CCPS Gay Ivey's Recommended Reading

1. I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder

Comments

Written in free verse - Ava's boyfriend died in a tragic accident for which she blames herself. After the funeral, she feels his presence in her house. She needs to learn to move past her guilt and grief to begin leading a normal life. AGE APPROPRIATENESS: Nothing overtly problematic with this one. I'd feel comfortable with middle schoolers reading this one.

2. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Comments

MUST READ! Hannah has committed suicide but before she does puts a plan into motion. 13 people will receive a box of audio tapes after her death b/c each one plays a part in her decision to end her life. We hear the tapes along with Clay, the only one of the 13 who really cared about her and didn't do anything cruel to her. There is so much depth to this story. Age-appropriateness: my opinion is 8th and up. Contains mild profanity, mature themes, rape scene (not graphic), a date-rape scene (somewhat graphic), and of course suicide. However, the messages are so powerful that they really cause the reader to examine how everything happens, who is responsible, and how every little action can have a profound effect on another person's life.

3. The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin

Comments

Matt is writing a letter to his younger sister Callie explaining to her the events of their abusive childhood at the hands of their mother. A very serious and moving story. While it deals with mature topics, there's nothing blatantly objectionable in this book and should be good for mature MS readers.

4. Shattering Glass by Gail Giles

Comments

Wow! What a horrifying and attention grabbing book. One of the best I've read in a while. A group of popular boys decide to make the biggest geek popular with disasterous results. Not a Hollywood Happy Ending. Not for younger readers - my opionion is high school only: violence, profanity, mild sexuality.

5. What Happened to Cass McBride? by Gail Giles

Comments

Attention grabbing, fast read. While I enjoyed reading it, I'm not sure I saw much value to the book as far as using it in the classroom. Not for younger readers - violence, drugs, profanity.

6. Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) by Stephenie Meyer

Comments

What's not to love? Fun, fast, attention grabbing read. Kids love it. I feel it's good for all MS readers, but be aware it does contain some mature ideas and obviously vampires/occult.

7. New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) by Stephenie Meyer

Comments

Didn't like this one as much as the first. I feel Bella becomes a whining almost suicidal sop over a guy which is not a good message, but that does change. I feel it's good for all MS readers, but be aware it does contain some mature ideas and obviously vampires/occult.

8. Eclipse (Twilight, Book 3) by Stephenie Meyer

Comments

Enjoyed this one as well, much more than #2. Again, fast-paced, fun read. I feel it's good for all MS readers, but be aware it does contain some mature ideas and obviously vampires/occult.

9. Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4) by Stephenie Meyer

Comments

Same as the rest . . .

10. Peak by Roland Smith

Comments

Awesome for all! Excellent, action-adventure novel. Kid climbs Everest with lots of action and drama. Great book for reluctant readers.

11. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Comments

Fun, sci-fi reading for MS kids. Really makes us take a look at the superficiality of our society. While it appeals to girls more than boys, it's great for either. I feel it's good for all MS readers.

12. Pretties (Uglies Trilogy, Book 2) by Scott Westerfeld

Comments

Sci-fi - great for all.

13. Specials (Uglies) by Scott Westerfeld

Comments

Sci-fi - great for all.

14. Extras by Scott Westerfeld

Comments

A bonus book in the UGLIES TRILOGY. Not quite as good as the rest, but kids who read the others will want to finish up with this one. Good for all MS readers.

15. Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman

Comments

Told from the viewpoint of a kid trapped in his own head b/c of a disability. Very moving story. Good for all MS grades.

16. A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive by Dave Pelzer

Comments

Nonfiction autobiographical. This has been popular for years. Deals with Pelzer's experiences growing up with an abusive mother. Many middle school libraries have this book. Should be OK for mature middle school readers. Be aware some of the scenes are graphic.

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Created by vldteach

This list contains "edgy" books recommended by Dr. Gay Ivey for teen readers. The recommendations and age appropriateness here are just my opinions. I do suggest reading these books BEFORE putting them in the hands of your students to make sure you are comfortable with any comments parents might make. PVMS