Looking for Alaska by John Green

Do you see the gold seal on the cover of this book? That means it won an award. So you should read it. Okay, okay, I can hear you all groaning in terror. Just because a book won an award doesn't necessarily mean that you yourself will like it at all! I mean look at me! I still haven't been able to get through James Joyce's Ulysses and it's won all kinds of awards! But I digress. You will like Looking For Alaska if you like books that are smart, take place in boarding schools, involve elaborate pranks, have relationships, and have a mystery centered at the core of the book. Meet Miles Halter. He transfers to a new school (a boarding school) and gets thrown immediately (and literally) into the strange politics of boarding school life. Things are not looking up when he finds himself duct-taped up like a mummy and thrown into a lake. However, he meets Alaska (a girl, not a United State of America) and things start looking up. But she has a boyfriend. And then he has a girlfriend. And then halfway through the book, everything changes. John Green is a smart, funny author well deserving of awards. Now go read this book!

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork

This summer I read Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork. This book is about a young man named Marcelo who has some form of Asperger's Syndrome. While the book certainly focuses on this aspect of Marcelo, somehow Marcelo himself is the star here, and not the fact that he has Asperger's. The novel takes us through Marcelo's summer working at his father's law firm instead of working at the school where he has spent years alongside other students with similar learning disabilities. At the law firm Marcelo meets a beautiful young girl, a spoiled young man, and gets involved in a contraversial case at the law firm. He works through the summer learning more about himself, his father, and the world outside his shelterd experience. I REALLY enjoyed this book!

Slam by Nick Hornby

I love pretty much all of Nick Horby's books. If you haven't read him before try High Fidelity, About a Boy, How to be Good and this one, Slam. Set in England this this book is about Sam. Sam loves skating (skateboarding) and is into girls, particularly this girl Alicia. As is apparent from the cover of the paperback, Sam and Alicia have sex and Alicia gets pregnant. That's where the whole "this is a book about teen pregnancy" goes out the window because Sam sort of gets whisked into the future. He has no idea what is going on which makes his forays into fatherhood that much more hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. Despite the sci-fi aspects of the time-travel, this book is always realistic especially the dialogue, the gravity of the situation that Alicia and Sam find themselves in and the fights they have. Nothing is simple, including the relationship A and S have with their families. So, a book about relationship, true to life, with sex, love, and skating. And an occasional appearance from Tony Hawk.

Away Laughing on a Fast Camel by Louise Rennison

Note: You must read this post with a British Accent.
Hello girls! Are you ready for some mad marvy fun? Read the Georgia Nicolson books and immerse yourself in some brilliant literature all about the situations that Geogia Nicolson gets herself into while attending her girls' school and prowling for gorgy blokes over in England-land. Learn what Boy Entrancers are and how to use them, learn how to build a shrine to a lost lurve and learn how to make any idiot boy want to spend some major snoggilicious time with you. As an added plus, these books are written as a tell-all diary! So curl up with a spot of tea and let Georgia take you away to the land of tea, scones, and full frontal snogging! - Till next time! Suzanne

Crackback by John Coy

Read Crackback! This exciting novel tells the story of Miles Manning and his struggle to play football (something he's always loved) under the direction of a new coach who is demanding to say the least. His friends and teammates start taking steriods...will Miles? Will Miles get the girl he has a crush on? Will Miles parents stop being so wierd? Looking for something to read while you're waiting for the Super Bowl? Let Crackback be your choice! Till next time! Suzanne

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

I don't know how many of you are on board about "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" books. It took me a very long time to read these books but now that I have I'm SO EXCITED about book four coming out! These books are about a group of four girlfriends who are all very different. Lena is an artist who is introspective, Greek, and very beautiful. Tibby is into making films, is kind of opinionated, and was an only child for years until her parents decided to have two more children when she was already a teenager! Carmen is a shopoholic, likes to write, is Puerto Rican, and has to deal with four parents on a regular basis. And Bridget, who is generally known as being "hot" is a soccer fiend whose mother died right before the very first book. They are such good books! Girls who like girly (but good girly books) will love these books! This is one of those series of books that might appeal to both the Inspirational Readers as well as Gossip Girl fans!!! Till next time! - Suzanne

Between Mom and Jo

Nick Tyler has what he consideres to be a very normal life. He loves aquariums, paint ball, and cooking, and...by the way...he has two moms. Well he did. This book takes the reader on a journey through Nick's flashbacks and gives us a very clear picture of the events leading up to Nick's life changing decision at the end of the book (which I'm not going to tell you!). Living with two lesbian parents is hard enough but when one of them comes down with breast cancer and the other one is an alcoholic things get a little bit shaky to say the least. I loved this book. I had to deal with a divorce when I was twelve. I have a friend whose mom is a recovering alcoholic. My best friend had to deal with both her parents having different kinds of cancer at the same time (they both recovered). I know you all have similar issues you deal with every day. Reading Nick's experiences gave me another picture of a complex life that it was very easy to sympathize with. Read it! -Till next time! Suzanne

