Catching Up on Books I finished...

The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult

Everything in Trixie Stone's life seemed great. She was in love, popular, and a great student. All of a sudden Trixie's life begins spiraling when her boyfriend breaks up with her and then she becomes a victim of rape. At the same time, Trixie's parents, David and Laura Stone, are battling their own demons and their own pasts.

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

An account, written in verse, of Billie Jo's life in Oklahoma during the dust bowls of the 1930's.

Great book.

The Revealers by Doug Wilhelm

Russell, Elliot, and Catalina are tired of being bullied day in and day out at Parkland Middle School. The three band together to not only form new friendships but also fight back.

The school I am at is reading this book for a One Book One School event and will include an author visit. I think the sixth graders will be more into the book than the eighth graders.

The Absolute True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Arnold "Junior" Spirit lives on the Rez. His family and all the people he knows on the reservation are poorer than poor. Arnold wants more out of his life than to be just another poor alcoholic Indian, so he convinces his parents to let him go to the "white" high school, Reardon, 22 miles outside of the reservation. Arnold works to hide his poverty, become accepted, and make friends at Reardon while friends and family on the reservation call him a traitor.

This is a great book. Very heartwarming and funny.

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr

Deanna Lambert was 13 (8th grade) when her father caught her having sex in a car with her brother's friend, Tommy Webber, a high school senior. Ever since, Deanna's life revolved around running from the instant reputation - never getting a chance to discover her true self.

I really enjoyed the honesty of this book. It showed how one mistake can consume a teenage girls life and how she can lose herself because of it.


Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot


Katie Ellison can't stop lying. She is making out with two boys, lying to her friends, her parents, and her town as she vies for the Quahog Princess crown, or at least a runner up slot. When Tommy Sullivan comes back to town, Katie must face up to her lies and set things right.

Another light, cute, fun story from Meg Cabot.