The Legend of Mickey Tussler by Frank Nappi
Praise for THE LEGEND OF MICKEY TUSSLER: “In my work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America I see all kinds of challenges facing kids today, and this book does a very good job of treating gifted kids and teenagers with sensitivity and understanding in coping with and meeting these challenges.” –Alex Rodriguez
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
“Clare’s atmospheric setting is spot-on, informed equally by neo-gothic horror films and the modern fantasy leanings of Neil Gaiman. Werewolves, vampires, angels and fairies all fit in this ambitious milieu. At the core, though, this is a compelling story about family secrets and coming-of-age identity crises. Fans of the smart/chic horror typified by Buffy the Vampire Slayer will instantly fall for this new series.” – Publishers Weekly
Rick Riordan’s (Percy Jackson series) Top 10 Picks
Having difficulty finding books to read? Best selling author, Rick Riordan, has created a list for reluctant readers. He is a father of two reluctant readers and is always on the lookout for books that keep kids reading.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins is best for middle school and high school readers. In the near future, a girl must compete in the ultimate reality show staged by a cruel government.
Bone by Jeff Smith
Works for elementary through high school, and even for adults. A fantastic series of graphic novels featuring action, magic, romance, comedy, and the coolest red dragon ever.
Magyk (Septimus Heap series) by Angie Sage
This is a great series for elementary and middle school. A fantasy with lovable heroes, horrible villains, plenty of magic, and a sprinkling of humor and talking rats.
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
Works for all grades. A girl becomes apprentice to a private investigator who happens to be a living, flame-throwing skeleton.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Perfect for elementary, middle school and beyond. These are hilarious, fast reads mixing text with drawings. They empower the wimpy kid in all of us.
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Works well for elementary and middle school. A brother and sister discover that their grandparents run a reserve for mythical creatures.
The Alchemyst by Michael Scott
For upper elementary through high school. Another great mythology-based series, these books introduce two siblings with magical powers who are plunged into a world of immortals, gods and monsters.
The Recruit by Robert Muchamore
Best for middle school and high school. A boy is recruited into a secret branch of the British intelligence service that uses children for covert operations. This has some more mature content, but nothing that would shock an average middle schoolers, and it will hook even the most reluctant reader.
I’d Tell I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Aly Carter
Middle school or higher. Looking for a smart, funny, adventurous series with a strong female protagonist? First in the Gallagher Girl series, Cammie Morgan attends a prep school that secretly trains spies.
by Erin Hunter
Elementary and middle school kids, girls and boys, love these. This series, which begins with Warriors #1: Into the Wild features clans of cats battling for supremacy
Lunar Chronicles
by Marissa Meyer
The Lunar Chronicles are futuristic retellings of classic fairy tales. In CINDER, a teenage cyborg (half human, half machine) must deal with a wicked stepmother,start a rebellion against the evil Queen Levana, and decide how she feels about a handsome prince. As the series continues, Cinder forges alliances with Scarlet, a spaceship pilot who is determined to solve the mystery of a missing loved one — with the help of a magnetic street fighter named Wolf; Cress, a computer hacker who is imprisoned by Queen Levana; and Winter, a princess who’s in love with a commoner, and who discovers that Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress may hold the key to saving her kingdom — and the world.
Anything by Becky Albertalli!!!
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