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"The Wendy Project" written and created by Melissa Jane Osborne 

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"The Wendy Project" written and created by Melissa Jane Osborne 

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I​t always makes me happy to talk books, but it truly fills my heart with joy when the conversation is with someone who had previously said that they didn't like to read. This book was the topic of one of those conversations, and the student loved that this graphic novel was a twist on the classic story of Peter Pan. A quick read for those who may not enjoy reading.. yet! :)

"​​​16-year-old Wendy Davies crashes her car into a lake on a late summer night in New England with her two younger brothers, John and Michael, in the backseat. With Michael missing, Wendy struggles to negotiate fantasy and reality as students and adults around her resemble characters from Neverland. Given a sketchbook by her therapist, Wendy starts to draw 'The Wendy Project"​--From Destiny. ​

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The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

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The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

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Personally, I’d want to read this book just because it has cake on the cover, but there’s so much more to this New York Times Bestseller . Student readers say that this coming of age story reminds them of a fairy tale  due to the main character’s new found ability, and is a step above the quick beach read.

“Rose Edelstein, on the eve of her ninth birthday, bites into her mother's lemon-chocolate cake and is immediately aware of the hidden secrets the members of her family hold.” -From Destiny. (Adult fiction)

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"The Cuckoo’s Calling" by Robert Galbraith

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"The Cuckoo’s Calling" by Robert Galbraith

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J.K. Rowling shocked the world when it was revealed that she had assumed the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith and published this mystery about a detective who has been hired to investigate a supermodel’s supposed suicide. This novel is the start of the Cormoran Strike mystery series, even though each of the installments could be read as stand-alones. I’ve got a lot of Cardinal staff who love a good mystery novel, so don’t miss out! (Adult mystery fiction series)

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“Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil's name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does-or does not-say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.”- From Destiny

This book is one of the top ten most checked out books in the IMC and both students and staff say that it opened their eyes even further to the issues of racism that are currently being covered in the news. This young adult book is a quick read, but be ready for an emotional, yet valuable one.

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Reader’s Advisory will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of Frankenstein when we return from break by hosting a book club on Halloween, as well as hosting a variety of monster themed events throughout 2018! Feel free to stop by the IMC to pick up a copy of this classic horror story.

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“In a world divided by blood--those with common, Red blood serve the Silver-blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities--seventeen-year-old Mare, a Red, discovers she has an ability of her own. To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. But Mare risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard--a growing Red rebellion--even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction.”- From Destiny.

If you enjoyed reading series such as The Hunger Games and Divergent, then give this trilogy a try, because even though it’s an alternative reality setting, it’s nothing like its predecessors in the genre. Students have loved Red Queen because of the unique plot that’s filled with twists and turns--I’m still upset with one plot twist (read this book so that we can talk about it)- and have devoured the rest of the books in the series.

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Here’s the perfect book to celebrate Pi Day!

“In How to Bake Pi, math professor Eugenia Cheng provides an accessible introduction to the logic and beauty of mathematics, powered, unexpectedly, by insights from the kitchen”- from the publisher.

This book did not disappoint in providing a new perspective in how prevalent math is used in our lives by showcasing different dessert analogies, and it works because I’m still thinking about geometry proofs when I bake cookies.  When Cheng says “math is easy and life is hard”, she has a point--there are many practical (and even some humorous) everyday things, such as lasagnas and parking garages, that are all constructed around the same mathematical ideas.

This is a unique and insightful read, especially if you like quirky non-fiction, logical thinking, or just want to brush up on your math skills. Keep a snack close by though, because you may get hungry while reading. (Non-fiction).

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“High school student Clay Jenkins receives a box in the mail containing seven cassette tapes recorded by his crush, Hannah Baker, who committed suicide, and spends a bewildering and heartbreaking night crisscrossing their town, listening to Hannah's voice recounting the events leading up to her death.”- From Destiny.

