Spy Goddess

By: Michael Spradlin

Beverly Hills teenager, Rachel, gets in trouble with the law and winds up being shipped off to a mysterious boarding school in Pennsylvania, where she uncovers secrets about the school and becomes entangled in a case of international espionage.

"This book was great fun to read."

Haunted

By Meg Cabot

"The title might lead you to believe this is a spooky story.  Sorry, it isn't.  I would never call this great literature, but it's a fun and easy to read book.  It has ghosts, romance, and intrigue.  Mostly a girl's book, though."

Speak 

By Laurie Anderson

"Ostracized by her peers for something that happened at an end-of-summer party, Melinda must cope with a new, and permanently altered perspective on life.  

This is a 'must read' book, in my opinion.  Melinda's feelings are realistically and honestly laid out on every page.  It is a believable story with a satisfying ending."

By: Quida  Sebestyen

Abandoned by his self-centered mother, Harley adopts a stray dog, and falls in with an old woman, with whom he travels across the country, eventually settling in with a cantankerous junk collector, and a free-spirited teenaged girl.

"This book really captures the emotional turmoil of adolescence and the universal need to belong."

Cut

By: Patricia McCormick

While confined to a mental hospital, Callie slowly comes to understand some of the reasons behind her self-mutilation, and gradually starts to get better.

"This is a fast-read.  I enjoyed the way Callie slowly came to understand why she was harming herself.  The author lets the reader figure it out, too.  No spoon-feeing here."

A Child Called "It", One child's courage to Survive.

By: Dave Pelzer

David Pelzer, victim of one of the worst child abuse cases in the history of California, tells the story of how he survived his mother's brutality and triumphed over his past.

"Mr. Pelzer's story is honest, and heartbreaking.  His ability to overcome his past astounds me."

Cryptid Hunters

By: Roland Smith

After their parents die in an accident, twins Marty and Grace go to live with their uncle, who has made it his  mission in life to find mysterious creatures whose existence has never been proven.

America

By: E.M. Kerr

"This is a harsh, in-your-face, novel of child abuse, juvenile delinquency, and the foster-care system.  The story begins in a juvenile detention facility, where a teen-aged boy named America, is not speaking to the psychologist assigned to help him.  This book is brutally honest, but hopeful.  Highly recommended to me by a teenager."

Golden Compass

- or-  His Dark Materials

by Phillip Pullman

"A Science Fiction story centered on the theory of Multiple Universes.  Confusing at first, but fun."

Redwall

By: Brian Jacques

"OK, so what if all the characters are animals?  They don't act like animals.  After a while, you hardly notice they aren't human.  An engaging tale in the Tolkien style."

Tamora Pierce. 

"This author has several series.  Some focusing on Warriors, some set in the Middle Ages with knights and kings and queens, some about magic, and sorcerers and wizards.  "

Alex Rider Adventure Series

By: Anthony Horowitz

The newest edition is Ark Angel, these are exciting spy novels, the first of which is being made into a movie.

Traveling Pants

By: Ann Brashares

Coming of age stories about four girls who are best friends.

Cirque du Freak

By: Darren Shan

"Vampires!"

The Keys to the Kingdom

By: Garth Nix

"A fantasy series of Good vs. Evil"

Pendragon

By: D.J. MacHale

"Another Sci-Fi series of Multiple Universes, Magical Tyrants, and  Dangerous Revolution..."