Invisibility

Invisibility

Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements

The Schwa was Here by Neal Shusterman

Two books about being invisible. In Things Not Seen, Bobby Phillips wakes up one morning completely transparent. He must hide to avoid being treated as a lab experiment. He meets Alicia, who is blind, and is finally able to connect with another person. Will Bobby be able to solve his dilemma or will he forever be invisible? In The Schwa was Here, Ansty Bonano befriends the Schwa, a kid who is virtually invisible to everyone around him. Ansty wants to help the Schwa become visible, but he has to stop himself from forgetting about him. Two books in which two boys are invisible, but there are different ways from disappearing from life.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

Jenna Fox doesn't remember her accident. A whole year is missing from her memory. Her parents are acting wierd. Her grandmother treats her like a stranger. Memories keep sneaking in. Her baptism. Almost drowning at 2. Who remembers those kind of memories. Jenna wants a normal life, but she can't shake the feeling something just isn't quite right.

Genius The Game by Leopoldo Gout

Genius The Game by Leopoldo Gout

Zero Hour is approaching, the players are assembling for the game. Rex, Tunde, and Painted Wolf all have their own reasons for needing to win the game. Rex is a hacker looking for his missing brother. Tunde is an engineering who has the lives of his family and whole village betting on him. Painted Wolf is responsible for taking down corrupt Chinese officials on her blog. Three friends. All geniuses. Each must win.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Five students. One murder victim. Four suspects. All proclaim innocence. Someone killed Simon. Before senior year is over, someone will go to jail, someone will be attacked, and someone is lying. Pick up this fast-paced murder mystery.

Monument 14 By Emmy L’aybourne

Monument 14

By Emmy L’aybourne

It was just another day. Late for school, running to the bus. But this was the day the world ended. Dean and thirteen other kids are trapped in a big box store as deadly hail and poison gas rain down outside. They must survive the end of the world, but inside the store the last few of humanity are falling apart. Will they make it? A trilogy that is face paced and action packed.

Wonders of the Invisible World by Christopher Barzak

Wonders of the Invisible World  by Christopher Barzak



Everyday is the same for Aidan: get up, go to school, drive around aimlessly after school looking for something that he can't quite articulate. One day his old friend Jarrod moves back to town, and Aidan begins to realize he has been sleep walking through life for years. Jarrod tells childhood stories Aidan doesn't remember. Has someone been making him forget his past? Why? What are they trying to hide? Barzak weaves a tale of ghosts, curses and the supernatural along with a story of love and forgiveness.

The Zodiac Legacy by Stan Lee, Stuart Moore, and Andie Tong

The Zodiac Legacy by Stan Lee, Stuart Moore, and Andie Tong




Steven Lee's school trip to China is about to get interesting. Steve is about to become a superhero. But I'll let Stan Lee tell the story...

Three Black Swans by Caroline B. Cooney

Three Black Swans by Caroline B. Cooney

Missy plans on playing a trick on everyone. As part of a school project on scientific hoaxes, Missy decides to create one of her own.She convinces her cousin/best friend to help her. The pair appear on a school talk show. Soon a video clip of the show goes viral. The hoax creates more questions than answers. Missy and her cousin find themselves the targets and their lives may never be the same.

Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix




Bethany's parents are behaving strangely. More than usual. They have always been over protective, never leaving her alone for a second. But leaving their house early one morning and driving seemingly without a destination for hours through multiple states. Bethany has few clues and when her parents leave her with an aunt she has never met, her only hint is the name Elizabeth. Who is she? Why are her parents acting so odd? What secrets are they keeping from her?

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

The Geography of  You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith




Being trapped in an elevator seems like a romantic way to meet. And for Owen and Lucy, trapped during a blackout in the sweltering summer heat, it proves to be life changing. Soon life interrupts their budding romance, and Owen and Lucy are forced in opposite directions. Owen heads west to California, and Lucy heads east to London. But they cannot forget each other. How can they reconnect when they are so many miles apart?

Seeker By Veronica Rossi

Seeker By Veronica Rossi

The much anticipated sequel to the Riders duology! The horseman have been separated and one has been lost. Daryn, their seeker is overwhelmed with guilt. But she has a mission; she will return the lost horseman. She will enter a dark world to search for him. Will she have to do it alone or will the rest of the team forgive her?

