Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to NOT Reading by Tommy Greenwald

Charlie Joe Jackson may be the most reluctant reader ever born. And so far, he’s managed to get through life without ever reading an entire book from cover to cover. But now that he’s in middle school, avoiding reading isn’t as easy as it used to be. And when his friend Timmy McGibney decides that he’s tired of covering for him, Charlie Joe finds himself resorting to desperate measures to keep his perfect record intact.This is the hilarious story of an avid non-reader and the extreme lengths to which he’ll go to get out of reading a book. Amazon.com

Need I say  I was a bit reluctant to  recommend this book. It's hard enough to get some kids to read without having a book to give them ideas about NOT reading. However, this may be a really great choice for the reluctant readers out there. Charlie Joe keeps his chapters short (Charlie Joe's Tip #1) and interesting (Charlie Joe's Tip #19).  It also has a story kids can relate to (shh.... yes, I said there's actually a story line too!).


By the way, check out the cute book trailer I found on Amazon.com and also a promotional video for public libraries!

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Overview from www.barnesandnoble.com

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

I wish I had something more insightful to add to this review but this description pretty much sums it up for me too. It's full of witticism and is eloquently written although maybe a bit above the comfortable language level of most students below high school reading level. It's easy to fall for the two main characters, Hazel and Augustus as they confront their own mortality while yearning for some semblance of normal.

I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb

summary from www.barnesandnoble.com

Twelve-year-old Oliver Watson’s got the IQ of a grilled cheese sandwich. Or so everyone in Omaha thinks. In reality, Oliver’s a mad evil genius on his way to world domination, and he’s used his great brain to make himself the third-richest person on earth! Then Oliver’s father—and archnemesis—makes a crack about the upcoming middle school election, and Oliver takes it as a personal challenge. He’ll run, and he’ll win! Turns out, though, that overthrowing foreign dictators is actually way easier than getting kids to like you. . . Can this evil genius win the class presidency and keep his true identity a secret, all in time to impress his dad?

This book sparked my interest from the first time I saw it. I know, I know.... don't judge a book by it's cover. But this one lived up to its packaging. Oliver is a stereotypical evil genius with a blend of Stewie from Family Guy and Austin Powers's Doctor Evil complete with disdain for adult authority, secret hide-outs and high tech gadgetry. But the underlying story is a lot closer to reality. Read this book and find out why Oliver, the evil genius, has chosen to run for class president...


Just noted... it looks like they may be turning this book into a movie... I'll write more information  about this as it becomes available.