My Bucket List 2012-2013

1. Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan

This book isn't like typical teen love stories. There is a dark undertone dealing with abuse. I wanted to read some books on this subject to better understand I wanted to read some books on this subject to better understand teens in that situation. Even if it is a fictional story, I think it will open my eyes.

2. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

I read the first book in this series, Delirium, this summer and couldn’t put it down. Lauren Oliver is such an amazing author and creates characters that are so life-like and interesting. I HAVE to read this book in order to find out what happens to Lena in the “Wilds” and what happens to Hanna in the other side of the fence.

3. I Can't Keep My Own Secrets by multiple teen authors

This book is made up of over 600 teen memoirs. Since we are writing memoirs this quarter, I decided to read this book to use as examples in class and pull ideas from. By scanning through the pages, I felt that the 6-word memoirs would be very powerful and it would be a great way to start our journey into writing a much longer piece.

4.  Dear Diary, I'm Pregnant by multiple teen authors

This book is also a compilation of teen memoirs. The subject of this book is teen pregnancy. I felt like this would be an interested book for me because of our writing memoirs, but also because I’m expecting, and also since there are many teens in our high school that are expecting. The situations make this book very relevant.

5. Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

This is the only Mitch Albom book I have not read. This books discusses faith in many different viewpoints and opinions. I feel that this book, like his others, will open my eyes to different views and will make me think about the people and world around me. I need a good book to make me think rather than just entertain me.

6. The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

This is Mitch Albom’s newest book that has yet to be released. Albom is such a powerful writer and the subjects he writes about really make readers think and look at the world differently. I also would like to read this book so that I can say that I have read all books written by this author.

7. Chain Reaction by Simone Eckles

This is the 2^nd book in a series that began with Perfect Chemistry. I read the first book two years ago at the suggestion of a student, and I really liked it! Since the third book in the series is out, I feel like it is time to catch up.

8. The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank

I plan to read this book 4^th quarter while we’re reading The Sunflower. This book is a classic and I can’t believe I have never read it as an English teacher. Since the subject matter is the same as that in The Sunflower, I feel that it will be a great companion text about the Holocaust.

9. Change of Heart by Shari Maurer

Mrs. Gillmore bought this book for all of the English teachers last year and I have yet to read it. I feel that I owe it to her to finally read this book. It sounds like a heart wrenching story about a teen receiving a heart transplant. I am not used to reading sappy stories, but I will give this one a try.

10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Mrs. Gillmore suggested this book to me last week. She said the book is told from the point of view of the devil. The book sounds very interesting. Also, I thought this would be a good book to read 4th quarter along with The Sunflower. Both books are set during the Holocaust. Reading this book as a companion text with The Sunflower will give me a different perspective and different characters to look into in the samesituation.