The Living By Matt De La Pena

The Living By Matt De La Pena



 Working on a luxury cruise liner is just a summer job for Shy. Putting up with rich jerks is part of the job, but on his first voyage a passenger jumps overboard. Shy can't shake the strange conversation he had with the passenger before he died. Now someone is following him and going through his room. Then a major disaster hits and Shy must focus on his duty to the passengers and surviving.

Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith

Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith




What do you give an 18 year old for his birthday? How about a lottery ticket? And what if that ticket is a winner? Alice and Teddy have never been lucky, but now all of that is going to change. But can you be lucky if you don't believe in luck? 

Listen to the author talk about her new book.

Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn

Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn

 

Two people meet in a time before history. Their souls become linked after a violent death. Throughout time, their souls meet again and again. Each time they learn a little more about each other and fall in love, but fate never lets them stay together long. Will they ever be united?

Sweet By Emmy L’aybourne

Sweet

By Emmy L’aybourne

Laurel and her friend Viv can’t believe how lucky they are to be on the celebrity cruise of a lifetime! The “Cruise to Lose” promises to be nothing short of a miracle. Guests are promised they will lose 5 percent of their body weight with Solu’s new diet sweetener. But as soon as she gets on the ship, Laurel embarasses herself in front of her celebrity crush, Tom Forelli. Then the sea sickness hits. Laurel cannot even enjoy all the Solu-laced desserts. But that may be a good thing because people are starting to act strangely. Laurel and Tom must figure out what is wrong before the whole world is introduced to this miracle product.

Solo By Kwame Alexander

Solo

By Kwame Alexander

Blade Morrison has it all: wealth, a famous rock star father, and a hot girlfriend. Except Blade doesn't feel so blessed. His father’s erratic behavior is an embarrassment, and he still misses his mother who died years before. After Blade learns a family secret, he sets himself on a new path, on a new journey to find himself and his true story. Written in Alexander's signature prose style.

Listen to Kwame tell you all about his new book.

Watch the music video based on one of the songs in the book.

Feed those Romeo and Juliet cravings!

Springtime means flowers, baby lambs, and The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Ninth graders all over the country are having their grumbling about having to read Shakespeare turned into surprise and awe as they revel in the timeless romance. It  is amazing how much in common teenagers from over 400 years ago have with teens today! To celebrate my favorite time of year, I have compiled a list of books, movies, and TV shows to feed your R and J craving!

Books:

Juliet Immortal By Stacey Jay

A fantasy twist on the story that has Juliet murdered by Romeo and coming back to life as a savior of souls.

Romiette and Julio by Sharon Draper

Romeo and Juliet in modern day Chicago where racial lines divide a high school and try to keep the lovers apart.

Still Star-Crossed By Melinda Taub

Soon to be an ABC TV show! The love story lives on with Rosaline and Benvolio and outside forces are trying to continue the feud between the Capulets and Montagues.

Saving Juliet By Suzanne Selfors

Two teens are thrust back in time to Shakespeare’s Veron and find themselves in the middle of the love story between Romeo and Juliet. Can they change the story and the pair find happiness?

Romeo's Ex: Rosaline's Story – by Lisa Fiedler

Told from Rosaline’s point of view. Independent and headstrong, Rosaline has a plan for her life that doesn’t include love. Until Benvolio comes along and ignites the feelings that Romeo could not.

TV Shows

Star-Crossed

Unfortunately, it only ran for a season, but it can be found on Netflix. Romeo is an alien who lands on Earth. He and the human Juliet form a bond as children, but the world is not ready for an alien and human relationship.

Romeo X Juliet anime series

For Anime fans! A Japanese series based on the story. You can watch subtitled episodes here.

https://www.funimation.com/shows/romeo-x-juliet/

Movies

Romeo Must Die (2000)

Jet Li brings the Romeo and Juliet story to the action movie genre.

China Girl (1987)

Romeo is Italian. Juliet is Chinese. Rival ethnic gangs attempt to keep them apart.

From the writer or the Divergent series comes a new world...

