Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce

Bloodhound is the sequel to Terrier in which we are introduced to Beka Cooper who is similar to a medieval cop, however she is a girl during the time. In Bloodhound Beka finds out that people are making fake coins, can't have that, it might be ruining things for the people. And so she sets off to find out who is doing it, along with her friends from Corus. While there she makes a lot of friends and some enemies. This story is great for any girl who wants a hero to look up to, or any one for that matter just because she solves problems and she looks out for her friends and others.

Amber (Lake Mary, FL. 12th)

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

This was an amazing book. It portrays soldiers' lives before, during, and after the Vietnam War. The way that the author writes, you feel like you're a part of the book as you're reading. You feel like you're there, amidst the gun fire, the death, and the passion and sorrow of the soldiers. I usually don't like books about war, but when I read this book, I fell in love with it. You can analyze a deeper meaning in pretty much everything that the author writes and the stories in this book really tear at your heart. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a true, heart-wrenching story about the lives of our Vietnam veterans. It's sure to make you see our country in a different way and you surely won't regret reading it.

Shelby (Oviedo, FL. 12th)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

In the stunning conclusion of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling throws in many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. This book was by far the best in the series and a true literary delight. Everybody should read this book, only of course if they have followed Harry throughout his magical journey.

Kevin (Winter Springs, FL. 12th)

V for Vendetta by Steve Moore

V for Vendetta is one of the rare books that comes along that makes you really question the intentions of government and what the future holds. The novel is speculation of the 1990's (since it was written in the 1980's). The government has complete control of the population with security cameras and curfews enforced by an "SS" type police force. V, a man hidden by a mask, seeks to liberate the oppressed British citizens. It's a novel filled with deep dialogue, and can even be a possible foreshadowing of how government is slowly taking away one's freedom. Very similar to 1984, and I highly recommend.

Alan (Winter Springs, FL. 12th)

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This book allowed me as a reader to enter a world so different from what we live in today. Lee's novel is set in the 1930s, a time when the Jim Crow laws were so deeply ingrained in the people of the Southern United States. It shows readers how racisim can destroy families and split up society. The novel depicts the cruelty and unfairness of racisim through the perspective of a young girl, Scout. I truly enjoyed this book; it was a great piece of historical fiction.

Sohani (Hagerty, FL. 11th)

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

This book offers a captive tale about romance. With vampires and danger this book is sure to keep you reading. You'll never want to put it down. The book is long but if you get into it the story goes by quick. A young girl named Bella moves to a quiet town called Forks. The town is located in Washington state. She lives with her father. Bella doesn't expect to meet her true love at her highschool. But little to her knowledge she's in for a suprise. If you wish to know more read! :)

Lauren (Hagerty, FL. 11th)

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Outliers is an extraordinary book that talks about all the different factors that can contribute to success. This is an easy to understand book that allows even teenagers to see what it takes to become successful. He starts the book by doing a little bit of research on Canada's infamous hockey players. He noticed that the best players were born within the first few months of the year and so they had more time to practice and therefore had the advantage over other players. Gladwell also explains the 10,000 hour rule. This rule basically says that in order to become successful in something you must devote 10,000 hours into it. This book is great in how it describes how friends and family all play a role in a person's success.

Elaine (Hagerty, FL. 10th)

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

The Road could possibly be described as tragic, but also as heartfelt. It is a tale of an anonymous couple; a father and son,traveling through a barren wasteland- what has become of the planet after some world-wide disaster. Throughout the story, the father and son encounter many strange events; a cannibal group for example. Though there is pretty much nothing left in the wake of what could be considered the apocalypse, the small "family" stays very close, the father sacrificing his health for his son. The end of the book will leave you feeling slightly melancholy, but also wishing that the author had written a sequel to this sad story.

