Summer Reading
Photo Credit: photo from creativecommons.org
May 17, 2010
Kathy O'Neill, asst opinions editor
Fiction
The Bronx Masquerade:Nikki Grimes-
An excellent book, even for those of you out there who are not big fans of reading. A quick collection of poems written poetry-slam style and short narrations by the characters, it tells an excellent story of high school kids in hard situations opening up to show what lies beyond the masquerade. Something anyone could enjoy.
The Book Thief:Marcus Zusak-
A book about a book lover for book lovers. Fascinatingly narrated by “death” herself, this book centers on a young girl in WWII Germany, who, with the help of her foster father, steals books and secrets away illegal books to learn to read and then share with a runaway Jew her family shelters.
Uglies:Scott Westerfield-
An excellent and easy read about a future in which the old “Rusty” society has passed away. At sixteen the “Uglies” undergo an operation involving lots of plastic surgery to make them into “Pretties,” who live across the river in what they think is a utopia. Parties every night, freedom, the ability to change your appearance through a plastic surgery operation whenever you like… what more could you ask for? But when people discover that not only is the appearance being changed, but also the mind in the “Pretty” operations, they realize that this is not as much of a utopia as was thought.
Fantasy
Harry Potter: J. K. Rowling-
It’s a classic. And you’ll understand now when your friends reference it.
Lord of the Rings:J. R. R. Tolkien-
Long, yes, but a fantastic and well-written story. Know the story behind the movies! The movies were impressive, but as in almost all cases the book is still much better and definitely worth a read.
Alanna: the First Adventure: Tamora Pierce-
For those of you wishing to be whisked away into a alternate world of swords, sorcery, adventure, and a girl disguising herself a boy to train as a knight, this is the book for you. The first of a quartet, this is a great, quick and fun read.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe:C.S. Lewis-
If you liked the movie, you will like this book (or the whole series) even more. Get the whole story, not just the bits that Hollywood liked. Also a classic, and definitely worth a read.
Ender’s Game:Orson Scott Card-
This is the kind of book you read now and will still remember years later. Many years into the future of earth, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin is an amazing child genius who is drafted into Battle School in space, to fight a future invasion by an alien race. He and his cronies who play games in Battle School and his siblings back on earth are in a position to change the world. Definitely worth a read. And if you like this, author Orson Scott Card tells the rest of the story in the many sequels.
Biography
A Child Called“It”: Dave Pelzer-
If you’re looking for an intense read, this is it. It is written by the victim of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. He was beaten and starved, and many worse things, by his alcoholic and unstable mother. He didn’t even have a name: he was called “it.” Be prepared for an intense and evocative read, though very memorable and thought-provoking.
Science Fiction
The Host:Stephanie Meyer-
Hey all you Twilight fans: have you ever heard of this book by the same author? Technically written for adults rather than for teens, as Twilight was, this book delves into a world where the alien race of “souls” are taking over Earth by taking control of the minds and bodies of humans. But when one of the humans resists her “soul,” and forces her to search for her family, the alien “soul” is forced to learn and discover herself and reconsider whether she should be there.
Maximum Ride:James Patterson-
What would it be like to have wings and fly? Find out with Maximum Ride and her family, who were grown by an illegal scientist mixing bird and human genes. They escaped the brutal scientist, and now live running from him and struggling to have a normal life. A captivating read about an epic adventure.
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