Pack Picks

Looking for a good book? Check out the following recommendations by Tualatin High Students.

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson
Recommended by: Ariel Martin-Reed
This book is about the life of a regular teen-age boy and how his life was ripped to shreds in a matter of seconds.  Tyler commits a "foul deed", he does community service, he's an outcast at school, he deals with an abusive father but then he works hard at trying to make good choices with classes , with a girl, with his life. This is an overall good story that kept me on the edge of my seat and kept me reading.

The Summoning by Kelly Armstrong
Recommended by: Ariel Martin-Reed
This book is about a girl who, all of a sudden, has the ability to see ghosts. When that happens, she freaks out and gets sent to a mental house where things seem a little out of the ordinary.
This interesting book is full of surprises!  I can't wait to read the second one.

Miracle in the Andes by Nando Parrado
Reviewed by Sascha Dintar
The book is about a rugby team from Uruguay that is on it's way to Chile for a game when the plane crashes in the Andes.  To survive, the passengers have to challenge themselves and they have to live on the limit.
The book is based on a true story.  It makes you think differently about food and water.  Also, it holds your attention and you respect small things more.

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
Reviewed by Kelsey Ostrander
This book is about James and how he was a drug addict for 13 years and an alcoholic for 10.  It sheds light on how rehab is and what is in the mind of a drug addict.

The Eragon Series by Christopher Paolini
Reviewed by Shane Ostrander
Summary: In the first book, a 15 year old named Eragon finds a blue "rock" that turns out to be a dragon egg which hatches when he touches it.  In the second book, Eragon and his dragon go to the legendary city of the elves to train with the sword and magic.  In the third book, Eragon and his dragon fight against the empire with the freedom fighters and elves.  These are good books which are well written and full of adventure.

The Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Reviewed by: Anna Clare Conway
Griet is a young girl who is sent to be a maid for the painter Vermeer. This book goes on to tell about her days spent cleaning his studio and their secret relationship. I would recommend this book because it is written so well and I found it interesting to read how realistic the plot was, as it took place so long ago.

Generation Dead by Daniel Waters
Reviewed by; Sierra Waters
This is a book with zombies, not monsters. They're just kids who came back to life and are trying to go back to school like every other teen. But, who will accept them? This book teaches about not judging people. They may not be the same as you but you're more alike than you think.

Johnny Voodoo by Dakota Lane
Reviewed by Paige Bonnar
Summary:  Deirdre is the new girl in town.  Everyone at her new school calls her Yankee.  When she starts to think that no one likes her, she meets Johnny, an eccentric boy with an accordion on his side and eyes ever so distracting.  It's a read that you can never put down, and it's a sweet love story that reminds you of innocence and the beauty of first love and heartbreak.

Undone by Brooke Taylor
Reviewed by Tara Hart
Brief Description:  Kori Kitzler is the 'dark angel' of her high school:  beautiful, mysterious, the subject of rumors.  Serena Moore is an average girl: unassuming, not sure exactly who she is or who she wants to be.  But then a seemingly chance encounter ignites a fateful friendship that allows Kori to draw Serena into her dark world.  Also, there's something that Kori is hiding, but Serena soon finds out what it is.
I recommend this book because it talks about the risk of drugs and how to deal with the death of a friend.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Reviewed by Tara Hart
Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so now her friends won't talk to her.  But something happened at the party, something she is afraid of until she speaks out and tells the truth.
This is a good book for everyone.  It talks about how a girl, who is treated as an outcast, deals with rape.

The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney by Suzanne Harper
Reviewed by Ariel Martin-Reed
Description:  This book is about a girl who can see ghosts but she has kept this information to herself since she was five years old because she just wants to be a normal person.
Recommended because:  It's a cute story and there's a bit of a surprise at the ending.

A Dream of Passion: The Development of the Method by Lee Strasberg
Reviewed by Stephanie Ross
This book is about the development of The Method of acting used by many famous personalities such as Paul Newman, Robert DeNiro, and Marilyn Monroe.  It is a wonderful book for anyone who loves movies or the theatre.  Not your ordinary non-fiction.

After written by Francine Prose
Reviewed by:  Kelsey Ostrander
Description:  A shooting happens at the High School, Pleasant Valley, and a school 50 miles away tightens security to a scary level.
It's the best book I've ever read, it has a great story line.

