Mazur’s  Pics – Great Books in the Media Center

 I try to read many of our new titles, especially fiction.  Therefore, the list will be added to continuously…. Also remember that these titles are found on the shelves by the author's last name.  See me for more titles and ideas if there is nothing here that grabs you.

Speak by Anderson
Melinda begins high school and lives a lonely existence because she has no one to confide in.  A terrible summer has changed her life and will forever unless someone can reach her.

Life in the Fat Lane by Bennett
Lara has the perfect life with the perfect grades, perfect skin, perfect boyfriend, etc.  Unfortunately, her life unravels and her perfect world comes crashing down.

Tangerine by Bloor
Paul has lost some of his vision due to an accident he can’t remember.  The events of the accident all come back to him when his brother Erik beats another person with a nightstick.

Driver’s Ed by Cooney
The story of when a prank goes to far and the family of the victim wants to take matters into their own hands.

I Am the Cheese by Cormier
One of this author's best.  Adam decides to ride his bike to Rutterburg Vermont in order to find his father.  The book deals with his adventures along the way, but the book will have you questioning as to what is really going on.

Stone Cold by Hautman
Denn Doyle works hard to earn money for a new car.  He finds a shortcut to reaching his goal faster, but is it really worth it?
 
 

p.2 Mazur’s Pics…

The Outsiders by Hinton
An oldie but a goodie!  A flashback to the greaser era and a group of young gentlemen who don't fit in because of  how they look, talk, dress and act.  A classic that your students should love.

Stargirl by Spinelli
Guys should read the book above, this one is for the ladies.  Stargirl does not fit in nor does she want to, however she does pay the price of being an individual.

Give a Boy A Gun by Strasser
A chilling look at Gary and Brenden who have been tormented in their high school by students and teachers.  This will bring to mind Columbine, nonetheless it is well done and includes factoids at the bottom of each page.  The author is definitely anti-gun.

Stuck in Neutral by Trueman
Shaun is completely debilitated by Cerebral Palsy.  He fears his father might be planning to kill him, read this book!  I think it is one of the best I have read this fall.

Rats by Zindel
For the horror fan, this reads like a Steven King book.  Don't read this late at night or when you are alone.  You have been warned!

***Don’t miss these non-fiction titles***

Guts by Paulsen
Gary Paulsen explains how he pulled his character Brian (Hatchet) from his own life experiences.

Portraits of Guilt by Boylan
Jeannie Boylan is a gifted forensic artist that has helped capture some of the most wanted criminals in the world.
 

Updates to the list!!

Mazur’s Pics-Great Books in the Media Center

Part II

I really enjoyed the following titles, your students will too!
Ender’s Game by Card
This book makes all the lists and I can see why!It is science fiction (which I hate) and I loved this book. Ender Wiggins is the only human that can save the Earth from the third alien invasion, but at a great personal cost! Hard to put down, but I didn't like the sequel.
Nobody Else Has to Know by Tomey
Grandpa lets 15 year old Webber drive, even though he doesn't have a permit. Webber has a serious accident, and wakes up in the hospital with no memory of what happens until the nightmares begin and he realizes what really happened.
If I Should Die Before I Wake by Nolan
Hilary, a Neo-Nazi initiate, lies in a coma in a Jewish hospital and is somehow transported to Poland at the onset of World War II. She assumes the life of a young Jewish girl and feels the full affect of the Holocaust.
Don't Look Behind You by Duncan
    April and her family are on the run after Dad turned in his employer to the FBI.The witness protection has failed them and a hired killer is on their trail.
Timeline by Crichton
You know this author for Jurassic Park, but I believe this is a better novel. ITC has created a computer program to “bring the past to life”. Of course, things get out of hand and the results are not what anyone predicted.Students who like the Medieval Ages will get into this title.
Of Sound Mind by Ferris
    Theo is the only hearing member of his family. Many responsibilities are placed on Theo because he is needed as an interpreter.Theo’s future (college, etc.) will be limited because of his family duties when his father's death adds additional restrictions to his future.
Two from Chris Crutcher:
Stotan!
The swim team at Frost High School has only 4 members, but they are amazing. Yes, this does follow their high school swimming career but really gets into their friendship and the strength of their relationship. Some heavy situations are dealt with here that our students will be able to identify with.
Ironman
 Bo has been suspended from school 3 times and his options are limited as far as continuing his high school education.Anger management classes are required by the school and Bo learns what is really bothering him as do his anger management classmates.

MORE.....

Memory Boy by Weaver
    Volcanic explosions have rocked the world  and the quality of life has changed. Food is rationed and cities are unsafe.  Miles and his family try to get to rural Minnesota using their new wind powered vehicle but the journey is difficult because of the dangers they must face.
Hoot by Hiaasen
    Big business vs. 3 teens.  Roy  and his unlikely new friends work to save endangered owls in very unusual ways.
Someone Was Watching by Patneaude
    Chris and his family are selling their summer cottage because of his sister's accidental drowning.  Chris will take you on a thrilling journey based on his "hunch" that his sister was kidnapped, not killed..
Big Mouth, Ugly Girl by Oats
    Matt's desire to be the class "funny man" causes him to be arrested at school.  His life is totally changed and he discovers who his real friends are.
Rat Boys; A Dating Experience by Eberhart
    Don't wrinkle your nose because Skip and Scooter were really good-looking guys (ok, rats).  However, they do save Summer and Marci from the ultimate humiliation.

New Additions

Child X by Weatherly
    Jules everyday life explodes when she discovers that her lovely dad is not really her dad.  The media exposure is ruining her life and what little family she has left.
Joyride by Ehrlich
    Nina Lewis and her mother Joyce never stay put in one place very long because....
The Killer's Cousin by Werlin
    David is acquitted of killing his girlfriend but his life will never be the same, people consider him a killer.  His aunt and uncle offer him a new start in a new city but things are not as they seem in his new surroundings.
Prey by Crichton
    His latest book, you will be reading this book late into the night.  Nanoparticles scientifically altered for the purpose of medical diagnosis have developed memory and the ability to reproduce.  Money rules and things go to far in this thriller!  You do not have to be a science genius to get into this book.
Stetson by Rottman
    Stetson has always been on his own and has found ways to survive.  Matters become even more difficult when a younger sister he didn't know he had moves in with him and his alcoholic father.
Son of the Mob by Korman
    Vince is in love!  How can he tell his parents that his girlfriend's father is an FBI Agent who wants to put
Vince's father away for good?  Fast, funny read.
Hanging on to Max by Bechard
    Sam is the single parent of Max.  It's really hard to go to high school, work and take care of a baby.
Is he really able to handle the responsibility?  Is he doing the right thing for Max?
The Shadow Club by Shusterman
    Always coming in second best gets old. The "number ones" get all the glory.  The Shadow Club decides to change that.  Don't miss this one!!!!
The Last Mall Rat by Esckilsen
    Store customers can drive clerks crazy.  How far would store clerks go for vengeance?  The "mall mafia"
provides that kind of service to sale staff members at various stores, for a price.
The Pack by Carbone
    Akhil has come to the US so that the National Institute of Health may study humbug he can't tell anyone why until he learns of a terrible threat to his school and his friends.
Three Clams and an Oyster by Powell
    Flint is the captain of a five-man flag football team.  But the team falls apart.  Glenn dies in an accident that Cade feels responsible for and  is unable to deal with.

2004 Titles

Breaking Point by Flinn
    Paul is in a new school and is trying to make friends.  How far would you go to make friends and what would you do?
Brian's Hunt by Paulsen
    Brian returns to the wilderness and terror.  His friends have been brutally attacked and killed by a bear that Brian decides to hunt and destroy so that others in the area are not hurt.
Freaky Green Eyes by Oates
    Franky has a sportscaster father, a beautiful mom and lives in a beautiful home.  But all is not well and she covers up the problem by becoming freaky green eyes.  It has a sad ending and deals with abuse.
Guitar Girl by Manning
    Molly is the song -writer singer of the new group The Hormones.  Stardom has it price, who can Molly trust and is this what she really wants?
Kissing the Rain by Brooks
    Moo is treated cruelly by students at school.  The bridge is different, until the murder occurs.
The Land by Taylor
    Paul's life is greatly determined by his heritage. This is a historical fiction book that takes place right after the American Civil War.
Pool Boy by Simmons
    15-year-old Brett has had his life turned upside-down.  His father has been arrested for insider trading and the family must move and change their life style dramatically.  Alfie Moore, Brett's employer, helps Brett through this difficult time period.
Shattering Glass by Giles
    Simon Glass from geek to popular guy in one short book.  However, it cost him his life and changed the lives of many others.
Slumming by Randle
    Improving teens by other teens might sound like a great way to help others, but Nikki, Alicia and Sam find out it is not as simple as it seems.
Sweetblood by Hautman
    Lucy Szabo  was a A+ student that is turning into a vampire wanna-be.


2005 Additions

Nothing to Lose by Flinn
   Michael runs away from home and an abusive stepfather.  Unfortuantely, the stepfather is killed and Michael's mother is on trial for the murder.  Michael knows the truth but  would anyone believe him after being gone for a year?

Things Change by Jones
   Johanna is a perfiect , quiet student who is interested in Paul (cut-up, life of the party guy).  Paul is not what he seems and the dark issues in his life control him and cause harm to himself and others.

Margaux with an X by Koertge
Magaux is beautiful and popular, however her home life is miserable.  Margaux grows up and moves on with the help of  Danny and his terminally ill aunt.

The Last Chance Texaco by Hartinger
   Lucy is being given one last chance to make it in the Kindle Home for orphans.  Yes, high school is difficult and she has trouble fitting in but, the neighborhood is having a problem with someone starting fires and the Kindle Home might be closed and Lucy's last chance will be taken away.

And the latest....

A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life by Reinhardt
Simone is fine with being adopted but suddenly her parents want her to meet her birth mother.   Why now, after all these years is this so important?

Rash by Hautman
One of my favorite authors has another good, new book.  Bo Marsten is a teenager in prison.  Unfortunately, 25% of the population is too.  Wait 'till you find out the reason and what the world has come to.

The Rules of Survival by Werlin
   This author visited our school and  has a great hit on her hands with this book.  Matt's mom is psycho and Matt must protect his younger sisters from harm.  Won't anyone help them?

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Vizzini
   Craig is trying to please everyone, except himself.  This leads him to realize that he needs help and finds it in a hospital near home.

The Battle of Jericho by Draper
   Finally, a good "guy book".  Jericho and his cousin Jason go togreat extremes to get into the "Warriors of Distinction"- but is it worth it?

Finding Lubchenko by Simmons
   Evan has a poor relationship with his father, however he knows that his dad is not capable of the murder he has been charged with. 
Evan and friend decide to find out who is framing his father, no matter where it leads.  Fast read!!

Peaches by Anderson
   Are you a fan of the traveling pants series???  If so try this title.  Birdie's dad owns the peach orchard that wild girl Murphy is forced to work at instead of going to jail.  The third girl, Leeda is Birdie's cousin who seems to have a great life, but does she?   How can these three possibly be friends?  Read the book and find out.