SLOB by Ellen Potter

Twelve-year-old Owen is the fattest kid in his New York City school. But he’s also a near-genius who has been trying to invent some cool contraptions— like a TV that shows past events. Something happened two years ago that he desperately needs to see to gain a sense of closure and clarity. Intelligent or not, there is much Owen can’t quite outthink. Like his gym coach, Mr. Woolly, who, along with the rest of his classmates is on a mission to humiliate him. Or the disfigured school psycho-bully with a switchblade who seems to have it in for him. Or why his sister is a member of a gang of girls who pretend to be boys. Or the way his Oreos keep disappearing from his lunch sack. Or if karma points can be taken away when you do something bad after you do something good. He’s sure that if he can only get the TV to work, things will start to make sense, but it will take a revelation for Owen, not science, to see the answer’s in the present, not the past. That no matter how large he is on the outside, Owen doesn’t have to feel small on the inside. With humor and unflinching detail, Ellen Potter has created a larger-than-life character and a story that measures not with a scale, but with the heart. Yeah, it's a little sappy in spots, a bit predictable, and almost too conveniently wraps up at the end, but sometimes you just need to read a story with a happy ending to keep the world in balance.
SLOB has been short-listed for the 2010-2011 Texas Lone Star Reading List, and is a Junior Library Guild Premium Selection. A copy of this book is available from SMS Library. It is suitable for grade 6 and older, but it does contain a little mild language.

The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst

Without a doubt, one of the most intriguing and unusual books I have ever read. At times both poetic and unsettling, it follows the death of Lexy, an artistic young married woman, and the state of grief suffered by her linguistics professor husband in the aftermath of her fall from a tree in their backyard. Was she pushed? Or was it a suicide? The only witness is Lorelei, their faithful dog, and she isn't talking...yet.

I'm one of those people who never defaces a book, but there were times I wanted to grab a hi-lighter to emphasize a beautiful turn of phrase by the author, or accent a memorable quote. And later on, I wanted to hack away an entire disturbing passage so nobody would ever read it again. When I finished the novel, I honestly could not think of anyone I would recommend it to, with the possible exception of Kim, one of our busiest PTO moms who will read anything. So...ultimately, an interesting read, but not for everyone. I am anxious to see more from this promising writer though. A reading group guide and author interview are included at the end of the novel.

Note: This is an adult title and is not suitable for adolescent readers. For this reason, it is not available at our middle school library.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 4: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney

More insights into the mind of modern middle schoolers. This time wimpy kid Greg Heffley's fictional journal gives readers a look at his 'best summer break ever,' including watching his first horror movie, frequent trips to the public swimming pool (and running the gauntlet through the men's locker room!), tagging along on his friend Rowley's family vacation to the beach, 4th of July fireworks, and the pain of training a new puppy, among other diversions. One of the best selling items at our recent book fair, the Wimpy Kid series has got some of the more reluctant readers at our school enjoying books! Thanks, Greg Kinney, for this fun and funny series! Recommended for ages 10 on up.

A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck

In this companion book to his earlier Newbery nominated "A Long Way From Chicago" and "A Year Down Yonder", author Richard Peck revisits a very elderly Grandma Dowdel who continues dishing out her own version of prairie justice to deserving delinquents along with subtle doses of neighborliness to those in need. There's not as much laugh-out-loud country humor in this one, but some gentle heartwarming vignettes will surely put a lump in your throat and the spirit of Christmas in your soul. Share this one with upper elementary age kids on up to their great-grandparents. In fact, the oldsters may even get a bigger kick out of the story than the children! Pair this one with Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory which is similar in tone, though set during the Great Depression. Both stories are available for checkout from Stone MS Library.

Notes From the Dog by Gary Paulsen

Gary Paulsen has long been a favorite writer for adolescents (mainly boys), but with this new book he may just find himself adding legions of female readers to his fan club, too.
Fourteen-year-old Finn is a self-described loner and misfit. Finn's mom left many years ago, and his father, a perpetual college student, is mostly absent from his life as well. Young Finn decides that if the people who matter most to him are going to avoid him, then this summer, he is not going to interact with anyone else unless absolutely necessary. It'll just be a world of men: him, his dad, his dog Dylan, and his friend Matthew who moves in with them for the summer. He plans to spend the break from school doing his favorite thing, reading books, and ignoring the world around him.
That is until he meets Johanna, the vivacious girl who moves in next door. Johanna is a 24-year-old breast cancer patient who is currently undergoing chemotherapy and is house-sitting because this home is closer to the doctor's office where she takes her medical treatments. First Dylan, then Matthew, and eventually Finn find themselves drawn into this friendly and interesting young lady's orbit. She enlists Finn to help plan and carry out a transformation of his plain back yard into a garden retreat, coaxes him and Matthew into helping raise money for breast cancer research, and teaches all who come into contact with her the true meaning of family. Johanna is a glass-half-full person whose enthusiasm for living and finding joy in life is infectious. Through little affirmations she writes and sends to him via his dog Dylan, Finn finds himself gaining self-confidence, meeting scores of new people, and brave enough to finally ask the girl of his dreams out on a first date.
This book is a quick read, but packs a powerful emotional punch. Readers may find themselves smiling one minute and wiping away tears the next, but nobody will come away from this gem of a book without learning the importance of getting to know your neighbors and that by doing good for others, in reality you are bettering yourself.
A copy of this book is available from Stone MS Library and is suitable for grades 6 and up.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Book two of the Hunger Games trilogy finds champions Katniss and her 'frenemy' Peeta once again unwilling participants in a televised reality 'game show' to the death, only now they have to outwit, outplay, and outlast 22 other contestants. This time the game is basically the same, but the rules have been changed since it is a special 75th anniversary event. There's enough filler information from the first book so readers who are new to the series or have forgotten what happened (yeah, like that could happen!) will know who's who and what's going on.
Collins is a master of twisting plots and unexpected departures for her well-crafted characters. Now if I can just stand the suspense of waiting on book 3 to be published to find out what lies in store for the heroes of District 12 and the citizens of Panem.
Copies of this and other titles by Suzanne Collins are available at Stone MS Library and are recommended for grades 6 and up.
The area of adolescent and YA literature is hotter than ever right now, with many adults enjoying the great writing that is coming out of this genre. I encourage my adult friends to give this series a try. Much like the Twilight books did, I think you will find yourself hooked on the storyline and eager for the next book in the series.

I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

Witty and light-hearted, with a dash of teenage identity-searching make this book a delightful combination for middle school girls. Cammie Morgan is a sophomore at exclusive Gallagher Academy, an all-female private prep school to the outside world, but a secret training facility for future spies on the inside. She and her best buds Liz and Bex have enough trouble keeping up with assignments, now Cammie has gone and fallen in love with Josh, a local townie with problems of his own. Can their love survive with all the opposition being thrown at them from her school friends and his classmates? Will she have the courage to reveal her true identity to Josh? Can she come to terms with her father's death and her mother's potential boyfriend who just happens to be the hot new Covert Ops instructor? There's sure to be more excitement ahead since this is book one of a planned Gallagher Girls series.

This title is currently available in print and MP3 CD format at Stone MS. Look for other books in the series coming soon.