In his book Adam Canfield of the Slash, Pulitzer-Prize winner Michael Winerip brings his journalistic know-how to the middle-school stage. During Adam Canfield’s first year as editor of Harris Elementary-slash-Middle School’s paper, appropriately named The Slash, he and his co-editor Jennifer uncover a juicy secret concerning the school’s much-hated principal, Mrs. Marris. With the help of a third-grade cub reporter named Phoebe, Adam, Jennifer, and the rest of The Slash team make the November issue the school’s most memorable to date.
Must Read Books
Adam Canfield of the Slash
Apr 5, 2011
Anonymous
When You Reach Me
12-year-old Miranda is receiving letters from an unknown source who seems to know things before they happen. What's even more concerning is that the author of these letters claims he or she is trying to save the life of one of Miranda's friends. Which friend is in danger? And will the author of the letters succeed? When You Reach Me won the Newbery Award in 2009. It is a coming-of-age novel about time travel and friendship.
Mar 8, 2011
Anonymous
Three Black Swans
As part of a school assignment, Missy tells everyone she has found her long-lost identical twin--her cousin Claire. When she realizes that her hoax is much closer to the truth, she turns not only her and Claire's lives upside down but also that of a complete "stranger."
Feb 22, 2011
Susan
The Maze Runner
I thought the writing was horrendous at first, but once I got into the story it became very easy to ignore all of Dashner's over use of annoying adjectives. It is easy to get swept into the mystery of why Thomas and 60 other teenage boys have woken up with no memory at different times to find themselves locked into a gigantic maze with a glade in the middle. No one has been able to solve the maze yet, but the gladers as they call themselves are determined to find a way out. Then an unconscious girl arrives in their weekly supply box telling them that there will be no more supplies and that she was the last person who would be joining their group.
Feb 16, 2011
Kristy
Blank Confession
Shayne Blank, the new kid in school, walks into the police station to "confess" to possibly killing someone. On his first day of school, Shayne comes to the aid of Mikey, the smallest kid in school, when he is threatened by Jon Brande, the school drug dealer. In alternating voices between Mikey and Shayne's confession, the reader finds out what really happened that caused the confession. A fast-paced book that makes you want to keep reading.
Feb 16, 2011
Susan
Ship Breaker
Ship Breaker is the story of Nailer, a young man who ekes out an existence by scavenging copper from wrecked oil tankers. When a huge storm destroys a ship, Nailer and his friend Pima attempt to make their Lucky Strike to get out of their impoverished situations. What they find on the ship and Nailer's decision what to do about the situation leads him on a life-or-death decision. A fast-paced story about survival, family, and loyalty. The 2011 Printz Award winner for excellence in young adult literature.
Jan 27, 2011
Susan
Behemoth
Behemoth, the sequel to Leviathan, continues the story of Deryn/Dylan Sharp and Prince Alek. They journey to Constantipole/Istanbul where they find both enemies and allies. An exciting continuance of the alternate history of World War I. Can't wait for the third book to come out -- September 13, 2011 is the release date for Goliath.
Jan 19, 2011
Susan
Uglies
Uglies takes place in a future world where everyone gets a special operation when they are sixteen to be made pretty. After the operation, Pretties get to party and have fun all the time on the other side of their contained city. Tally Youngblood is an Ugly whose 16th birthday is nearing, but her various tricks and antics have gotten her in trouble with the department of Special Circumstances. They tell her that if she ever wants to be made into a Pretty like everyone else she must go out into the wilderness and find her friend Shay who ran away with a group of Ugly rebels who are resisting the required Pretty surgery. Three more books follow in this series and they are all great reads!
Dec 21, 2010
Kristy
Leviathan
Leviathan takes the backdrop of the beginning of World War I and adds futuristic creatures and machinery to create a classic steampunk story. The Darwinists (the British) have created genetically mutated species such as the Leviathan, which is a living ecosystem acting as a zeppelin. The Clankers (the Germans and Austro-Hungarians) use transformer-like weapons. Alek is the heir of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and along with his mentors, is escaping to Switzerland after the assassination of his parents. Deryn Sharp is disguising herself as Dylan Sharp, midshipman in the British Air Service serving on the Leviathan. When the Leviathan is shot down by the enemy can the two groups work together and escape certain danger. A fast-paced thriller that captures the reader's interest and imagination, Leviathan is followed by Behemoth.
Nov 27, 2010
Susan
It's Kind of a Funny Story
Ever since he got into an elite prep school, Craig Gilner has been overwhelmed with depression. He can't eat, he can't sleep, and one day he decides to kill himself by jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge. At the last minute, he decides to live and finds himself in the psychiatric ward of Argenon Hospital. This is where he meets Noelle, another patient of Argenon's, and begins to reassemble his life, hoping for the Shift that'll bring him back to normal. Good for ages 16+.
Nov 18, 2010
Anonymous