Pierrepont Summer Reading List

This list is organized into three sections based on age/reading level (5-8, 9-12, 13+). Each
recommendation includes a brief description and the name of the teacher who reviewed the book.
Age-appropriateness categorization is, of course, only an approximation and we encourage parents
and students to browse the entire list when deciding what to read.

YOUNGER READERS (AGES 4-8)

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Brand New Readers (series) published by Candlewick Press (www.candlewick.com)
These are short, funny stories with words and pictures for children who are just beginning to read. Our
favorites were: Mouse Has Fun, Mouse Goes Out, Wow, It’s Worm! and Well Done, Worm. (ages 4-7)
suggested by Liz

Treasury of Best-Loved Children's Stories, Publications International.

A collection of classic tales, beautifully illustrated. Lula has not put it down since opening the front cover.
(3-8) suggested by Tundé

My Friend is Sad, Mo Willems.

Gerald is sad, and his friend tries to cheer him up. Engaging illustrations. (ages 4+) suggested by Lisa

Flat Stanley, Jeff Brown.

Stanley Lambchop's life changes dramatically when a bulletin board accidentally falls off the wall and
flattens him. Now he sees the world from a different perspective. (ages 5-7) suggested by Ginny

Lulu and the Brontosaurus, Judith Viorst.

It's Lulu's birthday and she's decided she'd like a pet brontosaurus as a present. When Lulu's parents tell
her that's not possible, Lulu gets very upset. She does not like it when things don't go her way. So she
takes matters into her own hands. (ages 6-9) suggested by Madeline

Dance! With Bill T. Jones, Bill T. Jones.

In this beautiful photo essay, Bill T. Jones shares his love of dance. These photos will probably inspire
you to try out some of his movements and invent your own! (ages 4–8) suggested by Ashlie

Of Thee I Sing, Barack Obama.

I thought it was great. Barack Obama introduces historic Americans. (ages 4–6) suggested by Daniel

The Human Alphabet, Pilobolus and John Kane.

The dancers of Pilobolus use their strength, flexibility and imagination to create the letters of the
alphabet. What could be a better way to learn your ABC's? (ages 4–6) suggested by Ashlie

The Trouble with Chickens, Doreen Cronin.

J.J. Tully is a former search-and rescue dog who is trying to enjoy his retirement after years of performing
daring missions saving lives. So he’s not terribly impressed when two chicks named Dirt and Sugar (ages
who look like popcorn on legs) and their chicken mom show up demanding his help to track down their
missing siblings. J.J. is promised a reward to track down clues. Are there dark forces at work—or is J.J.
not smelling the evidence that’s right in front of him? (ages 7-11) suggested by Madeline

Luke on the Loose, Harry Bliss.

Luke is out with his dad for a trip to the park, when he decides that the day would be far better if it was
spent in a crazy pursuit of pigeons across the city. So he slips off across the park, through the streets, over
the bridge into Brooklyn and beyond. He eventually comes to rest high on a rooftop near nightfall where
he and the pigeons curl up to sleep and stay still long enough for a rescue and his reunion with his

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parents. Along the way he causes confusion and chaos in this graphic novel adventure. (ages 4-8)
suggested by Madeline

The Mouse of Amherst, Elizabeth Spires.

Meet Emily Dickinson through the eyes of a mouse that lives in her room. (ages 6–10) suggested by
Laura

How the Sphinx Got to the Museum, Jessie Hartland.

This unique picture book that tells the story of how one particular piece of Egyptian sculpture ended up in
the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It begins with a brief description of Hatshepsut and her significance as a
female pharaoh in ancient Egypt, as well as explaining how most pharaohs had many pieces of statuary
created in their honor. The story continues to build as Hatshepsut orders the creation of the Sphinx, the
sculptor secures the granite, the priests admire it, the stepson destroys it, and then the real fun begins after
an archaeologist discovers it 3000 years later in a pit and begins the process of acquisition for the
museum. (ages 4-7) suggested by Madeline

The Dinosaur Cove Adventures, Rex Stone.

This series is for dinosaur aficionados! It follows two friends as they find a secret passage back to the
time of the dinosaurs. In each story they have an adventure with a different type of dinosaur. It’s lots of
fun for young readers. (ages 5–7) suggested by Nancy

Toon Books.
A collection of comic books for young readers. (ages 4+) suggested by Alina

Trickster Tales from around the world: Jabuti the Tortoise, Coyote, Zomo The Rabbit, Raven,
Papagayo, Gerals Mcdermott.
The comic nature of the trickster as troublemaker, resourceful champion, and sometime fool is explored
in these tales from different cultures. The trickster has special appeal for children because of his ability to
triumph over larger foes not by physical strength but by wit and cunning. In addition, tales of the trickster
still speak to us in a gentle, humorous way about the strengths and weaknesses of humankind. (ages 5+)
suggested by Alina

Apartment 3, Ezra Jack Keats.

Sam and his brother hear harmonica music coming from somewhere in their dim apartment building.
They decide to find the source of the music. (ages 4-7) suggested by Laura

Varmints, Helen Ward and Marc Craste.

Enchanting creatures find themselves bewildered in the face of a changing world. (ages 4-9) suggested
by Laura

Willa and the Wind, Janice M. Del Negro and Heather Soloman.

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Willa’s village counts on the steady blowing of the north wind. After a mischievous wind blows away
Willa and her sister’s cornmeal, Willa visits Old Windy himself to reprimand him. This visit sets off a
series of adventures with magical consequences. (ages 3-9) suggested by Laura

What the Witch Left, Ruth Chew.

All of Ruth Chew’s books are sadly out of print, but it’s easy enough to find cheap used copies on
Amazon. Any and all of these are wonderful stories of magic found in unlikely places. I couldn’t get
enough of these books as a child. Great early chapter books. (ages 6+) suggested by Liam

The Big Question, Wolf Erlbruch

A little boy asks the question “Why are we here on earth?” which is answered in many different and
imaginative ways by different characters, from a pilot or a bird to a mother. (ages 3-9) suggested by
Laura

Ramona the Pest, Beverly Cleary.

Ramona is finally in kindergarten and learns about friendship in humorous adventures. (ages 6–9)
suggested by Ginny

Visiting Langston, Willie Perdomo and illustrated by Bryan Collier.

A short poem narrated by a young African-American girl who is on her way to visit Langston Hughes’
Harlem brownstone with her father. Wonderfully illustrated. (ages 3-8) suggested by Tundé

Frederic, Leo Lionni.

It is a very interesting twist of La Fontaine's The Grasshopper and the Ant. It is an easy read, but with a
lot of room for thought. (ages 4-6) suggested by Ilana

What to Do If Something Tries to Eat You, Steve Jenkins.

This is a wonderfully illustrated picture book about the unusual defensive strategies of animals. My
personal favorite is the lizard who squirts blood out of its eyes to repel attackers; that would certainly
repel me! My son loves all of Steve Jenkins' books, and I also recommend his other titles, What Do You
Do With a Tail Like This?, I See a Kookaburra, and Biggest, Fastest, Strongest. (ages 4-8) suggested
by Nancy

Tar Beach by Faith Ringold.

Daydreaming on the roof of her apartment building, Cassie pictures herself gliding through New York
City. (ages 4-7) suggested by Tundé

Koko's Kitten, Dr. Francine Patterson.

The true story of a gorilla who speaks sign language. For her 12 th birthday she asks for a kitten and
receives a little ball of fluff without a tail which she names "all ball." (ages 4-8) suggested by Ashlie

Eloise, Kay Thompson.

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Eloise is a 6 year old who lives in the Plaza Hotel. Her personal mantra is "getting bored is not allowed"
and she finds every adventure imaginable along with her favorite side-kick, her pet turtle "Skiperdee."
(ages 4-8) suggested by Ashlie

The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, Neil Gaiman.

One day Nathan comes over with two goldfish named Sawney and Beaney. "I'll swap you them," says the
little boy of the house. "What for?" asks Nathan. As it turns out, Nathan doesn't want anything that the
boy and his little sister suggest for trading... not an old spaceship or even Clownie the clown. Finally, the
boy has an idea, the kind of idea (like discovering "electricity or fire or outer space or something") that
changes the whole world. (ages 4-8) suggested by Madeline.

Sammy the Seal, Syd Hoff.

One day, Sammy the seal decides that he wants to go outside of the zoo
to see what life is like in the outside world. During his adventures he walks along a busy street, swims in
a man's bathtub, and goes to school. It is a great book for easy readers. (ages 4-7) suggested by
Madeline.

Mouse Soup, Arnold Lobel.

Weasel is ready for his dinner. And poor mouse is it. Just in time, he thinks up a clever and entertaining
way to distract weasel from serving up mouse soup for supper. (ages 4-7) suggested by Madeline.

Owl Moon, Jane Yolen.

This story is about a girl and her father who go owling together on a winter night. As the father and
daughter go searching for the great horned owl, the daughter discovers many things about how a winter
night feels, how much is said in silence, and how much things can be said in silence. (ages 4-8) suggested
by Madeline

Dance Nana Dance: Cuban Folktales in English and Spanish, Joe Hayes and Mauricio Treyard
Sayago.
A bilingual (side by side) book of Cuban folk tales filled with vibrant characters and unique twists of plot.
Tales range from origin myth (how humans got fire) to stories about the trickster turtle Jicotea. (ages 4-
10) suggested by Laura

The Heart and the Bottle, Oliver Jeffers.

A little girl with a big imagination (she sees stars as bees on fire) accidentally locks her heart in a bottle
after she encounters “an empty chair.” After that, she isn’t able to see the world in the same way, until
she meets someone else who has the imagination to figure out how to get the heart out of the bottle. (ages
4+) suggested by Laura

Princess, One Day You’re Going to Move Mountains, Varjuni Pinkston.

Powerful and creative illustrations, including the earth in a bird’s nest, accompany this simple, lovely
book. (ages 4+) suggested by Laura

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Optical Illusions, Inga Menkhoff.
This is a lovely book that provides fun optical illusions that are easy to reproduce. (5+) suggested by
Carey Gates.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs, Dougal Dixon.

It is very advanced, very good for learning about dinosaurs. (5+) suggested by Chase.

Amanda Pig Series, Jean Van Leeuwen.

Adventures of little Amanda Pig and her big brother Oliver. (Ages 5-7) suggested by Ginny

The Magic Tree House (series), Mary Pope Osbourne.

Two children have a magic treehouse that transports them into the pages of the books that they read. (One
book in the series takes them to the time of dinosaurs, another to the time of ninjas, another to Ancient
Egypt etc.) (ages 5-8) suggested by Carrie Thomas

Bad Kitty, Nick Bruel.

This book was written and illustrated by my friend, Nick Bruel. It tells the story of a nice kitty turned bad
and the antics that follow when she learns her family has run out of her favorite cat food. Silly. Adorable.
Hilarious. (ages 5-6) suggested by Ashlie

When Pigasso Met Mootisse, Nina Laden.

Art history book (ages 6-8) suggested by Carey Gates

Trumpet of the Swan, E.B. White,

One of my favorite books ever. Sad and beautiful and full of heart. (6+, suggested by Liam)

Babe the Gallant Pig, Dick King-Smith.

Babe is a little orphan piglet who is raised on Farmer Hogget's farm by Fly, a sheep dog. He learns to be a
sheepdog, and from his kindheartedness, he teaches the farm animals the importance of politeness and
kindness. (ages 7-9) suggested by Ginny

Nate the Great (series), Marjorie Weinman Sharmat.

Nate is a young boy detective who enjoys eating pancakes and solving mysteries. With the cool
detachment of a Sam Spade, Nate immediately plunges into his new and baffling case. Getting all the
facts, asking the right questions, narrowing down the suspects. Nate, the boy detective who "likes to work
alone," solves the mystery and tracks down the culprit. In the process he also discovers the whereabouts
of Super Hex, the missing cat. (ages 4-8) suggested by Madeline and Ginny.

