Forge

by Laurie Halse Anderson
Lexile: 820
Genre: Historical Fiction

This is the sequel to Laurie Halse Anderson's award winning book, Chains. Isabel and Curzon have escaped from Bridewell Prison and now they parted and gone their separate ways; Isabel to find her sister, Ruth, and Curzon ends up enlisting in the army and spending the winter at Valley Forge. Life is hard, but Curzon is surviving until his master, James Bellingham, shows up and forces him to return to his service. Curzon struggles to return to the life of a dutiful slave. His troubles are furthered when he finds out that Isabel has also been captured and is enslaved by Bellingham as a maid. Will they have the opportunity to escape and gain their freedom?

Zarafa, The Giraffe Who Walked to the King

by Judith St. George
Lexile: 670
Genre: Traditional Literature

Zarafa is a beautiful giraffe who is going to be a magnificent gift to the king of France. But how will she get from Africa to Paris? Her journey begins with a trek down the Nile followed by a 500 mile walk across France. Along the way, Zarafa charms many and becomes one of the king's most prized possessions.

Gifted Hands

by Ben Carson, M.D.
Lexile: 950
Genre: Autobiography

This book tells the remarkable story of pediatric neurosurgeon, Ben Carson. He tells the story of his tough childhood and his struggles in school and how he had to learn to control his anger. He reveals and explains the many obstacles he had to hurdle to achieve what he has today. The book also includes a number of his surgical success stories including the separation of Siamese twins. His message to all is that a good education and hard work always pays off. "Developing good reading habits is something like being a champion weightlifter. The champion didn't go into the gym one day and start lifting 500 pounds. He toned his muscles, beginning with lighter weights, always building up, preparing for more. It's the same thing with intellectual feats. We develop our minds by reading, by thinking, by figuring out things for ourselves."

Tuck Everlasting

by Natalie Babbitt
Lexile: 770
Genre: Fantasy

Winnie Foster is wondering in her woods one day when she sees some strangers drinking from a mysterious stream. The next thing she knows, she's been kidnapped and whisked away to the Tuck family's cabin where she becomes the first to learn their long kept family secret. During the 24 hours she spends with the Tucks, Winnie's life changes forever as she is offered a chance...a chance to live...forever.

Framed

by Gordon Korman
Lexile: 730
Genre: Mystery

Griffin Bing, the Man with a Plan, and is gang are back for adventure number 3. This time Griffin has to prove his innocence. A valuable Super Bowl ring has gone missing and all the evidence point to Griffin, even though he's never laid a finger on the ring. How is he going to come up with a plan to get himself out of this mess? He will soon find out the importance of having REALLY good friends.

Battle of the Labyrinth

by Rick Riordan
Lexile: 590
Genre: Fantasy

Percy Jackson is back in book 4 and is ready to start his freshman year in high school. How he longs to just be a "regular" freshman, but it doesn't take long before demon cheerleaders force him into another quest. This time he is forced underground to explore the secrets of the labyrinth. Will he ever see the light of day again?