Summer 2013 Reading List

NINTH AND TENTH GRADE OPTIONS LIST

Blurbs have been provided in most cases by the teachers and students who recommended the books. All highlighted titles are available in ESD’s Digital Library.

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker (Ex Libris Selection) Named one of the best books for 2012, Karen Thompson Walker's The Age of Miracles is an unforgettable coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of a strangely altered world. On an ordinary Saturday in a California suburb, Julia and her family awake to discover, along with the rest of the world, that the rotation of the earth has suddenly begun to slow. The days and nights grow longer and longer, gravity is affected, and the environment is thrown into disarray. How will Julia and her family cope? Is humankind doomed?

Airframe by Michael Crichton A 1996 best seller, Airframe is a novel about one of the hottest consumer topics of the nineties, airline safety. A lethal mid-air disaster aboard an overseas commercial airliner sets off a pressured and frantic internal investigation. The airline’s safety director juggles politics, union muscle, and television reporters.

Alive by Piers Paul Read A plane goes down in burning flames amidst the snowcapped Andes; its surviving passengers are forced to eat the flesh of their dead friends in order to live. With the question of “What are people willing to do to survive?” simmering in the back of your mind, you won’t be able to put this one down.

All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy Chronicling a young man’s adventures in 1950s Mexico, this modern-day cowboy tale crossed with the pains of a teenager’s lost innocence is perfect reading for a hot Texas summer. This is one the whole family will want to pass around.

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque Considered one of the greatest war stories ever written -- and one of the classics of antiwar literature -- Remarque's 1929 masterpiece tells the story of young Paul Baumer, who enlists in the German Army in World War I and takes his place with his comrades in the trenches.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein Narrated by Enzo, a dog with great insight and a droll sense of humor, this book follows the life of Enzo’s master Denny, a race-car driver who is beset by the greatest challenge of his life: a fight to clear his name and regain custody of his young daughter.

Assault on Lake Casitas by Brad Alan Lewis This is the compelling story of rowing and Olympic aspirations.

The Attack by Yasmina Khadra A well-respected surgeon at a Tel Aviv hospital. Arab-Israeli Dr. Amin Jaafari has provided a comfortable life style for himself and his beautiful wife Sihem. However, his world is ripped apart when Sihem is killed in a suicide bombing in the marketplace. The nightmare continues as evidence suggests that Sihem may have been responsible for the catastrophe which killed or maimed so many people. The novel follows Jaafari’s agonizing journey to find the truth.

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver Taylor Greer grew up poor in rural Kentucky with the goal of getting away. But when she heads west with high hopes and a barely functional car, she meets the human condition head-on. She arrives in Arizona with a three-year-old American Indian girl whom she "acquired" on the road, and she learns that she must somehow come to terms with both motherhood and the necessity of putting down roots.

The Best American Music Writing (any edition) This acclaimed series celebrates the best writing on every style of music, from rock to hip-hop, R&B to jazz, pop to blues, and more.

The Best American Mystery Stories of the Century (any edition) This collection will appeal to a lover of any subgenre of mystery stories: thrillers, police investigations, espionage, and the class detective story.

The Best American Science Writing edited by Natalie Angier Edited by Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist and bestselling author Natalie Angier, The Best American Science Writing 2009 collects into one volume the premier science writing of the year. Distinguished by new and impressive voices as well as some of the foremost names in science writing— Oliver Sacks and Atul Gawande among them—this anthology provides a comprehensive overview of where science has taken us—and where it is headed.

The Best American Sports Writing edited by Pete Gammons Enjoy a sampling of the essays written by the best sports writers in the country.

The Best American Travel Writing edited by Bill Buford According to results from recent surveys, sixty percent of Americans are taking no vacation at all or staying at home during their off-time weeks. That means that most of us have become fantasy travelers, leisure readers of others' far-flung adventures. There is no better way to indulge in this pleasurable (and remarkably inexpensive) activity than to grab a chair and wade into the essays of The Best American Travel Writing. (Publisher’s note)

Blind Man’s Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage by Sherry Sontag and Christopher Drew After years of research, a veteran investigative journalist and a reporter for the New York Times reveal this exciting story of adventure, ingenuity, courage, and disaster beneath the sea. It reveals some of the most secret military operations ever conducted by the U.S.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley This novel looks at a fictional future society where everything is orderly and planned; anything unplanned or undesirable is destroyed or removed from sight. It examines what happens when someone outside this ordered world is brought in and forced to live in a stagnant, inhuman existence void of feelings and friendships.

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier (Ex Libris selection) This novel is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the last years of the Civil War. It appeals to history buffs, outdoorsmen, and those concerned with roles of women. It has a love story and an amazing ending.