Henry and Mudge, Cynthia Rylant and Suçie Stevenson.

The story revolves around a young boy, Henry, and his canine companion, Mudge, an English Mastiff.
Throughout the series, Henry learns many lessons, usually with the help of the 182-pound Mudge, about
life, loyalty and love. (series) (ages 4-8) suggested by Madeline

Encyclopedia Brown (series), Donald J. Sobol.

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It is about a spy. He solves hard mysteries. (5-11) suggested by Grace.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick.

Hugo, an orphan, finds magic and mystery in a Paris train station. Beautifully illustrated, the story
includes the awakening of an automaton—a mechanical man—and a secret message from beyond the
grave. Also recommended for those who love magic: Selznick’s The Houdini Box. (ages 5+) suggested
by Betsy and Henry Cohen

Black Beauty, Anna Sewell.

A good personal read for a young child. The story of a horse and his life. (ages 5-8) suggested by Téa

Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, Lois Gladys Leppard. (ages 6+) suggested by Hannah

Roald Dahl Series: The BFG, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Matilda, The Witches.
Charming, imaginative stories with interesting characters and circumstances. (ages 5-8) suggested by
Ethan, Hannah, Miguel and Téa

My Father’s Dragon, Ruth Stiles Gannett. (ages 5-8) suggested by Maxime

Which Witch, Eva Ibbotson.

A fantasy tale where the spirits, ogres, and witches behave as you would expect them to. (ages 5-8)
suggested by Hannah and Kyle

Emil and the Detectives, Erich Kästner,

Maurice Sendak said of this German detective story: “What a marvelous gift! Read it and you will be
happy.” How true. (6+, suggested by Jacob)

Wolf Story, William McCleery,

This is simply one of the most charming books I have ever read. I can’t imagine anything better than
reading this book aloud with your child. It is a book in which the story is about telling a story to a child.
Published in 1947, this book still feels fresh and witty and the father and his son feel like characters that
could still live today. (6+, suggested by Liam)

The Storm, Cynthia Rylant,

A family of happy animals live together in a lighthouse: Pandora the cat, Seabold the dog, and three
orphan mice Whistler, Lila, and Tiny. Together, they care for the lighthouse, watch for storms, and rescue
other animal friends. Other books in the series are The Whale and The Eagle. (5-8, suggested by Ginny)

Jack Tractor, Willy Smax. (ages 5-8) suggested by Alexander Paolozzi

A Night at the Museum, Milan Trenc.

You can tell many different stories based on the beautiful pictures. (ages 5-8) suggested by Allison

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The Iron Giant, Ted Hughes.
A nine year old boy discovers a robot and forms an unlikely friendship. (ages 5-8) suggested by Miguel

Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Brothers Grimm.

Engaging tales where the “good” guys alway win. (ages 5-8) suggested by Miguel

Dorrie and the Wizard’s Spell, Patricia Coombs.

Wonderful picture books that you may only be able to find at the library. Why these are out of print is
mystifying, as they are some of my favorite picture books from childhood. (ages 6+) suggested by Liam

The Lemonade Trick, Scott Corbett.

Mayhem ensues after Kerby Maxwell meets the mysterious Mrs. Graymalkin in his neighborhood park.
She gives him a chemistry set that allows him to make mixtures that seem almost magical… I loved these
quick, funny “Trick” books when I was a little kid. (ages 6-10) suggested by Liam

No Flying in the House, Betty Brock.

Annabel Tippens and her tiny little dog go to live with Mrs. Vancourt because she has no parents. She
discovers she is half-fairy, and comes to a difficult choice. She must choose between being a human or a
fairy. (ages 7-9) suggested by Ginny

The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett.

A young girl sent to live with her crotchety uncle discovers a beautiful garden and new friends. (ages 7-9)
suggested by Carrie Thomas

The Indian in the Cupboard, Lynne Reid Banks.

I remember getting lost in this book and not noticing hours passing. The story is about one of everyone's
childhood dreams: the day their favorite toy comes to life. (ages 7-9) suggested by Ashlie

The Water Horse, Dick King –Smith.

Kirstie and her younger brother Angus find a strange egg washed up on shore after a storm near their
Scottish home in the 1930's. It hatches into a mystery animal, part horse, part toad, part turtle, part
crocodile... a Water Horse according to their grandfather. They name him Crusoe, but how long can they
keep him as a pet? Or can they even keep him at all? This is a fun story about the Loch Ness monster.
(ages 7-9) suggested by Ginny

The Black Stallion, Walter Farley.

When Alec Ramsay and a wild Arabian stallion, known only as “The Black” end up as the only survivors
of a horrible shipwreck, they forge a bond that has enchanted readers for almost 70 years. Desert islands,
adventure, and horse racing… what more can you ask for? (ages 7+) suggested by Liam

The School Story, Andrew Clements.

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Clement's stories all showcase bright kids, who go against the system, thinking their own thoughts and
using their own initiative. The School Story involves the friends Natalie and Zoë, a writer and her friend
who becomes her agent. The story gives a peek into the insides of publishing and life in New York, while
also reflecting thoughtfully on the death of Natalie's father. Good Clement, though not quite Frindle or
The Landry News. (7+) suggested by Tim.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Rick Riordan.

This book is fun and helps you to learn the Greek gods. Exciting! If you like monsters and battles, this
book is right for you! (But you don’t need to like battles or monsters.) (7+) suggested by Max.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, E.L. Konigsbur.

Sneak into the Metropolitan Museum and spend the night with 11-year-old Claudia and her younger
brother, Jamie. Follow a beautiful winged statue to the house of its elderly owner in Farmington, CT.
(ages 7+) suggested by Betsy

The Worst Witch, Jill Murphy.

Before Harry Potter there was Mildred Hubble, the clumsy girl witch who attends Miss Cackle’s
Academy for Witches. This is a lively, adventurous, magical romp. Apparently they turned it into a
television series, but whether you’ve seen it or not, give the book a whirl. (ages 7-11) suggested by Liam

The Furious Flycycle, Jan Wahl.

Enjoyable for the whole family, this is the story of young Melvin Spitznagle and his quest to build a
bicycle that can fly. Sounds simple enough… (ages 7-11) suggested by Liam

The Curse of the Blue Figurine, John Bellairs.

If you want to stay up at night because you can’t possibly imagine putting your book down, do yourself a
favor and start reading this series by John Bellairs. Each book is a captivating gothic adventure full of
evil spells, horrifying ghosts and magical objects. The best thing about this series is that the hero, far
from being the intrepid, enterprising hero of most stories, is the thin, frail Johnny Dixon, a good Catholic
boy who is afraid of so much in his life. (ages 8+) suggested by Liam

Nobody's Boy, Hector Malot.

Nobody's Boy, published in France under the title Sans Famille, has become justly famous as one of the
supreme juvenile stories of the world. Nobody's Boy is a human document of child experiences that is
fascinating reading for young and old. Loyal friendship and honest conduct are the vital ideals of this
story, and the heart interest is eloquent with noble character. (8+) suggested by Alina.

A Book about Design, Mark Gonyea.

Art history book. (ages 6-8) suggested by Carey Gates

M.C. Escher, M.C. Escher.

A nice book with good plate reproduction of M.C. Escher prints and optical illusions. (8+) suggested by
Carey

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How to make books, Esther K. Smith.
A nice book that offers step by step directions that are easy to follow to make books out of paper and
fabric. (8+) suggested by Carey

City of Ember, Jeanne DuPrau.

Two twelve year old children, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow try to look for a new city and help the
citizens of their dying, underground City of Ember. (Ages 8-12) suggested by Ginny.

Enchantress from the Stars, Sylvia Engdahl.

This book was out of print for a while, but by those in the know, Enchantress from the Stars is one of the
best sci-fi/fantasy books written for kids. A compelling meditation on ideas of civilization that re-
conceives notions of alien cultures. (ages 9+) Suggested by Liam and Betsy

Essential Dickinson by Emily Dickinson, ed. Joyce Carol Oates.

This is the perfect bite-sized collection to introduce yourself to or reacquaint yourself with the poetry of
Dickinson. There are just enough poems in here to read a few poems each day of the summer and bask in
their idiosyncratic splendor. Oates has done a great job as curator, selecting a mixture of classic poems
and less well known ones. (ages 9+) suggested by Liam

Dragonflight, Anne McCaffrey

Science fiction masquerading as fantasy, this is the first in a series about the native dragons that help keep
Pern safe from the mysterious and terrible silver “threads” that threaten the planet. My only familiarity
with the series comes from watching my sister consume these books at a breakneck pace through our
childhood. (ages 9+) suggested by Liam

The House of Dies Drear, Virginia Hamilton

When Thomas' father decides to buy a house used as a stop on the Underground Railroad, he sets out to
uncover its secrets. (ages 9-12) suggested by Tunde

The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Elizabeth George Speare.

In 1687, sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler must sail from her home in Barbados to stay with her aunt and uncle
in a Puritan Connecticut colony. She befriends a Quaker woman, Hannah Tupper, who is suspected of
witchcraft. (ages 10+) suggested by Betsy

Another Fine Myth, Robert Asprin.

The first book in the hilarious ‘Myth’ series. Magician’s Apprentice Skeeve finds himself adrift after the
murder of his magician master, only able to rely on the help of a terrifying looking but ultimately
powerless demon named Aahz. These books are witty and adventure packed, full of dragons, trolls,
wizards, and dimension-hopping. (ages 10+) Suggested by Liam

“Goblin Market,” Christina Rossetti.

“Come buy, come buy.” (ages 7+) poetry suggested by Betsy

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Songs of Innocence and of Experience, William Blake.
“Fearful symmetry.” (ages 7+) poetry suggested by Betsy

Thee, Hannah!, Marguerite De Angeli.

A young Quaker girl learns to understand her family’s different ways (their simple clothing, use of thee
and thou, and their stand against slavery) in Philadelphia before the Civil War. A beautiful story with
beautiful illustrations. (ages 7+) suggested by Tim

The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster.

Milo, the bored child, is surprised one day when a strange toll booth is put in his room. He goes through
it, and finds a world of strange things and adventures that will take even you out of your doldrums! (ages
7-11) suggested by Henry Cohen

The Year of Billy Miller, Kevin Henkes

Billy Miller is apprehensive about entering second grade this year. However, with the help of his best
friend and his supportive family, he is able to go through his adventure-filled school year with flying
colors. (6-9, suggested by Ginny)

The Wizard Children of Finn, Mary Tannen,

Join Fiona and Bran as they go on a magical journey to Ancient Ireland. (7+, suggested by Liam)

The Trouble with Chickens, Doreen Cronin

J.J. Tully is a former search-and rescue dog who is trying to enjoy his retirement after years of performing
daring missions saving lives. So he’s not terribly impressed when two chicks named Dirt and Sugar (ages
who look like popcorn on legs) and their chicken mom show up demanding his help to track down their
missing siblings. J.J. is promised a reward to track down clues. Are there dark forces at work—or is J.J.
not smelling the evidence that’s right in front of him? (ages 7-11) suggested by Madeline

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl.

A classic tale. The book is infinitely better than any film version. (ages 8-10) suggested by Ethan and
Kyle

Luka and the Fire of Life, Salman Rushdie.

Rushdie's sequel to Haroun and the Sea of Stories, in which Haroun's younger brother Luka must go on a
video-game-like quest, replete with levels, formidable bosses and one-ups, for the magical Fire of Life to
rescue his story-telling father from a comatose sleep. Rushdie wrote this for his own younger son, who
demanded a book of his own like Haroun was for his older brother. (ages 8+)

The Sea Hawk, Rafael Sabatini.

