Books You Might Like To Read

Transcription

1 Books You Might Like To Read Fantasy The Lightning Thief (Reading Group Book), The Sea Of Monsters, The Titan s Curse, The Battle For The Labyrinth, The Last Olympian Rick Riordan What if the Greek Gods were real, and still were around? Join Percy in his adventures as he battles and outwits various monsters on his quests The Lost Hero, The Son of Neptune Rick Riordan continues with the adventures. Roman gods are involved in this series. Even better! Magnus Chase The Sword of Summer Rick Riordan Viking mythology I think I liked this book even better than The Lightning Thief. Lots of action and some clever twists. The Savage Fortress - Sarwat Chadda A man is trying to awaken a brutal Indian god who will destroy humanity. A boy accidentally gains the power to fight him. For fans of Percy Jackson or The Alchemyst Woven - Michael Jensen & David Powers King This one is neat because it is a quest, but the main character is pretty much dead. The Alchemyst Michael Scott (Reading Group Book) All the books in this series were excellent. Many twists and turns. Characters from history as well as characters from myths and legends pop up. Read this one!

2 The Dungeoneers- John David Anderson The premise is that this land has monsters like orcs who have piles of treasure hidden in dungeons. There is a society that trains young, talented people and sends them to steal the gold. The story is more about people and relationships than action. The Accidental Hero- Matt Mylusch A boy, who has been living under terrible conditions in an orphanage, is taken to an island of fantastical beings, including real, live superheroes. That is just the beginning, however, and there is a lot in this story that is challenging. Hidden Talents David Lubar A boy meets up with a group of kids at a school for kids who have been kicked out of other schools. It takes a while to get going, but the story is really good. (Reading Group Book) True Talents by the same author is for older readers. The Princess Academy Shannon Hale - Girls are sent to a school to be groomed to marry a prince. Well written and exciting. (Reading Group Book) The sequel Princess Academy: Palace of Stone is good, but the first book is excellent. Skulduggery Pleasant series Derek Landy A strong female heroine gets involved with magical goings-on. A bit dark. Some of the later books have some quite nasty events. Frostborn (Thrones and Bones) Lou Anders I liked the story in this one, and also that the characters aren t all perfect and make mistakes. Also, the boy is the smart one and the female character is the one who is good for bashing and smashing. She is pretty smart too.

3 Dragon Run - Patrick Matthews This book is quite different than other books here. The main character has been designated a zero, which means he can be killed on sight. There is a lot that happens, though, things that you just don t expect. Nightmare Academy series Dean Lorey These books are pretty imaginative. The main character isn t perfect and the action is pretty intense at times. Garth Nix Mister Monday, Grim Tuesday, Drowned Wednesday, Sir Thursday, Lady Friday, Superior Saturday - Garth Nix. Great. One of my favourite authors. Also by Garth Nix The Seventh Tower series. Easier to read, but still very exciting For more mature readers: Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen Garth Nix. Amazing, gripping, great. Gregor the Overlander (series) Suzanne Collins A boy falls down a hole in his apartment basement and finds a world with vicious creatures and prophecies that appear to tell his future. The Boggart. - Susan Cooper - fun and cleverly written. The Boggart and the Monster is not quite as good, but pretty entertaining Vivian Vande Velde Heir Apparent - Vivian Vande Velde a kid-gets-stuck-in-a-video-game story. The only story of this type that I have read that is any good. Female main character. If you like this one, read User Unfriendly by the same author. Now You See It... - Vivian Vande Velde a time-traveling alternate reality story. Well-written and fun. Female main character. Never Trust a Dead Man - Vivian Vande Velde a mystery with the help of some magic. For more mature readers.

4 Stravaganza City of Masks Mary Hoffman I didn t think I would like this book, but it was much better than I expected. There is a lot of intrigue and scheming in this book, set in an alternate Venice of the past. The sequel, Stravaganza City of Stars is pretty good, too. I have a couple of others in the series, as well. Artemis Fowl Eoin Colfer - the first one is the best, but they are all pretty good. (Reading Group Book) Also by Eoin Colfer The Wish List. This book is better than The Supernaturalists and the 2nd and 3rd Artemis Fowl books. Ingo, The Tide Knot, The Deep Helen Dunmore Mermaids, but not a girly book. Well-written with adventure and intrigue. The Golden Compass, The Amber Spyglass, the Subtle Knife - Phillip Pullman for mature readers. Some background knowledge is necessary to completely understand some of the underlying themes of the book. The Warrior Heir Cinda Williams Chima Our world, but where wizards are engaged in a struggle for power. They use champions to fight for supremacy, and want to win at all costs. Also The Wizard Heir and The Dragon Heir. The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem s Eye, Ptolemy s Gate Jonathan Stroud The first is the best. Excellent, but for stronger readers.

