msjamgochian'sinfinitebooklist

Chip Linton slowly loses his mind after he pilots a plane that crashes into a river after a pair of geese simultaneously destroy both engines, killing 39 of the 43 passengers aboard. Chip survives, but he is no longer able to fly, and he retreats to a small town in New England with his wife Emily, a lawyer, and their lovely twin daughters, Hallie and Garnet, to get away from horrific memories and the press. Unfortunately, their new Victorian mansion of a home has a tragic history of its own. Haunted distraught Chip starts spending lots of time in the basement. With dead people. A classic page-turner of a ghost story with a modern twist that will thrill fans of the genre who are willing to suspend their disbelief long enough to make it to the surprise ending. Don't miss Mr. Bohjalian's other books, especially Secrets of Eden . Grade 9+

Ludovic Debeurme's deceptively simple art will draw you in (no pun intended). Click here for a full review of this first installment of a multipart ongoing graphic novel about two misfits who find each other. Grade 9+

Pia Kolvenbach is living a relatively peaceful existence with her German father and British mother in the tiny town of Bad Munstereifel when her beloved and beautiful Grandmother Kristal dies in a freak accident at Pia's home. Inevitably, her cruel classmates mock her as she quickly becomes the 'girl with the grandmother that exploded.' When children start disappearing from Bad Munstereifel, Pia thinks she has caught a break, but the latest scandal doesn't stop her classmates from continuing to taunt her. Pia, along with her only friend (fellow class reject Stink Stefan), decides to solve the mystery in order to regain her social status. What follows is a gripping, suspenseful, and incredibly insightful story of life in a small town. This is the perfect book for expats living in Germany or for anyone who likes mysteries. Pia's authentic and likeable voice will appeal to teens as well. Don't miss the extremely corny book trailer . Grade 8+

Sebastian lives with his grandmother. In a geodesic dome. And is homeschooled. Everything changes when Grandma has a stroke and Sebastian meets The Whitcombs: Jared, Meredith, and Mrs. Whitcomb herself at the hospital where Jared is receiving treatment for his recent heart transplant. Jared introduces Sebastian to punk rock, convincing him to join him and form a band of their own in what is resoundingly the best use of a Napoleon Bonaparte quote of all time: "Do you know who Napoleon was?" he asked. "The emperor of France," I said. "Wrong," said Jared. "He was the first punk rocker." "He was the emperor of France," I said. "Death is nothing, but to live defeated and inglorious is to die daily," said Jared. "Do you know who said that?" "Napoleon?" "Yes. And do you know what, Sebastian?" "What?" "We are dying daily... and we are defeated and we are motherf*cking inglorious. And, Sebas

Austrian writer Franz Werfel's epic historical account, written in 1933, of the heroic battle of Musa Dagh that took place during the Armenian Genocide is not to be missed. The story begins in 1915, when, after several months of pillaging, raping, and burning Armenian villages, the ruthless Turks embarked on an unprovoked systematic government led campaign to completely exterminate the Armenians and their culture. Gabriel Bagradian has just returned to his native village in Musa Dagh after living in Paris for 23 years with his French wife Juliette and their son Stephan, and he isn't sure where he belongs, or if he has made the right decision in uprooting his essentially European family. When he re-enlists but isn't called up to serve in the Ottoman artillery (he was an officer in the 1912 Balkan war), he begins to suspect that the profoundly disturbing rumors are true and that the Turks are indeed planning on 'deporting' the Armenians of Musa Dagh: rounding up ever

Just as good the second time around.

GIT is full of unforgettable scenery: a tiny Chinese girl and her mother in a NYC apartment in winter without central heating, huddled in front of the oven as cockroaches and mice scurry around the subzero room; a pack of underage sweatshop workers slammed into a squat toilet, sweating all over each other while they hide in the small space as inspectors tour the factory; a girl in a locker room ensconced in a stall to prevent her fellow students from seeing her humiliatingly homemade underwear. When Kimberly Chang arrives in NYC at the age of 12 with her mother, they are taken advantage of by mom's sister Paula, who sets them up in illegal housing and forces them to work at her factory in order to pay back their immigration expenses. Kim quickly realizes the only way out is through education and slowly proves herself to be academically gifted. Although there are many other immigrant stories out there, Kim's authentic and strong voice makes GIT a standout choice. Perfect for boo

"I'm always afraid, all the time. All the time." Inspired by the true events experienced by the author and set in Havana in 1959, C:MR tells the story of 17-year-old Fidel supporter Sonya and her transformation from revolutionary to torture victim to expatriate. Daniel Haspiel's art turns an interesting story into a compelling narrative that effectively depicts the pain of psychological and physical abuse. C:MR would provide authentic ancillary support for anyone studying or interested in the Cuban revolution. Click here to listen to PRI's interview with Ms. Lockpez.Grade 10+

Craig Thompson's long-awaited graphic novel is a stunning, gorgeous, epic, masterfully crafted work of art. Set in a futuristic undefined Middle East, the story travels back and forth through time, spanning the lives and relationship of two orphans, Dodola and Zam, who are beset by misfortune. I appreciated the book as an objet d'art much more than I enjoyed the storyline, which at times felt like a ruse. Did Mr. Thompson simply want to draw Dodola naked? Over and over again in a variety of compromised positions? Click here for the Guardian review. Grade 11+

A pet pig named Clint Eastwood, a father addicted to cockfighting, and a teen looking for true love make up just a few of the eclectic bunch of characters who inhabit this accomplished debut short story collection set in modern Thailand. The perfect gift for literati living in Bangkok or friends planning a visit. Click here for an interview with the Mr. Lapcharoensap and here for a full review .