This is a book that anyone who likes historical fiction and action will like.  It takes place in the West right after the Civil War.  Aiden and his sister Maddy are the only two left from their family still alive, but they are resorting to eating mud to stay alive.  Then a man comes along and invites them to join him on a wagon train heading for Seattle area, and they go. 
     The adventures they encounter are hair raising and difficult to read about a lot of the time.  Like all historical fiction the reader learns a great deal about a specific time in history, and what it was really like to live then.
      I really liked this book.  It is hard to take sometimes, but it sure makes me grateful for living when I do.

  What can I say about The Chosen One, except wow.  This book was a VERY quick read because you just can't put it down.  Sometimes it even struck me as a horror story.  A 13 year old girl is being ordered to marry her 60 year old uncle.  They live in a polygamist society, very closed in and protected.  The hero in the story is actually a great friend of mine - books.  Young Kyra has been sneak reading books from the passing Book Mobile, and has learned about the outside world.  Because of this she overcomes the brainwashing and oppressive measures aimed at her and all women.  It is very moving.  Make sure some of your friends read it too because you WILL want to talk about it.

   Another interesting book is Rosie & Skate.  It is set in New Jersey's beach and boardwalk area.  Rosie and her older sister Skate (she always skateboards everywhere) have an alcoholic father who is in jail.  Their mother died when they were very little and an aunt has come to care for them.  Needless to say, they have difficult lives and share with us their feelings, since they don't really have anyone else to share with.
   For anyone who has ever had to grow up all by themselves, especially with only one parent who is absent for any number of reasons, this book will really hit home.  The lessons they have to learn on their own about life and how to deal with a parent with substance abuse problems is very enlightening.

   Just finished Into the Wild Nerd Yonder.  I liked it.  I think for a  lot of teens it has a good message, & is a quick, funny read. 
   It is about Jessie. a sophomore in high school, whose old friends have suddenly gone "punk" and she is left out.  Some rather upsetting things happen to her, and she decides to change the direction of her life.  She becomes a nerd.  Good read.