Abraham's Battle: A Novel of Gettysburg

Abraham’s Battle: A Novel of Gettysburg
by Sara Harrell Banks
Published by Scholastic (2001)
88 pages; ages 9-12

Synopsis: Abraham Small is a free slave living and working in Gettysburg. After meeting a Confederate soldier, Abraham decides to become an ambulance driver with his mule Charity. While looking for live soldiers, Abraham finds Lamar, the soldier, and brings him to the hospital.

Genre: Historical fiction

Warning: mild war violence

Recommendations: Soldier’s Heart by Gary Paulsen

American Born Chinese

American Born Chinese
by Gene Luen Yang
Published by Square Fish (2006)
233 pages; ages 13+

Synopsis: Jin Wang lives in America but was born of Chinese parents. He feels left out at school as people make fun of him. When he develops a crush on Amelia, he is told not to date her because he's "not the right kind of person." Danny is a Caucasian whose Chinese cousin, Chin-Kee, comes to visit. Chin-Kee is a stereotypical Chinese kid who is socially awkward and who embarrasses Danny. The Monkey King is denied entrance into a dinner party for gods. He decides to be anything but a monkey and so transforms himself. These three stories come together to show how the characters want to be anyone but themselves.

Genre: Graphic novel; Supernatural; New Realism/Problem

Warning: brief language, racial slurs and stereotypes, and mild sexual content

Recommendations: The Motherless One by Gene Luen Yang; The Rosary Comic Book by Gene Luen Yang; Maus by Art Spiegelman; Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah

The Book Thief

The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
Published by Alfred A. Knopf (2005)
550 pages; ages 12+

Synopsis: Liesel Meminger’s brother dies, and her parents have abandoned her, leaving her to foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann in Germany while Nazi’s swarm the country. After stealing her first book, The Grave Digger’s Handbook, Liesel’s desire to read leads her seek help from Hans as she learns to read. After getting two more books for Christmas, Liesel becomes enthralled with books and reading, and she begins stealing them. While Liesel meets friends like Rudy Steiner and goes to school, she sees a change in the town—Jewish shops are boarded up, Nazis patrol the streets, people speak in hushed voices, and the Hubermanns start housing a Jew in their basement. From this Jew, Liesel learns that she is not alone in the world, and that Germans and Jews are not so different.

Genre: Historic Fiction; New Realism/Problem

Warning: some language, as well as some German terms that may be seen as offensive to those who speak German. There are also some moderate graphic images related to death and abuse.

Recommendations: Incantation by Alice Hoffman; I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak; Mara's Stories by Gary D. Schmidt; The Night Journey by Kathryn Lasky; Night by Elie Wiesel; Numbering the Stars by Lois Lowry

Bound

Bound
by Donna Jo Napoli
Published by Simon & Schuster (2004)
184 pages; ages 12+

Synopsis: Xing Xing lives with her stepsister Wei Ping, as well as her stepmother. Xing Xing is a slave in her own home, constantly serving her stepmother, as well as Wei Ping, whose feet are broken and bound. While Stepmother spends the family money and tries to find a suitor for Wei Ping, Xing Xing finds comfort in the companionship of a fish. This story morphs the classic fairytale of Cinderella with ancient Chinese culture.

Genre: Fairytale; Historic Fiction; Romance; Problem

Warning: brief language and mild sexual discussions, including suggestions of rape.

Recommendations: Beast by Donna Jo Napoli; Breath by Donna Jo Napoli; Song of the Magdalene by Donna Jo Napoli; Zel by Donna Jo Napoli

Cherry Ames Clinic Nurse

Cherry Ames Clinic Nurse
by Julie Tatham
Published by Grosset & Dunlap (1952)
208 pages; ages 9+

Synopsis: Cherry Ames is a young nurse in the 1950s who works at a clinic consulting patients and transcribing examination recordings for the handsome Dr. Wilkinson. Cherry is kidnapped and forced to aid some criminals in surgery. Once she escapes and tells Dr. Wilkinson about the kidnapping, Wilkinson insists Cherry had been dreaming, and Cherry doesn’t know what to believe. Cherry tries to solve the mystery of her kidnapper, the surgery she assisted, and why she was the one involved.

