#14 -- Falling from Grace

This book by Jane Godwin was a story told from two different people -- Annie and Kip.  Annie's sister has gone missing after they got caught on a cliff during a storm.  Once the storm passes her sister cannot be found.  Days go by, but no one has seen her.  At the same time another child goes missing.  The last person to see him is Kip.  Kip goes in search of this missing child and ends up searching for Annie's sister also.  The story weaves around the search for the two children.  You will have to read to see if the search is successful or not!!

At 3.8 Reading Level this book was an easy, good read which would be suitable for 5th grade and above.

#13 -- Eleven

Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff is centered around the number 11.  The main character Sam sees the number 11 everywhere, but why??  He finds a box with a newspaper article attached.  It says MISSING across the top with his picture.  Why is he missing?  Who is Sam Bell??  He enlists his friend Caroline to help him find out.  They embark on a quest for the truth.

This was a great book with real characters -- even one with a learning disability.  It would appeal to 5th - 8th graders and even to adults!  If you want to see for yourself, come by the library and check it out!

#12 -- Here Lies the Librarian

This short, comical book by Richard Peck tells the story of a small town in the early 1900's. The town's librarian dies and the library shuts down. A group of ladies happen to be driving through the town when they notice the closed library.  Each of the four ladies happens to be librarians so they make it their duty to get the town and its citizens back up and running. 

To be honest, I read this book only because of its title and the fact that it was about how librarians revitalized a small town.  I personally liked it, but it may not appeal to the middle school age bracket. 

#11 -- Climb or Die

This book by Edward Myers is a survival story at its best. A family of four has a car wreck on a secluded mountain road. The miter and father are injured, so the two teenage children take it upon themselves to save their parents. They must climb a mountain to get help. They have no climbing equipment and must improvise. How do they do that?  You will have to read the book to find out. 

This was a quick read that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I wanted to push Jake and Danielle up that mountain so they could find help. 

#10 -- Somebody

Somebody by Nancy Springer is about a girl who doesn't know who she is.  She knows she is somebody.  She has had so many names in the past she has forgotten which "somebody" she happens to be at this time in her life.  She moves around every few months with her father and her brother.  She is not allowed a telephone or access to the internet.  She is told that her mother is a very bad person.  But is any of that the truth?  She aims to find out.  The whole book is about a girl's search for her true identity.

This was a short read at only 117 pages, but one that was very good at keeping me on the edge of my seat.  I wanted the main character Sherica to find of where she came from so badly.  You will have to read the book to see if she finds her way home!

#9 -- More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

This book by Alvin Schwartz is filled with scary stories and urban legends. Not all are extremely scary. I would call them creepy instead. This is a good discussion starter book which is why I have chosen it for my next book club selection. We will be discussing the stories found in it and then telling our own creepy urban legends. 

Overall this was a good, quick read. At exactly 100 pages, it will hopefully be one that you can read in a day or two. Come check it out!!

#8 -- The Eleventh Plague

This book by Jeff Hirsch is set in the future. War and a flu-type plague have killed two-thirds of the American population. Those that are left must live with no electricity, homes, and only the food they can find in the wild. Stephen and his family live off of the land. Finding a very old can of peaches becomes a feast for them. Then Stephen's father gets hurt, and Stephen is captured by a group of people and taken back to their village. It turns out that these people have formed their own community, and they take in Stephen. Will he fit in?  Will he be safe there?  You will have to read the book to find out!!

This was a really good book that kept me reading. I couldn't put it down until I found out how things ended for Stephen.  

#7 -- Eighth Grade Bites

This book is the first in the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series by Heather Brewer.  Vampire books are very popular right now and this book does a good job meshing a vampire tale with a typical teenage saga. Vladimir is a vampire but also has normal teenage problems. He has a hard time talking to his crush and gets picked on by the two biggest bullies in the school. His teacher goes missing and strange things start happening when the new substitute arrives. Who is the substitute and why does he seem to know a lot about Vlad?  Does he know Vlad's secret?  You will have to read to find out. 

This was a good, easy to read book. The main character is a vampire, so if the thought of blood scares you, then this book isn't for you. If not, then give it a try!  Check out all five books in the series. 

#6 -- Peak

Peak by Roland Smith is an exciting account of a teenage boy's climb to Mt. Everest. The book begins with Peak climbing the side of a skyscraper. He gets caught and is sent to live with his father who just happens to be leading a group of people on a climb to the highest peak in the world. Does he make it to the top?  I am not telling. You will have to read this exciting book to find out!!

This was a very exciting read that will appeal to all adventure lovers even if you know nothing about climbing.  This book is suitable for all ages, but might be hard to follow for younger readers.