OTHER BOOKTALK SITES-The following sites will give you book reviews of books not necessarily owned by  Oneonta High School.

 Huck Finn is a young boy who loves adventures. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn takes place on the Mississippi River during the 1840's. The main character Huck is fighting for his right to be civilized but loses. His father is a drunk and treats him bad. Huck escapes and finds him self on an island and meets up with a run away slave named Jim. They become good friends and build a strong friendship. After a while they have to leave the island and they head off down the river to try to reach the Free states. Something goes wrong and they become slip up and have to struggle to get back together.
It was a close place. “I took . . . up [the letter I’d written to Miss Watson], and held it in my hand. I was a-trembling, because I’d got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself: “All right then, I’ll go to hell”—and tore it up. It was awful thoughts and awful words, but they was said. And I let them stay said; and never thought no more about reforming”. (Larry Jankowski '08)

Angela's Ashes: A Memoir / By Frank McCourt

A masterful storyteller, Frank McCourt tells the story of his childhood in the voice of the child in Angela’s Ashes. His tales of impoverishment, starvation, the death of three siblings does not spare the reader from the harsh reality of his childhood in Brooklyn and Limerick, Ireland in the 1930s and 1940s.  Frank McCourt was born in Brooklyn in 1930.  His mother suffered from depression after the loss of her daughter and the family returned to Ireland. His father, Malachy, was a Catholic from Northern Ireland.  He was an alcoholic and when he was able to find employment, he would drink his wages.  His mother would request public assistance from the St. Vincent de Paul Society. His father left the family to work in England, but never sent money to the family or returned home. Two main themes in the book are the repression of the Catholic Church on the Irish people and the dampness and disease from the Shannon River.  McCourt recounts the deaths of his twin brothers and his bout with typhoid.  Despite the family's terrible existence, McCourt manages to impart the emotions of love and evokes the laughter in his recounting of his childhood antics. The stories of his childhood will leave the reader in stitches, despite the family’s horrific existence. 

 The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

    “I thought about the baby that everyone wanted dead, and saw it very clearly. No synthetic yellow bangs suspended over marble-blue eyes, no pinched nose and bowline mouth. More strongly than my fondness for Pecola, I felt a need for someone to want the black baby to live-just to counteract the universal love of white baby dolls..” This passage is from The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. A little black girl struggles with the desire of wanting blue eyes. She believes that if she had blue eyes like little white girls maybe then people would like her and think she was beautiful. She thought that maybe her parents would have treated each other better. Pecola went through horrific events that left her alone with an imaginary friend. That passage represents the struggle she went through and how her friends hoped that through the event something good would come of it. They hoped that a baby would be born to change the idea of only little white girls being beautiful. (Jamilyn Bellinger '08)

The Body of Christopher Creed/ by Carol Plum-Ucci

Christopher Creed could be a royal pain to his classmates. Nevertheless, when he disappears, everyone worries about what has happened to him. Has he become the victim of a murder or abduction? Is suicide a possibility? Perhaps, think some, Christopher has simply run away. The police and the Creed family search for answers. So does sixteen-year-old classmate Torey Adams. It seems as though everyone has a story about pounding Christopher for his annoying behavior; even Torey admits to slugging him once. As the mystery deepens, however, and people begin to blame various people in the small town of Steepleton, Torey begins to realize that there are many secrets in the town. Perhaps the disappearance of Christopher Creed is a mystery not meant to be solved. Despite the fact that Christopher Creed is a character never really "seen" in the novel, readers will come to know him and to care about him through the author's deft characterization. How other characters think and feel about Christopher, as well as how they react to the news of his mysterious disappearance, are as revealing as any description of him might be. The reactions of the student body, many of whom loathed Christopher, are realistic. Conversations sound as if they were recorded in any high school hallway. The open-ended conclusion will have readers talking and discussing long after reading. The book would be a great way to inspire debate about how preconceived notions can color the manner in which people relate to each other, and it will help teens challenge prejudices that they often are unaware exist.

Breathing Underwater/ by Alex Finn

In the book Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn, Nick Andreas is a typical high school student who lives with his father in Miami, Florida. Nick is quite popular, rich, a good student, and an overall nice guy. Nick has many friends but is afraid to open up to them; he never tells them what really goes on when he is home with his father. Nick is an independent person, until the day he meets the girl of his dreams, Caitlin McCourt. As the relationship grows, something inside of Nick grows into a monster. All of his friends are worried about him including Tom, Saint, and Zack. Mario Ortega, however is most concerned about Nick’s well being. Once Nick thought he had it all, it was all gone. (Christine Baker '03)
 
 

Buried Onions / by Gary Soto

Eddie just wants to lead a good life, work hard, and stay out of trouble. But like many other Mexican Americans in Fresno, he's not finding it easy. His father, his best friend, and now his cousin are all victims of gang violence. Eddie is wrongly accused of stealing his employer's truck.  His family and friends are all urging him to avenge his cousin's murder. He doesn't want another death, but will he give in to the pressures against him?
 

The Callender Papers/ by Cynthia Voight

 Young Jean Weinwright has lead a sheltered life, an orphan under her Aunt’s stoic wing in a respected woman’s school in Boston.  Mr. Thiel, a close friend of her Aunt, requests Jean’s respectable working ethic in the organization of a set of personal papers, the archives of the rich family with a very tragic past.  Despite her lack of liking to the job and the man she would be living with for the summer, she accepted the task as a courtesy to her Aunt.  After living in the despairingly drab life in Marlborough, she befriends the eccentric Enoch Callender, the man who’s papers she is organizing, against her employer’s delight.  Though friendly at first, doubt and suspicion begins to creep into Jean’s mind about Enoch as the difficult memories begin to surface from the people around her in the form of stories and the Callender family papers.  She begins to fear for her safety and grows suspicious of those around her, especially the well-spoken and cheerful Enoch.  Is there something hidden in the Callender papers, something that the Callender family does not want the public eye to see?  Jean soon finds that living long enough to find out may be the greatest obstacle…(Dan Scott, '03)   

Calling the Swan / by Jean Thesman

Skylar Deacon wants to change the fearful way she has approached life for the last three years.  Three years ago the Deacon family suffered a tragedy, and no one speaks of it. Although Skylar's grandmother and older sister Alexandra are supportive, it is Skylar alone who must make the break to become a strong and independent person again. In order to open up her school schedule, she opts to take an English course in a summer school. There, her teacher Mrs. Vargas assigns writing - LOTS of writing - which requires that Skylar examine her feelings and her past. Between her teacher, her minister, and new friends' concerns for her, Skylar is able to break through to address the tragedy and get on with her life, something her mother cannot do.
 

Catalyst/ By Laurie Halse Anderson

Kate Malone, an obsessive, overbearing teenager, who is looked upon by her close-knit community, as a graceful intelligent daughter of the Reverend Jack Malone. Sets her mind focusing on her college future at the honorable technical school of MIT, the only one she applied to. Therefore making the rejection all the more heartbreaking.The only way she can cope with all the emotions is to run. Running her problems away until she can no longer take it, giving her the satisfaction of feeling in control of her hectic life. The lack of parental guidance, from her God worshiping father, Reverend Malone takes pride in being the hero when those are in need and doesn’t realize that his own daughter is slipping into a world of her own.

