Brought to you by the Lyman Memorial High School Media Center
Along For the Ride, Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors and “Along for the Ride” is a
main reason why. Auden, a recent graduate of high school has always been
academically driven, and because of that, she has never let herself live life
and enjoy having fun. That is until she visits her father in a small beach town
when she goes through a total transformation and finds herself falling in love
with one of the locals, Eli. They find themselves in each other which makes
it a magical story. This book will keep you reading on as you dig deeper into
their relationship. *Recommended by Joelle Tomick
American Soldier, General Tommy Franks
American Soldier is a memoir of an American solider Tommy Franks, an army
General. He tells his real life experiences and things he went through on a
daily basis. Really an interesting story if you want to know the job of a U.S.
General. *Recommended by Chad Wengloski
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Barbara Kingsolver
This book is by the same author as “The Bean Trees and is the non-fictional
account of her family’s move to the east coast, spending a year as localvores
(individuals who eat food only grown or raised locally). It is important that we
take the time to think about food where our food has come from and to make
conscious choices about what we eat. This book helps build the awareness
necessary to enable us to make wise decisions as eaters.
*Recommended by Ms. Escott
The Art of Racing in the Rain, Garth Stein
Enzo, the dog of professional race car driver Denny Swift, recalls the memories
of his life and shares his insight into the human condition that he learned from
observing his owner. *Recommended by Ms. McCarthy
The Ask and the Answer, Patrick Ness
This is the sequel to The Knife of Never Letting Go, it again deals with Todd
and his partner, this time he has an encounter with a rebel group, and he is
taken into another village Todd must decide which side to help. This book, like
the first is action packed and is a great read for those who want a hero and a
great adventure. *Recommended by Morgan Battye
Bad Boy: A memoir, Walter Dean Myers
Bad boy is the memoir of Walter Dean Myers, who before he grew up to be a
famous author, spent his school years fighting, skipping school, and hiding his
love of books. If you’ve read any of his work, this is a must read.
*Recommended by Mrs. Flannery
Blood Meridian, Cormac McCarthy
“Blood Meridian” is a historically based novel about a rouge band of scalp
hunters roaming the virtually lawless Mexican/U.S. boarder at the tail end of
the of the Mexican-American war. It’s violent, dream like and unflinching.
Judge Holden is one of my all time favorite literary characters.
*Recommended by Mr. Tedesco
The Book of Awesome, Neil Pasricha
In this adaptation of his blog www.1000awesomethings.com, Pasricha
celebrates the simple pleasures of everyday living. Focusing on both tangible
pleasures and simple experiences, Pasricha provides a contemporary take on
everyday inspiration that skips the typical Chicken Soup for the Soul fare.
*Recommended by Ms. McCarthy
The Book Thief, Markus Zusak
Narrated by death, this novel follows the life of a little girl who gets her
pleasures during the Holocaust by stealing books. Referred to as The Book
Thief, this little girl can't even begin to read when she starts taking books, but
placed with her new home she is taught by a new kind of father figure.
Relationships between characters grow as a Jew is hidden in their house.
This book is recommended for anyone who has a heart, and "even death has
a heart". *Recommended by Kaylee Parker
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Junot Diaz
This is the story of Oscar, a video game playing Cuban kid with no game. In his
quest to find love and escape his family’s curse, he will travel to Cuba and back
and just may surprise everyone. This is a heartbreaking, smart, cultural read
that won’t disappoint. *Recommended by Mrs. Flannery
A Child Called It, Dave Pelzer
This is a tragic account of a little boy's struggle to live with a family where he
is treated as dirt. I would recommend it for people who have strong stomachs
and can handle upsetting revelations and who can take drama and tears.
*Recommended by Tiffany Lazur
City of Thieves, David Benioff
This book tells the tale of a young Jewish boy during the German siege of
Leningrad during WWII. This is an entertaining historical fiction with an
interesting regard into human nature and survival.
