Island of Doom

By Arthur Slade

263 pages

In this conclusion to the four volume series, Modo is forced to trace his own tragic personal history.  The Clockwork Guild schemes to capture the parents who abandoned him and harvest their genes to create a supercreature which, like Modo, can rejuvenate itself.  All the star characters - Octavia Milkweed, Collette Brunet, Tharpa and Mr. Socrates must work together to bring down the Guild Master, with Modo's identity struggle at the centre. Grade 6.

Liar & Spy

By Rebecca Stead

180 pages

 

When seventh-grader Georges' dad loses his job, he and his parents move to a more affordable Brooklyn apartment building.  At home, Georges spends lots of time alone- his father is trying to start his own business, and his mother is always working extra hours at the hospital.  At school, he has become the new target of Dallas the class bully.  He is grateful to meet Safer, the strange boy who is a self-appointed spy for the apartment building. However, spying with Safer draws him into activities that feel wrong, and Georges must choose between what he feels is right, and his only friend. Grade 6.

Wonder

By R.J. Palacio

315 pages

August Pullman was born with a facial deformity which prevented him from attending regular school, until now.Grade 5 at Beecher Prep promises to be difficult in many ways - but first and foremost because people view him as shocking, different, even frightening.The story is narrated by August and several of his peers; the various perspectives combine to tell a story both challenging and enlarging. Grade 5.