Danticant, Edwidge.  Eyes, Breath, Memory

ÙÙÙÙÙ Michi, 11th grade

     At an early age, Sophie the main character’s mom left her behind to go to New York for a better, civilized, and advanced life.  Sophie was left in  Haiti with her aunt until her mom got settled in New York and could maintain a child.  Sophie’s mom was rape, when she was a teenager and that’s how Sophie was born.  Every night her mom would get nightmares all over again, of how it happened. It was the scar of her life.

     As Sophie got attached to her aunt Atie by the time when she had to move to New York to live with her mom.   At the age of 18, Sophie and her mom had difficulties that lad Sophie to ran away and marry an older man that’s older than her mom’s age.

This book takes you back in the 60’s or earlier. To what Haitian ancestor did when they were alive.  In this book, they used old fashion words and phrases.  The beginning of the book was very good; it went right to the point and I surely enjoyed it.

 ÙÙÙÙÙ Kristi, tenth grade

When Sophie was young, she lived with her Aunt Tante Atie.  When Sophie was twelve, she got a letter from her mother Martine, asking her to come live with her in New York.  Sophie spent her whole childhood in Haiti and didn't know anything about New York life.  She had never seen her mother before.  She didn't know any English, so when she got to New York, her mother taught her.  Sophie and her mother spent time together and became good friends.  They got along until Sophie was 18 and fell in love with a guy and became pregnant.  Sophie was kicked out of the house, and returned to Haiti to stay with her Aunt for a while.  The ending of this novel was very surprising. 

Danziger, Paula.  The Cat Ate My Gymsuit.

ÙÙÙÙÙ Tyler M., ninth grade

The book The Cat Ate My Gymsuit is about this girl named Marcy Lewis who has an excuse every day in gym class for not bringing her clothes, and one she uses is The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. Nothing is going well for Marcy in school; she thinks that everyone in school is making fun of her for being big. Then one day they got a new English teacher. Her name was Ms. Finney. Once in class Ms. Finney signed out this assignment for partners. Marcy thought that no one would pick her when the smartest kid in class came and asked if she would b his partner. Ever since then they have been hanging out, a lot. Then everything is going well for Marcy until Ms. Finney gets suspended for not saying the Pledge of Allegiance, so Marcy and her friends try to get hr back. Will it happen, or will she get fired. You won’t know until you read it.   

Davis, Donald.  Shooter.   

ÙÙÙÙÙ Darcy, ninth grade

Jack Coughlin, a father of two, is a sniper in the 3/4 Marine Division.  This book recollects his experiences from the war in Iraq.  He retells major events of the war such as clearing the road to Baghdad, tearing down the statue of Saddam, and the journalists who were taken hostage.  He explains what he is thinking about when he is in his zone and needs to take down targets to save his squad mates.  He has to calculate things like distance, wind, if the bullet will have to go through a solid object, and whether the person is an actual threat.  This book is full of action and explains the deeper thoughts of a soldier.  Things like dealing with the thoughts of killing people or why your wife doesn’t sound happy when talking to you over the phone.  I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t mind detailed descriptions of killing and vulgar language.

ÙÙÙÙÙ Fuller C., ninth grade

     An autobiography written by Jack Coughlin, a sergeant in the United States Army currently serving in Iraq in the 3rd Regiment of the Snipers Division, with some help from Donald Davis author of many books. This is a story of one man’s struggle in the war with Iraq and his family at home. He is currently considered the most deadly man in the United States Army and he takes the reader back through all his experiences of battles. This will show the reader what a military soldier goes through while at war.  If you don’t mind a little gore and vulgar language this book is for you.

Delaney, Sarah and Elizabeth. Having Our Say: The Delaney Sisters' First Hundred Years.   

DeLillo, Don Underworld.  

DeLillo, Don. White Noise.  

De Lint, Charles. Yarrow. 

ÙÙÙÙÙ Mr. Greenlee

      This came quite recommended by people promoting urban fantasy as an alternative to Tolkien and his imitators, but it was quite a disappointment.  This story and its characters lack any serious development.  In the first eight pages, de Lint introduces eleven characters (Caitlin Midhir, Albert Cousins, Peter Baird, Ben Summerfield, Mick Jennings, Becki Bones, Debbie Mitchell, Andy Barnes, Farley O’Dennehy, Stella Sidney, and Rick Kirby).  Because the writer doesn’t spend enough time with each one, the reader ends up having to write down a list of names with a quick description just to keep them straight.  

     Depth-of-detail problems continue to plague the book.  When it mentions rock groups, streets, and authors, its more like name-dropping or list-making than real substance.  It ends up feeling empty, like the bare bones of a story.  I think those recommending this are more in love with the idea of moving beyond the limitations (and imitations) of Tolkien than they are in telling a good tale.  Instead, try Family Trade by Stross, The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper, of Twilight by  Stephanie Meyer.

DeFoe, Daniel.  Robinson Crusoe. 

