SKINNY BOY by Gary Grahl

I MUST WORKOUT! I MUST LOSE WEIGHT! I AM WAY TOO FAT TO EVER BECOME THE PRO BASEBALL PLAYER EVERYONE THINKS I CAN BE. Wait...why is it so hard to swing a bat? Why can't I throw the ball all the way to first base? I'm so tired. This isn't working out quite the way I planned. Skinny Boy is the true story of Gary Grahl who at the age of 15 was trapped in his own body by a voice in his head that told him constantly that was not good enough, not skinny enough, and not strong enough. From there he fell into the black hole that is Anorexia which was accompanied by an addiction to exercise that woke him up at 4 in the morning to start his exhausting workouts. This book chronicles his path to recovery through multiple hospitalizations. This book gives readers a unique perspective on an illness that is all too common among young girls and boys. The story is told in a narrative between Gary and the voice in his head. This perspective allows readers to sympathize with Gary throughout his struggle. READ IT! or don't

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATOO by Stieg Larsson

Strong characters, unique setting. This is the first of a trilogy involving Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist and Lisbeth Salander, a freelance investigator. Mikael has just been convicted of libel and is at odds. Since he is tainted by his conviction, he distances himself from his magazine, The Millenium. Lisbeth Salander is a character unlike others. She displays Asperger tendencies, is incredibly intelligent, has a photographic memory and is a world-class computer hacker. She lacks most social graces, which makes getting along with others difficult. Lisbeth and Mikael take on a assignment with a family, which has huge manufacturing holdings. The task is to investigate the disapperance of a young female family member from thirty-five years before. The story rivets the reader. There are many twists and turns before the satisfying conclusion. The story is compelling and you will immediately want the second in the series so you can continue the reading pleasure. READ IT! or don't

-Carolyn Hirst-Loucks

THE GLASS CASTLE by Jeanette Walls

In my own opinion I believe that the book the glass castle is indeed a very good book if you like drama and conflicts in peoples lives and that Is exactly what I like I think that is why I really liked this book. The glass castle can actually teach you in some ways what you should do in real life like if you think about it all the drama Jeanette and her siblings went through with their parents they still grow up to be successful young adult. So the lesson here is never let anything bring you down no matter how hard you life is because you never know what life has to offer you. I'm just a high school senior but this book is probably the best book I have ever read in my own perspective. Another lesson this book kind of shows is that never let your habits get the best of you because you never know how they could hurt you in so many different ways but also hurt your loved ones even worse. READ IT! or don't.

CANDY by Kevin Brooks

The book Candy, by Kevin Brooks displays irony throughout the whole book, making you not want to put it down. One of the main characters, Joe, a quiet music lover boy, becomes deeply infatuated with a mysterious girl, Candy. Candy has a life full of secrets and not the normal everyday teenage life. Joe falls in love with Candy which turns both of their lives upside down. READ IT! or don't

--Veronica C.

BRIAN'S RETURN by Gary Paulsen

This book is a great book for someone who likes to read about true life and death situation where one boy gets rescued from living a year in the Alaska wilderness. After returning to city life he realizes he can't stand it and returns to the wilderness once more. READ IT! or don't

--Corey

BRIAN'S HUNT by Gary Paulsen

The books by Gary Paulsen are amazing tales of how one young teenager named Brian is involved in a plane crash and lives in the wild for a year. Brian learns how to hunt for food. The shelter he built even got attacked by a bear but amazingly he kills the bear by himself. READ IT!! or don't

-Corey