So many students have loved this book and it’s one that will surely get them talking because the storytelling format is unlike anything they’ve read before. Dealing with issues such as self-esteem, bullying and taking even the smallest efforts to make someone feel important, readers of Thirteen Reasons Why are having great conversations on how they can make a difference.  A popular Young Adult book that is a must for anyone who wants “a good read”, and  I’m particularly excited that it’s being adapted into a Netflix mini-series.  (Young Adult Fiction)

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"Orange is the New Black" by Piper Kerman

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"Orange is the New Black" by Piper Kerman

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A memoir that provides insights into communities, hierarchies and friendships in a women’s prison.

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"Beasts of No Nation" by Uzondinma Iweala

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"Beasts of No Nation" by Uzondinma Iweala

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A young boy in a West African nation is discovered by guerilla fighters and is forced into becoming a soldier.

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Jessica Jones: Alias One by Brian Bendis and Michael Gaydo

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Jessica Jones: Alias One by Brian Bendis and Michael Gaydo

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Private Investigator with superhero powers investigates cases in Hell’s Kitchen, along with the Marvel’s “The Defenders”, Daredevil, Luke Cage and Iron Fist.

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Scientist Hope Jahren travels the world studying plants and soil, but this memoir isn't just about trees, leaves and flowers! Named as one of Amazon's Top 20 Books for 2016, these pages tell the story of how the combination of failures, successes, perseverance and passion helped Jahren pursue the exhilarating world of science. Both students and teachers enjoyed Lab Girl because it isn't the typical memoir because of the intertwining informative perspective of Biology with the narrative of someone trying to achieve their dreams.  (Adult Non-Fiction)

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Lady Jane Grey is sixteen and about to be married to a complete stranger--AND is suddenly swept up in a plot to rob her cousin, King Edward of the throne. What could possibly go wrong?? --(From Destiny). A hilarious retelling of Tudor England with a dash of fantasy and sarcasm thrown in, My Lady Jane is guaranteed to entertain history buffs, adventurists, ​and

​anyone who just wants​ to

​read a fun story. (Young Adult Fiction)

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All Steve wants to do is save his sick baby brother, but when a mysterious wasp queen shows up with a magical cure, he struggles with the decision to say yes. One of the most notable children's books of 2016, The Nest addresses the ideas of fear, honesty and caring for others set against a eerie Gothic fantasy that will stay with you, even after you finish reading. This book has been popular among struggling readers because of plot pacing and illustrations, as well a perfect dose of scare. (Middle grades 4-8)

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"Underground Airlines" by Ben H. Winters

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"Underground Airlines" by Ben H. Winters

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"It is the present-day, and the world is as we know it: smartphones, social networking and Happy Meals. Save for one thing: the Civil War never occurred."- Amazon.com. Similar to the history/Sci-Fi blend style of Octavia Butler's Kindred, this New York Times bestselling thriller is praised by NPR for being "scarily realistic" and is guaranteed to start conversations. Also available as an e-book. (Adult Fiction)

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"The Daily Show" host Trevor Noah's memoir tells his story as a young boy having committed the crime of being born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother during South Africa's Apartheid. Ranked by the New York Times as one of the 100 most influential books of 2016, this book was both a comical and heart-wrenching look at diversity and acceptance. Being able to speak five languages, Noah stresses throughout that "language, even more than color, defines who you are to people" as he traverses situations where he figures out how to be accepted by both society and even himself. (Adult Non-Fiction/Memoir).

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Social scientist Brene Brown ignites a global conversation about vulnerability--the willingness to show up and be seen with no guarantee of outcome-- and how it is the only path to more love, belonging, creativity, and joy. We are, inevitably, going to stumble and fall. --From the publisher. Not only will this book discuss how even the bravest of us all will fall, but more importantly, how to pick ourselves back up. Great motivational read! (Adult Non-fiction).

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"After begin forced to give up his pet fox Pax, a young boy named Peter decides to leave home and get his best friend back... Meanwhile, Pax is on an adventure of his own."  --from Destiny. Beautiful storytelling with amazing illustrations that will tugs at a reader's heartstrings. (Middle grades 5-7).

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Amy Kurzweil weaves her coming-of-age as an artist with the childhood stories of her mother, a psychologist, and her Bubbe, a World War II survivor who escaped the Warsaw Ghetto by disguising her Jewish identity to offer a more complete framework for the legacy of family trauma, the power of storytelling, and the meaning of home.​ Great story recommended by students who enjoyed reading about Anne Frank, the Holocaust and history.​​-- From Destiny. (YA/Adult NF Graphic Novel).

