Graceling by Kristin Cashore

The setting of Graceling is a place where there are special people with different colored eyes that have a special ability. All her life, Katsa has worked as a killer for her uncle because her special ability is supposedly killing. When she meets Prince Po, she starts to discover that her ability may be something else. This is one of my favorite books. I recommend it to readers who love adventure and romance.

Rachel B., grade 8

Dont Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter

This book is about a girl named Cammie who goes to an all girl spy school called The Gallagher Academy, but nobody knows what the Gallagher Academy really teaches. CAmmie goes to Boston to see her best friend, Macey, her dad (the senator), to seem him say his big speech. When Cammie and Macey go in the wrong elevator, they end up on the roof getting attacked by kidnappers. Will Cammie and Macey be okay? This book is full of twists and turns.

Chloe, grade 6

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Nora Grey, a regular teenage girl, is forced to sit next to Patch in biology. Patch is really annoying to Nora, but she has to put him with him. Then, someone starts to stalk Nora and the prime suspect is Patch. This book gets increasingly interesting and is hard to put down. Hush, Hush is great for ages 12 and up.

Symona, grade 8

A Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne

This exciting story is about Professor Hardwigg, his nephew Harry and their guide Hans going to the center of the Earth through a volcano. They are led by an ancient Runic code, and they experience storms, pre-historic animals, seas, and cavemen. They keep on going, even though it is difficult to survive. I recommend this book to readers who like science fiction, action, and adventure books. This is great for ages 7 and up.

Jaehyung C., grade 7

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

This book is about a boy named Thomas who has been wiped of his memory and thrown into a maze with 50 other boys and one girl who are trying to escape. I liked how he described everything with such detail. I believe this would be a great book for 4th grade and up.

Sarah B., grade 7

Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stuber

Iris lives alone since her mother's death and her father's rejection. She suddenly finds herself stuck in a house as a nurse for an old lady thanks to her father. Iris is separated from her only friend Leroy and it seems like things can't get any worse...

Fiona B., grade 8

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Violet Ambrose can sense the dead. She finds dead animals in her backyard. A serial killer starts killing young girls and she helps her uncle, a police officer look for the killer. Also, she is starting to fall in love with her childhood friend, Jay. He changed over the summer so he instantly became popular. I recommend this to teens who love mystery.

Rachel B., grade 8

Lost by Jacqueline Davies

This book is about old and new friendships. I really like how the author described loss and friendships. But I didn't like how the chapters were laid out. I recommend this book to BFF's. This book would appeal to 13 to 15 year olds.

Elizabeth K., grade 6

I, Emma Freke by Elizabeth Atkinson

I, Emma Freke is about a 12-year-old girl who everybody thought was crazy. They thought she was too tall, pale, unpopular, and her best friend was a 4th grader! One day, she gets an invitation to go to the Freke family reunion. Everyone there thought that she was the prettiest one there. This book is good for ages 9 to 11. I really liked this book!

Katie, grade 6

The Gift (Witch & Wizard series) by James Patterson

Two kids are on the run from a dictator that hates imagination! It is a good book because it is interesting and it draws you in. I recommend it to Maximum Ride lovers and teens.

Jack P., grade 8

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

The Goose Girl is about a young girl named Ani. At the age of 16, she is sent to another country to marry. On the way she is hijacked by her own people. I would recommend this book to someone who loves romance and adventure. Great for ages 10 and up.

Makena D., grade 6

Matched by Ally Condie

Matched is about a girl named Cassia, who lives in a dystopian society. Everything is chosen for them: their food, jobs, and even their fiancè. When she finds out her best friend will be her husband, Cassia realized that he isn't the one for her. The story is really romantic and great for ages 11 and up.

Makena D., grade 6

The Necromancer by Michael Scott

Anyone who likes mythology, magic, adventure and history will love this book. In this installation of the Nicholas Flamel series, John Dee plans to rule the world using the Swords of Power to resurrect Vampire Coatlicru, but first he needs some bait.

Euly, grade 6

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary L. Blackwood

The theme of this book is that one must be flexible in a time of crisis. In this book, a boy named Widge is sent to steal one of Shakespeare's plays (Hamlet). When he is there he has to act like he wants to be a player to steal the play. As many days pass, he realized that he likes the company and wants to stay, but his master is pressuring him. I thought the book was interesting and had a good vocabulary. I would recommend this book to middle schoolers.

Emily D., grade 6

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

This book is super fun and mysterious. It is the second book in the series out of four. This book is about a girl named Cammie who goes to an all-girl spy school with her best friends and Cammie's mom is the head mistress. When Cammie goes on a mission, she meets a boy who she figures out is a spy. Cammie and her friends start to figure out that there is a boy's spy school and that they are coming to her school. Later in the book they kept getting clues saying that the boys are evil. Then a very important information is stolen and the boys are the prime suspect. Will the Gallagher girls get the disc back? Ages 10-14.

Lucy, grade 6

The 10 P.M. Question by Kate De Goldi

Frankie has a normal life, normal parents, school, and best friend until a new girl. Sydney comes into his life and changes it forever. This book talks about friendship, how two people learn more about each other and how saying good-bye could be the hardest challenge.

Daniel C., grade 6

Marlfox (Redwall series) by Brian Jacques

A brood of magic foxes and their water rat army invade Mossflower, forcing its inhabitants to take refuge in Redwall Abbey. Then, the foxes steal Martin the Warrior's tapestry. Four young warriors venture after it: the squirrels Dann Riguba, Song Swifteye, the shrew Dippler, and the waternole Burler. People who like adventure, action, humor, song, beasts and epic battle will love this book!

Euly D., grade 6

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

This book is about a 12-year-old girl named Calpurnia who wants to be a naturalist when she grows up. Each day, Calpurnia spends time at the creek with her grandfather, and learns about the wonders of nature. The positive elements of this book are that Calpurnia is a fast learner and that she has seen things in nature that not everyone could see in a lifetime. I think that teens should read this book.

Valeriya S., grade 6

Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Nick is an average boy, living in average Florida. It all starts when Mrs. Starch (evil teacher) teases Duane "Smok" Scrod. Duane has a bad rep of being a pyromania. The next day is a field trip to a swamp. A wildfire starts and the kids go back on the bus. Mrs. Starch stays behind, looking for a kid's asthma inhaler. Mrs. Starch disappears, but the inhaler is returned to the girl's house. Everybody has suspicions and theories about Mrs. Starch's absence. Which one is right? Ages 10 and up.

Amelia, grade 6

Strange Relations by Sonia Levitin

Marne goes to Hawaii to visit her family. When she gets there, it is not what she expects. Her aunt is married to a rabbi and is very religious. She slowly begins to fit in and gets over the kidnapping of her little sister. Hawaii was not what she had expected but Marne grows to like living with her aunt and family.

Rachel B., grade 8

Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Ana is determined to find out more about her mother's death. The only thing Anna has left of her is broken pieces of sea glass. Will Anna ever be able to put them together?

Fiona B., grade 8

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Jacida, a special draki, puts herself in danger by shifting into her true form. While being chased by hunters, she meets a hunter who spares her life. This risky event causes Jacida to lose everything she cherishes, including her best friend. Firelight is a great book, suspenseful, daring, and full of adventure. It is ideal for ages 11 and up.

Symona S., grade 8