Chromosome 6 by Robin Cook Dr. Jack Stapleton becomes involved in the medical examiner’s office in identifying the body from a mob-hit mutilation. This leads to an adventure in equatorial Africa.

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns Cold Sassy, Georgia, named for the cold breeze under the sassafras tree that stands near the railroad depot, is a typical, quiet Southern town. However, on July 5, 1906, things take a scandalous turn. Speaking in the Southern dialect, Will Tweedy leads the reader through the humorous scrapes and inner workings of a fourteen-year-old boy’s conscience.

The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer This is a kind of Benjamin Button story in which a baby born with the appearance of an old man grows more youthful as time goes on. The story, told with wit and charm, is about romantic love, the steadfast loyalty of boyhood friends, and the challenges of raising a most unusual child.

Contact by Carl Sagan When Ellie, a radio astronomer, receives an intelligent signal from outer space, the event stirs debate, excitement, and fear. Ellie becomes instrumental in decoding the message and building the machine which will take her and her team on a controversial trip into outer space. This tale by renowned science writer Carl Sagan is told with intelligence and credibility.

Counting Coup: A True Story of Basketball on the Little Big Horn by Larry Colton Counting Coup is the story of the girls’ varsity basketball team of Hardin High School in Crow, Montana. The team is comprised of both Crow Indian and white girls and is led by Sharon Laforge, an undisciplined but talented Native American who hopes to be the first female player from Hardin to earn a basketball scholarship to college.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas The intricate plot centers on a ship captain who is betrayed by those he trusts and sent to prison on a remote island. Watch how he plans his escape and carries out his revenge.

Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton Alan Paton’s Cry, the Beloved Country (1948) remains a topical story detailing the struggles of both blacks and whites in apartheid-governed South Africa. But the novel contrasts more than race. Two men with vastly different backgrounds, men who have every reason to hate each other, form an unusual friendship based in a mutual tragedy.

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (Ex Libris Selection) Christopher is a young autistic boy with multiple talents. He ends up discovering a murdered dog and through searching for its killer, he finds secrets to his mother’s murder. See how Christopher tries to solve crimes and learns to overcome his disability.

Dances with Wolves by Michael Blake Originally assigned to an army unit at a fort on the frontier, Lieutenant John Dunbar becomes intrigued by the character and life style of the Comanche people. When he falls in love with an Indian woman, Dunbar abandons his military duties and takes on a new name and identity as Dances with Wolves.

Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown (Ex Libris Selection) See why everyone is buzzing about this controversial contemporary best seller.

Days of Grace by Arthur Ashe Days of Grace is a memoir by the late Arthur Ashe, professional tennis player, social activist, and victim of AIDS. Ashe modeled grace and courage in every aspect of life, from triumphs as a great tennis champion and determined social activist to his ordeal in the face of death.

Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther John Gunther recounts his search for a cure for his son, who has a brain tumor. Johnny, seventeen and super smart, is cooperative, optimistic, and humorous; but above all he is courageous as he faces test after test, operation after operation before finally succumbing to the tumor. The story, however, is not so much about suffering and death, but about joy and life.

Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie A honeymoon cruise turns deadly when a jilted bride stalks two young newlyweds. This story is classic Christie.

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells (Ex Libris Selection) This funny page-turner is perfect for the poolside. The author explores the serious and humorous sides of sisterhood, motherhood, and daughterhood in the Louisiana Bayou. (P.S. Boys will like it, too.)

A Dog's Life by Peter Mayle This is a delightful book written from the point of view of Mayle's dog Boy, who "overcomes humble beginnings" to become master of the Mayle household. His obedience training has to do with training the family to do what he wants, rather than the other way around. This book is for all lovers of dogs, irony, and good humor.

A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron (Ex Libris Selection) Told from the point of view of a dog, this book explores the relationships people have with their dogs as well as the relationships people have with each other. At the end of each of his lives, the dog is reincarnated as another dog, and he builds upon his past experiences in order to figure out what his humans need from him-- what his purpose is.

Dune by Frank Herbert Library Journal says that “Dune is to science fiction what The Lord of the Rings is to fantasy.” When the English department put out a call for summer reading recommendations, Dune received the most nominations from ESD sci-fi fans.

Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card A parallel novel to Ender’s Game, Ender’s Shadow begins and ends around the same time that Ender’s Game does. Taken from Bean’s perspective, the story begins on the streets of Rotterdam (which by this time has become a hell on Earth) and follows Bean from his earliest days to Battle School, orbiting around Earth. For those who loved Ender’s Game, this is a must-read.

