The Maze Runner by James Dashner

This is a new author for me- and I like him! I read that this book is a cross between The Hunger Games and Lord of the Flies. The Maze Runner is a strange story that starts with Thomas waking up in a box. He knows his name, but doesn't remember anything else about his life before waking up in this box.

When he leaves the box, he finds himself in a new strange world where there are no adults or girls and the boys there speak using some strange slang. As Thomas is introduced to this strange world, he learns there are crazy new rules he needs to live by. Not only are there new rules, but there are also jobs that every boy is assigned. As Thomas is introduced to these jobs, he has an unexplained desire to become a Runner. The Runners are the boys who can leave the compound and enter the Maze. Inside the maze are some scary 'things' called Grievers- mechanical devious creatures that aim to stab and wound.

Things get even stranger when a girl- the first girl in two years enters the Box the day after Thomas. Her message that 'everything will change' scares all the boys, yet Thomas feels a real connection to her.

As things start to change in this new world, Thomas finds himself challenged mentally and physically. Yet if he doesn't figure out the clues that are presented, Thomas fears for not only his life, but the other boys as well.

There will be at least another book to go along with The Maze Runner. Check out the author's website here: http://jamesdashner.blogspot.com/

and the book website here: http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/mazerunner/home.html

You can also watch a book trailer here: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/kirkusbva/?cds2Pid=29166&linkid=1479619

I am a Taxi by Deborah Ellis

Diego lives in the Women's Prison in Bolivia with his mom and sister. His dad is across the road in the Men's Prison. Life is difficult for Diego and he always worries about money and taking care of his family. Because Diego is a child, he is allowed to come and go as he pleases from the prison. He often hires himself out to inmates as their 'taxi' buying things from around the town for them.

When his best friend comes up with a job that will bring in lots of money, Diego thinks this is a solution to all of his problems. The only problem is this job takes Diego away from the safety of his family into the hands of the drug smugglers.

Once again, Deborah Ellis writes a story that opens our eyes to the way children around the world live.

How to Build a House by Dana Reinhardt

I seem to be on a roll with books that have so much potential to use with kids, but are sprinkled with content that is a little out of what I would be comfortable giving to my grade 7 students.

How To Build a House is the story of Harper, an 18 year old whose family life has spun out of control. She has lost all sense of her family and her sense of self-worth. Harper decides to escape all the craziness at home and focus on building a house for a family in Tennessee. She flies to Tennessee expecting to escape in hard work. There she meets a new set of friends while learning a new trade.

Then, she meets Teddy, the son of the family whose house was lost in a tornado. While they learn to work together, Harper must learn to trust herself, her feelings and other people with her feelings.

I love many of the concepts in this book:

1. Running away from life, while at the same time doing something worthwhile.

2. Letting kids explore the world in a safe way.

3. The effects of divorce on a family and the children.

While it bothers me I can't use this book in my class, I have to remember that Harper is 18 and a young woman. Her relationships with the boy back home and Teddy are very real and leave a lasting impression on who she becomes.

Anne Frank and Me by Cherie Bennett and Jeff Gottesfeld

Nicole is a typical 14 year old girl. She is worried about boys, school and parents. When she hears gunfire at an Anne Frank exhibit, she is suddenly transported through time to Nazi occupied Paris during World War 2. Nicole begins to struggle with her new life and new rules that she is forced to live under.

This is a great book that examines the effects of war on children.

The Strictest School in the World by Howard Whitehouse

In this story, 14 year-old Emmaline is an inventor of aircrafts. She is ready to try her newest invention, the only problem is she is afraid to fly. The boy next door seems to be incapable of getting hurt it seems like a match and things start to fall into place for the two of them. That is until Emmaline is forced to go to school at St. Grimelda- a horrible place where the teachers are unkind and the girls are even worse.

This was a very quirky story, but a good one.

The Bonemender's Oath by Holly Bennett

Gabrielle and her new friends have made it through the war, but things are still very dangerous for them.

This sequel was as great as the first book. A beginning romance novel that has adventure for the boys and a love interest for the girls.

The Bonemender by Holly Bennett

I don't read a lot of fantasy books, but this is one I really enjoyed.

Gabrielle has special powers, she can heal people by touching them and healing them from the inside.

Early in the story she meets two men who turn out to be Elves carrying a very disturbing message about the future of her homeland. At this point, her life is turned upside down.