Slacker by Gordon Korman

Slacker by Gordon Korman

Cameron Boxer has worked hard for the last 13 years to cultivate his "lifestyle." A dark basement, a huge flat screen tv, and a couch molded to his body. He has been a shadow, a ghost. Teachers don't remember having him as a student. He is unknown to the principal and guidance counselor. His life is playing video games and being a slacker.  After his house almost burns down, Cameron's parents give him an ultimatum: join in an extracurricular activity or no more video games. In a panic, Cameron creates a fake club called the P.A.G. or Positive Action Group.   Suddenly, the P.A.G. gains the attention of other students and the guidance counselor, Mr. Fanshaw. Everyone sees the P.A.G. as a means to their own end. Unfortunately for Cameron, he can no longer hide away in his basement. He is forced to join the real world and leave his virtual world behind.

The joy of rereading a great book

There is a joy to be had in rereading a well-loved book. Sometimes when I am not in the mood for a new book, I seek out the comfort of a old friend, one I  enjoyed spending time with and was sad to say goodbye.  Just like watching a favorite movie again and again, rereading a book allows me to revisit beloved characters, falling in love with them all over again or reliving an amazing adventure. One series I have reread multiple times is the Under the Never Sky series. The exciting adventure that awaits in this series is only matched by the romance between the main characters who are fighting for their lives in a future dystopian society plagued by never ending lightning storms. Aria and Peregrine come from two different worlds. One primitive and tribal an one virtual and futuristic. When they are thrown together, they instantly hate each other, but through their journey they come to see the other’s perspective and begin to fall in love. But their love for each other is not understood by their friends and family. They must use their love to bridge the two peoples in order to find a new and safe pace to live as their world begins to collapse. Check out this fast past, heart wrenching love story. The official trailer below is very well done and will pull you in. There are rumors of a movie in the future, which I am very excited about.

Copper Sun by Sharon Draper

Copper Sun
by Sharon Draper


Amari lives a wonderful, uncomplicated life in her village in Africa surrounded by her loving family, her father's stories, and the rhythmic drum beats of her tribe. She is betrothed to Besa and is excited for their future together. But one day, pale men enter their village with fire sticks. Many are killed and many are put in chains. So begins Amari's long journey through slavery. Sold as a birthday present to the master's son, Amari is thrown together with Polly, an indentured servant. The two form an unlikely bond, and when an unfathomable event happens they must make a choice that will lead to their freedom or possibly their deaths.

The Crown's Game By Evelyn Skye

The Crown's Game

By Evelyn Skye

Vika and Nikolai are enchanters in 19th century Russia, wielding powerful magic. The tsar needs an ally who can fight by his side. There can only be one enchanter, so Vika and Nikolai must battle each other in a game of magic. But as the only two in the world, they are drawn to each other by a mysterious and magical pull. One will win, and one must die. Who will win the Crown's Game?

 

The Weight of Feathers By Anna-Marie McLemore

The Weight of Feathers

By Anna-Marie McLemore

Lace’s family glides through the water in their mermaid show. Cluck’s family glides through the trees in their show in the air. A long rivalry has kept hate alive between the families, but fate brings Lace and Cluck together. As they draw closer together they question the stories and superstitions they have been told their whole lives. Is their growing attraction and understanding of each other enough to end the feud?

The Crossover By Kwame Alexander

The Crossover

By Kwame Alexander

Josh and Jordan are junior high basketball stars. Following in the footsteps of their famous father, a professional basketball player, the twins dominate the court. The Jordan gets a girlfriend and Josh feels left behind. Can the boys resolve their differences before it affects their game? A fun fast paced story told in verse.

Also by Kwame Alexander

Highly Illogical Behavior By John Corey Whaley

Highly Illogical Behavior

By John Corey Whaley

Solomon Reed has not left his house in three years. Crippled by anxiety he lives his life with only his parents for company. Lisa is convinced she can help Solomon and secure a college scholarship in the process. Lisa and her boyfriend reach out to Solomon and soon friendships are formed. Will Lisa be able to help Solomon overcome his anxiety and rejoin the world? Is she truly reaching out to Solomon for his benefit or her own?

Wink Poppy Midnight By April Genevieve Tucholke

Wink Poppy Midnight

By April Genevieve Tucholke

Midnight has always loved Poppy. Poppy only loves herself. Then Midnight meets Wink. She is the opposite of Poppy in every way. Midnight is drawn to Wink, but Poppy stills has this hold over him. Can Wink help Midnight finally be free from Poppy? They devise a plan to trick Poppy. But something goes wrong and Poppy disappears. Is she alive, dead,  or a ghost haunting Midnight forever?

