Anya's Ghost

by Vera Brosgol
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Fantasy (Graphic Novel)

Anya is having trouble adjusting to life in an American high school.  Things look up for a bit when she meets a mysterious ghost on the way home from school.  At first the ghost seems friendly and helpful, but as time goes on, Anya begins to see another side of her, a dark and evil side.  Anya begins to question the version of the story the ghost told her about how she died.  With a little help from a real friend and some research, Anya quickly realizes she needs to put this ghost to rest for good.

Eight Keys

by Suzanne LaFleur
Lexile:  590
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Elise is having a tough time adjusting to middle school.  Her locker partner is a bully and everyone thinks that her best friend, Franklin, is a baby.  Elise is trying to understand who she is and how friends and middle school are all going to fit into her 6th grade life.  Every year on her birthday, Elise receives a letter from her father, who died when she was very young.  This year she gets the final letter which leads her to the discovery of a key.  Each key that she finds helps her unlock the puzzle of who she is, where she came from, and where she is going.

Front and Center

by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Lexile:  980
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

D.J. Schwenk has missed a lot of school helping her brother recover from a career ending football injury.  Now she's back and it's time for the basketball season to begin.  Her coach and her family have big hopes for her and soon college scouts from Division 1 schools are scouting are coming to her tiny Wisconsin town to watch her play.  D.J. knows that she wants college to be part of her future, but not sure if she's ready for the pressure of a D-1 school.  And while she's trying to sort out her future, Brian Nelson her on again off again boyfriend is suddenly showing up at her house again.  D.J. wonders if her life will ever be "normal".

The Off Season

by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Lexile:  1160
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

D.J. Schwenk has survived the summer and is looking forward to an exciting year as a junior - playing football and basketball.  But a serious injury to her shoulder, forces her to give up football in order to protect her basketball career.  And then her relationship with Brian Nelson is on and off and on and off again.  Then, to make matters worse her older brother Win suffers a career ending football injury and D.J. is the one that her family turns to to help him recover.

The False Prince

by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Lexile:  710
Genre:  Fantasy

Sage's life is about to change forever.  He's been living an ordinary life in an orphanage until one day when Connor, a nobleman of the court,  removes him from the orphanage and reveals a plan that could make Sage the most powerful man in the kingdom, IF he wins the contest.  If he isn't the winner, it most likely means his life will be over.  Neither option appeals to Sage, but he is willing to do what it will take for him to survive.  Even if it means spending the rest of his life living out a lie.

The Journey Back

by Priscilla Cummings
Lexile: 810
Genre:  Realistic Fiction
(Sequel to The Red Kayak)

Digger is on his way back.  Ever since the accident and the trial, Digger has been trying to find his way. He thought that running away from the juvenile detention center was a step in the right direction, but that has led to more wrongs than rights.  He has stolen a truck, a bike, a canoe, all because he wants to get home to protect his family.  Does that justify the laws he has broken?

The Bully Book

by Eric Kahn Gale
Lexile:  620
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Eric is looking forward to the start of 6th grade.  His friend Donovan will be back from camp and they are finally the oldest kids in the school.  But right from the start, things are different.  Donovan refuses to talk to him.  Jason and Adrian gang up on him and suddenly everyone in the class is making fun of him and calling him the Grunt.  Eric knows something is going on...and it has to do with The Bully Book.

Chickadee

by Louise Erdrich
Lexile:  800
Genre:  Historical Fiction

It is1866 and book four in the Birchbark House series, readers catch up with Omakayas, her husband Animikiins, and their twin sons, Chickadee and Makoons.  Her twins have spent every waking moment together - learning to help their family and getting into mischief along the way.  But this time, an innocent trick angers the wrong people and Chicakee is kidnapped.  Will he be able to find his way back to his family?

