House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Can you imagine not beign able to connect to those around you?  What if you are never able to be understood?  What if you were charged with First Degree murder?  This is exatly what happens to 18 year old Jacob in this book by Jodi Piccoult.  Suffering with Aspergers Syndrome, he doesn't know how to relate with people at all.  He frequently breaks down.  He CANNOT stand the color orange and runs from it.  Every day was assigned a different color, and all his clothes and food must be that color on that day.  He also has a strong interest in forensic science.  One day, his social skills teacher is found dead, wrapped in his quilt.  He is immediately arrested for First Degree murder.  Join Jacob on his journey through jail, a trail, and find out what really happened.

A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard

If you ever want to read a true story about a girl who was kidnapped, A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard is the book to read. It is her memoir of her kidnapping and captivity in her captor's backyard. For eighteen years she was held against her will. Jaycee was kidnapped at age 11, and wasn't rescued until she was 29. She was continually raped until she was 17, when she became pregnant with her second child. This is a dramatic heartbreaking story about a violated young girl. It is a story of survival. I'd recommend this book to anyone. Jaycee created a foundation where others can donate to help recovering families and to help facilitate awareness. After reading her story, the reader cares about her life and the lives of others who have been effected by this awful criminal activity.

No Child's Game by Andrea White

No Child's Game Reality TV 2083 by Andrea White is a book aobut adventure, fear, and death. Five kids are chosen to go to Antartica and survive the cold with only the supplies that Robert Scott had when he made the journey in 1910. Many of these kids have never even seen snow, except for on television. Calamaties have been planned for them along the way. Everything will filmed, with thier own eyes. This book is filled with suspense and excitement! I recommend this good read.

Briar Rose by Jane Yolen

Briar Rose is a retelling of the classic story of Sleeping Beauty, with a twist. Yolen incorporates both the holocaust and the fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty” and comes up with a wonderful story of discovering one’s heritage. Becca, the main character has heard her grandmother’s version of “Sleeping Beauty” throughout her whole life. When her grandmother is on her death bed, Becca makes a promise to her grandmother that she will find her castle and prince charming. Becca makes this promise because Gemma, her grandmother, believes in her old age, that she is Briar Rose. Becca goes on an incredible journey, and slowly discovers piece by piece what happened in her grandmother’s life. I would recommend this book to anyone with any interest in fairy tales, or who just likes to read a good book. Briar Rose is a wonderful telling of a girl’s journey and her promise to the grandmother she dearly loved.

Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles

Jumping Off Swings is the story of a girl, Ellie, a boy, Josh, their two friends, and a teen pregnancy. Ellie gets attached very easily to boys, and when she and Josh have sex in the back of his dad's van, she feels like she is in love with him. Josh had just known that Ellie was "esasy", as all of his friends had lost their virginity to her. Ellie soon discovers she is pregnant. Instead of telling Josh, she only tells her friends, Corinne and Cleb. Eventually, Calev tells Josh. He is shocked and wants to help, but hasn't talked to Ellie since they had sex. This is a story about lost love, love found, and teen pregnancy. These four teenagers are quite literally "jumping off of swings" and into reality. This book takes the reader through Elli's decisions, Josh's thoughts, and what Corrine an Caleb also learn. It is a quick read, but that's not the only reason to read it. Jo Knowles teaches the reader what it's really like to go through pregnancy as a teenager. I would recommend this book not only to girls, but to guys, as well. It illustrates both points of view

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Henry is a time traveler. His travels began when he was a small child in the car with his mother on an icy road. An awful car accident occurs, but Henry is found without a scratch outside of the car. Eventually, he learns to cope with with his condition and finds a job in a librray where he meets Clare. Somehow she knows him quite well - as if she has known him her entire life. The story continues closely following the life of Henry and his varied experiences as his relationship with Claire grows. He travels to the past and to the future, which inevitable changes his present.
The reader travels with Henry and Clare throughout their lives. Their happiness as well as their tears are shared with the reader. The talented author makes you feel the very connected and attached to the characters. It is difficult to let this story end. This is not a quick read, but it is worth every second as you travel with Henry and Clare.

Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Nick's true love just dumped him. Norah is not into relationships. The two unlikely characters meet one night when Nick's band is playing an amazing show. Nick's ex is in the audience. Unbelievably distracted, he stumbles through the rest of his show. In his venture to avoid his ex, he asks Norah- a random stranger at the show- to help him. One thing leads to another and Nick returns the favor by helping Norah get her sister Caroline home. Persuaded by Nick's friends, Norah decides to spend the rest of the night with Nick. The novel recounts the details of the night, and leaves the reader wanting to know more about their lives. Told from both characters point of view, the novel entertains. From broken down cars and train rides to emotional bathroom scenes, there is not a dull moment in this novel. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is both entertaining and heartwrenching. It is a novel that insults modern culture while patting it on the back. Adults and teens will enjoy this interesting look at the modern generation as well as the simple story told in songs strung together over an evening.