Early 20th century writer who grew up in Italy, but lived in Britain as an adult and wrote in English. A
swashbuckling pirate story — the hero is a pirate of the Barbary coast. It made a great impression on me
as a child. (8+, suggested by Sheila)

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 YOUNG READERS (8-13)

Little Men, Louisa May Alcott.

Sure, Little Women gets all the attention, but this is a good book, too. The plot involves fun and drama in
a boys’ school. You may also want to try the third book about the March family: Jo’s Boys. (ages 8-12,
suggested by Nancy)

The Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum.

I know you've probably seen the movie but the book is even better. Oh and then there's a series of
incredible books that follows. Ozma of Oz and Road to Oz are two that come to mind. (ages 8+,
suggested by Liam)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (series), Jeff Kinney.

For reluctant readers, these stories are sometimes a place to start. (9+ some middle school content but
Suggested by Ally, Caroline, Ethan & Kenton

Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy, Jeanne
Birdsall.
This a very sweet, fun story, has several other books in the series (you absolutely will want to read more
about these characters). It is reminiscent of the Edward Eager books, just updated a bit. (ages 9-12,
suggested by Jenny)

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pier, Alan Bradley.

Flavia, the opinionated and chemistry loving eleven year old heroine, living in a decaying country house
in 1950s England with a distracted father and irritating older sisters, is a wonderful creation. A mystery
that involves a murder as well as getting to know Flavia as she spars with her sisters, does experiments in
her great-uncle's lab, or speeds across the countryside on her bike gathering clues. (11+, suggested by
Tim)

The Midwife’s Apprentice, Karen Cushman.

This book follows the life of an orphan named Beetle as she tries to find her way in 15th century England.
It is interesting, funny, and will make you grateful for modern conveniences like toothpaste and child
labor laws. (9-13, suggested by Nancy)

Horrible Histories Collection, Terry Deary.

"It's history with the nasty bits left in!" This is a series of illustrated history books which are designed to
engage children in history by presenting the unusual, gory, or unpleasant aspects in a humorous manner.
Some titles include: Incredible Incas, Measly Middle Ages, Terrible Tudors, and Slimy Stuarts. Books can
be purchased on Amazon by individual titles or as a collection box set. (8+, suggested by Alina)

Momo, Michael Ende.

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Written by the author of The Neverending Story, Momo is another wildly allegorical tale. Momo is about a
young girl who lives in a world not exactly like ours in which men in gray come to make the world a
more efficient place. Momo, however, is the one who might see that there is a price to “saving” time. (9+,
suggested by Liam)

The Princess Bride, William Goldman.

A meta-literary adventure of the best kind. Giants, oversized rodents, fighting, revenge, and the most
beautiful princess in the world. (10+, suggested by Liam)

A Separate Peace, John Knowles.

This book is a junior high school classic, but it seems to have fallen out of favor in the past few years.
This is a coming of age book about two friends at a prestigious boarding school in New England. Every
time I read this book, I remember why I love it so much. The character, Phineas, is iconic, and you will
never forget him. (11+, suggested by Nancy)

A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver, E.L. Konigsburg.

A brilliant historical fiction in which the irrepressible Eleanor of Aquitaine thinks back on her life as she
sits in heaven waiting for the possible arrival of her former husband, King Henry II of England. (8+,
suggested by Liam)

The Diamond in the Window, Jane Langton.

Is it possible to tire of books about mysterious houses filled with secrets? In Langton’s classic, follow
Edward and Eleanor Hall as they explore their family’s home in Concord, Massachusetts and investigate
the disappearance of some of their relatives. Their search begins to invade their dreams and takes them on
a series of ever more dangerous adventures. If you enjoy this book, Langton wrote many others about the
Hall family such as The Swing in the Summerhouse and The Fledgling. (ages 8-12, suggested by Liana)

Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery.

This is a classic and it is not “just for girls.” These are the adventures of an orphan girl as she makes a
place for herself in the world. It is beautifully written and very funny too. (9+, suggested by Nancy)

Understanding Comics, Scott McCloud.

This is a comic book that breaks down the conceptual and artistic structure of comics. Faces drawn a
certain way have different ways of relating to the viewer. Words that connect or clash with drawings play
with reader's expectations. As an artist, this is a book that I often refer to when making images and
thinking about audience. (9+, suggested by Tammy)

Sabriel, Garth Nix.

In an alternate turn-of-the-century England an undead abomination interrupts Sabriel's final term at
boarding school, bringing her a gift and a message: her father has been trapped deep in the watery lands
of Death and it now falls to her to take up his sword and set of magical bells to defeat an evil
necromancer and save the world. Full of epic set-pieces and dark fairy-tale atmosphere, Nix manages to
keep the story grounded in the realistic emotional development of his young protagonist. Nix's writing is

13
playful and workmanlike and insults the intelligence of neither the reader nor the rational and relatable
characters. First of a trilogy. (11+, suggested by Jesse)

Mortal Engines, Philip Reeve.

What a finely considered and bleak future world Reeve has created. Set millenia after the Sixty Minute
War, cities and towns move across the barren landscape of earth pursuing Municipal Darwinism among
the Great Hunting Ground and consuming one another for parts. Tom is an apprentice historian in
London, which is on the prowl and may have scavenged the requisite parts to rebuild one of the Ancient's
weapons. Thoughtful young characters and real choices about good and evil and the nature of the future,
set in an apocalyptic world. (10+, suggested by Tim)

The Mysterious Benedict Society, Trenton Lee Stewart.

After Reynie Muldoon responds to an advertisement recruiting "gifted children looking for special
opportunities," he finds himself in a world of mystery and adventure. The 11-year-old orphan is one of
four children to complete a series of challenging and creative tasks, and he, Kate, Constance, and Sticky
become the Mysterious Benedict Society. After being trained by Mr. Benedict and his assistants, the four
travel to an isolated school where children are being trained by a criminal mastermind to participate in his
schemes to take over the world. The young investigators need to use their special talents and abilities in
order to discover Mr. Curtain's secrets, and their only chance to defeat him is through working together.
Readers will challenge their own abilities as they work with the Society members to solve clues and put
together the pieces of Mr. Curtain's plan. In spite of a variety of coincidences, Stewart's unusual
characters, threatening villains, and dramatic plot twists will grab and hold readers' attention. Fans of
Roald Dahl or Blue Balliett will find a familiar blend of kid power, clues, and adventure in Society. (ages
8-12, suggested by Alina)

The Prince and the Pauper, Mark Twain.

This is a fun book in which two look-alikes get to change places. How would it feel to be a prince for a
day? There is a lot of humor and some suspense in this beautifully written book. (8+, suggested by
Nancy)

Breaking Stalin's Nose, Eugene Yelchin.

Sasha Zaichik is a 10 year old boy living in Soviet Russia. His dream is to be a Soviet Young Pioneer and
be the best Communist he can be. Things go awry when his father is arrested. Will he ever become a
young Pioneer now? Is it worth it? (ages 9-12, suggested by Ginny)

Anguished English and Bride of Anguished English, Richard Lederer.

These are two hilarious books on the hazards of speaking and writing the English language. It is easy to
feel superior when you read, “The injury occurred to the gluttonous maximus,” (BoAE p.130) but let’s
face it, we’ve all made these kinds of mistakes. In fact, I once had a student tell me that a fetus is fed
from its mother’s polenta! Read these books; they’re a lot of fun. (ages 10+) suggested by Nancy

Why Knot? An Introduction to the Mathematical Theory of Knots, Colin Adams.

This book looks and reads like a comic book as it leads the reader through some intriguing problems from
mathematical field of knot theory. Knot theory is a subfield of a branch of mathematics called topology,

14
which, roughly speaking involves the study of spatial objects. This book provides an opportunity for even
the youngest of students to develop their problem solving and deductive reasoning skills. (ages 8+)
suggested by Liz

Chasing Vermeer, Blue Balliet.

This book is filled with puzzles, patterns and some interesting pre-teen detectives. It is a lot of fun to
follow along as they chase the mystery. Like all good mystery novels, the readers are given the chance of
figuring out the puzzle before the characters do. Are you ready for the challenge! (ages 10–13)
suggested by Nancy

Collected Stories and The Devil’s Dictionary, Ambrose Bierce.

In which we learn, among other helpful things, that a cat is “a soft, indestructible automaton provided by
Nature to be kicked when things go wrong in the domestic circle.” An odd fellow, Mr. Bierce...these days
perhaps most famous for disappearing in 1913. His works are largely in the public domain by this point,
and can be downloaded for free, never a bad thing. (ages 8–12) suggested by George

Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury.

This is a science fiction novel about Guy Montag, a fireman whose job is to burn books. (ages 11+)
suggested by Lisa

The Good Earth, Pearl S. Buck.

Pearl S. Buck was the daughter of missionaries. She was born in China and not only spoke Chinese but
was also very involved in local life. She wrote many novels but this is the most famous. Was also turned
into a movie. (ages 10+) suggested by Ilana

Before We Were Free, Julia Alvarez (age 11+) suggested by Liam

The Apothecary, Maile Meloy (age 11+) suggested by Liam

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Kate DiCamillo.

A china rabbit goes on series of adventures, learning about love in the process. (ages 8–11) suggested by
Laura

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan.

I just finished re-reading these stories and I enjoyed them even more than the first time. Without
question, Sherlock Holmes sets the standard for all detective fiction. These stories are fun, intriguing,
spooky but not overly violent. They are just right for a summer read. (ages 10–100) suggested by
Nancy

The Judge Dee Novels, Robert van Gulik.

These are all detective stories in classic China of a very upright and intelligent judge. Entertaining and
instructive. (ages 10+) suggested by Ilana

15
Mathemagic: Magic, Puzzles and Games With Numbers, Royal Vale Heath.
This book is full of math fun for both kids and adults. (ages 8+) suggested by Liz

Foreign Devils on Silk Road, Peter Hopkirk.

Historic fascinating book about western archeological expeditions in China at the end of the 19th century
and beginning of the 20th. Middle school students interested in history can also read it, it is amazing.
(ages 10+) suggested by Ilana

China Boy, Gus Lee.

I remember it as giving voice to some of the cultural tensions involved in being Chinese-American.
About a Chinese boy growing up in a tough American neighborhood. (ages 12+) suggested by Daniel

Anything, Alexandra David Neel.

She was a Belgian woman who studied Buddhism and traveled in Tibet and India on her own at the turn
of the 20th century. She recorded in a fascinating language her trips and encounters with holy and regular
people. Middle school, high school, good for all. (ages 10+) suggested by Ilana

A Day No Pigs Would Die, Robert Newton Peck.

This is a coming-of-age story about a boy whose family has to kill his pet pig. (ages 11+) suggested by
Lisa

Kingdom Come, Alex Ross and Mark Waid.

What happens when superheroes get old? (ages 11+) suggested by Jacob

The Acts of King Arthur and his Noble Knights, John Steinbeck.
Steinbeck’s retelling of Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur for young adults is gripping and has it
all: adventure, chivalry, romance, and treachery. Touchingly, Steinbeck was moved to retell Malory’s
book because he himself had been so fond of it as a child. (ages 11+) suggested by Jon

Around the World in Eighty Days, Jules Verne.

Jules Verne was famous in his day for popular, adventurous novels, of which this is surely his most
famous, a fast-paced, easy-reading travelogue of the Victorian world. After reading the novel you may
wish to view the film, starring the inimitable David Niven, or the masterful Three Stooges spoof, Around
the World in a Daze. (ages 8+) suggested by Jon

The World According to Humphrey, Betty Birney.

Humphry, a pet hamster at Longfellow School, learns that he has an important role to play in helping his
classmates and teacher. This is the first book the Humphrey series. (ages 8-12) suggested by Madeline

The Incredible Journey, Sheila Every Burnford.