Endurance by Alfred Lansing (Ex Libris selection) Ernest Shackleton kept his men alive for over a year on the ice-bound Antarctic seas after the Endurance was trapped on a 1914 expedition. Based on documents and interviews, this true story will make you reconsider how much a person can overcome to survive.

Eye of the World by Robert Jordan Book One of the Wheel of Time series, this book is truly an original work of fantasy. The story revolves around three boys who, after an attack on their village by fantastical monsters out of their childhood storybooks, are forced to flee their homes. One of these boys is destined to be the Dragon Reborn, a man who will bind the nations together for the Last Battle against the Dark One and who is doomed to die a rotting and mad death. Together with the mysterious Aes Sedai, he sets forth in search of the Eye of the World.

Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser This book may just make you think twice about fast food, advertising, and our consumerist culture.

Fasting, Feasting by Anita Desai The novel moves between the world of a young Indian woman whose personal dreams are stunted by the rigid expectations of her traditional parents and the world of the American girl whose family withholds the emotional support she desperately needs.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green This gripping coming of age story delves into the life of a gifted teen facing cancer.

Flags of our Fathers by James Bradley (Ex Libris selection) This historical work focuses on the lives of the men who are the subject of the famous statue of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima.

Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger (Ex Libris selection) If you’re a student, a teacher, or a Texan, you need to read this book regardless of your degree of affection for football. This easy-reading account of a football season in the west Texas town of Odessa is a wonderfully effective portrait of modern Texas.

Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas (Ex Libris Book) When she was seven, Firoozeh and her family moved from Iran to Southern California, arriving with no firsthand knowledge of this country beyond her father’s glowing memories of his graduate school years here. Funny in Farsi chronicles the American journey of her wonderfully engaging family: her engineer father, a sweetly quixotic dreamer who first sought riches on Bowling for Dollars and in Las Vegas and later lost his job during the Iranian revolution; her elegant mother, who never fully mastered English (nor cared to); her uncle, who combated the effects of American fast food with an army of miraculous American weight-loss gadgets; and Firoozeh herself, who as a girl changed her name to Julie and who encountered a second wave of culture shock when she met and married a Frenchman, becoming part of a one-couple melting pot. (Publisher’s synopsis)

A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest J. Gaines This novel begins with a murder: A Cajun farmer, Beau Bouton, is found shot in the backwoods of a Louisiana plantation. The white plantation owner, seeking to protect her black workers, immediately implicates herself as the murderer. But before the sheriff even arrives, more than a dozen aging black men with just-fired guns step forward, each claiming he shot Beau Bouton. Why? Who is being protected?

Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield According to Pat Conroy, in this novel Pressfield (author of The Legend of Bagger Vance) does for the Battle of Thermopylae what Charles Frazier did for the Civil War in Cold Mountain. Another critic has said [it] “weaves history, mystery, and heartbreaking romance into a literary page-turner that brings the Homeric tradition into the twenty-first century.”

Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet out of Idaho by Jon Katz (Ex Libris selection) On the fringe of society with almost no social life and little to look forward to, Jesse and Eric spent every spare cent on their computers and every spare moment on-line. Journalist Jon Katz convinces them to use their marketable skills to pave their way to a better life out of Idaho. This is a humorous true tale of triumph over adversity and of self-acceptance.

The Girl who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King (Ex Libris selection) On a family hiking trip, a young girl takes the wrong path in the woods and is lost. Her admiration for Tom Gordon, a one-time baseball player for the Boston Red Sox, keeps her going. This is not your typical gruesome Stephen King novel but still a definite thriller. Read it before YOUR summer trip!

Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara Written by the son of Michael Shaara, this novel carries forward the story of Killer Angels through the Battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg.

The Good Thief by Hanna Tinti A young boy who wants more than anything to find a family is initially excited when his presumed long- lost brother arrives at the orphanage to claim him. The “brother,” however, is a small-time crook and scam artist who takes the young boy on a series of harrowing misadventures. In this tale, which is a little bit Dickens and a little bit Twain, you will be cheering on the young protagonist as he finds out the secret of his true identity.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens The narrator of this classic is Pip, a young orphan whose encounters with an escaped convict; an eccentric, even maniacal old woman; and a beautiful girl teach him a great deal about life, love, and the true definition of success.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer As London emerges from World War II, writer Juliet Ashton finds the subject for her new book in a letter from a man she has never met, a man with whom she begins a fascinating correspondence about a remarkably eccentric society on the island of Guernsey.

Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls Told with wit and grit, this is the true story of the author’s grandmother, a colorful character who started life in a dirt dugout in west Texas; became a teacher at fifteen; rose above a first marriage to a scam artist; tried her hand at poker, horse-breaking, flying small planes, ranching, and bootlegging; and found a life of love and substance with an amazing husband and family. This book helps to explain where Jeanette Walls, author of her own biography The Glass Castle, made have found her source of resilience and pluck.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett Set is the South in the early years of the civil-rights movement, this novel offers several perspectives of America’s racial divide from characters old and young, black and white, privileged and powerless.

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams This book is about another book, also called The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a travelogue for adventurers in the space/time continuum. Its first injunction to the reader is this: DON’T PANIC! Part science fiction, part Monty Python comedy, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy has been a cult favorite since the seventies.

Horseman, Pass By by Larry McMurtry Larry McMurtry has established himself as one of the more prolific Texas writers; some even regard him as the best. Horseman, Pass By is about the conflicts of the Bannon family, West Texas ranchers. Told in the words of seventeen-year-old Lonnie Bannon, the story is gripping from start to finish. You won’t be able to put this book down-- even if you don’t know a Holstein from a Hereford.

Home to Italy by Peter Pezzelli This novel is a charming ode to new beginnings and the Italian concept of enjoying life. Peter Pezzelli’s tale of a widower who returns to his childhood home to rebuild his life and continue practicing bicycling, only to be struck by the thunderbolt of love, is not only a delight to read but a must for those who love the sport of bicycling.

Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (Ex Libris Book) In the opening scenes, Henry Lee is awash with grief over the death of his wife and what he perceives to be the dwindling prospects of his old age. However, when he hears about the recovery of the belongings of Japanese-Americans who had been forced into internment camps during World War II, forty years earlier, Henry is jolted back in time to his first love with a beautiful young Japanese-American girl.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Ex Libris Book) The setting is a futuristic dystopia, a nation called Panem that is obsessed with a sadistic survival game that pits young people of its twelve districts against each other. Can Katniss, a young woman of intellect and superior athleticism but also of exceptional compassion, prevail over her wily, cut-throat competition?

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot This book explores the strange phenomenon of an amazing cluster of human cells that do seem to have an immortal life, but it is also the compelling story of a family and of a reporter who is determined to get to the truth.

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde This play, a comedy written in the early twentieth century, has several qualities typical of comedies: mistaken identities, misplaced objects, verbal witticisms, and parodies of typical characters. Wilde uses his own brilliant wit to satirize the hypocrisy of the late-Victorian British aristocracy that rejected him.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer (Ex Libris Selection) You’ll definitely want to discuss this true story with someone after you have read it. Experienced hitchhiker Chris McCandless walks into the Alaska wilderness below Mount McKinley. His emaciated corpse is found four months later. How McCandless comes to die is the unforgettable tale of Into the Wild.

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer Hired by Outside Magazine to write a first-hand account of the out-of-control commercialization of summiting Mount Everest, Krakauer delivers a day-by-day account of the deadliest Everest tragedy to date. Krakauer withholds no punches in showing the absurdity of the expedition industry and the lack of respect paid to the world’s highest peak. This thriller will leave you gasping for air!

The Jester by James Patterson In this novel set during the Crusades, a man sets off to find his kidnapped wife and must pose as a court jester in order to do so. One reader describes this book as “even better than Michael Crichton's Timeline.”

Killer Angels by Michael Shaara This historical novel is a vivid portrayal of Gettysburg. In alternating chapters the commanders of both armies reveal their strategies and personal fears. Shaara forcefully captures the psychology and pathos of a major military confrontation.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini Set in war-torn Afghanistan, this is the story of Amir and Hassan, childhood friends who grow up as close as brothers despite the fact that Hassan’s father is a servant in Amir’s household. While Amir’s childhood is at first blissful, the mounting ethnic, religious, and political tensions soon bring him to some painful realities about himself and his country. When the Soviets invade Afghanistan, Amir and his father flee to America, leaving Hassan and his father to fend for themselves. Nagged by guilt, the adult Amir must later return to his homeland to redeem himself and to repay the debt he feels he owes to Hassan and his family.

The Last Full Measure by Jeff Shaara This is the prequel to Killer Angels, written by Michael Shaara’s son. A must for Civil War buffs!

The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert By the time Eustace Conway was seven-years-old, he could throw a knife accurately enough to nail a chipmunk to a tree. In Gilbert's startling and fascinating account of Conway’s life, he becomes a great American countercultural hero.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch When computer science professor was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he decided to deliver a “last lecture” on “really achieving your childhood dreams” as his legacy to his wife, young sons, and students. Not at all maudlin or sappy, this book will inspire you and make you laugh.