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"Three Truths and a Lie" by Brent Hartinger

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"Three Truths and a Lie" by Brent Hartinger

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"When friends Rob, Liam, Mia, and Galen gather for a weekend of fun deep in the forest, one is hiding a lie and not everyone will live to find out which one it is."- from Destiny. This young adult thriller will keep you guessing until the final moments of the plot's resolution, and a student even shushed me when I gasped at the major plot twist. (Young adult fiction).

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The story of a teenage girl who's literally allergic to the outside world. When a new family moves in next door, she begins a complicated romance that challenges everything she's ever known. --From Destiny. Great for reluctant readers and/or abstract thinkers because the narrative unfolds via vignettes, diary entries, texts, charts, lists, illustrations, and more!!  (Young Adult Fiction)

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"The Knife and the Butterfly" by Ashley Hope Perez

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"The Knife and the Butterfly" by Ashley Hope Perez

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“After a brawl with a rival gang, sixteen-year-old Azael, a member of Houston's MS-13 gang and the son of illegal Salvadoran immigrants, wakes up in an unusual juvenile detention center where he is forced to observe another inmate through a one-way mirror.”- from Destiny… A great read that has you guessing until the very end (and I’m still talking with students about the crazy twist!) (Young adult fiction)

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“In the year 2044, Wade Watts, like the rest of humanity, chooses to escape reality and spends his waking hours in the limitless, utopian virtual world of the OASIS, but when Wade stumbles upon the first of the fiendish puzzles set up by OASIS creator James Halliday he finds he must compete with thousands of others--including those willing to commit murder--in order to claim a prize of massive fortune.”  (from Destiny).

Very enjoyable read (check out the audiobook read by Wil Wheaton!) for those who are also fans of 80’s arcade game references. It's also been picked up by Steven Spielberg for a movie adaptation! (Adult fiction)

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"A teenager's memoir of the experiences of bullying, being HIV positive and surviving the experiences to become a force for positive change in this world."- From Destiny

This is a book that students are talking about! And not only are they discussing the plot, but also on how they can change the world around them! Motivational and can even be a tear-jerker... would be a great tool to use in conjunction with October’s Bullying Prevention Month. (Young adult non-fiction)

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"The Smell of Other People’s Houses" by Bonnie Sue Hitchcock

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"The Smell of Other People’s Houses" by Bonnie Sue Hitchcock

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"​Growing up in Alaska in the 1970s isn't like growing up anywhere else: Don't think life is going to be easy. Know your place. And never talk about yourself. Four vivid voices tell intertwining stories of hardship, tragedy, wild luck, and salvation​."--from Destiny

​I could try to win you over with just the interesting title and cool starry cover, but more importantly, this is a ​book that will make you think about how you exhibit compassion, love, and forgiveness as a person within all of your relationships.​ ​ I also LOVED the backdrop against Alaska, a setting that isn’t usually chosen for Young Adult reads. (Young adult fiction)​​​​

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"A delightful and quirky compendium of the Animal Kingdom's more unfortunate truths, with over 150 hand-drawn illustrations" (amazon.com)

Cute, humorous book that keeps a reader of any age entertained with illustrations and facts about various animals. Quick read that makes the students giggle as they wait during complicated Chromebook repairs. (All ages non-fiction)

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"All the Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven

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"All the Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven

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When two teens save each other from the ledge of their school's bell tower, they start realizing what it is like to live through exploring the world outside of their small Indiana hometown. An Eliot Rosewater nominee, this young adult novel is a witty tearjerker that students are already starting to love.

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From the bestselling author of Wicked comes a tale of a country girl and an aristocrat who set in motion an escapade involving mistaken identity, a monk locked in a tower, a prince traveling incognito and the witch Baba Yaga. (from Destiny).

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Need an out of this world trip this Spring Break? Look no further than this informative and entertaining read by celebrated nonfiction writer of Stiff . Focusing on analyzing bizarre situations and quizzical scenarios in space, this book will definitely take your thinking out of this world!

