Wonderstruck, by Brian Selznick

The novel Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick is brilliant. Told from two intertwining perspectives, one of a deaf boy named Ben and the other told by a blind girl named Rose. This beautifully crafted novel is told in part by words and pictures. Separated by fifty years Ben and Rose are so different, yet so similar. They both deep down yearn for something that they’ve never had, and together, separated by history go looking for it. This is a great read. If you enjoy double perspectives, interesting plot twists and fantastic characters this is a novel for you.

Jolie, 15

The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch

Published by Scholastic
Published on September 1, 2011


The Eleventh Plague, by Jeff Hirsch, follows Stephen Quinn, who is among the remnants of the human race after an apocalyptic turn of events. Born a survivor, Stephen travels with his father and grandfather around the ruins of America, searching for anything worth money. Due to illness and a resulting accident, he loses his grandfather and his father falls into a coma. All by himself, and controlled by his animal instincts, Stephen comes across Settler's Landing, a civilized, but dystopian, community. They take him in, despite his being rough around the edges. The book chronicles the battle between Stephen's barbaric, animalistic self from his years as a nomad and his refined, more human self.

This 278 page novel is a long, but action-packed read. I would recommend it to readers ages 12 to 15.

~Cassidy, Grade 10