Wonder

By: R.J. Palacio

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 316

Published: 2012

Told In: First Person

 “Movie” Rating: G

Compare to:

Stargirl, Jerry Spinelli

Counting by 7s, Holly Goldberg Sloan

The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet, Erin Dionne

In a nutshell:

Starting middle school is hard enough for most but especially for August who was born with face deforming gene and has never attended school before. But being around other kids may be just what he―and the other students―need.

What you may enjoy:

Beautifully written with lovable characters. This is a happy, hopeful story. It moves along quickly and gives the perspective of several characters. The writing is so smooth that reading just 10 pages turns into 50. For a light, sweet book there is a lot of depth.

What you may NOT enjoy:

The purposeful typos and errors in some characters’ perspectives is distracting. The overarching moral that all problems can be solved by being nice bothers some readers. And structures of the plot are set up a little too perfectly.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Mentioned that a woman died of a heart attack; boy punched in the mouth; dog dies

Sex and Nudity:

Boy and girl kiss (twice)

Language and Profanity:

God (9 times)

Drugs and Alcohol

Teenage smoking 

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Maisie Dobbs

By: Jacqueline Winspear

Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery

Pages: 309

Published: 2004

Told In: Third Person

Series: Maisie Dobbs, Book 1 of 13

“Movie” Rating: PG

Compare to:

A Duty to the Dead, Charles Todd

The Face of a Stranger, Anne Perry

Somewhere in France, Jennifer Robson

In a nutshell:

Maisie was born to humble circumstances, but her sharp mind opens up many opportunities for her including attending college, working as a nurse during WWI and then running her own detective agency. But then one case brings back all the memories of her life and country at war.

What you may enjoy:

The horrors of war are not descriptive, but they are there. The book captures the time period well, depicting the social climate of the time. The history and mystery are well woven together. A delightful journey watching how Maisie grows and learns.

What you may NOT enjoy:

The main character is a little too perfect for some readers to enjoy. The flashbacks interrupt the mystery plotline, although the mystery itself is a weak part in the story. Also, there is a tendency to get confused by all the characters at the beginning.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Man shot himself (mentioned); men shot in war (mentioned); men injured in war (mentioned); injuries mentioned; men die of war injuries; blood mentioned several times; blood on girl’s hands.

Sex and Nudity:

Suggested affair; woman kisses man; man kisses woman several times; man and woman kiss several times

Language and Profanity:

Damn, Bastards, Hell (5 times), God (5 times)

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Red Planet

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi

Pages: 256

Published: 1949

Told In: Third Person

“Movie” Rating: G

Compare to:

A Wrinkle in Time; Madeleine L’Engle

The Stars, Like Dust; Isaac Asimov

Ender’s Game; Orson Scott Card

In a nutshell:

When Jim’s alien friend, Willis, overhears and records a plot that threatens all of the colonists on Mars, they embark on an adventure to save everyone they care about.

What you may enjoy:

Heinlein makes life on Mars fun and thought out. The Martians keep the book puzzling and intriguing. The main characters in the story are engaging and endearing.   

What you may NOT enjoy:

The story contains some gaps and the conflict itself is weak, like its “bad guys.” There is also a good amount of sexism and some racism within the book.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Man and woman shot and killed; man shot and killed; man shot and wounded; men disappear.

Sex and Nudity:

None

Language and Profanity:

damning

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The Rent Collector

By: Camron Wright

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 304

Published: 2012

Told In: First Person

“Movie” Rating: PG

Compare to:

Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini

Letters in the Jade Dragon Box, Gale Sears

The Book Thief, Markus Zusak

In a nutshell:

Sang Ly lives in a Cambodian dump with her husband and ailing child. In a last desperate hope to help her family, Sang Ly learns to read from their bitter rent collector.

What you may enjoy:

This is a book of hope and happiness in difficult circumstances. It teaches literature and the importance of an education. If you are looking for an inspirational, moving book this just might be for you.

What you may NOT enjoy:

The attitude and mannerisms of the characters in the book seem out of place, as if they have been Americanized. The voice of the main character feels unauthentic, and the ending is weak.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Boy run over by a truck; man beaten by a gang; woman slaps girl; boy beaten; boy stabbed, laying in a pool of blood with broken limbs; people shot and killed; man and woman shot and killed; baby shot and killed.

Sex and Nudity:

Man takes off his wife’s clothes; girl to be sold as a prostitute

Language and Profanity:

Damn (3 times)

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Alanna: The First Adventure

By: Tamora Pierce

Genre: Young Adult/Teen Fantasy

Pages: 274

Published: 1983
Told In: Third Person

Series: Song of the Lioness, Book 1 of 4

“Movie” Rating: G

Compare to:

The Seer and the Sword, Victoria Hanley

Rowan Hood, Nancy Springer

The Blue Sword, Robin McKinley

In a nutshell:

Disguised as a boy, Alanna takes her twin brother’s place at the palace as a page learning to become a knight.

What you may enjoy:

Fantastic world with a strong female character. The story is packed with magic, mystery, and adventure. Alanna is a great role model for young girls. The plot line is light and fun.

What you may NOT enjoy:

Although unique for the time it was published, there are now many similar stories. Long YA books were rare, so Alanna packs in a lot of years and experiences into one book.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Girl held by a dark force; girl fights magical beings; boy beats girl; girl beats boy; boy dies

Sex and Nudity:

None. Note: starting with book 2 sex and a form of birth control are introduced

Language and Profanity:

Damned

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