*Recommended by Mrs. Lathrop
Crank, Ellen Hopkins
This book is written in a different style than most, it is written almost
poetically which is why I really enjoyed it. It is a drama about the
struggles and harms of committing to a drug and the alluring life of a good
girl gone bad. I recommend this book to anyone who likes
dramas and wants to get swept away by a book they will never be able to
put down. *Recommended by Tiffany Lazur
Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares, David Leviathan
David Levithan fans, you are in for a treat! Co-written with Rachel Cohn,
this is the unlikely love story of Dash and Lily, who “meet” when Dash finds
Lily’s red notebook hidden in a bookstore. The notebook sends Dash on a
series of dares. The two continue exchanging dares until love blossoms. A
great beach read for the teen who would love to find romance in a bookstore!
*Recommended by Mrs. Flannery
Dear John, Nicholas Sparks
Young love sparks in a small beach town in the south. It is unbelievable
how fast John and Savannah fall in love. But when war hits and John has a
difficult decision to make, their love goes through difficult time. Anyone that
enjoys a true fast pace romance with multiple twists and turns would
absolutely enjoy this book. *Recommended by Joelle Tomick
A Dog Named Slugger, Leigh Brill
This is a wonderful, true story of a woman with disabilities and how her
service dog, Slugger, changed her life. *Recommended by Mrs. Belisle
Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
Read as a group of medieval friends travel to rid the world of an evil and
tyrannical cult in this Dragonlance novel. This classic saga possesses
everything one would want in a fantasy novel: sorcery, magical elves,
apparitions, dragons, and most important of all, evil. Don’t be turned
off from this clichéd combination of fantastical elements, however. This
novel, and series for that matter, is incredibly original; anyone interested in
Lord of the Rings style lore would find this novel intriguing. *Recommended by
Jeff Parlin
Elsewhere, Gabrielle Zevin
If you want a sad, yet funny story about the "after life" then you’ll want to read
this book. It is all one girls story starting from after she dies. It is a good read
that keeps you hooked until the end. *Recommended by Evelyn Viera-Fleming
Girls of a Tender Age, Mary Ann Tirone Smith
This is the author’s experiences growing up in Hartford, CT in the 50’s. Along
with unique family experiences, she describes one of her classmates being
abducted and murdered by a pedophile. Aside from local interest, with
profound realizations this story resonates as a coming of age story relevant
today. *Recommended by Mrs. Flannery
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
An all American story based on chasing your dreams and making them
become a reality. In this book, the crazy characters add a twist to the plot and
keep the reader waiting for their next move. I would recommend this story for
anyone who likes wild romance stories and readers that like seeing how
characters develop throughout the book. *Recommended by Emily Bertora
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, Mary Ann Shaffer
Juliet Ashton, a thirty-year-old author, writes to her publisher expressing her
desire to stop covering the aftermath of WWII, but Guernsey farmer Dawsey
Adams invites neighbors to write to Juliet with their stories, which puts her off
at first but eventually helps her find inspiration for her next book, and her life.
*Recommended by Mrs. Belisle
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
The nature of personal freedom, the fluidity of good and evil, the moral
relativism of nearly everything- Franzen takes on these thorny issues
via the lives of Walter and Patty Berglund of St. Paul. With two kids, a
Volvo in the garage, and a strong social conscience, the Berglunds
allow their good deeds to be tinged with just a hint of smugness (which
eventually comes back to haunt them). Granola moms, raging
Republicans, war profiteers, crooked environmentalists,
privileged offspring, and poverty-bred rednecks each enjoy the uniquely
American freedom to make disastrous choices and continually reinvent
themselves. *Recommended by Mrs. Ayer
Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Saga, Stephen Davis
The story of the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin is quite an
impressive one. Led Zeppelin grew in the late 60’s as a brilliantly
original hard rock band and paved the way for the future generations of rock
and blues. As members of the quartet grew in popularity,
however, they began to gain the reputation as rampant partiers, and often
were attributed with legally questionable hobbies. If you enjoy listening to
classic rock, I strongly suggest you read the thrilling rise, success, and end to
one of rock history’s most famous additions. *Recommended by Jeff Parlin
House Rules, Jodi Picoult
Emma Hunt's son Jacob, who has Asperger's syndrome and occasionally tries
helping the police with his unique forensic analysis abilities, falls under
suspicion when a murder occurs in town, reminding Emma of society's--and
the legal system's--misunderstanding with regard to the behavioral cues
associated with Asperger's. * Recommended by Ms. McCarthy
Howl's Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones
This book is actually kind of old. Jones was a ridiculously prolific author,
and I've enjoyed all of her books that I've had the fortune to come across.
