Book Title/Genre/ Author/ Publication Date Grade Level Appropriateness Lexile (Internal Use Only) Literary Achievements Connection to Social or Cultural Diversity Connection to College and Career Readiness Standards Richness of Content/Themes Bar Code Tattoo, science fiction, Suzanne Wyn, 2004 Book Thief, The, historical fiction, Markus Zusak, 2006 720L 730L 2005 Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, 2007 Best young Adult Fiction National Jewish Book Award, Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Children's Literature (2007), Exclusive Books Boeke Prize (2007)Teen Read Award Nominee for Best All-Time-Fave (2010) Social Cultural X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 identity, freedom versus control, individuality versus conformity X X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 family and social, authority, prejudice and tolerance, Holocaust, WWII from both sides of the issue. Innocence, honesty, trust. Boy in the Striped Pajamas, historical fiction, John Boyne, 2006 1080L Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award for Intermediate (2009), Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Award for John Murray Show Listeners' Choice Award (2007) X X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 friendship, prejudice. Holocaust, perspective, family, childhood innocence
Cyrano de Bergerac, drama, Edmond Rostand, 1897 Devil's Arithmetic, historical fiction, Jane Yolen, 1988 Diary of Anne Frank, The, drama, Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, 1955 classic X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 values and virtue, danger in deception 730 L 1989 winner of the National Jewish Book Award non prose Classic; Tony Award, Pulitzer Prize for Drama X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 prejudice and tolerance, surviving the Holocaust X X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 survival, loneliness of adolescence, greed versus generosity Divergent, science fiction, Veronica Roth, 2011 920L Goodreads Choice Award favorite book, 2012 Finalist in the Children's Choice Book Awards, New York Times best Seller List for 12 weeks II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 individuality versus conformity, courage, family versus social The Giver, science Fiction, Lois Lowry, 1993 760L 1994 Newberry Award, 1996 William Allen White Award, ALA Best Book List for Young Adults x x II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 power and authority, governance and compassion, courage, family and social House on Mango Street, The, coming of age fiction, Sandra Cisneros, 1984 870L American Book Award X X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 friendship, self discovery, coming of age, bettering one's life
Hunger Games, The, science fiction, Suzanne Collins, 2008 810L Publisher's best book of 2008, 180 straight weeks on the New York Times Bestsellar List, Best Indie Young Adult Buzz Book Honor, 2008 Cybil Award, Fantasy & Science Fiction 2009 Childrens Choice Book Award, Teen Choice Book of the Year Finalist, Yalsa's Teens' Top Ten x x II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 power, identity, class distinction, love, sacrifice Insurgent/ science fiction/ Veronica Roth/2012 Maze Runner series/james Dasher/2010 accessible to 8th graders and up; high interest accessible to 8th graders and up; high interest 710L X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 individuality vs. conformity, courage, family vs. social 770L New York Times best Seller; New Hampshire Great Stone Face Children's Book X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 individuality vs. conformity, courage, family vs. social
Merchant of Venice, The, drama - tragic/comedy, William Shakespeare, 1596-1598 Midsummer Night s Dream, A, play/comedy, William Shakespeare, 1590-1596 accessible to 8th graders and up; is dependent on whether the original version or a simplified version is used classic X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 self-interest versus love, mercy, hate classic X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 love, magic, dreams Night, literary nonfiction/ memoir, Elie Wiesel, 1982 570L author awarded Nobel Peace Prize along with numerous other awards x x II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 inhumanity toward others, importance of family bonds Nothing But The Truth, documentary novel, Avi, 1992 The Outsiders, realistic fiction, SE Hinton, 1967 700L Newberry honor x II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 courage and honor, equality and fairness, justice 750 L NY Herald Tribune Best Teenage Book, Chicago Tribune Festival Honor Book, ALA Awards X X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 bullying, sibling relationships, friendship, selfdiscovery
Pearl, The, novella, John Steinbeck, 1947-12 1010L Steinbeck was both a Nobel and Pulitzer prize winner X X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 fate versus personal choice, greed as a destructive force, society's oppression of native cultures Speak, realistic fiction, Laurie Halse Anderson, 1999 and content 10th grade 690L National Book Award Finalist; Michael L. Printz Honor Book; Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist; Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist; winner of the SCBWI Golden Kite Award; ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults; ALA Quick Pick; Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year; Booklist Top Ten First Novel of the Year; BCCB Blue Ribbon Book; School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; Horn Book Fanfare Title; winner of eight state book awards and finalist for 11 X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 alienation, fear, victimization and blame, and a search for understanding
Tangerine, fiction, Edward Bloor, 2006 Uglies, The, science fiction, Scott Westerfeld, 2005 680L American Library X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 perseverance, Association Top Ten overcoming Best Books for Young social/class Adults, Edgar Allan distinctions, the need Poe Award to be accepted, nomination facing fear and overcoming it 770L no awards X X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 beauty and perception, individual thinking, challenging ideas, social status and possessions Wave, The, historical fiction, Todd Strasser/ Morton Rhue, 1981 770L no awards X X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 media's role in societal influence, people's draw for a sense of community, social hierarchies of high school
Witness, historical fiction, Karen Hesse, 2001 Newberry Award, The Christopher Award, ALA Notable Children's Book, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year 2001, Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year X X II C 1, 2, 3, 4; D 1, 2 friends and enemies, race, ethnicity, challenges and triumphs, war and peace