msjamgochian'sinfinitebooklist

This prequel to The Maze Runner takes place 13 years before Thomas gets to the Glade. Mark and Trina are in the underground when The Flares hit the city, wiping out most of humankind and life as we know it. The two make it out alive, but harsher scenes await them when a man-created plague begins to wipe out earth's remaining survivors. Although it was my least favorite in the series, it delivers what fans of Dashner have come to expect: fast-paced, violent, ruthless action that doesn't stop. Click here for a full review. Grade 7+

How can you be afraid of becoming a zombie if you already feel like one? Abandoned by her older sister Lily and left behind to endure her father's physical and emotional abuse, Sloane Price is just waiting for the bite that frees, with a suicide note tucked into her pocket to prove it. Now she's holed up in her former high school with five other students, watching them fight for their lives while she waits for the inevitable. A unique take on the zombie genre that will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned. Give it to fans of Carrie Ryan's The Forest of Hands and Teeth . Grade 8+

At the tender age of ten, Colton Harris-Moore was already committing his first light crimes, breaking into homes in his island community and foraging for food. Born into rural poverty to an alcoholic and abusive mother, Colt's escapades quickly escalated in severity, and by the time he was caught for the last time, he had led the FBI, local law enforcement, and a host of militia men on a wild goose chase across North America that ended in the Bahamas. Friel's local insight (he resides on Orcas Island, the scene for a multitude of Colt's crimes) and dedication to telling Colt's story without judging make for a stunningly intimate portrait of a survivor. I cried when I read about the 'keepsakes' Colt kept in a ziplock bag and carried with him until his final arrest. A meticulously researched biography that will astound and surprise you - whether you are familiar with Colton Harris-Moore's story or not. If you are a native of the Pacific Northwest like mysel...

Another sublime entry in the young adult coming-of-age-during-the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it genre, TAOM stands out in part due to its original disaster scenario: the earth's rotation is slowing, resulting in erratic days and nights, changes in gravity, and a host of other unexpected changes. The Slowing is dramatic but not necessarily catastrophic. Julia and her parents learn to deal with two o'clock in the morning sunsets and fewer supplies, but the emotional strain takes its toll on their interpersonal relationships as their traditional family life breaks down. Julia is a likable heroine and teens will relate to both her romance with a neighborhood boy and the loss of her best childhood friend. Give this one to fans of Susan Beth Pfeffer's Last Survivor's series and Joelle Anthony's Restoring Harmony , and don't miss the extras (including a reading guide)Ms. Thompson Walker's website . Grade 8+

A riveting story of abuse and the redemptive power of kindness by the author of Breakfast With Buddha. Marjorie Richards, completely isolated from society by her parents until the age of nine (when social services forced them to allow her to attend school), lives in a rustic cabin in the woods, suffering physical and psychological abuse at her mentally ill parents' grim and sadistic hands. Followers of a twisted cult, they force seventeen-year-old Marjorie to find work to support them and their monthly alcohol-fueled escapes in their dirty pick-up. This isn't a light tale of abuse; one scene involves facing : a paper bag is placed over Marjorie's head and an entire congregation takes turns hitting, pummeling, and poking her, not lightly, in the face. The light at the end of the incredibly dark tunnel is lit when she is offered a job rebuilding a cathedral in town alongside a talented builder, a victim of abuse himself. As Marjorie develops her own set of skills, her self-e...

A complex and moving story told by two survivors: Jill, who is stunned by her father's recent sudden death, and Mandy, who has left behind her abusive family in the hopes of making a new life for her unexpected and unborn child. Jill's mother, Robin, agrees to an open adoption with Mandy, who wants a better life for her baby. Jill believes her mother is making a life-altering mistake and simply trying to replace her beloved father. Slowly both girls move towards love and trust while redefining their respective futures. As usual, Ms. Zarr's strength lies in her believable, sympathetic, and honest depictions of troubled yet strong young women. Mandy's sweet naivete pairs perfectly with Jill's tough facade, and a robust cast of supporting characters round out the charming ensemble. Click here for Ms. Zarr's interview at ALA 2011 . Grade 8+

The Gladers are back in this action-packed conclusion to The Maze Runner trilogy. TDC picks up where The Scorch Trials left off: Thomas and the gang once again find themselves in the manipulative hands of those evil shanks WICKED. When Ratman informs The Gladers that a tiny piece of machinery in their heads needs to be removed, Thomas, Teresa, and (surprisingly) Brenda make a break. The rest is exactly what you expect from this action-packed series, including plot twists, fighting, escape, capture, and tough decisions. Blood is spilled. Frequently. Give this series to fans of Robert Muchamore's Cherub and Darren Shan. Don't miss the trailer or the series' packed with extras website . Grade 6+

Ruby, along with her fellow congregants, has spent the last two hundred years enslaved to Darwin West and his Overseers while waiting for the return of her father and savior, Otto. Ruby and her fellow congregants spend their days in misery. Half-starved, beaten, and thirsty, they work from sunrise to sunset in the woods, harvesting water on their hands and knees with pewter cups and spoons that they dump into a cistern every night. Some of the congregants have a secret: the pewter is a cover-up for what really makes their water magic (Ruby's blood). When Ruby connects with a kind and handsome overseer named Ford, the desire to leave becomes unbearable, and she must make a choice. Bachorz' stark prose paired with Ruby's strong voice will appeal to fans of Carrie Ryan's The Forest of Hands and Teeth series. An excellent addition to any Individual v Society list. Bachorz's website has plenty of extras. Grade 8+