Wither by Lauren DeStefano

The first in the Chemical Garden Trilogy, Wither is the story of Rhine Ellery, a 16-year-old girl caught in a nightmare. The world is no longer as we know it due to a series of genetic mutations that took place many years ago. Now, girls only live until they are twenty and boys until they are twenty-five. Kidnappers called Gatherers force young girls into marrying rich men in order to reproduce. Ellery unwillingly marries Linden, the son of a wealthy doctor. Linden himself is caught up in his own turmoil, but his father is determined to come up with a cure for the world's problems and will stop at nothing to do so. The only bright spot in Ellery's life is Gabriel, a house servant that she befriends. Both Rhine & Gabriel suspect that bad things are happening in the mansion and that they are in great danger. But is it possible for them to escape?

Karen

Great Books for Middle Schoolers

Notes from a Totally Lame Vampire by Tim Collins

Nigel seems to be a typical fifteen year old boy, worrying about fitting in, getting a girlfriend, and dealing with acne.  However, life is more complicated for him than it seems.  Nigel is a vampire, and not a good-looking popular vampire like Edward or Emmett Cullen.  Read his collection of notes.   

Pies and Prejudice by Heather Vogle Frederick

Four girls, and their mothers, continue their mother-daughter book club via videoconference between Massachusetts and England, reading Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," and try to put friendship before romance. From the Mother-Daughter Book Club series.

Anne Frank: the Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography by Sidney Jacobson

This full-color graphic biography of Anne Frank goes beyond her diary. Starting with her father Otto’s birth, it also recounts Anne’s birth and the Frank family’s life hiding, their betrayal and arrest. This graphic biography will give the reader a new appreciation for Anne’s short life. 

Hero by Mike Lupica

Join fourteen year old Zach Harriman in this high-adventure thriller.  When his father’s plane mysteriously crashes, Zach finds out that his father was living a very different life—that of a superhero.  Now Zach is finding out he has the same superhero powers, and the people who wanted his father killed are now after Zach!

After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick.

After Ever After is the sequel to Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie, but you don't have to read that one first to understand this one. The book is about an eighth grade boy named Jeffery Alper whose cancer is in remission. But, life doesn’t just go on perfectly, he still has to deal with the after effect. There is real humor and perspective in this book. 

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

Did you enjoy the movie and/or book Soul Surfer? The Running Dream captures every great aspect of that story, but also takes you on an outstanding journey of a girl named Jessica that you would not expect! Jessica is a record-breaking track runner who finds herself in the hospital after losing her leg in an accident. Jessica finds the courage to defeat her obstacles while encouraging others along the way. Her story will make you cry, laugh, and cheer her on! 

Kimberly

Alice in Time by Penelope Bush

Life is not working out well for fourteen-year-old Alice. Her mum is ruining her life, her dad just got remarried, her little brother is driving her crazy, and Sasha, the most popular girl in school, hates her guts. Alice despises the house they all rent, and she has no cell phone or even a computer. Talk about a loser…
Her best friend Imogene is even starting to get on her nerves. Actually, Imogene is her only friend, but even that can stop the feelings of anger that Alice has. Especially when it comes to Seth, the first boy that has paid attention to Alice in a long time. When Alice decides to see Seth no matter what, the repercussions are severe, and Alice feels she has nowhere to turn.
Then a bizarre accident happens, and Alice finds herself re-living her life as a seven-year-old through teenage eyes –and discovering some awkward truths.

Part fantasy/part realistic fiction, Alice in Time is one of those novels that really makes you think!

Karen