ValleyReads

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

Despite his overwhelming fear of interacting with people, Christopher, a mathematically-gifted, autistic fifteen-year-old boy, decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor’s dog and uncovers secret information about his mother.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth in Mexico to work in the labor camps of California.

Small Steps by Louis Sachar

Three years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit is trying hard to keep his life on track, but when his old pal X-Ray shows up with a tempting plan to make some easy money scalping concert tickets, Armpit reluctantly goes along.

The Rag and Bone Shop by Robert Cormier

Trent, an ace interrogator from Vermont, works to procure a confession from an introverted twelve-year-old accused of murdering his seven-year-old friend in Monument, Massachusetts.

The Book of Inventions by Ian Harrison

Relates the histories of over 120 inventions that have become staples of modern life, including the electric iron, sliced bread, the wine box, submarines, typewriters, jet skis, the disposable syringe, and bar codes, each with photographs, facts, and anecdotes.