Now for 'Howl': Magical adventures. Adventurous magic. Curses, witches,
talking dogs, and one really vain wizard. Oh, and a fire demon named
Calcifer. It's a recipe for a good time. This book was eventually made into
a movie by Studio Ghibli, but Miyazaki didn't stick to the plot too well. I
recommend you watch the movie, and if you like it, then proceed to the
book. Not the way I usually do things, but it's a better book if you can
imagine the fire demon with the voice of Billy Crystal. Take it on
airplanes, read it late at night. It's light and fanciful. *Recommended by
Erin White
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot
Examines the experiences of the children and husband of Henrietta Lacks,
who, twenty years after her death from cervical cancer in 1951, learned
doctors and researchers took cells from her cervix without consent which
were used to create the immortal cell line known as the HeLa cell.
*Recommended by Mrs. Franklin
Impulse, Ellen Hopkins
The unique technique of writing an entire story sectioned into stanzas and
poems is only a fraction of what draws you into the book Impulse. The story
of four different teenagers is told, making this relatable for both boys or girls.
The novel is heavy dealing with topics such as cutting, overdosing, sexual
abuse, and insecurities. Recommended by Kaylee Parker
The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
A captivating story about friendship, loyalty and salvation—a must read for
people of all ages. *Recommended by Ms. Graff
The Knife of Never Letting Go, Patrick Ness
This book is about a young boy Todd, in his village there is Noise, were all the
men can hear each other’s thoughts. Strangely there are no women in his town;
Todd and another go on a journey that shows them different things about Todd’s
town. If you like a book that is adventures and makes you guess what’s going
to happen to the characters this is an excellent choice for your summer.
*Recommended by Morgan Battye
The Last Song, Nicholas Sparks
A tale of love for teenagers is how I would summarize it as. It entails falling in
love for the first time, betrayal, and everything else that is considered
adolescent drama. The love that a father has for his daughter is another very
important aspect of the plot as well. *Recommended by Felicia Colon
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, Bill Bryson
This is a humorous account of life in the 50’s and 60’s with good insight into
American life today. It may help you to see why your parents or
grandparents are so screwed up! *Recommended by Mr. Adelman
The Life of Pi, Yann Martel
It is the thought-provoking story of a boy named Pi who survives a shipwreck in
the Pacific Ocean, but becomes stranded in a small lifeboat with a 400 pound
Bengal tiger. His journey is deeply spiritual and philosophic.
This was one of the best books that I have ever read, and its message will stay
with me forever. *Recommended by Ms. Northridge
Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell
This book is my absolute favorite book I have ever read. It is about a man in
the military who has to make life or death decisions. When he makes a certain
decision he gets attacked and has to fight for his life. A great story of survival
of an American Hero. The story leads you on an adventure and a lot of
suspense! *Recommended by Chad Wengloski
The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold
Susie Salmon is a young girl of fourteen who is raped and killed by her
neighbor, George Harvey. The story is told from her perspective – as a dead
victim. Susie watches from Heaven as her family grows older and their lives
move on, but hers cannot. The Lovely Bones is a story of a family’s loss and
how far they are willing to go to reveal the truth.
*Recommended by Jenn Connely
The Man From Beijing, Henning Mankell
This is another intriguing mystery that takes the reader from the cold climate
of a small Swedish hamlet, to the great West of the U.S. during the
expansion of the railroad, to modern day Beijing and London.
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*Recommended by Mrs. Lathrop
A Mathematician’s Apology, G.H. Hardy
An essay written in 1940 by one of the premier mathematicians of his day. A
Mathematician’s Apology is a quick and wonderful read. It is frequently cited
as one of the top 100 non-fiction books. He writes about the art and beauty of
math while in the twilight of his career. It can be found in PDF format online.
