In the novel, "Bomb; The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon," by Steve Sheinkin, tells the story of how America build the first atomic bomb during WWII. On top of that, they story also shows how the American's tried to keep Germany from building the bomb as well and how the Soviets tried to steal US plans. With the fate of the world at stake, physicists and engineers race to build an impossible explosion to win the war. This novel is an excellent example of nonfiction triller that captures it's readers and sells the story to all ages. Young adults and adults alike will enjoy this novel and the image of WWII that it illustrates. I highly recommend this novel and encourage any read to look into reading this book if they are interested in learning about history, particularly WWII.

A long way gone, by Ishmael Beah, is a memoir about boy who experience life as a child soldier. Wandering the Sierra Lionne, a land recked by violence and crimes, he and his friends have no place to go but forward. After seeing village after village be invaded and burned, he is taken captive and forced to fight as a soldier. Overtaken by drugs and forced to kill, he realizes he is capable of truly horrific acts. Eventually is released by UNICEF and starts a long fight towards recovery and safety. Now a humanitarian speaker and the winner of many honorable awards, he fights to set other young children from the claws of war and violence. This novel lets readers see how violence, fear, and suspicion can overtake a country and turn even the youngest citizens into unrecognizable creatures.Young Adults of all ages, both female and male, will enjoy reading about Ishmael's journey towards freedom. I highly recommend this novel.

American Born Chinese, by Gene Luen Yang, is a graphic novel that talk discusses the importance of tolerance and acceptance. All Jin Wang wants to do is fit in at school and be normal. When he and his family move to a new neighborhood, he figures out that he is the only Chinese student at his school. After being bullied and picked on by his peers, he falls in love with an American girl. The Monkey king's story is also included in the novel, a story of an egotistical monkey determined to be the master of everything. The last story is about Danny who has a cousin that visits. He is ashamed of this cousin and hates to bring him to school with him.The main character is an over the top stereotypical Chinese student and is in search of acceptance and understanding. Laced with humor, graphic scenes of fighting, and family struggles, this book is a good read for any young adult reader.

What if in the future scientists have found a biological reason for why some people are prettier than others? What if they then used that research to create an operation where, at the age of sixteen, doctors will turn you "pretty." As crazy as it sound, this is Tally's reality. In the novel, Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld, the main character, Tally, must overcome many challenges, both physically and morally. After a friend of hers runs away, she is denied the opportunity to turn "pretty" and must stay "ugly" her whole life, unless she goes after her. Even though Tally has never gone past the walls of her safe and sheltered society, she embarks on an adventure to bring her friend home. I highly enjoyed this novel and recommend it to every young adult reader. Discussing themes like societies version of pretty verses individuality, sciences role in society, and coming of age, this book hits the hearts of many today. As a young adult reader, this book would be easy to relate to, read, and understand. With easy syntax and sentence structure, any reader would zoom through it without any trouble. Westerfeld does a fantastic job adding detail and explanation, so that readers are able to follow along and understand what is going on. Take a chance with this novel, I guarantee you'll be eager to continue the series.

In the novel, "The Skin I'm In," by Sharon Flake, the main character, Maleeka, experiences bullying, depression, loneliness, and low self-esteem. When a new teacher enters the school, Miss. Saunders, Maleeka is surprised to see that she is a little bit like Maleeka. Miss. Saunders has was born with a large birthmark across her face. Both comforted by this connection and appalled at the sight of her, Maleeka begins to develop a relationship with this woman that will influence many of her future decisions and relationships. Although Miss. Saunders has recognized the strength Maleeka possesses within her, Maleeka's relationship with the school bully, Char, and her dishonorable behavior, prompts her to take action before some thing disastrous happens. Will Miss. Saunders be able to reach Maleeka in time, or will Maleeka's low self-confidence and influential personality leave her to the will of Char's bad influence? Every young adult read this novel at least once because throughout the novel, the author discusses themes that almost all young adults can, in some way, relate to.

"Monster," by Walter Dean Myers, is a realistic-fiction novel based on Myers real-life experiences with a court trial. The main character, Steve, is put on trial for accessory to murder; however, the readers do not know if he is guilty or not. Instead of re-telling the events using natural dialogue and 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person point of view, Steve tells his story through a screen play he is writing. The script of the movie gives the readers an almost unbiased view of the events that unfold in the court room. Steve also provides journal entries where readers are able to see into Steve's own thoughts. Although readers feel like the end of the story was never revealed, Myers' unique storytelling touches on many realistic issues society is dealing with today.

Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix is a historical fiction novel about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911. The novel takes readers back to this event through the unique narration of three young girls, Jane, Yetta, and Bella. Poor and alone, they cling to one another and the spirit of the Union to stay alive. As they strike against the oppressive Shirtwaist Factory and its dangerous working conditions, Bella, Yetta, and Jane discover their place in life and what they must fight for. I recommend this book for its unique detail and telling of a historical event, and also for the way readers become attached to the main characters so early on in the novel.