Azu Manga Daioh: by Kiyohiko Azuma

A hilarious story about a group of high school girls different yet fun. Young Chiyo-Chan, a ten year old elementary student so smart she transfers to high school. Tomo, she dumber than Chiyo-Chan and annoys everyone with her way to energetic attitude! Yomi, sophisticated, smart, but always fears being overweight. Osaka, she also transferred but is the same age as everyone else except Chiyo-Chan, she has another name but Tomo decided she would be named after where she was last from, she has a very odd way of thinkin and easily gets offtrack. Sakaki, cool, quiet, busty, tall, sportsey and tough, that is all most people think of her but she has one secret love, cats! Kagura, very stong, busty, energetic, dumb, and unfocesed. Mrs. Yukari, she's lazy, unorganized, loves getting drunk, the teacher of the girls and best friend of the p.e. teacher everyone loves. Mrs. Kurosawa, loved by students, teaches P.E. and is annoyed by her best friend all the time. These characters are the main people in this story but everyone else just makes it more fun. Their crazy adventeres and wacky times show the whole high school expierience in 4 books put in 1!

Fly By Night: by Frances Hardinge

In a world where reading can condemn you to death. One very different girl searches for her place among an unknown city. Having no ties to anyone but a known criminal, her journey could take her anywhere. She knows secrets she shouldn't and people who just as her, can read. When she is asked to be a spy for two enemies she has to choose correctly or everything could come crashing down on her and everyone else in the city. She must find the people who were once tied to her father and ask their assistance. When she can't run from those trying to kill her she must create a plan to save her new found friends. Read this thrilling novel where nothing is as it seems and no one is who they appear to be.

Rowan, Damia, and Damia's child: by Anne McCaffery

Ever wondered what it might be like in another universe. In these thrilling stories it tells the lifes of certain individuals. They are destined for hardship. Something new happens in every chapter. Its unexpected and adventurous! The universe has many different planets with different alien races on each. Even though they're different each race has certain people called talents with different ranking levels of power. The talents work together in towers under very strong talents called primes. The talents use their minds to teleport things to other planets. Come read this collection of tales today!

Need a Book Suggestion?

Having a hard time finding a good book? Or do you hate reading but need a book for an outside reading requirement? Send a comment about what you need and maybe we can give you some ideas. It helps if I know what grade you are in and what previous books you may have enjoyed or liked to give me an idea. Or tell me what kinds of books you want to read about (nonfiction, fiction, adventure, mystery, short and simple, etc.). If you like to read about a particular topic (e.g., cloning), I may have some stories about it. If you don't hear from me, send me an email, willoughby@pvpusd.k12.ca.us.

Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

"Do Indian Reservations still exist?" This was a question a student asked me last school year. Yes, they do, and a great fiction book that gives you an idea of some of the issues on Reservations is revealed in this teen book called True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (2007, 230 p.). It's humorous at times, realistic, and honest. On top of that, the narrator, 14 year-old Arnold Spirit aka Junior, is a talented artist whose drawings are featured throughout the book. Some of the issues presented are self-concept, identity, racism (white vs. Native-American), and life on the reservation. I enjoyed this. What about you?

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Are you a twin? Or are you a reader who enjoys mysteries along the line of Rebecca by DuMaurier (which is another recommendation if you haven't read it already) or classics like Jane Eyre? If so, try The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (2006, 406 p). It has a gothic flavor and is about an aging reclusive author who hires a person to write her biography, which then reveals her mysterious past involving a governess, ghosts, feral twins, a fire and more. Share your comments after you read the book!

Feed by M. T. Anderson

Mature science fiction enthusiasts might find the fiction book Feed by M.T. Anderson worth a try (2002, 237 p.). The title refers to brain implants that provide instantaneous communication and information. The setting is a future society in which teens travel to the moon for spring break and are bombarded by constant advertising through their feeds. It's thought-provoking, like the novel 1984, and focuses on teen culture. The main character is a Titus, a typical teen of that time, who befriends Violet, a rather unusual teen whose brain implant occurred later in her life, making it susceptible to problems and failure.

Dead Lucky: Life After Death on Mount Everest by Lincoln Hall

If you enjoyed Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer or if you like nonfiction adventure-type stories, try Dead Lucky: Life After Death on Mount Everest by Lincoln Hall (2007, 287 p.) Lincoln Hall, an experienced climber, recounts his experience climbing Mt. Everest in the spring of 2006, at what became perhaps the second deadliest mountain climbing expedition in its history (after the one described in Into Thin Air). Hall was declared dead and left behind after he collapsed from altitude sickness. He describes his miraculous rescue and recovery. Available in the PVHS library. Share your comments after reading this book!