My Secret Guide to Paris by Lisa Shroeder

This book is about a girl, whose name is Nora, she and her grandma just planned a trip to Paris together. But unfortunately, her grandma just passed away. One day, Nora knows there are going to be wonderful surprises waiting for her in Paris, and maybe she'll find a way to heal her broken heart. the theme for this book is never giving up, because, for example, Nora tries different ways to make her mom want to go to Paris with herself. Also, while you're reading this book, it'll keep on grabbing your attention, and, I would recommend for ages 8 - 12 to read this book! Patrina C., Grade 6

Hagakure by Yamamoto Tsunetomo

The main idea is about the samurai spirit and Bushido. This book has positive and negative elements. The positive elements are the Bushido rules and philosophy. The negative element in this story is seppuku. I recommend this book for people who are 14 and older and who are really into the code of the samurai. Christian H., Grade 9

Matched by Ally Condle

In The Society, your choices are made for you. But when Cassia's match (the perfect partner), Xander, her very best friend, appears on the Matching Screen, she is excited. Cassia accepts the information card for Xander, which she reviews at home. But as she stares at Xander's face, another face flashes before going dark. It is Ky, a mysterious boy at school. Now Cassia is faced with something she has never made before a choice. I recommend this book to ages 11 and up. Paloma B., Grade 6

The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick

The main themes of this book are survival and escape. The story is set to the future, where people live off probes, with grey skies, and the Urb divided into latches controlled by different gangs. Eden is the only place where good exists, but only the genetically improved humans live there. The main character, Spaz, risks his life to escape his latch, and goes on a adventure to reach his sister suffering from a major illness. I recommend this book for students who enjoy science fiction. Mia J., Grade 8

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery

The little prince lives alone on a small planet about the size of a house. Not exactly alone, since the day his beautiful flower was born. The little prince then starts on a journey to visit other planets, in order to add to his knowledge. The seventh planet he visited was Earth, where the narrator of this story finds the little prince after a plane crash on the desert. The book describes a sort of philosophy towards the world. I recommend this to middle school kids to adults, so the reader could understand the true meanings behind the story. Mia J., Grade 8

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood

The main themes of this novel are friendship, family, and morality. The story is set to the time when Queen Elizabeth the I reigned in England. The main character, widge is an orphan who later finds himself apprenticed to the players of William Shakespeare himself! He makes new friends and as a orphan, feels the love of friendship and family for the first time. But will he ever be able to belong if the reason he joined the players at all was to steal one of Mr. Shakespeare's plays for his master? Mia J., Grade 8

Graceful by Wendy Mass

Graceful by Wendy Mass is the last book in Wendy Mass' birthday series. In this book Grace and all the characters in the previous books come back to save the town where all the stories took place. Will team Grace be able to save the special little town? Find out in Graceful. Ava D., Grade 6

11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass

11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass is a book about friendships. Amanda and Leo are truly the best of friends celebrating every birthday together until the turn 11. This is because during their tenth birthday Amanda over hears some boys telling Leo how uncool it is to have his party with a girl every year. The she doesn't talk to him until their 11th birthday when strange things start happening where they will need each other to figure it out. Ava D., Grade 6

Sunny Sweet is so Not Sorry byJennifer Ann Mann

This is a story about friendship and cooperation are very important skills for siblings to have. After the sisters have a crazy day they end up needing each other more than ever. I would recommend this story because it shows it might now always be easy to accomplish something but if you work together you can get it done. Ava D., Grade 6

Scat by Carl Hiassen

Mrs. Starch, the infamous biology teacher at Truman School has gone missing after a field trip with her 3rd grade class in Black Vine Swamp. When they were there a "wildfire" broke out and caused them to leave early. The shocking new discovery proves that the fire wasn't a wildfire, it was arson! Truman School's principal, Dr. Dressler receives a letter saying that Starch is just dealing with a family emergency. But Nick and Marta, two of her students don't believe the letter at all because Mrs. Starch has no known family. Recent sightings of endangered Florida panthers in the area are rumors Red Diamond Energy Corporation a new oil company drilling near Black Vine Swamp. Could any of these events and rumors be related to the arson? Jason L., Grade 6

Flush by Carl Hiassen

Noah's dad thinks Dusty Muleman's casino boat, the Coral Queen is spoiling the ocean water by illegally dumping human sewage straight into the Florida Bay, so Noah's dad sinks it. Now Noah's dad is in jail and the Coral Queen is back in commission. No one has the evidence to bust Dusty Muleman though. Noah and his younger sister, Abbey are trying to prove their father's accusation and they meet a mysterious pirate that they have never met before. It's all up to Noah and Abbey to bust Dusty Muleman and save the ocean, and to deal with their complicated family problem. Jason L., Grade 6

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

The main idea of this book is how people can change with the help of others who are willing to help. The positive thing about this book is it shows depth into how a person can change their ways from bad to good. I recommend this book for 7th and 8th graders. It can inspire people to change their ways. Maximillian M., Grade 8

The Brimstone Key by Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis

This book is about a group of kids who call themselves the Grey Griffins. They fight fairies, werewolves, and other monsters who align themselves with the Knights Templar, an organization dedicated to protect good from evil. The main villain, Otto Von Strife, is after the Brimstone Key, a key that can unlock the evil world to get his daughter back. Who will get it first? The main theme is making good decisions. Will Max follow in his father's footsteps? For ages 8 - 12. Matthew H., Grade 7