Summer Reading Mission Statement

The intent of the Valley Regional High School summer reading program is to challenge students to become life-long readers and learners by encouraging them to read during non-instructional time. Through this reading program, the school promotes intellectual stimulation, social awareness, diversity of viewpoints, and independent thinking.

According to new BOE policy, all students must pass all four years of Summer Reading as a graduation requirement. Some students may need to complete makeups during the 2010-2011 schoolyear to meet this requirement.

Link to the VRHS Academic Expectations: Students will comprehend written language Students will speak effectively

Books are available at the VRHS main office, local libraries and the following bookstores: Essex Books - Essex R.J. Julia Booksellers - Madison Borders- Waterford - West Hartford Barnes and Noble - West Hartford

Books may also be purchased from online sellers such as www.amazon.com. Most are available in paperback.

2010 Faculty and Student Committee

Kevin Alvord Cindy Downie Megan Mallon Coral Rawn Patrick Campbell Aliza Dube Sarah McKinney Meghan Saunders Anne Marie Carlson Lindsay Grote Carly Melillo Kristie Schmidt Carolyn Crehan Sophy Johnston Farishta Nahebzada Sarah Smalley Tavo Dam Tyler Lutz Chris Nielsen Lizzie Smith Jason DiPietro Sara Maclean Ashley Paholski Marlena Vitali Tracy Dickson Keir Magoulas Allyson Preble

The faculty would like to thank students on the summer reading committee for their time, insight, and reviews. We appreciate your commitment to VRHS’s summer reading program. Vaey eioa ih Schoo hese-eep ie-ssex 256 esey i oad eep ie oecic 06417-1669

“Through the use of books, I had the whole world at my feet, could travel anywhere, meet anyone, and do anything.” – Benjamin Carson

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Developing the summer reading list is both a joy and a challenge, and I am thrilled that student readers have once again enthusiastically contributed to the process.

We start with a list of over 75 books spontaneously generated by teachers and students. The process of reading and weeding then begins. After many enthusiastic and engaging conversations between faculty and students, a well-rounded list emerges. I am pleased to say that the work of the committee is, again, commendable. I appreciate both the student and faculty commitment to an outstanding list.

The committee attempts to select books encompassing multiple points of view, different cultures, and a myriad of experiences with a wide range of appeal. According to new BOE policy, all students must pass all four years of Summer Reading as a graduation requirement. Some students may need to complete makeups during the 2010-2011 schoolyear to meet this requirement. Please encourage your student to choose a book that will keep him or her engaged and perhaps present a new idea or different perspective.

This booklet reviews the available books and explains in detail the summer reading process. Summer reading projects (some new projects this year) will be presented the second and third days of the first week of school in your student’s C.O.R.E. group. Please review this booklet with your student and encourage him/her to get the required first book early in the summer. Some books are available in the main office for borrowing. Come in to sign them out.

The second book, which is also a required part of summer reading, may be of your student’s choice. This “free read” should challenge your student and provide insight for meaningful conversation when we return to school in the fall.

This booklet can be accessed online through our website at www.vrhs.com. Please call the school if you have any questions. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Ian Neviaser Kristie Schmidt Principal English Teacher Coordinator, Summer Reading Committee

Summer Reading Instructions for First Book

Required first book- Choose from the approved list - Oral presentation with visual aid

1. Preview your book selection. Review the summer reading booklet, including reading the reviews of each book, before making your decision.

2. Choose one book for your level from the Summer Reading list. Your level is the English class you will be in for the 2010-2011 school year. For example, if you will be in a level 2/3 English class, you should choose a level 2/3 book or one labeled all. If you would like to read up and choose a level 1 book, you may do so. If, however, you will be in a level 1 English class, you may NOT read a level 2/3 book for your required first book but you may read one labeled all.

3. Read the School-wide Oral Presentation Rubric to understand how you will be assessed.

4. Review the list of ideas for projects and select one lending itself to your particular book. If you choose Eye of the Needle or Shutter Island there is a required project—no choice.

5. Keep in mind you must explain why you chose each image or event to present. Your choices should reflect the following: • Plot • Characters • Setting • Theme (What message is the author trying to convey?) • Significance (How does this connect to your own life and personal experiences?)

Summer Reading Instructions for Second Book (book of choice)

Required Second Book- Any appropriate high school level book- Book Talk

Direct any questions about appropriate choices to a summer reading committee member

1. Please review the summer reading second book section of the rubric. You will be assessed using the summer reading rubric and MUST meet the requirement in order to pass.

2. Be prepared to participate in a “Book Talk”. For the book talk, provide the author and title of the book as well as a brief summary of the plot, characters, setting, theme and significance. State your opinion of the book, whether or not you would recommend it to someone else, and reasons why or why not.