Catch 22/ Joseph Heller

The Chocolate War / by Robert Cormier

“Do I dare disturb the universe?” states the poster in Jerry's locker.  Jerry Renault is a high school freshman at Trinity Catholic High School trying to make the football team.  His mother died from cancer a few months before school started, and his father is moving through the daily activities of life.  Archie Costello is the mastermind of the school’s secret society, The Virgils.  Archie intimidates students into carrying out special assignments.  Brother Leon is abusing his power in the absence of the headmaster by orchestrating a large fund raising project with each student responsible for the sale of fifty boxes and in turn intimidating Archie and the Virgils to support the project.  The Virgils give Jerry an assignment.  He was to refuse to sell the candy for ten days.  Jerry refuses to sell the candy, which annoyed Brother Leon.  Jerry is at first a hero to the students, and they too stop selling the chocolate.  The Virgils tell Jerry that he has to sell the chocolate, but he refuses.  Read this dark and compelling tale of the abuse of power and intimidation.

Clan of the Cave Bear/ by Jean Auel

The book starts off in an ancient era over thirty-five thousand years ago, when our ancestors coexisted with the people we call “the Neanderthals”. The story starts out with a young girl taking a swim in a river not far from her camp. Just as she is returning the earth starts to shake and she watches as her camp along with her mother and father, is swallowed up by the earth. Overcome with grief, she travels along the river for many days hoping to find something, anything. As she travels she fights starvation and dehydration. Succeeding in fighting off dehydration by drinking water from the stream, but failing to win over starvation she slowly loses energy. A while after she leaves the river she is walking across a meadow when she almost stumbles into a cave lion prides den. She is pursued by a lioness and finds shelter in a very small cave. The cave lion tries to reach her, succeeding in leaving four parallel gashes along her thigh. After waiting more than a day the child is forced to leave the cave in search of water. She gets close to the river but collapses before she can reach it and loses consciousness.

Cujo by Stephen King

Cujo is a good old dog belonging to a boy named Brett Camber in a small town in Maine. He is too old even to go chasing rabbits on most occasions, but one day he felt unusually spry and decided to do just that. He chased the rabbit into a small cave filled with rabid bats. I bet you can guess how that turned out for him by yourself. At the same time Tad Trenton is awakened one night to find his closet is inhabited by a monster. His parents try to convince him that monsters don't exist. Reality proves otherwise when Tad and his mother end up stranded at the Cambers farm with nobody home except Cujo. Here is a sample of the fun that follows: " ... His teeth now snapped and snarled bare inches from her neck. She put her arm up as Cujo crawled farther on top of her. His eye was now oozing down the side of his face. His breath was hideous. She tried to push his muzzle up, and his jaws clamped down on her forearm"(King 288). Packed with action and suspense, this book is shorter than most of King’s other works, so if you like his style and suspenseful stories, but dislike the number of pages his books usually contain, then this book may be for you. (Joe Gollin '08)

Cut/ byPatricia McCormick

Callie has a problem with cutting herself, which makes her feel better.  She ends up in a rehab center to help to control her cutting.  While in the rehab center she meets Debbie, Sydney, Tara, Becca, Tiffany, and Claire who all have something to do with her getting better.  Every weekend at Sea Pines they have visiting time, which is when the families are able to come in and see their daughters.  One weekend Callie’s mom and brother came but her father was working a lot since she went into Sea Pines.  Her mother told her it was because they needed to be able to pay the difference of the insurance.  She is very disappointed because she has not seen her dad since she has been in Sea Pines.  She goes through a period of time where she is not speaking to anyone and then she eventually finds out that she need help.  The only way that she was going to get help was if people realize what is bothering her.  (Heidi Davis, '03)
 

Deenie /by Judy Blume

Deenie Fenner is just like any 13 year old girl – she's smart, curious, and happy – except for the fact that her mother is a control freak.  Her mother is convinced that Deenie is destined to become a fashion super model.  The problem is, Deenie wants nothing to do with the modeling industry.  She would rather spend more time with her friends, talking about boys.  However, when it seems like Deenie has a real chance with a major modeling corporation, her world comes crashing down, in more ways than one.  Not only does Deenie not want to be a model, but also her doctor discovers she has scoliosis, which intrigues her but horrifies her mother.  She will have to wear a large back brace for the next four years, which will diminish all her chances for becoming a model.  It sounds good to Deenie, but she is in for a surprise.  How will Deenie survive?  How will her friends treat her?  Will her mother learn to accept her?  Read this delightful book, step into Deenie’s world, and find out!  (Jennifer Martino '02)

                                 
                                                                                                    
The Diary of a Young Girlby Anne Frank                     
 
It was early 1940’s, the war had just begun and everything was going well for Anne Frank. She lived with her mother (Edith Frank-Hollander), her father (Otto Frank), and her older sister (Margot) but her sunny days and good times were about to change forever. The Nazi Party was becoming more powerful and starting to control everything. When her father got word that the Nazi’s were capturing Jews and sending them to concentration camps, he knew he had to take action. To keep his family safe, he sent his whole family into hiding. The family along with four other people hid in the back part of his work building. While they were there Anne kept a diary and wrote about her daily life in hiding. She talks about daily routines, fights within the group members, also the tension of isolation and the fear of being discovered. The fear always hung over their heads until the day the group was betrayed, captured, and sent to concentration camps. This book explains the hard times that the group went through and all of their last enjoyable moments that they had together. This is a quote from when Anne was thinking about one of her friends and it explains how she was feeling. It is also an example of the hard times that Anne went through and all the horrible things that were happening while she was in hiding that she couldn’t do anything about it.

 “To be honest, I hadn’t thought about her for months- no, for at least a year. I hadn’t forgotten her entirely, and yet it wasn’t until I saw her before me that I thought of all her suffering. Oh, Hanneli, I hope that if you live to the end of the war and return to us, I’ll be able to take you in and  make up for the wrong I’ve done you.But even if I were ever in a position to help, she wouldn’t need it more than she does now. I wonder if she ever thinks of me, and what she’s feeling? Merciful God, comfort her, so that at least she won’t be alone. Oh, if you only You could tell her I’m thinking of her with compassion and love, it might help her go on.” (Patricia Kenik  '08)

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big round Things/ by Carolyn Mackler

Virginia is shy, insecure, and very down on herself in the beginning.  She idolizes her brother, until he is accused of a crime and dismissed from school.  Virginia begins to see that life can be unfair, but dwelling on it will only make things worse.  Her character becomes independent, outgoing, and not as critical of herself at the end of the book.  Virginia rebels against her parents, which many teens do.  Virginia’s character matures, takes risks and becomes her own person, with her own beliefs and ideals, something that happens as teens mature.  This is important to the book because it shows how something can change a person.  It is also important because teens change, and become many of them become like their friends, not finding who they are themselves.  Virginia has done that.  She has found herself and that is an important message for any teen – Be Yourself. (KimHayden/SUNY Albany SLIS)

Educating Esme / by Esme Raji Codell

Educating Esme is a journal of a talented, imaginative, enthusiastic and idealistic teacher’s first year of teaching in an inner city school.  Any child would love being in her brightly decorated classroom. She teaches multiplication of double digits by dancing the cha-cha; creates a time machine for reading; purchases her own books for the classroom library.  She teaches her students conflict resolution, which worked.  She received a grant for a school wide Fairy Tale Festival, and has a know-it all student play her role for the day. She battles with a principal who tries to have her conform, instead recognizing her successes. The reader is privy to her range of emotions, concerns, and frustrations.  Esme does not hold back her feelings.
 

Eva / by Peter Dickinson

Eva has survived a devastating car accident.  She is no longer the pretty thirteen-year-old she remembers. Eva wakes up from a coma with a different body. The medical staff and parents prepare her for the shock, and explain that is the only way she could survive.  Her father is a zoologist.  They wanted her to survive and tried an experiment.  When Eva looks in a mirror, she is now a chimpanzee! See how Eva manages to survive and accepts her fate.  The experiment was financed by a news organization and a fruit juice company.  Eva is obligated to work for the companies.  Is she more human or more chimpanzee?  Read and find out Eva’s destiny.
 

A Face in Every Window / by Han Nolan

JP O'Brien's secure, orderly world quickly unravels when his Grandma Mary dies. She had always taken care of JP, his mentally handicapped father, and his dreamer mother. His mother's latest dream is of winning an essay contest, first prize is a farmhouse. When she actually wins, she wants to share her good fortune by inviting an odd assortment of neighborhood outcasts to live with them. JP becomes angry with his mother's and her friends' antics, and starts to push everyone away. How can he learn to accept  their differences and begin to feel secure again?
 

Family of Strangers / Susan Beth Pfeffer

Written in letter format, Abby tries desperately to stave off depression and suicide. By talking to her friends and sister through her journal of letters, she copes ultimately with her life, in spite of her dysfunctional family.
 
 
 
 

The Fellowship of the Ring/ J.R.R. Tolkien

Frodo Baggins, the young hobbit, through strange circumstances, has the entire fate of Middle Earth resting in his hands.  One day while minding his own affairs he comes across a ring that has the power to control all.  He then sets out on a quest with three of his hobbit friends to keep the ring out of evil hands and eventually destroy the evil power.  The wizard Gandalf is a mentor to young Frodo and when he loses his life to save the hobbit, Frodo realizes what he must do.  When the 4 hobbits reach Rivendell, Frodo, his servant Sam, an Elf, a Dwarf, and two Men continue the quest through the Misty Mountains to find their way to Mordor.  The brotherhood between these 7 brave souls is key throughout the story for it is the main resistance against evil. The fantasy world of Middle Earth is very similar to the Earth at the moment, when the novel is stripped of its fantasy elements.  At the end Frodo must decide what is more important to him, his safety or his friendships.  What will he decide? Read The Fellowship of the Ring, and the other two books in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy for an adventure that will only make you want to read more.  (Luke Colone'02)

Firestarter/ by Stephen King

    Andy and Vicky were just normal college students. One day they volunteered for a study of human behavior under the effects of hallucinogenic drugs.  What they didn’t know was that the test was actually a new drug that the government hoped would increase human's natural abilities.  Andy and Vicky were under the new drug names Lot Six for forty eight hours; during this time they thought they witnessed a number of grotesque and horrible things.  Andy swore he saw one man claw out his own eyes, but was it all a dream?  Years later Andy and Vicky get married and slowly realize they have extra-ordinary abilities, Andy can basically control peoples mind and Vicky has a very minute form of telekinesis.  After a while they had a child and nothing was ever the same, Charlie was born.  Charlie is the firestarter; of course she is just an infant so she has no control over this amazing power.  After years of surprise baby crib fires Charlie is old enough to suppress this power and goes on to live a normal life.  Then one day two agents from The Shop, the installation which created and monitored Lot Six, came looking for Charlie and when Vicky wouldn’t reveal her location she was tortured and murdered.  Andy then has to track down these men and save Charlie. From then on Charlie and Andy are on the run from The Shop with little hope of ever being free.  Do they get captured? Read and find out.   (Tim Simonds ’08)

Forever / by Judy Blume

 The theme of Forever… deals with teen relationships – their merits, drawbacks, and the reactions they evoke in others.  Seventeen-year-old Katherine Danziger meets Michael Wagner at a New Year’s Party.  They begin dating and both fall in love for the first time.  Katherine’s parents like Michael but don’t want to see her get tied down to one person so young.  They make her take a job as a camp counselor, meaning she will not see Michael all summer.  Katherine’s father’s constant worrying about her and Michael getting too serious foreshadows his decision to send her to camp.  Katherine is very upset and misses Michael terribly, but while at camp she meets and develops a crush on Theo, another counselor.  Katherine faces an internal conflict over whether she wants to be with Michael, whom she loves, or Theo, whom she has become so attracted to.  Will the “forever” she and Michael promised each other survive the summer?

Full Tilt/ Neal Schusterman

When they get there, it looks like a normal carnival, but they soon find out that they are very wrong. This “bizarre phantom carnival” is looking for souls. The only way to escape is to survive seven rides by dawn. The only problem is that each ride represents a personal fear, and each ride is deadly.Do the four of them make it out of the horrifying carnival, or are they forever part of this soul-seeking place? (Tiffany Rowell '08)

Gerald's Game/ By Stephen King

Ok...I admit, I don't like sick, twisted, books, and that's what usually comes to mind when someone says the name Stephen King. This book isn't as crazy as the others but still strange. Its about this married couple that go to a cottage on vacation. They were starting to fool around and the wife gets handcuffed to the bed. The husband (Gerald) then has a heart attack; and he happens to leave the keys to the handcuffs on the dresser, across the room. So she has a problem... the cottage is not near any cities. During the night she sees someone in the shadows. Then she pleads with him to help her. Then a while later a vicious dog comes. How is she going to get out? I'll leave you with this question
-Krista Palumbo ‘05

Go Ask Alice/Anonymous, is an amazing book that is actually a diary of a 15-year-old teenager.  The main character, Alice is a stereotypical teenage girl who is worried about boys, is uncomfortable with the way she’s growing up, doesn’t like school, and has difficulty relating to her parents.  Her family moves to a different town and as the rest of the family fits nicely into the town, Alice feels left out.  She is invited to a party and unknowingly takes LSD.  This is where Alice’s battle with drugs begins.  The word ‘battle’ is used because she says throughout the story how she is going to quit drugs, yet soon after, continues to use them, and doesn’t seem to know how addicted to the drugs she is.  Alice goes through life, almost in a haze; she hitchhikes to different states, and soon vows to quit drugs.  This attempt to quit drugs appears to be successful until Alice finds herself in a mental hospital due to eating some food that she didn’t know was laced with LSD.  She is released and finds she wants to start a new life entirely and is now ‘drug-free’.  This book can relate to the teenage mind so well, through life’s tough times and struggles, as Alice describes how she deals with the problem and tries to overcome it.  Alice takes the reader to places that are interesting and captures their attention more than ever. With her witty humor, great stories, and her ability to become so real to the reader, this is definitely a great read. (Elisabeth Tannebaum ’08)
  
 

Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets /by J.K. Rowling

As Harry Potter begins his second year at Hogwarts school of wizardry, he is forced to be on higher alert. Many strange things keep happening when he is around causing everyone to be suspicious of him.  Many times he is reminded of how the sorting hat placed him in Slytherin House; the dormitory that had breed more dark wizards than any other house, but Harry asked it to put him in Gryffindor. Slytherin House is the dormitory that housed Lord Voldemort; the most evil and feared of all dark wizards.  Now many of Harry's classmate are accusing him of being the next Lord Voldemort.  Harry also learns he has the rarest ability to communicate with the snakes; a trait only shared by Lord Voldemort.  This causes Harry to wonder whether his classmates predictions are true.  Is Harry's destiny to become the next Lord Voldemort?
 Harry's two problems in this sequel to "the sorcerers stone" are very different as one is intrapersonal and the other is interpersonal.  While dealing with these problems Harry also must come to the bottom of what is terrorizing the school, because as of now he is being fingered for the evil deeds.  (Brian Fitzpatrick '02)
 

Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire/ by J.R. Rowling

Have you ever read a book that takes you into another world?  Have you ever read something that you cannot put down?  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.R. Rowling is just that.  This is the fourth book in the Harry Potter series and despite its length is still completely magical.  It is not necessary, but a good idea, to read the first three books in this series for a better understanding of the magic world, who all the characters are, and what is being talked about.
This book is about Harry’s fourth year at the Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft.  Harry and one of his two best friends, Hermione, are invited to the Quiddich World Cup with their friend Ron’s family, the Weaslys.  The bond between these three friends is evident and their friendship is a theme running throughout the book.  While at the Cup there is a panic among the magic community because the “Death Mark”, which is Voldermort’s sign, is seen in the sky.  Harry and the rest of the witches and wizards wonder if this is a sign that You-know-who is returning.  This incident foreshadows what happens in the end, because Voldermort does in fact return.
 Harry learns about the Triwizard Tournament that he will be participating in, it is only for those 17 and older, but despite this, the Goblet of Fire still chooses him to participate in the event.  The tournament the events that surround it are the main source of conflict in the book.  The tournament is harmless, until while he is completing the last task he is forced to face his nemesis, the man who killed his parents.  Will he make it out alive?  You'll just have to read to find out.  (Carrie Eaton '02)

Heroes/ by Robert Cormier

Francis Cassavant lost his face during World War II, when he jumped on a grenade.  He saved the lives of several US soldiers and was awarded with the Silver Star for bravery.  Was it really an act of heroism?  Francis comes back to his hometown of Frenchtown, and he has a mission.  He is determined to kill his childhood hero, Larry LaSalle.  Another Silver Star recipient, Larry was one of the most respected and adored people in Frenchtown.  He destroyed Francis’ life when he abused Nicole Renard, Francis’ love.  This book will keep you reading with suspense, as you delve into the themes of revenge, suicide, love, and heroism. (Marc Weinmuller'03)
 
 

The Hobbit/ by J.R.R. Tolkien

In the book The Hobbit by J.R Tolken, an adventure awaits you.  It brings you right in the story.  Some main characters are Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, and Thorin Oakenshield.  At the most obvious level, the protagonist of the main plot is Bilbo Baggins, who helps the dwarves recover their treasure and kingdom, aids the forces of good, and, in the process, faces his own fears and transforms himself from an ordinary hobbit into a true hero.  In the first sub-plot, the group of dwarves, who set out on a quest to the Lonely Mountain, is the protagonist. They are eager to recover the treasures of their ancestors. In the second sub-plot, the protagonist is the force of good,  represented by Bilbo, Gandalf, the dwarves, the elves, the Lake town men, and all the other characters who stand with them. In the main plot, Bilbo's antagonist is his fear and lack of confidence. In the beginning, he screams at the thought of a dragon and is fearful of making the journey with the dwarves. He must go through a series of adventures in order to become courageous and defeat his fear. The antagonist of the dwarves is Smaug, the dragon who has stolen and hoarded the treasure that belonged to the ancestors of the dwarves. He must be defeated in order for the dwarves to regain possession of the gold and jewels that they believe are rightfully theirs.  The antagonist of the force of good is the cast of characters that are  evil, including Smaug, the goblins, the wolves, and all the forces that battle and thwart those on the side of good. The Hobbit is notable in that it possesses three main themes that  parallel each other. The most easily observed theme is the age-old  battle between good and evil. This theme is highlighted in the  episodes where Gandalf, the dwarves, and Bilbo fight against the  trolls, goblins, and other enemies.  (Traci Canfield '02)
 

Holes /by Louis Sachar

Stanley Yelnats, whose name is spelled the exact same forwards and backwards, has been wrongly accused of a crime he didn't do.  In court he has the choice of jail or Camp Green Lake.  Stanley's never been privileged enough to go a camp so he gladly chooses Camp Green Lake.  Much to Stanley's surprise the camp isn't what he has expected at all.  No fun, no laughing, no good food, and NO LAKE.  There is nothing but crazy kids, mean authorities, and HOLES.  Everyday as punishment the kids have to dig a hole five feet deep and five feet wide.  They are told it will make them honest to goodness, law abiding parts of society, however Stanley knows better.  They are either looking for something or they are digging their own graves.  Things just aren't adding up.  Why is their no lake?  What is the real reasoning behind the holes?  Is the Yelnat family curse really a thing of fantasy or could Stanley be the truth to the curse.  All these questions and more are revealed in this thrill ride from beginning to end.  As Stanley learns you can't bury the past, at least not forever.   (Jason Pidgeon, '03)
 
 
 
 
 
 

Hope Was Here / by Joan Bauer

Hope is a sixteen year old girl, who lives with her Aunt Addie.  Hope is an exceptional waitress and Addie is a spectacular cook.  Together they make an impressive pair.  One of the conflicts presented in the story deals with how Hope and Addie never get to stay in one place.  Once again this pair is moving but this time they are moving to Wisconsin, which will be quite different from their lives in New York City.   Hope and Addie begin to work at the Welcome Stairways diner.  The last thing Hope expects is to get caught up in the main theme of the story, which is political corruption.  G.T. Stoops is the owner of the diner and has been diagnosed with leukemia.  He doesn't know how long he has to live but he decides he wants to run against the previous corrupt mayor.  G.T. wants to make a difference and stop the bad that has been eating up the town.  (Melissa Pidgeon '02)

Hoops/by Walter Dean Myers

Seventeen-year-old Lonnie Jackson has never had much. His father left him when he was a young boy. He lives in the projects with his mother, who he doesn't get along with very well. One of the things his father used to tell him before he left was that his days were piling up on him; Lonnie never knew what that meant. The only thing that Lonnie has that matters anything to him is his talent in the game of basketball, which he believes is good enough to take to the NBA. Lonnie finally realizes what his father meant when he said his days were piling up on him. His schoolwork, his job at the Grant Hotel and his mother always nagging him about his schoolwork, are all piling up on him at once and there is just not enough hours in the day to keep up on everything he is expected to do. To find out if Lonnie gets through all of this pressure, and makes it to the NBA you will have to read the book and find out for yourself.  (Shannon Losie '02)

I Am The Cheese / Robert Cormier

“I am riding the bicycle and I am on Route 31 in Monument, Massachusetts, on my way to Rutterburg, Vermont, and I’m pedaling furiously because this is an old-fashioned bike, no speeds, no fenders, only the warped tires and the brakes that don’t always work and the handlebars with cracked rubber grips to steer with.”  This is how Robert Cormier begins his story of a boy named Adam and his quest to reach his father in Vermont.  As he battles his way through New England by bicycle, he is also forced into struggles with his own mind as he tries to bring back memories of his past.  As Adam struggles, the pieces slowly start to come together and Adam is able to fill in the blanks of his past.     While you travel with Adam across the landscape, also travel back through his life to his childhood to discover where he came from and where he is going.   But, be ready for anything as you go around every twist and turn on the way. (Sean Manchester '03)

If You Come Softly / by Jacqueline Woodson

Jeremiah feels good inside his own skin, at least in his own Brooklyn neighborhood. But now he's going to be attending a fancy prep school in Manhattan, and black boys don't exactly fit there. He is surprised when he meets Ellie during the first week of school. They develop a special relationship, even though he's black and she's Jewish. Unfortunately, the relationship is not meant to last.

