Embassy Row: See How They Run by Ally Carter

Think the Bourne series meets Mission Impossible, meet's Nancy Drew and you get a page turning story that is designed to entertain teens.  It's a good story, perhaps a little over the top but it's entertaining and fine for any high school library.  Enjoy.

The Program by Suzanne Young

This series has been sitting on my library shelf of books to think about adding to my library.  One of my amazing students begged to read the book before I put it on the shelf.  He LOVED the book and asked to read it a couple more times.  Even got his sister to read the whole series as well.  So, I had to read the book.  It's good.  I can see teens enjoying this book.  Seriously trust no one in this story.  There is some heavy petting, and  kissing but the story carries itself.   There are some lose issues in the story and I'm hoping the sequels will address the cause of the suicides.  It's a great conspiracy story.  It's fine for high school libraries.

Embassy Row: All Fall Down By Ally Carter

I like and enjoy Ally Carter's writing.  She can spin a story that you can put in the library and know your students will check it out and get their friends to request the book also.  I just finished this story and will add it to my collection.  I like the story because you can't guess how it's going to end.  It's a teen, but not quite a spy story but a good solid mystery.  Who can you trust????  What is the truth????
It's almost like a teen Bourne series.  I highly recommend this story as a good addition to any high school library.  Enjoy!

Reality Boy by A. S. King

Ever know some who is so angry that it just oozes out of them.  This is a young teen adult who has a crazy family life in which one parent doesn't see the reality of the actual situation. What's worse is the whole problem was for all to see on reality TV.  The editing doesn't help the family as well.

This is a solid story and fully developed characters.  It's a harsh angry book of a young man who has to work through things out.  It's fine for high school library.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

If you like Eleanor and Park or The Fault with in our Stars then check out this book!  Think a modern day Rapuzel, the girl in the plastic bubble.  A girl who is isolated for 18 years, because of a rare illness. She's alone, with only her mom and her nurse and online classes.  She meets the new neighbor boy and her life changes.  I don't want to give anything away.  OMG a must for any high school library.  YOU MUST READ THIS.

Thursday Next: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

This book isn't for everyone but if you love Dr. Who (all doctors) and enjoy satire, farce and poking fun at literature then go down this rabbit hole.  It's a complicated fun fantasy that will have you looking for "Easter Eggs" ( little jokes hidden in the story) Jane Eyre will never be the same.  Not for reluctant readers because there are a lot of layers but if you like silly, such as Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe the you'll enjoy this story.

What I Saw and How I Lied

This is a great book.  Set after World War II, a young girl, her beautiful mother and her GI step-father travel to Florida for a vacation.  This coming of age story tell how a 15 year old girl falls for her step-father's GI pal and becomes part of a mystery concerning the handsome stranger's life.

Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

This is a book I wished I read in high school.  It's a real book about real life situations.  It has everything in it and beautifully written.    Death, rape, pregnancy, drugs, coming out and body issues.
All wrapped up in a beautiful diary of the 12th grader, Gabi.  a must in any high school library.

Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick

Excellent story based on the life of Arn Chorn-Pond.  It's a sad story but also a story with hope.  I got to visit Cambodia a few years ago.  to see the ancient world of Angkor Wat. We had hired a driver who also survived the Khmer Rouge as a young boy.  It's was a difficult time but he survived and his children and grandchildren are educated and also some of them are educators.    Bottom line, this book is a  must for all high school libraries.

Watch the interview between author and Arn Chorn-Pond http://www.goodreads.com/videos/23984-never-fall-down-by-patricia-mccormick

The Heroes of Olympus: The Blood of Olympus: by Rick Riordan

It's the last book of this particular series but you know there's one just around the corner.  It's a great read.  Fine for any library.  Enjoy.

King Raven Series: Tuck by Stephen R. Lawhead

This is a great series.  Is it for everyone, no.  It's for readers who enjoy Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and Robin Hood.  It's the retelling of Robin Hood.  What's great about it?  Everything!  It has action, solid story line, great characters and it doesn't use stilted language.  It's funny and fighting with bows and arrows, knives and swords.  If you enjoy swashbuckling then enjoy this series.  This should be the  last book in the series.  Enjoy!

The Darkest Path by Jeff Hirsch

This is an intense story and I can't image what it would be like to be caught in a country with civil war. It's survival of the fittest and smartest.  Two brothers who have different viewpoints and choose different paths.  Cal meets people who will die for what they believe.  It's fine for any high school library.  Enjoy.

Half Spoon of Rice: A survival Story of the Cambodian Genocide By Icy Smith Illustrated by Sopaul Nhem

I bought this book when I was in Cambodia two years ago.  It's a beautiful country to visit and the driver that we hired survived the Khmer Rouge as a young child.  Because of it, he didn't have much of an education but his children and his grand children do have a prominent education.  I was in a book store and found this book.  It was wrapped in plastic and I asked the sales ladies if they could open the book.  It was the first time they saw the book.  Even thought we didn't have much of a common language, the pictures told the story of their history and the clerks were soaking the images in.  It's a hard story, genocide but this book does offer hope and would be fine in a library, especially in world history classes. I'll never forget when I bought this book and treasure the memories of how people connect to their country's history.  Get the book.