Dairy Queen

by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Lexile:  990
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

DJ Schwenk is having a terrible summer.  Her father injured his hip, her brothers have moved away, her mother is working two jobs, so that leaves her to milk the cows twice a day and keep the family dairy farm afloat.  DJ has to sacrifice a lot - she had to give up volleyball and basketball and spending time with her best friend.  Then, a family friend asks DJ for a favor.  Would she be willing to spend the summer training the quarterback of her school's rival football team?  Brian Nelson needs toughening up and his coach thinks DJ is just the person for the job.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck

by Jeff Kinney
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Greg is back with in his 8th book, but this time he is on a real losing streak.  His best friend, Rowley, has gotten interested in girls.  Greg is not at all pleased about how this is changing their friendship.  He tries to turn his luck around by approaching others - girls and boys - but doesn't have much luck.  Will he ever get his one and only friend back?

Cardboard

by Doug Ten Napel
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Fantasy (Graphic Novel)

Cam's dad is flat broke.  He can't find a job and has only a few cents to spend on his son's birthday present.  Cam is a good kid and his dad wants to get him something special.  He stops at a roadside stand and the only thing he can afford is a cardboard box.  The seller assures Cam's dad that this is no ordinary cardboard.  In fact, it comes with two very simple rules:  1)  You must return every scrap you don't use and 2) You must not ask for more. Cam and his dad work together to make something special - and to their surprise, their cardboard man comes to life!  How is this possible?

Extras

by Scott Westerfeld
Lexile:  790
Genre:  Science Fiction

Aya Fuse wants to be famous.  In order for this to happen, she needs to find a big story and she needs to find it fast.  She connects with the Sly Girls, a clique who spends their time doing secret things that would get them into a lot of trouble if people found out about it.  Aya convinces the Sly Girls that she is one of them while secretly filming their activities.  Aya has no idea how her life will change when she gives this story to the world.

Specials

by Scott Westerfeld
Lexile:  880
Genre:  Science Fiction

First Tally was an Ugly.  Then she became a Pretty.  And now she is a Special - a super ramped up fighting machine who's main purpose is to help impose order.  That means keeping the Uglies down and the Pretties stupid.  Tally can't help but feel that something is wrong...there is a part of her that remembers how her life was before she was turned into a Special.  Will she listen for the truth or be pulled along with the rest of the Specials?

Pretties

by Scott Westerfeld
Lexile:  860
Genre:  Science Fiction

Tally Youngblood has finally become pretty and thinks that her life is going to be perfect.  The only thing she didn't expect was that when people in her community are changed from ugly to pretty, their minds are changed too.  Tally doesn't feel perfect and has a sense that something is wrong.  When a mysterious visitor crashes her first party as a pretty, she knows that something is going on.  Does she want to move forward in her life as a pretty or try to find out what secrets are being kept?

The Tragedy Paper

by Elizabeth Laban
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Tim MacBeth is a seventeen year old albino on his way to a new school.  His stepfather has arranged his acceptance into a prestigious new boarding school and Tim's plan is to blend quietly into the background as he has in the past.  This all changes when he meets Vanessa, a beautiful senior, on her way to the same school.  Vanessa and Tim become friends and carry out a secret relationship that is basically invisible to those around them.  But looming over all the seniors is their final project:  The Tragedy Paper, the school's version of a senior year thesis.  Neither Tim nor Vanessa, realize how tragically their senior year will end.

Eighth Grade is Making Me Sick

by Jennifer L. Holm
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Realistic Fiction (scrapbook novel)

Ginny has big plans for her 8th grade year.  She'd like to make the cheer squad, fall in love, etc.  What she doesn't count on his pretty much everything that happens - her mom quits her job, her step-dad loses his, then their is the announcement that a new baby is on the way.  Could things get worse?  Yes! Now the family is moving from Pennsylvania to California where Ginny is going to have to start over. All she will have is her family and she's not sure that will be enough!

Endangered

by Eliot Schrefer
Lexile:  900
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Sophie's spending the summer with her mother in the middle of the Congo at the sanctuary where her mother rehabilitates bonobos.  Against her mother's wishes, Sophie rescues Otto, and thus begins a journey that will change her life in ways she  never expected.  When war comes to the Congo, Sophie finds herself alone.  She is determined to save Otto and herself as they make a dangerous journey to find safety.