5 The Emerald Atlas John Stephens There are three siblings who end up in orphanages after they are whisked away from their parents. They find a book that allows them to visit the place and time of the pictures in the book. Much nastiness ensues as the baddies try to get their hands on the book. The Game of Sunken Places M.T. Anderson A boy is invited to bring a friend to his weird uncle s place. Creepy, and it gets better as the book progresses. Dragon Keeper Carole Wilkinson a girl rescues a dragon and they go on a dangerous journey together. The sequel is O.K., too The Garden of the Purple Dragon. The Prince of Hazel and Oak John Lenehan A prince of the fairie realm has been living a normal life because he doesn t know his heritage. Everything changes one day and he is whisked off to the fairie realm to deal with treachery and nastiness. The Prince of Neither Here nor There Sean Cullen A prince of the fairie realm has been living a normal life because he doesn t know his heritage. Everything changes one day and things will never be normal for him again. This book has a lot of footnotes. Some are annoying and some are funny.

6 The Tapestry (Hound of Rowan) Henry H. Neff A boy ends up going to a fancy school with magic. There is evil brewing, however Brandon Mull - His best series is the Five Kingdoms series, although The Beyonders is pretty good, as is the Candy Shop War. I didn t like Fablehaven that much. It just didn t do it for me, although I have the first five books in the series. The Unwanteds Lisa McMann This series starts out with a society that is oppressed. Families send their unwanted children off to be killed. There is a lot of magic and some good intrigue. The Accidental Hero- Matt Mylusch A boy, who has been living under terrible conditions in an orphanage, is taken to an island of fantastical beings, including real, live superheroes. That is just the beginning, however, and there is a lot in this story that is challenging. Classic Lord of the Rings - type fantasy: The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien really the first book in The Lord of the Rings series

7 The Narnia Chronicles C.S. Lewis The Magician s Nephew is pretty good, The Lion, TheWitch and The Wardrobe (Reading Group Book)is very good, and so is The Last Battle. As far as the rest of the series goes, some are better than others. The Book of Three Lloyd Alexander If you really liked The Narnia Chronicles, you might like this even more, the first book in a series. The main character is a boy, but he does have a powerful girl sidekick. I liked them, and two of the books in the series received awards, so other people do too. They are a lot lighter than Lord of the Rings! The Dark is Rising series: Over Sea, Under Stone, The Dark is Rising(Reading Group Book), Greenwitch, The Grey King, Silver on the Tree - Susan Cooper Intense and really well-written. You have to pay attention, and they bring in a bit about King Arthur. Adventure Ranger s Apprentice - John Flanagan This series is easy to read, with quite a bit of action. Will is apprenticed to be part of an elite and secretive organization in the time of knights. Chronicles of Ancient Darkness - Wolf Brother Michele Paver. The first book in an excellent series! Lots of adventure, and although there is a little bit of supernatural fantasy, it is mostly the adventure that stands out. (Reading Group Book) All books in this series are worth reading.

8 The Thief Megan Whalen Turner an adventure with surprises at every turn. The Queen of Attolia and The King of Attolia are also pretty good, but the first one is the most exciting. A Conspiracy of Kings isn t quite as good. Advanced readers The Billionaire s Curse Richard Newsome A boy inherits billions from his aunt. There is a family secret that puts him in peril. For fans of the 39 Clues series. The sequels are pretty good, too. Dragon s Tooth N.D. Wilson A series with some magical elements, but the main focus is on adventure. The Paladin Prophecy Mark Frost Like The Dragon s Tooth, this one has some fantasy, but it is mainly an adventure. Gods and Warriors Michelle Paver This series isn t as good as the Wolf Brother series by this author, but it is good. There is some magic, but it is mainly an adventure. It is set in ancient times, kind of just before the Roman Empire

9 Sir Fartsalot Hunts The Booger Kevin Bolger A better book than the title suggests. Fun and clever. Not too hard to read. The Lake of Skulls - Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell - Not too hard to read, but has a fair amount of fighting in it, so that may turn you off. It is mostly action. Science Fiction Insignia S.J. Kincaid All three books in this series are good. Corporations are in control and they have huge billboards in space. They fight wars in space to control resources, using remote-control ships controlled by teens on Earth. When You Reach Me Rebecca Stead A mystery as well as involving some Science Fiction. Very well written, very intense. Pay attention as you read. The Boy at The End of the World Greg van Eekhout Humanity has wiped itself out. People have been kept alive in pods of gel within Arks. The last human is released from his pod by a robot. Will he survive the dangers of a new world? Brain Jack Brian Falkner In the near future, where you plug your brain into the Internet. There is a problem that happens, starting with a high-tech anti-hacker organization.

10 Creepy Fantasy & Horror Coraline Neil Gaiman A girl finds an alternate world behind a door in her living room. Creepy. (Reading Group Book) Clockwork Phillip Pullman kind of freaky, with the line being blurred between wind-up statues and people (Reading Group Book) Cirque Du Freak Darren Shan - absolutely horrifying, very popular. Too disturbing for me. Raven s Gate Anthony Horowitz A boy is sent to live with an old lady. She is evil. For mature readers. (Reading Group Book) The Curse of the Campfire Weenies, The Invasion of the Road Weenies, In the Land of the Road Weenies, Attack of the Vampire Weenies David Lubar Collections of short stories. Some stories are pretty creepy, but a lot are just a bit weird. Fun to read. The Midnight Library (series) - Damien Graves Each book has a few creepy stories.