Options for Summer Reading Oral Presentation Visual Aid Projects

*Special required project for either Eye of the Needle or Shutter Island- This year we are piloting our first book/movie comparison project. We recommend you read the book first and then pause frequently during viewing to take notes (Venn diagram or T-chart) about each of the following: Discuss in writing how the director and screenwriter were true to the book (or not) in the following categories: plot, character, theme (message), setting (film location), costuming, and casting. Support with evidence from both text and film. Also discuss how the cinematography (wide, medium, close up shots, and editing) and soundtrack enhance or detract from the atmosphere created by Follett or Lehane. Discuss any scenes or dialogues that were enhanced, shortened, eliminated or had their chronological order changed, and the impact those changes had on the film. Be very specific with your examples. Your work must prove that you did not simply watch the movie version or read a book summary.

Resume and Business Cards- Research the proper format of a resume; in this case, a chronological resume will probably work best. Then choose two characters for whom you will prepare typed one-page resumes. For unknown information or for younger characters, you should create plausible entries based on your reading and be creative. You will also create five business cards for supporting characters. Through these pieces, you must show knowledge of plot, character, setting, theme, and significance. Business cards typically show name, job title, address and phone, email, fax, etc. Hint: There is a very clever one for nine-year-old character Oskar Schell in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.

Guide to (insert name of book here) for the Uninformed- Create a guide to your book intended for those who have not read it. You must have the following five entries as a minimum: Here’s What Happened (plot), Here’s Where It Happened (setting, setting map), Here’s Who It Happened To (character profiles), Here’s What It’s All About (theme), and lastly Here’s What I Think (advice and/or personal connection). Design the booklet to look like a real guide, with illustrations, color, font, and text designed to grab the reader’s interest and highlight information clearly.

Diary- Present a diary as if you were one of the characters in your book. In addition to other information, select a minimum of five quotes to explain in writing and/or act out the events you witness and experience. Diary presentations should also relate to five specific events minimum taken from the beginning, middle, and end of the book. Language used should reflect the culture and age of the character.

T. V. Guide- Turn your book into a five or six-part miniseries. Prepare the T.V. guide entry for each night’s episode. Episode entries must cover events from your entire book, beginning to end. Each synopsis must contain at least five exciting sentences designed to entice viewers without giving away spoilers. You must design a cover for your T.V. guide. This should depict the characters, plot, setting, theme and significance of the book and should look like a real T.V. Guide cover.

Mock (or real) Web Page- Design your own mock web page (Word version is acceptable) detailing your book choice. Your web page must include links that depict the characters, plot, setting, theme, and significance of the book. Each link must contain a minimum of one paragraph explaining the five topics in the previous sentence. You must also choose three significant quotes from your book that you feel best represent the overall story and explain why.

Timeline- Create a timeline to illustrate the events in your novel. Your timeline should include 15 events—each event illustrated with captions. Your timeline should present a clear beginning, middle, and end. Captions/illustrations can be created using various mediums (hand drawn, computer generated, magazine cutouts, etc.,) and captions must clearly indicate why you chose each event to illustrate.

Movie Trailer or Key Scene- You must turn in a script to accompany your movie trailer or key scene, and you may choose a few of your friends to assist you in filming this project but each is responsible for his/her own Summer Reading project. Your script should follow your movie exactly. Be sure you portray the characters, plot, setting, theme, and significance of your book. Add a soundtrack if necessary plus credits. Your trailer or key scene must be longer than three minutes and shorter than five minutes. Save on a DVD, flash drive, or laptop file. Mac users will need a converter to show their film on the classroom LCD.

Summer reading projects are presented in CORE on the second and third day of school in September

2010 VRHS Summer Reading Selections Author Title Genre Level Armstrong, Kelly The Summoning Fiction 2,3 Baker, Stephen The Numerati NF 1 The Shadow Factory: Bamford, James The Ultra-Secret NSA from 9/11 to the NF 1 Eavesdropping on America Chbosky, Stephen The Perks of Being a Wallflower Fiction 2,3 Cullen, Dave Columbine NF all de Rosnay, Tatiana Sarah’s Key Fiction all The Lolita Effect: Durham, M. Gigi The Media Sexualization of Young Girls and NF 1 What We Can Do About It Flinn, Alex Fade to Black Fiction 2,3 Foer, Jonathan Saffron Eating Animals NF all Foer, Jonathan Saffron Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close Fiction 1

