LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
May I Suggest...
Here is a list of books that I have read and enjoyed. All can be found in the Library Media Center.
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NONFICTION
Ambrose, Stephen E. Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West. 917.804 Amb
Biography of Meriwether Lewis, who was chosen by President Jefferson to lead a voyage from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean, discussing the experiences of those who took part in the expedition and tell of the leading political, scientific, and military figures involved in the mapping of the American West.
Mr. A.: This book reads like an adventure story!
Bernstein, Josh. Digging for the Truth: One Man's Epic Adventure Exploring the World's Greatest Archaeological Mysteries. 910.4 Ber
The host of the History Channel's Digging for the Truth presents a behind-the-scenes tour of some of his most interesting and physically challenging adventures.
Mr. A.: A fascinating book about Josh Bernstein and his adventures on the first two seasons of the television program Digging for the Truth. If you want to get an idea what it’s like to work on a television show, this is the book to read.
Bogdanos, Matthew. Thieves of Baghdad: One Marine's Passion for Ancient Civilizations and the Journey to Recover the World's Greatest Stolen Treasures. 956.7044 Bog
Colonel Matthew Bogdanos recounts his family's experiences at Ground Zero on September 11, his missions to hunt down al-Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan, and the investigation that led him to the discovery of more than five thousand priceless objects in Iraq.
Mr. A: Col. Bogdanos’ experience in Iraq was fascinating. His dedication towards retrieving the stolen artifacts is inspirational.
Brands, H. W. The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin. 921 Franklin
Chronicles the life and political career of American inventor, philosopher, and statesman Benjamin Franklin.
Mr. A.: I’ve always thought that Benjamin Franklin was one of America’s most interesting figures. This book proves it.
Brown, Brooks. No Easy Answers: The Truth behind Death at Columbine. 373.788 Bro
Brooks Brown, a 1999 graduate of Columbine High School, describes his longtime friendship with Dylan Klebold, his difficulties with Eric Harris before the shootings, and his experiences in the aftermath, during which he was suspected as an accomplice by the police and his classmates.
Mr. A.: Brooks Brown tells it like he sees it. He is honest about influences such as violent video games and about the bullying that went on before the tragedy.
Christie, Agatha. The Mousetrap & Other Plays. 822 Chr
A collection of eight plays written by Agatha Christie including Ten Little Indians, The Mousetrap, and Witness for the Prosecution.
Mr. A.: I especially enjoyed Ten Little Indians, The Mousetrap, and Witness for the Prosecution.
Clary, David A. Adopted Son: Washington, Lafayette, and the Friendship That Saved the Revolution. 973.3 Cla
Examines the personal and professional relationship between George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette and how that friendship influenced the outcome of the American Revolution.
Mr. A.: I was especially intrigued by the life of Lafayette in this dual-biography. I didn't realize how young he was when he came to fight against the British and also he came here against the wishes of King Louis XVI.
Cordingly, David. Under the Black Flag: The Romance and Reality of Life among the Pirates. 910.4 Cor
Examines the popular image of pirates in modern times and compares it with the real world of pirates, who were more often murderers and thieves than romantic heroes.
Mr. A.: This is an interesting book about pirates that looks into what really happened and what was made up in literature and in Hollywood!
Hickam, Homer H. October Sky: A Memoir. 921 Hickam
Inspired by the launching of Sputnik, Homer, growing up in the small mining town of Coalwood, develops an interest in rockets instead of in coal as his father wants him to.
Mr. A: I read this book after I saw the movie. Although I loved the film, the book is even better. .
Also read:
The Coalwood Way.
Sky Of Stone.
Larson, Erik. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America. 364.15 Lar
Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life, the author intertwines the true tale of two men, the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1893 World's Fair, striving to secure American's place in the world; and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death.
Mr. A.: This book sparked my interest in local history. I was more fascinated by the planning and constructing of the Colombian Exposition than the serial killer’s side of the story. If you enjoy this book, be sure to take a look at some of the historical sites on the Chicagoland Links page.
Masters, Edgar Lee. Spoon River Anthology. 811 Mas
A series of dramatic monologues, in which inhabitants of the cemetery on the hill overlooking the fictional Midwestern town of Spoon River reveal the shocking scandals and tragic secrets of their lives.
Mr. A.: I enoyed the “back-stories” in these poems.
McCullough, David G. John Adams. 921 Adams
Traces the life of John Adams and his influence in the making of our nation.
