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RECOMMENDED READING FOR AGES 9-12
YOUNG ADULT IS HERE

More Recommended Books for this Age Group in:
Fairy Tales/Folk Tales/Legends/Myths
History, Black History, Women in History, Math & Science, Nature, Bully Books
and
The Newbery Medals

Click on Author for Bio, Title for Reviews and/or Educational material; and Amazon for additional reviews.
REVIEWS
9-12 Sabin, Francene Amelia Earhart : Adventure in the Sky @AMAZON
10 Up Sachar, Louis
[Resource File]
HOLES @AMAZON
8-12 Sandburg, Carl [Resource File] Rootabaga Stories
More Rootabaga Stories
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
9-12 Say, Allen [Bio 2] The Inn-Keeper's Apprentice Teachers Notes
Note: See Special Book Section for 4-8 Allen Say Books
@AMAZON
9-12 Schaefer, Jack (1907-1991)
[Resource File]
Old Ramon @AMAZON
9-12 Scieszka, Jon [Resource File] Summer Reading Is Killing Me! @AMAZON
10-13 Scott, Elaine Secrets of the Cirque Medrano [1904 an orphaned girl is sent to Paris to live with relatives who own a cafe frequented by Picasso and a group of artists and writers. She is fascinated with Cirque Medrano (circus)./This is Picasso's Blue Period.] Learn more/Teacher's Guide @AMAZON
9-12 Seidler, Tor The Dulcimer Boy (2003) [a journey of self discovery]
The Tar Pit
A Rat's Tale
Mean Margaret [the foibles of self-centeredness ]
Terpin [the power and consequences of speaking the truth]
Brothers Below Zero [Sibling Rivalry]
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
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8 Up Selden, George (1929-89)
Garth Williams (1912-96) Illustrator
Harry Kitten and Tucker Mouse
The Cricket in Times Square [Lesson Plan] [summary/activities/study of crickets
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
9-12 Selznick, Brian The Invention of Hugo Cabret [Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.] @AMAZON
8-12 Sepulveda, Luis The Story of the Seagull and the Cat Who Taught Her To Fly @AMAZON
7-12 Shannon, George More Stories to Solve: Fifteen Folktales from Around the World
Stories to Solve: Folktales from Around the World
More True Lies: 18 Tales for You to Judge
10-14 Shipton, Paul The Pig Scrolls by Gryllus the Pig [mythology and an heroic pig]
The Pig Who Saved the World by Gryllus the Pig
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
10-12 Shreve, Susan Richards  Ghost Cats @AMAZON
9-12 Silberberg, Alan Pond Scum [Smart, original, humorous story excellent for discussions about the balance of an ecosystem and the various animal groups.] And, don't pull the wings off flies! @AMAZON
9-12 Sills, Leslie Inspirations : Stories About Women Artists
Visions : Stories About Women Artists
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
9-12 Singer, Marilyn Circus Lunicus @AMAZON
9-12 Smith, Robert Kimmel The War With Grandpa [Resource File]
Chocolate Factory [Lesson Plan Activities]
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
9-12 Lemony Snicket A Series of Unfortunate Events [Who is Lemony Snicket? Bio, FAQ and more]
10-13 Sonnenblick, Jordan Drums, Girls, And Dangerous Pie [sibling with cancer, family dynamics, hope, friendships] @AMAZON
9-12 Speare,Eliz.George The Sign of The Beaver [Teacher's Guide]
The Bronze Bow
The Witch of Blackbird Pond [Teacher's Guide] [Web based Thematic Unit]
9-12 Spinelli, Eileen Summerhouse Time [Every year a rented pink cottage full of family, swapping stories, and riding waves mean Summerhouse Time for Sophie—or does it?] @AMAZON
9-12 Spinelli, Jerry
[Resource File]
[See Newbery]
Smiles to Go [What is a stargazer, skateboarder, chess champ, sister hater, best friend,science geek, control freak so afraid of in this great big universe? (2008)
Milkweed: A Novel [Nazi-occupied Warsaw/orphan/struggle for survival]
Loser [about human spirit, the importance of failure, "hero."]
Stargirl [what it means to be a human being]
Love, Stargirl (2007) [Change, Loss, Growing Pains, Being true to oneself]
The Library Card
Wringer [Peer Pressure]
Crash [bullying jock/brutal pranks/there's more to life than new sneaks]
Knots in My Yo-Yo String: The Autobiography of a Kid
Maniac Magee [Maniac confronts small town racism, tries to find a home where there is none and attempts to soothe tensions between rival factions on the tough side of town] 1991 Newbery Medal
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9UP Spires, Elizabeth The Mouse of Amherst [Emily Dickinson] @AMAZON
9-12 Staples, Suzanne Fisher Shabanu: Daughter Of The Wind
Dangerous Skies
@AMAZON
7-10 Stadler, Alexander Julian Rodriguez: Episode One: Trash Crisis on Earth [First Officer Julian Rodriguez has seen his share of injustices during his time on Earth, disguised as an eight-year-old boy. he's denied his preferred midday nutrition capsule (lunch), then he's face with a day of standardized testing at his education center (school). Then he must face his archenemy—Evilmami who wants him to take out the trash. (graphix/comic)] @AMAZON
11-14
9-12
Stanley, Diane [See also Art Section and Picturebooks] A Time Apart
Joan of Arc [Learn more about Joan of Arc]
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
10-12 Stauffacher, Sue Harry Sue [Harry Sue Clotkin is tough. Her mom's in the slammer and she wants to get there so they can be together. But it's not so easy to become a juvenile delinquent when you've got a tender heart. Excellent riveting read as a symbol of the resilience of children] @AMAZON
10-13 Steer, Dugald A. Dragonology: Field Guide to Dragons (Ologies) Twelve intriguing mini models in the most deluxe field guide yet — an irresistible hands-on resource for devoted dragonologists!
Dragonology Code-Writing Kit (Ologies) Learn the keys to cracking secret codes — and use cool stationery to send missives to your friends.
The Dragon's Eye: The Dragonology Chronicles, Volume One
9-12 Steig, William Abel's Island @AMAZON
Stevenson, Robert L.

