The Unsinkable Walker Bean
by Aaron Renier
Admiral Bean is cursed and dying. He has gazed upon a cursed skull taken from a distant sea and the only way to save him is to return the skull from where it came. The trouble is no one believes him and his own son wants to sell the skull to an interested party.
The only person that believes him is his grandson Walker. Can Walker keep his father from selling the skull and get it where it belongs in order to save his grandfather? Read The Unsinkable Walker Bean to find out!!!
Published: 2010
Genre: Fantasy/Graphic Novel
Locations: Classroom
Pilot and Huxley The First Adventure
by Dan McGuiness
After Pilot and Huxley forget to return their rented video game on time, the Grim Reaper zaps them to another dimension. Once there, the boys have to interact with some really strange creatures and find a way home. Will they survive their encounters and make it back to Earth? Read Pilot and Huxley's first adventure to find out.
Published: 2011
Genre: Science Fiction/Graphic Novel
Location: Classroom and Amazon
Zita the Spacegirl
by Ben Hatke
After Zita and her best friend on Earth Joseph open a portal to another world, Joseph is pulled into it. After some serious consideration, Zita decides she has to go save him. When she makes it through the portal she discovers a world filled with strange creatures and sees Joseph being carried along by a really strange looking creature. Will Zita be able to save him? Maybe the bigger question is will Zita survive? Read the books to find out.
Zita's adventures continue in her sequel Legends of Zita the Spacegirl which is also a very fun read.
Published: 2010
Genre: Science Fiction/Graphic Novel
Locations: Classroom, public library, and Amazon
The One and Only Ivan
by Katherine Applegate
Have you ever felt trapped, like in a car on a long drive or in a classroom during a boring lesson? Time is moving super slow. You're bored. If you have, you can relate to Ivan.
Ivan is a Silverback gorilla, who has been stuck in a cage in a substandard zoo. He's been there for years and hasn't seen another gorilla since he was snatched from the jungle as a young gorilla. He's made friends with a dog and an elephant but life is still lonely and incomplete.
So when a young elephant, named Ruby, arrives at the zoo, he promises his best friend Stella, another elephant, that he will get Ruby out of her cage and to a better home. You'll need to read this magical book to see if Ivan can.
Published: 2012
Genre: Animal Fiction
Locations: Classroom, school library, public library, and Amazon
Firegirl
by Tony Abbott
Tom is your typical seventh grader trying to make it through the school year. He has some friends, he loves cars, has a crush, and has some doubts about himself.
When Jessica, a burn victim, joins his class his life becomes a little more difficult. He is forced to make some challenging decisions. Is he going to ignore her like everyone else? Is he going to make fun of her behind her back? Is he going to spread rumors about her accident? Even though this book shows students going through their daily lives, Firegirl is really all about deciding who you want to be.
Published: 2006
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Locations: Classroom, school library, public library, and Amazon
Stargirl
by Jerry Spinelli
Leo doesn't stand out at his school and that's just what he wants. He fits in just like everyone else does at school until Stargirl shows up. Stargirl is different. No, that's an understatement, so let me try again. Stargirl is like no one you have ever met. She carries a ukulele, sings happy birthday to everyone, brings her rat everywhere, and cheers for both teams during sporting events, and is nice to everyone. Point proven, she is not your normal girl and draws a lot of attention to herself.
Leo notices her and becomes smitten. So when they eventually start to date, Leo starts getting all of that attention too and that creates problems. Remember Leo just wants to blend in and it is hard to blend in when you're dating the most atypical student ever. So what's Leo going to do, will he stay with the girl or let her go and blend back in? Read Stargirl to find out.
Published: 2000
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Location: Classroom, school library, public library, and Amazon
Alternate Intro:
Leo met Stargirl, the coolest girl ever. She likes him. He likes her. They become a couple. Everything is going great except everyone at school hates Stargirl and by association dislikes Leo too. Leo has to decide if he should stay with the girl or go back to being accepted by his classmates. Read Stargirl to see what he decides.
