Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls

It's the last day of Nora's junior year of high school in 1956, and she has planned a long summer of parties, swimming, and relaxation with her friends.  Little does she know this is the day that will change her life and the lives of everyone else in her town.

No one really thought anything of it when Cheryl and Bobbi Jo didn't show up for the last day of school.  It's not until Nora and her best friend, Ellie, are headed home that they realize something terrible has happened.  Cheryl and Bobbi Jo are dead, shot and left in the woods.
Everyone is sure Buddy is killer.  He's Cheryl's ex, and everyone knows he's been stalking her since the breakup.  It's obvious he killed them...but what if he didn't?

Nora can't seem to shake out of the fear and anger over the deaths.  She spends all her time in bed questioning everything, especially once everyone else finds a reason to leave for the summer.

Based on a real life murder that has haunted author, Mary Downing Hahn, since she was in high school, this is a powerful story about all the victims of a murder, the living and the dead, and the lasting effects of tragedy.

Warning to usual fans of the author:  This book is much heavier and more mature than Hahn's other stories.  It's a real tragedy rather than a ghost story.

Brain Jack by Brian Falkner

Sam Wilson is a teenage hacker with the skills to hack ANY system.  He knows the internet and programming better than anyone else, and he has no problem with playing around with servers and networks to get what he wants.  And right now he wants a Neuro, a device that will allow him to interact with the internet by using his brain waves.  So what if he has to take down major communications in the eastern U.S. to make it happen?  Honestly, he's a little proud of himself.

Life is good until Homeland Security shows up.  Sam's just a kid; he doesn't want to go to jail!  He thinks that's the worst of his problems until something even worse threatens him, the nation, and the world! 

If you are looking for a thrilling adventure that will keep you hooked from page one, then Brain Jack is the book for you!  This book is non-stop action and adventure that will keep you in suspense until the very end.

Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork

Pancho is grieving and angry over the death of his sister, Rosa, when he arrives at St. Anthony's, a group home for boys.  He doesn't want to get involved with anyone.  He just wants revenge for Rosa's death, and he then he will be prepared to accept the consequences.  At St. Anthony's he meets D.Q, a boy who is struggling with his own problems and refuses to leave Pancho alone. 

D.Q. convinces Pancho to come to the city with him for his cancer treatments.  He promises Pancho that if he will just stay with him during the treatments and recovery, he can sneak away and take care of his own plans.  Pancho agrees, but the more time he spends with D.Q. and his friends, the more he begins to question himself. 

Who will Pancho decide to become?  Will he continue on his path of anger and destruction, or will he choose another road? 

I loved this book!  It is a great discussion on what it means to be your own person and choose your own destiny.  (8th grade)