In The Middle Of The Night/ by Robert Cormier

   This novel by Robert Cormier displays what life is like for Denny Colbert living in his father’s shadow.  Eight years before his birth, his father John Colbert is accused of burning down a theatre.  His family receives phone calls at all hours of the day by mystery callers.  No matter how much Denny wants his father to stick up for himself, and tell his story he never does.  As Denny grows older he decides that he wants to help out his father by answering the phone and fighting for his father’s cause.  The result of his actions though may endanger his own life.  For a reader who loves action and suspense this one will keep you on your toes, waiting in anticipation.(Brendan Connarton, '03)
 
 
 

Indian Captive The Story of Mary Jemison/ by Lois Lenski

Mary Jemison and her family have been captured by Indians from their home in Pennsylvania.  She is then separated from her family and takes a long journey, and ends up at Fort Duquesne.  Mary is then adopted by Seneca sisters, Squirrel Women and Shinning Star, in place of their lost brother.  She is constantly reminded of her family and her home back in Marsh Creek, Pa, and resents the Indians way. After awhile she learns that the Seneca are her family, and will not hurt her.   They give her the name for Corn Tassel for her yellow golden hair.  She slowly though makes friends, and begins to understand their ways.  She learns to speak the Seneca language, and appreciate their way of life.  She also makes strong friendships with little turtle, beaver girl, Earth Women, and other Seneca.  One day a white English man, comes to the Seneca village, to bring the girl with golden hair (Corn Tassel) back to the white people. She is then given the option of going back to the white people.  Will she stay with her new friends, and family, the Seneca?  Will she ever meet her parents again?.   Based on a true story.  The story of Mary Jemison.  (Rachael Leary'02)
 

Izzy Willy Nilly/ by Cynthia Voigt

Sometimes a simple decision can change your life forever.  Such is the case in the book Izzy Willy Nilly by Cynthia Voigt.  Imagine, Isabel was only in ninth grade and a senior had asked her to a party!  Okay, so Marco wasn’t exactly Prince Charming, but he was a senior.  Izzy could already see the envious expressions on her friends’ faces.  But when the party came to an end and Izzy’s date was drunk, she had an important choice to make:  Should she let her drunken date take her home or should she find another ride?  She knew the risk it possessed, but it was only a short drive to her house and she hated to think of what others would think of her if she left her date, so the decision was made, and Izzy let Marco drive her home. Now, Izzy finds herself lying helpless in a hospital bruised, in pain, and missing one leg.  She cannot do anything for herself and is disgusted by her own appearance.  She begins to isolate herself from her friends and family.  Weak, ashamed, and secluded, Izzy seems to have lost the battle.  But with the help of a new friend, Rosamunde, Izzy may finally be able to forgive herself.  Will she not only be able to learn to accept her appearance but to love the person she has become?  (Sarah Rowe '02) 

Killing Mr. Griffin/ by Lois Duncan

 “The plan was to only scare their English teacher.”  Mr. Griffin was the meanest and most hated teacher in the whole high school.  However after he disappeared, everyone seemed to care.  Everyone believed perhaps he skipped town to abandon his recently pregnant wife, or perhaps he ran away with a new mistress.  A group of Mr. Griffin’s students planned to play a joke on him.  They had the school nerd, Susan McConnell lure Mr. Griffin into their evil trap.  Mrs. Griffin and a detective looked high and low for Mr. Griffin’s body.  “Jeff grabbed for his wrists and struggled to bring the arms down to the sides…..  Finding it far less easy then anticipated…. Pin his arms damn it that mans a wild cat, HURRY.”  The diction of the novel is very suspenseful.  One can almost feel that they are part of the novel, as if one was really there experiencing what was going on.  The end of the novel consists of Susan realizing that she had to do the right thing and tell the police what really happened.  But the group had other plans for her.  Mark, one of the teenagers in the group had a plan to keep her quiet, and will do anything to stop her, or anyone else who gets in his way.  The suspenseful conclusion will keep the readers talking long after the book is finished. This book helps teens realize that their choices have consequences, and to think about their action before repeating their mistakes.(Erin Scanlon '08)

Knocked Out by my Nunga-Nungas / Louise Rennison

Georgia has finally got the Sex God hooked.  The only problem is they never have time to spend with each other.  How is Georgia going to keep this relationship going with her trip to Scotland and the Sex God always gone?  Don't worry, Georgia keeps her cool and also keeps the Sex God.  When she returns from her trip however, she now has to start dealing with a whole new set of problems.  Problems like the new French student teacher who is a hottie, Angus her cat and his manhood, and her nunga-nungas that seem to be going out of control! The big hassle for Georgia comes when her ex, Dave the Laugh re-enters her life.  To Georgia's surprise he is looking quite dreamy these days.  The problem is she already has the Sex God.  What will Georgia ever do? (Kristina DiMartin'03)
 

Life in the Fat Lane/ by Cherie Bennett

Lara is a beauty pageant winner and has just been chosen the homecoming queen when inexplicably she starts gaining weight very fast. In a matter of months she is over 200 pounds! It appears she has caught some metabolic disease, and as a result, Lara slips from being in the "in crowd" to being shunned and loses her boyfriend. When her family moves, Lara is still hurting, and she come to realize how others who are not beautiful can feel about acceptance.  (Reviewed by Frederick Muller)
 

Lord of the Flies/ by William Golding

Schoolboys cast away on a tropical island without any adults. First it seems like everything is fine and they could live by themselves, but soon they split up into two groups with different priorities. Golding writes and describes this in detail and you see that little problems can have huge consequences. The meaning of the book basically describes what happens to people without any supervision. The kids start to act like animals and forget any kind of human behavior. “There isn’t anyone to help you. [...]Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!...You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you!?” This part is where “the lord of the flies” really “speaks” to one of the kids named Simon and he realizes, that what happens with them will sooner or later end in chaos. The book is very interesting and easy to read : what makes it more compelling is to discover the human being from the other, darker side. (Simon Albert’08)

Written almost 30 years ago, this compelling book about the abused Georgie Burgess still speaks to us today, and gives us hope that there can be a good ending to such atrocities inflicted on innocent children everywhere. After his mother's boyfriend beats Georgie up so severely that he is hospitalized, Georgie is sent to a group home run by a Catholic nun. Here, the embittered boy slowly learns to trust and love other human beings, some of whom have had their own tragedies to deal with. A sensitive and beautifully written novel.