Leadership Is an Art by Max Depree Leaders and aspiring leaders are encouraged to check out this book on the many faces of leadership.

Leaving Cold Sassy: The Unfinished Sequel to Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns These fifteen chapters of an unfinished sequel to the best-selling novel Cold Sassy Tree are drawn to a conclusion by Burns’ editor, who also reflects on the inspiring life of Olive Ann Burns.

A Lost Lady by Willa Cather (Ex Libris Selection) A mysterious and beautiful woman sparks the imagination of a dusty frontier town on the plains of Nebraska. Seen through the eyes of a love-struck adolescent and adult, Mrs. Forrester belies description. Is she a femme fatale, or is she simply using her instincts to survive?

The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett Greed and ambition are the focus of Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon. The action centers on “a glorious falcon encrusted from head to foot with the finest jewels.” The mysterious statuette falls into the hands of detective Samuel Spade; as a result, Miss O’ Shaughnessy and Joel Cairo, working under the cruel leader of the operation, Mr. Gutman, display persistence in their effort to retrieve the bird.

Mao’s Last Dancer by Li Cunxin This is a story of a boy living in China during Mao's regime. Leaving home at a young age to join a ballet academy, he is at first homesick and hates the art. As he practices, his passion for ballet grows, and he becomes one of the most famous dancers in China.

The Martian Chronicles--Bradbury In this classic science fiction tale, men flee a planet on the brink of destruction to seek a fresh beginning on Mars. Will they come as invaders? Peace-seekers? Explorers? These loosely connected stories will provide many insights into human nature and our view of our place in the universe.

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards (Ex Libris Selection) When his wife gives birth to a healthy baby boy and a girl with Down’s Syndrome, David, a doctor, asks his nurse to keep the girl’s birth a secret and to deliver the child to an institution. In a wave of compassion, the nurse claims the baby for her own and raises her secretly in another city. Watch the unfolding of the parallel lives of the twins and discover something about the meaning of unconditional love.

Miracle at St. Anna by James McBride Based on an actual World War II event, the novel recounts a horrific massacre in an Italian village. However, the book is not so much about battles and valor but about the effects of war on civilians and the warm and unlikely relationships that can form when people are brought together by adversity.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie This novel is one of Christie’s most ingenious mysteries. Psychological twists add complexity and intrigue to this story.

Mutation by Robin Cook A man’s greed and desire to perfect human life push the envelope for medical science in this remake of a classic thriller. Boris would be proud.

My Antonia by Willa Cather Antonia Shimerda is fourteen, the only one of a family of five who can speak even broken English when she moves “next door” to Jim Burden in Black Hawk, Nebraska. Told from Jim’s point of view, the book chronicles his and Antonia’s early friendship, quarrels, and reconciliations as they survive the breathless, brilliant heat and the unrelenting cold.

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell Durrell’s account of growing up on Corfu is filled with humor and great anecdotes about his encounters with the animals on the island.

My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok This is the story of a young artist born into a Hassidic Jewish community in New York. His dream of becoming an artist conflicts with his parents’ dreams for him.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (Ex Libris Selection) Set in Victorian London, this novel explores the world of Le Cirque des Rêves, a traveling night circus that appears and disappears without warning. Night Circus is an elaborately decadent book that is part mystery, part fantasy, and part romance. For fans of Harry Potter, Divergent and Twilight, this book is a must read.

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly (Ex Libris Selection) This is the story of a young woman's coming-of-age and the murder that rocked turn-of-the-century America. (Publisher’s synopsis)

Old School by Tobias Wolfe (Ex Libris Selection) Tobias Wolff's Old School is at once a celebration of literature and a delicate hymn to a lost innocence of American life and art. Set in a New England prep school in the early 1960s, the novel imagines a final, pastoral moment before the explosion of the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam War, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and the suicide of Ernest Hemingway.

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens This is the well-loved story of a young orphan boy who must learn to survive on the streets of London and escape the clutches of nefarious characters.

An Ordinary Man by Paul Rusesabagina This is the first-hand account of the man who saved the lives of hundreds of Rwandan refugees by housing them in the hotel he managed. Hotel Rwanda, the movie based on Paul’s story, barely scratches the surface in depicting Paul’s courage and craftiness.

The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory View life in the court of King Henry VIII from the perspective of Mary, the younger sister of the more famous Anne Boleyn. Filled with adventure, intrigue, and outrageous characters, this work of historical fiction is a real page-turner.

Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson In 1948, when he is fifteen, Trond spends a summer in the country with his father. The events — the accidental death of a child, his best friend’s feelings of guilt and eventual disappearance, his father’s decision to leave the family for another woman — will change his life forever. An early morning adventure out stealing horses leaves Trond bruised and puzzled by his friend Jon’s sudden breakdown. The tragedy that lies behind this scene becomes the catalyst for the two boys’ families to gradually fall apart. (Publisher’s synopsis)

A Painted House by John Grisham (Ex Libris selection) In something of a departure from his usual spy-thrillers, Grisham tells a story described as simultaneously “heartwarming” and “heartbreaking.” It is a coming-of-age tale set in rural Arkansas in which Luke faces not only the harsh realities of life but also the essence of the human spirit.

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks When a rare-book expert is given the commission to conserve an ancient Hebrew manuscript, she discovers a series of revealing artifacts buried in its pages and binding: an insect wing fragment, a hair, wine stains, and salt crystals--all keys that help to unlock the past.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe Moving between contemporary times and one of the most fascinating and disturbing periods in American history – the Salem witch trials, this book focuses on Harvard graduate student Connie Goodwin, who plans to spend her summer doing research for her doctoral dissertation. But when her mother asks her to handle the sale of Connie’s grandmother’s abandoned home near Salem, she can’t refuse. As she is drawn deeper into the mysteries of the family house, Connie discovers an ancient key within a seventeenth- century Bible. The key contains a yellowing fragment of parchment with a name written upon it: Deliverance Dane. This discovery launches Connie on a quest—to find out who this woman was and to unearth a rare artifact of singular power: a physick book, its pages a secret repository for lost knowledge. (Publisher’s synopsis)

Prey by Michael Crichton This sci-fi story involves current and not-so-futuristic topics of nanotechnology, genetic engineering, and corporate greed. It is set in the present day in the desert of the southwestern United States, where a plague is about to be visited upon the country unless the hero is able to find the “parasite” that threatens his family. When he finds it, he realizes that the beast is not of natural origin. Then the race is on to save the country…and maybe the world.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen The classic opening line of Pride and Prejudice establishes the tone and the plot of this novel first published in 1813. “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” Mrs. Bennet is preoccupied with finding a good husband for each of her five daughters. As the central characters Darcy and Elizabeth bumble through a romance replete with pride and prejudice, you’ll see how little the game of love has changed. Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier If you are a lover of the mystery novel, then make tracks to your favorite bookstore. The famous first line, “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderly,” invites the reader to enter the life of a young woman who marries the handsome Maxim DeWinter and moves to his lavish country estate. The spectacular ending will not disappoint you!

Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier (Ex Libris Book) From the moment she is struck by lightning as a baby, it is clear that Mary Anning is marked for greatness. On the windswept, fossil-strewn beaches of the English coast, she learns that she has "the eye"- and finds what no one else can see. When Mary uncovers an unusual fossilized skeleton in the cliffs near her home, she sets the religious fathers on edge, the townspeople to vicious gossip, and the scientific world alight. In an arena dominated by men, however, Mary is barred from the academic community; as a young woman with unusual interests she is suspected of sinful behavior. Nature is a threat, throwing bitter, cold storms and landslips at her. And when she falls in love, it is with an impossible man. (Publisher’s synopsis)

River, Cross My Heart by Breena Clarke The Bynums are part of a steady migration in the 1920s from the fields of the rural South to the streets of bustling Washington. In a city caught between tradition and progress, prejudice and dawning tolerance, the family must learn to survive.

A River Runs through It by Norman Maclean This novel is famous for its great descriptions of fly-fishing in Montana. It is the story of two brothers who grow up in the mountains. The fishing scenes are real and also serve as metaphors for their family relationships. The river runs through both the comic and the tragic parts of the book. Catch this one in your book bag!

The Road by Cormac McCarthy (Ex Libris Selection) While the whole world has been reduced to a bleak and savage post-apocalyptical landscape, one man struggles to provide love, nourishment, and protection for his young son.

Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam (Ex Libris selection) This eminently readable memoir is the vivid account of a young man's coming of age in the coal country of West Virginia. Inspired by the Russian satellite Sputnik (and a few other things), he and his friends build rockets, chase girls, and figure out what it means to be a grown-up.

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall This book is a great example of how we stereotype and pre-judge people, but at the same time God looks past our bumbling and misguided efforts, allowing us to grow and love. Those who recommended it for our list said they couldn’t put it down. You’ll love this true story of a Dallas-area art dealer who befriends a homeless man he meets at a Fort Worth mission. The movie version of their story will be filmed in Dallas in the coming year.

