Rachel Baack
Summary: In the small town of Bone Gap, a beautiful, kind stranger named Roza goes missing, and Finn is the only one who saw who took her. The problem, though, is that no one believes his story. This book is a surprising tale of magic, brokenness, love, and what it means to be seen
Summary: In the small town of Bone Gap, a beautiful, kind stranger named Roza goes missing, and Finn is the only one who saw who took her. The problem, though, is that no one believes his story. This book is a surprising tale of magic, brokenness, love, and what it means to be seen
Summary: In this allegory for the Russian Revolution, the animals of Manor Farm stage a revolution and take control of the farm from Mr. Jones, believing that by so doing, they will be able to be their own masters and live in prosperity. It slowly becomes apparent, however, that the new leaders of the renamed Animal Farm are just as prone to corruption as the former farm owner.
Summary: In this allegory for the Russian Revolution, the animals of Manor Farm stage a revolution and take control of the farm from Mr. Jones, believing that by so doing, they will be able to be their own masters and live in prosperity. It slowly becomes apparent, however, that the new leaders of the renamed Animal Farm are just as prone to corruption as the former farm owner.
Summary: This novel is told through the perspectives of several different characters. It centers on a young boy named August Pullman who has had a lot of health complications due to a cranio-facial abnormality. For his whole life, he has been homeschooled, but now, he is about to start sixth grade in a public middle school. Throughout the book, August talks about the struggles he has with fitting in at school, and his friends and family also offer their insights and feelings about their interactions with Auggie.
Summary: This novel is told through the perspectives of several different characters. It centers on a young boy named August Pullman who has had a lot of health complications due to a cranio-facial abnormality. For his whole life, he has been homeschooled, but now, he is about to start sixth grade in a public middle school. Throughout the book, August talks about the struggles he has with fitting in at school, and his friends and family also offer their insights and feelings about their interactions with Auggie.
This novel follows the story of two enslaved people named Tom and Eliza. It presents characters to whom readers can connect, and it reveals the evils of slavery in an impactful way. An obviously moralistic work, it was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe in an attempt to move people to action in order to bring an end to slavery in America. According to legend, Abraham Lincoln said when he met her, “So you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this Great War.”
This novel follows the story of two enslaved people named Tom and Eliza. It presents characters to whom readers can connect, and it reveals the evils of slavery in an impactful way. An obviously moralistic work, it was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe in an attempt to move people to action in order to bring an end to slavery in America. According to legend, Abraham Lincoln said when he met her, “So you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this Great War.”
Summary: Soon after Travis Gardner’s older brother, Carter, is given a scholarship to play football for Gainesville University, the Gainesville coach offers eight-grade Travis the deal of a lifetime: in five years, when Travis is ready to go to college, a football scholarship to Gainesville University will be waiting for him. At first, Travis is nothing but excited, but he will soon learn that the attention that comes with the offer he’s been given may not be all he dreamed it would be.
Summary: Soon after Travis Gardner’s older brother, Carter, is given a scholarship to play football for Gainesville University, the Gainesville coach offers eight-grade Travis the deal of a lifetime: in five years, when Travis is ready to go to college, a football scholarship to Gainesville University will be waiting for him. At first, Travis is nothing but excited, but he will soon learn that the attention that comes with the offer he’s been given may not be all he dreamed it would be.
Summary: A young girl named Scout lives in the Southern Maycomb County in the 19302, a place where many people still harbor racist feelings. Scout has to grow up faster than she expected one summer when her father, a lawyer, decides to defend a black man who he believes to be innocent of the charge of raping a white woman.
Summary: A young girl named Scout lives in the Southern Maycomb County in the 19302, a place where many people still harbor racist feelings. Scout has to grow up faster than she expected one summer when her father, a lawyer, decides to defend a black man who he believes to be innocent of the charge of raping a white woman.