Mr. A.: This is probably one of my favorite biographies of all time. It gave me a new perspective of John Adams.
Oxnam, Robert B. A Fractured Mind: My Life with Multiple Personality Disorder. 616.85 Oxn
Robert Oxnam recounts his battle with multiple personality disorder, describing his eleven personalities and his struggle to merge them into one personality in order to reclaim his life.
Mr. A.: You’ve seen this disorder portrayed on television and in the movies, but have you heard of anyone actually experience it? You can see the changes in writing style as different personalities assist in writing this remarkable true story.
Pelzer, David J. A Child Called "It”: An Abused Child's Journey from Victim to Victor. 362.7 Pel
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. A.: I had a very hard time putting this book down. This book is not for the squeamish.
Philbrick, Nathaniel. Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War. 973.2 Phi
A history of the Pilgrim settlement of New England that discusses such topics as the diseases of European origin suffered by the Wampanoag tribe, the relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags, and the impact of the King Philip's War.
Mr. A.: We all know about the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock, but there’s a lot more we really don’t know about them. This book describes their struggles surviving in the colony and their relationship with the Wampanoags.
Stewart, David O. The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution. 342.73 Ste
Traces the events of the summer of 1787 as the delegates of the Philadelphia Convention wrote the United States Constitution.
Mr. A.: This read like a political novel as it explores what happened in the room of the convention.
Truman, Margaret. The President's House: A First Daughter Shares the History and Secrets of the World's Most Famous Home. 973 Tru
Harry Truman's daughter offers an inside look at the history and secrets of the White House, and reveals what it is like to live in the most famous home in the world.
Mr. A.: This book does not just look at the historic events that took place in the White House but also the changes it has seen in its structure, decoration, and the grounds.
Wiesel, Elie. Night. 940.53 Wie
Presents a true account of the author's experiences as a Jewish boy in a Nazi concentration camp.
Mr. A.: I read this book in one sitting. It is a very powerful book!
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FICTION
Adams, Douglas. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Fic Ada
Seconds before Earth is demolished to make room for a galactic freeway, an earthman is saved by his friend. Together they journey through the galaxy.
Mr. A: This series is hilarious. Don’t judge the first book by its movie!
Also try:
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe.
Life, the Universe, and Everything.
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish.
Mostly Harmless.
Ball, John. In the Heat of the Night. Fic Bal
An African-American detective from California must prove he did not commit murder in a racially tense community.
Mr. A: This was an interesting book about a murder in a town that is already racially heated. A very good read!
Bell, William. Forbidden City: A Novel of Modern China. Fic Bel
Seventeen-year-old Alex joined his father, a cameraman for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, in China in 1989. As outsiders they faced a time of upheal as political demonstrations began in Tian An Men Square.
Mr. A.: This is a very good book about going to China in a very troubling time. I remember the Tian An Men Square demonstrations and the horrific pictures of the government taking action, so reading it made it powerful. An excellent book for anyone interested in China.
Boyne, John. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: A Fable. Fic Boy
Bored and lonely after his family moves from Berlin to a place called "Out-With" in 1942, Bruno, the son of a Nazi officer, befriends a boy in striped pajamas who lives behind a wire fence.
Mr. A.: A very powerful book that provides a unique perspective of the Holocaust.
Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. FIC BRA
A bookburner official in a future fascist state finds out books are a vital part of a culture he never knew. He clandestinely pursues reading, until he is betrayed.
Mr. A.: An excellent book about censorship.
Braun, Lilian Jackson. The Cat Who… Series. FIC BRA
Jim Qwilleran and his two Siamese cats get tangled up in solving these mysteries and meet some interesting characters along the way.
The Cat Who Could Read Backwards.
The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern.
The Cat Who Turned On and Off.
The Cat Who Saw Red.
The Cat Who Played Brahms.
The Cat Who Played Post Office.
The Cat Who Knew Shakespeare.
The Cat Who Sniffed Glue.
Mr. A.: I find this series to be very funny. Qwilleran meets some fascinating people in each novel.
Bruchac, Joseph. Pocahontas. Fic Bru
Told from the viewpoints of Pocahontas and John Smith, describes their lives in the context of the encounter between the Powhatan Indians and the English colonists of seventeenth-century Jamestown, Virginia.
Mr. A.: Bruchac even includes words that the English colonists used and words from the Powhatan language. There’s a glossary at the end of the book.
Caputo, Philip. The Voyage. Fic Cap
Sybil, determined to learn the truth about the mysterious and perilous journey her grandfather forced his three teenage sons to undertake at the beginning of the twentieth century, makes discoveries that force her to change the way she thinks about herself, her family, and her country.
Mr. A: Recommended for mature readers. Just imagine what it would be like if you and your brothers are preparing for a summer sailing. Just before you set sail, you are told that your father is not joining you and that you are not to return. What would you do? Where would you go?
Card, Orson Scott. Enderverse Series. FIC CAR
The Earth is under attack by an alien race known as “buggers” and the only one who can stop them is a boy named Andrew “Ender” Wiggins.
Ender's Game.
A War of Gifts: An Ender Story.
Ender's Shadow.
Shadow of the Hegemon.
Shadow Puppets.
Shadow of the Giant.
Ender in Exile.
Speaker for the Dead.
Xenocide.
Children of the Mind.
Mr. A: A must-read for science fiction fans!
Chevalier, Tracy. Girl with a Pearl Earring. FIC Che
A young girl becomes a maid for the painter Johannes Vermeer in seventeenth century Holland.
Mr. A: You do not need to be an art expert to enjoy this book. What really fascinated me was the setting, Medieval Holland.
Christie, Agatha. Murder on the Orient Express. Fic Chr
Belgian detective Hercule Poirot solves a murder that occurred on the Orient Express.
Mr. A.: Agatha Christie is known as the Great Dane of Mystery. If you enjoy mysteries, Agatha Christie is a must-read.
Cochran, Molly. The Forever King. FIC COC 1st ed. New York : TOR, 1992.
The Holy Grail's protectors are few and weak, an ex-FBI agent, an old gentleman, and a ten-year-old boy, Arthur Blessing.
Mr. A: King Arthur in modern day times? It sounds rather odd, but it works!
Also read:
The Broken Sword.
Cochran, Molly. World without End. Fic Coc
Sam Smith becomes a target of assassins after he discovers a clue to the location of the lost continent of Atlantis, but he is transported out of their reach when he travels into the past where he gains the knowledge that may help him save the world of his own time.
Mr. A.: Fantasy fans and mythology fans will enjoy this book!
Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe. Fic Def
During one of his several adventurous voyages in the 1600's an Englishman becomes the sole survivor of a shipwreck and lives for nearly thirty years on a deserted island.
Mr. A.: One of the greatest adventure stories of all time!
Doctorow, E. L. Ragtime. Fic Doc
Three remarkable families lives' become entwined with Henry Ford, Harry Houdini, J. P. Morgan, Theodore Dreiser, and Sigmund Freud at the turn of the century.
Mr. A.: It’s fun to read historical fiction when the characters interact with real historical characters!
Donnelly, Jennifer. A Northern Light. Fic Don
Sixteen-year-old Mattie, determined to attend college and be a writer against the wishes of her father and boyfriend, takes a job at a hotel in 1906 where the death of a guest renews her determination to live her own life.
Mr. A.: This was a fun read about working in a hotel and how much the experience changes Mattie for the better.
Du Maurier, Daphne. Rebecca. Fic DuM
The new mistress of Manderley's Cornwall estate must constantly compete with the memory of Maxim de Winter's first wife, Rebecca.
Mr. A.: This is an excellent suspense romance! Read the book and then watch the Alfred Hitchcock movie.
Du Maurier, Daphne. Jamaica Inn. Fic Dum
High-spirited Mary Yellan was too young to suspect the truth about her new home on the moor. Yet she began to wonder why no one came to Jamaica Inn and why her aunt was so frightened.
Mr. A.: If you enjoy suspense novels, you must read this one!
Dumas, Alexandre. The Three Musketeers. Fic Dum
The classic story about D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis and their adventures in 1625 France.
Mr. A.: Another fascinating classic adventure story.
Elkeles, Simone. Leaving Paradise. Fic Elk
In alternating chapters, seventeen-year-olds Caleb and Maggie relate the difficulties of readjusting to school, and changing relationships with family, friends, and one another, a year after a drunk driving accident sent her to the hospital with a crippling leg injury and him to prison.
Mr. A.: This novel shows how much of an impact one accident has on the lives of these two young adults.
Evans, Nicholas. The Smoke Jumper. Fic Eva
This is the story of two best friends and the woman they both love. When a mountain fire forces her to choose between them, all three lives are changed forever.
Mr. A: This has a bit of everything in here: romance for the girls; adventures fighting forest fires for the boys.
