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Fargo South High Reading Lists

I have started to update some of the reading lists in the library. The purpose of these is to help you find great books in specific genres or focused on a specific subject. Please send me an email or come see me in the library if you have any questions or if you think I should add anything to my lists. Or I'd love to hear suggestions for a list you would like to see. As always, we are happy to help you in the library with locating these books! Happy reading...

Ms. Smithmeyer

Valentine's and Anti-Valentine's books

I wanted to put together a list of recent books related to Valentine’s day, so I stuck pretty close to the theme of straightforward romantic love for the first section. I also wanted to suggest some titles for people who aren’t into the theme of love at Valentine’s, so I included an anti-Valentine’s section for the broken-hearted, the rejectors of true love, and the non-sappy. I also am putting up a display in the library, so you can come and see other suggestions there.

Valentine’s Reading List

Always and Forever Lara Jean

In the first book in this series, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, all of Lara Jean’s secret and very private “love letters” to all the crushes she has ever had are sent out in the mail. If you haven’t read that one, it is funny and relatable and I recommend you start there. Always and Forever Lara Jean is the very popular fourth book in that series.  “While helping plan her father's wedding, senior Lara Jean struggles with choosing a college and questions how graduation is going to change her relationship with her boyfriend Peter” - OCLC.

Eleanor and Park

Eleanor and Park is a great read set in the 1980s about two quirky misfits who fall in love. A very popular book that is well loved (including by me).  Not a typical or light love story, these are complex characters and some serious issues are addressed, but with grace and charm. Just read it!!!.

When Dimple Met Rishi

When Dimple Met Rishi made a whole bunch of “best of 2017” lists, which I won’t repeat here. Suffice it to say this is an adorable and sometimes hilarious read about two Indian American teens whose parents decide should be married. Rishi always follows his parents' wishes, but Dimple, a strong-willed and future-oriented young woman has other plans.

Once and For All

Let me just start by saying that Sarah Dessen is incredibly good at sneaking romance into a story that is much more about a whole person and complex life than just a romance, but making you feel really good about the romance at the same time.

Once and For All is  Sarah Dessen’s latest and is set in the world of wedding planning. Louna plans other weddings but thinks she missed her chance at love after a tragic end to her first love, but it just might be her time for second chances.  

See Me

Nicholas Sparks is a master of telling us romantic stories that make us cry and get us to fall in love. See Me is his latest, but you can’t go wrong with this author if you want a straightforward romance. In See Me: both characters are trying to put their past behind them, but can they make a new future together?

                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Wait for Me

Set in 1945 during WWII Scotland where Lorna Anderson is living and working on her family’s farm when Paul Vogel, a German prisoner of war, is assigned as the new farmhand. Lorna wonders how she can work alongside the enemy when her own brothers are still fighting Germany in the war. Yet as Lorna gets to know Paul, sees the man behind the soldier.  

“The perfect blend of sweet romance and historical flavor” - from the publisher.

Loving V. Virginia

”In 1955, in Caroline County, Virginia, amidst segregation and prejudice, injustice and cruelty, two teenagers fell in love” - from the Publisher.

Their life together broke the law, but they fought to legalize marriage between the races, and won! This tells the story of their love and their successful fight to be together.

Twilight and Life and Death

In this 10th Anniversary Edition of Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, the original story appears as does Life and Death in which Twilight has been reimagined and rewritten from the male perspective.

Anti-Valentine’s Reading List

The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love

Graham would want this to be a love story because he has been in love with his best friend, Roxana, ever since he moved into her neighborhood when they were kids. Graham has his plans for how he is going to woo Roxy, but finds love is more complicated than he had hoped.

Coping with Breakups and Jealousy

This is exactly what it should be: a nonfiction book about how to survive a breakup. I hope you aren’t nursing a broken heart right now, but if you are, you might want to take a look at this one.

Bad Romance

At first, Grace and Gavin fall in love, but then Gavin becomes abusive and their relationship becomes a prison for Grace.

"A realistic, worthwhile look at dating violence and unhealthy relationships." --Kirkus Reviews

Kill the Boy Band

“Four fan-girls of The Ruperts, sneak away to a hotel in Manhattan to see their favorite boy band, but when one of them literally drags Rupert Pierpont to their room and they tie him up, things get complicated--and when Rupert is killed things go from bad to worse” -- from Follett.

They both die at the end

"In a near-future New York City where a service alerts people on the day they will die, teenagers Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio meet using the Last Friend app and are faced with the challenge of living a lifetime on their End Day"--Provided by publisher.

Landscape with Invisible Hand

When alien technology replaces human jobs, Adam and his girlfriend Chloe get creative to survive and record scenes of themselves acting like they are in love to sell to the aliens. Unfortunately, it’s hard to look like you are in love when you actually hate each other. A funny, satirical little novel.

The Secret History of Us

It’s hard to feel in-love with someone when you don’t remember ever meeting them.  When Olivia wakes from a coma after she nearly drowned in a bad car accident, she can’t remember anything that happened in high school, including Matt, her boyfriend of two years.

  

Zom-B

When I think of the opposite of love and romance, Zombies definitely come to mind! Plot description from the publisher: “B does not buy into her father's racism, but goes along with it to avoid being abused, acts out at school by getting into fights and being mean, but, when zombies attack, she must try to find students with whom to team up in order to fend them off.”

Best books of 2017!

There were so many great books published in 2017, it is difficult to narrow down the list! I chose books that were award winners/nominees, reader's choice winners, books with a lot of "buzz" around them as great books, or books that students in the South High library have loved this year.

Far from the Tree.  Grace, an only child who was adopted at birth, puts her own baby up for adoption and goes looking for her biological family. A big-hearted and uplifting story! REALISTIC FICTION. (National Book Award WINNER for young people’s literature)

Artemis. The bestselling author of The Martian returns with an irresistible new near-future thriller—a heist story set on the moon.         SCIENCE FICTION.

#NotYourPrincess is a zine-like collection of personal essays, creative illustrations, and photos from and about the marginalized experiences of indigenous young women. NON-FICTION.

(ALA Youth Media Award 2018 finalist)]

The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives. An agender teen falls asleep on an Oakland city bus and is set on fire by another teen. NON-FICTION.

(ALA Youth Media Award 2018 finalist)]

 Long Way Down. New York Times bestseller Jason Reynolds’s fiercely stunning novel that takes place in sixty potent seconds—the time it takes a kid to decide whether he’s going to murder the guy who killed his brother. REALISTIC FICTION. (National Book Award nominee)

Tower of Dawn. In the next installment of the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series, follow Chaol on his sweeping journey to a distant empire. FANTASY.

Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers shows the bond between the two Van Gogh brothers. Their devotion to each other was so profound that there could have been no Vincent van Gogh without Theo. NON-FICTION. (ALA Youth Media Award 2018 finalist)

The Hate U Give. Starr Carter, a 16-year-old, finds her voice after her unarmed childhood best friend is fatally shot by the police. REALISTIC FICTION. (National Book Award finalist, Goodreads reader’s choice WINNER). Author Angie Thomas discusses the book: goo.gl/ZRkDK8

Killers of the Flower Moon is a twisting, haunting true-life murder mystery about one of the most monstrous crimes in American history. ... In the 1920s, the richest people in the world were the Osage Indians after oil was discovered beneath their land. Then, one by one, the Osage began to be killed off. NON-FICTION.  (National Book Award finalist)

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry. From the Big Bang to black holes, and from the search for planets to the search for life in the universe, this short guide will help you be fluent in cosmic headlines. NON-FICTION. Goodreads reader’s choice WINNER for science).

Strange the Dreamer. In the aftermath of a war between gods and men, a hero, a librarian, and a girl must battle the fantastical elements of a mysterious city stripped of its name. FANTASY.

Warcross. From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu—when a game called Warcross takes the world by storm, one girl hacks her way into its dangerous depths. SCIENCE FICTION/THRILLER.

Turtles All the Way Down. Aza didn’t intend to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a large reward and her best and most fearless friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. REALISTIC FICTION.

When Dimple Met Rishi. The rom-com everyone’s talking about! Eleanor & Park meets Bollywood in this hilarious and heartfelt novel about two Indian-American teens whose parents conspire to arrange their marriage. ROMANCE.