We Were Liars By E. Lockhart

We Were Liars

By E. Lockhart

The Sinclair family spends summers on their private island of the coast of Cape Cod. It is a birth rite that Cadence will inherit as the oldest of the cousins who call themselves the Liars. After Cadence suffers an accident on the island, she misses her cousins and her potential first love Gat. This summer she has finally convinced her mother to let her return to the island. Will the Liars be able to pick up where they left off? Does Gat still feel the same way about her? Cadence must find out. If only she could remember what happened the night of the accident. And why won't anyone tell her what happened?

We are the Ants By Shaun David Hutchinson

We are the Ants

By Shaun David Hutchinson

Henry has been kidnapped by aliens. A lot. The Sluggers as he calls them, because they look like slugs, want him to save the world. All Henry has to do is press a button and poof the world is saved. There is only one problem, Henry is not sure the world is worth saving. The one person he loved in the whole world is dead and his life is a series of torments by classmates and his sadistic older brother. Can Henry find something worth living for in his life and save the world?

The Rest of Us Just Live Here By Patrick Ness

The Rest of Us Just Live Here

By Patrick Ness

Some people are heroes destined save the entire world from soul eating ghosts, vampires, or immortal gods. Other people just live their lives and witness the strange happenings hoping not to become collateral damage in the battle to save the world. This is the story of those other people, trying to graduate high school, figure out who they are, and deal with their problems. All the while trying to ignore the supernatural happenings around them.

Noggin By John Corey Whaley

Noggin

By John Corey Whaley

Boy meets girl. Boy and girl fall in love. Boy gets cancer. Boy agrees to have his head removed and cryogenically  frozen.  Five years later, boy’s head is put on another boy's body. Boy wakes up . Girl is engaged to another boy. Boy still loves her and wants her back. What is a boy to do?

Calamity By Brandon Sanderson

Calamity

By Brandon Sanderson

The final chapter  in The Reckoners series has our brave heroes David, Megan and crew searching for Limelight aka Prof, their previous leader who let the power overtake him. The group heads to Knighthawk’s lair to gain reinforcements. The battle takes them to the city of Atlanta, now turned to salt, moving across the country melting and regrowing as it goes. David must find a way to defeat Limelight or bring Prof back. The journey will lead them to the origin of the Epics and possibly Calamity himself.

Check out the book trailer for Steelheart, the first in the Reckoners series.

The Program By Suzanne Young

The Program

By Suzanne Young

Teenagers are dying. Suffering from the disease known as suicide. Because it has reached epidemic proportions, anyone thought to be affected is put through The Program. They make you forget what was troubling and hurting. They make you forget everyone you knew so you can start fresh and be happy. Sloane and James are in love. They don’t want to forget. The want to escape the epidemic and The Program, but when James falls victim, Sloane follows. The Program will help them get better, but Sloane begins to wonder if The Program really is a cure. She must fight to hold on to her memories of James and herself so that she doesn’t fall victim to The Program.

Orbiting Jupiter By Gary Schmidt

Orbiting Jupiter

By Gary Schmidt

Joseph has a history of being in trouble. Now he is going to live with Jack and his family. Joseph is quiet; he doesn’t like to be touched, or small rooms. People are scared of Joseph. He is not your typical 8th grader. Joseph has a kid. Can Joseph  overcome the prejudices that surround him to rebuild his life?

The Raft By S.A. Bodeen

The Raft

By S.A. Bodeen

Robie lives in paradise. Midway Atoll, a wildlife refuge off the coast of Hawaii. Robie is on the mainland visiting her aunt when her aunt has to leave on business. Robie begs her aunt to let her stay by herself. It seems like such a  great idea. All alone in her aunt’s glamorous apartment. But soon Robie gets homesick and scared. AT the last minute she hops a cargo flight home to Midway with a pilot and a co pilot named Max. Suddenly a storm hits and Robie and Max are the only survivors of the plane crash. How will they survive being stranded in the ocean? They only have each other and the raft.

The Haters By Jesse Andrews

The Haters

By Jesse Andrews

How did you spend your summer vacation? Wes and Corey planned to spend two weeks  at jazz camp. There they meet Ash, the coolest, way-out-of their-league-girl, either had ever met. They all love to play music, listen to music, and hate on everything. Find out what happens when these three take their act on the road for an impromptu summer tour.

But don't take my word for it. Listen to the author tell you all about it.