Esther (Oviedo, FL. 11th)

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

Paolini's book Eragon really captured my imagination and took me to a whole new world, so I of course went right out to read the second book in the saga Eldest. In Eldest Eragon is continuing his journey with his dragon Saphira. They travel to the dwarfs secret home and from there into the unknown forest to find the elves. I was so captivated by Paolini's use of descriptive language and fantastic use of similies that I forgot I was reading. This book has so many twists and turns that you will have to reread it to make sure you didn't miss anything. If you're looking for adventure, drama, and a fantastic ride, Eldest is the perfect book for you. Don't be discouraged while reading Eragon, because it does start off a bit slow. Just keep reading and by the time you've finished Eragon, I promise you'll be as enthralled as I was to find out what happens next and want to read Eldest.

Sasha (Oviedo, FL. 12th)

Just Listen By Sarah Dessen

The Greene family looks perfect from outside their glass house. The three sisters are all beautiful and work as models. But things are not as they seem. This family doesn’t really communicate and when problems arise, they try to wish them away, instead of dealing with them head-on. The youngest sister, Annabel, is starting her junior year of high school, but she is in an unfamiliar position. At the end of last school year she was caught in a compromising position with her best friend’s boyfriend. This year she has no friends and her former best friend is trying to make her life miserable. Additionally, her middle sister is battling anorexia and the whole family is struggling because of it. Annabel forms an unlikely alliance with a boy who is an outsider, but manages to teach her how to “just listen”.

Ms. Kathi (SCPL Librarian, Oviedo Branch)

The Coffin Quilt by Ann Rinaldi

The Coffin Quilt is the story of the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys, which took place in Kentucky & West Virginia during the late 1870s. Based on historic accounts, this story is told from the perspective of Fanny McCoy, the youngest child in her family. Her sister runs off to marry a boy from the hated Hatfield family, and begins piecing a coffin quilt, which was used as a historical family record. Worked in dark colors, the center was stitched to resemble a graveyard, and small coffins were appliquéd around the border, with names and birthdates of family members. When someone died, their coffin was moved to the center of the quilt, and the death date was added. I found this an interesting snapshot of American history.

Ms. Cynthia (SCPL Librarian, Casselberry Branch)

Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce

Trickster's Choice is a wonderful fantasy about a girl named Aly who is the daughter of the country Tortall's spymaster and kings champion. In an attempt to avoid being one of her mother's projects Aly leaves home but as she is sailing her boat she gets captured by pirates and made into a slave. Aly who has learned much from her spy father through the years knows exactly how to escape. After being sold to the nobel Balitang family in the dangerous city of Rajmuat she discovers it was no accident that she was enslaved and sold to the Balitang family, who were recently exiled from Rajumat. The trickster god Kyprioth arranged things so that she could accept a bargin to protect the two eldest Balitang daughters Saraiyu and Dove. Saraiyu is known to all raka in the country to be the twice royal queen prophisized to take the throne from the current oppressive leaders and return the isles to them. Kyprioth wagered her that she could not keep the girls alive through their winter in exile. Aly accepts the challenge gaining proof of her skill as a spy to convince her father to allow her to be one of his agents if she wins. To hear how the wager unfolds you must read the book yourself. I will tell you that during her time protecting the family she meets many interesting and appealing characters who will entertain you so much you won't want it to end.

Sara (Oviedo, FL. 12th)

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society was a really good book so much better then I thought it would be! It's about Kate, Reynie, Constance, and "Sticky", four REALLY smart, clever kids, who past a series of confusingand tricky tests after seeing an ad for gifted students in thenewspaper. They meet Mr. Benedict (hence the name) and he sends them on a dangerous mission to the Learning Institute for the Enlightened, to get information on how Mr. Curtain, the head of the school, is directly sending damaging messages into the world's minds; at first it's through a whisperer in the TV, and then he learns how to transmit them right into peoples' thoughts! The four genius's mission gets in more danger and more danger and more danger... until they finally face the one main thing that fazes them and fazes the minds of millions, and try to stop it. It is SUCH a good book and there's another two even though the lastone doesn't come out until October this year or something. =)

Holly (Lawton Chiles, FL. 7th)