A Siamese cat, an old bull terrier, and a young Labrador retriever travel together 250 miles through the
Canadian wilderness to find their family. Together, the three house pets face starvation, exposure, and
wild forest animals to make their way home to the family they love. (ages 7-11) suggested by Madeline

16
Mosque, David Macaulay.
An art history book suggested by Carey Gates. (ages 9-11)

Cathedral, David Macaulay, Pyramid, David Macaulay, Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book, Ed Emberley.
Art history books suggested by Carey Gates (ages 9-11)

Basil of Baker Street, Eve Titus.

What if a mouse lived in the walls of 221B Baker Street? And what if that mouse learned to solve mouse-
sized crimes from listening to Sherlock Holmes? Meet Basil of Baker Street and his sidekick, Dr.
Dawson, two mice ready for adventure. (ages 7-11) suggested by Liam

Nancy Drew Series, Carolyn Keene.

Nancy may seem a bit old fashioned to older readers, but young readers will love these formula-driven
mysteries. It may be coincidence, but all three female Supreme Court Justices have spoken fondly about
their young days spent reading Nancy Drew books. (ages 7-12) suggested by Liam

The Great Brain, John D. Fitzgerald.

This is a fictionalized version of the author’s childhood growing up in Utah in the 1890s. That might
sound like dry material, but this series is one of the funniest, liveliest sets of stories that I remember
reading faithfully as a kid. J.D. is the naïve younger brother of Tom Fitzgerald, known by many of the
kids in Adenville as “The Great Brain”. Read stories about Tom doing his best to make a fortune by
cheating and swindling everyone around him, even his brothers and parents. There are also some nice
historical touches about religious communities in 19 th century Utah along the way. (ages 8-12) suggested
by Liam

The Iceberg Hermit, Arthur J. Roth.

A riveting story of survival about a young man trapped in the Arctic in the 18 th century. While it may not
be as well written as the survival stories of Jean Craighead George or Gary Paulsen, the story should
captivate younger readers. (ages 7-12) suggested by Liam

The Master Puppeteer, Katherine Paterson.

This is a fantastic piece of historical fiction written for younger readers. It is a realistically suspenseful
story about a young boy named Jiro living in feudal Japan who becomes an apprentice to a master
puppeteer. (ages 8-12) suggested by Liam

Footsteps, Leon Garfield.

For anyone who loves Joan Aiken or Charles Dickens. This historical novel sends 12 year old William on
a journey through 18th century London to fulfill a mysterious request from his dying father. There are
other wonderful Leon Garfield books out there as well. (ages 8-13) suggested by Liam

Printing by Hand, Lena Corwin.

This book has a number of fun projects for making decorative prints in the home. (10+) suggested by
Carey Gates

17
Maximum Ride (series), James Patterson.
Six fugitives with wings. (10+) suggested by Willa and Caroline

Warriors (series), Erin Hunger.

Cats live in clans in the wild and fight. (9+) suggested by Willa and Caroline

Skellig, David Almond.

This is the story of a boy with a sick infant sister who discovers a mysterious and possibly magical, man-
like creature living in the decrepit garage of the house into which his family has just moved. (ages 10-12)
suggested by Eddie

Rurouni Kenshin Vol.1, Nobuhiro Watsuki.

Set in the Meiji period in Japan, this manga features well-developed characters and exciting fight scenes.
It is great for any interested in the genre. (ages 10-12) suggested by Eddie

The Book of Three, Lloyd Alexander. (ages 8-12) suggested by Maxime

The Color of Magic, Terry Prachett.

Follow an inept Wizard on an eccentric adventure. (ages 8-12) suggested by Maxime

The Pawn of Prophecy, David Eddings. (ages 8-12) suggested by Maxime

Igraine the Brave, Cornelia Funke.

A daughter of great magicians wants to be a knight. As she meets an outcast knight, she finds what evil
really is. (ages 8+) suggested by Alexander Paolozzi

The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan.

If you have not yet read this book, I suggest you give it a try. Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is the
reluctant hero of this adventure story. The gods of Mount Olympus figure prominently, which will be a
lot of fun for a Pierrepont kid. (caveat - This story contains violence and can be scary). (ages 10-12)
suggested by Nancy

Redwall, Brian Jacques. (ages 9-12) suggested by Annick

The Golden Compass, Phillip Pullman.

This book grabs the readers and makes you sympathize with the characters. (ages 9-12) suggested by
Allison

Pendragon (series), D.J. MacHale.

A boy travels through time and space to catch an evil traveler far more powerful than him. (ages 9+)
suggested by Alexander Paolozzi

The Pushcart War, Jean Merrill.

18
One of the only books from my childhood that I almost immediately reread after finishing it the first time.
A very funny story of a “war” between pushcarts and enormous trucks in New York City. The author's
historical approach (this book is fiction) of piecing details together from different sources, appeals to the
historian in me. But mainly it's a great and funny story of the little guys winning out in the end. (9+)
suggested by Tim

A Wrinkle in Time, Madeline L'Engle.

This book remains one of my favorites to this day. It has so many layers, I can re-read it over and over.
Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which are unforgettable characters. (ages 10-12) suggested by Ashlie
and Ethan

The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien. Suggested by Ethan

Harry Potter (series), J.K. Rowling. Suggested by Ally and Ethan

The Series of Unfortunate Events, Lemony Snicket. The Baudelaire orphans are shocked one day to
receive news that their parents have died in a fire that has destroyed their mansion home, and so they are
sent to live with their evil and conniving relative, Count Olaf, who tries every trick in the book to steal the
children’s new inheritance. (ages 9+) suggested by Henry Cohen

Boy, Roald Dahl.

Roald Dahl tells of his childhood. (ages 9+) suggested by Alexander Paolozzi

Homesick: My Own Story, Jean Fritz.

Part autobiography and part novel, this is the story of an American girl who grows up in China during the
mid 1920's, a period of great turmoil. Jean's parents' memories of home and letters from relatives in
Pennsylvania make her feel that she is American—and homesick for a place she's never seen. When her
family returns to America, she wonders: When she arrives in America at last, will she fit in after growing
up on "the wrong side of the world? (ages 9-12) suggested by Ashlie

The Complete Poems of Emily Jane Bronte.

Taking place in the imaginary north Pacific island of Gondal, an island world invented by the adolescent
Emily and Anne Brontes, these poems are full of haunting images and passionate, musical language. (age
11+) suggested by Laura

Alex Ryder (series), Anthony Horowitz.

A boy, oblivious of what’s to come, is recruited to the M16. (ages 11+) suggested by Alexander Paolozzi

Earth Abides, George R. Stewart.

A plague decimates the world’s population, and those who remain alive struggle to rebuild civilization…
as they wonder if, indeed, it’s worth rebuilding. (ages 11+) suggested by Jon.

The Dark Hills Divide, Patrick Carman.

Suggested by Caroline

19
Shredderman, Wenderlin van Draanen.
Suggested by Ally, Caroline and Kenton

Matt Christopher Sports Fiction (series), Matt Christopher.

Suggested by Kenton

How I Survived Middle School (series), Nancy Krulik.

Suggested by Caroline

The Twenty-One Balloons, William Pene DuBois.

Suggested by Ethan

The Westing Game, Ellen Raskin.

Suggested by Kenton

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, Joan Aiken.

Suggested by Ethan

Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton.

A sci-fi read about an island of dinosaurs. Very entertaining for a dinosaur lover. (ages 9-12) suggested
by Téa

The Giver, Lois Lowry.

A haunting, moving read about a not-so-utopian society in the future. (ages 9-12) suggested by Téa

Transall Saga, Gary Paulsen.

A survival adventure in a very different yet familiar world. (ages 9+) suggested by Connor

Death on the Nile, Agatha Christie.

This books takes a while to get into, but once you do, you can’t put it down! (ages 9-12) suggested by
Allison

Hound of the Baskervilles, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

This is one of the most exciting mystery books EVER. (ages 9-12) suggested by Allison

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. (ages 9-12 suggested by
Miguel)

Hoot, Carl Hiaasen.

Set in Florida, it pits smart and environmentally aware kids against real estate developers destroying owl
habitat. A funny and quick moving plot, with likable characters. Another book by Hiaasen, Flush, is an
even faster read with a similar environmental plot. (ages 9+) suggested by Tim

20
The Birchbark House, Louise Erdrich.
A story that follows Omakayas, or Little Frog, and her Ojibwa family through one year of their lives on
Madeline Island (in Lake Superior) in the 1840s. Gives a detailed picture of Native American life. (ages
9+) suggested by Tim

Anastasia Krupnik/Anastasia, Ask Your Analyst/Anastasia at Your Service, Lois Lowry.

Many students familiar with Lowry’s novel, The Giver, will be surprised (but still delighted) when they
read the Anastasia Krupnik series. These are the (mis)adventures of a girl coming of age in an average
family, having to deal with pet gerbils, chores, her little brother, Sam, and sometimes embarrassing
parents. This is a funny, enjoyable series with engaging characters dealing with day to day life. As the
series goes on and as Anastasia grows up, some of the books deal with slightly more mature themes.
(ages 10+) suggested by Liam

Rurouni Kenshin Vol.1, Nobuhiro Watsuki.

Set in the Meiji period in Japan, this manga features well-developed characters and exciting fight scenes.
It is great for any interested in the genre. The first of 28 volumes. (ages 10+) suggested by Eddie

The Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury.

Short science-fiction stories revolving around the colonization of Mars. (ages 10+) suggested by Justine

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie.

People rave about this National Book Award winning novel by Sherman Alexie, a renowned Spokane
Indian novelist and poet. Filled with the funny drawings and musings of ninth-grade Arnold, this is like a
much more sophisticated Diary of a Wimpy Kid, set on a Spokane reservation. Some mature content.
(ages 11+) Suggested by Liam

The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman (Caldecott Winner).

This is a coming-of-age story of Nobody Owens whose family is killed when he is a toddler. He is
brought up by ghosts and lives in a cemetery. Soon he has to leave its sanctuary and learn to live in the
world of the living. (ages 10-12) suggested by Ginny and Hannah

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith.

A young girl learns how to survive hard times at the turn of the century. (ages 10-12) suggested by
Carrie Thomas.

The Trolley to Yesterday, John Bellairs.

Time-travel to 15th-century Constantinople with Johnny, Fergie, Professor Childermass and Brewster, a
talking falcon statue who claims to be an Egyptian god, as the Byzantine Empire prepares for battle. More
comic and with a lighter tone than other stories in the Johnny Dixon series. (ages 10+) suggested by
Betsy

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mildred D. Taylor.

21
The Logans, a black family living in the South during the 1930s, are faced with prejudice and
discrimination which their children do not understand. It takes the events of one turbulent year to show
Cassie that having a place of their own is the Logan family's lifeblood. (ages 9-12)

Mistborn, Brandon Sanderson.

A poor and lonely orphan girl joins an elite crew of thieves, who plot to overthrow the oppressive (and—
unfortunately—practically immortal) emperor. Along the way, she discovers both a place in a group and
some powers she never knew she had. (ages 11-13) suggested by Lisa

Art of the Middle Ages (World of Art), Janetta Rebold Benton.

A good survey of the art of the middle ages covering early Christian, Byzantine, Early medieval,
Romanesque and Gothic art. (12+) suggested by Carey Gates.

Indian Art, Vidya Dehejia.

A good survey of the art of Indian subcontinent covering the Indus valley civilization, Buddhist art,
Hindu art, and Islamic art in India. (12+) suggested by Carey Gates

Islamic Arts (Art and Ideas), Jonathan Bloom.

Islamic Art and architecture (World of art) Robert Hillenbrad. Both are a good surveys of art of the Islam
covering the stylistic changes over time and regional variations. (12+) suggested by Carey Gates

The book of a hundred hands, George Brant Bridgman.