The Black Sheep by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout
Reviewed by Ariel Martin-Reed
This book was about two teens who end up switching places all the way across the United States.  The main girl runs into some issues because of being on reality T.V.   I'd recommend this book because it pulls you in, makes you eager to figure out if the girl will end up okay

The Black Sheep by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout
Reviewed by Ariel Martin-Reed
Summary:This book is about these two teens that end up switching places all the way across the States.  The main girl runs into some issues with being on reality TV.  I'd recommend this book because it pulls you in eager to figure out if she will end up ok.

A Million Little Pieces by James Fre
Reviewed by Steven Shortridge
An extreme drug addict going through tough times and having an inspirational recovery. I would recommend this book because it keeps you from not wanting to stop reading the book. A great experience for reading it.

Autobiography Of A Face by Lucy Grealy
Reviewed by Nikki Manisburn
Lucy has a type of cancer, and her jaw has a third of it missing. She is ridiculed throughout her life, and is a very unique person. I would recommend this book because it’s a different book about tragic events, and has a different perception of life.

Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracey Kidder
Reviewed by Edlyne Basa
It’s about an extraordinary man who basically traveled around the world helping people in different foreign countries who can’t afford health insurance. I wouldn’t recommend this book because it isn’t very interesting. If you want to know how to be extraordinary, then here’s a book that you can enjoy.

Autobiography Of A Face by Lucy Grealy
Reviewed by Jennifer Sotelo
Lucy had cancer at the age of nine and a third of her jaw was removed. I liked the book because it gives you a good and strong message. You should always be yourself no matter what.

Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer
Reviewed by Blake Mai
The book was a very interesting, very factual, and very informative recollection of a boy names Chris McCandless. It goes in depth about his journey to Alaska and the reasons behind his journey. I would recommend this book because it takes you into a completely new state of existence with yourself. You learn to appreciate life and the importance of individualism and the sanctions it provides through the natural world.

Secrets of Mary Magdalene by Dan Burstein and Ame J.D.E. Keijzer
Reviewed by Glesty Waters
Myth, legend, and fact about the most misunderstood woman of all times. I would recommend this book because you can learn a lot of things you probably didn’t know about religions.

Sam The Boy Behind The Mask by Torn Hallman Jr.
Reviewed by Cori Dion
Sam Lightner was born with a facial deformity and Hallman describes the challenges Sam overcomes while trying to reform his face. I would recommend this book because Sam Lightner inspires readers to be brave in every situation they encounter.

Winter: Notes from Montana by Rick Bass
Reviewed by Chase Thompson
He moves to Montana and care takes for a place and lives in Montana during the winter. I would recommend this book because it’s pretty amazing.

Hostage: My Nightmare in Beint by David Jacobsen
Reviewed by Eric Romrell
David gets kidnapped in May of 1985, and he recounts his experiences while in prison with amazing precision. I would recommend this book because even though it starts slow, it becomes exciting and touching.

Between A Rock And A Hard Place by Aron Ralston
Reviewed by Tyler Hurlbutt
Aron is hiking through a slot canyon when a bolder falls on his arm, trapping him in the canyon for six days. The only way out is for him to amputate his own arm. I would recommend this book because it shows great emotions and is on of the best survival stories ever told.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Reviewed by Richard Torjong
In April 1992, a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wild. His name was Christopher J. McCandles. He gave away all his possessions and invented a new life for himself. Months later, his decomposed body was found. I would recommend this book because it is a National Best Seller and because it gives information about being outdoors.

All But My Life by Gerda Weissmann Klein
Reviewed by Sahara Searle
A young Jewish girl, about 16 years old, who lives her years under the Nazi’s regime. She suffers with losing her family, but continues to have hope. I would recommend this book because it gives you a view a viewpoint from a person who has been through it all during the Holocaust.

Ghost Ship by Brian Hicks
Reviewed by Jessica Manfull
This book is about a ship that no one knows what actually happened to it or it’s crew. The ship was called Mary Celeste. I would recommend this book if you like mystery books because no one actually knows what happened to the Mary Celeste and the crew.

Into the Air by Jon Krakauer
Reviewed by Michael Moreland
Jon Krakaeur describes his horrifying experience while climbing Mount Everest. I would recommend this book because it is a very honest and real point of view.