The Watchmen

by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

A comic book? I was hesitant too! But when I picked it up I immediately read the first couple of pages and fell in love with the story. Watchmen is a story about real superheroes from the 1980's and a plot to assassinate them. The story brings out a city's true colors and makes you imagine "What if they existed?"

--John T., Student

Atonement

by Ian McEwan

So much more than a tale of star-crossed lovers torn apart by scandal, lies, and war, Atonement is an example of compelling prose. Set in Great Britain and France and using World War II as a backdrop, the novel follows Briony, Cecilia, and Robbie from the scene of a crime through its tragic denouement. Ian McEwan draws the reader into the minds of each character at different points in their lives in a way that elicits empathy--even when those characters commit terrible acts. Lessons in regret and the ability to forgive--or not--will last with you long after you turn the last page.

--Angela Boatright, Faculty

Twisted

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Tyler Miller was the kind of kid who didn't stand out; that is, until he got busted for tagging the school. After a summer of working outside, Tyler returns to school and finds that he is getting kind of popular and that he has attracted the attention of the super-popular Bethany Milbury. Things go well for awhile, until a series of events upsets everything.

--Sasha B., Student

Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story

by Christopher Moore

Tommy Flood, a budding teenaged writer from Indiana, moved to San Francisco for some inspiration and adventure. Everything changes for Tommy one night while working at Safeway when a beautiful, undead, redheaded woman walks in.

--Philip S., Student

The Hour I First Believed

by Wally Lamb

This story is about a middle-aged high school English teacher named Caelum who is desperately trying to keep his third marriage together. When Caelum discovers that his wife is having an adulterous affair, he attacks her lover with pipe wrench. After Caelum's prosecution for assault, the couple moves to Colorado hoping to make a new start. Both get jobs at Columbine High School just prior to the Harris and Klebold attack. The story follows the couple as they attempt to put their life back together after wittnessing such a life altering event.

--Jeana Khalaf Cheetany, Faculty

Teacher Man

by Frank McCourt

A brilliant book about a high school teaching experience. McCourt, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Angela's Ashes and Tis, has written a memoir of his 30-year career in the New York City Public Schools. The writing is original and witty, and his anecdotes of his experiences in and out of the classroom are often hilarious. Underlying it all, however, is McCourt's love for the profession and what it, ironically, has taught him.

--Josh Curnett, Faculty

The Work of Wolves

by Kent Meyers

The story takes place in South Dakota where four lives are intimately connected in the unfolding drama: Carson Fielding, Earl Walks Alone, Ted Kills Many, and Will Schubert, a German exchange student with a love of all things Lakota. The four attempt to save horses from being starved by Magnus Fielding. Fielding bears the immediate consequences and has the most to lose in facing the wrath of Yarborough, but the four young men are ultimately linked by their actions, their friendship deepening with the desperation of their endeavor.

--Sharon Cobb, Faculty

March

by Geraldine Brooks

Brooks takes the character of the father, Mr. March, from Little Women and tells his story. Mr. March serves with the Union army first as a minister, then as a teacher to ex-slaves on a Southern plantation.

--Christine Avery, Faculty

The Afghan Campaign: A Novel

by Steven Pressfield

2,300 years ago, an unbeaten army from the West, led by Alexander the Great, invaded the tribal homeland of the fierce Afghan people. This is the story of Matthias, an 18 year old Macedonian foot soldier in Alexander's army. Once again, Steven Pressfield has written a harrowing and thought-provoking historical novel that closely parallels the experiences of the Romans, British, Soviets and Americans, and demonstrates his understanding of the realities that continue to influence our world today.

--Joe Geisendorfer, Faculty

Brisingr

by Christopher Paolini

The third installment of the Inheritance cycle continues Eragon and Saphira's adventures as they gallantly fight Galbatroix and the evil empire. Slaying the Ra'zac, fighting Thorn and journeying to places not seen since previous books will keep you on the edge of your seat franticly awaiting book #4.

--Melanie Price, Faculty

Holes

by Louis Sachar

I have read this book many times, and every time I read it I'm amazed.
This book has a lot of drama and a lot of great moments too. I think that this book is one of the best of its kind!

--Chris G., Student

Deenie

by Judy Blume

Deenie is a very pretty girl who wants to be a model. Her whole world is turned upside down when she finds out that she has scoliosis and has to wear a back brace for four years or more. Deenie is not sure that she can face her classmates and disappointing her mom if she has to stop modeling.

--Sasha B., Student

Marked

by P.C. & Kristin Cast

Read the whole Twilight series? Twice? Searching for the next teen vampire series? Look no further--The House of Night series ( Marked, Betrayed, and Chosen) takes a boarding school like Hogwarts, mixes it with the super-coolness of vampires, and throws in a little Mean Girls for good measure.

--Kristin McKeown, Faculty

My Sister's Keeper

by Jodi Picoult

Kate has a rare form of leukemia. Her sister Anna was conceived by her parents to become a perfect donor in a effort to prolong Kate's life. Anna decides to sue her parents because of how her body is being used. I liked the story because it was very intense.

--Oksana L., Student

The Lovely Bones

by Alice Sebold

Susie Salmon has been murdered. She now looks down upon her friends, her family, and her killer, wondering if he will ever be caught. I really enjoyed this book because it had many suprises and cool twists.

--Heather F., Student

The Giver

by Lois Lowry

The Giver is about a life with no color, no feelings, the same birthdays, and jobs which are chosen for us. One boy, Jonas, is chosen to receive all of the memories. I loved this book. It shows what our life would be like without all of these feelings.

--Bryce F., Student

Built To Grind

by Bob Denike

This book is about the birth and growth of Independant Truck Company, from basic prototypes to the modern skateboard trucks that everyone will remember. It also explores the history of the company, the founders, and the riders for Independant.

--Tyler R., Student

To Kill A Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

To Kill A Mockingbird is amazingly written. It's intense and mysterious because it is slow to give away information about some of the main characters. It definitely kept me interested until the very last page.

--Kathleen L., Student

Go Ask Alice

by Anonymous

Go Ask Alice is about a young girl's accidental introduction into the world of drugs. The book follows her downward journey from a comfortable home and life into the darkness of the streets.

--Jennifer H., Student

The Teenage Guy's Survival Guide

by Jeremy Daldry

This book talks about growing up. It deals with what happens to guys when they hit adolescence, and gives advice on everything else ranging from pimples to girls.

--Philip S., Student