Genre: Mystery/Romance

Warning: While there is no inappropriate behavior or language, people who are bothered by 1950s gender roles would not like this book.

Recommendations: Cherry Ames Dude Ranch Nurse; Cherry Ames School Nurse; Cherry Ames Department Store Nurse; Cherry Ames Army Nurse

The Chocolate War

The Chocolate War
by Robert Cormier
Published by Pantheon Books (2000)
263 pages; ages 16+

Synopsis: A freshman at Trinity School, Jerry Renault finds himself the victim of harassment and violence when he refuses to sell chocolates as a fund-raiser. At first his fellows are surprised. Then Jerry becomes a hero. When chocolate sales go way down, The Vigils, a secret society, convince the fellows to sell all the chocolates. Jerry is thrust into a nightmare as he becomes an outcast and then a direct target.

Genre: Violence/Friends & Society

Warning: frequent language, sexual references, violence

Recommendations: The December Boys by Michael Noonan; Lord of the Flies by William Golding; Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson; I Am the Cheese by Robert Cormier; After the First Death by Robert Cormier

The Day It Snowed Tortillas

The Day It Snowed Tortillas
by Joe Hayes
Published by Cinco Puntos Press (2003)
127 pages; ages 9+

Synopsis: This books takes ten folktales and tells them in both Spanish and English. The stories mix fairytales with culture and strong morals and lessons as a kind of Aesop's Fables.

Genre: Multicultural; Romance; Folktale

Warning: mild violence, written in Spanish and English

Recommendations: The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling; The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

The December Boys

The December Boys
by Michael Noonan
Published by University of Queensland Press (1990)
238 pages; ages 13+

Synopsis: Choker, Sparks, Maps, Fido, and Misty are orphans who go on holiday to Captain's Folly in Australia. They spend their days playing on the beach, exploring Captain's Folly, and talking to the locals, including Shellback O'Leary, Fealess Foley, and the lovely Teresa. When Choker discovers that Fearless and Teresa will be adopting one of the boys, a battle breaks out between the boys who all want to be adopted. They are challenged to see how far they will go to be part of a family.

Genre: Romance; New Realism/Problem

Warning: mild language, some intense scenes and lowering of moral values

Recommendations: Lord of the Flies by William Golding; Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson; The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Does My Head Look Big In This?

Does My Head Look Big In This?
by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Published by Orchard Books (2007)
360 pages; ages 13+

Synopsis: Amal is a Muslim in Australia who decides that in order to show her devotion to her religion, she decides to wear a hijab, or scarf that wraps around her head. Although her parents and the principle of her school discourage wearing the hijab, Amal decides—after much thought—that she is going to wear the hijab all the time. While some of her classmates are interested in the hijab, others want nothing to do with her. Amal develops a crush on Adam, and has to decide if her religion or a relationship is more important to her.

Genre: New Realism/Problem; Romance

Warning: mild language and mild sexual themes

Recommendations: American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang; Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli; The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen D. Randle; Slumming by Kristen D. Randle; The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

The First Part Last

The First Part Last
by Angela Johnson
Published by Simon Pulse (2005)
132 pages; ages 16+

Synopsis: When Bobby’s girlfriend, Nia, tells Bobby she’s pregnant, Bobby is forced to make difficult decisions and to become an adult. Intermingled with the past scenario is the present, after the baby, Feather, is born. Bobby becomes a single father at sixteen, and struggles to go to school and take care of the baby with very little support from family and friends. Bobby doesn’t know what would be best for Feather—to be adopted out or to be raised by Bobby.