[Learn About N. C. Wyeth]
N.C. Wyeth: A Biography

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Kidnapped
Treasure Island
[Interdisciplinary Curriculum on Pirates]
10 Up Stewart, Paul Muddle Earth [Joe Jefferson was an ordinary schoolboy from ordinary Earth. But something strange happened and now he's Joe the Barbarian—fearless warrior-hero, summoned by Muddle Earth's leading wizard* to slay ogres, wrestle dragons, and bravely confront villains.) @AMAZON
10 up Stewart, Trenton Lee The Mysterious Benedict Society [Dozens of children respond to this peculiar ad in the newspaper and are then put through a series of mind-bending tests. Two boys and two girls-succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. But what they'll find in the hidden underground tunnels of the school is more than your average school supplies.]
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey (Bk. 2) [A new mission: find Mr. Benedict. It seems that while he was preparing the kids' adventure, he stepped right into a trap orchestrated by his evil twin Mr. Curtain. With only one week to find a captured Mr. Benedict, the gifted foursome faces their greatest challenge of all--a challenge that will reinforce the reasons they were brought together in the first place and will require them to fight for the very namesake that united them.
9-12 Stone, Phoebe All the Blue Moons at the Wallace Hotel @AMAZON
9-12 Sturtevant, Katherine  At the Sign of the Star @AMAZON
9-12 Talbert, Marc The Trap [cycles of life, revenge, coming of age] @AMAZON
10-13 Tate, Eleanor E.  A Blessing in Disguise @AMAZON
9-12 Taylor, Theodore The Boy Who Could Fly Without a Motor
The Cay [Lesson Plan Activities]
A Sailor Returns [relationship with grandparent]
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
FAM Thomas, Marlo Free to Be ... You and Me and Free to Be ... A Family
10 Up Townley, Roderick The Great Good Thing
Into the Labyinth [sequel]
@AMAZON
9-12 Trumbauer, Lisa Practical Guide to Dragons [Lavishly illustrated guide showcases the wide array of fantastic dragons encountered on the world of Krynn. Sindri Suncatcher–wizard’s apprentice–opens up his personal notebooks to share his knowledge of these awe-inspiring creatures, from the life cycle of a kind copper dragon to the best way to counteract a red dragon’s fiery breath. @AMAZON
All
9-12
Ungerer, Tomi
[Resource File]
Crictor
No Kiss For Mother
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
10-14 Voight, Cynthia
[See Newbery]
[More Lesson Plans]
Dicey's Song [Teaching, Learning, and Archetypes]
Homecoming
Come A Stranger
The Runner
A Solitary Blue
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
8-12 Webb, Dave Slinky Inkermann and The Crazy Contest
9-12 Weik, Mary Hays The Jazz Man @AMAZON
7-10 Wells, Rosemary Wingwalker [1933 Oklahoma/Depression/Dust Bowl/help-wanted: wingwalker] @AMAZON
9-12 Whelan, Gloria Homeless Bird @AMAZON
9-12 White, E. B. The Trumpet of the Swan
Note: See Special Book Section for Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little Ages 4-8
@AMAZON
10-12 White, Ruth [Interview] Memories of Summer [family bonds]
Sweet Creek Holler
Belle Prater's Boy [Teacher's Guide]
Tadpole
@AMAZON
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8-12 Wiggin, Kate Douglas (1856-1923) Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm @AMAZON
12 Up Wilhelm, Doug Raising the Shades   [a son's confrontation with alcoholic father] @AMAZON
9-12 Williams, Carol Lynch  If I Forget To Remember [battle with Alzheimer's disease]