Open Ice by Pat Hughes

Nicky Taglio has been a hockey star most of his life, but a slew of serious injuries has caused his doctors and his parents to insist that Nicky never play hockey again. Nicky has other plans...after all, his entire life is hockey! There is no way he's going to give up hockey. But. The headaches don't stop. Confusion sets in. Nicky can't seem to get through a day without an asprin and an ice pack even weeks after his concussion. Then there's Devin...Nicky's girlfriend. Why is she being so distant? Could it be that she was only dating him because he was a hockey star? Could she be that shallow? Could he? This is a great book for anyone who likes sports or books about relationships. I'd recommend it to pretty much anyone! -Till next time! Suzanne

Inexcusable by Chris Lynch

Keir, Keir, Keir...what are we going to do with you? Your mother died when you were a baby leaving you with two fantastic sisters and a father who just doesn't cope that well and so turns to alcohol, but you don't see it, do you? It's totally normal for you to get drunk with your dad even though you are only 18. You just see your great family who is always supportive of you even when the media is making you out to be some kind of monster. And that monster thing? It really wasn't your fault that you had an "unfortunately magnificent" moment on the football field and hit a reciever so hard that you crippled him, possibly for life. It was bad, sure...but acceptance letters from colleges started rolling in, and that's life. Right? But then there's Gigi. Beautiful Gigi. Your Gigi. What is she saying? You did what to her? You couldn't have done that to her. That would be inexcusable. And Keir Sarafian NEVER does anyting inexcusable.

This is a powerful and thought-provoking book. Try it out! -Till next time! Suzanne

Martyn Pig by Kenin Brooks

Martyn Pig hates his name. Not only does his first name have a "unique" spelling that he is constantly having to explain, his last name is a farm animal that goes oink. But really, Martyn's name is the least of his troubles. Martyn's dad is a violent alcoholic who spends as much time as possible doing one of two things:

a. TV
b. beating up Martyn.

The week before Christmas Martyn accidentally kills his dad. Yup. You read right. And things get really compicated when Martyn finds out about $60,000 that his dad was hiding from him. Throw in a hot young actress with a scary biker boyfriend who helps Martyn get rid of the body and you've got one gripping story that will keep you hanging on till the very last page. Did I mention there's an Aunty Jean? There's an Aunty Jean. Till next time...Suzanne

Princess Diaries Series by Meg Cabot

Mia is such a riot. If you're looking for some light summer reads full of pop culture references (Princess in Training talks about both the O.C. and Sailor Moon) then you will LOVE the Princess Diaries Series. I just finished listening to number VII on CD and was gripped by Mia's snail issue, the issue of her boyfriend wanting to DO IT, and the fact that her best friend constantly calls her a "baby-licker." Speaking from one baby-licker to another (you absolutely don't know how cute my niece is...I LOVE HER!), You Rock, Mia! Until next time - Suzanne

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

Oh, ladies. We all go through times in our lives when we DO NOT want to look in a mirror. We have Fat Days. We have Fat Pants. And the funny thing is, it doesn't matter if we are Super Models or just your average Joe, or in this case, Josephine. EVERY WOMAN I KNOW HAS SELF ESTEEM ISSUES AT LEAST ONCE IN A WHILE! But this book is about so much more than that. Virginia lives in NYC, in a Penthouse and her parents and both her siblings are highly successful (so if you like the Gossip Girl books, you might like this one too!). But, because her best friend moved away for a year, Virginia feels lonely, fat, and ugly. You may just cry for her when she overhears the skinny "Bri-Girls" talking about her in the bathroom. She also makes out occasionally with a guy named Froggy. And there's more. Oh, so much more. This is a FABULOUS BOOK. Try it! -Till next time! Suzanne

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

Pattyn feels like the only things she does right are changing diapers and burping babies. Pattyn is named after the WWII General Patton. Her father wanted a son so badly that he named each of his six daughters after male generals. This book, written in verse, tells the story of Pattyn and her struggle growing up in a dysfunctional, abusive, religious home. Her mother is beaten. Her father is an alcoholic and she herself has no real friends. After getting caught in a compromising situation, shall we say, with a boy (!!!) she is shipped off to her Aunt J's house in Arizona where she experiences real freedom for the first time. However, the rosy glow of first love is shattered when her father decides to drag her back home. What will Pattyn do when her life is destroyed? What would you do in her shoes? By the author of Crank, Burned will be available for you to check out soon! Let me know if you want to place a hold on it! -Till next time! Suzanne

Inside Out by Terry Trueman

Have you ever read anything by Terry Trueman? He's a great writer, especially if you like to read books with a strong protagonist. This books is about Zach, a 16 year old who has Schizophrenia. He's hanging out in a coffee shop one day when two other teenagers with guns come in and hold up the place. Things start to go wrong when the police arrive and the gun-wielding teens take the customers hostage in the back room. Things go from bad to worse. Zach needs his medicine or his Schizophrenia could start acting up...and you don't want to be Zach when that starts to happen. You will read this book so fast! -Till next time! Suzanne