The Heroes of Olympus: The House of Hades By Rick Riordan

Great series for any grade library.  Lots of humor, action, adventure and mythology infuses this series of books.  Rick Riordan writes winners to entertain readers in addicting stories.  Enjoy.

The Paladin Prophecy: Rogue by Mark Frost

This is the last book in the trilogy and it doesn't disappoint.  Solid story with good and bad characters.  Takes you to a whole different world.  If you like Blackout, Alex Rider, Maze Runner, Percy Jackson then you'll enjoy this book. Fine for any school library.  Enjoy!

Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle Illustrated by Rafael Lopez

This is great to share with young girls who need encouragement.  This is great for all kinds of different drums.  It's beautifully written and the young girl never gives up to follow her dream and later inspires others.  Beautifully written with so many colors.  A must for any library.

The Paladin Prophecy: Alliance by Mark Frost

Fan of I am Number Four or The Maze Runner, The Blackout or The Percy Jackson series?  This is your next series to enjoy.  It's a great series with drama, humor and super powers.  A solid writer, Mark Frost, has made me a fan of this series.  I will put this in my library.  It's perfect for any library.    Enjoy.

After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick

I'm now a fan of Jordan Sonneblick!  You don't even need to read the first book.  But now I want to read book 1.  This award winning book will tug your heart strings.  Think Fault within the Stars.  Solid book and the dialogue is funny.  Serious good book.  A must for any library.  Also insight on what stress a family with children with cancer might go through.  It's a good read.

The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost

Okay,  this is one book you want on your library shelves.  I'm so ordering this book.  It's perfect for those readers who enjoy a good adventure with lots of action, mystery and teens solving crazy strange problems with unusual abilities.  Solid action, good plot and solid characters build suspense.  Enjoy!

THe Heroes of Olympus: The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

Infused with humor, adventure and mythology, this story is perfect for any book shelf.  No worries what so ever because it's a guarantee to fly off the shelves.  Great series.  Enjoy.

A Blackout series: Going Dark by Robison Wells

This is a short novella and we get to meet Krezi and read her backstory.  It's fine for any library and is crafted well.  I suspect that this will become a popular series in my high school library.

Blackout By Robison Wells

I read Robison Wells' first series Variant and enjoyed it.  I like this new series so far, Blackout.  It's a bit the moment before the world becomes apocalyptic with teens with special powers.  Some are good and some are bad.  It's a solid story and solid characters.  There are some terrorists in the story.  It's fine for any high school library.  Enjoy!

The Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

This series is a solid story with Greek gods, demi-gods and monsters.  Perfect for any library.  A good guy's read.  Enjoy.

The Paper Son: Lee’s Journey to America by Helen Foster James

This should be in any California library, elementary, middle school and history.  It's a picture book.  I had the  privilege to meet the author at the California Young Reader's Medal 2016 in San Francisco area for the California School Library Association.  I just fell in love with this author, she is a pleasure to meet.  This book is currently up for the CYRM for 2017 award in picture book category.  I would pair this book with the Fire Horse Girl (see my blog) which is about a paper girl.  These are incredible stories about taking a risk to make an opportunity for your family.
 he paper Son: Lee’s Journey to America

by Helen Foster james

THe Heroes of Olympus: The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

This is such a great series for all libraries:  Elementary, Middle school and high school.  Greek mythology meets Roman mythology.  It's the next adventure series of Percy Jackson.  If you like Lord of the Rings this is an easy version of the series.  Enjoy!

My Summer of Pink & Green by Lisa Greenwald

This is perfect for middle school.  Looking for a book for a young girl grades 6 to 8 then this is the book for you.  It's still sweet and innocent under the influence of Emma by Jane Austin.  I appreciate how the character doesn't throw a tantrum but handles some major stress with maturity.    Fine for any library of elementary or middle school level.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

This is a great story.  Ignore the movie which is similar but the book is way better.  Cornelia Funke can write a good story.  Enjoy.  Looking forward for the next two books to read.  Fine for any library.  Just remember "Reading is always Magic.:" and you can quote me.

The Mediator: Ninth Key by Meg Cabot

It's an entertaining read of mystery and ghosts and adventure and danger.  Think a modern Nancy Drew set in Carmel, California.  Fine for any high school library.  Enjoy.

Tupelo Landing: Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

This is a good buy for any elementary or middle school library.  Love the southern flair.  Charming characters and good plot.  Enjoy.

Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley

This is a great book but for serious readers.  Not really for high school libraries.  Lots of insights on Jake's character.  Can be a bit wordy and repeated.

Rootless by Chris Howard

Think Mad Max series meets science fiction.  It's a dark book.  I think it will appeal to boys and those who enjoy apocalyptic stories.