11 Animal Stories These stories are written for older readers, but it is worth taking the time to read them. The One and Only Ivan - Katherine Applegate Based on a true story of a gorilla who lived in a mall in Tacoma, Washington. Very well done. Rascal Sterling North a boy and his pet raccoon Where the Red Fern Grows Wilson Rawls a boy and his two dogs Summer of the Monkeys - Wilson Rawls a boy and an eventful summer

12 Animal Adventures Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh Robert C. O Brien - very clever animal adventure with a bit of science fiction Poppy Avi a brave mouse and her oppressor. (Reading Group Book) The Dragonet Prophecy Tui T. Sutherland Even though the characters are dragons, magic is not the focus of this series. There is quite a bit of adventure and intrigue. Survival Island of the Blue Dolphins Scott O Dell Survival adventure, main character is female Hatchet/Brian swinter- Gary Paulsen - Survival Adventure. Will Brian survive in the wilderness? See Mr. Wilks before reading.

13 Mystery I have enjoyed all of Stuart Gibbs books. This one and the animal park ones are true mysteries. These are all spy books, which are mysteries, but have a bunch of adventure as well. Icefall Matthew Kirby This is kind of historical fiction, but mostly it is a mystery. There is a traitor in the midst of a place where some Viking children have sought refuge. Drama Clementine Sara Pennypacker The heroine reminds me a bit of Junie B. Jones or Fudge, but the author is good at making you care more for her characters than the other authors do. (Reading Group Book) Clementine and the Family Meeting is my next favourite in the series. The other two books are OK, but not as good. Ricky Eric Walters an animal-loving boy triumphs. The only book I like by this author (Reading Group Book)

14 Louis Sachar This author is great at creating really good characters. I like There s a Boy in the Girl s Bathroom (Reading Group Book), Dogs Don t Tell Jokes, The Boy Who Lost His Face, which are books with outcast boy characters, but I really grew to like them. This author also wrote Holes (Reading Group Book), which is really good The Wednesday Wars Gary Schmidt. Really well written. Excellent book. More mature readers will get the most out of it. Share this one with your parents. A Handful of Time Kit Pearson - A time travel book relationships and adventure. (Reading Group Book) Hoot - Carl Hiaasen A mysterious boy, an environmentally bankrupt corporation, and an unlikely hero. (Reading Group Book) Scat and Chomp by this author are pretty good, too. Flipped Wendelin Van Draanen - kind of a romance, but really is deeper than that. Written from the points of view of the main characters. Shredderman (series) - Wendelin Van Draanen -There are four books in this series about a boy who finds a non-violent (but not particularly ethical) way to fight back against a bully. The question is... is he a reactionary bully himself? For you to decide. Not too hard to read, but pretty exciting. (Reading Group Book)

15 Frindle Andrew Clements His best book. A boy invents a new word and it causes events that he could never have predicted. Not too hard to read, but a very clever book. (Reading Group Book) Julie - Cora Taylor - I didn t think I would like this book, mainly because of the picture of the horse on the cover, but it is good. It isn t too hard to read, but is engaging. Set in Saskatchewan. Julie s Secret Cora Taylor. Not as plausible as Julie, but much creepier and more exciting. Awake and Dreaming - Kit Pearson ghosts and alternate realities figure in the life of a poverty stricken girl. Set in Vancouver and Victoria Historical Fiction Catherine, Called Birdy Karen Cushman A strong-willed girl living in the Middle Ages. Written as journal entries. Fun and interesting, because it seems pretty historically accurate. Also, The Midwife s Apprentice and Matilda Bone by the same author. The Sea of Trolls Nancy Farmer- Vikings snatch a boy and his sister as slaves. A fair amount of fantasy, also. For mature readers (Reading Group Book). The Land of the Silver Apples is O.K., but then the last book The Island of the Blessed, is excellent. (Reading Group Book)

16 Strong Emotion... Talk to me before reading any of these books. Walk Two Moons Sharon Creech - A fantastic book. Mature readers will get the most out of this one. (Reading Group Book) Wonder R.J. Palacio This is a story about a boy who is born disfigured. It isn t pitying or fake, just a good book. A Taste of Blackberries - Doris Buchanan Smith a bee sting turns a boys life upside-down (Reading Group Book) Mick Harte Was Here Barbara Park- It is a moving story, and will make you feel. Counting By 7 s Holly Goldberg Sloan There are a lot of tragic things in this book, but it is a good one.

17 The Great Gilly Hopkins Katherine Paterson - a tough, smart girl and her foster family Savvy Ingrid Law A bit of supernatural, but mostly a book about family. It is a pretty fun read.