[Teacher's Guide]
@AMAZON
6-8 Williams, Sherley Anne Working Cotton
Dessa Rose
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
10 Up Wilson, Nancy Hope  Mountain Pose [child and spousal abuse/forgiveness] @AMAZON
9-12 Winthrop, Elizabeth [Bio 2] Castle in the Attic @AMAZON
9-12 W.I.T.C.H. Series [New 2004]
middle school, heroism and humor, friendship and family, teamwork and transformation
The Power of Five - Book #1
The Disappearance - Book #2
Finding Meridian - Book #3
The Fire of Friendship - Book #4
The Last Tear - Book #5
Illusions and Lies - Book #6
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
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@AMAZON
9-12 Wood-Brady, Esther Toliver's Secret @AMAZON
10-14 Woodson, Jacqueline The House You Pass on the Way [Interracial family/adolescent loner/racism/questions sexuality/non-graphic]
I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This [racism/friendship/abuse/loss/friendship] [CSK Award]
Lena [sequel]
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
9-12 Wyeth, Sharon Dennis Vampire Bugs: Stories Conjured from the Past [Teacher's Guide]
A Piece of Heaven (2001) Ages 9-12
The World of Daughter McGuire [Teacher's Guide] [Identity]
Something Beautiful
9-12 Yep, Laurence The Magic Paintbrush
The Earth Dragon Awakes: The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 [based on actual events/Yep's grandfather arrived in San Francisco just one day after the 1906 earthquake.]
[See Young Adult Section]
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
Yolen, Jane
[Resource File]
Armageddon is Here
The Dragon's Boy: A Tale of Young King Arthur
The Salem Witch Trials: An Unsolved Mystery from History [Ages7-9]
See Special BookSection
8-12 Young, Steve Winchell Mink: The Misadventure Begins [Winchell, age 11, swaps bodies with his mystical pet turtle and unable to find his way home.] @AMAZON
9-12 Yumoto, Kazumi The Friends [Teacher's Guide] @AMAZON
9-12 Zindel, Paul [Interview] The Pigman [Teacher's Guide]
A Begonia For Miss Applebaum
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
10-13 Van Draanen, Wendelin Sammy Keyes and the Hollywood Mummy
Sammy Keyes and the Curse of Moustache Mary
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
9-12 Wiles, Deborah Love, Ruby Lavender [young people finding their way]
Each Little Bird That Sings [Southern coming-of-age novel. Comfort will charm young readers with her wit, her warmth, and her struggles as she learns about life, loss, and ultimately, triumph.]
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
9-12 Wilson, Jacqueline The Lottie Project [Working through change] @AMAZON
8 Up Winterfeld, Henry (1901-1990) Castaways in Lilliput (reissue 11/02)
Trouble at Timpetill (reissue 11/02)
Mystery of the Roman Ransom (reissue 11/02)
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
10 Up
10-12
Wolfson, Jill What I Call Life (2005) [witty and moving/another side of the foster-care]
Home, and Other Big, Fat Lies (2006) [Whitney arrives at her 12th foster home in a CA logging town/fitting-in/family/suffering school/making a difference/environment]
@AMAZON
@AMAZON
9-11 Woodworth, Chris When Ratboy Lived Next Door [1962 small town Indiana/excellent read presenting serious issues of acceptance, bullying, special education/learning disabilities, alcoholism, abusive relationships, poverty] @AMAZON
9-12 Zimmer, Tracie Vaughn
Includes Interview and Teacher Guides
Sketches from a Spy Tree
Reaching for Sun
@AMAZON
@AMAZON

Last Update: May 28, 2008