Maniac Magee / by Jerry Spinelli

Jeffrey Magee decides one day that he needs to get away from his usual life. A life filled with two of everything and utter chaos because of the feud between his aunt and uncle. Things started normal enough for Jeffrey, but when his parents were killed in a train wreck, Jeffrey had no choice but to go live with his aunt and uncle. However one day Jeffrey loses it and runs away to the segregated town of Two Mills; a place near where his parents were killed and about 200 miles from the loveless household he used to call home. A place where all of the whites live on the west end of town and the blacks live on the east, with no mixed area in between. On Jeffrey's journey he meets many new people (The Beale family, Mr. Grayson, the McNab gang, and many other kids who preach the legend of the Maniac) and establishes a name for himself that seems to stick with him; Maniac Magee, Maniac, or even sometimes Mr. Maniac. Jeffrey becomes known as the fearless kid whose faster than a freight train, hits home runs with the greatest of ease, can catch any football pass that he can get a finger on, and can run faster on the rail of a railroad track than most kids can run, period. To kids his own age he is considered to be a real maniac. However throughout Maniac’s journey he is only searching for one thing, a place that he can call his own, or as he puts it “an address.” Throughout the book Jeffrey is torn between staying in the east end of town with a black family who loves him and he loves back, or staying in the west end of town where many people in the town think he belongs. This is Maniac’s main conflict. He is also unable to comprehend why two societies would remain isolated from each other, when they could learn so much from one another. Maniac learns a lot of good lessons while he is in the prejudice town of Two Mills which are the themes that the book communicates. Maniac learns theses lessons through experiences that are foreshadowed throughout the book. For example when Maniac is able to hit a homerun off of the best pitcher in town, it was foreshadowed by prior feats that Maniac had completed with the greatest of ease. From this experience Maniac learned a lesson about always believing in himself in what ever he was doing. He also learns how prejudice people can be towards differences, how everyone is the same, that differences should be celebrated, and that it is important to look past skin color and put prejudice feelings aside. (Vaughn Ratchford '02)
 

Mind's Eye/ by Paul Fleischman

This is a small gem and has all the right facets: short, imaginative, moving.  Courtney is a 16 year old girl who finds herself trapped in a nightmare - paralyzed from the waist down and forced to share a room with two elderly women, one blind, one an Alzheimer's victim. Elva asks her to join in on an imaginary trip to Italy, strictly through reading a 1910 edition of Baedeker's travel guide. Courtney, depressed and  uninterested,  reluctantly begins to read and ultimately finds herself drawn into this simulated "tour".  Fleischman's portrayal of Courtney's growing acceptance of her fate is convincing and poignant. Written in play form, "Mind's Eye draws poetry, Renaissance art, and the power of the imagination into a riveting work."
 

Mutation/ by Robin Cook

This is a story about a doctor who is named Frank. He is fooling around with genetic mutations. His wife has a son and he is a genius. VJ likes to come to the lab where Frank works and see what his father does. When VJ's (that is the kids name) intelligence quotient (IQ) drops dramatically in the third grade, His father is worried that there is something wrong with VJ. When VJ starts disappearing around Frank’s work he becomes a little worried. But when Frank finds out that his best friend has been murdered he becomes a little suspicious about what is happening. When there is a hacker accessing the lab’s files and taking them, Frank decides to investigate. He ends up finding out things about his son that he might not want to know.
-reviewed by Krista Palumbo '05
 

Night Hoops/ by Carl Deuker

Nick is great at basketball, but do you think his father even notices? Nope, the father is too obsessed with his oldest son Scott's athletic efforts. As it turns out, Scott would much rather be playing in jazz band than hoops. Nick, troubled by low grades, parents squabbling, and a threatening nest door juvenile delinquent, tries out for the varsity basketball team and makes it. As he increases his efforts on the court, Nick learns a lot about his parents, about Trent, his sullen next door neighbor, and what team friendship and partnership can mean. "In this story of an unlikely bond, the author explores that dark and confusing place between loneliness and friendship, between loyalty and betrayal."
 

Nobody Has to Know/Ingrid Tomey

Webber and his grandfather were very close so when Webber’s grandfather said "get in the car and let's get you new running shoes" he was there.  The bad thing was that Webber was about to make the biggest mistake of his life.  Webber was only 15.  He asked his grandfather if he could drive.  His grandfather spoiled him rotten so when he asked of course the answer was yes.  A couple days later Webber found himself laying in a hospital bed with no memory that his grandfather was driving and that he had hit a little girl on a bike.  Webber had a broken leg and his grandfather had broken ribs.  The little girl might not ever be able to walk again.  Eventually, Webber got his memory back and he remembered-he was the one who was in the drivers seat.(Jamie Grant, '03)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Number the Stars/by Lois Lowry

It is 1943, and life in Copenhagen is dim.  Food shortages, unbearable rations, and the persistent watch of Nazi eyes are constant.  Lois Lowry tells this story through the eyes of Annemarie Johansen, a ten-year-old Danish girl who is worried.  Not worried for herself, but for her best friend, Ellen.  Ellen Rosen, and her family have just heard from their rabbi that the Nazi party will be detaining Jews in Denmark.  Lowry tells a fictional story based on the true story of the Danish Resistance.  This resistance is one of the most overlooked achievements during World War II, when over 7,000 Jews were smuggled from Denmark to Sweden.  Annemarie and her family successfully smuggle Ellen over to Sweden and reside in her Uncle Henriks house.  What will happen to Ellen’s parents?  What will happen to Denmark?  Lowry answers these questions in a novel that truly deserves the Newberry Medal.  ( Josh Sperling'02)
 

Of Sound Mind/ by Jean Ferris
 

High school senior Theo is fed up with the responsibilities involved in helping the rest of his family , who are all deaf. His creative, charming but manipulative mother pounces on him the minute he gets home to take care of all the phone calls and chores she "can't" do. HIs father and brother, not quite as demanding, also have their own pulls onTheo's time. When Theo's dad has a stroke, his world seems to unravel at the seams, if not for the lifeline his girlfriend Ivy gives him. Theo must then decide how obligated  is he to his family,and how much should he ask and get  for himself.
 

    This is a novel based on a mental patient's story of life in an institution. The main character, an Indian by the name of Chief Bromden, experiences an array of tragic, horrific, and sadistic moments while in the ward. Along the way many new characters are brought into the story and they add tremendous parts to the plot. This takes place around the late 1960’s so electroshock therapy and lobotomies are still used as ‘experimental’ treatments. This plays a huge role in the story and makes the book very unpredictable and has the reader anticipating the institutions next move.

Perks of Being a Wallflower / by Stephen Chbosky

This is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through unchartered territory -the world of first dates, family dramas and new friends.  A coming of age story, a powerful novel about growing up.
 
