Book Recommendations

Cassie’s family, which is African-American, is different from many of the other families during 1933 because they own their land.  Cassie doesn’t understand why this is important until the year of the night riders, the farm burnings, and overwhelming fear.  It is only then that Cassie understands that it is the land that gives her family courage and pride and nothing can take that away.  “With the land to hold them together, nothing can tear them apart.”

Mrs. Branyon

What would you do if a jet plane crashed in your backyard? Would you have the courage to rescue injured and dying people even if it meant putting yourself in the middle of pure destruction? See what sixteen-year-old Heidi does when a jet crashes into the woods behind her house. This is an action-packed novel!

Mrs. Spisak

Crispin is a poor boy growing up in medieval England, when he is accused of a crime he didn’t commit. He is declared a “wolf’s head,” which means anyone can kill him on the spot. He must leave his village and live on the run in order to survive. Why are his enemies so determined to find and kill him? I thought this book was action-packed and suspenseful. I loved it!

Mrs. Spisak

Charlie Bone can hear the voices of the people in the photographs he sees.  He doesn’t like this talent but his evil aunts think it is wonderful.  They send him to a special school with other students who have equally mysterious powers.  Charlie begins to investigate his school and his classmates and discovers some hidden problems.  Will Charlie be able to leave the school and report his discoveries?  But more importantly:  Will Charlie be allowed to live?

Mrs. Branyon

Tally lives in a world where turning 16 years old is when you get to become pretty.  Your only job after you become pretty is to have a really good time.  But Tally has a friend named Shay who does not want to become pretty.  When Shay runs away, Tally finds about a whole new world outside of Pretty Town.  Tally is offered a choice which changes her whold world.

Mrs. Branyon

Lord of the Rings fans take note. While hunting in the woods, Eragon finds an unusual blue stone. He is shocked when it hatches into a dragon. As the dragon grows so does their bond. Without warning Eragon and his dragon are thrown into dangerous situations where they must navigate their way and try to escape evil. Will they be able to continue the quest of past Dragon Riders to defeat the ultimate enemy?

Mrs. Spisak

I love this book, and over the years I have recommended it to many middle school boys. It is always well-received! Alfred Brooks is growing up in Harlem. His best friend is becoming a drug addict, and he is being recruited and terrorized by gangs in his neighborhood. Trying to avoid this life, Alfred begins boxing at Donatelli’s Gym where champions have been trained. Check out this book to see if boxing can lead him to a better life.

Mrs. Spisak

One of my favorite books is So Be It by Sarah Weeks. This is the story of Heidi who lives with her mentally challenged mother and a helpful neighbor Bernadette. Her mother can only communicate through 23 simple words such as good, more, and out. Heidi becomes intrigued and then haunted by the one word only her mother says, “soof.” Her journey to discover the meaning of this word leads to the discovery of who her mother really is and eventually leads to Heidi’s discovery of herself and her own potential.

Mrs. Branyon

You can check here for some good book recommendations! Feel free to post some of your own to share with others, too!

Mrs. Spisak & Mrs. Branyon