Landscape with Invisible Hand. When jobs typically done by humans are replaced with alien technology, Adam's parents have no money for food, clean water, or medicine, forcing Adam and his girlfriend Chloe to get creative. SCIENCE FICTION.

Caraval. Whatever you've heard about Caraval, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or a performance. It's the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world. FANTASY.

One of Us is Lying. . “Pretty Little Liars meets The Breakfast Club” (EW.com) in this “flat-out addictive” (RT Book Reviews) story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. MYSTERY.

Reading List: Stress relief, self-help, and biblio(book)therapy books

Greetings from the library! Since the cold weather has come so quickly this year, it reminds me that first-semester final exams are coming up in January and that sometimes people get stressed around the holidays and winter. So I am starting off my new reading lists with a list that can hopefully help you find some good books to turn to in case you are feeling stressed, a little blue, or just like to work on making your life better.

Ms. Smithmeyer

Project You: More than 50 ways to calm down, destress and feel great!

By Andrus, Aubre; illustrated by Collignon, Veronique

Location in library: 155.5 (new book as of 11/17, so might be out on a cart of new books in the library...ask in the library for help!)

Award-winning author Aubre Andrus shares more than 50 do-right-now projects that will help you beat stress, smile big, and discover a calmer, more blissful you. Ideas include making smoothies, journaling, yoga and breathing exercises, etc.

Don’t let your anxiety run your life, using the science of emotion regulation and mindfulness to overcome fear and worry

By David H. Klemanski, PsyD and Joshua E. Curtiss, MA

Location in library: 152.4 K pb

Reveals the important link between emotions and anxiety and provides a ... step-by-step guide for managing thoughts and feelings that cause worry, fear, and panic. Teaches how to manage emotions, reduce anxiety, and make improvements in your daily life.

Mindfulness: Your step-by-step guide to a happier life

By Tessa Watt

Location in library: 158.1 W pb

Mindfulness is a  popular practice that helps you live with more joy and less stress. Using mindfulness, you can reduce stress and anxiety, focus better, and find your own source of calm and contentment. This book gives you techniques, exercises, and case studies.

Stress Relief: The Ultimate Teen Guide

By Mark Powell ; illustrations by Kelly Adams

Location in library: 155.5 P

Describes the causes of stress, how to recognize and deal with them, and how to alleviate the stress itself by using such methods as breathing exercises, meditation, and visualization.

What Do You Really Want? How to set a goal and Go For IT!

By Beverly K. Bachel

Location in library: 153.8 B pb

Setting and sticking to goals can ease stress and anxiety, boost concentration, and make life more satisfying. This trusted step-by-step guide helps teens set goals, overcome obstacles, build a support system and more.

You Got This!: Unleash your awesomeness, find your path, and change your world

By Maya S. Penn

Location in library: 650.1 P

This amazing teenager (famous for many things including one of the most popular        Ted Talks ever) has written an inspirational handbook for teens to help them discover their passions and maximize their full potential for a creative, successful life.

Depression: A Teen’s Guide to Survive and Thrive

By Jacqueline B. Toner, PH.D and Claire A.B. Freeland, PH.D

Location in library: 616.85 T pb

If you are looking for help for yourself or a friend, this slim book is chock-full of -easy-to-implement ideas for those living with depression.

The mindful teen : powerful skills to help you handle stress one moment at a time

By Dzung X. Vo, MD, FAAP

Location in library:155.9 V pb

Offers a mindfulness program to help teenagers deal with stress in healthy ways, improve communication, and reduce conflicts with family and friends.

Ten Minute Yoga for Flexibility and Focus

By Christina Brown

Location in library: 613.7 B pb

Contains a series of ten-minute yoga exercises, suitable for ages and abilities, illustrated in an easy to follow, step-by-step format, to guide you through the movements and mantras. Also includes an introduction to the history and philosophy of yoga

Ignite Your Spark: discovering who you are from the inside out

By Patricia Wooster

Location in library: 155.5 W pb

Covering topics from relationships, self-image, and school to goals, failures, and willpower ... features thought-provoking quizzes, "Ignite Your Life" activities, and profiles of kids and adults alike who have ignited their own spark to accomplish extraordinary things.

OverDrive ebooks:

OverDrive audiobooks (guided meditation): (remember you can use OverDrive app on your phone to listen)