Carve the Mark

By Veronica Roth

From the writer or the Divergent series  comes a new world.

Cyra a destiny. Akos has a destiny. One will cross the Divide. One will serve the family of their enemy. Each has a gift from the current. Akos can  control it by turning it off. Cyra can inflict unimaginable pain in others, but lives with that pain everyday. When they are brought together, neither will ever be the same. Can these two enemies bring and end to war and violence?

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Since this hugely popular book is now a movie, I guess I should read it! It has been on my list for awhile now.  But until I do, I found a great list of books that are mentioned in the novel to share with you.
Check this out.

Reading List for Everything, Everything

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

   Nora's new biology partner is dark and mysterious. And someone is following her. Is it Patch? She is drawn to him, but her senses tell her that he is dangerous. Which will prevail? Her heart or her head.

A STUDY IN CHARLOTTE by Brittany Cavallaro

Full disclosure, I have not read this book yet, but the trailer is fantastic. Warning, there is profanity, but just one!

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

Falling in love with Jacob was everything Brie dreamed of. Everything except the broken heart when Jacob dumped her. I mean her heart literally broke. Now in the afterlife at 16, Brie learns that life is still complicated when you are D&G (Dead and Gone). Life at home carries on without her, but her friends and family are keeping secrets. Help comes in the form of a Top Gun worshipping boy named Patrick who attempts to lead Brie through her adjustment. How can Brie move on with her death when her heart is still so strongly linked to her former life?

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Celaena Sardothien, 16, an assassin, the most deadly assassin in Ardalan, is now paying for her crimes in the salt mines of Endovier.  Then she is offered the chance to win her freedom by becoming the King's Champion in a deadly competition wth 23 other rogues and assassins. As the contest continues, strange happenings in the castle leave some competitors dead and Celaena wondering if she will be next. But Celaena is also harboring a secret that if discovered could put her life in even more danger. Maas has created a new world full of danger, mystery, and magic. Join Ardalan's Assassin in a wonder-filled journey that now includes 4 books and several prequels.

Death Mountain by Sherry Shahan

After losing her bus ticket and being stranded in the middle of nowhere, Erin meets up with Mae and her brother who are heading for a hike and a swim in a picturesque mountain lake. Not in a hurry to visit with her estranged mother, Erin tags along. The short hike to the lake takes a dangerous turn when a sudden storm hits the trail separating Erin and Mae from the others. Soon they are struggling to survive the dangerous  Sierra Nevada mountains with few supplies. An action packed tale of survival.

Space Case By Stuart Gibbs

Space Case

By Stuart Gibbs

Relocating when your parents get new jobs is nothing unusual, but relocating to the moon is a crazy new adventure for Dash and his family. That is until they get there and Dash realizes the moon is the most boring place in the galaxy. But when one of the scientists on Moon Base Alpha dies under mysterious circumstances, Dash’s life gets much more interesting. Can he solve the mystery even though no one believes him? With suspects everywhere and trapped in a small space, Dash searches for answers.

Taken Trilogy by Erin Bowman

In Gray's world boys are Heisted on their 18th birthday. They just disappear. The only escape is over the wall that surrounds his village, but that escape only ends in a horrific death by fire. Trapped in this world, Gray desperately wants answers after he finds a mysterous note about his birth. Could Gray be the first boy to escape the Hiest? This action packed series follows Gray as he learns the truth about his home and himself.

Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

This exciting new duology from Grisha Trilogy author Leigh Bardugo again brings us back to the world of the magical Grisha. But the focus of this story is a rag tag band of criminals and  thieves who long for a better life outside of the slums of Ketterdam. Led by Kaz Brekker, the lowest of the low, these outlaws plot a daring kidnapping from an icy fortress. Told in alternating points of view, this story has multiple unanticipated twists and turns they will keep the reader enthralled.

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis

Alex Craft is a mystery to everyone, including herself. She is the quiet, smart, and deadly. She has spent the last three years as the sister of Anna Craft, the girl that was brutally murdered. But as she becomes friends with Peakay and gains the attention of Jack, her life begins to open up. Will her past sins haunt her as she tries to make a new life? Can people change from their base instincts?