Fforde, Jasper. The Big Over Easy: A Nursery Crime. Fic Ffo
Detective Inspector Jack Spratt, head of the Nursery Crime Division of the Reading police force, teams up with his new partner Mary Mary to investigate the suspicious death of Humpty Dumpty, an ex-convict and former millionaire philanthropist who was found shattered to death in a bad part of town.
Also try:
The Fourth Bear: A Nursery Crime
Mr. A: Jasper Fforde has come out with a bunch of highly imaginative novels. I laughed through his Nursery Crime series.
Also try Fforde’s Thursday Next series.
Flinn, Alex. Nothing to Lose. Fic Fli
A year after running away with a traveling carnival to escape his unbearable home life, sixteen-year-old Michael returns to Miami, Florida, to find that his mother is going on trial for the murder of his abusive stepfather.
Mr. A.: Alex Flinn is an excellent Young Adult author.
Follett, Ken. Pillars of the Earth. Fic Fol
The construction of a cathedral involves a story of betrayal, revenge and love in 12th century England.
Mr. A: For mature readers, this epic centers around the architects who are in charge of the building of a cathedral.
Also read:
World without End.
Foster, Alan Dean. Dinotopia Lost. Fic Fos
Dinotopia's secret may be threatened when a ship full of pirates finds its way to the shore of the island.
Mr. A: Based on the books by James Gurney, this novel takes place on an island where dinosaurs and humans live together. A fun adventure novel.
Also read:
The Hand of Dinotopia.
Going, Kelly. Fat Kid Rules the World. Fic Goi
Seventeen-year-old Troy, depressed, suicidal, and weighing nearly three hundred pounds, gets a new perspective on life when Curt, a semi-homeless teen who is a genius on guitar, asks Troy to be the drummer in a rock band.
Mr. A.: It was fun watching Troy grow up and gain self-confidence. A good coming-of-age story.
Golding, William. Lord of the Flies: A Novel. Fic Gol
Stranded on an island while an atomic war destroys the rest of the world, a group of young boys revert to savagery as they struggle to survive.
Mr. A.: One of my favorite adventure stories.
Goldman, William. The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure: The "Good Parts" Version. Fic Gol
Westly must rescue Buttercup, the most beautiful girl in the world, from marrying the evil Prince Humperdinck.
Mr. A: If you thought the movie was funny, you definitely will enjoy the book.
Haddon, Mark. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Fic Had
Despite his overwhelming fear of interacting with people, Christopher, a mathematically-gifted, autistic fifteen-year-old boy, decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor's dog and uncovers secret information about his mother.
Mr. A.: What makes this a unique novel is that the reader gets into the mind of the autistic teenager. Very interesting!
Haggard, H. Rider. King Solomon's Mines. Fic Hag
The story of three men who trek to the remote interior of Africa in search of a lost friend.
Mr. A: This is a great adventure story.
Harris, Robert. Pompeii: A Novel. Fic Har
Young engineer Marcus Attilius Primus, placed in charge of the Agua Augusta, sets out for Pompeii in an effort to fix the problems that have been plaguing the enormous aqueduct, but he soon learns there are natural and manmade forces working against him.
Mr. A.: A very exciting novel about the last days of Pompeii before the volcanic eruption that buried the city.
Hillerman, Tony. Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn Mysteries. Fic Hil
Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn are on the Navajo Police force. They investigate crimes which incorporate Navajo customs and rites.
Dance Hall of the Dead.
Listening Woman.
People of Darkness.
The Dark Wind.
The Ghostway.
A Thief of Time.
Talking God.
Coyote Waits.
Mr. A.: What I love about these novels is the setting and the descriptions of Navajo customs.
Hyde, Catherine Ryan. Pay It Forward. Fic Hyd
A twelve-year-old by come up with a simple plan to fulfill a class assignment to try to change the world, and attempts to implement his plan.
Mr. A.: A very inspirational book!
Kaplow, Robert. Me and Orson Welles: A Novel. Fic Kap
A coming-of-age novel about a seventeen-year-old New Jersey boy who falls in love and stumbles into a bit part in Orson Welles's debut production on Broadway, all in the same week.
Mr. A.: I found this novel very entertaining.
King, Laurie R. Mary Russell Series. Fic Kin
The Beekeeper's Apprentice: Or, On the Segregation of the Queen.
A Monstrous Regiment of Women.
A Letter of Mary.
