Category Archives: Fiction

“The Red Pyramid”

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan       If you’re already a fan of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, you’re going to love this book. And if you haven’t had the pleasure of reading Riordan yet, start here. … Continue reading

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fable/Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“The Women”

The Women by T. C. Boyle Yes, this is an odd book to include in a blog of book reviews for high school students. But when the CHS seniors were looking for works of (loosely historical) fiction to read before … Continue reading

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Over 375 pages | Leave a comment

“Angle of Repose”

  This is California Writers’ Month–and to celebrate, we read books by California authors.  I’m very excited because, as part of the celebration, on Thursday night, I’ll be reading aloud a few pages from the new book Tattoos on the Heart … Continue reading

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Over 375 pages | Tagged | Leave a comment

“Looking for Alaska”

Update—Had to add this sweet video and John Green’s thoughts on the novel. Looking for Alaska by John Green Since I loved Will Grayson so much, I had to read Looking for Alaska, also by John Green. Like Will Grayson, … Continue reading

Posted in "Banned Book", Controversial Issue/Debate, Fiction, Young Adult Literature | 1 Comment

“The House of the Scorpion”

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer     I was looking for a ‘guy’ book to read and found a book for everyone. A future gone very wrong, suspense, greed, the corruption of absolute power, questions about science (genetics) and … Continue reading

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Human Rights Issues, Over 375 pages, Sci-Fi/Futuristic, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Liar”

Liar by Justine Larbalestier   Micah is the ‘after-school’ girlfriend of Zach Rubin—who has a ‘real’ girlfriend at school. No one else knows about their relationship. Both are excellent runners, although, again, no one knows this about Micah. She hides the … Continue reading

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Multicultural, Young Adult Literature | 2 Comments

“Marcelo in the Real World”

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork Marcelo has Asperger’s Syndrome, and says that he fails to understand others’ emotions and expressions. He admits that he may not be able to feel the same thing that others describe as … Continue reading

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Young Adult Literature | Tagged | Leave a comment

“Thirteen Reasons Why”

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher I read this novel not long ago and have been thinking of it over the past several days—since it was reported in the news that a gay teen had killed himself after his roommate … Continue reading

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Fiction, Movie Tie-In, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , | 1 Comment

“The Satanic Verses” and “Midnight’s Children”

Salman Rushdie—Midnight’s Children and The Satanic Verses The publication of The Satanic Verses brought on a fatwa (Islamic judicial decree) from the Iranian religious ruler Ayatollah Khomeini that Rushdie as well as anyone involved in the publication of the book … Continue reading

Posted in "Banned Book", Controversial Issue/Debate, Fiction, Over 375 pages | Leave a comment

“Will Grayson, Will Grayson”

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan  How many times have you texted the message ‘LOL’ or ‘ROFLMAO’ when you are doing neither one? In fact, when was the last time you really laughed out loud—uncontrollably, in … Continue reading

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment