Ain't Burned All the Bright
by Jason Reynolds & Jason Griffin
Recommended by: Mr. Arlington, Superintendent of Schools
Ain't Burned All the Bright is only three sentences long, but it really makes you stop and think. It’s a great example of how something short and visual can still tell a powerful story and help us see things in new ways. It also reminds us that the way something looks and feels—its materials and design—can be just as important as the words themselves.
Genre: Young Adult
The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
Recommended by: Ms. Burk
Kelly Rimmer’s novel explores how family secrets and unspoken truths shape lives across generations. Set in dual timelines, it follows Alina Dziak in Nazi-occupied Poland and her descendant Alice in the present day. As Alice investigates her grandmother’s hidden past, the story reveals the lasting impact of war, silence, and resilience. The novel emphasizes the need to confront history for healing and deeper family connection.
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Tainted Cup (Shadow of the Leviathan #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett
Recommended by: Ms. Hackmeyer
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This book sets a murder mystery in the fantasy realm, which is a combination that I had never encountered before. The two main characters are loosely reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, but the world they inhabit is pure fantasy filled with modified humans, a poison called dappleglass, and giant leviathans. (Bonus: the second book in the series--A Drop of Corruption-- was just released) Just fun books to read on lazy summer days!
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Genre: Fantasy/Mystery
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Reid Jenkins
Recommended by: Ms. Weisz
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a highly recommended novel, particularly for readers interested in historical fiction, romance, and stories exploring themes of fame, identity, and relationships. It's known for its compelling characters, particularly Evelyn, and the way it delves into the complexities of her life and relationships.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
Recommended by: Ms. Ganatra
Translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones, Polish author Olga Tokarczuk’s Drive Your Plow won the Man Booker International Prize.
The novel opens with a death. The protagonist’s neighbor, a despicable poacher of animals, has been found dead, apparently from choking on the bone of a deer he had killed and eaten. Slowly, more deaths are discovered, all of men who hunt. Is the animal kingdom seeking revenge? The protagonist, an elderly animal rights activist and astronomer, seems to think so, though no one believes her.
This book is a reminder to appreciate the natural world. It’s full of meaningful philosophical passages about community and tradition which help ease the pain during the most trying times.
This book was recommended to me by a student and I am forever grateful!
Genre: Mystery Fiction
The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen
Recommended by: Ms. Purciello
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A historical fiction novel based on the true story of Dorothy Horstmann, a woman who played a pivotal role in finding the cure for polio in the 1940s and 50s. The story follows Horstmann, a driven and dedicated doctor, as she navigates a male-dominated scientific world to discover the polio virus lurks in the blood, ultimately leading to the development of a vaccine. The novel explores her struggles and sacrifices, including her personal and professional challenges in a time when women in science were often overlooked.
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Genre: Historical Fiction
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The Breakdown by B. A. Paris
Recommended by: Mrs. Paladino
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B. A. Paris, known for Behind Closed Doors, writes a thriller from a woman's perspective that has the reader questioning if they can trust the woman or not. A fascinating story of confusion and delusion with an unexpected twist at the end makes this page turner one of my favorites! A perfect beach read for this summer! (warning: do not read while you are home alone)
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Genre: Psychological Thriller
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The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Recommended by: Mr. Cannici
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I heard this book could be one of the classics of the 21st century and it did not disappoint. Murray has deftly created a family saga that treats all members equally and with a sense of humanity that defies snap judgement. Set in Ireland during the Great Recession of 2007-2009, the novel follows the four members of the Barnes family as their unique struggles isolate them from each other, only adding to the financial ruin that threatens their way of life. Simultaneously, Murray draws the reader's attention to the ways their pasts inflect the present, suggesting the connections that could save them and ruin them at the same time. It's a story about the undeniable nature of the deepest parts of identity, suggesting the imperative of communication to not only express ourselves but to live in a way that encourages the same from those were love most--that in order to live how we want we must be open to seeing others for who they are. I could not stop reading and thinking about this book.​
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Genre: Literary Fiction - Family Drama/LGBTQIA+
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In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
Recommended by: Mr. Aumack
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In Five Years starts like your typical “Type-A meets life plan” story. Dannie Kohan has it all figured out: the dream job, the dream man, the dream timeline. But then she wakes up five years in the future, in a strange apartment, with a strange man, who definitely isn’t her fiancé. Cue the existential crisis.
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Genre: Time Travel Romance
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The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride
Recommended by: Ms. Hamer
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The Color of Water is a powerful and moving memoir that left a deep impression on me. From the very first page, I was in awe of the strength and resilience of Ruth McBride, James' mother. She endured so much hardship yet through unconditional love, managed to raise twelve children. McBride's story telling, intertwining his own voice with that of his mother’s offers readers a glimpse into his family’s history, which was complex. What resonated with me most were the religious themes and the exploration of faith. Ruth’s journey from Judaism to Christianity wasn’t just a change in religion, but a huge transformation that gave her strength and purpose. The Color of Water is a deeply personal yet universally relatable story. It’s one I won’t forget, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a meaningful, beautifully written memoir.