Summary: The novel centers on the post-mortem narrative that Hannah Baker has recorded for a select group of acquaintances to hear. Although Hannah’s story only surfaces after her death, the recordings retrospectively demonstrate the ways in which Hannah, over the course of a few years, developed from a relatively happy young girl to someone who committed suicide. The book is told through the eyes of Clay Jensen, one of the people for whom Hannah left a tape.
Summary: The novel centers on the post-mortem narrative that Hannah Baker has recorded for a select group of acquaintances to hear. Although Hannah’s story only surfaces after her death, the recordings retrospectively demonstrate the ways in which Hannah, over the course of a few years, developed from a relatively happy young girl to someone who committed suicide. The book is told through the eyes of Clay Jensen, one of the people for whom Hannah left a tape.
Summary: Okonkwo is a respected member of an African tribe who has taken over the care of a boy that was given to his people in a settlement with another tribe. The book tells of Okonkwo’s life and culture and his relationship to the members of his family. At first, life seems to be going well for Okonkwo, but a series of unexpected occurrences soon upset the life of prosperity that he has lived for so long.
Summary: Okonkwo is a respected member of an African tribe who has taken over the care of a boy that was given to his people in a settlement with another tribe. The book tells of Okonkwo’s life and culture and his relationship to the members of his family. At first, life seems to be going well for Okonkwo, but a series of unexpected occurrences soon upset the life of prosperity that he has lived for so long.
Summary: Natasha is fighting to keep her family in America on the last day before their deportation. Daniel is considering his future as he prepared for an interview that could get him into the college that his parents want him to attend. When this practical young lady and hopeless romantic meet, they experience a connection that they could never have imagined they would be able to experience.
Summary: Natasha is fighting to keep her family in America on the last day before their deportation. Daniel is considering his future as he prepared for an interview that could get him into the college that his parents want him to attend. When this practical young lady and hopeless romantic meet, they experience a connection that they could never have imagined they would be able to experience.
Summary: This novel centers on an eighteenth-century family of five daughters whose family is not rich but whose mother earnestly desires for all of her daughters to marry into wealth. When a rich young man named Mr. Bingley moves into town, it looks as though the mother’s hope may be realized for Jane, her oldest daughter, but the second-oldest daughter, Elizabeth, soon realizes that things may not be so simple as they first seemed, partially due to Mr. Bingley’s somewhat unfriendly companion, Mr. Darcy.
Summary: This novel centers on an eighteenth-century family of five daughters whose family is not rich but whose mother earnestly desires for all of her daughters to marry into wealth. When a rich young man named Mr. Bingley moves into town, it looks as though the mother’s hope may be realized for Jane, her oldest daughter, but the second-oldest daughter, Elizabeth, soon realizes that things may not be so simple as they first seemed, partially due to Mr. Bingley’s somewhat unfriendly companion, Mr. Darcy.
Summary of Trilogy: A hobbit named Frodo Baggins must go on a journey with his friend Samwise Gamgee to destroy a ring that, if it were to fall into the wrong hands, could be the end of the happy world they know. They are helped by a crew that includes two more hobbits, a wizard, and elf, a dwarf, and a couple of humans. It is a tale of friendship, self-sacrifice, and bravery.
Summary of Trilogy: A hobbit named Frodo Baggins must go on a journey with his friend Samwise Gamgee to destroy a ring that, if it were to fall into the wrong hands, could be the end of the happy world they know. They are helped by a crew that includes two more hobbits, a wizard, and elf, a dwarf, and a couple of humans. It is a tale of friendship, self-sacrifice, and bravery.
Summary of Trilogy: A hobbit named Frodo Baggins must go on a journey with his friend Samwise Gamgee to destroy a ring that, if it were to fall into the wrong hands, could be the end of the happy world they know. They are helped by a crew that includes two more hobbits, a wizard, and elf, a dwarf, and a couple of humans. It is a tale of friendship, self-sacrifice, and bravery.