A good instructional book on the developing hand drawing skills. (12+) suggested by Carey Gates

One Corpse Too Many: The Second Chronicle of Brother Cadfael, Ellis Peters.
Short medieval mysteries set in a 12th c. England enduring a civil war. Brother Cadfael is a master
monkish detective who works in the monastery herb garden and the nearby town of Shrewsbury. This
story introduces several recurring characters, is satisfying in detail, and happy in ending (if not always in
plot). (12+) suggested by Tim

Pompeii, Robert Harris.

A well-written and vivid historical novel about the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD and the ensuing chaos.
Fascinating and chilling. (12+) suggested by Paul

Persuasion, Jane Austen.

Anne Elliot fell in love at the age of twenty with the handsome naval officer Fredrick Wentworth. But
persuaded by her family out of her choice for marriage, Anne is still unmarried when she encounters
Fredrick again seven years later. Now a captain, Fredrick has not forgiven Anne yet. (age 12+)
suggested by Laura

The Blind Assassin, Margaret Atwood.

A touching, mesmerizing romance that also features a novel-within-a-novel in the form of a pulpy sci-fi
story from the '40s. (13+, suggested by Jon)

22
Persuasion, Jane Austen.
This is my favorite Jane Austen novel. Although it is not as famous as Pride and Prejudice, it shares the
same themes of love, reserve, regret and the trouble with interfering family members. If you like Jane
Eyre and the French language, you will enjoy this one. (14+, suggested by Nancy)

The Norman Conquests, Alan Ayckbourn.

A hilarious trilogy set in one weekend in July. Each play takes place in one room of a house. (16+,
suggested by Justine)

Rule of the Bone, Alan Ayckbourn.

Following in the footsteps of Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield, this novel's young protagonist, Bone,
narrates his own, often traumatic, coming-of-age. Banks' portrayal of rural poverty in Upstate New York
is unsparing and brutal. Bone lives in a bleak and unforgiving world. Not all of the things he does to
survive in this world are admirable, and they are frequently criminal, but they are always believable, and
he tells us what he does and why he does it in his own crudely eloquent and highly original voice. (13+,
suggested by Jesse)

Nightwood, Djuna Barnes.

Paris, 1920's, women in love, musical prose—what's not to love? Followed by The Berlin Stories by
Christopher Isherwood: Berlin, early 1930's, men in love, lush prose … (and if you enjoy The Berlin
Stories, Isherwood revisits some of the same material almost 40 years later in Christopher and His Kind,
where the prose is even finer). (15+, suggested by Bruce)

Villette, Charlotte Bronte.

If you like Jane Eyre and the French language, you will enjoy this one. (14+, suggested by Sheila)

The Master and Margarita, Mikhail Bulgakov.

The devil arrives in 1930s Moscow with an entourage of demons, vampires, witches, and a giant, gun-
toting black cat named Behemoth; hilarity, and tragedy, ensues. The pinnacle of Russian Soviet satire and
one of the best novels of the 20th century. (13+, suggested by Jesse)

Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power, Richard Carwardine.

An excellent political biography of Lincoln that focuses on his development as a Whig in central Illinois,
his movement into the new Republican party in the 1850s due to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and his efforts
to keep the diverse new party together whether in late 1850s Illinois or in the White House. Carwardine
knows the political landscapes and analyzes Lincoln's speeches and correspondence with care whether
Lincoln is in Illinois or is a national figure. The sections on the Lincoln-Douglas debates and on Lincoln's
nomination for the presidency were particularly excellent. (14+, suggested by Tim)

The Innocence of Father Brown, G. K. Chesterton.

Short stories featuring a priest-cum-amateur detective and an escaped French convict whom the former
converts. Chesterton was a contemporary of P.G. Wodehouse. (12+, suggested by Sheila)

23
Under Western Eyes or The Secret Agent, Joseph Conrad.
Long days at home turning the mind to thoughts of terrorism and anarchy? Time to read some Joseph
Conrad. Both novels are amazing prescient studies of political and individual alienation and violence.
(13+, suggested by Bruce)

Inhuman Bondage: The Rise and Fall of Slavery in the New World, David Brion Davis.
Like taking a class from David Brion Davis (which is a good thing), the man who knows more about
slavery and abolition than anyone alive. Davis gives an overview history of slavery across the New
World, describes its economic and social basis, and the religious and moral origins of both a vigorous
support for slavery and its abolition for the first time in human history. An engaged and passionate
introduction to the topic. (14+, suggested by Tim)

The Sisters Brothers, P. deWitt.

Just plain old fun and very funny in places—Liam gave me a copy and once I started I could not and did
not put it down until I was finished. (12+, suggested by Paul)

Magical Mathematics, Persi Diaconis and Ron Graham.

This book is about the secrets of amazing, fun-to-perform card tricks, and the profound mathematical
ideas behind them. One would never guess the deep connections between shuffling cards, permutations
and Lie groups. Both authors are mathematicians; Diaconis was formerly a professional magician. Both
are masters of exposition. It's a fun book to read for those who like magic tricks and mathematics. (13+,
suggested by Shiela)

The Historical Development of the Calculus, C. H. Edwards Jr.

Especially for those about to embark on a study of Calculus (or even those who have already taken it).
Parts of the first three chapters should look familiar to my students in Algebra/Trigonometry from the last
two years. The rest of the book does pre-suppose some familiarity with Calculus. (suggested by Sheila)

What is the What, Dave Eggers.

I was totally suspicious of this book when I picked it up, but it moved me hugely. Eggers narrates the
biography of Valentino Achak Deng, one of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan. Driven from his homeland, Deng
faces horrific adversaries in his flight to America, where further obstacles await. This is a modern
"Odyssey," but one in which there is no home to regain. (13+, suggested by Bruce)

Reading Lolita in Tehran, Azar Fafisi.

A beautiful book about reading and not being allowed to read; it touches on exactly how dear certain
freedoms are that too many in this country take for granted. (13+, suggested by Paul)

Offshore, Penelope Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald amazes me with her ability to construct intricate worlds and deeply imagined characters in such
slim books. Set along the Thames in London, Offshore enters the lives of characters living in decaying
barges and trying to find purchase on their lives. If it sounds depressing, it is far from it. (14+, suggested
by Tim)

24
Copenhagen, Michael Frayn.
In a meeting between the famous physicists Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg (of the uncertainty
principle) in 1941, scholars, historians, and various government officials are all wondering what was
communicated? This play uses the theories of these scientists to explore the possibilities in this
phenomenal play. (14+, suggested by Justine)

A Room with a View, E.M. Forster.

This is one of those books that we English teachers wish we had time to teach during the school year. The
main character, Lucy, is charming, sympathetic, and a little silly, but you’ll enjoy her adventures in Italy.
(12+, suggested by Nancy)

The Swerve, D. Greenblatt.

A great book about how things of importance get lost and how they are found again through the efforts of
fiercely determined people and, of course, chance. (13+, suggested by Paul)

Venetia, Georgette Heyer.

Georgette Heyer wrote romances, but her Regency romances bear more comparison to Jane Austen than
what line supermarket checkout lines these days. This book is a romance about escaping the boundaries of
early 19th century social life. The characters are wonderful and their dialogue witty, even if the plot is a
bit too modern and the character's ideas too free of the constraints of their time. But those are a historian's
criticisms of what should (and can) be enjoyed more simply. (13+, suggested by Tim)

A High Wind to Jamaica, Richard Hughes

The Bas-Thornton children are evacuated by their parents from Jamaica after a hurricane destroys their
house. Unfortunately they are captured by pirates on the way to London. Beautiful and funny and even
cartoon-like at times, while also startling in its unsentimental depiction of children and their ability to do
evil amid innocence. (12+, suggested by Tim)

We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Shirley Jackson.

This murder-mystery is dominated by its formidable and twisted narrator Merricat Blackwood and the
decaying house in which she lives with her sister Constance and uncle Julian. It appears that Merricat will
do anything to protect her sister from harm but can you truly trust Merricat’s intentions? This intense
book draws from Jackson’s own experiences living in a small town in New Hampshire and will make you
think twice before swallowing a bite of food. (14+, suggested by Liana)

Death Comes to Pemberley, P.D. James.

P.D. James is one of my favorite mystery writers, so I was very excited when I learned she has written a
mystery involving everyone’s favorite couple, Elizabeth and Fitzsimmons Darcy. This is a fun book for
Austen fans because it is clear that PD James loves these characters. But, don’t read it if you have not
read Pride and Prejudice yet. P&P is a masterpiece and should be read first! (13+ suggested by Nancy)

Unaccustomed Earth, Jhumpa Lahiri.

25
A series of short stories that take us form Cambridge and Seattle to India and Thailand. The book contains
five unconnected stories followed, three linked stories which all explore the secrets of family life. It deals
with immigration, adjustment and cultural preservation while dealing with the many obstacles that are
faced, families around the world. (13+, suggested by Giuseppe)

The Dispossessed, Ursula K. LeGuin.

“There was a wall. It did not look important.” With these two simple sentences, LeGuin launches a tale of
great complexity about two worlds and the barriers that separate them and their people. (14+, suggested
by Liam)

1493: How Europe's Discovery of the Americas Revolutionized Trade, Ecology and Life on Earth,
Charles C. Mann.
An engrossing, cogent account of the utter transformation of the ecology of the world in the post-
Columbian period. Uniquely, this work navigates science and history with equal skill. (13+, suggested by
Jon)

Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention, Manning Marable.

A biography of African-American activist and devout Muslim, Malcom X, chronicling his moral, spiritual
and political transformations from a young man to his assassination. (13+, suggested by Tundé)

Somerset Maugham, Short Stories.

Some collections are East and West, The Casuarina Tree and The Trembling of a Leaf. I always think of
Somerset Maugham and Guy de Maupassant as one of a kind. The prose is deceptively simple and
mesmerizing at the same time. Among other things, he paints vivid portraits of British colonial life in
South East Asia. (suggested by Sheila)

Benjamin Franklin, Edmund Morgan.

A good smaller biography of Franklin that convinced me to like him more. Morgan is a great historian
having written monumental works on the Puritans and on the settlement and rise of slavery in Virginia.
This is a more intimate picture of one of the Founders. (13+, suggested by Tim)

A Monster Calls, Patrick Ness.

This is quite simply one of the most powerfully imaginative works about a young person grappling with
grief that I have ever read. It is a harrowing book but well worth reading. Though it is illustrated and may
look like a book for younger children, don’t be fooled. This is a sophisticated fable for older readers.
(12+, suggested by Liam)

The Approaching Fury: Voices of the Storm, 1820-1861, Stephen B. Oates.

This is history told in the first person. Oates picked thirteen historical figures who relate their
understanding of the events that we now know led to the Civil War. It is an engaging read (he has written
biographies on at least two of the individuals previously, Lincoln and Brown), with deep roots in each of
these individual's personal and public writings (Jefferson, Clay, Calhoun, Turner, Stowe, Brown,
Garrison, Douglass, Fitzhugh, Douglas, Lincoln, Davis, Chestnut). Oates examines events and time from

26
several vantage points and gets both northern and southern opinion. He carries the narrative forward as
characters relate to the events of the day. While it claims to cover the period 1820-1861, two thirds of the
book covers the period 1857-1861 and the Lincoln-Douglas debates get wide coverage. This is not a
drawback in my opinion. Slavery is central to the arguments and led to division as America grew in both
territory and population. Without Douglas and Clay the story would veer too much to extreme positions
on either side (and not the general racism and ambivalence of the "average" American of the 1850s).
(13+, suggested by Tim)

The Dogs of Babel, Carolyn Parkhurst.

This beautifully written story tells the story of a man’s desperate search to find his wife’s killer with the
help of the only witness: their dog. This murder mystery tells a story of love, marriage, loyalty and
survival. (13+, suggested by Giuseppe)

The Moviegoer, Walker Percy.