Genre: Memoir
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The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
Recommended by: Ms. Szalony
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My son read this and then passed it around to the whole family! Such a great adventure!
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Genre: Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, Road/Urban Fiction
Evergreen: Discover the Joy in Every Season
by Lydia Elise Millen
Recommended by: Ms. Kren
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As a lover of the seasons, this book is a light yet joyful read in a sometimes heavy and over-burdened world. It gives the reader a new perspective upon how the simplest of things, found in each facet of the year, can often be the most uplifting. This lovely read will inspire you to notice the subtleties that will amplify your inner strength, while bringing joy to the everyday.
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Genre: Self-Discovery
True Biz by Sara Novic
Recommended by: Ms. Cordasco
A story into the world of the deaf community and young adults struggle of isolation from those who can hear. This book was insightful and educational of deaf young adults and the ASL culture.
Genre: Fiction/Young Adult/Coming of Age
Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
Recommended by: Mr. Reisman
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Say Nothing is an engrossing story about the "Troubles" (which was more like a civil war) in Northern Ireland starting in 1968. It follows key figures from the secretive IRA and British military. It reads like an action/spy thriller - I could not put it down.
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This book has been adapted for a miniseries that is also worth watching.
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Genre: Nonfiction
Crazy Horse & Custer by Stephen E. Ambrose
Recommended by: Mr. Troyano
I kept hearing & reading info regarding 'Little Big Horn' in 1876 so I bought a book in 2024 to read specific details of what occurred in Central US in the 19th Century.
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Genre: US History in the 19th Century; Biography
A History of the Nets (from Teaneck to Brooklyn) by Rick Laughland
Recommended by: Mr. Troyano
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Sports books are my favorite. I've always liked the Nets even dating back to their American Basketball Association days in the 1970's. I thought, might as well read about their birth & then merge with the National Basketball Association.
Genre: Sports; History
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Recommended by: Ms. Savio
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This book won a lot of awards and has been made into a series that will be streaming on Amazon Prime this summer. While it is a young adult novel, it should appeal to all for its deft exploration of family dynamics, the intensity of emotions, and the haunting mystery. It tells the story of the Sinclairs, a large, wealthy family who seem to have it all, yet we learn that they are hiding some serious secrets which culminates in a big plot twist. I enjoyed it so much I also read the prequel, Family of Liars, which tells the back story of the parental figures from the original book. Read it before you watch the series because what they say is almost always true - the book is usually better!
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Genre: Young Adult/Psychological Thriller
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
Recommended by: Ms. Clark
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Based on a true story, The Diamond Eye is a haunting novel of heroism born of desperation, of a mother who became a soldier, of a woman who found her place in the world and changed the course of history forever. In the snowbound city of Kiev (now known as Kyiv), wry and bookish history student Mila Pavlichenko organizes her life around her library job and her young son—but Hitler’s invasion of Ukraine and Russia sends her on a different path. Given a rifle and sent to join the fight, Mila must forge herself from studious girl to deadly sniper—a lethal hunter of Nazis known as Lady Death. When news of her three hundredth kill makes her a national heroine, Mila finds herself torn from the bloody battlefields of the eastern front and sent to America on a goodwill tour.
Still reeling from war wounds and devastated by loss, Mila finds herself isolated and lonely in the glittering world of Washington, DC—until an unexpected friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and an even more unexpected connection with a silent fellow sniper offer the possibility of happiness. But when an old enemy from Mila’s past joins forces with a deadly new foe lurking in the shadows, Lady Death finds herself battling her own demons and enemy bullets in the deadliest duel of her life.
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Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller, War Story
West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
Recommended by: Ms. Walter
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A fantastic tale based on an actual event - two giraffes survive a hurricane and embark on a road trip across the United States from “one ocean to another”...This story takes place during the time leading up to WW2; two giraffes arrive in New York after surviving a hurricane. Written as a memoir of the boy who accompanied 2 giraffes on a cross-country odyssey to their new home at the San Diego Zoo. The story is engaging and at times suspenseful. The characters are fascinating.
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Genre: Realistic Fiction (based on true events)
Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet by Jesse Itzer
Recommended by: Ms. Paterno
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The writing is clear and to the point. The banter between Itzer and Goggins is light, humorous and enjoyable! If you're looking for a fun, light read with a motivating message, this one is for you.
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Genre: Non Fiction/Memoir-esque/Personal Growth and Development
The Line of Splendor: A Novel of Nathanael Greene and the American Revolution by Salina B Baker
Recommended by: Mr. Benevento
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The novel follows the life of Nathanael Greene, one of Washington's most trusted generals throughout the Revolutionary War. While Greene's experience of the war are based on real events, dialogue that Greene has with others, including his wife and other members of the Continental Army, are created by the author. A fascinating read, especially for anyone interested in the American Revolution.
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Genre: Historical Fiction