Sarah’s Key by Tatiana De Rosnay During World War II, ten-year-old Sarah is arrested by the French police in a round-up of Jewish men, women, and children but not before she tries to protect her younger brother by locking him in a closet in their home. Sixty years later a journalist assigned to cover a story on the round-up becomes intrigued with the story of Sarah and her brother. At first drawn to the poignancy of the story, the journalist soon finds that the history of her own family is intertwined with that of Sarah.

Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand If you have ever rooted for a dark horse--whether a literal race horse like Seabiscuit or for a person who seems unlikely to succeed--you’ll love this true story of a rags-to-riches horse and the three men who contributed to his success, bringing excitement and pleasure to people during the cruel years of the Depression.

The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry Once one of the most fascinating women in County Sligo, Ireland, Roseanne has been locked in a mental institution for many years. Now approaching the age of one hundred, she finally gains the sympathy and interest of Dr. McNulty, a psychiatrist who tries to unlock her past and bring justice and truth to light.

Seven Habits of Highly-Effective Teens by Sean Covey In an entertaining style, Covey provides a step-by-step guide to help teens improve self-image, build friendships, resist peer pressure, achieve their goals, get along with their parents, and much more. In addition, this book is stuffed with cartoons, clever ideas, great quotes, and incredible stories about real teens from all over the world. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens will engage teenagers unlike any other book. (Publisher’s synopsis)

The Shack by William Young When his daughter is abducted during a family vacation and presumably murdered, Mack has difficulty getting his life back on track. Four years later he receives a mysterious note, supposedly from God himself, inviting Mack to a shack near the campsite where the daughter had disappeared. Part mystery, part adventure story, part spiritual journey, The Shack became the best-selling book of 2008.

Shadow of the Hedgemon by Orson Scott Card A continuation of the story of Bean from the Ender series, this book takes place after the defeat of the buggers. After being named a war hero, Bean must help another leader to save earth from evil.

Shoeless Joe by W.P. Kinsella If you write it, they will come. . . . Baseball is uniquely intriguing to many Americans because, for all of its statistics and quantification, it’s all still a mystery. W.P. Kinsella tries to address part of that mystery by writing the story of one man’s faith in the game. More than just a Field of Dreams, Shoeless Joe asks important questions about what we expect of our heroes and what we expect of ourselves.

The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani (Ex Libris Selection) This is the compelling story of several clearly delineated and intriguing characters —all immigrants to America in the early twentieth century—who find love, romance, and lasting friendships to help them find their way in a new land.

Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew Crawford Called "the sleeper hit of the publishing season" (The Boston Globe), Shop Class as Soulcraft became an instant bestseller, attracting readers with its radical (and timely) reappraisal of the merits of skilled manual labor. On both economic and psychological grounds, author Matthew B. Crawford questions the educational imperative of turning everyone into a "knowledge worker," based on a misguided separation of thinking from doing. Using his own experience as an electrician and mechanic, Crawford presents a wonderfully articulated call for self-reliance and a moving reflection on how we can live concretely in an ever more abstract world.

Sister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni This is a story of two cousins, Anju and Sudha, whose relationship strengthens as they learn dark family secrets and share their experiences of arranged marriages and personal tragedies that follow. The story is set in both India and the United States and describes an exceptional bond between two women.

Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John Ratey Ratey’s entertaining style and fascinating examples will appeal to you even if you are not a fitness or science buff. To make his argument about the mind-body connection, Ratey offers startling research to prove that exercise is truly our best defense against depression, ADD, addiction, aggression, even Alzheimer's. One of the most compelling case studies is the revolutionary fitness program in Naperville, Illinois, which has put this school district of 19,000 kids first in the world of science test scores. This book is a great motivator.

The Stand by Stephen King Yes, most people associate King with horror, but The Stand is a great novel that challenges the reader to think about what could happen when there is an apocalyptic destruction of most of the world and how good can triumph over evil. In addition, it is a very exciting read with some traditional King horror thrown in.

Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse Harry Haller is a sad and lonely figure, a reclusive intellectual for whom life holds no joy. He struggles to reconcile the wild primeval wolf and the rational man within himself without surrendering to the bourgeois values he despises. His life changes dramatically when he meets a woman who is his opposite, the carefree and elusive Hermine. The tale of the Steppenwolf culminates in the surreal Magic Theater— for mad men only. (Publisher’s synopsis)

The Storyteller’s Daughter by Sarai Shah Raised in England, Shah had always been intrigued by her family’s stories of Afghanistan’s romantic past. A documentary videographer, she takes the harrowing journey to the land of her heritage to film undercover (sometimes literally filming from under her burqa).

Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky Written by a woman who eventually died in a concentration camp, this book contains two novellas: one involving the story of several characters who fled from Paris during World War II and one involving life in a French village occupied by Nazi troops.