*Recommended by Mr. Stanton
Mistress of the Art of Death, Ariana Franklin
Another novel that is filled with history and suspense is the Mistress of the Art
of Death by Ariana Franklin. This novel takes place in the middle ages during
the Crusades. It begins with the death of an innocent child and the doctor who
travels all the way from Italy to solve the murders by reading the dead; early
forensics. This is the first case of CSI and the mystery of who the killer is
keeps you on edge and is not in the least bit, predictable. A highly enjoyable
read, although time specific terminology can be difficult and may require a
dictionary. For my purposes the authentic tone of the story made it even more
enjoyable. *Recommended by Mrs. Anastasio
Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck
Of Mice and Men is a book that depicts the life of two men during the
depression looking for a job. George and Lenny go through a lot together
throughout the book which makes there friendship grow greatly from the
beginning to the end of the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who
likes books that have adventure or like books that show exquisite
character growth. *Recommended by Isaac Judge
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
A young man born of Indian parents in America struggles with issues of identity
from his teens to his thirties. This novel will attract not just teens of other
cultures, but also readers struggling with the challenges of growing up and
tugging at family ties. *Recommended by Mrs. Ayer
The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory
The Other Boleyn Girl is a historical fiction based on the reign of Henry VIII
and his affairs with the two Boleyn sisters, Mary and Anne. This book is full of
love, scandals, ambition, and rivalry. The Boleyn Girls are fighting for the
most prized possession in all of England – the king’s heart. The Other Boleyn
Girl is a must read, and once you pick it up, it will be almost impossible to put
down! *Recommended by Jenn Connely
Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett
Granted, this book seems daunting to begin, but once you pick it up you’ll
become so absorbed in the lives of the Medieval characters, loving the good
ones and despising the villains, you’ll lose track of all time. There’s a reason
they made this into a miniseries- it’s that wonderful of a story!
*Recommended by Ms. Escott
P.S. I Love You, Cecelia Ahern
This book is full of sadness, romance and heartwarming parts that tie the
entire book together. It’s a love story but with an out of the ordinary twist,
most teenaged girls would enjoy because it is a wonderful storyline.
*Recommended by Felicia Colon
Rebecca, Daphne Du Maurier
A gothic romance with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing what
the dead woman’s secret is. Everyone who enjoys mysteries and romances
should read this classic at some point in their lives.
*Recommended by Ms. Escott
Red Riding Hood, Sarah Blakely Cartwright & David Leslie Johnson
If you like twists on old stories than this book is perfect for you. Although
it’s slow at first, once you get past the first chapter you won’t want to put
the book down until you learn who The Wolf is. It’s a fun read with
exciting twists, the only negative is the last chapter is NOT in the book but
on www.redridinghoodbook.com. Due to the movie release, they did not
want to give away the ending until the movie hit theaters. *Recommended
by Katie White
RX, Tracy Lynn
This book is recommended for high school girls that are looking for a short
easy read. The story is based on a teenage girl with an addiction to Ritalin.
It’s for mature readers that enjoy books by Laurie Halse Anderson.
*Recommended by Emily Bertora
Secret Daughter, Shilpi Somaya Gowda
In a remote Indian village, Kavita's regret over giving her newborn daughter
up for adoption haunts her even after the birth of the a more culturallyaccepted son; meanwhile, Somer, an American doctor, learns that she is unable
to have children and decides to adopt the baby girl with gold-flecked eyes that
she sees in a Mumbai orphanage. *Recommended by Ms. McCarthy
The Shadow of the Wind and Angel’s Game, Carlos Ruis Zafon
This is a mysterious, suspenseful novels which take place in the city of
Barcelona, Spain in the early 20th century. The Spanish writer Zafon
interweaves mystery, murder, religion, writing and passion throughout
these two worldwide bestsellers. *Recommended by Mrs. Lathrop
Shanghai Girls, Lisa See
For anyone who enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha, a story of two sisters in
China and the challenges they face both in their home country and then in the
U.S. If you like learning about other cultures through absorbing tales of
difficulty and triumph, then this won’t let you down.
