Paul F. Gilligan III Media Center

Grades 7 & up. After socially-clueless Stewart's mother dies, his father begins dating his super-popular (but not-so-nice) classmate Ashley's mother. When they blend their families, everyone has a tough time adjusting, which is illustrated in scenes both hilarious and heartbreaking. Stewart's difficulty at moving on from his mother's death is believable, as are Ashley's "mean girl" antics. This is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and the linear plot is easy to follow. Some mature content.

Grades 7 & up. With her mother in jail for a terrible crime, Sarah is growing up with her father, floating from one town to another as they try to escape their family history. But the summer she is 12 is proving to be different---Sarah confronts her past and her present, thinks she may be falling in love, and realizes that her mother's crime does not dictate the path her life will take. An ode to Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, this book will not only introduce students to Lee's masterpiece, but will also engage them in a solid novel that is, in its own right, a great book. Mature content that may be disturbing to younger readers.

Grades 7 & up. As much a piece of visual art as it is a novel, A Monster Calls is an undeniably devastating story that unfolds using spare prose and inky black illustrations. The story focuses on Conor, a young boy whose mother is dying of cancer. Each night, the yew tree in his backyard takes the form of an ancient monster who comforts and angers Conor with a series of three metaphorical stories. The structure is similar to that of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, an elements of horror are woven throughout. The raw emotion and believable storytelling are guaranteed to draw you in but be warned---you will need a box of tissues at the end. The story was developed by author Siobhan Dowd before her premature death, and eventually written by Patrick Ness.

The kids proudly display their spooky silhouettes!

Creatively planning out their images.

Tracing, cutting and assembling their silhouettes.