Summary of Trilogy: A hobbit named Frodo Baggins must go on a journey with his friend Samwise Gamgee to destroy a ring that, if it were to fall into the wrong hands, could be the end of the happy world they know. They are helped by a crew that includes two more hobbits, a wizard, and elf, a dwarf, and a couple of humans. It is a tale of friendship, self-sacrifice, and bravery.
Summary of Trilogy: A hobbit named Frodo Baggins must go on a journey with his friend Samwise Gamgee to destroy a ring that, if it were to fall into the wrong hands, could be the end of the happy world they know. They are helped by a crew that includes two more hobbits, a wizard, and elf, a dwarf, and a couple of humans. It is a tale of friendship, self-sacrifice, and bravery.
Summary of Trilogy: A hobbit named Frodo Baggins must go on a journey with his friend Samwise Gamgee to destroy a ring that, if it were to fall into the wrong hands, could be the end of the happy world they know. They are helped by a crew that includes two more hobbits, a wizard, and elf, a dwarf, and a couple of humans. It is a tale of friendship, self-sacrifice, and bravery.
Summary: Huck Finn runs away from home and meets up with Jim, who has escaped slavery and with whom Huck experiences a series of adventures. Although the book is told through the young Huck Finn’s perspective, it deals with some heavy themes, such as racism and injustice.
Summary: Huck Finn runs away from home and meets up with Jim, who has escaped slavery and with whom Huck experiences a series of adventures. Although the book is told through the young Huck Finn’s perspective, it deals with some heavy themes, such as racism and injustice.
Summary: Jake Barnes and his well-off friends (including his old flame, Lady Brett Ashely) go on a trip together in 1924.
The book is a slow read; it intersperses numerous descriptions of scenery with short bits of action. The characters make a lot of questionable decisions, and I came away from reading the book feeling kind of scummy.
Summary: Jake Barnes and his well-off friends (including his old flame, Lady Brett Ashely) go on a trip together in 1924.
The book is a slow read; it intersperses numerous descriptions of scenery with short bits of action. The characters make a lot of questionable decisions, and I came away from reading the book feeling kind of scummy.
Summary: This story begins when Mersault gets news of his mother’s death and follows him as he meets a young woman, goes on a date, and…gets into some serious trouble with the law. One of the major issues that Mersault faces in the story is the way other people perceive his expression of his emotions and their questioning of his ability to feel normal emotions.
Summary: This story begins when Mersault gets news of his mother’s death and follows him as he meets a young woman, goes on a date, and…gets into some serious trouble with the law. One of the major issues that Mersault faces in the story is the way other people perceive his expression of his emotions and their questioning of his ability to feel normal emotions.
Summary: A. J. Fickry is the owner of the only bookstore on Alice Island. He has a reputation for being a bit gruff, especially after the death of his wife, and, with publishers hoping to sell to him, difficult to please. A series of surprises, however—a new rep from a publishing house, the theft of a very valuable item, and a baby found in the bookstore—cause (or one might argue, force) A. J. to soften up and come out of his shell.
Summary: A. J. Fickry is the owner of the only bookstore on Alice Island. He has a reputation for being a bit gruff, especially after the death of his wife, and, with publishers hoping to sell to him, difficult to please. A series of surprises, however—a new rep from a publishing house, the theft of a very valuable item, and a baby found in the bookstore—cause (or one might argue, force) A. J. to soften up and come out of his shell.
Summary: In this quick, easy-to-read book, a rather unreliable narrator goes on a trip to Hawaii with his friend Don in search of the Golden Monkey. This book is sometimes funny, sometimes ridiculous, and, often times, both.
Summary: In this quick, easy-to-read book, a rather unreliable narrator goes on a trip to Hawaii with his friend Don in search of the Golden Monkey. This book is sometimes funny, sometimes ridiculous, and, often times, both.
Summary: Two sisters, one logical and self-controlled and the other lively and free-speaking, each believe themselves to have fallen in love. They will soon learn, however, that there are surprising obstacles to their relationships with the men upon whom they have bestowed their affections.
