LibGuides: Vacation Reading: 2019

Before you see the movie

Middle School

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba; Anna Hymas (Illustrator); Bryan Mealer
Call Number: 621.4 KAM

ISBN: 9780803740808

Publication Date: 2015-02-05

African teenager William Kamkwamba explored science books in his village library when he was forced to drop out of school, and was able to change his family's life by creating a windmill to pump water for his family's farm.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Call Number: FIC COL

ISBN: 9781423124528

Publication Date: 2009-06-23

Twelve-year-old evil genius Artemis Fowl tries to restore his family fortune by capturing a fairy and demanding a ransom in gold, but the fairies fight back with magic, technology, and a particularly nasty troll.

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
Call Number: FIC COW

ISBN: 0316737372

Publication Date: 2004-05-01

Chronicles the adventures and misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third as he tries to pass the important initiation test of his Viking clan, the Tribe of the Hairy Hooligans, by catching and training a dragon.

High School

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Call Number: FIC YOO

ISBN: 9780553496680

Publication Date: 2016-11-01

Natasha is a girl who believes in science and facts. Daniel has always been a good son and good student. But when he sees Natasha he forgets all that and believes there is something extraordinary in store for both of them.

Native Son by Richard Wright
Call Number: FIC WRI

ISBN: 9780060837563

Publication Date: 2005-08-02

Trapped in the poverty-stricken ghetto of Chicago's South Side, a young African-American man finds release only in acts of violence.

Non-Fiction you have to try!

Middle School

I Will Always Write Back by Martin Ganda; Caitlin Alifirenka; Liz Welch (As told to)
Call Number: 305.2 ALI

In this dual memoir, Caitlin and Martin recount how they became best friends--and better people--through their long-distance exchange [as pen-pals].
Temple Grandin by Sy Montgomery; Temple Grandin
Call Number: 92 GRA

Examines the life and accomplishments of Temple Grandin, whose childhood diagnosis of autism and love of cows led her to revolutionize the livestock industry.
Breakthrough - How One Teen Innovator Is Changing the World by Jack Andraka; Matthew Lysiak
Call Number: 509.2 AND

Teen scientist Jack Andraka chronicles his development of an inexpensive early detection test for pancreatic, ovarian, and lung cancer, and recounts his own personal story of overcoming depression and homophobic bullying. Includes hands-on science experiments.

High School

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
Call Number: 270 WES

Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara’s older brothers became violent.
Factfulness by Hans Rosling
Call Number: 155.9 ROS

When asked simple questions about global trends―what percentage of the world’s population live in poverty; why the world’s population is increasing; how many girls finish school―we systematically get the answers wrong.

Visiting author 2019-2020

Australian Slam Poet Luka Lesson will be our PSA sponsored Visiting Authors for 2019-2020! Luka is an Australian born poet and rap artist of Greek heritage. Luka’s work includes the mythology of his family homeland, political opinions and reflections on his personal life. Luka uses education programs to encourage social change in schools.

http://www.lukalesson.com.au/

2019 Award Winners!

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
ISBN: 9780763690496

Publication Date: 2018-09-11

Winner of the Newberry Medal. Told from four intertwining points of view—two boys and two girls—the novel celebrates bravery, being different, and finding your inner bayani (hero).
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
ISBN: 9780062662804

Publication Date: 2018-03-06

Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.
The Unwanted by Don Brown
ISBN: 9781328810151

Publication Date: 2018-09-18

Starting in 2011, refugees flood out of war-torn Syria in Exodus-like proportions. The surprising flood of victims overwhelms neighboring countries, and chaos follows. Resentment in host nations heightens as disruption and the cost of aid grows.
Sweep by Jonathan Auxier
ISBN: 9781419731402

Publication Date: 2018-09-25

It's been five years since the Sweep disappeared. Orphaned and alone, Nan Sparrow had no other choice but to work for a ruthless chimney sweep named Wilkie Crudd. She spends her days sweeping out chimneys. The job is dangerous and thankless, but with her wits and will, Nan has managed to beat the deadly odds time and time again.
Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson
ISBN: 9780062422675

Publication Date: 2018-05-22

Monday Charles is missing, and only Claudia seems to notice. Claudia and Monday have always been inseparable—more sisters than friends. So when Monday doesn’t turn up for the first day of school, Claudia’s worried.

