Looking For Alaska by John Green

Miles, the newest face at an Alabama boarding school, has met the love of his life in the first few minutes.   Alaska Young; she moves at a 100 mph and is just what Miles needs to shake up his monotonous under-the-radar life.  Together with Miles’ roommate, chip, and counter parts Lara and Takumi, the five form a close knit clique, pull pranks, and make life tough for the weekday warriors (the rich students who don’t stay on campus for the weekends).    When a tragic accident takes the life of one group member the friends left behind must make sense of the life and all too sudden death of their compatriot.  This often funny an introspective novel will captivate young adults struggling to find their place in the world (who doesn’t fit that bill?).

Looking For Alaska was one the best reviewed books for young adults in 2005 and went on to win the 2006 printz award.  John Green has written two other books held in equal regard: An Abundance of Katherines, and Paper Towns.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Set in the cruel world in the Capital of the nation of Panem, the annual Hunger Games pits young children against one another in a battle to the death on national T.V., so when Katniss is ordered to represent her district, she knows an important decision between survival and the love of another will have to be made when she is called to enter the ring.

This book is what I consider Battle Royale Lite (see previous Battle Royale post).  A similar story but not nearly as graphic or horrifying though superbly written.  Great for every middle schooler who thinks they have it tough, you don’t even know!

Mother, Come Home by Paul Hornschemeier

Mother, Come Home is unlike any other graphic novel you’ve read. No superheros, no tights, and serious as suicide, which is what the book is about. Meet Thomas. His Mother died. Taking it the hardest, however, is his Father. His Father has been figuratively and literally floating through life.

After Father is institutionalized, Thomas goes to live with his Uncle. As the story progresses, I think, readers will be overcome by growth and realization of Thomas. By the end you are so invested in the child that his actions are almost your actions, and you will feel…terrible if nothing else. Not a feel good book, but very well done. Paul Hornschemeier is graphic novelist out of Chicago. This is his first work, he has since published two more. He is a weird cat, but I like that.

This is Paul.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Meet Liesel Meminger, a foster child living outside Munich during World War II, is haunted by the ghost of her brother. She is taken in by two ordinary German citizens, Hans and Rosa and is given the means to survive. Liesel and her best friend, Rudy, scratch out a meager existence by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist – books. Books will from then on mark the momentous occasions in her life and when Hans teaches her to read a bond is forged between them that will not be broken. The Book Thief is a story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

Markus Zusak is an Australian author and recipient of the Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature for I am the Messenger. He has written several books, The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, Getting the Girl, and lives in
Australia.