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway A brilliant profile of the Lost Generation, Hemingway's first bestseller captures life among the expatriates on Paris's Left Bank during the 1920s, the brutality of bullfighting in Spain, and the moral and spiritual dissolution of a generation. (Publisher’s synopsis)

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (Ex Libris Book) Lovers of mystery stories will be charmed by the precocious, fearless, and witty sleuth Flavia De Luce, who, despite the fact that she is an eleven-year-old girl living a rather sheltered life in a manor outside a small English visitor, manages to immerse herself in solving a shocking murder.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens This classic work of historical fiction explores the French Revolution from the perspective of families in London and France. Filled with intrigue, suspense, revenge, love, and self-sacrifice, this lengthy and intricately woven work is well worth your time.

Talking God by Tony Hillerman A best-selling mystery writer, Tony Hillerman has produced a series of Southwestern novels that combine suspense and Navajo culture. Two agents of the tribal police begin a routine murder investigation on Navajo property but soon discover links to the Smithsonian Institute and international terrorism.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield Ex Libris selection The narrator’s rather sedate life in a book store is upended when she meets the eccentric owner of a strange old house and is swept up in the mysterious world of ghosts and family secrets.

Timeline by Michael Crichton Ex Libris selection Time travel has become technically possible in the twenty-first century. Historians are sent back to fourteenth-century France to rescue an associate who has not been able to return. This is a great choice for people interested in either science fiction or the medieval period.

Touch the Top of the World by Erik Weihenmayer This autobiography is the story of the first blind man to reach the top of Mt. Everest. Choose this book if you like stories of action, adventure, love, and humor.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen This is the inspiring story of a mountain climber who fails to scale K 2 but succeeds in building dozens of schools--including schools with girls--all over Pakistan. The Pennies for Peace program supports Mortensen’s programs.

The Train to Estelline by Jane Roberts Wood Not-yet-eighteen-year-old Lucinda Richards boards the train for Estelline, Texas, in late summer 1911. She has accepted a job teaching fifteen students in a one-room schoolhouse. What Lucinda learns is that Estelline speaks to us of our heritage as it shows us the timeless truths of a young woman’s emotions and dreams.

True Grit by Charles Portis (Ex Libris Book) This novel tells the story of Mattie Ross, who is just fourteen years of age when a coward going by the name of Tom Chaney shoots her father down in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and robs him of his life, his horse, and $150 in cash money. Mattie leaves home to avenge her father's blood. With the one-eyed Rooster Cogburn, the meanest available U.S. Marshal, by her side, Mattie pursues the homicide into Indian Territory. (Publisher’s synopsis)

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom (Ex Libris selection) The author revisits his beloved college professor, Morrie Schwartz, in the last months of the older man’s life. Their re-kindled relationship turns into one final series of “classes,” as Morrie teaches Mitch (and the reader) lessons on how to live.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer Read the book that has created all the buzz about the unlikely love story of a noble vampire and the new girl in school. Meyer fans, please note: While you will want to read the whole series, you may use only one of Meyer’s books to meet the summer reading requirement.

The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy By the author of The Great Santini and The Prince of Tides, this novel is the account of an idealistic teacher on a backward island off the coast of South Carolina. Using his sense of humor and tremendous ear for dialogue and irony, Conroy makes this true story intriguing, funny, and more than a little sad.

When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka The story is told from the perspective of four members of a Japanese-American family whose lives are turned upside down when they are ordered to live in an internment camp during World War II.

Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts In small-town Oklahoma, a young pregnant woman finds herself abandoned and forced to live at a Wal- Mart. She soon finds conversation, friendship, and a new family with the people of the town. This book is real life--it will make you sense the magic in everyday things.

When the Legends Die by Hal Borland When his father killed another brave, Thomas Black Bull and his parents sought refuge in the wilderness. There they took up life as it had been in the old days, hunting and fishing, battling for survival. But an accident claimed the father's life, and the grieving mother died shortly afterward. Left alone, the young Indian boy vowed never to return to the white man's world, to the alien laws that had condemned his father.

Whiteout by Ken Follett This thriller involves a snowstorm, a stolen ebola-type virus, and an evil plan.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights has been called “the most haunting love story in the English language.” The story is of Catherine and Heathcliff’s tender attachment that increases over the years and grows into a passion that destroys one generation and nearly wrecks a second. (Hint: make sure your copy of the book contains a genealogy chart.)

Zorro by Isabel Allende The publisher describes this book as “the swashbuckling adventure story that reveals for the first time how Diego de la Vega became the masked man we all know so well.”