Graphic Novels

New Kid by Jerry Craft
ISBN: 9780062691194

Publication Date: 2019-02-05

Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade.
Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale; Dean Hale; Nathan Hale (Illustrator)
Call Number: 741.5 HAL

ISBN: 9781599900704

Publication Date: 2008-08-05

Rapunzel, having grown up in a lovely castle with the woman she thought was her mother, is placed in a very tall hollow tree as punishment after her curiousity prompts her to climb the castle wall and look at the ruin of the world beyond her home, but she is able to escape and with the help of Jack, embarks on a plan to free the land from the grip of the witch.
All's Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson
Call Number: 741.5 JAM

ISBN: 9780525429999

Publication Date: 2017-09-05

Homeschooled by Renaissance Fair enthusiasts, eleven-year-old Imogene has a hard time fitting in when her wish to enroll in public school is granted.
Legend by Marie Lu; Kaaris (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780399171895

Publication Date: 2015-04-21

Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a military prodigy. Born into the slums of the Republic’s Lake Sector, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives are not as sinister as they often they seem.

Must Reads!

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
Call Number: FIC HIR

Half-Muslim, half-Hindu twelve-year-old Nisha doesn't know where she belongs, or what her country is anymore. When Papa decides it's too dangerous to stay in what is now Pakistan, Nisha and her family become refugees and embark first by train but later on foot to reach her new home.
Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid by Jeff Kinney
Call Number: FIC KIN

Introducing the newest Wimpy Kid author—Rowley Jefferson! Rowley’s best friend Greg Heffley has been chronicling his middle-school years in thirteen Diary of a Wimpy Kid journals . . . and counting. But it’s finally time for readers to hear directly from Rowley in a journal of his own.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Call Number: FIC ADE

Seventeen-year-old Zélie, her older brother Tzain, and rogue princess Amari fight to restore magic to the land and activate a new generation of magi, but they are ruthlessly pursued by the crown prince, who believes the return of magic will mean the end of the monarchy.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Call Number: FIC THO

Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least win her first battle. As the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died right before he hit big, Bri’s got massive shoes to fill.
Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
Call Number: FIC HAN

Lara Jean is having the best senior year a girl could ever hope for. She is head over heels in love with her boyfriend, Peter; her dad’s finally getting remarried to their next door neighbor, Ms. Rothschild; and Margot’s coming home for the summer just in time for the wedding. But change is looming on the horizon.
Batman by Marie Lu
Call Number: FIC LU

Before he was Batman, he was Bruce Wayne. A reckless boy willing to break the rules for a girl who may be his worst enemy.The Nightwalkers are terrorizing Gotham City, and Bruce Wayne is next on their list.
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Call Number: FIC HAN

Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes an impulsive decision: he will move his family north, to Alaska, where they will live off the grid in America's last true frontier.
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
Call Number: FIC MAK

The Great Believers captures the terror of watching all of your loved ones waste away as the government watches on with apathy.

On Sora

Middle School

Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar
Call Number: E-Book

ISBN: 9781408868706

Publication Date: 6 Aug 2015
The Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan
Call Number: E-Book

ISBN: 9781423163275

Publication Date: 2012-05-01
Everless by Sara Holland
Call Number: E-Book

ISBN: 9780062653680

Publication Date: 2018-01-02

High School

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Call Number: E-Book

ISBN: 9780307962126

Publication Date: 2013-05-14
Food Rules by Michael Pollan
Call Number: E-Book

ISBN: 9781101163160

Publication Date: 29 Dec 2009
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Call Number: E-Book

ISBN: 9780099590088

Publication Date: 10 Feb 2015