The Westing Game By: Ellen Raskin

Genre:  Mystery
Age Recommendation: Grade 6+

The Westing Game is an engaging murder mystery involving six unlikely "heirs" to Sam Westing's fortune.  Coincidentally, all of the "heirs" live in the apartment building that faces the Westing mansion.  Both children and adults are players in this game and must determine which one of the group killed Sam Westing before their time runs out.  The one who solves the mystery using the cryptic clues they've been given, will inherit Westing's millions.  Although I found the beginning of this book to be a little slow, it is certainly an entertaining story that will keep you guessing about who Sam Westing really is, how the "heirs" are connected to Sam, and which one of them is the murderer.  I recommend this story to anyone in grade 6 and up who enjoys mysteries.

Everything, Everything By: Nicola Yoon

Genre:  Realistic Fiction
Age Recommendation:  Grade 8+/YA

Madeline is sick - very sick.  She has a rare disease that means her immune system is extremely weak.  Because of this, she's spent the majority of her 18 years in her home with her mother and nurse.  Madeline is relatively happy with her life until Olly moves next door.  She develops a secret relationship with Olly and begins wondering if life is worth living if she has to stay inside all the time.  Madeline's story is told in a variety of ways - typical chapters, text messages, illustrations, and letters.  This is an interesting story with a surprising twist.

Mortal Engines By: Philip Reeve

Genre:  Science Fiction - Steampunk Future
Age Recommendation:  Grade 7/8 - YA

In Mortal Engines, we are introduced to the future of the world where cities travel around finding smaller towns and devouring them.  London is a great city, whose mayor says in on the verge of holding even more power.  At what cost will the city achieve this greatness?  Who is Hester Shaw and why is her face so scarred?  Although this is a genre that I would not usually read, it is an interesting concept with plenty of adventure and excitement.  This book is the first in the Mortal Engines series and if you enjoy this series, you can also read the prequel series beginning with Fever Crumb.

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life By: Wendy Mass

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Recommendation: Grade 6+

One month before his 13th birthday, Jeremy receives a package from his dead father. The package is a mysterious box, but Jeremy does not have the keys to open it. Jeremy and his best friend Lizzy have interesting encounters with people and learn a lot about life as they search for the keys needed to open the mysterious box.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas By: John Boyne

Genre: Historical Fiction/YA

Age Recommendation: Grade 7/8

When Bruno's father is promoted to Commandant by the "Fury", they must move to "Out With". Bruno doesn't really understand his father's job or the place they've moved to and is told to stay away from the tall fence that separates him from people on the other side. Bruno is curious and has nobody to play with, so he investigates and develops a friendship with one of the boys on the other side of the fence. This is a unique look at the Holocaust and is best appreciated with some background knowledge of the events of World War 2.

Tuck Everlasting By: Natalie Babbitt

Genre: Fantasy

Age Recommendation: Grade 4+

If you found a well that held water that could give you eternal life, would you drink from it? The Tuck Family unknowingly drank from such a well and must now live forever as the age they were when they drank. When a young girl named Winnie discovers their secret, the Tucks must help her realize the challenges of their situation. This is an enjoyable read.

Shiloh By: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Recommendation: Grade 4-6

When Marty finds a dog in the hills behind his home, he falls in love with the beagle and names him Shiloh. Unfortunately, it turns out that Shiloh belongs to Judd Travers who is abusive to his dogs. Marty struggles to find a way to protect Shiloh and make the dog his own. This story is heartbreaking at times, but has a positive ending and has readers gripped by Marty's love of Shiloh and determination in making the dog his own.

The Breadwinner By: Deborah Ellis

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Age Recommendation:  Grade 5+

Realistic fiction is one of my favourite genres and Deborah Ellis is a master at this genre.  The Breadwinner was written based on the interviews Deborah Ellis had with Afghan women in refugee camps in Pakistan.  Parvana is the main character in this book and through Parvana's story, we learn about life for woman and girls in Taliban occupied Afghanistan.  Imagine not being able to attend school, play outside or go to the market, simply because you are a girl.  Imagine living with your family in a one room apartment in a bombed out building.  Imagine having to cut your hair and dress as a boy to support your family.  This is Parvana's story.  This is the first book in an incredible series.  The Breadwinner has recently been made into an animated movie and graphic novel as well.  In my opinion, this is a must read.

Artemis Fowl By: Eoin Colfer

Genre: Fantasy

Age Recommendation: Grade 5+

Artemis is a 12 year old millionaire whose father disappeared, leaving Artemis with plenty of opportunity to become involved in criminal activities. When Artemis locates a book about the fairy world, he uses this knowledge to capture a fairy. This first book in the series gets off to a slow start, but is quite interesting. The book contains entertaining and imaginative ideas about the fairy world. The story is also available as a graphic novel. In 2019, the story is set to be released as a movie.

City of Ember By: Jeanne DuPrau

Genre: Science Fiction

Age Recommendation: Grade 5+

Ember is a dilapidated city. Supplies are running low and the lights keep going out. Lina is worried about this. Then she finds a message that describes a way out of Ember. Will she and her friend, Doon, be able to find the way out before the city shuts down for good? This is a very enjoyable, well written story. It is the first book in a four book series. The book has been made into a movie, but it doesn't do the story justice.

The Giver By: Lois Lowry

Genre: YA/Science Fiction

Age Recommendation: Grade 7/8

Jonas lives in a community where every aspect of life is perfectly controlled. There is no pain or violence. When Jonas is assigned the role of Receiver of Memory, he quickly learns some shocking things about his society and begins to question how things are done. Honestly, I was not a fan of futuristic, dystopian fiction, but this book changed that. It is a real page turner. If you enjoy this story, it is just the beginning of the series, "Gathering Blue", "Messenger" and "Son" are the other titles to look for.

Wonder By: RJ Palacio

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Recommendation: Grade 5+

This is the inspiring story of Auggie Pullman who was born with rare facial deformities. Auggie is about to begin grade 5 and has been home schooled up to this point, but is about attend school for the first time. Wonder is told from the perspective of different characters, including Auggie, his older sister Via and Auggie's classmates. This story will make you laugh and cry along with Auggie, but most importantly it will make you consider how you can make the world a better place for all.

Even if you've seen the movie, which is fantastic, read this book. It is a must read for all!

P.S. You may also want to check out the picture book version, "We're All Wonders".

A Wrinkle in Time By: Madeleine L’Engle

Genre: Science Fiction

Age Recommendation: Grade 5+

Meg has a hard time at school. She has trouble fitting in. Her family has a lot to deal with when you consider that her father disappeared while experimenting with time travel. But everything is about to change for Meg because she and her brother are about to travel through time to rescue their father. On this journey, they will meet unusual characters and Meg will have to overcome her fears and learn to believe in herself. This is a very original story and quite interesting. The book was published in 1962, so the language is a little dated and at times can be challenging to follow. Readers may want to start with the graphic novel version first.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid By: Jeff Kinney

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Humour

Age Recommendation: Grade 4+

This book is an interesting, easy to read book that makes you want to keep reading so you can find out what Greg will get up to next. Greg's diary entries and doodles allow us a window into what middle school is like for him and his classmates. Read the first book and find out why we can't keep the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books on the library shelves.