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Pretend She's Here By Luanne Rice She's been locked down there for days now. I failed at trying to fill Lizzie's place, so hopefully she will do better. Mom is losing her mind over it. I want to follow my family, but I know this is wrong. She's not Lizzie. Lizzie died almost a year ago. We just pretend she's here. Recommended by Cynthia Swenk |
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The Girl I Used to Be By April Henry With a new identity I didn't think anyone would figure out the truth. Put into foster care after the tragic accident of my mother's murder and my father's disappearance, I was the only survivor at just three-years-old. Fourteen years later, new town, new name, living on my own, there's a knock at the door, which is bizarre since no one knows I'm here or who I am. It's the cops. They came to share that they're reopening my parents case. Instant panic rushes over me, and I freeze thinking... who knows I'm here... what's going to happen now. Without even thinking, I pack my bag and head for my old home town, the place I once knew and loved. Using my new name Olivia, I wander through the town not knowing a thing about these people and having very few memories from that night. Will anyone figure out who I really am or what I'm doing here? Will I finally have peace and find out what happened to my parents on December 6th fourteen years ago? Recommended by Adilyn Zimmer |
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Notes from the Midnight Driver Alex, 16, home alone until one brutal night. Mom is away. Dad is gone. Takes dad's old vodka. One sip. Two sips. Grabs mom's keys and jumps in the Dodge. Bang! The Dodge crashes. Boom! To the hospital, police office, and court house. Now Alex has to visit mean old Mr. Lewis for community service. What will happen to Alex? Will get get along with Mr. Lewis? Will he learn his lesson, while meeting someone on the side? Read Notes from the Midnight Driver to find out what happens next. Recommended by Trent Poffenbarger |
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A Dog's Way Home By W. Bruce Cameron My paws hit heavy on the ground as my heart raced. I dodged low branches and jumped over creeks as quick as I could. I had to find my human, Lucas. We had been separated a long time ago when Animal Control and the police got involved. I've met many people on my way home, some good and some bad. It's been a long journey and maybe you could help me get back home? Recommended by Emma Hancock |
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Semiprecious My name is Garnet. My life was pretty great. I had my mom and my sister, Opal, and my dad, who works away from home. My mom named my sister and I after precious gems. We were the Apple of her Eye, or so I thought. Now I live with my Aunt Julia because my mom dropped us to pursue her singing career. I've moved to a new school and have no friends. What do I do now? Recommended by Gracie Conyers |
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Daniel X: Alien Hunter Hello, it's me, Daniel X, Alien Hunter. I am down to one man left on my list. You probably guessed it, Number 1 the Prayer. He is the man responsible for the deaths of my parents. I have just killed Number 2, and now it's is time to destroy the man they call a god. It is going to be my toughest challenge yet, but I am ready to end this thing once and for all. Recommended by Dax Dunigan |
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The Wind Blows Backward I've been in love with Spencer Adams my entire life. Well, ever since middle school that is. When we moved on to high school years, he became the "Prince of Jocks" and no longer thought I was worth is time. Then one day we started talking again. He made me feel special. "Je t'aime Lauren," he would always say. Little did I know that he had lots of dark, twisty feelings deep under the surface. And I'm determined to fix him. Recommended by Gracie Conyers |
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The Boys Who Challenged Hitler My name is Knud Pederson, and I was a part of the RAF Club in Odense and then the Churchill Club in Aalborg. Our type of resistance was tearing down road signs and disassembling engines, which led to small bombs, arson, and stealing weapons. Eventually we were caught onto, and all members of the Churchill Club were put into prison. We attempted to escape but were quickly transported to another prison 200 miles away. My brother and I were sentenced to approximately three years, which trickled by. I lost weight and disobeyed the guards quite a lot. Eventually we were released, and I joined a resistance movement run by the British. Of course the war ended soon after, and I began to take law classes and delve even deeper into the arts. After some time, I opened an art library where even the poor could admire art. I will always be proud of resisting the German occupation. Recommended by Dalton Parker |
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Hitler's Last Days By Bill O'Reilly As the war approached an ending, I looked for any sort of point where we could turn the war. I am Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany, and due to the immense effort I have given trying to achieve world domination and the racial cleansing of the Jewish people, my health has greatly deteriorated. I walk with a hunch; I need constant doses of cocaine eye drops and methamphetamines to keep myself in control of the Fatherland. As U.S. troops and British troops knock on my door, I prepare a last ditch effort. The Battle of the Bulge, or Operation Watch on the Rhine, was a huge undertaking, overseen by a large number of German troops to push the enemy back. Or course this failed and U.S. and British troops pushed into the Fatherland. The Soviets made it to Berlin first and completely surrounded the city, starving the citizens. I decided that I would not be taken prisoner. I lived out my remaining days in the bunker underneath the Chancellory with my aides, doctors, and lover Eva Braun, also my pet German Shepherd Blondi. As the Russians got closer I decided to take my own life. Eva and I both used cyanide pills after we tested it on Blondi, but I also shot myself to ensure that it worked. Recommended by Dalton Parker |
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Incarceron Hi, my name is Jay. Well, I think my name is that. I kinda lost my memory. When I woke up I was somewhere like a prison. I was chained to the floor, but it looked like I was in some factory also with a lot of big trucks. Actually, one was backing up, coming my direction, getting closer and closer. I had no clue what I was doing, just freaking out... like they couldn't hear me. Then it stopped. They asked me questions like who I was. Then people came and saved me. Recommended by Brandon Johnson |
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The Book Thief My mother and I are apart. My brother died in my arms. The Nazi's have taken over Germany, and I can't do anything about it. Stealing books is one of the only things that makes me happy lately. Well, that and Papa and Rudy and soccer. But I am determined to learn to read; although, there will be obstacles. Maybe I'll even realize what love is along the way. Recommended by Gracie Conyers |
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A Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading My best friend, Moni, thought we should do something new this year. I didn't think she meant to join the cheerleading squad. We end up making the squad, but problems arise; getting harassed by the other girls on the squad and performing in short skirts. Everything happens too quickly, and suddenly everyone knows our names, and we start dating popular jocks. Who knew that two geeky girls like us would be at the center of high school royalty. But things aren't always as they seem. High school cliques clash, and I finally discover what really matters. Recommended by Kennedey Freeman |
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The Death Cure My name is Thomas, and I don't know where I am, but it is really dark in here. I have been here for at least two weeks, and only the rat nam has talked to me. He said I could leave whenever I gave him whatever he wanted me to answer. He also said my friends were here. I don't trust him, but I need to see my friends. I need to get my friends out of here so that we can get control and take out Wicked |