The Invention of Wings ( 359 Pages)

Sue Monk Kidd has such a wonderful knack for developing characters, and Hetty "Handful"  Grimke lives up to this reputation. Handful, is the name her mother gave her, but as was common in the South, pre-Civil War, owners named their slaves and gave these slaves their own last name. Handful and her mother were slaves owned by the Grimke family. Handful was "given" to Sarah on her 11th birthday, and so starts the book which is rich in character, setting, and family values, but also does not spare the reader of the injustices of slavery. The relationship between Sarah and Handful changes slowly over the years and as the book's chapters bounce between Sarah and Handful, the reader sees both characters thoughts and beliefs. I loved every minute of it. Although not written as a YA book, it is one which will be enjoyed by 8th graders on up.

If I STAY ( 234 PAGES)

I just finished reading this book by Gayle Forman, and it's a four kleenexer that girls will love. At the beginning of the book, Mia's family is enjoying the inch of snow that has caused the Portland, Oregon schools to be cancelled for a "snow day". Mia, is in her senior year of high school, and in a split second her life changes. The family decides to get in the car and visit family friends and end up at their grandparents' home for dinner. But they are in a horrible car accident that kills all of her family, and Mia is then the voice telling the story.....even while she is in a coma. The main message becomes  the idea stated by a nurse in the ICU that "It's all up to Mia. She's the one in charge." Thus, the title. The reader discovers Mia's family life, each member, her boyfriend, her one BFF, all told by Mia . It's an interesting idea, one that affirms we are all in charge of our lives and the direction is one we choose.  Your girls will LOVE this book!