Book Club Choices

1. Book Club Choices You will be responsible for reading this at home, answering questions and discussing the text at school in your book club circles.

2. Divergent by Veronica Roth • Teen female narrator • Sci-fi-realism genre • Page turner • Loved by grade nines last semester

3. Divergent Synopsis In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

4. Divergent Preview My family might be able to help me make my choice, if I could talk about my aptitude test results. But I can’t. Tori’s warning whispers in my memory every time my resolve to keep my mouth shut falters. Caleb and I climb the stairs and, at the top, when we divide and go to our separate bedrooms, he stops me with a hand on my shoulder. “Beatrice,” he says, looking sternly into my eyes. “We should think of our family.” There is an edge to his voice. “But. But we must also think of ourselves.” For a moment I stare at him. I have never seen him think of himself, never heard him insist on anything but selflessness. I am so startled by this comment that I just say what I am supposed to say: “The tests don’t have to change our choices.” He smiles a little. “Don’t they, though?”

5. Divergent Reviews “Riveting and complex story of a teenage girl forced to choose between her routinized, selfless family and the adventurous, unrestrained future she longs for. A memorable, unpredictable journey from which it is nearly impossible to turn away.” (Publishers Weekly) “The plot clips along in an addictive pace, with steady jolts of brutal violence and swoony romance. Fans snared by the ratcheting suspense will be unable to resist speculating on their own factional allegiance.” (Kirkus Reviews) “This is one fast-paced read that sticks in your head for days after you put it down, both because of its video-game-like scenes and its thought provoking premise” (Hollywoodcrush.mtv.com)

6. Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern • Is the story of two duelling magicians • The suspense of the events in the story makes it a page turner • Non-linear plot and narrative • Shifts is P.O.V. often so the reader understands the story from different perspectives • The Night Circus was a candidate for the 2011 Guardian First Book Award • It won an Alex Award from the American Library Association in 2012 • The novel spent seven weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list

7. Night Circus Synopsis The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night. But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will.

8. Night Circus Preview When the final bulb pops alight, and the smoke and sparks dissipate, it is finally legible, this elaborate incandescent sign. Leaning to your left to gain a better view, you can see that it reads:  Le Cirque des Rêves Some in the crowd smile knowingly, while others frown and look questioningly at their neighbors. A child near you tugs on her mother’s sleeve, begging to know what it says. “The Circus of Dreams,” comes the reply. The girl smiles delightedly. Then the iron gates shudder and unlock, seemingly by their own volition. They swing outward, inviting the crowd inside. Now the circus is open. Now you may enter.

9. Night Circus Reviews “A captivating read. This circus is pure literary magic.” -The Globe and Mail “Reading this novel is like having a marvelous dream, in which you are asleep enough to believe everything that is happening, but awake enough to relish the experience and understand that it is magical.” -Newsday

10. Looking for Alaska by John Green • Winner of the Michael L. PrintzAward • Also a Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist • A New York Times bestseller • Teen male narrator • Set at a boarding school • Comments on issues related to growing up • A must read for any teen

11. Looking for Alaska Synopsis Before. Miles “Pudge” Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave “the Great Perhaps” even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then. . . . After. Nothing is ever the same.

12. Looking for Alaska Preview THE PRANK Everyone was sitting on sleeping bags. Alaska was smoking with flagrant disregard for the overwhelming flammability of the structure, when Colonel pulled out a single piece of computer paper and read from it. “The point of this evening’s festivities is to prove once and for all that we are to Pranking what the Weekday Warriors are to sucking. But we’ll also have the opportunity to make life unpleasant for the Eagle, which is always a welcome pleasure. And so,” he said, as if pausing for a drumroll, “we fight tonight a battle on three fronts: Front one: The pre-prank: We will, as it were, light a fire under the Eagle’s ass.” “Front Two: Operation Baldy: Wherein Lara flies solo in a retaliatory mission so elegant and cruel that it could have only been the brainchild of, well, me.”

13. Looking for Alaska Reviews "Stunning conclusion . . . one worthy of a book this good." -Philadelphia Enquirer "Miles’s narration is alive with sweet, self-deprecating humor, and his obvious struggle to tell the story truthfully adds to his believability. Like Phineas in John Knowles’s A Separate Peace, Green draws Alaska so lovingly, in self-loathing darkness as well as energetic light, that readers mourn her loss along with her friends." -SLJ, starred review

14. Uglies by Scott Westerfield • Teen female narrator • Futuristic dystopian society • Sci-fi genre • Best selling author • This is the book that started it all! - An addicting read, you won’t want to put this book down

15. UgliesSynopsis Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can’t wait. In just a few weeks she’ll have the operation that will turn her from a repellent ugly into a stunning pretty. And as a pretty, she’ll be catapulted into a high-tech paradise where her only job is to have fun. But Tally’s new friend Shay isn’t sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world – and it isn’t very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: to find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally’s choice will change her world forever…

16. Uglies A Preview “Oh that was perfect!” “Did you see their faces?” “Not actually,” Shay said. “I was kind of busy watching the floor coming at me.” “Yeah, I remember that from jumping off the roof. It does catch your attention.” “Speaking of faces, love the nose.” Tally giggled, pulling it off. “Yeah, no point in being uglier than usual.” Shay’s face clouded. She wiped off an eyebrow, then looked up sharply. “You’re not ugly.” “Oh, come on, Shay.” “No, I mean it.” She reached out and touched Tally’s real nose. “ Your profile is great.” “Don’t be weird, Shay. I’m an ugly, you’re an ugly…you for example have one big eyebrow, and one tiny one.” Shay looked away, stripping off the rest of her disguise in silence.