 
 

Push/ by Sapphire

Precious C. Jones is a sixteen year old girl who is born and raised in an abusive family, where her mother beats her and her father rapes her. The book starts off with Precious  contemplating whether or not she should tell her story. Then it continues with Precious flashing back to when she was twelve and descriptively describing her sexual experience when her father used to rape her. The situation increases when Precious' mother finds out the her daughter has been made pregnant twice by her father, and decides to handle the situation by beating her as she is going into labor. Precious soon realizes that this is not the type of life in which she wants to live and raise her two children . She takes the intitiative, and finds a way to get  herself out of her mother's house. Although this novel focuses and deals with the issues of rape, incest, abuse, violence and HIV, it also fades into another important aspect of the book, which is the self determination of a person, and the will to push themselves to do better and move on with their life. This novel teaches you that no matter how deep or bad your situation is, there is always hope and a better wayof life. " I know you're tired, but you can't now...you gotta push, and I did." (Vince Hopkins '08)

Reef of Death/ by Paul Zindel

Do you like mystery, adventure, or to be frightened?  If you do, then this is the book for you!  Paul Zindel does an excellent job leaving the reader on the edge of their seat to find out what happens next in his book Reef of Death.  There is a task that has been given to two people and the question is can they fulfill the task at hand or will someone or something stop them.
The book starts out with two Aboriginal siblings.  They were sent out by their tribe to find the hidden treasure that the tribe had to hide in the past for when they needed it in the future.  The brother dives into the water to see if he can find any clue of where the treasure might be, but he is stopped by a huge creature who is very hungry.  The sister watches from the kayak as her brother is killed by this huge creature.  The sister asks a man to help her by finding the treasure for her tribe but the man calls in his nephew for back up.  The uncle dives to look for the treasure while the nephew uses the minisub to look around.  Then the creature comes out from it's hiding and follows the nephew to the surface and then disappears.  Where did the creature go?  Is the uncle safe in the water?  Well, I am not going to tell you, you will have to find out on your own.
 

The River/ by Gary Paulsen

In Gary Paulsen's, The River, the main character Brian is asked to do something he thought he never would have been asked to do.  In the first book of this series Brian was stranded in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, all he had was a hatchet.  He lived there for an over forty days.  He made fire, and lived off of berries and fish.  After he was rescued he retained some of the skills he developed in the wilderness.  He saw, and heard everything around him.  The news was all over Brian for the first six months back, but the public's interest in Brian's story faded.  After about a year and a half the government became interested in Brian.  The agency that teaches survival contacted him.  They wanted Brian to go back.  Not to the same lake, but very similar.  They wanted him to teach the experts how to survive.  After careful planning and discussions with Brian's mother and father, Brian agreed to go.  Derek, the man who first contacted Brian with the proposal went with him.  The two of them flew up and were dropped off at the planned lake.  After the plane landed, and Brian got off he decided that the supplies that they had brought should not stay.  He made Derek leave them on the plane.  They were left with two large folding knives and the cloths on their backs.  The first days were surprisingly easy, after a fire makings stone and a suitable shelter were found the only other concern was food.  Which in it's self was not a problem, Brian had become quite proficient at finding or catching food.  All was going well, too well.  A freak lightning storm changed everything.  Derek was struck while reaching for the radio.  Both Derek and the contact radio were out of commission.  With Derek in a coma and the radio fried, Brian had to do something.  Fortunately this lake had a river flowing out of it, there was a trading post nearly 150 miles down.  Brian was torn, he could stay and wait and maybe a plane would come and check on them, but there were none scheduled for over a week.  But the human body can not last that long without water, and Brian had no way to get water to Derek.  Brian would have to go down the river.  He built a raft and loaded Derek on to it.  The two of them headed down the river, after the first day Brian had got the hang of steering the raft.  All of a sudden the current picked up, the raft barreled toward the rapids, huge rocks and boulders, danger!  Brian was thrashed and beaten by the waves. When Brian came to, the raft was lost from his sight, gone...  (Hunter Ostrander '02)
 

Shadow  People / byJoyce McDonald

This is a really good book. It’s about four teens who have problems coping with their daily lives and troubled families. Five people tell their end of the story. Gabriel is a guy whose brother was murdered and is having a tough time dealing with it. Lydia has a wacko for a father and wants to escape. Alec is what they call a loser and wants to start over. Hollis is a genius out for revenge.(I personally think he needs help like Lydia’s father!) Gem is girl who falls in love with Gabriel.  “Gabriel, Lydia, Alec, and Hollis are drawn to violence like moths are to light.”
- reviewed by Nickole  Vitteli '05
 

Shattering Glass/ by Gail Giles

All of a sudden, the geek becomes the cherished – the jock becomes the loathed. Here’s a book that poses the idea of changing how one individual can be stereotyped and changed, seemingly overnight. Simon Glass is pathetic – sporting a pocket protector of all things. Things change abruptly when Rob, a captivating transfer student, decides to do a “Glass” makeover: new clothes, new lunch buddies, new girlfriend. However, Rob has an agenda, and there is more to Rob than he ever wants known in this new school.  (dbd04)

Slaughterhouse 5/ by Kurt Vonnegut

Slaughterhouse 5 is a science-fiction war novel about the firebombing of Dresden in World War 2. The novel is centered
on a young man named Billy Pilgrim. Billy is captured by Germans and put in a work camp in Dresden.
While in Dresden, the Americans firebomb it. I found this book to be very entertaining. It is full of bawdy humor and suspense with
a touch of science fiction. I would suggest this book to every one because of the wide range of categories this book can fall under. If you like a good read you would like this book. (Brad Fink /09)

Smashed, Story of a Drunken Girlhood/ by Koren Zailckas

In the end, the author decided to stop drinking entirely and discovers that she has not developed some of the skills during her High School and college years that she might have otherwise.  And although she doesn't really say this, I think it is amazing that, doing the amount of drinking that she did, that she got through college in 4 years, as I have seen many others like her who have dropped out or flunked out.  Also, from the perspective of an alcohol counselor, I have some difficulty with the author's assessment that she was not really an "alcoholic" but an alcohol abuser. (Mrs. Iseman)


The Street of a Thousand Blossoms/ by Gail Tsukiyama

A look at Japan before, during and after World War II through the lives of several families touched, often tragically by the violence of this war. The western reader can learn a lot about traditional Japan, much about sumo wrestling and its discipline, and the art of mask making.. From the cover: "It is a world of tradition and change, of heartbreaking loss and surprising hope, and of the impact of unforeseeable events on ordinary, decent men and women. (Dalton)

In the book, That was then, this is now/ S.E. Hinton writes about two boys named Bryon and Mark.  The two boys have been best friends and family since they were little, when Mark’s parents killed each other.  Throughout the book S.E. Hinton writes about the relationship these two boys have and how it changes over the course of the book.  There are many things that come between the boys in the book such as girls, fights, and just getting older and growing apart.  Throughout the book S.E. Hinton is constantly using different situations in the book to foreshadow the title.  For example in one part of the book she writes, “Yeah, Mark sighed, but there’s a difference.  I wonder what the difference is?  This difference is, I said evenly, that was then, and this is now.”  In the quote S.E. Hinton comes out and says the title directly to you so you can get a better understanding and see what she is trying to show you.  She wants you to see that things change overtime and people grow apart.  S.E. Hinton is constantly using foreshadowing throughout the book to help you better see what the climax of the book may be.  You will have to read That was then, this is now,  by S.E. Hinton, to learn what actually happens to the boys’ relationship and whether it falls apart or things work out.  (Amanda Frazier, ’08)

