"​​​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. ​

“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)

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. 

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. 

“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).

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)

​anyone who just wants​ to 

​read a fun story. (Young Adult Fiction)

​

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)

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)

​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)​​​​

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) 

​ 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)

“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.”