The Help was a ground-breaking novel, touching on the vital issue of racism and prejudice in the 1960's. Skeeter Phelan, a small-town writer from Jackson, Mississippi, has big dreams of moving to New York and becoming a writer for a large newspaper such as the New York Times, instead of writing the household hints column for the Jackson Journal. Skeeter strongly disproves of the way her friends treat their "help", especially with the start of the "Home Help Sanitation Initiative".

She decides to write a book based on the viewpoints of black domestic maids in her hometown, and publish it under anonymous to show the world how bad the racism has gotten. As the novel progresses, we see the antagonist of our story, Hilly Holbrook, become suspicious of Skeeter and the whole town eventually turn against her under Hilly's command. we see the pasts of Milly and Aibileen unfold as they share their story's with Skeeter and convince other maids to tell Skeeter their story's as well.

This book is a wonderful read for young and old alike.

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Rachel Hawkins has outdone herself in the second installment of the Hex Hall series, where fairies, shifters, vampires, witches, and demons roam, battling the L'Occio d Dio, a group of anti-prodigum mortals known as the Eyes. Sophie Mercer, a demon by birth, discovers that someone is secretly raising demons, and using them as armed forces againts the Eyes. Alongside friends Jenna and Cal, Sophie must betray all she has ever known to save the ones she loves.

A gripping novel, Demonglass continues the shattering story of adventure, romance, and devastation in the Hex Hall series.

Charles Benoit is the nominated author of three adult mystery novels, this being his first book for teens. In this story, YOU, Kyle Chase, are told how the small choices in your life eventually and inevitably lead to your destruction. Going through some rather unique aspects of teen life, Charles Benoit describes how you befriend Zack McDade. Zack believes that life is a game, where everyone wins if you play by the basic rules of life. In his world, it's much more interesting if you play by HIS rules. In his game of last man standing, Zack finds the weak spot in your life, pushing and pushing until you eventually crack. In the end, he is the only one standing. Unfortunately for YOU, your weak spot has more power over you than Zack expects, and YOU are out of the game. Forever.

I found this book to be very powerful, alternating between the current story and flashbacks in your life. At first, it seems to be moving slowly, picking up pace as your life races to its end. YOU is gut-wrenching, shattering, and I recommend this book to any who enjoy a devastating and unforgettable story. Due to content, I recommend only ages 13 and over read this book. (under aged drinking, smoking, and sexual content)

Twilight box set

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer I started off reading the Twilight saga in rushed eagerness due to all the good buzz I'd heard about it. Starting at a slow pace, Twilight picks up speed when small-town girl Bella Swan's life meets with that of Edward Cullen, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire (emphasis on "dead"). Bella's life rapidly changes from a dreary, rain-filled existance in Forks, Washington, to a life of surrounded by very dangerous company. This book is overall very romantic (yet not at all mushy), and I really enjoyed reading it. This would be a great book for any first-time romance readers (it's not just for girls!).

New Moon-Stephenie Meyer The second book of the Twilight saga starts off just as exciting as the last. Bella Swan has just gone through one of the most crushing time of her life, when the love of her life, Edward Cullen, abruptly vanishes, with barely a whisper of goodbye. After months of complete emptiness, Bella befriends Jacob Black, a burly teen-ager with a dark secret of his own that will tie their lives together forever, and leave Bella to the hardest decision she will ever face. I loved reading New Moon because it was very dramatic, with the return of Victoria, a hard-edged redhead with the intent to kill. Very fast paced, it certainly lived up to Twilight's reputation. This book is great for anyone looking for a gut-wrenching adventure.

Eclipse- Stephenie Meyer The third book of the Twilight saga is slightly more slow paced than the others, not as much action throughout the book, as it deals with the daily aspects of a teenage life (minus the gorgeous vampire boyfriend and werewolf BFF). However, applying for college and graduating from high school suddenly become meager issues when Victoria returns to Forks, after recruiting an army blood-thirsty newborns to stalk and eliminate Bella. Though slow at first, Eclipse blossoms with the most viscous battles yet, where (im)mortal enemies fight as allies to save the girl they both love. I found it to be very gripping and intense, and I know Eclipse will leave you breathless until the very end.

Breaking Dawn- Stephenie Meyer In the final chapters of the Twilight saga, I was left in awe as I watched Bella's life change forever. In transactions between Bella and Jacob's point of view, I saw how Jacob became a much bigger of Bella's life and Bella's love with Edward grew stronger, her life passed from one to the next, and a new Cullen came into the picture. However, I saw that through the happy moments, danger was still on the horizon, and in a battle that marks the most epic battle of the Twilight saga, Breaking Dawn ends in a way you would never guessed. I was sad, when I finished the series, because I felt that now the adventure was over. But the adventure will never end. The Twilight saga is in my opinion one of the best teen romance series of our generation. Stephenie Meyer is a wonderful writer, and I eagerly await her next novel.

Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata (NEWBERRY AWARD WINNER)

In Lynn and Katie's world, anything can be Kira-Kira (Japenese word for sparkling, glittering), you just have to see it in a certain light. When this Japenese family moves to an nearly all-white community in the deep south of Georgia in the 1950's, it is up to Lynn to explain to Katie how the world operates, and how to find Kira-Kira in the most common of days. However, when Lynn suddenly falls ill, it is up to Katie to find something shining in the future for her whole family.

I enjoyed this book because it tells the heart-warming tale of two sisters who always look at the glass half-full. This would be a great read for those who enjoy emotional and tear-jerking stories.

Jumpstart The World brings a whole new meaning to the word, "friendship."  After being dumped off at only sixteen years old to live by herself in downtown New York, hard-headed Eliie struggles to adjust to her new home and life. She finds companionship in her next door neighboors, Frank and Molly, who seem to understand her in a different light. I received a big a shock when reading this to discover that Frank was not exactly what he seemed. Then, Ellie had to look within her heart to find the true meaning of friendship, no matter what the circumstances.

I enjoyed reading this book because it was very emotional and compassionate, catching the essence of what it means to be a true friend. However, due to content, I would recommend this book to thirteen years and over only  (this book describes same-sex relationship s,underage drinking and underage smoking).

Alice in Wonderland gift edition

Here we have one of the best fantasy novels of all time, written by (who would have guessed it) a math teacher! Lewis Carrol spun the tale of Alice, a bold, outgoing little girl who finds herself down a rabbit hole! There, she discovers a strange new world she dubs "Wonderland", a place where things get "curiouser and curiouser" by the second. I enjoyed this book because it is very descriptive and imaginative, such that it will make you understand the world in entirely new ways. Those who enjoy fantasy should definetly read this novel.