The Moor.
O Jerusalem: A Mary Russell Novel.
Justice Hall: A Mary Russell Novel.
The Game: A Mary Russell Novel.
Locked Rooms: A Mary Russell Novel.
The Language of Bees: A Mary Russell Novel.
Mr. A.: As a fan of Sherlock Holmes, I found this novel very interesting. Mary Russell is a strong character who does quite well working with the infamous detective!
Klass, David. Wrestling with Honor. FIC KLA
Champion high school wrestler Ron Woods faces a soul-searching season when he refuses to retake a mandatory drug test he has failed. This affects every area of his life, including his feelings about his father, who died in Vietnam, and his first tentative romance.
Mr. A.: What would you do if you failed a drug test knowing that you didn’t take any drugs?
Koertge, Ronald. The Arizona Kid. Fic Koe
Sixteen-year-old Billy coes to terms with his own values when he spends the summer with his gay uncle in Tucson and works at a racetrack where he falls in love with an outspoken racehorse rider names Cara.
Mr. A.: This is a great coming-of-age story.
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Fic Lee
Scout Finch, the young daughter of a local attorney in the Deep South during the 1930s, tells of her father's defense of an African-American man charged with the rape of a white girl.
Mr. A.: A very good read with some memorable characters.
Leroux, Gaston. The Phantom of the Opera. Fic Ler
A disfigured musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opera House falls in love with a beautiful soprano and, in his desperation to have his love returned, embarks on some terrifying means towards that end.
Mr. A.: If you enjoyed the musical, you should definitely read the book.
Marshall, James Vance. Walkabout. Fic Mar
A young girl, her tiny brother, and an Aborigine boy fight for survival in the wilds of Australia.
Mr. A: This great novel about a girl and her brother who are lost in the outback when they meet up with an Aborigine boy who must decide to continue his walkabout which requires him to be alone, or help the two children survive in the wilderness.
Mitchell, Margaret. Gone with the Wind. FIC MIT
After the Civil War sweeps away the genteel life to which she has been accustomed, Scarlett O'Hara sets about to salvage her plantation home.
Mr. A.: A Civil War novel that all historical fiction fans should read.
Myers, Walter Dean. Fallen Angels. FIC MYE
Seventeen-year-old Richie Perry, just out of his Harlem high school, enlists in the Army in the summer of 1967 and spends a devastating year on active duty in Vietnam.
Mr. A.: A great portrayal of life in the front lines during the Vietnam War.
Myers, Walter Dean. Monster. Fic Mye
While on trial as an accomplice to a murder, sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon records his experiences in prison and in the courtroom in the form of a film script as he tries to come to terms with the course his life has taken.
Mr. A.: What makes this book unique is that it is written like a movie script.
Myers, Walter Dean. Sunrise over Fallujah. Fic Mye
Robin Perry, from Harlem, is sent to Iraq in 2003 as a member of the Civilian Affairs Battalion, and his time there profoundly changes him.
Mr. A.: This is a great look at what life must be like to be a soldier in Iraq.
Oates, Joyce Carol. Big Mouth & Ugly Girl. Fic Oat
When sixteen-year-old Matt is falsely accused of threatening to blow up his high school and his friends turn against him, an unlikely classmate comes to his aid.
Mr. A.: A great friendship story!
Paolini, Christopher. Eragon. Fic Pao
In Aagaesia, a fifteen-year-old boy of unknown lineage called Eragon finds a mysterious stone that weaves his life into an intricate tapestry of destiny, magic, and power, peopled with dragons, elves, and monsters.
Mr. A.: A fantastic fantasy series. The author was a teenager when he wrote this book!
Also read:
Eldest
Brisingr, Or, The Seven Promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular
Remarque, Erich Maria. All Quiet on the Western Front. Fic Rem
Depicts the experiences of a group of young German soldiers fighting and suffering during the last days of World War I.
Mr. A.: Not only gives you an idea of what life was like in the trenches during World War I, but also the German point of view of the war.
Sabatini, Rafael. Captain Blood. Fic Sab
Seventeenth-century physician Peter Blood, convicted of treason for treating a nobleman who was injured in a rebellion against King James II, is forced into life as a pirate and becomes the greatest buccaneer of all time.
Mr. A.: This is a fun pirate adventure story.
Sebold, Alice. The Lovely Bones: A Novel. Fic Seb
Fourteen-year-old Susie Salmon, the victim of a sexual assault and murder, looks on from the afterlife as her family deals with their grief, and waits for her killer to be brought to some type of justice.
