Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

I had a hard time sleeping when I was reading this book. The author of Speak will punch you in the stomach again with this chilling story of an anorexic teen fighting to MAINTAIN her anorexia. Chilling; truly chilling.

Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeiffer

Love, love, love this book! A completely unique spin on the dystopian novel (my favorite genre -- does that make me weird?) In his case, the moon has been hit by an asteroid, pushing it closer to the Earth. Things go bad quickly, but Miranda and her family hold out hope that somehow things will get better.

I didn't know it until I just loaded the cover, but this is a trilogy. I am running to the library right now to get a copy!

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding

Another hit among my junior students, The Haunting of Alazaibel Cray is a bizzaro mash-up of fantasy, murder mystery, and Victorian literature.

This book takes place in a Jekyll-Hyde-ish Victorian London, except in this London, there are flying machines and monsters. Alazaibel is possessed as a part of a cult ritual that is meant to open up the floodgates for the demons.

The ending was an interesting concept, but this book never really hooked me. Loved the idea, not so crazy about the execution.

Leaving Paradise by Simone Eckles

Though a little unbelievable to me, this book was immensely popular with my female junior students.

Caleb has just been released from prison after serving a year for drunk driving -- and for hitting his neighbor, Maggie. Maggie is returning to school after a long rehab, realizing that she no longer fits in. Their worlds inevitably collide -- with "surprise" consequences.

Inexcusable by Chris Lynch

Mr. Laffey described this as a book that all juniors should read, especially junior boys. I couldn't agree more! I could not put down this book and read it over the course of a day of SSR. It wasn't exactly what I would call a "good" book, but it certainly gripped me.

Lynch does an unbelievably good job of developing (actually, unraveling) the main character, Keir, a self-described "good guy." The book begins shortly after Keir cripples another young man during a football game . . . and it just gets worse from there. Check it out, but be ready to be creeped out!

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks

Looking for a book that empowers young women without being preachy? This is the book you are looking for. It's got the typical awkward girl goes home for summer, returns a knockout, dates popular boy story, but it also has a female character who is quirky without apology and who has a lot of guts!

Also one of John Green favorites (yes, I stalk him).

Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

A great mix of fantasy and mystery, this trilogy is exciting for both male and female students. The premise is that within our world exists another world most of us cannot see, a world of faeries, demons, vampires, werewolves, and Shadow Hunters. Clary, a human, witnesses a murder at a nightclub . . . but no one else can see it. This begins her journey into another world.

A fun read, but be warned -- there's some creepy incestuous implications :)