No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

When my dad was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, he once rescued eight Navy SEAL's who where stranded behind enemy lines.

Wallace Wallace is sent to detention for failing to write a book review. Wallace begins to make suggestions about the play rehearsal he must watch during detention which coincidentally is directed by the same teacher who sent him to detention. A battle of wills occurs as the actors begin to side with Wallace on changes to the performance.

A funny story that seemed a little young for young adults. I would have characterized it as 8-12 age group. Wallace is an appealing character and an original one too!

Korman, G. (2002). No more dead dogs. New York, NY: Hyperion Books.
ISBN: 0786816015
180 pages

Rats Saw God by Rob Thomas

Though I tried to clear my head of the effects of the fat, resiny doobie I'd polished off an hour before, things were still fuzzy as I stumbled into senior counselor Jeff DeMouy's office.

Slacker senior, Steve York, is short one credit for graduation. His guidance counselor challenges him to write 100 pages to make up that credit. Steve writes of his relationship with his father and the girl who broke his heart his junior year and comes to terms with his pain.

A funny story about a boy's search for identity. I recognized boys from my high school in this story.

Thomas, R. (1996). Rats saw god. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
ISBN: 0689802072
219 pages

The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci

I had hoped that a new start away from Steepleton would make my junior year seem like a hundred years ago, rather than just one.

Torey Adams's perfect world is shaken when Christopher Creed disappears and his peers express little compassion. Torey is determined to find Christopher joining forces with two class mates that open his eyes to the less than perfect world of Steepleton. Bullying, cliques, self-acceptance, superficiality and judgment are found within the story.

I found the mystery fascinating and the dialogue true to teenagers. I was touched by the portrayal of Christopher Creed - haven't we all known a Christopher Creed? I couldn't put the book down until I finished.

Plum-Ucci, C. (2000). The body of christopher creed. San Diego, CA: Harcourt, Inc.
ISBN: 0152023887
248 pages

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home.

Ponyboy's world is shaken when in the middle of a rumble his friend kills a rival gang member and he joins his friend in hiding. Ponyboy realizes that death, sadness are universal irregardless of the gang membership and this realization threatens his identity. Themes of violence, love, hate, tension, identity, friendship, solidarity and rivalry.

Whenever I think of The Outsiders, I see Ralph Macchio and hear his recitation of Robert Frost's poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay". Rereading the book did not change this - darn Hollywood!

Hinton, S.E. (1997). The outsiders. New York, NY: Puffin Books.
ISBN: 014038572X
180 pages

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

They murdered him.

A classic novel about a boy who refuses to follow in line and sell chocolates for the school encountering the wrath of the school bullies. Readers are left asking how far would they go to stand up for what they believe in. Themes of violence, peer pressure, individualism, conformity, power and greed are addressed within the novel.

This novel stands up today - over 30 years later. I found myself riveted to the story and what would happen next for Jerry.

Cormier, R. (1974). The chocolate war. New York, NY: Dell Publishing
ISBN: 0440944597
191 pages