Summary: Two sisters, one logical and self-controlled and the other lively and free-speaking, each believe themselves to have fallen in love. They will soon learn, however, that there are surprising obstacles to their relationships with the men upon whom they have bestowed their affections.
Summary: Fifteen-year-old Janna is dealing with a set of normal teenage issues—crushes, negotiating spending time with her divorced mother and father, and deciding how she feels about her brother’s possible soon-to-be fiancée—but she has one big secret that is tearing her apart inside: a boy who everyone at her mosque believes is a wonderful young man has done something terrible to her, and she doesn’t know how to respond. Follow Janna’s story as she juggles these issues and, along the way, discovers who in her life is really going to be there for her and even meets some unexpected allies.
Summary: Fifteen-year-old Janna is dealing with a set of normal teenage issues—crushes, negotiating spending time with her divorced mother and father, and deciding how she feels about her brother’s possible soon-to-be fiancée—but she has one big secret that is tearing her apart inside: a boy who everyone at her mosque believes is a wonderful young man has done something terrible to her, and she doesn’t know how to respond. Follow Janna’s story as she juggles these issues and, along the way, discovers who in her life is really going to be there for her and even meets some unexpected allies.
Summary: Henry Flemming has enlisted as a soldier for the Union army in the Civil War, but as he gets closer and closer to his first battle, his confidence in his ability to withstand the fighting without fleeing wavers. This novel is a fascinating look at war that takes place within the mind of a soldier.
Summary: Henry Flemming has enlisted as a soldier for the Union army in the Civil War, but as he gets closer and closer to his first battle, his confidence in his ability to withstand the fighting without fleeing wavers. This novel is a fascinating look at war that takes place within the mind of a soldier.
Summary: Jenna Boller is a teenage shoe salesperson, and she gets an unexpected adventure when she agrees to go on a work-related road trip with her elderly boss.
Summary: Jenna Boller is a teenage shoe salesperson, and she gets an unexpected adventure when she agrees to go on a work-related road trip with her elderly boss.
Summary: Dick, a poor fourteen-year-old orphan, shines shoes on the streets of New York City in the mid-1800s. His life starts to change, however, when he meets the wealthy Mrs. Whitney and his nephew, Frank.
Summary: Dick, a poor fourteen-year-old orphan, shines shoes on the streets of New York City in the mid-1800s. His life starts to change, however, when he meets the wealthy Mrs. Whitney and his nephew, Frank.
Summary: Eight years after breaking off her engagement to Captain Wentworth on the advice of those closest to her, Anne Elliot, a well-mannered girl who is little loved by her father and older sister, is unexpectedly thrown into the company of a group composed of several new acquaintances as well as Captain Wentworth himself. What follows is an almost agonizing back and forth of renewed emotions and dashed hopes.
Summary: Eight years after breaking off her engagement to Captain Wentworth on the advice of those closest to her, Anne Elliot, a well-mannered girl who is little loved by her father and older sister, is unexpectedly thrown into the company of a group composed of several new acquaintances as well as Captain Wentworth himself. What follows is an almost agonizing back and forth of renewed emotions and dashed hopes.
Summary: Eight years after breaking off her engagement to Captain Wentworth on the advice of those closest to her, Anne Elliot, a well-mannered girl who is little loved by her father and older sister, is unexpectedly thrown into the company of a group composed of several new acquaintances as well as Captain Wentworth himself. What follows is an almost agonizing back and forth of renewed emotions and dashed hopes.
Summary: Eight years after breaking off her engagement to Captain Wentworth on the advice of those closest to her, Anne Elliot, a well-mannered girl who is little loved by her father and older sister, is unexpectedly thrown into the company of a group composed of several new acquaintances as well as Captain Wentworth himself. What follows is an almost agonizing back and forth of renewed emotions and dashed hopes.