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"Gabi, Girl in Pieces" by Isabel Quintero

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"Gabi, Girl in Pieces" by Isabel Quintero

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Feel like things are piling up around you and you don't know how you'll survive until break?? You aren't the only one! Sixteen year old Gabi is a senior in high school dealing with tough issues such as friend's pregnancy, parent's drug habits and how poetry can reveal one's own identity. Told in a journal form with traditional prose and poetry, this Eliot Rosewater nominee was considered one of the best books of 2014 for its exploration of Latina identity.

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 "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman

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 "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman

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Your Spring Break won't be boring with all of the things happening in this novel (that's even better than the beloved film adaptation). Adventure! True love! Pirates! Princesses! Giants! Miracles! The list is endless in this storytelling classic that has something for readers of all ages to enjoy.

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Students connect to the witty and charming tale of twin sisters during their first year of college struggling to find themselves, because of how well author Rowell depicts a realistic situation that our students will be facing post-high school. (Young Adult Fiction)

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From Destiny: "Astronaut Mark Watney is stranded and completely alone on Mars, with no way to even signal Earth that he's alive, but Mark isn't ready to give up and drawing on his engineering skills and determination, he faces each obstacle with resourcefulness, but will it be enough for him to survive?"  Still not convinced? With 39 checkouts in the past year and with a dozen teachers having also read it, The Martian is one of the highest circulating books the IMC has ever seen. (Adult Fiction)

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"Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson

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"Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson

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Verse novels are quite popular with students, and Brown Girl Dreaming is no exception. Emotionally charged autobiographical poetry discusses African American prejudice and racism in the 1960’s, which teen readers have commented saying “it provides a glimpse into the heart of what was really happening”. Author Woodson will also be this year’s McFadden Lecturer in Indianapolis on April 15th. (Young Adult Memoir/NF)

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What impresses young people the most is seeing other impressive young people. Local author Zappia is 22 years old, and after her visit last year, students marvel at the idea of how they can make their dreams into a reality with hard work, dedication and the right surroundings. The same message is taken directly from this novel, about a teenage girl living with schizophrenia and the constant question of dealing with mental illness and trying to be normal. Even fans of Inception and thrillers won’t see the twists coming! (Young Adult Fiction)

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"Life from Scratch: A Memoir" by Sasha Martin

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"Life from Scratch: A Memoir" by Sasha Martin

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Food blogger Sasha Martin sets out to cook a different meal from a different country over the course of 195 weeks. During the project, Martin unveils memories relating to each meal and seeks to find inner peace and set goals for life. This book is for those fans of memoirs such as The Glass Castle, stories that reveal ways to connect, and of course, food. Also available as an e-book! (Non-fiction, memoir)

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A new take on the classic superhero features Kamala Khan, a Muslim teen who discovers she has extraordinary gifts and becomes the new Ms. Marvel. Students love this graphic novel because Kamala is relatable as a teen struggling to figure out what it is like to be normal in a world where she is very different from the societal norm. Despite the expectations of her, the message is clear- be yourself and do what you think is right, all while saving New Jersey!

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Soon to be a major motion picture, The 5th Wave is an alien invasion story unlike any other.  This dystopian novel resembles the fight for humanity and centers more on character relationships versus fight against an evil force (similar to the theme you'd find in The Walking Dead television series). Centered around Cassie, a teen who has to rescue her brother from the enemy, with the help of someone who may or may not be one of 'them', students more often than not, will end up in heated discussion about the fight for survival and what lengths would be taken to save someone. (Young Adult Fiction)

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The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

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The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

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Ellie's scientist grandfather has discovered a way to reverse aging, and consequently has turned into a teenager--which makes for complicated relationships when he moves in with Ellie and her mother, his daughter.

​ Classified as upper elementary/middle school, this book has been a hit with our students who are familiarizing themselves with the English language and reading in general. (Elementary/Middle Grades Fiction)

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The newest novel from bestselling author of The Martian will relocate you to the first colony on the Moon, in which a young woman, Jazz, is a smuggler with a Han Solo-esque attitude who gets the chance to commit the perfect crime. There are many "break the 4th dimension" moments that will keep you on the edge, as well as learn some science about space survival along the way. Perfect for those who have interest in space, crime drama and thrillers. (Adult Fiction).