Genre: New Realism/Problem; Romance

Warning: frequent language, moderately intense family issues, mature themes

Recommendations: Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah; Slumming by Kristen D. Randle; The Moves Make the Man by Bruce Brooks

The Foretelling

The Foretelling
by Alice Hoffman
Published by Little, Brown Young Readers (2006)
192 pages; ages 14+

Synopsis: Rain is part of an all-female tribe of Amazonian warriors. They fight off all men that try to come into their land, and they try to “be one with nature.” Although Rain’s mother is the queen of the tribe, and Rain should be her successor, she receives a glimpse of her future as a fugitive fleeing her own tribe. Rain struggles to become the best rider and warrior, and as she accomplishes this, she still cannot gain the approval of her mother or her comrades. Rain has to fight for her right to be queen as well as to have freedom from the strictness of the tribe.

Genre: Problem; Romance; Historical Fiction

Warning: occasional mild language and moderate descriptions injuries, warfare, etc.

Recommendations: Green Angel by Alice Hoffman; Incantation by Alice Hoffman; The Giver by Lois Lowry; Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry; Messenger by Lois Lowry

Getting Away With Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case

Getting Away With Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case
by Chris Crowe
Published by Dial Books (2003)
121 pages; ages 13+

Synopsis: Told with pictures and real accounts, this is the true story of Emmett Till's murder trial that piloted the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Fourteen-year-old Emmett is dragged from his uncle's house one night by two white men. Three days later, his dead, mangled body is found in a river. The white men are not justly punished for their crimes, which sets of a sensation in the news as a great battle of race and discrimination.

Genre: Violence; Multicultural; History; Nonfiction/Biography

Warning: graphic descriptions, racial themes, a disturbing image

Recommendations: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton; Mississippi Trial, 1955 by Chris Crowe; A Wreath for Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson

Green Angel

Green Angel
by Alice Hoffman
Published by Scholastic Paperbacks (2004)
128 pages; ages 16+

Synopsis: Green lives with her parents and younger sister and is a talented gardener. One day Green’s family goes into the city and Green is left to take care of the yard. While they are there, a fire burns most of the city, including several parents and siblings of many of the young adults who live near Green. The aftermath of the fire includes depression, drugs, tattoos, alcohol, and unruly behavior from virtually all of the young adults in the area. Green has to learn how to emotionally cope without her family, how to live on her own, and how to help other people.

Genre: New Realism/Problem; Romance

Warning: mild occasional language, alcohol and drug use, depressing subject matter

Recommendations: ­Incantation by Alice Hoffman; The Foretelling by Alice Hoffman; The Giver by Lois Lowry; Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry; Messenger by Lois Lowry

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
Published by Scholastic Press (2008)
384 pages; ages 15+

Synopsis: Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12 with her mother and sister, Prim. She has kept her family alive by hunting, which is illegal in District 12. When Prim is selected to take part in the Hunger Games, Katniss goes in her place in order to save Prim's life. Katniss is thrust into an arena of forests and fields with dangers of all kinds, including twenty-three other people who are all fighting to stay alive. In order to do so, they must kill the other twenty-three people. Katniss forms alliances and kills when she has to. Not only does she have to fight for her life, she must decide how she feels about the boy from District 12, Peeta Mellark, who has already confessed his love for Katniss.

Genre: Violence; Friends & Society; Romance; Science Fiction; Utopia/Dystopia

Warning: brief language, intense violence, graphic images

Recommendations: Green Angel by Alice Hoffman; The December Boys by Michael Noonan; The Foretelling by Alice Hoffman; Uglies trilogy by Scott Westerfeld

The Hunter's Moon

The Hunter’s Moon
by O.R. Melling
Published by Amulet Books (2005)
275 pages; ages 12+

Synopsis: Gwen takes a trip to see her cousin Findabhair in Ireland. The two set off for a camping trip, but once they decide to stop, they find a fairy mound behind a fence, and the two cannot resist venturing in. They decide to stay the night in the mound, but during the night, Findabhair is captured by the dark king of Faerie. Gwen has to find her way to Faerie and rescue her cousin before Findabhair is sacrificed to the hunter, the Great Worm.