Follett, Ken Eye of the Needle Fiction 1,2 Grann, David The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Obsession and the Amazon NF 1 Hazuka, Tom Last Chance for First Fiction 2,3 Kamkwamba, Wiliam The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind NF all Krakauer, Jon Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman NF all Lehane, Dennis Shutter Island Fiction 1,2 McDougall, Chris Born to Run: NF 1 A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen Mezrich, Ben The Accidental Billionaires The Founding of : A Tale of Sex, NF all Money, Genius and Betrayal Patterson, James Med Head NF all Salwen, Kevin The Power of Half NF all See, Lisa Shanghai Girls Fiction 1 Stockett, Kathryn The Help Fiction 1 Stowe, Harriet Beecher Uncle Tom’s Cabin Fiction 1 Westerfeld, Scott Leviathan Fiction 2,3 Westerman, Robin Skinned Fiction all

Windham, John The Chrysalids Fiction 1

2010 VRHS Faculty and Student Reviews Armstrong, Kelly. The Summoning Chloe has the ability to see dead people, but before she can figure out what is happening, she has a breakdown, is diagnosed with schizophrenia, and placed in a group home. She befriends some of the teens at Lyle House and tries to accept her treatment. However, two of her housemates suggest that maybe she isn't crazy. Chloe's roommate, who causes things to fly around the room when she becomes angry, is taken away to a hospital and never heard from again. When she returns in Chloe's visions, Chloe suspects foul play, a misgiving confirmed when the dead speak to her, and reveal that they were "supernaturals" who were experimented on, killed, and buried in the home's basement many years before. This suspenseful novel sets up a secret underworld where some people support and help supernaturals while others persecute them. Armstrong combines bits of horror, teen relationships, and a dash of mystery to create a page-turner. Look forward to the next installment in the series. ( Public Library) Baker, Stephen. The Numerati With every click of the keyboard we make, every cell phone call, every swipe of our credit cards, we produce data, and lots of it. We live in a world where every aspect of our lives can be turned into numbers and charted on a graph. Companies like Yahoo! and Google harvest an average of 2,500 details about each of us every month. But what happens to this information? Who looks at it and what do they do with it? Journalist Stephen Baker attempts to answer these questions. Enter the world of top-notch mathematicians Baker dubs The Numerati. The heads of high-tech companies, these guys thrive on the data we produce and are eager to catalogue it to be used to radically transform and customize our everyday lives. Supermarket smart carts will soon greet shoppers by name, guide them to their favorite foods, and tempt them with discounts only on items they like. Candidates will be able to tailor their messages to specific voters. Sensors in homes, or even implanted in bodies, will report early warnings of medical problems, predict an increased risk of disease in the future, or adjust a drug for a single individual. All of these things are in our not too distant future, and they will all be accomplished using the data we produce. Will the increased use of data help us or hurt us? We have no control over what companies do with the information they collect. It is easy to imagine a world in the near future controlled by machines and these highly-trained mathematicians leaving the rest of us helpless. This gripping behind-the-screen investigation into the booming world of data mining and analysis will definitely get you thinking. Bamford, James. The Shadow Factory James Bamford previously published secrets of the NSA (National Security Administration) in his books Puzzle Palace and Body of Secrets. Now Bamford uncovers and discusses the transformation of the NSA post 9/11. This fascinating reconstruction of events leading to 9/11 and its aftermath of warrantless wiretapping and domestic surveillance should make everyone question whether boundaries exist between our civil liberties and our need for national security. Christopher Dickey, of , states: “… as with conventional warfare, these big-ticket spying operations were contracted to private companies that put former government employees on their payrolls…” Dickey refers to the hiring of former government employees to work for the NSA for the purpose of spying on international, as well as transnational, communication. Bamford details how the eaves-dropping is carried out, who is targeted, and perhaps most important of all, which companies were involved in the shady business of spying on American and non-American lines in the name of national security. As Dickey states, “At its core and at its best, Bamford's book is a schematic diagram tracing the obsessions and excesses of the Bush administration after 9/11”. Bamford’s impressive understanding of the technologies used for spying, combined with his suspicion of the NSA and its legal and illegal actions make The Shadow Factory a great read that will leave you asking “How much does the government really know about ME?” P.S. This is probably being monitored by a top-secret EXTREMELY powerful processor (programmed to find words like "NSA" and "terrorist" in streams of data) made by Narus. Chbosky, Stephen. The Perks of Being a Wallflower A coming-of-age novel that easily appeals to a YA readership. This funny, touching, memorable first novel from filmmaker Stephen Chbosky captures the voice of Charlie, a high school freshman. While he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. He's a wallflower--shy and introspective, and intelligent beyond his years but not socially. We learn about Charlie through letters he writes to someone of undisclosed name, age, and gender. Charlie encounters the same struggles that many kids face in high school--how to make friends, the intensity of a crush, family tensions, a first relationship, experimenting with drugs, the thuggish football team, but he must also deal with his best friend's recent suicide. With the help of a teacher who recognizes his wisdom and intuition, and his two friends, seniors Samantha and Patrick, Charlie mostly manages to avoid the depression he feels creeping up. We root for Charlie, ever hopeful that he'll find a suitable girlfriend and increase his vocabulary. (www.amazon.com, Publishers Weekly) Cullen, Dave. Columbine What comes to mind when you hear the word “Columbine”? If you desire to learn more about the truth behind one of the worst school shootings in history, Columbine is the book for you, a comprehensive account of the events leading up to the deadly massacre of April 20, 1999 and the grief and shock that shook the community and the nation after the horrific incident. Many