4th Quarter Book Club Options Yay! Reading! Get excited!!

Legend by Marie Lu What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. Dystopian Pick this book if you like The Hunger Games, Divergent, etc. First in a series Borrow this book out from the library or purchase it ($9 on Amazon)

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon Dimple is a headstrong girl who is passionate about coding and web development much to the chagrin of her parents, who wish she would focus more on her appearance and attracting a husband. Basking in her acceptance to Stanford, Dimple is surprised when her parents agree to let her attend a six-week "Insomnia Con" in San Francisco. Not long into her convention, Dimple discovers why her parents were so willing to let her go. She has been set up to meet a potential husband—the very traditional yet charming Rishi. The plot is moderately paced as the romance between the pair flops, then flourishes. The characters are refreshing, even if familiar. Rishi has a hidden love of comics, Dimple is a feminist who secretly yearns to please her parents, and the "Aberzombies" are the superficial prep school kids who get their jollies by making Dimple and Rishi feel like outsiders. Realistic fiction/romance Pick this book if you like The Fault in Our Stars, Everything Everything, Eleanor and Park Borrow from the library or purchase on Amazon for $10.50

Warcross by Marie Lu For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down Warcross players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty-hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. To make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation. Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. Futuristic Pick this book if you like Ready Player One, Divergent, etc. Borrow this book out from the library or purchase it ($8 on Amazon)

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart Teenage lies, a few of which you may or may not have told yourself, can be pretty sinister. Having suffered a traumatic brain injury, Cadence has to depend on other people for the truth, but she's not sure who's actually telling it. In the end, the only person who can put the pieces together is Cadence herself. That's right: Something awful happened during summer 15 on her wealthy grandfather’s private island, and Cadence doesn't remember it. But she's determined to figure it out, and when she does, she's determined to live it down. Young Adult, Magical Realism Pick this book if you like When You Reach Me, Paper Towns, Gone Girl Borrow this book out from the library or purchase it ($9 on Amazon)

A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah This is how wars are fought now: by children, hopped-up on drugs and wielding AK-47s. Children have become soldiers of choice. In the more than fifty conflicts going on worldwide, it is estimated that there are some 300,000 child soldiers. Ishmael Beah used to be one of them. What is war like through the eyes of a child soldier? How does one become a killer? How does one stop? Child soldiers have been profiled by journalists, and novelists have struggled to imagine their lives. But until now, there has not been a first-person account from someone who came through this hell and survived. Non-fiction Pick this book if you like Never Fall Down or Sold You can check this book out from the school or purchase your own copy ($7 on Amazon)