Genre: Romance; Fantasy

Warning: some intense scenes

Recommendations: Chronicles of Faerie: The Summer King by O.R. Melling; The Light-Bearer’s Daughter by O.R. Melling; Tithe: A modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black; Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr; Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Incantation

Incantation
by Alice Hoffman
Published by Little, Brown, & Company (2007)
166 pages; ages 14+

Synopsis: Estrella deMadrigal lives in Spain in 1500 during the Spanish Inquisition. She witnesses persecution of the Jews and experiences heartache for them. Little by little, however, Estrella comes to find out that she is a Jew disguised as a Christian, and she has to live with her family secret while hiding among her Christian friends, Catalina and Andres.

Genre: Historical Fiction; Problem; Romance

Warning: persecution, violence

Recommendations: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak; Mara's Stories by Gary D. Schmidt; The Night Journey by Kathryn Lasky; Night by Elie Wiesel; Numbering the Stars by Lois Lowry; The Foretelling by Alice Hoffman; Green Angel by Alice Hoffman

Inexcusable

Inexcusable

by Chris Lynch

Published by Simon Pulse (2005)

165 pages; ages 17+

Synopsis: Keir loves Gigi, and he hates when people question him. As the youngest and only boy in his family, Keir is introduced to drugs and alcohol by his father. His two older sisters know that something is wrong, that their family is not as wonderful as Keir thinks it is, but they do not know how to address the issue. Keir finds himself drunk and high and in constant denial that he has done anything inappropriate to Gigi, that he couldn't have raped her because he loves her.

Genre: New Realism/Problem

Warning: language, sexual and violent themes, disturbing subject matter

Recommendations: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson; The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins; The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen D. Randle; Slumming by Kristen D. Randle; The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

Mara's Stories: Glimmers in the Darkness

Mara's Stories: Glimmers in the Darkness
by Gary D. Schmidt
Published by Square Fish (2008)
160 pages; ages 12+

Synopsis: Gary D. Schmidt tells the true story of his grandmother, a Polish Jew, during the Holocaust. Every night Mara sits down with children on her lap and surrounded by adults while she tells stories about rabbis and other Jews in their fight for survival. Mara tells both stories with good and stories with bad endings in an attempt to ease the burdens of the camp while still teaching of the injustice and the awfulness of the Holocaust.

Genre: Death/Violence; Multicultural; Adventure; Religious; Holocaust; Nonfiction

Warning: mild depictions of Holocaust cruelty

Recommendations: Incantation by Alice Hoffman; The Book Thief by Markus Zusak; The Night Journey by Kathryn Lasky; Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse; Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

The Misadventures of Maude March

The Misadventures of Maude March
by Audrey Couloumbis
Published by Yearling (2005)
295 pages; ages 12+

Synopsis: Sallie and her sister Maude live with their aunt, who is killed in a shooting in their small western town. Sallie and Maude are blamed for the killing, and they are forced to run away to save their lives. As the two sisters venture to find their only living relative, Uncle Arlen, they become even more “dangerous” as they are blamed for other crimes.

Genre: Problem; Romance; Historical Fiction

Warning: brief mild language, stressful family situations, may be offensive by outlaws being portrayed in a comical way

Recommendations: Maude March on the Run by Audrey Couloumbis; Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst; Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen; The December Boys by Michael Noonan; Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson

Missing You: 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU

Missing You: 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU
by Meg Cabot
Published by HarperTeen (2006)
288 pages; ages 14+

Synopsis: Jessica was struck by lightning, which gave her psychic powers. Now that her powers are gone, she feels as though she is only a shadow of the girl she once was. One day her ex-boyfriend comes to ask if Jess will find his sister, and she is determined to find her, with or without her powers, for the boy she loves.

Genre: New Realism/Problem; Romance; Mystery

Warning: some suggestive language, most likely only suitable for girls

Recommendations: 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU series by Meg Cabot; The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot

The Night Journey

The Night Journey
by Kathryn Lasky
Published by Penguin Group (1981)
151 pages; ages 9+

Synopsis: Rachel lives with her parents and great-grandmother, Nana Sashie. Through months of "secret" meetings, Rachel and Nana Sashie grow close as Nana Sashie tells the story of her escape from Russia as a Jew. Although Rachel's parents and grandmother disapprove of Rachel spending so much time with Nana Sashie, Rachel learns about her heritage. Sashie describes how her family escaped Russian soldiers and came to America.