of us were very young when tragedy struck as twelve students and one teacher were killed at Columbine High School in Colorado. Cullen uses leading evidence and expertise to tell two stories. The first is of the killers- -why they did it, how they did it, and how they planned it. The other story focuses on the insatiable press, the victims, and the thousands of others gripped by that day in April. The book debunks many myths about the Columbine massacre. It also corrects misconceptions including how it was not a shooting but a failed bombing. Chapters are set in the past and lead all the way up to ten years after the shooting, showing how the world was affected by the tragedy at Columbine in those ensuing ten years. If you’ve ever wondered how some high schools got metal detectors at their doors or why dress codes are the way they are, this book provides the answers. Cullen spent nearly ten years compiling his research, and won several awards such as “New York Times Review: 100 most notable books of 2009”, Entertainment Weekly: #4 nonfiction book of 2009, and iTunes: #1 nonfiction audio book of 2009. Columbine was ranked third on the New York Times bestseller list and remained on the board for eight weeks. Cullen contributes to many major newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Times, and The Guardian. De Rosnay, Tatiana. Sarah’s Key Have you ever done something you wish you would not have? When Nazis come to the door in the middle of the night to arrest 10-year-old Sarah’s Jewish family, her little four-year-old brother climbs into his secret chamber with fear. Sarah, thinking she will be back in no time, locks the cupboard and takes the keys. The poor family starves and lives in unhealthy conditions for more than two days until they are taken to concentration camps. After many years, an American journalist comes along and their stories become connected when Julia Jarmond’s editor assigns her to cover the 60th anniversary of the Vél' d'Hiv' roundups. Julia soon learns that the apartment she plans to move into was acquired when its Jewish occupants were dispossessed and deported 60 years before. She resolves to find out what happened to the former occupants: Wladyslaw and Rywka Starzynski, parents of 10-year-old Sarah and four-year-old Michel. The more Julia discovers—especially about Sarah, the more she uncovers about her husband’s family, France and, finally, herself. De Rosnay's U.S. debut fictionalizes the 1942 Paris roundups and deportations, in which thousands of Jewish families were arrested, held at the Vélodrome d'Hiver outside the city, then transported to Auschwitz. Already translated into 15 languages, the novel is De Rosnay's 10th (but her first written in English, her first language). Sarah’s Key is a heartwarming and quick read. ______Durham, M. Gigi. The Lolita Effect We've all seen it—the tiny T-shirts with sexually suggestive slogans, the four-year-old gyrating to a Britney Spears song, the young boy shooting prostitutes in his video game—and University of Iowa journalism professor Durham has had enough. In her book, Durham exposes the links between destructive teenage self-images and the popular, highly sexed, and negative representations of girls in magazines, television programs, and movies. Considering everything from suggestive Halloween costumes for little girls to the relentless onslaught of articles about how to “get a guy” in teen publications, Durham makes her way across the media landscape. Seventeen magazine in particular bears the weight of her analysis, and the results are both shocking and disturbing. By pointing to specific articles, she exposes a cultural pattern of teaching girls to attract and please the opposite sex while minimizing serious conversations about sex or equal gender roles in relationships. She asserts that this cumulative “Lolita Effect” is “a major factor in the high rates of teen pregnancy and STDs in the and many other countries.” Durham, who describes herself as pro-girl and pro-media, exposes five media myths: that by flaunting her hotness a little girl is acting powerfully; that Barbie has the ideal body; that children—especially little girls—are sexy; that violence against women is sexy; and that girls must learn what boys want, but not vice versa. After debunking each myth, Durham offers practical suggestions for overcoming these falsehoods, including sample questions for parents and children. In a well-written and well-researched book, she exposes a troubling phenomenon and calls readers to action. (Booklist, Publishers Weekly) Flinn, Alex. Fade to Black Flinn, author of Breathing Underwater (2001) and Nothing to Lose (2004), takes aim at bullying once again. This time HIV-positive Alejandro Crusan, a Florida high-school junior, is the target. After being attacked in his car by a baseball bat-wielding teenager, Alex is hospitalized. Clinton Cole, prejudiced and afraid of catching AIDS, hates Alex and is responsible for tormenting him on several previous occasions. Now he claims he's innocent. However, Daria, a teen with Down syndrome, saw Clinton at the scene of the attack; she also witnessed one of the earlier assaults. The teens alternate telling their stories and sharing their secrets, as Alex struggles with the truth about the attack and about the origin of his HIV-positive status. Daria's narration unfolds in free verse, a form that effectively shows both her halting, repetitive speech and the disparity between her inner thoughts and her ability to communicate them. (Booklist) ______Foer, Jonathan Saffron. Eating Animals The author of the novels Everything Is Illuminated (2002) and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2005) frames his first nonfiction book within the story of his Holocaust survivor grandmother’s complex relationship with food and his response to impending fatherhood. Since Foer shifted between omnivore and vegetarian eating habits in his past, he decides to question the best diet for his baby. Foer breaks into factory farms in the middle of the night, and asks philosophical questions, such as why we eat such smart and affectionate animals as pigs but not dogs. A book for anyone who eats, Eating Animals presents hair-raising facts (supported by 70 pages of end notes) about the miserable lives and deaths of industrialized chickens, pigs, fish, and cattle, agricultural pollution, and how factory farming engenders species-leaping flu pandemics. However, Foer does not preach. He leaves it to the reader to decide for him/herself. Enthusiastically acclaimed by Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and The New York Times Book Review, Eating Animals will have you questioning your eating life over again. Obviously a must-read for animal lovers, animal rights activists, and vegetarians.

