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Staff Reading Picks
This is a fun ride! It's a trilogy and the world building is amazing as well as the love story and character development. Read the trilogy in a few weeks!
Susana Herrera
Although it's a tough topic (date rape), her voice, strength & courage is profound, moving and an essential perspective for all people who might engage in party scenes during their life.
Tiffany Karow
Complete with drama and laugh-out-loud moments, McGinniss immerses readers in the adventures and characters of an Italian minor-league soccer team's miraculous season.
Joanne Miyahara
The Silmarillion is not a novel - it's not going to be a movie - it's a collection of short stories, notes and ideas that frame the universe of the Lord of the Rings. Reading The Silmarillion is challenging and will give you mad respect in nerd throw downs.
Persephone Hintlian
Uprooted takes a few classic fairy tale concepts and turns them into something new, dark, complex, and so fun to read! Featuring cool female friendships, fascinating magic, and lots of creepy trees.
Jasmine Mark
This book gives a tremendous point of view of a refugee from Latin America who is looking to reunite with his mom in the Unites States. This is a great book and could really help students understand the dangers and challenges these families currently experience as they try to reach the US.
Hector Arias
An inspiring memoir of self-discovery and the power of education to change lives.
Jodi Hwang
It is an amazing fantasy world with dynamic characters.
Amy O'Hayer
An interesting reflection on the ethics of scientists and engineers, and how our pursuit of knowledge cannot be separated from the impacts of our work. Set during World War II from the alternating perspective of a German boy that is an electrical engineering savant, and a blind French girl being raised by an idiosyncratic uncle.
Silja Paymer
Told through the eyes of a teenager, it's a perfect combination of how our experiences in life shape us- and there is a bit of a mystery as well (plus the nature imagery is fantastic throughout the book).
Linda Hambrick
It's a book that can be applied to all aspects of what you do in life. It talks about focusing your mind to over come nervousness, self-doubt, and distractions and find the state of "relaxed concentration' that allows you to perform at your best,
Betty Yamasaki
Introduction to spiritual philosophy.
Adam Randall
It is a beautifully odd tale of love and family all centering around a teen girl with wings.
Lisa Battle
I actually haven't read this book yet, but my friend wrote this teenage detective story to empower girls to get into coding. My friend has been a software engineering for over 20 years. According to one review, this book does get a little technical sometimes. So it is a good combination of STEM + language arts. Students who are interested in coding would probably like this book.
Jeanne Yu
Super engaging and emotional story of the sinking of the Titanic that is pretty well researched and accurate. It's not super long so it's a great read for a trip or a few lazy days in the summer.
Galen Rosenberg
Middlesex
Middlesex![]()
Middlesex
This book is all about the great life transitions, following multiple generations, and how very few of us fit neatly into binary categories.
Sarah Alvarado
My Beloved World
My Beloved World![]()
My Beloved World
Read this warm and inspirational autobiography by the first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court. Sonia Sotomayor has an incredible life story and beautiful writing style.
Laura Duran
When They call you a terrorist
When They call you a terrorist![]()
When They call you a terrorist
Thought-provoking memoir about what it means to survive and do more than just turn a blind eye to injustices from one of the women who founded the Black Lives Matter movement.
Perla Luna
Flavia de Luce series
Flavia de Luce series![]()
Flavia de Luce series
This is a really fun murder mystery series set in 1950's England with a young protagonist who, through her innate curiosity, love of chemistry and poisons, and penchant for getting into trouble solves a series of mysterious events in her village.
Keren Dawson-Bowman
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West![]()
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West
A mind-blowing adventure and an epic story of discovery!
Bruce McCormick
The Devil wears Prada
The Devil wears Prada![]()
The Devil wears Prada
It's a page turner and then you can watch the movie!
Robyn Hughes
The Poet X
The Poet X![]()
The Poet X
This is a story about a 15 year old girl named Xiomara who struggles with challenges and conflicts with family and identity that pulls you in and is beautifully written - it is told through Xiomara's diary. Great book you can read in one sitting!
Ann Wolff
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You![]()
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You
I read this the summer after George Floyd's murder and it has forever changed my view of what I learned about American history when I was in HS and how I look at the USA today. Powerful and written like the author is having a conversation with you. Loved it!
Margaret Bennett
Claire of the Sea Light
Claire of the Sea Light![]()
Claire of the Sea Light
This beautiful and powerful novel transports you to Haiti and shows how connected we all are.
Caitlin Hannon
Packing for mars
Packing for mars![]()
Packing for mars
She's funny and entertaining, while teaching you on the sly.
Lisa Cardellini
Hail Mary
Hail Mary![]()
Hail Mary
If you liked the hard science fiction of The Martian, you'll love this story of a middle school science teacher trying to save the universe from space algae.
Gordon Jack
always running
always running![]()
always running