I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011

by Lauren Tarshis
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Ben and Harry are visiting relatives in Japan, hoping that the trip there will help them overcome the loss of their father.  Instead of a restful vacation, they end up fighting for their lives.  A strong earthquake strikes the coastal village where they are staying.  This earthquake triggers a tsunami that is bearing down on the village. Will Ben and Harry be able to survive?

Insurgent

by Veronica Roth
Lexile:  710
Genre:  Science Fiction

Tris Prior's journey of self discovery continues in book 2 (sequel to Divergent).  Every choice she makes seems to have consequences - intended and unintended - that greatly effect those that she loves. War between the factions seems inevitable and Tris isn't sure which faction she should remain loyal to. But the one thing she has learned, is that no matter what, she has to remain true to herself, no matter what.

Divergent

by Veronica Roth
Lexile:  700
Genre:  Science Fiction

One choice is going to change Beatrice's life forever.  One choice will decide who she lives with, what she believes, and who she is loyal to.  One choice could mean that she will never see her family again. How will Beatrice decide?

Fox Forever

by Mary E. Pearson
Lexile:  740
Genre:  Science Fiction

Locke Jenkins owes someone a big favor.  And they are ready to collect.  Locke is most interested in getting this favor taken care of so that he can get on with his new life with Jenna.  After waiting 260 years to be brought back to life, he figures that doing one little favor won't take that long.  Until he realizes what the favor is....Fox Forever is the conclusion to the Jenna Fox trilogy.

The Fox Inheritance

by Mary E. Pearson
Lexile:  660
Genre:  Science Fiction

260 years have passed since the accident took the lives of Jenna, Locke. and Kara.  Or did it?  Jenna was brought back to life by her parents - an illegal experiment - that has now allowed her to live forever.  But what about Locke and Kara?  Their minds were kept alive by the same technology that saved Jenna, but they have just now been given new bodies and brought back to life.  260 years has passed.  The world is completely different and soon they realize that they only thing they have is each other.  Until they hear about Jenna...

Saga of the Sioux

an adaptation from Dee Brown's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
By Dwight Jon Zimmerman
Lexile:  1140
Genre:  Informational

Dwight Jon Zimmerman has selected stories from Dee Brown's book and combined them with photographs, maps, and texts to create a book that tells the other side of the frontier saga - how the West was lost.  The book, told from the Native American point of view, focuses mostly on the Sioux nation and the tragic losses they endured.

The Springsweet

by Saundra Mitchell
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Historical Fiction

Zora is running away.  She has to get away from Baltimore where memories haunt her.  So her running takes her to the Oklahoma prairie where her main objective is to help her aunt and cousin survive on the meager farm they are attempting to build.  Zora throws herself into the daily work that is necessary for their survival, but discovers that it is impossible to escape everything she is running from.  Will she be able to make peace with her past so that she can move on to her future?

Crow

By Barbara Wright
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Historical Fiction

Moses and his family are making history.  They are living in Wilmington, North Carolina, in the midst of a thriving African American community, enjoying the freedoms they achieved with the Emancipation Proclamation.  But suddenly things change, and Moses begins to be more aware of the racism that exists in his community.  Tensions are growing and Moses soon finds himself caught right in the middle.  His grandmother and parents want to protect him, but there are some truths that can no longer be hidden.

Prisoner B-3087

By:  Alan Gratz, based on the true story by Ruth and Jack Gruener
Lexile:  760
Genre:  Historical Fiction

Yanek Gruener has one goal in life:  to survive.  The Germans have invaded Poland and his comfortable life is changing quickly.  He and his relatives have been forced into the ghetto to live and slowly, his friends and family are disappearing right before his eyes.  One day, he too, disappears and begins a journey that will lead him through 10 different concentration camps.  Everyone says the war can't last much longer.  Yanek doesn't know if he'll be able to make it. 