Foer, Jonathan Saffron. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close Oskar Schell is not your average nine-year-old. A budding inventor, jewelry designer, astrophysicist, tambourine player and pacifist, he spends his time imagining wonderful creations. He also collects random photographs for his scrapbook and sends letters to scientists. When his father dies in the World Trade Center collapse, Oskar shifts his boundless energy to a quest for answers. He finds a key hidden in his father's things that doesn't fit any lock in their New York City apartment; its container is labeled "Black." Using flawless kid logic, Oskar sets out to speak to everyone in New York City with the last name of Black. Filled with offbeat humor, puns, wordplay, and the inclusion of photographs and illustrations, the humor also covers a fairly serious tale about loss and recovery. (School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly) Follett, Ken. Eye of the Needle On the run? Henry Faber is…if that is in fact his true name. Follet tells a thrilling story of a German spy who infiltrates Great Britain during World War II. This classic spy novel keeps a fast pace jumping from Faber’s reality to that of British agents, Percival Godliman and Frederick Bloggs, who are constantly on the move in hot pursuit of their infiltrator. Faber, nicknamed Die Nadal (German for “the needle”) for his murderous weapon of choice, is Germany’s greatest informant who has never been caught, and has a virtually nonexistent record (making him the perfect man for the job). The plot twist, however, is a tragic love story between David and Lucy Rose who have a terrible car accident that leaves David with no legs, and without a means of accomplishing his dream: to become a fighter pilot for the Royal Air Force and honorably serve his country. Both become key players in the race to catch the German infiltrator before he can get valuable information back to the Führer, information about a planned counter-strike against Germany that at all costs must not leave Great Britain. This exhilarating novel, which earned the Edgar Award for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America, will keep you guessing whether or not Faber will complete his mission. Follet keeps you on the edge of your seat, and through a graphic description of the challenges Faber faces coupled with the understanding of an uncatchable German spy’s mindset, makes you almost want to root for the spy. Grann, David. The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Obsession and the Amazon The Lost City of Z is a truly remarkable piece of history that takes the reader on a journey of epic proportions. For Victorian Gentleman Percy Fawcett, refined Society never met the requirements of his adventurous soul. Joining up with the Royal Geographic Society, Fawcett trained in the art of exploring. A daring adventurer, tireless leader, and seemingly invincible individual, Fawcett plunged headfirst into one of the harshest environments on the face of the earth: the Amazonian Jungle in South America. He was a foremost explorer in the mad rush of many explorers (including former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt and Hiram Bingham, the discoverer of Machu Picchu) to chart the uncharted lands of the Amazon, One discovery that eluded Fawcett was the mythical “City of Z,” a theorized complex society within the Amazonian Jungle. In 1925 Fawcett assembled a party of explorers to seek out the fabled city once and for all. The world waited with baited breath, ready for the telegram stating that the city had been discovered… but it never came. Percy Fawcett disappeared off the face of the earth, never to be seen again. Follow reporter David Grann as he unravels the mystery of Fawcett: Fawcett’s upbringing, his family life, his personality, and of course his explorations. Learn what made Fawcett tick and what inspired, motivated, and even compelled him to seek out such challenges as Grann himself sets out in the Amazon to replicate Fawcett’s journey, a feat which many other trained explorers died attempting. Jumping between the past and the present, the author paints a picture of Fawcett’s life in concert with his own physical search to peel back the canopy of the Amazon to see what really lies beneath the jungle. Hazuka, Tom. Last Chance for First Soccer season is just around the corner. Are you a sports or soccer fan? Last Chance for First is a realistic book about Robby, salutatorian and co-captain of his soccer team. Robby is constantly compared to his brother in everything he does. He cannot be perfect enough for his father who wants him to play football. He also has a crush, Pet, who just moved into town, is a nonconformist, and keeps a secret from him. A teacher, Mr. McLaughlin, shares his wisdom with Robby, but has a few conflicts of his own while the coach of the soccer team is uncompassionate, cruel, and difficult to deal with. Robby is suspended during a soccer game at the same time his friend, Jim, another soccer player, is suspended for drinking. Then, one day after a soccer Purgatory Practice, lines are crossed and everything goes a bit too far. From the perspective of a young adult who experiences all the difficulties of a teenager including relationships, drinking, and pressures to be “the best” that occur on a daily basis. The author, Tom Hazuka, played varsity soccer in high school and college, and teaches fiction writing at Central Connecticut State University. Kamkwamba, William. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Have you ever read a phenomenal book which inspired you to reach for the stars? Did you follow this dream into success? William Kamkwamba had such a dream. William was born in Malawi, Africa where there was little food and extreme poverty. At the time, only two percent of Malawians had electricity. When his country was stricken by famine, William was forced to drop out of school, no longer able to pay the tuition of eighty dollars a year. Despite this bump in the road, William wanted badly to continue his science education. He starts building a windmill to bring multiple pleasures, including electricity, to his family. By providing electricity to his house and his village, people could for the first time conduct activity throughout the night and pump water into the village, allowing the Malawians to grow more than one crop a year, making the cultivation process much easier: “A windmill meant more than just power, it was freedom.” Initially mocked by his friends and neighbors (who never had enough money to enroll themselves in education), in the end the masterpiece William creates brings him fame and our world one step closer to going green. “William Kamkwamba’s achievements with wind energy should serve as a model of what one person, with an inspired idea, can do to tackle the crisis we face,” said Al Gore, former U.S. president. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a heartwarming story not only about perseverance, but harnessing the power of the mighty wind. Krakauer, Jon. Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman The story of pro-football-player-turned-Army Ranger Pat Tillman, whose death in the wilds of Afghanistan in 2004 created a scandal of government cover-up. Bestselling adventure writer Jon Krakauer (Into the Wild) renders an intimate portrait of Tillman brilliantly capturing the sadness, madness and heroism of the post-9/11 world. After the trade center attacks, Tillman, a rising football star, gives up a $3.6 million NFL deal with the Arizona Cardinals to join the military with his brother. From the outset, Pat was elevated by politicians and pundits as a symbol of America’s resolve, a role he detested and shunned, believing his football career afforded him no special status. After a grueling three-year training with the elite Army Rangers, however, instead of fighting terrorists, he found himself first deployed to Iraq--a war he called "an imperial whim." Tillman was later redeployed to Afghanistan, where he was killed in an incident of friendly fire, which the Army covered up for weeks while the government hailed Tillman as a hero. Drawing on interviews with family, fellow soldiers and correspondence, Krakauer’s page-turning account captures every detail--Tillman’s extraordinary character, including the “tragic virtues” that led him to give up a comfortable life and athletic stardom for the army; the harshness of military training and life; the rugged terrain of remote Afghanistan--and, of course, the ravages of war. Most critically, Krakauer, by telling Tillman's personal story and blowing apart the "cynical cover-up" that followed his killing, Krakauer lays bare the best-- and worst--of America's War on Terror. (Publishers Weekly) Lehane, Dennis. Shutter Island Lehane has written a blistering page-turner. We dare you to put it down. It's 1954, and U.S. Marshals Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule arrive at Shutter Island in Massachusetts' Outer Harbor in order to investigate the escape of a violent prisoner from Ashcliffe Hospital, a federal institution for the criminally insane. Although there is no conceivable way the prisoner could have left the island and must still be within the island’s confines, both men feel stonewalled and make no progress locating her. Meanwhile, the director of Ashecliffe seems to alternate between cold authoritarianism and sudden and sweeping compassion for his patients and Daniels and Aule. Enter an impending hurricane that traps all the island’s inhabitants. While preparing for its wrath, Aule disappears, and Daniels must now go it alone, spurred on by his belief that he has been fed psychotropic drugs by the director and that