I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter. Similar to Heist Society and has sequels.
What-The-Dickens by Gregory Maguire. Tells the story of tooth fairies. (skibbereen)
Luv Ya Bunches and Violet in Bloom, by Lauren Myracle. Tells the story of four tween girls mostly through chats.
Speaking of Myracle...Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, and Thirteen plus 1 by Lauren Myracle. All a series following a girl named Winnie. For older girls.(In the footsteps of Judy Blume...)
The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place, by E.L Koningsburg. For 11-12 year olds, sweet and funny story about a girl at camp.
Here's a great list of Books for Strong Girls in Middle School" from Flashlight Worthy. This website has great collections of book recommendations on a diverse range of subjects, such as Creepy Houses that Must be Explored and Great Reads for Culinary Kids. Flashlight Worthy Books is the creation of Peter Steinberg and Eric Mueller, with support from other contributors. I regularly find myself checking out list after list whenever I go to this site.
Jess almost had to wait for this book because I wanted to read it, but am glad I passed along Heist Society by Ally Carter because she loved it!
"When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre…to case it...When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country...Unfortunately, leaving “the life” for a normal life proves harder than she’d expected.Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring Kat back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has a good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it...For Kat, there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back...She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family's history--and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way."
Jess also read If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Her take: "Sad, and inapproprite, but a good book." OK, so NOT for 11 year olds.
"In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year- old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands."
"A teen book that will stay with you – even if you’re not a teen."
– San Francisco Chronicle
"Heartbreaking and gorgeously written…Warning: This will definitely make you cry."
– San Jose Mercury News
"Will appeal to fans of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight."
– USA Today
...And speaking of Twilight, Jess is enjoying the first 3 books which "rock out loud!!!!!!"
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Jess recommends (isn't that a great name for a column?)
"Read Finally and The 68 Rooms and I loved them!"
The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone.
"Ruthie and Jake, 12...finds an old key hidden in a corridor of the Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago. Ruthie’s dream has been to examine the 68 miniature rooms – and her wish becomes even better when she touches the key and shrinks to mini-room size...the real adventure begins – an adventure that will affect more than just the two of them."Fans of Chasing Vermeer, The Doll People, and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler will enjoy this one!
For older teens:
Finally is definitely for older girls. Also good: Just as Long as We're Together and its sequel Here's to you, Rachel Robinson by Judy Blume. DEFINITELY for teens.
From Judy Blume's website: "Rachel's a straight-A student. She practices the flute 45 minutes a day. She strives for perfection in everything she does. But she grinds her teeth at night and dreads dinnertime, now that her troublemaker older brother, Charles, has been thrown out of boarding school and is back home, acting up to get attention. It's the end of 7th grade and Rachel's friends, Stephanie and Alison are way less stressed than she is. Can they help Rachel learn to lighten up? "
Enjoy!