A modern masterpiece, Walker Percy's debut novel chronicles the existence of Binx Bollings, a reformed
romantic soul who spends his days riding buses through New Orleans, going to the movies, and engaging
in what he calls his "search," which he defines as "what anyone would undertake if he were not sunk in
the everdayness of his own life." A deeply profound book that is, turns wry and sublime, this is one of my
favorite novels. (15+, suggested by Jon)

The Crying of Lot 49, Thomas Pynchon.

I've loved this novel for a long time (and it's also the best introduction to Pynchon); a hilarious book
(complete with a character named Dr. Hilarius); anarchic in sentiment, anarchic in form. And once
you've read it, you'll start to see The Trystero everywhere (or is it just the all-too-real NSA these days?).
(15+, suggested by Bruce)

Nip the Buds, Shoot the Kids, Kenzaburo Oe.

This a book that deeply affected me when I first read it and that has always stayed with me. It covers
some of same ground as Lord of the Flies, but it is about 1,000 times better because it is about 1,000
times more humane—and all the more devastating for that (and watch Jean Vigo's Zéro de conduite
afterwards: childhood and anarchy again). And if you get interested in Oe, his books about his disabled
son, A Personal Matter and A Healing Family, stand behind much of his work. (13+, suggested by Bruce)

Portnoy’s Complaint, Philip Roth.

“She was so deeply embedded in my consciousness that for the first year of school I seem to have
believed that each of my teachers was my mother in disguise.” Shocking, satirical, candid, moving— a
few of the adjectives that fail to describe Philip Roth’s treatment of childhood and adolescence in this
remarkable novel. I loved it as a fourteen-year-old. I love it now. (13+, suggested by Jacob)

The Charterhouse of Parma, Stendhal

This chronicle of an idealistic young Italian nobleman's misadventures in the wake of the Napoleonic
wars appears at first glance to be a standard Romantic adventure novel in the style of Hugo and Dumas.
Its unblinking psychological and historical realism, however, make The Charterhouse of Parma a far less
forgettable read. At times the plot can be a little hard to follow — Stendhal wrote the entire thing in 52

27
days — but the luxuriantly detailed descriptions of people, places, and events, both real and fictional, are
more than worth it. Of particular note is a horrific and darkly comic account of the Battle of Waterloo.
(13+, suggested by Jesse)

A Confederacy of Dunces, John Kennedy Toole

Easily the best comic novel of the modern age, A Confederacy of Dunces follows the irritable, dyspeptic,
and slovenly anti-hero Ignatius J. Reilly. As Ignatius suffers a series of comic disasters, eventually
wandering the streets of New Orleans attempting to sell hot dogs from a giant, frankfurter-shaped cart, he
reflects on the proper nature of geometry and theology in this, the post-medieval world. (15+, suggested
by Jon)

Memoirs of Hadrian, Marguerite Yourcenar

Missing all those good times in Latin class? Yourcenar's Memoirs of Hadrian might be just the salve.
Yourcenar imagines Hadrian's self-portrait—from boyhood to emperor—in a prose that is (even in
translation) lush and, indeed, Latinate. The novel takes a bit of patience to enter into, but once you have it
is terrific escape from the heat. (13+, suggested by Bruce)

The Book Thief, Markus Zusak

Liesel Meminger is a young German girl growing up in Nazi Germany. She saves books from burning.
This is a life-affirming book. (12+, suggested by Ginny)

MATURE READERS (13 and up)

28
My Dog Tulip, J. R. Ackerley.
The man-dog novel to end all man-dog novels; or, anthropomorphism and its discontents. (ages 13+)
suggested by Bruce

Kindred, Octavia Butler.

This is a science fiction/slave narrative novel told through the eyes of an African-American woman living
in the 1970s who is routinely transported back to the early 1800s through a time travel experience that has
both heavy psychological and physical tolls on her. Great read. (ages 13+) suggested by Tundé

The Postman Always Rings Twice, James M Cain.

Surely the only crime novel to create a cottage industry in mathematical research. The prosecutor’s
negotiation with the two protagonists is probably more famous to economists and evolutionary scientists
than it is to readers of fiction, but it started here. (ages 13+) suggested by George

The Power of Myth, Joseph Campbell.

It's a panoramic quilt, weaving together stories and myths from different times and places. Preachy but
fun. (ages 14+) suggested by Daniel

Paul's Case, Willa Cather.

The descriptions are beautiful. (ages 13+) suggested by Daniel

The Big Sleep, Raymond Chandler.

While working on a screenplay version of this, William Faulkner realized that he couldn’t actually follow
one of the major plot lines. Giving up, he called the author for clarification...but it turned out that
Chandler had no idea either. The story just went where it went. (ages 13+) suggested by George

American Notes for General Circulation, Charles Dickens.

Though Dickens is best known for his novels, he was also an occasional travel writer. This book
chronicles his visit to the United States and British North America in 1842. His travels took him to many
places familiar to us such as New Haven and New York. Dickens’s portrayals of everyday nineteenth-
century Americans are informative and amusing. (ages 13+) suggested by Jon

The Strangest Man: The Hidden Life of Paul Dirac, Mystic of the Atom, Graham Farmelo .
A beautifully narrated biography of one of the greatest physicists of the 20 th century. (ages 14+)
suggested by Anthony

Sacred Mathematics: Japanese Temple Geometry, Fukagawa and Rothman.

A beautiful book about an odd chapter in mathematics. From about 1800- ‐1900, it was the custom of
roving Japanese mathematicians to paint Geometry problems on wooden planks and hang them in
Buddhist temples. These problems range from merely difficult to astonishingly hard, but what is more
interesting is their deep aesthetic beauty. (ages 13+) suggested by George

Six Records of a Floating Life, Shen Fu.

29
This is a beautiful translation of a beautiful biography which other than being poetic offers an interesting
glance at social mores during the Qing dynasty. (ages 13+) suggested by Ilana

1861: The Civil War Awakening, Adam Goodheart.

This is a superb account of the beginning of the Civil War and of what America was like in the years
leading up to the conflict. Goodheart makes this material not just readable but gripping. Goodheart
doesn’t simplify ideas or causes but in fact shows how diverse American opinion was at the time and how
events both small and large made the war eventually inevitable. (ages 14+) suggested by Liam

Good-bye to All That, Robert Graves.

A powerfully affecting memoir of World War I, written by a rogue classicist and mythographer. Graves
also bids good-bye to the primary conventions of his own society: “it was my bitter leave-taking of
England, where I had recently broken a good many conventions.” To be followed by George Orwell's
Homage to Catalonia, which recounts the author's adventures, as an anarchist Marxist, fighting fascism
during the Spanish Civil War; a powerful account of political idealism and its betrayal—and another
bitter leave-taking of England.. To be followed by Federico Garcia Lorca’s Gypsy Ballads (Romancero
Gitano): gorgeous, surreal ballads on often invented myths. Lorca was killed by the fascists that Orwell
was fighting. (ages 13+) suggested by Bruce and George

The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Alex Haley.

A compelling autobiography chronicling the Black American experience for many, during decades of
widespread, white racism. Malcolm X's story is told as a transformation of an African American man
from a boy living in the racist South to a petty criminal to a religious extremist and racial separatist to a
devout muslim and political activist who advocated for social change and economic self-sufficiency
among African Americans. (ages 13+) suggested by Tundé

The Triggering Town, Richard Hugo.

Essays on poetry and writing, from a ghost-town-obsessed poet. (ages 15+) suggested by Laura

Profiles in Courage, John F Kennedy.

For me it was an introduction to the Senate through a compelling narrative focusing on senators who
made memorable speeches defending certain values. (ages 13+) suggested by Daniel

The Assistant, Bernard Malamud.

Well, for me it was about trust and the tension between our ideals and being practical. (ages 14+)
suggested by Daniel

Bartleby the Scrivener, a Tale of Wall Street, Herman Melville.

Particularly appropriate for those of you who may seek summer employment, Bartleby is a tale of the
mindlessness of office drudgery. The characters who toil alongside Bartleby are particularly memorable.
(ages 13+) suggested by Jon

Moby Dick, Herman Melville.

30
Maybe while luxuriating in your air-conditioned living room, it’s time to read THE GREAT AMERICAN
NOVEL, in which such topics as men, gods, and whales are addressed in humorous and searing prose:
“Now small fowls flew screaming over the yet yawning gulf; a sullen white surf beat against its steep
sides; then all collapsed, and the great shroud of the sea rolled on as it rolled five thousand years ago.”
(ages 13+) suggested by Jacob

The Sherlockian, Graham Moore.

Two mysteries in one book! The first mystery involves a 21 st century Sherlock Holmes fanatic and the
second involves Arthur Conan Doyle himself. Moore does a clever job switching time and place as he
interweaves the narratives. The pace is fast moving with just enough historical content mixed with the
fictional mysteries to make it interesting. I loved it. (ages 14+) suggested by Nancy

Bel Canto, Ann Patchett.

The story takes place in an unnamed South American country where the Vice President is hosting a party
for many international diplomats including the founder of a large Japanese electronics company and a
famous American soprano. A group of terrorists infiltrate the party and when they realize their target is
not there, hold the guests hostage for several months. Many of the characters form strong bonds of
friendship while others fall in love. The book is a testament to the power of music and the humanity that
exists in even the most unlikely candidates. (ages 14+) suggested by Giuseppe

Goodbye, Columbus, Philip Roth.

The classic study of young Jews in love. (ages 13+) suggested by Jacob

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Skin Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.
This book takes place on the Channel Island of Guernsey post-World War II. (ages The Channel Islands
were occupied by German troops during the war). The story concerns a writer who goes to the island to
collect stories about their experiences under Nazi occupation. There is a little love story (ages or two) as
well. (ages 14+) suggested by Nancy

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot.

This is a book I’m looking forward to reading this summer—a true biological detective story about the
cells taken from a woman’s tumor in the middle of the 20 th century that have gone on to play a mind-
bogglingly important role in modern science. (ages 13+) suggested by Liam

Molecular Gastronomy, Hervé This.

Better cooking through biochemistry. It is possible to prepare an egg in such a way that the yolk stays raw
while the white fully cooks. Or to prepare mayonnaise using chocolate instead of oil. Why would one do
it? Well, that’s another matter. But don’t you want to learn how? (ages 13+) suggested by George

Bringing Home the Birkin, Michael Tonello.

This hilarious memoir recounts years of a life spent globe totting in order to hunt down the world’s most
sought-after handbag. Although the premise may sound slightly superficial, the author’s incredible
entrepreneurial skills, his brilliant storytelling and outlandish adventures will make you wish you were at
each one of his destinations. An undeniably fun, and at times even touching, summer read. (ages 13+)
suggested by Giuseppe

31
The Hunter, Donald Westlake, writing as Richard Stark.
First of a series of crime novels told from the perspective of a bad guy. And not a fundamentally good
man forced by circumstance into a life of crime neither. Nope, an unrepentant, unredeemed bad guy
whose sole worthy quality is that he is awfully good at what he does. There is a series of books about this
fellow which was out of print until very recently. (ages 13+)

Burning Secret, Stefan Zweig.

An effective rendering of the experience of a boy who, in a half-aware way, catches on to his mother's
infidelity. The book is short and gripping. In the original German, at least, the language is very fine.
(ages 16+) suggested by Anthony

All Creatures Great and Small, James Herriot.

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. This book is a memoir of a young country veterinarian
in Yorkshire, England set in 1937. It is full of life-affirming stories about the animals he heals and treats,
and their owners It is told with such charm and wit that you will be sure to go on to read the sequels.
This is a book for anyone who loves animals or loves medical curiosities. While a great deal of the book
is wildly funny and entertaining, there are some sad and serious moments with animals, so I would only
recommend this for a reader mature enough to handle such material. (ages 13+) suggested by Liam and
Ginny

The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro.

