CLA Greater Boston Cooperative Library Association reading list grades 9 & 10

Kliatt, July, 2004

WELD, William. Stillwater. This novel about the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir, the destruction of four towns which were in the way, and the political machinations involved is told through the voice of Jamison, a teenage witness to the events. Written by the former governor of Massachusetts.

THAT'S LIFE!

ANAYA, Rudolfo. Bless me, Ultima. In 1940s New Mexico, a young boy faces evil with the help of a curandera, a spiritual guide.

BROOKS, Kevin. Lucas: a story of love and hate. When Caitlin first sees Lucas heading toward her island resort village, he looks mysterious and different, but she is instantly attracted to him. Others find him scary, and when Jaime convinces them that Lucas is a rapist and a murderer, the townspeople turn into a mob bent on destroying him.

FUHRMAN, Chris. The dangerous lives of altar boys. Four parochial school boys have the souls of artists and the hormones of 13-year-old cynics. Often outrageously comic, the novel has an underlying sadness. Growing up can, indeed, be dangerous.

HADDON, Mark. The curious incident of the dog in the night-time. As an autistic boy searches for the murderer of the dog next door, he uncovers deeply buried family secrets and discovers his own gifts in the process.

SPORTING LIFE

CONNELLY, Nell. St. Michael's scales. Haunted by the voice of his dead twin brother, Keegan Flannery pays penance for past wrongs when he becomes the 98 lb. man on the Our Lady of Perpetual Help High School wrestling team.

GRAHAM, Robin Lee. Dove. In 1965, a 16-year-old began a solo voyage around the world in a 24-foot sloop. Five years later, he arrives home with a wife and a fascinating story about his adventures.

HALBERSTAM, David. The teammates: a portrait of friendship. Four very different men, each a Red Sox legend, are bound by an affection that goes way beyond the ball field. Ted Williams, Dora DiMaggio, Johnny Pesky, and Bobby Doerr are the kind of friends we'd all like to have.

HILLENBRAND, Laura. Seabiscuit: an American legend. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, a novice horse owner, an antisocial cowboy trainer, a too tall, half-blind jockey, and an undersized, ornery racehorse combined to create a champion. Seabiscut became an inspiration and a promise of hope in a desperate time.

KLASS, David. Home of the Braves. It's Joe Brickman's senior year at his small town high school. He is the best player and captain of a not very good soccer team in a football sort of town. His life takes a turn for the worse when the "Phenom" transfers from Brazil and makes the team a contender.

LEAVY, Jane. Sandy Koufax: a lefty's legacy. Baseball legend Koufax distinguished himself both on and off the field. He was an outstanding pitcher and challenger of stereotypes, who always remained true to his roots and principles.

RUCKER, Mark. The Boston Red Sox from Cy to The Kid. This fascinating snapshot of Red Sox history progresses from the early league days of Cy Young and Babe Ruth, and finishes with great images of "the Kid," Ted Williams.