Medusa Girls: Sweet Shadows by Tera Lynn Childs

It's the teen girl's Percy Jackson.  Blend Greek mythology with contemporary life and you get the Medusa Girl's series.  It's fine.  It's entertaining.  Good for any library.

Jinx by Meg Cabot

It's family dynamics and magic as Jean deals with her past and future.  Her jealous cousin wants her to try her coven.  Jinx tries to help her cousin walk away from it.  But her cousin has revenge on her mind.  It's fine for public libraries.  I would say save your money for high school libraries.  Think Mean Girls with witchcraft.

Sally Lockhart Mystery: The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman

It's a smart story with solid plot and characters.  Go back to the Victorian times and enjoy a great mystery.  If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes then enjoy.

The Song of the Quarkbeast by Jasper Fforde

This is a great series that is silly and entertaining and magical.  It's a fun read and fine for any library.  Enjoy.

Percy Jackson: The Olympians: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and his band of demigods have an adventure as well as battles.  He has finally turned 16 and the prophecies have started to come true.  This series is perfect for any elementary, middle and high school library.  Enjoy.

Changing Planes by Ursula K. Le Guin

This is a great series of travel stories from made up places and I can see how these stories came in to place  because yes I've had long waits in airports for connection planes.  Not for school libraries.  It's above most student reading levels and there may be some content that might not work for high school students.  It's good but not for everyone.  If you like Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe or an adult version of Dr. Who then you might want to try this book.

Percy Jackson: The Olympians: The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

Great series for anyone who loves Greek mythology or any kind of mythology.  It's a good read full adventure and a solid story.  Perfect for any library, elementary, middle school and high school.  These books get checked out all the time.  Enjoy!

Percy Jackson an the Olympians The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan

This series is perfect for any library.  Elementary, Middle school and high school.  Move the Greek Mythology and a new generation of demigod teens in to a contemporary setting and have fun and adventure to entertain.  It's a good read!  Enjoy.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

This is a great series that moves Greek mythology into the contemporary world.  The world is at the hands of the teens as they battle mythical monsters.  Funny and adventures.  Perfect for any library.  I have lots of students who enjoy the whole series and come back asking for more.  Enjoy.

Not Exactly a Love Story by Audrey Couloumbis

I actually liked this story.  It worked out to be a good story.  enjoy.  Fine for any library.

The Girl with Borrowed Wings by Rinsai Rossetti

Beautifully written and a must for any high school library.  Strong characters, strong writing and strong description.

Eifelheim by Michael Flynn

It's a long read and not for public high school.  I say that because it's really complicated and I feel many high school students would be lost.  Having said that, it's an excellent book for serious readers.  I just came back from Germany and Austria and was delighted to read about places referenced in which I have visited.  I love the concept of an alien and a medieval priest having conversations and both entities learning about abstract conversations about space travel and God.  It's an excellent read, I would say if you love science fiction, Star Trek and European history, this is the book for you!

Dumplin’: Go Big or Go Home by Julie Murphy

Great Read.  Willadean is very conscious of how large she is.  When she register for the beauty contest, 5 other girls also decide to join.  Girls who get teased or don't quite fit in.  This is an awesome book and should be in any high school library.  One of my new favorite books for 2016.  Enjoy!

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

This is an awesome series.  It's worth the audio version as well.  There are so many layers to this story.  I love the cadence of the writing and the solid diverse characters.  You just never know how this story is going to play out.  Perfect series for any library.  Good for either boys or girls to read.  For High school libraries.  It's not an easy read so not for reluctant readers unless audio. It's an awesome series.  If you like Star Wars with out science fiction and Lord of the Rings with out elves and dwarfs and sword fights,  this is a good modern contemporary story involving an ancient legend.

Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff

Good story that will fit in any elementary or middle school library.  It's a solid story and a good read dealing with anger, divorced issues and accidental deaths.

Court of THorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

When I made this slide I put older grade levels but I am going to say that it is for adults not young adults

It's a solid story and a  grown up fairy tale.  It's got some hot scenes in it.   I should say there are also some violence as Feyre kills.  I don't think I would put it in my high school library.  I think it's better suited in public libraries.

  It's very violent and having time to reflect on the book, I would say its more for adults.  The main character does not show remorse when she executes innocent lives.  I would say again this book is for ADULTS and not young people.

THE SUMMER I LEARNED TO FLY BY DANA REINHARDT

Drew learns about herself and life in this story.  It's a coming of age story that will fit in any library.  Fine for middle school library.  Well written and touching about a girl and her new found friend who is a runaway searching to cure his little brother.  It's a good read.

Snow White & Rose Red by Patricia C. Wrede

This was one of my favorite stories growing up so reading a retelling was a treat.  It's an excellent book for an avid reader of fairy tales.  Is it for everyone, no.  It's fine for any library but the story dialog is written in a stilted English of old.  Think Shakespeare style.  The story is solid but may turn off to reluctant readers.

The Winner’s Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

The writing is improving over time.  It's a good series.  Yes another pretty girl in pretty dress cover.  It's fine for any library.  It's balanced and not too predictable.  Enjoy.