Suggested Reading by Dave Connis

Clara Evans just read her new favorite book, and she cannot wait to show up on the first day of school to talk about it. Unfortunately, that is the day her private school initiates a ban on a list of books (including the new one). Not only are the books to be pulled from the library, but they cannot even be brought on campus or discussed. For a book lover like Clara, the news is devastating.

Books have shaped Clara's life. She can't understand how the same books that have meant so much to her are now being called bad for young people. So what can Clara do? She can follow procedure for student concerns and write a letter to the principal...which she does but that is not enough. With the help of the school librarian, Clara gets all the copies of the books from the library and starts her own underground library out of her locker.

The principal is serious about enforcing the new rule, so Clara is taking a big risk. She could be expelled or loose her chance at a big scholarship. If that weren't stressful enough, Clara starts to realize there is more to learn in life than what you find in books - like those popular kids may not be as one dimensional as she thought. Also, books may not be the cure for everyone's problems. Clara is having a tough senior year.

One thing I like about this story was the emphasis placed on the importance of books (I am librarian after all). I think more importantly is the fact that you never know what book will connect with a person. Like books, we shouldn't judge people based on their 'cover.' It is a good thing to keep in mind in life not just in choosing books.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Rated by Melissa Grey

Everyone is rated. It's how you know your place in society. Do good and your rating goes up; do bad, it goes down. Ratings determine where you can shop and live and what hospital you can use. Ratings are everything.

So it is quite a shock to everyone when "THE RATINGS ARE NOT REAL" is spray painted across the front doors of Maplethorpe Academy (founded by the man who also created the ratings) on the first day of school. Most right it off as a one time act of vandalism by a disgruntled student. For six students it becomes a puzzle after they each receive a cryptic message that seems related to the graffiti.

Circumstances cause them to pair up (even though none of them really know each other). Chase (star baseball pitcher on the verge of losing his scholarship due to a low rating) and Bex (driven, ambitious student with one of the highest ratings in the school). Tamsin (would be witch and tarot card reader and all around rebel who is near an expulsion level rating) and Hana (hopeful future ice skating star who is starving herself to be better). Javi (outgoing nationally known video champion who is trying to provide for his younger siblings) and Noah (old school photographer who keeps to himself).

I expected this to be more dystopian in nature. Even though the ratings drive the narrative, it is really a study about each of the six students. They are presented in a way that avoids stereotypes, and that made for a much more interesting read.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Road Tripped by Pete Hautman

Steven (aka Stiggy) runs away or actually drives away from home. His girlfriend (if that's what she really was) broke up and literally left town. He ticked off his only friend (maybe permanently). And almost a year ago, his dad died.

So what better way to deal with his problems than hop in his dad's Mustang and leave Minnesota to head down the Great River Road. Stiggy has no destination in mind; he is not trying to find answers or search for himself; he just wants to get away. The river road may be paved, but for Stiggy it is a rough one.

Of course, Stiggy does have a lot of time to remember past events (that we learn about through flash backs). Times with his friend; times with his girlfriend; times before and after his dad died.

Stiggy meets a lot of interesting people on the road: some odd, some helpful, some scary. But they all play a role in Stiggy's ultimate decision to keep heading South or turn around and head home.

You will root for Stiggy to find his way and deal with his problems. He makes them worse before he can make them better, but he is trying.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.