the hospital is not in fact a place of healing, but one of deception and experimentation. Lehane throws in one mind-bending plot twist after another in a psychological thriller that will leave readers in suspense right up to the end. A master of the adroit psychological detail, Lehane makes the horrors of the mean streets pale in comparison to the workings of the human mind. McDougall, Chris. Born to Run Why does my foot hurt? To answer the question McDougall takes you on an adventure through the Copper Canyons of Mexico to explore the ancient tribe of the Tarahumara. These tribal runners live in inhospitable conditions and are legendary for their ability to run long distances (30, 50, 100 miles!) barefoot without injury and without rest. They also possess uncanny health and immunity to the diseases and strife of modern day life. McDougall puts himself in the story as both journalist and running enthusiast, in search of the elusive Caballo Blanco, a mysterious visitor who lives among the tribe. As he searches treacherous canyons for superathletes, ones who could theoretically compete at the most elite levels in modern society even though their way of living is closer to that of 500 years ago, McDougall shares his personal stories of injury and tricks of the trade learned. He exposes the dietary secrets of the Tarahumara and why running barefoot is actually better for you. From the high tech labs of Harvard to the ultra-runner competitions across North America to the Nike design center, McDougall searches for a solution to his aching foot. This book is easy to get into and fairly quick to finish. Mezrich, Ben. The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook We all know what Facebook is. In fact, the majority of us use it on a daily basis. But what really went into the creation of Facebook? What were the creator’s motives? What we know as a social network, was that really always the plan? This book recreates the first few years of Facebook, starting with its conception. Through risky offers and plenty of betrayal, we see , your typically quiet, not so popular, computer hacker develop a site intended to keep college kids in touch. Enter into the equation Eduardo Saverin, a kid just trying to make it big in one of Harvard's Final Clubs. These two make up the Facebook team: Mark, the brains, and Eduardo, the money. But can their friendship stand up to the challenges they'll face? As the site grows and becomes more popular, the need to make it bigger and better also increases. Throw in the need for more money, potential expulsion, plenty of lawsuits, and you've got the founding of Facebook, a site meant to bring people together, but whose creators may get torn apart along the way. Just like the title says, this book is a tale of sex, money, genius, and betrayal. Patterson, James. Med Head Read Med Head to get inside Cory’s head. Cory is 17 years old and does not know what it is like to be “normal.” He has never attended more than two full days of school in a row and can’t sleep at night. He screams in discomfort, his body constantly in motion controlled by Tourette’s Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Cory’s father, Hal Friedman (along with James Patterson), tells the remarkable true story of his son’s struggle to achieve success. Follow Cory through his ups and downs, trying one medication and the next, feeling oppressed by the drugs yet socially unacceptable without them. We meet Cory on a mountain in a wheelchair, in a psych ward, and on the football field, trapped in his own thoughts forced to make impulsive decisions. Cory can’t refrain from turning the volume way up on the car radio or grabbing the steering wheel from his mother. Find out where Cory’s unbreakable spirit and determination take him, a story sure to inspire you. Salwen, Kenvin. The Power of Half The Salwen’s lived a typical family life. They went to school, work, and after school sports. They owned new cars, a spacious home, and took nice vacations. Yet, no amount of money could keep them from slowly drifting apart from one another. That is until freshman Hannah Salwen decides to make an impact on the world. Hannah felt her weekly feeding of the homeless at a local shelter was not enough to change their lives. After weeks of heated discussion, the Salwen family decides to sell their dream home, buy a house half its size, and donate half of the sale price to a needy charity. Neighbors and friends thought they were crazy. But their adventure takes them out of Atlanta, out of their comfort zone to worldwide charity headquarters, and ultimately Africa. There they start the Hunger Project and eventually write this book, www.thepowerofhalf.com. “It isn’t the amount you give; it’s how your giving changes your life—and others’.” A life changing story about how one family set out to consciously stop taking and start giving.