Theories of Relativity by Barbara Haworth-Attard

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be homeless? How would you survive? How would you eat? Would you sleep? Would you keep to yourself or try to meet other people like you...street people? Would you beg? Dylan was thrown out of his house by his mother who thought that he got in the way of her new boyfriend. All of a sudden his hectic life with his mom and his two brothers is a haven that he cannot turn to. He's living on the streets. Every second of every day and every night he is making decisions...big decisions like where to go for his next meal and whether or not he should try to sleep. The author has written a fast-paced and very believable novel full of memorable characters: Dylan; Jenna, the homeless girl he's in love with; Amber, the prostitute who becomes his friend; and Vulture, who preys on everyone who lives on the street. You won't regret reading this book! Till next time! -Suzanne

Gansta Rap by Benjamin Zephaniah

I read this book on a recommendation from a fellow reader (like I so often do) and I wasn't disappointed. Gansta Rap tells the story of Ray (a.k.a. X-Ray-X). He's having trouble at school and trouble at home. He and his two best friends, Prem and Tyrone, end up getting kicked out of school permanently. Luckily, they are given the option to attend a special vocational type school that gives them an outlet for their musical talents and ultimately launches them into stardom. Set in England, music lovers and British fiction lovers alike will enjoy Gangsta Rap. Till next time! -Suzanne

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

This book was recommended to me by a dear reader who just knew it would keep me page turning to the extent that I committed the sin I have sworn to never commit which is the sin of reading on the job. I mean, I know I'm a librarian and all and it is okay for us to occasionally read on the job, but come on! I have a lot of other things I need to be doing! Like updating this Blog for one! Anyway, Sonnenblick (the author) has written a hilarious book about...oh. I can't tell you. I mean, I didn't know what it was about when I read it. I thought it would be like the movie Drumline or the movie American Pie (yup...that'd constitute Dangerous Pie for sure). But I had no idea what it was actually going to be about, and that made it that much better. Well. I'll tell you this much. It's about a guy, named Steven who is a very good drum player. He has a crush on this girl Renee and is friends with another girl named Annette. He has parents. His dad is an accountant. And he has to watch out for Dangerous Pie. And that's all I'm gonna tell ya! Till next time! -Suzanne

Poetry, Novels, and You

I would like to one day write one of these...a novel written in poems. If you've never tried one, you really should because they draw you in and make you believe in life. They are quicker reads than your traditional novel, and don't let the fact that they are actually a form of poetry put you off. The fact that a story is being told at the same time really helps the reader along. Every one of these is worth the read. Till next time!

Girl Coming in for a Landing by April Halprin Wayland

Keesha's House by Helen Frost

The Brimston Journals by Ronald Koertge

True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff

Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff

The Trial by Jen Bryant

Love that Dog by Sharon Creech

Granny Torelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech

Learning to Swim by Ann Warren Turner

One of those Hideous Books where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones

Stop Pretending: what happened when My Big Sister went Crazy by Sonya Sones

What my Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Something About America by Maia Testa

The Poet Slave of Cuba by Juan Francisco Manzano

Big List of Sports Books

Hey there, sports fans! Read on for a fabulous list of books, all centered around SPORTS and all owned by your very own public library! Till next time! -Suzanne

BASKETBALL
The Perfect Shot by Elaine Marie Alphin

Cruise Control by Terry Trueman

Travel Team by Mike Lupica

Rebound! by Yuriko Nishiyama (Manga)

Slam! by Walter Dean Myers

The Squared Circle by James Bennett

On the Devil's Court by Carl Deuker

Outside Shooter by Thomas Dygard

BASEBALL
High Heat by Carl Deuker

The Journal of Biddy Owens, the Negro Leagues by Walter Dean Myers

Heart of a Champion by Carl Deuker

Ruby Tuesday by Jennifer Ann Kogler

SOCCER
Bend it Like Beckham by Narinder Dhami

Home of the Braves by David Klass

Tangerine by Edward Bloor

FOOTBALL
Three Clams and an Oyster by Randy Powell

Damage by A.M. Jenkins

SWIMMING
Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher

SHORT STORIES ABOUT SPORTS
Losing is Not an Option by Rich Wallace

Girl, 15, Charming but Insane by Sue Limb

For fans of British humor, this book is a riot. If you liked Bridget Jones Diary, you will definitely fall for Jess who is definitely charming and totally insane. Also try the sequel: Girl, Nearly 16, Absolute Torture. There is only one other person I know who could get herself into the situations that Jess gets herself into...and that would be me. Have you heard about that time that I froze myself to a door knocker? It wasn't pretty. Till next time! -Suzanne