How Angel Peterson Got His Name  by Gary Paulsen  6.0

Autobiographical vignettes of the adventurer-author from his childhood are described in great detail as Paulsen tells about the pranks and adventures of his adolescence. From skiing across ice while being pulled behind a car to hang-gliding into a pig pen, Paulsen delivers as much humor as adventure, for which he is well-known.  To read an excerpt from the book or to learn more about the stories in it, go to http://www.randomhouse.com/features/garypaulsen/library/trueadventure.html#angel

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld  5.2

A fantasy novel about a girl who lives in a society where everyone is ugly until their sixteenth birthday.  When people turn sixteen, they become pretty and leave their old life behind.  This seems to be a great tradition to everyone except the Uglies, a group who does not want to become pretty.  To learn more about the book and the trilogy it’s a part of, visit http://scottwesterfeld.com/author/books.htm.

Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan  4.9

A sequel to the still-popular Lightning Thief, Riordan continues to bring mythology to the 21st century through the excitement of Percy Jackson’s life as a half-blood (half mortal, half god).  Along with other half-bloods, Percy must go on a quest involving the golden fleece in order to strengthen the borders that protect the camp of the half-bloods.  To hear the first chapter of the book and for other mythology links, visit http://www.rickriordan.com/children.htm.

Mississippi Trial, 1955 by Chris Crowe  5.5

The book tells the true story of Emmitt Till, an African American, who was killed for flirting with a white woman in the South through fictional characters.  As the circumstances of setting are explained, the main character struggles to reconcile his own thoughts and opinions to those of his prejudiced grandfather’s.  To learn more about the book and the Civil Rights Era, visit http://www.chriscrowe.com/books/trial.html.

Bucking the Sarge by Christopher Paul Curtis  5.8

Curtis spins a story of a young boy whose mother employs him to take care of the elderly who live in the group home she runs – one of her many scams to make money.  Privileged with money that most of his friends don’t have, the boy feels guilt over how his mother earns the money and must decide if and how he should stand up for the people who are conned by his mother.  For excerpts and activities, go to http://www.randomhouse.com/features/christopherpaulcurtis/buckingthesarge.htm.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer  4.7

Again, Meyer has painted a beautiful picture of Edward and Bella struggling to fight for peace and to make a relationship work between a human and a vampire.  Starting in Forks, Washington and traveling to Italy, Bella and the Cullens work hard to maintain the treaty made so long ago between their family and the Native American tribe Jacob Black belongs to.  Jacob’s friendship with Bella also presents obstacles for Edward and Bella.  To learn more about the novel and the work of Meyer, visit www.stepheniemeyer.com.

Flush by Carl Hiaasen  5.0

From the author who is famous for his environmentally conscious writing comes a story of a boy who fights against the pollution of a gambling boat docked in the Florida Keys.  The boy’s father started the battle, but was hauled off to jail yet again for his antics.  Filled with the colorful characters only the Keys can provide, the book questions the ethics of making money at the cost of the environment.  For more information on the book and other novels by Hiaasen, go to http://www.carlhiaasen.com/books/flush.html.

Under a Baseball Moon by John H. Ritter  4.7

The story of a boy and girl who had once grown up together, moved apart, and now find themselves depending on each other for success.  Andy, a trumpet player looking for a fresh sound finds it in the pitching of Glory, who plays phenomenally when spurred on by Andy’s music.  As their talents progress and become intrinsically co-dependent, how can they keep up with the expectations of a softball championship team and a record deal?  For more from the book, visit http://www.johnhritter.com/UTBM_Chap1.sht.

London Calling by Edward Bloor  4.0

A time-traveling mystery about a young boy who, through an antique radio, can travel back to London during World War II and on the night of the London Blitz.  Through the time travel, Martin learns about himself, the history of his family, and a family that’s a world away.  The book deals with the tragedy of the destruction in London and the consequences of the choices people make.  For a review of the book by the author of Tangerine, go to http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/London-Calling.html.

For other ideas to enhance summer reading, visit http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews or www.teenreads.com.

Easy Reading
Summer Reading List

Firegirl by Tony Abbott 4.1

Shug by Jenny Han 4.0

Rules by Cynthia Lord 3.9

TTYL by Lauren Myracle 3.8

The Whole Sky Full of Stars by Rene Saldana, Jr. 4.2

The Boy from the Basement by Susan Shaw 3.0

Eggs by Jerry Spinelli 3.6