ÙÙÙÙÙ Caleb S., 12^th grade

Robinson Crusoe has been through many hard times ever since he left his house, to travel, against his father’s contempt.  First, the boat he is traveling on gets its mast ripped off in a storm and the boat sinks.  The men barely make it out alive.  Then Robinson goes back to his home and meets a man that travels to New Guinea and trades goods with the natives, making him rich.  Robinson decides to embark with him and comes back a much wealthier man.  Then, Robinson does it again but on his own and he gets captured by a tribe.  He becomes the slave of a harsh king, but manages to escape.  When he escapes he doesn’t make it home but finds a boat and they are on their way to South America .  Robinson goes with them.  Once he is there he becomes a very rich tobacco farmer and decides to get other people to accompany him back to New Guinea to do some more trading.  On the way a storm comes through and they get lost, next there boat gets stuck and all the men are killed, except Mr. Crusoe.  Now he is stranded on a tropic island alone.  He did manage to get some goods from the stuck boat before it sank.  His only companions, his dog and himself.

Recommended by Tyler, tenth grade

Robinson Crusoe had a love of sailing for all his life.  He had always aspired to be a sailor, and he soon got his wish.  He sailed on many ships, and had many adventures, and by the end of his journey, he had gotten himself a prosperous tobacco plantation in Brazil.  Three years have passed.  Robinson has grown restless, and wants more of the glorious and profitable life of a sailor, so he boards a ship bound for Africa.  But this trips goes very differently.  Torrential rains and mountain-like waves crash down upon the little boat.  As the skies clear, Robinson realizes he is stranded on an island.  With a few tools from the ships, and an admirable persistence, Robinson Crusoe is able to forge a life on the island.  I would advise this book to anyone with a reasonably good vocabulary who likes reading about ordinary people in extraordinary situations.  

ÙÙÙÙÙ Mr. Greenlee

Dexter, Pete.  Paris Trout.

DiCamillo, Kate.  Because of Winn-Dixie.

Dickens, Charles.  Christmas Carol.

Dickens, Charles.  David Copperfield. 

ÙÙÙÙÙ Mr. Greenlee 

The first half of the novel is by turns charming and enlivening.  David’s challenges make it difficult for a man not to identify with his youthful trials.  The bridges between acts – written with the reminiscence of an old man - are enough to make a man of 25 look back wistfully at his youth.  Add the zany, lovable characters and this becomes my favorite Dickens.

Dickens, Charles.  Great Expectations. 

Dickens, Charles.  Hard Times. 

Dickens, Charles.  Oliver Twist. 

Dickens, Charles.  Tale of Two Cities

Recommended by Tyler, tenth grade

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is the story of the French Revolution, with a personal twist.  A happy French family living in England is quickly pulled into the rising chaos in the fledgling French Republic.  A dutiful wife, respected father, loyal businessman, and courageous friends must then save an innocent husband from death at the hands of a blind and bloodthirsty horde.  A European classic that spans national borders with its universal themes and storytelling, A Tale of Two Cities would be a good choice for advanced readers of any age. 

ÙÙÙÙÙ  Mr. Greenlee

      It takes the first two-thirds of this book to set everything in place for the rich action and powerful emotions of the last third.  That is not to say that there are not a few interesting points, some entertaining action, and attractive character development early on, but most modern readers are anticipating the drama of the French Revolution, and this is a long, slow build-up.  The action finally kicks off somewhere around page 200 – too late for the taste of today’s bookworm. 

As in other Dickens novels, the young female is a weakly drawn character, not even the Agnes of David Copperfield.  Why is it that we find Dickens able to create a Miss Pross or a Betsy Trotwood, but not a realistic and admirable young heroine? 

Dickey, James.  Deliverance.

A killer stalks two men on a canoe trip in the wilds.

Diehl.  Primal Fear. 

Slow building, well-orchestrated suspense.  William Diehl's "Primal Fear," is a compelling story, but it does not bring you to the edge of your seat.  It opens with tremendous action that seems hard to match, and it does not.  Diehl's few action scenes are few and far between. For the action lover, this novel falls a little short, but if smart, intense, legal drama is what you seek, this novel is for you. It is much like an episode of "Law and Order" made into a book. The story does keep you guessing until the very end, and it answers with a very unexpected twist at the end of the story. I believe that for the legal thriller lovers, this book is a hit. 

Dillard, Annie.  An American Childhood. 

Dineson, Isak.  Out of Africa.  Find it at 967.6

ÙÙÙÙÙ Mr. Greenlee

     Understand before reading that this is not a novel.  It is the journal of a woman who lived in Africa at the beginning of the First World War.  Don't imagine that this is going to be about the author's love affairs, as the movie was.  It has little in common with the movie of the same name.  But after reading this, I felt like I had been there.  I understood more about the people and the land and the times.  I loved this book.  

Doctorow, E.L. Billy Bathgate 

Doctorow, E.L. Loon Lake

Doctorow, E.L. The March.  

Dorris, Michael.  Yellow Raft in Blue Water.

Three generations of women

Douglas, Frederick.  My Bondage and My Freedom.  Find it in the biography section.

Douglas, Frederick.  Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas.  

Doyle, Conan.  The Hound of the Baskervilles. 

ÙÙÙÙÙ Mr. Greenlee

A good tale 

Dubus, Andre, III.  House of Sand and Fog.