The story of the quintessential English butler, The Remains of the Day movingly traces the lives of two
domestic servants in the rapidly changing society of mid twentieth-century Britain. At play are themes of
love, loss, and decline. (ages 13+) suggested by Jon.

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susannah Clarke.

Admittedly a big slab of a book, this combination of historical science fiction is fun, inventive, and
addictive. Put briefly: it’s the very late eighteenth century, and the long-forgotten art of magic is reborn
in England. What comes of it? Why, the government puts it to work in the fight against Napoleon, that’s
what. (ages 13+) suggested by Jon.

Hyperion, Dan Simmons.

Science-fiction epic where 7 pilgrims travel to the planet Hyperion in an attempt to save a galaxy at war.
First in the Hyperion Cantos series (Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, The Rise of Endymion). (ages 13+)
suggested by Carrie Thomas

A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin.

This is the beginning of a seven book series of which only four books have been published so far. Soon
to be a series from HBO, this is epic, large-scale fantasy filled with political intrigue, so there are almost
too-many characters to keep track of. If readers are patient through the first 200 pages, they will be
rewarded with 3500 more pages of jaw-dropping, shiver inducing excitement. Then they will join the
ranks of rabid fans impatient for the fifth installment in the series. These books definitely have more
mature content than Harry Potter or Tokien books. (ages 13+) Suggested by Liam

32
I, Claudius, Robert Graves.
OMG! Roman Emperors Gone Wild! Read it and be happy your grandmother isn’t Livia. (ages 13+)
suggested by Liam

East of Eden, John Steinbeck.

When I was thirteen this novel was revelatory to me. I couldn’t put it down, despite its length (and I was
an easily distracted reader). This is the dysfunctional family epic at its very best: allegorical, historical,
suspenseful, and tragic. (ages 13+) suggested by Liam

Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry. I will never stop recommending this amazing cowboy epic to
anyone who will listen. Ignore the marketing nonsense about it being the “third” book in the series. This
is the first one that McMurtry wrote. Read it and weep. (ages 13+) suggested by Liam

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley.

An eerie, dystopic look at the future that may end up not being too far off. (ages 13+) suggested by
Carrie

First Man in Rome, Colleen McCullough.

A historical novel chronicling the rise of Marius and Sulla (first in a series detailing the fall of the Roman
Republic--so far she is up to the 2nd Triumvirate). (ages 13+) suggested by Carrie

The Killer Angels, Michael Shaara.

The pieces and parts of the Battle of Gettysburg are described from the perspectives of several
participants in the battle. Through these brief descriptions, a sense emerges of the individual decisions
and challenges that make up a battle. (ages 13+) suggested by Lisa

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Mark Haddon.
The main character in this book knows every prime number up to 7,057 but has no understanding of
human emotions. Reading this book is like stepping into someone else's skin for the day and seeing the
world through their eyes. (ages 13+) suggested by Ashlie

Nightwatch, Sergei Lukyanenko.

Part fantasy, part horror. This is the first book in a series that deals with the battle and balance between
the forces of Light and Dark. Set in present-day Moscow. The vampires, magicians, and shapeshifters
that fill this story travel between the natural world and an alternate layer of reality called the Twilight.
(ages 13+) suggested by Eddie

Mark Twain, Larzer Ziff.

A delightful short biography of Twain divided into four chapters: Celebrity, Tourist, Novelist, and
Humorist. Ziff focuses on Twain's writing with the details of life filled in around those discussions. I do
not even recall if he gets around to Twain's death, but he made me want to read Twain again. (13+)
suggested by Tim

33
The Dying Earth, Jack Vance.
Science fiction/fantasy from a magical world that might be ours, but is very far in the future. Vance’s
writing style can be a bit elaborate, but do not be intimidated. It is a distinct and creative world, full of
humor, some of it dark indeed. (13+) suggested by Tim

The Boys' Crusade: The American Infantry in Northwestern Europe, 1944-1945, Paul Fussell.
This little book follows the American infantry soldier from convoy, England and D-Day to the discovery
of Dachau. It is not an all-inclusive history, but a series of short episodes and stories that elevate the
infantrymen, while diluting all notions of "The Good War" with probing criticism of the Allied command.
The stories are compelling and while not claiming to be conclusive or complete, they certainly are
moving. A quick read that tells a little bit (because, as Fussell has noted elsewhere, the complete story
can never be told) of what life was like fighting the Germans in World War II. (13+) suggested by Tim

The Artist Spirit, Robert Henri.

An art history book (12+) suggested by Carey Gates

Myth (Adventure Series), Robert Aspirin. Very funny, fantastic though silly series. Suggested by
Connor

Children of Hurin, J.R.R. Tolkien. Aside from his classics, this is my favorite of his books. Dry in some
parts but grand and tragic overall. Suggested by Connor

Out of the Silent Planet, C.S. Lewis. A science-fiction novel that also has a complex mythology to it.
Part of a three-part series, but this installment has the most science in it. Suggested by Connor

Darwin IV: Expedition, Wayne Douglas Barlowe. A sort of safari or zoological journey on an alien
planet exhibiting truly bizarre and alien flora and fauna. Suggested by Connor

Drawing The Marvel Way, Stan Lee.

An art book (13+) suggested by Carey Gates

Color, Victoria Finley.

An art history book (ages 15+) suggested by Carey

Anatomy: A complete Guide for Artist, Joseph Shepard.

A good survey of human anatomy for us to the artist in figure drawing. (14+) Suggested by Carey Gates

Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys.

You won’t look at Jane Eyre the same way after this novel. Told from the perspective of “the
madwoman in the attic,” Bertha Rochester is portrayed as a passionate woman reined into (questionable)
madness by her circumstances. Lyric prose and strange imagery make this novel haunting in atmosphere.
(14+) suggested by Laura

Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters, Robert Hale. art book (ages 15+) suggested by Carey

34
The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood.
In the Republic of Gilead, formerly the United States, Offred (her name designates to whom she belongs:
“Of Commander Fred”) struggles for freedom. (ages 13+) suggested by Betsy

As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner.

The Bundren family must travel to Jefferson, Mississippi, to bury their matriarch. Wonderfully
experimental narrative with many points of view. (ages 13+) suggested by Betsy

Orlando, Virginia Woolf.

Four centuries of adventures with him—and her. (ages 13+) suggested by Betsy

Rebecca, Daphne DuMaurier.

A gothic and romantic tale in the tradition of Jane Eyre. (ages 13+) suggested by Betsy

Shoeless Joe, W.P. Kinsella.

“If you build it, he will come.” These are the ghostly words that lead Ray Kinsella to build a baseball
stadium in his Iowa cornfield. The basis for the film, Field of Dreams, this novel is even richer, funnier,
and more touching than its celluloid counterpart. (ages 13+) suggested by Liam

Abraham Lincoln: A Presidential Life, James McPherson.

Part of me even finds calling this long article a "book" deceptive, but it is a useful, brief, and well-written
introduction to Lincoln's life. In this anniversary year of Lincoln's birth it is good to be reminded of his
importance to American history - and with this "book" that can be done ever so quickly. It also includes
enough of Lincoln's language to draw you even more into his life. (ages 13+) suggested by Tim

The Light Fantastic (among others), Terry Pratchett.

The Discworld stories are very funny and satirize the fantasy genre (as well as modern life). (ages 13+)
suggested by Tim

The Puritan Dilemma, Edmund Morgan.

Classic biography of Puritan governor John Winthrop that manages to be both sympathetic and critical at
the same time. Written by one of the finest of American historians. (ages 13+) suggested by Tim

Crazy Horse, Larry McMurtry.

A simple and direct read about the Sioux chief, a man it would have been difficult to know during his
lifetime, and whose life can only be seen in small historical glimpses. McMurty puts Crazy Horse in his
historical context and also talks about the limits of what history can say about him. (ages 13+) suggested
by Tim

Freedom Just Around the Corner: A New American History, 1585-1828, Walter A. MacDougall
This is a big book, but do not be intimidated by it. Instead think of it as a wonderful collection of stories
about America and feel free to dip into it in small and large quantities. I cannot think of another history
book that has made me laugh out loud as much - not to say that it is not serious, especially in dealing with

35
the treatment of Native Americans and slaves. MacDougall’s premise is that America was settled by
hustlers and hucksters and, as he quotes one fiction character saying at the book’s end, "It is good to be
shifty in a new country." (ages 13+) suggested by Tim

The Poincaré Conjecture – In Search of the Shape of the Universe, Donal O’Shea.
This book is accessible to any high school student with an interest in mathematics and any adult (math-
prone or not). It is a fascinating account of this beautiful conjecture (from its conception to recent proof)
that emphasizes the personalities of key players within an historical context. (ages 13+) suggested by Liz

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou.

Maya Angelou superbly tells her story using her gift for language and observation, in an autobiography of
her childhood in Arkansas. (ages 13+)

Black Boy, Richard Wright.

This is Wright’s account of his tumultuous upbringing in the Jim Crow South and his subsequent exodus
to Chicago. In his book, Wright explores both the physical hunger of poverty and the mental hunger for
knowledge. (ages 13+)

To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee.

A striking novel of race, class, justice, and the pain of growing up in a quiet southern town in Alabama
rocked by a horrible crisis. (ages 13+)

To Hell and Back, Audie Murphy.

I read this WWII war memoir when I was a child. Audie Murphy was a poor seventeen-year-old who
enlisted in the army after the Marines and paratroopers turned him down (because he was too small--only
5'5" and 110 pounds). By the end of the war, Audie Murphy had received every medal for valor that the
army bestows including the Congressional Medal of Honor. His bravery through the horrors of battle was
immense. The fact that he never seemed to question what he was doing in the middle of that carnage
amazes me still. The language of this book is a little 1950's macho, but that just adds to the atmosphere of
the story. (ages 12+) suggested by Nancy

Dragonbone Chair, Tad Williams. (ages 13+) suggested by Maxime

The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins. (ages 13+) suggested by Maxime

1984, George Orwell. (ages 13+) suggested by Maxime

Book of the Dead, Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child. A mystery/sci-fi book. (ages 13+) suggested by
Annick

Blasphemy, Douglas Preston. (ages 13+) suggested by Annick

Eldest, Christopher Paolini. (ages 13+) suggested by Annick

36
The Longshot, Katie Kitamura. This is a short, quick-moving novel about a mixed martial arts fighter
who is preparing to make a comeback after a devastating loss four years earlier. The novel follows the
fighter, Cal, and his trainer, Riley, as they head to Tijuana to take on the current champion. Told in spare,
compelling prose, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. While you do not need to be a fan of MMA
fighting to enjoy it, this book definitely contains graphic but not gratuitous descriptions of fight scenes.
(ages 14+) suggested by Liam

The Queen’s Gambit, Walter Tevis. One of my favorite books, this novel tells the story of Beth Harmon,
an orphaned girl who discovers a deep talent and passion for chess. While a great portion of this novel
deals with Beth’s obsession with the game of chess, you definitely do not need to play chess to love this
novel. It really is a coming of age story and a tautly crafted, suspenseful character study. This is only
appropriate for mature readers as Beth struggles with addiction to painkillers from a very young age.
(ages 14+) suggested by Liam

The Deptford Trilogy (Fifth Business, The Manticore, and World of Wonders), Robertson Davies.
This acclaimed series of novels explores life in small-town Deptford, Ontario, and explores the almost
innumerable effects of a single act: a boy’s throwing a snowball at another boy. By turns stirring and
profound, these novels are gripping and thought-provoking. (ages 14+) suggested by Jon.