17. Uglies Reviews “After you read this incredible book, you'll also want to check out the sequels, “Pretties,” "Specials" and"Extras.“ (Amazon.com) “Uglies gives the audience an insight into what the world might come to, with the media driving everyone to become thinner, taller, muscular and tanned, and the many different plastic surgeries you can undergo. Any young teenager can sympathise with Tally's character.” (The Guardian)

18. Kid Lawyer by John Grisham • Male teen narrator ,Theo is a bit of a rebel • A detective mystery novel, you will never guess this ending! • An easy read for reluctant or slower readers • Written by one of the most acclaimed authors of our time who also wrote: A Time to Kill, The Pelican Brief, A Painted House, The Firm and more! • This is the first book in the Theodore Boone Series

19. Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer Synopsis A perfect murder. A faceless witness. A lone courtroom champion knows the whole truth… and he's only thirteen years old. Meet Theodore Boone. In the small city of Strattenburg, there are many lawyers, and though he's only thirteen years old, Theo Boone thinks he's one of them. Theo knows every judge, policeman, court clerk—and a lot about the law. He dreams of being a great trial lawyer, of a life in the courtroom. But Theo finds himself in court much sooner than expected. Because he knows so much—maybe too much—he is suddenly dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial. A cold-blooded killer is about to go free, and only Theo knows the truth. The stakes are high, but Theo won't stop until justice is served.

20. Kid Lawyer Preview Theo was scurrying toward the door when the judge said, "Say, Theo. Do you think Mr. Duffy is guilty?“ Theo stopped, turned around and without hesitating responded, “he's presumed innocent." "Got that. But what's your opinion as to his guilt?" "I think he did it." The judge nodded slightly but gave no indication of whether he agreed. "What about you?“ Theo asked. Finally, a smile. "I'm a fair and impartial referee, Theo. I have no preconceived notions of guilt or innocence." "That's what I thought you'd say."

21. Kid Lawyer Reviews “Edge–of–your–seat drama, sophisticated plotting, and plenty of spunk.” -The Chicago Sun–Times “Brimming with the intrigue and suspense that made John Grisham a #1 international bestseller and the undisputed master of the legal thriller, Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer will keep readers guessing and pages turning.” – Kindle Reviews

22. Shattered by Eric Walters • Teen male narrator • Real-life issues • Canadian author from Ontario • Based on the experiences of a Canadian Soldier • A quick read

23. Shattered by Eric Walters Fifteen-year old Ian must complete volunteer service to pass social studies. Choosing to work at “The Club” sounds like fun, until he arrives at what turns out to be a soup kitchen for the homeless. It is here that he meets Sarge, the pipe-wielding homeless man that saved Ian from a near-mugging. His real name is Jacques, and he was a soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces. His last tour of duty was as a peacekeeper stationed in Rwanda, an African nation Ian knows little about. What he learns will change Ian’s view of the world- “I looked at the watch. It was almost ten to six. I had just over ten minutes to get there. It wasn’t good to be late for a job interview. Then again, it was an interview for a volunteer job. What was the worst that could happen? That I wouldn’t get a job that didn’t pay that I didn’t want to do to begin with?”

24. Shattered Reviews • “I couldn't sleep 'till I finished it! Powerful story and engaging protagonist. Eric Walters takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery: we are forced to examine our own prejudices about homeless people, who we, as a society, consider "worth less". Thought-provoking and heart-warming!” (Goodreads.com)

25. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman • Very Tim Burton think - Corpse Bride or Nightmare before Christmas • Carnegie Medal Winner 2010 • Has pictures • Clever writing - Interesting plot

26. The Graveyard Book Synopsis Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn’t live in a graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts. There are dangers and adventures for Bod in the graveyard. But it is in the land of the living that the real danger lurks for it is there that the man Jack lives and he has already killed Bod’s family…is Bod next?

27. The Graveyard Book Preview A graveyard is not normally a democracy, and yet death is the great democracy, and each of the dead had a voice and an opinion as to whether the living child should be allowed to stay, and they were each determined to be heard, that night…

28. The Graveyard Book Reviews “A memorable, captivating read.” -The New York Times “The best book Neil Gaiman has ever written!” -Diana Wynne Jones The Toronto Star

29. Now you pick…choose wisely! Write down your name and 3 book titles you would like to read and have never read before. Do NOT number your choices or rank them in any way. I will TRY to give you 1 of the 3 choices to read as your Book Club novel.