Mattie Cook lives with her mother and grandfather in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the capitol of the United States of America in 1793. The Cook family owns a thriving coffeehouse, but everything changes when a fever breaks out in the city. Mattie’s mother falls ill and insists that Mattie and her grandfather leave to seek refuge in the country. Mattie and her Grandfather don’t make it to the country, and they end up separated from Mattie’s mother without indication of whether she survived the fever. Learn about daily life in the 1790s and about the devastating yellow fever epidemic through Mattie’s fight for survival.
Must Read Books
Fever 1793
May 18, 2012
Tara
The Arrival
Ever wonder what it would feel like to move to another country, where you didn’t know the language or how to find your way around? Tan gives a wonderful depiction of immigration in The Arrival. This graphic novel doesn’t have words, but the story of an immigrant man is beautifully told through other-worldly, mystical pictures that give you an understanding of what the main character is going through. The story comes full circle when the man who came to the new country finally brings his family to live with him, and his daughter is able to help other immigrants adjust to a new way of life.
May 18, 2012
Tara
There Is No Dog
Here's a story about God. God is a 19-year-old boy named Bob. He is lazy, arrogant, whiny, and lusts after mortal girls. Every time he falls in love, natural disasters hit Earth. Bob makes a mess of everything. Following him around to clean up the messes is Mr. B, who finally tires of the job and the responsibility. Completely different from Rosoff's previous novels, There Is No Dog is imaginative, entertaining and very funny.
May 10, 2012
Andrea
Playground
Who knew 50 Cent could write so well? Based on his own childhood, Playground is about middle school student Butterball, who winds up in counseling after beating another student with a sock full of batteries. Being overweight, Butterball knows what it's like to be made fun of by his peers, but still manages to turn into a violent bully. As the story progresses, so does Butterball. He grows and matures and is even likable as he makes necessary changes in himself. This is a very fast read and surprisingly well done.
May 10, 2012
Andrea
The Big Crunch
Teen love often seem to not last long, quickly changing with the seasons. In Pete Hautman's The Big Crunch, Wes and June's romance isn't a storybook romance. They do not fall in love at first sight. After bumping into each other, their friendship slowly morphs into love. June's father's job is constantly changing and she is constantly moving as a result. This puts a crimp in her relationship with Wes and they deal with it. Nothing out of the ordinary happens in this book. These are typical teens with typical issues. But that doesn't make the book boring. On the contrary, this is a sweet and sincere story all teens can relate to. As a bonus, it is quite funny.
May 6, 2012
Andrea
Tantalize
If you love Twilight or the Sookie Stackhouse books, you'll enjoy Tantalize. Quincie lives in Austin, Texas, where vampires and werewolves are quite common. In fact, her best friend and secret crush, Kieran, is half werewolf. To Quincie's dismay, Kieran's leaving town to perform an ancient rite-of-passage. Will his leaving tear them apart forever? Also on Quincie's plate: She and her Uncle Davidson are about to re-open her parents' Italian restaurant with a new vampire theme. Sanguini's, they're calling it. Just before Sanguini's opens, the chef is brutally murdered, and Kieran is now the prime suspect. This is the first book in the Tantalize series by Cynthia Leitich Smith.
Apr 26, 2012
Liz
Sister Mischief
Set in Christian-conservative Holyhill, a Minneapolis suburb, Esme is a Jewish lesbian rapper. So she sticks out just a bit along with her crew of other females looking to start a queer hip-hop movement at her school. Some drama ensues for Esme, both romantically and with school administration. Sister Mischief is a witty, sweet, fun and empowering novel championing love and diversity.
Apr 26, 2012
Andrea
Article 5
In a post-war America, life is governed by the Moral Statutes. Seventeen-year-old Ember and her mother are separated based on Article 5. Ember is sent to a rehabilitation center but is determined to be reunited with her mother. Chase, her old neighbor, comes to her rescue. A thrilling story of two people fighting the odds and keeping one step ahead of the law and death.
Apr 23, 2012
Susan
Keesha's House
Told in alternating voices through poetic forms, Keesha's House tells the interrelated stories of seven teenagers who are trying to find their ways in life. A powerful story about young people just trying to find safe, loving homes.
Apr 4, 2012
Susan
Down the Mysterly River
If you're a fan of more whimsical fantasies like The Wizard of Oz or The Wind in the Willows, you'll like Down the Mysterly River. Max the Wolf is an expert boy scout and solver of mysteries, and his most current case is his most troubling to date. He just arrived in a dangerous forest with no recollection of how, and he's being hunted by Cutters, who will strip you of your identity and erase your memory. His only friends are a badger, a moody barn cat, and a bear that was once a sheriff. Their journey down the Mysterly River is frought with danger and will make you wonder if Max can make it back home alive.
Apr 2, 2012
Liz