Alias Grace, Margaret Atwood. A read for a more mature reader, this is a haunting, beautiful story.
(ages 13+) suggested by Téa

Memories of Silk and Straw. The journals of various professions from Japan. (ages 13+) suggested by
Téa

The Cabinet of Curiosities, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. A horrific story fit for those who enjoy
gore and catacombs. (ages 13+) suggested by Téa

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley. Set in a dystopian future, Brave New World portrays an environment
over-regulated by science. Perhaps a bit bleak. (ages 14+) suggested by Justine and Annick

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Philip K. Dick. Earth has become virtually uninhabitable for
most living things, only a few people remain along with androids who masquerade as humans to escape
extermination. (ages 14+) suggested by Justine

The View from Garden City, Carolyn Baugh. A beautiful and moving account of the lives of several
women growing up in Cairo. It covers several generations and the ever- and never-changing face of
things. (14+) suggested by Paul

Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser. Suggested by Eamon

The Gift, Hafiz. Suggested by Eamon

Hero of Our Time, M.Y. Lermontov. Suggested by Eamon

37
The Age of Reason, Jean-Paul Sartre. I haven’t read this since high school, but I loved this when I was
sixteen. Brimming with compelling characters in 1930s Paris, the novel primarily follows Mathieu as he
searches for the meaning of freedom, both political and individual as World War II looms on the horizon.
A great narrative introduction to Sartre’s existential philosophy. (ages 15+) suggested by Liam

My Life by Water, Lorine Niedecker. Growing up by a river, Niedecker used the sights and sounds of
water to make an objectivist poetry both personal and moving. (age 15+) suggested by Laura

Kafka on the Shore, Haruki Murakami. In Murakami’s novel, we are introduced to Kafka Tamura, a
runaway living in a library, and Nakata, an illiterate old man who can only read the minds of cats.
Always surreal and surprising, Murakami twists a plot where anything can happen. When strange events
take place though, they fit seamlessly in the Murakami universe. Look for the appearance of Colonel
Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame. (ages 15+) suggested by Laura

The Big Sleep, Raymond Chandler. Hard-boiled detective fiction at its best, The Big Sleep marks the
first appearance of private dick Philip Marlowe. Lush prose brings alive Los Angeles of the 1930s
though the plot is at times inconsistent. (Chandler himself, the author, later admitted that he didn’t even
know which of his characters committed a certain murder.) (ages 15+) suggested by Jon

Letters to a Young Poet, Rainer Maria Rilke. Rilke’s candid letters about creativity, love, and solitude.
It is a source book for any creative person (poet, scientist, painter, lego technician). Not preachy, but
earnest, they feel like Rilke’s letters to his younger self. (15+) suggested by Laura

Housekeeping, Marilynne Robinson. My favorite novel. Two sisters, Ruth and Lucie, grow up in an
isolated Idaho town burdened by a vast, hungry lake. Their grandfather and mother are both swallowed
by the lake in various events, leaving them to be raised by Aunt Sylvie, a strange soul with a graceful,
ethereal distance from the functioning world. (15+) suggested by Laura

Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters, Robert Hale. art book (ages 15+) suggested by Carey

Let the Great World Spin, Colum Mcann. Mcann spins a New York City universe where multiple lives
collide or merely graze each other in the telling of this story. These characters are glued together most
seamlessly by the real life event on August 9, 1974 when French funambulist Phillipe Petite walked a
tight rope between the twin towers. The lyric prose weaves between the mundane and the ecstatic,
showing a world at once too small for a single moment and yet so immense some moments explode.
(16+) suggested by Laura

Difficult Loves, Italo Calvino. Suggested by Miguel

True Grit, Charles Portis. Suggested by Miguel

How Soccer Explains the World, Franklin Foer. (16+) suggested by Jamal

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War Trash, Ha Jin. (16+) suggested by Jamal

Down these Mean Streets, Piri Thomas. (16+) suggested by Jamal

The Color Purple, Alice Walker. This Pulitzer-prize winning novel focuses on Celie, an abused,
uneducated, young black woman and her struggle for empowerment. (ages 16+)

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner. (16+) suggested by Alley

My Brilliant Friend, Elena Ferrante (14+) suggested by Liam

Afterlife with Archie, Robert Aguirre-Sacasa (15+) suggested by Liam

A very, very dark version of the “Archie” comic that you read when you were 9. Zombies included.

GRAPHIC NOVELS (MANGA)

Bleach by Tite Kubo. Beautiful drawings and a meticulously thought out plot, this is a wonder of
modern manga. Suggested by Téa

Death Note by Takeshi Obata and Tsugumi Ohba. A masterpiece of modern manga (no matter what
Nathaniel says). Suggested by Téa

Tsubasa / xxxholic by Clamp. Carefully intertwined, these two series run parallel and have beautiful
artwork. Suggested by Téa

Case Closed by Gosho Aoyoma. Suggested by Annick

Yotsuba&! by Kiyohiko Azuma. Suggested by Annick and Miguel

Azumanga Daioh by Kiyohiko Azuma. Suggested by Annick and Miguel

Rourini Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Suggested by Annick

Dragonball by Akira Toriyama. Suggested by Miguel

+Anima by Nostumi Mukai. Suggested by Annick

Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa. Suggested by Annick

PHOTOGRAPHY (14+ suggested by Liam)

American Photographs, Walker Evans (14+) suggested by Liam

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Garry Winogrand, Published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (14+) suggested by Liam

Streetwise, Mary Ellen Mark (14+) suggested by Liam

Stranger Passing, Joel Sternfeld (14+) suggested by Liam

The Notion of Family, Latoya Ruby Frazier (14+) suggested by Liam

...all the days and nights, Doug DuBois (14+) suggested by Liam

Rich and Poor, Jim Goldberg

The Americans, Robert Frank

William Eggleston's Guide, William Eggleston

Listening List for All Ages (Compiled by Justine Chen)

Recordings listed by genre and roughly chronologically:

Operas (or excerpts)

• Mozart's The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte); conducted, Sir Georg Solti
– Mozart’s beloved opera, a classical opera bromance. Contains many hits, like the sweet songs of
Papageno the birdman, and the crazy Queen of the Night aria that makes coloraturas everywhere
quake. Appropriate for all ages. JC
• Mozart The Marriage of Figaro (Le nozze de Figaro)
- A landmark collaboration by the infamous duo of Mozart and Lorenzo da Ponte, based on the
Beaumarchais play. This opera gets a borderline PG-rating. JC
• Mozart Don Giovanni
- This should be called “Don Giovanni’s worst day ever.” The second ingenious collaboration by
Mozart and Da Ponte. Music before Strauss has always been PG, so anyone can listen to the music,
but just to warn you, I think the content could be considered R-rated: the story involves thwarted
rape, a few murders, and a trip to the devil. JC
• Rossini The Barber of Seville
- a former opera of the year. Always a great hit. Where the Bugs Bunny Figaro song comes from.
Yes, the same Figaro from The Marriage of Figaro. Also from Beaumarchais’ trilogy. The Barber
of Seville is the first in the trilogy. JC.
• Bizet Carmen
• Puccini Madame Butterfly
• Verdi La Traviata
• Wagner's “Prelude” and “Liebestod” to Tristan und Isolde

Larger Vocal Works

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• Handel Messiah
• Bach St. Matthew Passion
• Mozart Requiem
• Verdi Requiem
• Orff Carmina Burana
• Palestrina Pope Marcellus Mass
- the mass that saved polyphony!

Chamber Music

Piano Solo
• Bach Well-Tempered Clavier (books 1 & 2)
• Bach Goldberg Variations (Glenn Gould)
• Debussy's Children's Corner Suite (piano)
• Schumann “Scenes from Childhood” Kinderszenen
• Schumann Carnaval
• Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody
- one of those pieces you’ve heard initially on Bugs Bunny. It’s still great. JC
• Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (solo piano version)
• Ravel Pavane for a Dead Princess
- Yes, it sounds morbid, but it's gorgeous. JC

Violin Solo
Paganini 24 Caprices

Songs and Song Cycles

• Schubert Songs/Lieder
- Erlkönig (The Erl King)
- Winterreise (Winter’s Journey)

String Quartets and Various Quintets

• Mozart String Quartets (there are many, so here are a few specific ones)
- No. 14 KV 387 in G Major is a nice start;
- No. 17 KV. 458 in B-Flat Major “The Hunt”
- Don’t get spooked by all the numbers, everyone lists the information slightly differently on CDs, so I’ve
given you all the pertinent information. JC
• Haydn String Quartets (op. 76 and later)
• Beethoven String Quartets (all of them!) I recommend the Juilliard String Quartet recordings- they
have the most personality. - JC
- early Op. 18’s, Nos. 1-6 are all pretty different. Explore and tell me your favorite! JC
- middle Op. 59, 74, 95 – darker in general, more spirited and more powerful than the Op.
18’s. Also not light listening, these quartets command your full attention. Not for cocktail
parties. JC

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 - late Op. 130, 131, 132, 133, and 135 - a vast landscape of epic everything, not for dabblers!
Not light listening. This is probably for when you are in a deep and dark mood, and you want
someone to commiserate with you. JC.
• Brahms Piano Quintet
• Schumann Piano Quintet
• Dvorak Piano Quintet
• Ravel String Quartet
• Shostakovich String Quartets

Symphonies
• Haydn Symphonies (choose the higher numbered Symphonies, 94 and up- he wrote 104!)
• Mozart's later symphonies (no. 35 and after)
• Beethoven Symphonies 1-9
- A must hear for everyone. These are the symphonies that made people pay attention to
symphonies. JC
• Brahms Symphonies 1-4
- Yes, after Beethoven, people tended not to write as many symphonies! These are all that Brahms
wrote, but they are all exquisite. JC
• Prokofiev's Symphonies 1, 4, 5
• Shostakovich’s Symphonies

Concertos
• Vivaldi Four Seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall)
-One hears this all the time, but for a spectacular recording on period instruments, listen to Fabio
Biondi’s group Europa Galante perform this. Everything they perform is remarkable, actually. JC
• Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 4
• Bach Double Violin concerto
• Paganini Violin Concerto No. 1

• Mendelssohn Violin Concerto (Itzhak Perlman)

• Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (Itzhak Perlman)
• Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto (Pianist Vladimir Horowitz)
• Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations (cello concerto)
• Prokofiev Violin Concerto no. 1 and 2
• Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 1, 3
• Rachmaninoff Piano Concertos 2 & 4
- I love Rachmaninoff’s concertos 2 and 4, but Jenny Ong our unofficial staff pianist said that
number 3 is the most difficult. – JC
• Rachmaninoff Rhapsody based on a Theme by Paganini
• Elgar Cello Concerto
• Ravel Tzigane (violin concerto)
• Glass Violin Concerto

Program Music, orchestral

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• Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (orchestral version)

Ballets
• Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker
• Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet
• Mendelssohn Overture to a Midsummer Night's Dream
• Debussy Afternoon of a Faun (l'après midi d'un faun)
• Ravel La Valse
• Ravel Bolero
• Ravel Valses nobles et sentimentales (orchestral)
• Stravinsky Firebird
• Stravinsky The Soldier's Tale (theatre piece)
- this is lots of fun, it uses an actor, and is also supposed to have a dancer as well as musicians. The
story is about a man who accidentally sells his soul to the devil (who plays violin, of course!) There is
also a fantastic animation/film adaptation by R. O. Blechman. JC

Movies:
• Amadeus
- a great film, great acting, great direction, great costume design, great musical performances, also based
on a great play, depicting the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart from the viewpoint of a more successful,
yet envious fellow composer.
• The Music Man
- a fantastic, funny, smart musical.
• The Sound of Music
- a canonical musical...
• Thirty Two Short Films about Glenn Gould
- a spare and beautiful film about the eccentric Canadian pianist.
• West Side Story
- an Academy Award-winning musical based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It won 10 Oscars! The
music is by one of our 2012-13 composers of the year, Leonard Bernstein.

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