Almost Home

by Joan Bauer
Lexile:  590
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Sugar Mae Cole is always looking for the sweetness in her life which has been full of ups and downs. Lately, the downs seem to be winning.  She and her mother are forced out of their home and into a shelter.  It's not great, but as long as she has her 6th grade teacher, and her writing, life is bearable.  But then her mom gets the idea that they should move to Chicago and start their lives over.  Soon, Sugar finds herself alone in a new city with her mom who is no longer able to hold it together.  With the help of new friends, and one very special dog, Sugar hopes she can hang on until things get better.

Outcasts United

by Warren St. John
Lexile:  980
Genre:  Informational

Outcasts United is the story of the Fugees soccer team in Clarkston, Georgia.  The Fugees and their families have come from all over the world and settled in a small community that is full of strange new customs, food, language, and people.  The one thing that some of them have in common is their love of soccer.  LumaMuflech, herself an immigrant to the United States, stumbles upon a group of boys playing soccer in a parking lot.  Little does she know, what a life changing event that chance meeting will become - for her and for all the children she will coach.

The 9/11 Report - A Graphic Adaptation

By Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon (based on the final report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States)
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Informational (Graphic Novel)

September 11, 2001 is a day that will never be forgotten.  Questions that quickly arose:  how did this happen?  How could the United States be so unprepared?  How can we avoid such a tragedy from happening again?  Ten Commissioners were tasked with finding the answers.  This is their report.

Playground

by 50 Cent
Lexile:  900
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Butterball hates living in the suburbs.  He much preferred his old life back in New York City when his parents lived together and he went to school with his friends.  In the suburbs, everything is different. His parents have split up, he hates his new school, his mom is working all the time, and now he's been forced to see a counselor who's supposed to help him figure out his issues.  It's serious this time.  If he can't get his life back on track, he's going to be expelled and sent away to a private school.

Victory (Resistance Book 3)

by Carla Jablonski and Leland Purvis
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Historical Fiction (Graphic Novel)

World War II is finally coming to an end, but Sylvie, Paul, and Marie are still missing their father and working undercover with the Resistance is getting more dangerous every day.  But they refuse to give up until the war ends and their family is all together again.

Defiance (Resistance, Book 2)

by Carla Jablonski and Leland Purvis
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Historical Fiction (Graphic Novel)

Paul and his sisters are continuing to work behind the scenes of the French resistance.  There father is still a prisoner of war and Marie wants desperately for someone to find him and help him escape.  Paul knows that is unlikely so instead focuses his efforts on helping the Marquis, a group of French resistance workers hiding in the woods.  One of their leaders asks Paul's older sister, Slyvie, to go out on dates with the German soldiers to get information for them.  She's not sure she's willing to take the risk.  It's up to Paul to convince her that this is a way that they can help fight back during this terrible time in their lives.

Resistance (Book 1)

by Carla Jablonski and Leland Purvis
Lexile:???
Genre:  Historical Fiction (Graphic Novel)

World War II has moved into France, but life hasn't changed much for Paul.  But one day when his friend Henri's parents disappear, Paul is forced to start thinking about the war and what it is doing to his country.  Henri is Jewish and Paul realizes that it will be up to him to help Henri survive.  Paul knows there is a group of people known as the Resistance working behind the scenes to protest what is happening.  Will he have the courage to join in and fight for the things he believes in?

The Running Dream

by Wendelin Van Draanen
Lexile:  650
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Jessica is a runner.  It's all she does.  It's all she wants to do.  It's who she is.  Until a terrible accident occurs during the spring of her junior year in high school.  The accident takes the life of a teammate and takes Jessica's leg.  With the loss of her leg, goes all of the hopes and dreams she had of future running events and for awhile, her sprit disappears too.  But with the help of a supportive family and amazing friends, Jessica is able to overcome this loss and thrive in spite of it.

Escape Under the Forever Sky

by Eve Yohalem
Lexile: 820
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Lucy's mother is the American ambassador to Ethiopia which means that Lucy is living in yet another new country.  She loves the idea of living in Africa, surrounded by amazing wilderness and wildlife. However, her mother is very protective and restricts what Lucy is and is not allowed to do.  Like any thirteen year old, Lucy wants to fight those restrictions and do the fun things that other 13 year olds are allowed to do.  Unfortunately, her refusal to follow her mother's rules, leads to her being kidnapped and held hostage by 3 people who want money for her return.  Will Lucy's parents and the U.S. government cooperate in time?

Heart of a Shepherd

by Rosanne Parry
Lexile:  850
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Brother's father has been sent to Iraq which means that Brother, along with his grandparents,  is suddenly in charge of his family's ranch.  Brother can ride a horse, deliver calves, and feed newborn lambs, but he's not sure if ranching is the way of life he wants for himself.  But for now, he has no choice.  His family is depending on him to keep the ranch running in his father's absence.  Will Brother be able to meet the many challenges that come his way?

Alibi Junior High

by Greg Logsted
Lexile:  570
Genre:  Mystery/Suspense

13 year old Cody has never been to junior high.  His father is an undercover CIA agent and Cody has been his partner.  They have been all over the world and rarely stay in the same place for more than a few weeks.  As a result, Cody has been home schooled by his father in the topics of government, politics, and world languages.  Now he has been sent to live with his aunt in a small town in Connecticut and he assumes that fitting in will be no problem.

The Emerald Atlas

by John Stephens
Lexile:  720
Genre:  Fantasy

Kate, Michael, and Emma have been bounced around from orphanage to orphanage ever since the night their parents mysteriously disappeared.  Only Kate can remember the promise she made to her mother that she would take care of her siblings no matter what.  And that is what Kate has been doing for 10 years.  But when they arrive at the town of Cambridge Falls, strange things involving time travel begin to happen.  Kate, Michael, and Emma are in the midst of a new adventure, on that they may not survive, but one that they were destined for.  Saving Cambridge Falls becomes their quest.  If they can do it, they may learn more about who they are and the story behind the disappearance of their parents.

One Crazy Summer

by Rita Williams-Garcia
Lexile:  750
Genre:  Historical Fiction

Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern are going on a cross country adventure to get to know their mother.  All they have are stories of the woman they know only as Cecile.  Cecile left the girls and moved to Oakland, CA and now their father thinks it's time for them to visit.  Cecile isn't at all what they expect and doesn't seem to be interested in being much of a mother, but Delphine is determined to make the best of it.  She had visions of a trip to Disneyland, but quickly realizes that's not going to be part of this trip.  But maybe, just maybe, the girls can still have a good time.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

by Mary E. Pearson
Lexile:  570
Genre:  Science Fiction

Who is Jenna Fox?  Even Jenna Fox herself doesn't know how to answer this question.  Emerging from a year long coma, she is trying to remember the accident and the girl she was before.  Memories start to return, but not all of them make sense.  She also sense that her parents are hiding something from her.  They say it's for her own protection, but what are they protecting her from?

Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze

By Alan Silberberg
Lexile:  1180
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Milo misses his mother.  Since her death, he has felt lost and is struggling with navigating his way through life without her.  His dad keeps moving them from house to house which means Milo has to keep getting used new schools and new neighborhoods.  Now he's starting the 7th grade and he's pretty sure that he's not going to like his new school.  But then he makes two friends, his math teacher helps him make sense of math, his neighbor teaches him the importance of remembering, and suddenly, Milo is doing more than surviving...he's actually thriving!

Drama

by Raina Telgemeier
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Realistic Fiction (Graphic Novel)

Callie loves the theater, but her prospects of becoming a leading lady are slim to none so she gets involved with the drama department's stage crew, and has the time of her life!  As with any middle school theater production, there is lots to learn and plenty of DRAMA.  But Callie works her way through it all in hopes that the show will be a success.

