Student Book Suggestions

More Student Book suggestions coming soon..............

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During Teen Read Week 10/13/08-10/17/08...students at VWJHS shared some 
thoughts on books they thought might be interesting.....

Samantha G, thought a great science fiction read would be Double Identity by 
Margaret Peterson Haddix which is about a girl named Bethany who is dropped 
off at her unknown Aunt Myrlie's house by her parents where she figures out 
she once had a sister. Bethany has lost contact with her parents and their 
cell phones are disconnected. Bethany searches for clues and answers to all 
of her questions. Will she find out about her family's mysterious past? For a 
great read, check out Double Identity. 

"I liked this book because at any point in the book when Bethany figures 
something out, a new problem appears."
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Amber J., thought a great science fiction read would be Uglies by Scott 
Westerfield which is about a world where when you turn 16 you go through an 
operation where you turn "pretty." This world is supposed to be perfect, but 
some uglies would rather keep their own face so they run away and end up 
uncovering secrets about the operation. Uglies is the first book in the 
trilogy. 

"I like this book because it is full of excitement and is adventurous."


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Mary W., 7th grader read Corrie ten Boom: The Watchmaker's Daughter by Jean 
Watson....

When Corrie ten Boom was born, the world was at peace. When Corrie passed 
away the world was at peace. But during years in her adulthood, World War II 
was going on and that made life difficult. During Corrie's childhood, she had 
a good life and lived with her family including some aunts in Amsterdam, 
Holland. Following her father's trade, she became the first woman to be a 
licensed watchmaker in Holland in 1922. This was great news for Corrie and 
her family, since she could now help out her father in his shop. War came 
soon enough and Corrie was there to help. From 1942-44 Corrie helped hide 
many Jewish people in her family's house. Unfortunately, in 1944 the ten Boom 
family was arrested for helping Jews. Corrie went to different locations and 
concentration camps to serve her time. Corrie remained positive even when she 
was freezing or sick. She followed her religion and her faith helped her in 
the tough times. A year later she was released out of the camps and then she 
opened up a couple of different places for people sick or damaged by the war. 
Read Corrie ten Boom: The Watchmaker's Daughter by Jean Watson to learn about 
Corrie's inspirational life and her amazing, true story.

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Mary W., 7th Grader read Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons by Ann Rinaldi...

When I first picked up this book to read, I thought ut had quite a unique 
title. Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons is a historical fiction novel about 
Phillis growing up in Boston, MA. Everyone knows she was the first African-
American woman poet, but not alot of people know about her life. This book 
gives you an inside picture of what Phillis' life was probably like. For 
example, Phillis was taught to read and write by her masters and mistresses 
and was treated like a daughter and sister in the Wheatley family. Don't 
underestimate this tale because it might seem too historical or boring. This 
book was informational, but I continued reading it to find out what happened 
to Phillis next. If you would like to find out whT Ann Rinaldi (the author) 
means by Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons, read this book today!

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Marissa C. 6th Grader read Cracker by Cynthis Kadohata.....

Cracker by Cynthia Kadohata is about "Cracker" (a German shepard) and the 
soldier he is assigned to work with in Vietnam. This is a historical fiction 
novel. 

"I believe the author wrote the book because she wanted to show people how a 
dog can change someones life and how the dogs were used in Vietnam. My 
favorite characters are Willie and Cracker. They are my favorites because of 
the bond they shared and how nice they both were."

Read Cracker to get your own perspective on a dog's life in Vietnam!

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Recommended by a 6th grader

Edgar and Ellen Tourist Trap by Charles Ogden 
Illustrated by Rick Carton

"It's election season in Nod's Limbs and Edgar and Ellen get wind of plans 
for an initiative to boost the local economy. The town's pending landmark 
status and the Mayor's own repuutation depend on making Nod's Limbs a premier 
tourist attraction. Edgar and Ellen will make sure the goody-goody Mayor and 
townspeople get the attantion they deserve! Hilarious!"

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Various 6th, 7th and 8th graders have recommended the following:

Code Orange by Caroline Cooney

Flush by Carl Hiasson

Twilight by Stephanie Meyers



MORE TO COME..........