Trash by Andy Mulligan

How could reading a book about severely impoverished kids whose families pick through trash in order to find articles which can be recycled for money or goods be interesting? I wouldn't have thought this book would hold much appeal to me, but I found myself immediately drawn into the lives of Raphael, Gardo and Rat.
The story is told in bits and pieces of Raphael's discovery of a man's wallet, photos and a key. Gardo, his best friend, brings Rat into the picture to help hide their find from police.
This is a classic story which shows the disparity between the "haves" and the" have nots" in society. There is a mystery the boys must solve before the police do. Raphael is taken in for questioning by the police and barely escapes with his life. None of the boys or the others who live at the dump trust the police.
This is a fast read, almost like an adventure book. If you want to learn how some people who live in a third world country exist, this is a title you will surely enjoy.

I Am Scout

Since one of my all time favorite books is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, I was very excited to read this biography of Harper Lee designed for young adults.

The reclusive Miss Lee has rarely appeared in public or given interviews. Her landmark novel is the only book she has ever written. So I really wanted to read about her.

I was very interested in her early years as I believe the character of Scout was really autobiographical in nature. When you hear her friends from her childhood describe the fights that she got into to protect others, you can really see what a true tomboy she was. Her relationship with Truman Capote (another author) is clearly the type of friendship she writes about in To Kill a Mockingbird about her friend Dill.

Fans of To Kill a Mockingbird will really enjoy this biography!

Matched by Ally Condie

I am a big fan of dystopian fiction. Matched did not let me down!
I didn't feel it rose to the same level as The Hunger Games, but I was intrigued by the plot and thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Cassia lives in a "perfect" society. She is looking forward to the Match Banquet where she will find out who her perfect match for a husband is.

Everything in this society is planned including when you will die, what your education and career training will consist of, etc.  Cassia has complete trust in the process and has no reason to doubt what the society determines for her until she is paired with Xander yet just as his face is revealed an aberration in the computer system reveals another face--that of Ky. She knows that Xander is her soul mate. So why does the society change its mind and pair her with Ky?

Cassia is forced to examine whether this "perfect" society really does know what is best for its members.

The Rivalry: Mystery at the Army-Navy Game

I love watching football so I was looking forward to reading this mystery written by John Feinstein, author of The Final Four.
I learned a lot about the traditions and training for each of the service academy teams which held quite a bit of interest for me personally.
I liked how the author created two budding student writers, Stevie Thomas and Susan Anderson to scoop the behind-the-scenes action.
What a didn't care for was the way in which the plot was structured such that the "mystery" wasn't revealed until about page 225.
True football fans probably won't be bothered by this lack of plot development, but I surely was.



Slick

Slick is the moniker that Liza gives to the name of her mother's new boyfriend because he works for an oil company.

Liza and her two younger brothers, Sila and Leland, are used to living with their mother now that their parents are divorced and their real father has moved to England.

Liza doesn't take kindly to Slick as she believes her mother is changing in ways she believes go against her principles to suit Slick. Liza is down right rude to Slick at times despite his attempts to please Liza and her brothers.

Liza starts a grassroots organization GRRR! (Girls for Renewable Resources, Really!) which targets the oil company that Slick works for.

This is a very short read. It is one of the titles in the Orca Currents series and is written by Sara Cassidy. I wasn't overly fond of this title but I am sure that some students might find it enjoyable.