Things Change/ by Patrick Jones

In Things Change by Patrick Jones, the protagonist, Johanna, is much like myself. Brainy and plain, she thinks she will never have a boyfriend. She did kind of go out with Ty, but that ended in disaster. Then she meets Paul. Johanna feels like an outsider compared to Paul's cool senior group, which is full of laughter and fun. She tells Paul one day that she wants him to kiss her. Eventually they start going out, but then Paul starts to isolate Johanna from her friends, until she is spending almost 24 hours a day with him or communicating with him. Then Paul starts to hit her. He promises that "things change" and he will never do it again, but it does happen again. One night in a jealous rage, Paul hits Johanna with a closed fist, right in the face. Determined not to wear long sleeves for the rest of her life, Johanna knows she must do something. This is one of those books that keep you up until 2:00 in the morning to finish it, even though you have school the next day. (Krista Palumbo '05)

Touching Sprit Bear

Cole Matthews is one tough cookie. His father beats him up on a regular basis, and his mother drinks herself to oblivion to escape reality. After  severely  beating up a 9th grader, Cole is given  a  choice: rather than go to prison or a juvenile detention home, he can  apply to a program called Circle Justice. This Native American based method of redemption requires that the criminal live alone on a remote island in Alaska - facing extreme weather, testing survival skills and day to day extreme loneliness. Can this embittered boy be cured? Can he survive?

True Believer / by Virginia Euwer Wolff
 

La Vaughn is older in this sequel to Make Lemonade. Living in a poor and violent neighborhood, she finds herself growing away from her old friends, Myrtle and Annie; questioning her religion; attracted to a friend, Jody, who has returned to the neighborhood; striving for her goal of college and having a better life.  La Vaughn’s mother is supportive and has high standards for her.  Her teachers recognize her abilities and determination, and she is placed in an advanced science class and an after-school program to improve her speech.  She struggles with her friends accusing her of being uppity, the stress of academic achievement, first love, and her mother dating for the first time since her father's death.  La Vaughn is able to “rise to the occasion which is life,” growing emotionally and intellectually.
 
 
 

True Confessions of a Heartless Girl / By Martha Brooks

Lynda Bradley owns and lives in her café with her fiver year old son Seth on Pembina Lake.  Pembina Lake is a small prairie town where everyone knows each other and gossip is rampant. Del who is a local construction worker has a secret crush on Lynda and is always fixing up odds and ends at the café for her.  Then one stormy night the town gets an unexpected visitor when Noreen shows up.  She is a seventeen-year-old girl who has run away from everything in her life including her family and friends, shows up at the café in the truck she stole from her boyfriend Weasly.  Luckily Lynda takes Noreen in and lets her stay in the café.  Dolores who is one of Lynda’s best friends comes to find out why Noreen showed up at the café because Dolores has something special about her that always makes people tell her the truth.  Everyone suspects she’s in some kind of trouble, but when they find out why she is really there, it is more then they ever expected.  But soon enough they find out that wherever Noreen goes she seems to bring trouble.  This is a wonderful story about a girl versus herself.   She must learn how to open her heart and learn to love with help from her friends at Pembina Lake.(Jessica Guenther, '03)
 
 

Twisted / by Laurie Halse Anderson

Talk about one messed up family! In Twisted, Tyler is in his senior year in high school but has made so many mistakes at school and in his personal life that he seriously considers suicide.  Luckily he does have a good friend Yoda, and Hannah, his 9th grade sister who seem to think he is an OK person, even if school principals and the police don't. Tyler's basic problem is an unhappy father who takes out his depression and dissatisfaction in life out on Tyler - not through abuse but through control. Just when Tyler seems to be spiralling downward, something happens to give him hope about his  future.

A Very Touchy Subject/ by Todd Strasser

Scott Tauscher has only one thing  on his mind: sex. The idea of having sex is consuming him.His girlfriend of two years,Alix, will not even discuss the the topic. It seems wherever Scott looks, sex is in the air.  His best friends are always talking about it. And now, his neighbor, Paula Finkel is offering Scott the Golden Opportunity.
Alix is gone,visiting family, and Scott is left with his raging hormones and a neighbor with the body of a goddess. Scott does not want to take advantage of Paula as her last boyfriend did or lose Alix, but he wants to experience what every guy wants to experience. Can he pass up the Golden Opportunity?  (Fran Carter '02)
 

The Westing Game/by   Ellen Raskin

“I, Samuel W. Westing, hereby swear that I did not die of natural causes.  My life was taken from me-by one of you!” Sixteen players are all suspects in the curious murder of millionaire Sam Westing and heirs to his fabulous fortune.  Randomly a group of people are mysteriously invited to rent apartments or business space in the luxurious Sunset Towers overlooking the Westing mansion. A real estate agent by the name of Barney Northrup handles the arrangements. Later on to find out that Braney Northrup really does not exist.  Only but a few weeks later Sam Westing is found dead and in order to solve his murder sixteen members of Sunset Towers were called to his wake.  Mothers, fathers, children, a dress maker, a secretary, an inventor, a doctor, a judge, delivery boy, door man, and others are summoned, however all of them have a motive. In Sam W. Westing’s will and testament he left each suspect a set of clues and a $10,000 check.  The catch is the money must be divided amongst you and your partner. If any player drops out, the partner must leave the game and the pair must return the money. The paired couples set off to discover which of the heirs took  Mr. Westing’s life.  The object of the game is to inherit Westing’s millions.  They must keep in my mind that “nothing is what it seems to be.”   As time grows near tension arises, there is a thief, and several homemade bombs have been set off causing numerous heirs to be injured.    The mystery twists and turns until the final night of the game when things take a turn for the worse.   Remember:  “Some are not who they say they are, and some are not who they seem to be.”  (Melissa Moss "02)
 

Who are You?/ by Joan Lowery Nixon

15 year old Kristi Evans finds out a man in her town is keeping a file on her, and he has just been shot in his home. Why is this talented artist interested in her, and her parents, and why is his life in danger?
"Joan Lowery Nixon's intricate novel explores a young woman's relationship with her parents in a gripping double mystery that will satisfy art lovers and mystery fans."
 
 
 

Words of Stone/ by Kevin Henkes

Blaze Werla is an ordinary ten-year-old boy trying to enjoy his summer days of fun and freedom.  Then one day a devastating word appears on the side of his hill, written in stones.  He tries to ignore the word by playing with his “special” ark and distracts himself by spending time with his Grandma Nova, Dad Gleen, and his dad’s new girlfriend Claire. Out of nowhere, Blaze meets Joselle Stark, a strong-willed and exciting type of person.  Blaze had never met anyone like her before, and their friendship grows.  They go to the fair together, play on the hill, and even dance in the rain.  Joselle struggles with the “truth”, and longs for the perfect family.   Blaze agonizes over his past, not sure if he can trust Joselle.  Both are so different, yet at the same time, so much alike.  To find out if their friendship hurts Blaze more than it helps him, read Words of Stone by Kevin Henkes.  (Hali Resney '03)

A quick, interesting read in which Anna and her best friend Ellen are involved in a car crash - a crash which injures the two girls, but also kills Cameron, Anna's brother Jack's girlfriend, who was driving in another car and actually caused the accident. Jack is having a hard time with the fact that his girlfriend is dead.(Samantha Baroni '09)

(Images from amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com)
 

This page created by OHS students and the Library Staff
Oneonta High School
last updated 1/08