. At least until her brother is abducted by a murder of crows and taken to the Impassable Wilderness, a dense, tangled forest on the edge of Portland. No one's ever gone in—or at least returned to tell of it."

And thus begins our journey through Wildwood, a fabulous novel involving two siblings and an Impassable Wilderness.  It is a story of love and adventure.  You will travel through secret worlds and discover amazing creatures and evil sorcerers.  If you like stories about magic, epic battles against coyote armies, and friendship ultimately prevailing, then this is the book for you!!!

Grade Level: 6.3

Fortunately, The Milk: By Neil Gaiman

"I bought the milk," said my father. "I walked out of the corner shop, and heard a noise like this: T h u m m t h u m m. I looked up and saw a huge silver disc hovering in the air above Marshall Road."

"Hullo," I said to myself. "That's not something you see every day. And then something odd happened."

Grade Level: 4.3

In A Glass, Grimmly: By Adam Gidwitz

“So thirsty," Jack groaned.
"So worried,"said the frog. I hope we don't starve to death."
"Yes,"said Jill, "not starving to death would be nice."
"So would not thirsting to death," said Jack
"Thirsting isn't even a word," said Jill
"It isn't?"
"No."
"Then what's the word?"
"I don't know. You just can't."
"Oh."
This is, of course, the kind of inane conversation that occurs when people are slowly losing their minds.” 

Jack and Jill are actually cousins, didn't you know that?  Oh, and the Frog Prince is actually a tale about a frog who is not really a prince at all.  Just a frog who falls in love with a nasty, selfish princess, poor fellow.  This story shows the journey of two children who are learning (slowly, sometimes) to love themselves, and not get their identity from others.  Least of all some nasty, rude boys who convince Jack to sell his cow for some silly magic beans (even though the beans are actually magic) and Jill, so clouded by her queen mother's beauty that she cannot see what a terrible example she might be to follow.  

The second book in the on-going series by Adam Gidwitz does not disappoint!! Fans of the original Grimm fairy tales will love these fresh takes on their old beloved tales.

Grade Level: 4.4

The Great Gatsby: By F. Scott Fitzgerald

This book is not for children.

F. Scott Fitzgerald  decided to write "something new--something extraordinary and beautiful and simple and intricately patterned."  And thus, The Great Gatsby was created.  

 This novel has been coined his 'finest' work by some critics, and has become the most well-known novel ever by Fitzgerald.  The decadence of the Jazz age and the superfluous nature of money has given this novel a permanent place in American literature. Self-made millionaire Jay Gatsby is the embodiment of the desired American culture: money, ambition, greed, and the promise of new beginnings. 

""Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." 
— F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby)

Gatsby's success and gruesome demise gives caution to readers who easily feel drawn to fleeting treasures of this world.  Please keep in mind that themes in this book are very adult and this book should be read by students no younger than high school.  

Grade Level:  7.3

A Tale Dark and Grimm: By Adam Gidwitz

Once upon a time, fairy tales were awesome.  If, by awesome, you mean gruesome, and full of murder and mayhem.  Dear Hansel and Gretel have a story that has been told over numerous generations.  But have you been told the ENTIRE story?? I think not.  Only this novel will give you all of the dreary details of poor Hansel getting turned in to a carnivorous beast, and sad, lonely Gretel losing her family and very nearly getting eaten (twice).   

This book is one I highly recommend, but I would like to warm you ahead of time!!  As grimm as the old fairy tales get (see what I did there?) this one is quite true to the originals.  Beware when picking up this book!  It is wonderfully written and puts an interesting twist on the old tales.  

"You see, to find the brightest wisdom one must pass through the darkest zones.  And thoough the darkest zones there can be no guide.

No guide, that is, but courage."

Really.

Grade Level:  4.6

Ready for break?

I know I am!!

Doll Bones: By Holly Black

     Zach, Alice, and Poppy are best friends.  For years, they have been playing games that take them into their imaginary world of pirates, warriors and mermaids.  Their queen, a bone-china doll, is their 'ruler'.  One day their innocent games seems to take a turn for the worst.  Poppy is having frightening dreams about their beloved queen.  Zach is starting to feel too old for silly games, but will he abandon Poppy in her time of need?

     These three embark on an overnight journey to right this murderous wrong, and meet some strange folk along the way.  They must discover the truth about their China doll, and right the wrong from so many years ago.

     Parents!! You should know that Doll Bones is REALLY creepy/spooky but in a non-violent way.  It is really a story of friendship and learning how to be yourself as you grow up and try to navigate adolescence.   The one most frightening scene involves an unbalanced and awkward  stranger on the bus who wont go away. The story centers on the mysterious death of a girl long ago, and helps each child deal  with difficult family backgrounds, and the loss  of one child's parents.

Prepare to be creeped out!! In a good way :)

Grade Level: 5.4

Hollow City: By Ransom Riggs

Jacob Portman and his new-found peculiar friends are forced back in time to a war-torn 1940's London. The extraordinary children must face an unspeakably evil foe in order to rescue their beloved teacher Miss Peregrine and return to their own time back in the 21st century.  But in these destitute surroundings, a great evil lurks around every corner. This novel uses never-before-published vintage photography to create a one-of-a-kind  eerie experience.

Hollow City is the sequel to Miss. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, a novel I reviewed some time back.. The sequel does not disappoint!!  I must say that these novels are not for everyone and can be a little frightening at times.  

For those of us who are familiar with these books, I have posted the book's trailer below.  It is eerily fascinating and a little frightening, but interesting nonetheless!!  BE AWARE!! The trailer made me jump a little near 0:48.  Maybe not good for the very young ages to watch or read.  
 :)

Have a look!

Grade Level:  5.7

Divergent Book 1: By Veronica Roth

This world has been divided to eliminate conflict.  Each group of people is organized into their character qualities.  Everyone should get along now, that they are only associating with like-minded people.  Right?  

What will you choose? 
     Amity-Peaceful
     Abnegation-Selfless
     Erudite-Intelligence
     Candor-Honesty
     Dauntless-Brave

It is Choosing Day.  They day you get your future decided for you.  Choosing a different path than your family?  You will never see them again.  But........ what if you can fit into more than one group? More than two? That is not possible.  And if it is... well your life is in danger.  

Tris, our heroine,  is forced to use her bravery and selflessness to protect others even when she doesn't realize it. Calm Four encourages Tris to use her upbringing's focus on selflessness to be even more courageous. Tris and Four work together  for the greater good, and sparks fly along the way.  

If you are thinking about letting your student read this,  please know that I had high hopes for this book.  It is really well written, has fascinating characters and an extremely diverse universe.  I did not like, however, the amount of inappropriate physical contact between the major characters.  This is supposed to be a children's/teen book, but parts of it are really inappropriate.  Violence in a daily routine for the characters in this story; many of them die, are murdered, and one character commits suicide.  These scenes aren't overtly graphic, but still questionable for a young audience.  

Book 1 of 3

Grade Level: 4.8