Almost Home

by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Genre:  Realistic Fiction
Lexile:  580

Leah has moved around a lot since her parents got divorced, but her one constant has been her younger sister Anne.  The girls have made up lots of make believe games to help them cope with the chaotic life their mother has created for them.  But when summer camp ends, Leah gets a surprise when it's her father, not her mother, who shows up to take her home.  She learns that her mother and sister moved to California and they aren't coming back for her.  Life with her father and his new wife is difficult.  Leah struggles to figure out what her place is in her new home.

Twisted

by Laurie Halse Anderson
Genre:  Realistic Fiction
Lexile:  680

Nobody used to know Tyler Miller.  He was the kind of kid that no one really noticed.  Until Tyler got busted for defacing the school with graffiti, that is.  Suddenly everyone knows who Tyler is, including the most beautiful girl in the whole school.  Bethany is the girl of Tyler's dreams, who also happens to be the daughter of his father's boss and who also happens to have a twin brother, who has bullied Tyler for many years.  Tyler's life is filled with ups and downs as he tries to navigate his senior year.  Will it end on a high or a low?

Small as an Elephant

by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Lexile:  790
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Eleven year old Jack Martel is excited to be on an end of the summer camping trip in Maine with his mother.  They have all kinds of things planned until Jack wakes up one morning and discovers that his mom is gone.  Jack doesn't panic because this isn't the first time his mom as disappeared.  Jack has had to take care of his mom off and on over the years and knows that if he wants to be able to continue to live with her, he needs to find her, before she gets in trouble for leaving him behind.  But looking for his mom in Maine, isn't the same as looking for her in their Boston neighborhood.  Jack has no money, only determination.  Will he find his mom before someone figures out he's all alone?

33 Minutes

by Todd Hasak-Lowy
Lexile:  970
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Sam Lewis has 33 minutes before he gets his butt kicked by his ex-best friend Morgan Sturtz.  Sam isn't quite sure how things got to this point in less than a year.  Morgan and Sam used to hang out all the time, until the new kid, Chris, moved in down the street.  Now all Morgan cares about is football and making mistakes in school.  Sam is probably one of the smartest kids in the school, but when it comes to this friendship, he just can't figure out what went wrong.

The Rise of Nine

by Pittacus Lore
Lexile:  750
Genre:  Science Fiction

This is the third book in the I am Number Four series.  First there was Four, who found number Six, who went searching for Seven and found a bonus - number Ten.  Now Four has found Nine.  Will they all be able to gather in one place, refine and strengthen their Legacy powers and defeat the Mogadorians once and for all?  If they want to save the Lorien race, they have no other option left.

Deck Z: The Titanic

By Chris Pauls and Matt Solomon
Lexile:  880
Genre:  Historical Fiction

So you think the Titanic sunk because it hit an iceberg?  After you read this book, you might think differently!  Theodor Weiss, a German scientist, is trying to escape from Europe to the United States.  He is traveling alone, but has a deadly companion, a vial that contains a strange new plague that quickly transforms its victims into soulless, flesh-eating zombies.  Dr. Weiss' vial is stolen and the passengers below decks are exposed.  Will the ship sink in time to save those who are not infected?

Who was Steve Jobs?

By Pam Pollack and Meg Belviso
Lexile:  660
Genre:  Biography

Steve Jobs was an interesting character his whole life.  As a young boy, his imagination caused him to want to continuously build and fix things. As a young man, he rarely showered, ate only fruits and vegetables, and showed up barefoot to work.  But all the while, his mind was at work, creating new products that would change the way the world works and communicates.

Maniac Magee

by Jerry Spinelli
Lexile:  820
Genre:  Historical Fiction

Jeffrey "Maniac" Magee has been running for a long time.  First it was to get away from his aunt and uncle, then it was from the kids East Side and finally, the kids from the West Side.  Nobody can seem to catch Maniac, and his legend continues to grow.  All Maniac wants is an address...a permanent address...a place he can call home, where people can all get along.