*Recommended by Ms. Escott
Siddhartha, Herman Hesse
Siddhartha is written in simple prose with startling impact. It’s the story of
one man’s life journey and search for enlightenment. Siddhartha must leave
his family, find wealth and love and lose both, and even learn to let his son
go before he can attain what he has sought for so long. *Recommended by
Mrs. Flannery
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, Alan Bradley
“The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie” is a mystery with an uncommon
detective, 12 year old Flavia DeLuce who lives in England in the middle of the
20th century, and has her own chemistry lab! She is charming and spreads a
little chemistry with her family, two older sisters whom she retaliates against
with her creations, and her father who focuses more on his stamp collecting
than any of the daughters. A great read, along with the sequels- “A Red
Herring without Mustard” and “The Weed that Strings the Handgman’s Bag”.
*Recommended by Mrs. Collins
The Sword of Truth Book One: The Wizard's first Rule, Terry Goodkind
This book is fantasy epic which allows you to explore not only the adventures
in which the main characters embark on, but your own personal adventure into
a world of magic. This story is about a man who becomes something more,
something bigger then himself and must over come barriers to succeed and
ultimately save his world. *Recommended by Thais Caraganis
The Sword of Truth Book Two: Stone of Tears, Terry Goodkind
This is a sequel to the novel The Sword of Truth Book One, which allows
the adventure to continue. Once again the main character; Richard must save
the world from an ultimate doom. This book allows you to escape a reality
and enter a world of magic. If you love adventure and the idea of mystical
beings this book is for you! *Recommended by Thais Caraganis
The Time Travelers Wife, Audrey Niffenegger
Since the age of five Clair has been in love with Henry, a man who
involuntarily travels through time. Their story tells of the struggles the couple
goes through throughout Clair’s entire life and the strength of their love as they
fight through the many tragedies that occur.
*Recommended by Cheyenne Ballsieper
The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien
This book is a point of view of the draft and WWII and how it affects the
lives of those who where drafted. It is also a mystery that makes the reader
ponder what the truth is and what is a lie. I would recommend this book to
anyone who likes war books and books that have a sense of mystery to them.
*Recommended by Isaac Judge
The Tortilla Curtain, T.C. Boyle
This is a compelling novel that parallels the lives of a white
middle class family with that of an illegal Mexican family. It is a thoughtprovoking story of racism, fear and hatred, but told in a modern voice that
keeps the reader amused and thinking about life in
California between the “haves” and the “have-nots.”
*Recommended by Mrs. Lathrop
War beneath the Waves, Don Keith
A true story about courage and leadership abroad the World War II submarine
Billfish. It’s a very interesting story that was hidden for 6 decades!
*Recommended by Mr. Fabry.
Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen
I thoroughly enjoyed Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. It is a novel
filled with history (the Depression), tragedy (death and poverty), love (a
tense love triangle) and mystery (who is the killer). It is a story that can be
enjoyed by all teens as well as adults. This is certainly a different side of
the circus to be sure! *Recommended by Mrs. Anastasio
The Way Things Work, David Macaulay
For those who enjoy mammoths, humorous doodles, and a non-imposing
lesson on how locks, lever, rockets, and other stuff works. I found it
fascinating. My short attention span could even follow the explanations. This
is not a how-to or a DIY project book. It's just interesting to learn about why
things work. And the mammoths ad their little side stories are
really cute. *Recommended by Erin White
The Weight of Silence, Heather Gudenkauf
If you like mysteries, you will love this book. This heartbreaking adventure
of having two little girls missing will keep you hooked and speechless. Your
heart won’t stop racing and your mind won’t stop questioning even after the
book is over. I definitely recommend this book to anybody who wants a
summer read they will really enjoy. *Recommended by Evelyn Viera-Fleming
What is the What by Valentino Achak Deng
A fictionalized memoir of Valentino Achak Deng, a Sudanese refugee who
was forced from his home by the Second Sudanese Civil War and faced
many difficulties before coming to the United States. *Recommended by
Mrs. Ayer
Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte
For those who like more challenging reads I’d recommend this book. It’s a
long read but well worth your time as you experience the lives of Catherine,
Heathcliff, Edgar, and all their companions. I’d also heavily recommend this
if you plan to take Honors British Literature next year as it is part of
the curriculum and a certain English teacher’s favorite book!
*Recommended by Katie White
*Summaries taken from Titlewave.com unless provided by the teacher/student recommending it.