Genre: Historical Fiction; Journey; Problem

Warning: contains brief, mild language.

Recommendations: Incantation by Alice Hoffman; Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse; The Book Thief by Markus Zusak; Mara's Stories by Gary D. Schmidt

The Only Alien on the Planet

The Only Alien on the Planet
by Karen D. Randle
Published by Scholastic (1995)
228 pages; ages 14+

Synopsis: Ginny finds herself struggling to keep her family together and adjust to a new high school and new friends when her family moves. Her parents spend all their time preparing to start a new business, and Ginny is left to take care of the household and her siblings. When Ginny becomes friends with Caulder, she starts befriending Smitty, a boy who doesn't talk or show emotion. As Ginny gets closer to Smitty she starts trying to help him open up to human interaction, but she soon pushes a little too hard and lands Smitty into a mental facility to face his problem.

Genre: New Realism/Problem; Romance

Warning: contains some intense family scenes and themes. It also deals with mental and emotional disorders, which may make some people uncomfortable.

Recommendations: Slumming by Kristen D. Randle; Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli; Breaking Rank by Kristen D. Randle; Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman

Out of the Dust

Out of the Dust
by Karen Hesse
Published by Scholastic Paperbacks (1999)
240 pages; ages 12+

Synopsis: Billie Jo lives with her parents in dusty Oklahoma. Her favorite thing to do is to play her mother's piano, while she despises the dust that covers much of her home. In a fire accident, Billie Jo's hands become severely burned, while her mother's entire body is scorched. Her mother gives birth to a baby boy, but both the mother and son die. Billie Jo struggles to keep her life with her distant father from falling apart, but her one comfort, the ability to play the piano, is ruined.

Genre: Poetry; Historic Fiction; Problem; Romance

Warning: some detailed descriptions of the fire, as well as of Billie Jo's mother after she has burned. There is brief mild language.

Recommendations: Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse; Island of the Blue Dolphins by Karen Hesse; Numbering the Stars by Lois Lowry

The Outsiders

The Outsiders
by S.E. Hinton
Published by the Penguin Group (2008)
180 pages; ages 16+

Synopsis: Ponyboy is in high school and lives with his two older brothers. While he is a greaser thought to always be picking a fight, he has to defend himself and the other greasers against the wealthy, respected Socs, whose goal is to beat up as many greasers as possible. Ponyboy's friend Johnny kills a Soc while Ponyboy is with him, and the two boys are forced to flee in order to escape jail. Ponyboy has to learn the importance of education and the love of his own brothers.

Genre: New Realism/Problem; Romance

Warning: graphic violence, underage drinking and smoking, language, intense family and friends drama

Recommendations: That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. Hinton; Monster by Walter Dean Myers; The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier; Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case by Chris Crowe

Skellig

Skellig
by David Almond
Published by Dell Laurel-Leaf (1999)
182 pages; ages 14+

Synopsis: Michael's family moves to a new house as his baby sister is born and becomes deathly ill. While Michael's parents are preoccupied with the baby and remodeling the house, Michael is left alone much of the time. He becomes friends with Mina, and together they discover a creature. Michael doesn't know if it's a bird, an angel, or some kind of demon. Michael learns how to think of and take care of others. He also learns how to love and how to create his own happiness.

Genre: New Realism/Problem; Mystery; Supernatural

Warning: some brief language and some images that could be seen as slightly disturbing.