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As humans, we deal a lot with decision making, but who gets to decide what is right and wrong? In this free verse prose novel, author Jason Reynolds writes a thank you note to teenage readers who face tough decisions through the story of Will who, by the law of the streets, should avenge his brother’s death, but struggles in the minute long elevator ride down to do so. This book is haunting in every sense of the word. It will make you think and reflect deeply on what and who has impacted you. And even though it’s short/quick read, it will leave you hit by a big dose of reality. (Young Adult Fiction).

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"Eliza and Her Monsters" by Francesca Zappia

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"Eliza and Her Monsters" by Francesca Zappia

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Today's Books for Break is reviewed by none other than Ms. Julie Breeden, who read this along with a few other teachers during a summer book club! Here are her thoughts:

“This local author understands what it’s like to be a high school student in Indiana.  Her characters are believable and relatable.  She captures the experience of going to school with people who know you, but don't really know you and the struggle to be ourselves and to accept ourselves.  This book also validates the world of online fandom and the relationships people build in the virtual world.  Some of our friends are next to us in class and others on living in our online world.  These relationships are all real and important in our lives. It’s a great read with wonderful characters and a few surprises along the way.”

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"When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon

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"When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon

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Dimple and Rishi are Indian-American teenagers who meet at a summer camp at Stanford, but are both attending for opposite reasons. Dimple wants to defy family expectations and follow her dreams to study technology, but isn’t really sure how to do so. Rishi wants to follow his family wishes by having an arranged marriage with Dimple, but isn’t sure about his life beyond that.  What follows is a plot of clashing personal and cultural perspectives that examine expectations that are on young people. This book is a mix of traditional Young Adult storytelling with some Bollywood flare... you’ll laugh at the courting antics, you’ll root for dreams coming true and you may even flinch when you see iced coffee (read the book to fully understand why). (Young Adult Fiction, #WeNeedDiverseBooks)

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Dare I say it, but this book is a twist of “The Bourne Identity” meets “Mean Girls” (yep--you read that right). Two orphaned girls become best friends until an event makes the reader wonder about who has been really telling the truth the whole time. This is a thrilling read for anyone who could enjoy action, pieced together mysteries, and even sibling rivalry. (Young Adult Fiction)

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"Underground Railroad" by Colson Whitehead

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"Underground Railroad" by Colson Whitehead

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An excellent MUST READ Pulitzer Prize winning book that imagines the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad and tells the emotional story of fugitive slave, Cora, escaping from the South. A very turbulent read that can be completed in sections for those who want to pace themselves, but essential for anyone who enjoys history, drama and/or in search of a good book overall. (Adult Fiction)

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"The Stranger in the Woods: The Story of the Last True Hermit" by Michael Finkel

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"The Stranger in the Woods: The Story of the Last True Hermit" by Michael Finkel

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Sometimes, you just need to get away from the rest of the world, and in this case, a man took it literally! My favorite non-fiction read of the year tells the story of a Christopher Knight who chose to escape from society and live in solitude in the Maine woods for 27 years. Author Michael Finkel’s reporting not only tells the story of how this hermit lived, but also why Knight chose to live in isolation and the effects it has on the human brain. Not only was the story great, but worth the read to learn why it's sometimes good to just take a break from the hustle and bustle of society. (Adult Non-Fiction)

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I know I've booktalked this one before, but it is so good!! Author Kristin Hannah has crafted a beautifully told story about a man who, after returning from being a POW in Vietnam, impulsively moves his family to the Alaskan wilderness. But beyond the traditional story of man versus wild, it's a story of love, hope and perseverance that allows the reader to believe that these are the things that will ultimately make or break us when it comes to survival. It's one of my favorite books of 2018 so far and is a great choice for fans of wilderness adventure stories, Liane Moriarty and "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng .

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A beautifully told story in the unknown Alaska wilderness that gives us a young girl named Leni, who not only is struggling to survive the harsh winters with her family, but also with her father’s undiagnosed PTSD. It literally becomes a tale that highlights survival of the fittest, both physically in the wild,  A coming of age tale that highlights survival of the fittest, both physically and mentally.

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Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

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Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson