Beyond the Buzz Books

I love to read, and I love to share my favorite books with others. (If this statement describes you, consider a career as a media specialist or teacher!) So, if you loved the buzz books, check out the recommendations that I have for you today! All of these books should be available at the public library or bookstore. Of course, we have all of these great titles at HBW!

If you liked Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix, read the following:

• The Shadow Children Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix: Find out what happens to Luke and the other shadow children.
  

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: This is the first book in a great trilogy, coming soon to theaters near you. Like Among the Hidden, it's dystopian fiction. (A dystopia is an imaginary place where life is extremely bad.) Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen becomes a contender in the annual Hunger Games, a grave competition hosted by the Capitol where young boys and girls are pitted against one another in a televised fight to the death. I recommend this book for older or mature readers.

• The Giver by Lois Lowry: Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives. This books is a Newbery winner, perfect for older/mature readers.
  

If you liked Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass, read the following:

• So B. It by Sarah Weeks: After spending her life with her mentally disabled mother and agoraphobic neighbor, twelve-year-old Heidi sets out from Reno, Nevada, to New York to find out who she is. I love this tearjerker!

• Notes From the Midnight Driver by Jorden Sonnenblick: After being assigned to perform community service at a nursing home, sixteen-year-old Alex befriends a cantankerous old man who has some lessons to impart about jazz guitar playing, love, and forgiveness. I love this author, who worked with Mrs. Fusaro! I recommend this book for older readers.
  

• Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata: Chronicles the close friendship between two Japanese-American sisters growing up in rural Georgia during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and the despair when one sister becomes terminally ill. This Newbery award-winning book is one of my favorites.
  

If you liked Schooled by Gordon Korman, read the following:

• Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli: Stargirl, a teen who animates quiet Mica High with her colorful personality, suddenly finds herself shunned for her refusal to conform. This book has been extremely popular for 10 years. Check it out!

• The Misfits by James Howe: Four students who do not fit in at their small-town middle school decide to create a third party for the student council elections to represent all students who have ever been called names. This book inspired National No-Name Calling Week. It's a thought-provoking read!

If you liked Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar, read the following:

• Nothing But The Truth by Avi: A ninth-grader's suspension for humming "The Star-Spangled Banner" during homeroom becomes a national news story, and leads to him and his teacher both leaving the school. This is a great book that will lead to lots of discussion!

• Bullyville by Francine Prose: After the death of his estranged father in the World Trade Center on September 11th, thirteen-year-old Bart, still struggling with feelings of guilt, sorrow and loss, wins a scholarship to the local preparatory school and encounters a vicious bully whose cruelty compounds the aftermath of the tragedy.
  I recommend this book for older/mature readers.

Please note: All summaries of books appear in italics because they are from www.titlewave.com. I have read and enjoyed all of these books, and I hope you do, too! - Mrs. Kleinknecht