See, Lisa. Shanghai Girls This work of historical fiction is upbeat, action packed, fast paced and filled with controversy, love, war, and hope. Meet sisters Pearl and May: two beautiful, well-educated girls without a care in the world. They live frivolously off of their father’s fortune in the heart of . They are the Paris and Nikki Hilton’s of the 1930s--they are Shanghai Girls. Days are reserved for shopping and nights for partying. Modeling is the only skill they have to put on a resume, but to them it’s all okay. That is, until their father gambles away their money and in a desperate attempt to pay back the debt, sells his most prized possession, his daughters. The girls refuse to be sold off into marriage and instead run away. But when war breaks out, the girls are forced to run for their lives. They barely escape the bombs and gunfire that destroy the only home they have ever known. Follow these sisters as they make the journey of a lifetime to America. They expect to experience wealth and freedom in this new world but quickly find out that it’s not that simple. The US doesn’t welcome these girls or the other thousands of immigrants who accompanied them on a crowded ship to come to the land of opportunity. What happens when years of secrets start to unravel and the sister’s can’t even trust each other? To where do they turn? Who can help them in this foreign country? See does an amazing job illustrating the struggles immigrants face when coming to America. Although this novel takes place in the 30s, it is relevant today and written with a powerful voice. This book will not disappoint! Stockett, Kathryn. The Help The Help is the story of three women living in the changing and uncertain world of America's south in the 1960s. First there is Skeeter, a brilliant writer with a college degree. But Skeeter's mother will not be satisfied until Skeeter finds a husband. Trapped within the confines of white wealthy society, Skeeter searches to find the truth about what happened to her childhood companion and maid, Constance. She means to break free in order to do what she wants with her own life. Aibeleen is a black maid in rich white people's households. Everyday she takes care of kids and raises them like her own, only to have them grow up with the same prejudice as their parents. While raising her 17th white child, her son is killed at work. His employers look the other way. Something inside her snaps and although completely devoted to the little girl she takes care of, she knows something has to change. Minny is Aibeleen's best friend, the best cook in Mississipi, but she has a knack for getting herself into trouble. She has lost yet another job because she can't hold her tongue. Minny, who dislikes white people as much as they dislike her, is about to learn through hardship, good times, and misadventure, how alike all of us really are and that the color of your skin does not define the kindness of your heart. This unlikly trio team up to anonymously battle prejudice in the south through a project, a book of interviews of Misssissipi’s maids titled The Help. If found out, it could mean disaster for them. Stowe, Harriet Beecher. Uncle Tom’s Cabin “One of the greatest productions of the human mind.” --Tolstoy Upon meeting Stowe, Abraham Lincoln allegedly remarked, 'So this is the little lady who started this new great war!” This is the moving abolitionist novel that fueled the fire of the human rights debate in 1852 and melodramatically condemned the institution of slavery through such powerfully realized characters as Tom, Eliza, Topsy, Eva, and Simon Legree. First published more than 150 years ago, this classic work is still relevant today. Westerfeld, Scott. Leviathan In the early 1900s Europe is at war with itself. The Clankers, who consist of the Autro-Hungarians and Germans, believe in the use of machines as weaponry. The British Darwinists,who believe in the work of Charles Darwin, employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their secret weapon is a gigantic airship made from a fabricated whale, one called the Leviathan. In this alternative history, Westerfeld describes the strength and struggles between each superpower through the eyes of teenage characters Alek and Deryn. The constant change of pace and the change of perspective significantly adds to the quality of this story. Aleksander and Deryn are enemies yet don’t even know each other. Aleksander Ferdinand’s (prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire) own people turn on him. After the assassination of his parents, he flees the country to neutral Switzerland with the aid of a stormwalker, a steam-driven vehicle used by the Clankers. On the British side, Deryn Sharp’s fascination of flying leads her to an unexpected and illegal place on the legendary Leviathan as part of the British Air Service. The British Military needs the aid of the Leviathan and the British Fleet to transport a top-secret government science project over land conquered by the Austro- Hungarians. The Great War is about to begin, with the two superpowers at each other’s throats. Westerman, Robin. Skinned Ever thought of dying, but wanted to live forever? Lia is given this opportunity after she dies in a car accident and is downloaded into a new body, a machine with the make up of a human. Her kind are called Skinners. Lia now has to live in a world as an outcast to her family and friends, having no limits, doing reckless things, but living forever. Lia struggles with understanding she isn’t the old Lia anymore. Will Lia find where she fits in? Can Lia let go of her old self and past, because the old Lia is dead? This is a futuristic story about social society, technology, finding your self, and letting go. Windham, John. The Chrysalids Several thousand years into the post-apocalyptic future, beliefs are divided as to what the true norm is. Young David Storm lives in Waknuk, a tight-knit community of religious and genetic fundamentalists, always on the alert for any deviation from the norm of God’s creation. Here, the norm is to achieve the closest possible resemblance to “Old People”, a superior civilization that has long ceased to exist. At first, David does not question. Then, however, he realizes that he, too, is out of the ordinary, in possession of a power that could doom him to death. Any person with a mutation, no matter how minor, is blasphemous. Once discovered, mutants are either killed or exiled to the Fringes, an area only inhabited by other mutants. But David is not alone. There are others like him and they form a strong bond. They struggle to blend into society, unable to trust anyone but each other. For years, they go undetected, but suspicions rise after a couple of acts of carelessness, their lives now in danger as they fight for their freedom. The Chrysalids is from the classic era of science fiction, a Voltairean philosophical tale.