Mr. A.: This novel provides a unique perspective of the aftermath of a murder—the victim’s.
Shaara, Michael. The Killer Angels. Fic Sha
A fictional account of four days in July, 1863 at the battle of Gettysburg discussing tactics, plans and preparations for battle from both the Northern and Southern points of view.
Mr. A.: Not only does this novel provide an accurate account of the battle in the town of Gettysburg, but it also gets the reader inside the minds of the generals and other participants.
Stevenson, Robert Louis. Treasure Island. Fic Ste
While going through the possessions of a deceased guest who owed them money, the mistress of the inn and her son find a treasure map that leads to a pirate fortune as well as great danger.
Mr. A.: Considered to be the first pirate novel, this classic is full of adventure!
Stoker, Bram. Dracula. Fic Sto
The mysterious Transylvanian Count Dracula wreaks havoc on young businessman Jonathan Harker, his fiancée Mina, and several others, and when he is revealed to be a vampire, he must be destroyed at all costs.
Mr. A.: This book will keep you up all night until you reach the last page!
Tashjian, Janet. The Gospel According to Larry. Fic Tas
Seventeen-year-old Josh, a longer-philosopher who wants to make a difference in the world, tried to maintain his secret identity as the author of a web site that is receiving national attention.
Mr. A.: A very funny book.
Also read:
Vote for Larry.
Larry and the Meaning of Life.
Tolkien, J. R. R. The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings. FIC TOL
Frodo the hobbit and a band of warriors from different kingdoms set out to destroy the Ring of Power before the evil Sauron grasps control.
Mr. A.: Essential reading for fantasy fans.
Also read:
The Hobbit or, There and Back Again.
The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of The Lord of the Rings.
The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of The Lord of the Rings.
The Silmarillion.
Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. FIC TWA
Huck, in flight from his murderous father, and Jim, in flight from slavery, pilot their raft down the Mississippi River in search of freedom.
Mr. A.: I’ve lost count how many times I’ve read this book and each time I discover something new.
Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Fic Twa
The adventures and pranks of a mischievous boy growing up in a Mississippi River town in the early nineteenth century.
Mr. A.: A funny and enjoyable novel.
Twain, Mark. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Fic Twa
Nineteenth century mechanic Hank Morgan suffers a blow to the heard and wakes up in King Arthur's court where he tries to introduce modern technology and political ideas to the inhabitants.
Mr. A.: Imagine what else Twain would have included had he written this in the 21st century!
Wallace, Daniel. Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions. Fic Wal
William Bloom, desperate to get to know his dying father before it's too late, recreates his parent's life in a series of legends and myths based on the few facts he knows.
Mr. A.: A great imaginative father-son novel.
Watson, Lawrence. Montana, 1948: A Novel. FIC Wat
David's life is changed forever when his Uncle Frank is accused of sexual abuse and possibly murder, and his father, the sheriff, must deal with the consequences.
Mr. A.: For mature readers, this is an excellent story about how one family is changed because of one person’s actions.
Wyatt, Melissa. Raising the Griffin. Fic Wya
When the people of Rovenia vote to restore their monarchy, sixteen-year-old Alex Varenhoff must suddenly leave his native England to become prince of a land he knows only from his grandfather's stories.
Mr. A.: So what would you do if you found out that you are going to a country you’ve never been to so your father could become king?
Yolen, Jane. Briar Rose. Fic Yol
The tale of Sleeping Beauty and the dark tale of the Holocaust twined together in a story of darkness and redemption.
Mr. A.: A unique twist to a popular fairy tale.
Yolen, Jane. The Devil's Arithmetic. Fic Yol Hannah resents the traditions of her Jewish heritage until time travel places her in the middle of a small Jewish village in Nazi-occupied Poland where she experiences the horror of a concentration camp, and learns why she—and we--need to remember the past.
Mr. A.: Hannah learns about her faith in a unique way—by going back in time and experience the concentration camp.
Zusak, Markus. I Am the Messenger. Fic Zus
After capturing a bank robber, nineteen-year-old cab driving Ed Kennedy begins receiving mysterious messaged that direct him to addresses where people need help and he begins getting over his lifelong feeling of worthlessness.
Mr. A.: I enjoyed watching Ed mature in this novel.
Created by Mr. Andrusyk, March 29, 2007. Revised February 11, 2010.
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