Recommendations: The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen D. Randle; Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli; Kit's Wilderness by David Almond; Tangerine by Edward Bloor; Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman

Speak

Speak
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Published by Scholastic (1999)
198 pages; ages 16+

Synopsis: Melinda starts her first of year of high school as everyone's enemy. After a party at the end of the summer, Melinda called the police and made everyone who was there get in trouble. She can't bring herself to tell anyone that she only called the cops because she fell victim to abuse from Andy Evans. Little by little she begins to disappear as she suffers silently. Her grades continue to drop, fewer people even talk to her, but she won't speak because she doesn't want to reveal the truth.

Genre: New Realism/Problem; Romance

Warning: language, mature sexual themes, depressing subject matter

Recommendations: Green Angel by Alice Hoffman; Inexcusable by Chris Lynch; The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen D. Randle

Specials

Specials
by Scott Westerfeld
Published by Simon Pulse (2006)
384 pages; ages 15+

Synopsis: Tally Youngblood has become a Special, one of Dr. Chord's elite "law enforcement." With hypersensitive senses, Tally is sent out, once again, to find and destroy the New Smoke. While the other Specials find joy in chasing the New Smoke, Tally can't decide how she feels. She has been given orders, and she is trained to follow those orders at all cost, but she still feels drawn to the New Smoke and to David, the leader. For the second time, Tally has to overcome the lesions in her brain and decide what she really wants.

Genre: Science Fiction; Utopia/Dystopia; Romance

Warning: brief language, violence, disturbing images including self-harm

Recommendations: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld; Pretties by Scott Westerfeld; Extras by Scott Westerfeld; The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Stuck in Neutral

Stuck in Neutral
by Terry Trueman
Published by HarperTeen (2001)
128 pages; ages 14+

Synopsis: Shawn McDaniel has severe cerebral palsy and is unable to voluntarily move any part of his body, and he cannot control the sounds he makes. Shawn’s mind, however, is completely functional, but because he is unable to respond, people assume that he is a “vegetable.” Because of his wild seizures and he various other problems, his dad leaves the family so that he doesn’t have to deal with Shawn’s problems. In an attempt to show his love for Shawn, Shawn’s dad makes several comments about “ending Shawn’s pain.” With the help of his siblings and fortunate involuntary movements, Shawn must find a way to show his father that he is a real person who doesn’t want to die.

Genre: New Realism/Problem

Warning: some language and brief sexual references

Recommendations: Cruise Control by Terry Trueman; Inside Out by Terry Trueman; The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen D. Randle; Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

The Wee Free Men

The Wee Free Men
by Terry Pratchett
Published by HarperTeen (2003)
400 pages; ages 9+

Synopsis: Tiffany Aching's family has raised sheep for generations. Her job on the farm is making cheese, which she is very good at. Tiffany has decided to be a witch and is excited to start training at witch's school. One day her brother Wentworth is kidnapped, and Tiffany feels that it is her responsibility to find him and bring him home. With the help of the Nac Mac Feegle pictsies, Tiffany journeys into a new world where the difference between dreams and reality is blurred. The Feegles journey with her through dreams and adventures so that they might find Wentworth.

Genre: Fantasy; Humor; Romance

Warning: some violence with the Nac Mac Feegles; alcohol and tobacco use

Recommendations: A Hat Full of Sky: The Continuing Adventures of Tiffany Aching and the Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett; Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett; The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett

The White Darkness

The White Darkness
by Geraldine McCaughrean
Published by HarperTeen (2008)
369 pages; ages 13+

Synopsis: Sym Wates loves everything about Antarctica, including the mysterious (and incidentally deceased) Captain Lawrence “Titus” Oates. Her Uncle Victor has only encouraged Sym’s fascination with Antarctica, and Sym develops an imaginary Titus, who gives her company throughout her journeys. Uncle Victor takes Sym on an adventure to Antarctica, which thrills Sym, but she realizes that more than just wanting to take his niece somewhere she wants to go, Uncle Victor is actually in search of a portal to the “hollow” earth, endangering Sym’s life.

Genre: New Realism/Problem; Romance

Warning: some intense scenes; brief language

Recommendations: Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne; Troubling a Star by Madeleine L’Engle; Inkheart by Cornelia Funke; Coraline by Neil Gaiman