Ages 5-8
Malala’s Magic Pencil By Malala Yousafzai
How one girl changed the world begins with something very simple: a pencil. As a child in Pakistan, Malala made a wish for a magic pencil. She would use it to make everyone happy, to erase the smell of garbage from her city, to sleep an extra hour in the morning. But as she grew up, Malala saw that there were more important things to wish for. Malala realized that she could still work hard to make her wishes come true.
Her Right Foot By Dave Eggers
If you had to name a statue, you’d probably mention the Statue of Liberty. You know her well, but have you ever noticed she is in mid-stride, moving forward? In this fascinating and fun take, Dave Eggers investigates a seemingly small trait of America’s most powerful statue. What they find in the Statue of Liberty’s right foot is the powerful message of acceptance that is essential of an entire country’s creation.
Ages 9-12
The Magic Misfits By Neil Patrick Harris
When street magician Carter runs away, he never expects to find friends and magic in a small New England town. But, things change instantly as greedy B.B. Bosso and his crew of crooked carnies show up to steal anything they can. After a fateful encounter with the local illusionist, Carter teams up with five other like-minded magicians. Together, using both teamwork and magic, they’ll set out to save the town of Mineral Wells.
A Problematic Paradox By Eliot Sappingfield
Nikola Kross has abandoned fitting in with classmates and exasperated teachers: she prefers dabbling in experimental chemistry instead. But when her life is turned upside down by a gang of aliens who kidnap her dad, she discovers he’s been keeping secrets from her, including the school for geniuses where she’s sent for refuge. The most puzzling paradox is Nikola, who has certain abilities that no one understands.
Ages 13-17
Renegades By Marissa Meyer
The Renegades are a group of prodigies–humans with extraordinary abilities–who emerged from the ruins of a fallen society and established peace and order. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone, except the villains they conquered. Nova hates the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. But as she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice.
The Lie Tree By Frances Hardinge
Faith Sunderly leads a double life. She appears dull, but inside, Faith is full of questions and curiosity, and she cannot resist a mystery. When her father is discovered dead, she knows that he was murdered. Faith hunts through her father’s possessions and discovers a strange tree. The tree bears fruit when she whispers a lie to it, and when that fruit is eaten, it delivers a hidden truth.
Ages 18 and Up
Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel By George Saunders
February 1862. It is one year into the Civil War, and President Lincoln’s beloved 11-year-old son, Willie dies and is laid to rest in a Georgetown cemetery. Willie Lincoln finds himself in a strange purgatory where ghosts mingle, gripe, commiserate, argue, and pay penance. Within this transitional state–called, in the Tibetan tradition, the bardo–a struggle erupts over young Willie’s soul. How do we live and love when we know that everything we love must end?
Exit West: A Novel By Mohsin Ahmid
In a country teetering on the brink of civil war, two young people meet–independent Nadia and restrained Saeed. They fall for one another, and are soon caught up in a relationship. When familiar streets turn into checkpoints and bomb blasts, they begin to hear whispers about doors–doors that can whisk people far away. As the violence intensifies, Nadia and Saeed decide that they no longer have a choice.