Du Marrier.  Rebecca. 

Recommended by Roxanne

Rebecca is a suspense story that has you on the edge of your seat and begging for more. The main character, a young girl who's name remains anonymous, is swept off her feat by a middle aged widower and taken away to his family mansion known as Manderley.  Soon after arriving at the home the girl finds herself more lonely than ever and at the same time watched every second. Soon the girl feels she is being haunted by the ghost of Rebecca, the former wife of her husband. The ending will leave you breathless as the mystery unwinds and you find the real secret of Manderley and all that have lived within.

 Recommended by Lake

 ÙÙÙÙÙ Mr. Greenlee

This novel is marred by a slow beginning, but otherwise great.  

Dumas, Alexander.  Count Of Monte Cristo. 

 ÙÙÙÙÙ Mr. Greenlee

This book started as the classic adventure tale - narrow escapes! swordfights! disguises!  hidden treasure! secret tunnels! and most of all, revenge! If some of the scenes seem a little contrived, it was still a welcome break from novels calling for interpretation, laden with symbolism, or intense psychological scrutiny - it was just fun.   But it didn't last.  After he became rich, the story bogged down.  His enemies became little, and Dumas violated one of the most important rules of the action story: the main character must be up against the odds.  I especially didn't like how the author went to such ridiculous lengths in almost every chapter to show the reader how fabulously rich the main character was.  

Dumas, Alexander.  The Three Musketeers. 

Duncan, Lois.  Don't Look Behind You.  

Recommended by Jen 

April was just your average teenage girl who loved her boyfriend. One day her family had to tell her some bad news. That they had to pack everything that they could and  leave their perfect life. And April didn't even get to say good bye to her boyfriend and her friends in high school. She wants to call her friends when they arrive in a new town but her parents forbid her to pick up the phone and call them. She tries to call but it doesn't happen. April is mad at her parents she doesn't like living in this knew town.

Duncan, Lois.  Down A Dark Hall.

ÙÙÙÙÙ Danielle, 10th grade

     When Kit arrives at Blackwood, she can feel the evil that is seeping out of it. She knows that there is something going on, but she can’t explain it because she doesn’t really know how to. 

      All of the girls that are brought to Blackwood have some sort of “special gift” that they do not know of. The staff of Blackwood is using these gifts to their advantage. But when the girls find out about what the school is doing, they rebel, and everything goes up in flames. 

      This was a really good book, one of my favorites. The text really keeps you from even thinking about putting the book down. 

Duncan, Lois.    A Gift of Magic.  

ÙÙÙÙÙ Danielle, 10th grade

     The three Garett children all have very special gifts. At the beginning of this book, the three children are not really aware of their “gifts” to the full extent that they are supposed to.  Kirby gets that she is an extraordinary dancer, but Nancy and Brendon have yet to figure out their gifts.

     Brendon knows that he can pick up everything that is played on a piano, but he doesn’t know that that is his gift. Also, Nancy knows that she knows when things are going to happen, what people are doing, or who is calling on the phone, but she doesn’t really get that this is a special gift.

      All of the children soon figure out their gifts and how they are supposed to use it. Although some things do get in the way and they have to overcome some obstacles, they find out that using their gifts in good ways brings happiness and good to the people around them.

Duncan, Lois.  I Know What You Did Last Summer.  New York: Dell. 

ÙÙÙÙÙ Danielle  

In this book it really shows how guilt can really get to people. It also shows how some people are more self-centered than others. 

    When they run over the kid on the bike, Barry is set on not turning back. Influenced by his answer, Helen has to agree. Julie wants to call for help and go back to help the little boy. This leaves Ray torn between his best friend and his girlfriend. After a while, he is influenced by his best friend, and chooses to leave and not help. Barry makes up a pact and they all agree to stay true to it. 

    But almost a year later, everything starts to catch up with them. Once someone starts sending things to the four teens, things start to go horribly wrong

Duncan, Lois.  Stranger with My Face.  New York: Little, Brown. 

Recommended by Emma.

Laurie Stratton was a normal teenage girl she had a boyfriend and she hung out with the popular crowd at school. But strange things started happening to Laurie like she was at home and her boyfriend saw her on the beach with another man or her parents could have sworn she was home but she really was out with her friends. Why is everybody saying Laurie is at places she isn't?  What is happening?   Recommended by Emma for teenage girls; This book has a lot of action and never has a boring parts in it. This book always keeps the reader interested. 

Duncan, Lois. The Third Eye. New York: Little, Brown

ÙÙÙÙÙ Jane, 9th Grade 

Karen was born with the gift of the human psyche, or is it a curse?  All of these images of kidnapped children pop into her head, and it’s too much for her to bear.  When a detective shows up at her door asking for help, will she turn him down to keep her mind clean of the horrors, or will she give her gift to help the children?  This book was written in current times, with current teenage troubles.  The author likes to slowly unveil the characters so that their real being is revealed in the end.  It is a fast easy read I would recommend to someone that isn’t looking for a book that takes months. 

Duncan, Lois.  Who Killed My Daughter?  New York: Delacorte.  Find it in the library at 364.1