Posts Tagged 'accident'

The Counselors by Jessica Goodman

Published December 6, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Goldie loves Camp Alpine Lake more than almost anything, and after the terrible year she’s had she’s desperate to go back one more time to be a counselor with her best friends, Ava and Imogen. They have been going to this camp since they were little and now proudly serve as lifeguards. Camp Alpine Lake is a favorite among the wealthy and powerful people to send their kids to and therefore the local townspeople are not always fans of the campers because they feel they are entitled and bratty. Goldie grew up in that small town, but since her parents work at the camp she has always been allowed to go for free. Ava and Imogen became very important to her from a very early age, which is why it has been so hard to keep her terrible secret from them, but she’s afraid they’ll look at her the same way everyone in her town does if they knew the truth. Shortly after they arrive, however, a local boy turns up dead on camp grounds and Goldie instinctively knows it could not have been an accident. As she’s putting the pieces together it becomes obvious that her two best friends are also keeping secrets from her. Is it possible one of them could have hurt this local boy to keep their secrets safe? Can she find her way back to trusting her friends with the shambles that has become her life? Will she ever get over what happened to her or will it plague her forever?

This mystery story does a nice job of getting the reader to know and therefore care about the main characters. Once it is revealed what happened to Goldie it is heartbreaking to see how the repercussions of that terrible night have completely unraveled her life. The vivid camp descriptions will make anyone long to go back to camp, even those that never attended in the first place. The traditions and activities seem so American and wholesome, but underneath there are many secrets that cannot stay hidden forever. The ending is satisfying and not too predictable which will please mystery fans. Recommended for those looking for a fun book to escape into.

The Survivors by Jane Harper

Published September 27, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

When Kieran returns to his hometown with his baby and wife, he fears the memories of his past will be waiting to haunt him. He grew up in a small sea town where most people made their living off the water and therefore could have their ups and downs. Something traumatic happened that forced Kieran to leave and he is only now returning to help his parents with a new transition. Shortly after he arrives, a body turns up on the beach and immediately questions start flying around about who could have done this and wondering if it’s connected to the disappearance of a teenage girl years ago. Suddenly, Kieran knows the entire town is thinking of that terrible night where he made a bad decision and people’s lives were forever torn apart. Can he get to the truth of what really happened all those years ago? Does it connect to the terrible murder of this college student today?

Fans looking for an engaging mystery story will enjoy this title. Slowly, the events of the past start to emerge and you learn why Kieran has avoided this place for so long. The supporting characters all play a part in both the past and the present which helps to build the suspense before the murder is solved. This book really shows the many emotions that go along with trauma and how those feelings can build if not resolved in a timely manner. Kieran and those around him who were affected by the past events are still carrying around a lot of feelings and stress and this new murder pushes them all to face the past they can’t come to peace with. Recommended for fans of The Woman in the Window and the Woman in Cabin 10.

The Bridge From Me to You by Lisa Schroeder

Published February 3, 2016 Award Winners , RAC , Realistic Fiction , Romance Leave a Comment
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bridge from me to you

Genre:  Realistic Fiction/Romance

# of Pages:  327

RAC: Yes

Iowa Teen Award Winner 2016-17

Lauren has recently moved in with her aunt and uncle for reasons she would rather not discuss.  Being the new girl in the small football-obsessed town for her senior year can be difficult, however, because everyone automatically speculates about her background.  Meanwhile, Colby is also beginning his senior year as the star football player of their team who hopes to make it all the way to state this year.  The problem is that Colby would rather not play football in college, despite his father’s fervent hope that he will accept one of the scholarships he’s been offered.  Lauren and Colby meet unexpectedly one day and find they really like each other, but after a tragedy shakes Colby to the core he wonders if dating is such a good idea at this time in his life.  Lauren definitely wants to see more of Colby, but she’s also dealing with the demons of her past.  Will their timing ever be right?  Will they ever find the chance to get to know each other better or is it not meant to be?

This story is told in alternating chapters with Lauren’s being written in poetry format making her thoughts mirror her mixed emotions at living with her aunt and uncle instead of with her mom.  Colby’s story is told in prose which also reflects his thoughts and feelings as he walks the line between what he wants in life and what everyone else wants for him.  Recommended for fans of Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han.

Golden by Jessi Kirby

Published February 28, 2014 Mystery , RAC , Realistic Fiction , Romance Leave a Comment
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golden

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

# of Pages:  277

RAC:  Yes

Parker is a high school senior who has always followed the rules and done what she was supposed to, which is why she is currently a finalist for a prestigious scholarship that would give her a full ride scholarship to her dream school.  Her best friend, however, feels she needs to break a few rules before graduation.  The opportunity surprisingly arises when she is asked by a teacher to mail out notebooks full of wishes and goals written by a group of high school seniors ten years prior.  As she gathers the notebooks to send out to these graduated seniors from ten years ago she comes across one for a Julianna.  This is a big deal because Julianna died in a car accident with her high school sweetheart shortly after graduation.  They have since been immortalized in the town as the “golden couple” who were meant to be together forever.  Parker decides to open the notebook and read what Julianna’s last thoughts were in those weeks leading up to her death.  What were her aspirations?  Her dreams?  When Parker starts reading the notebook, however, she is very surprised by Julianna’s words and it makes her question everything the town promotes about this girl.  Was there more to that fateful night that led to the horrific car accident?  Parker decides to investigate.

Fans of Sarah Dessen and Nicholas Sparks will devour this title.  It is full of colorful characters, including Parker who is always pushed for greatness by her mother but deep down she doesn’t really know what she wants for her future.  Meanwhile, Julianna’s notebook opens a flood of feelings and fears leading up to graduation that anyone could identify with.  Plus, there is the added intrigue of finding out what exactly happened to Julianna and her boyfriend.  It’s a fun romance story that will be popular with many young adult teens.

One Moment by Kristina McBride

Published February 13, 2013 RAC , Realistic Fiction Leave a Comment
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onemoment

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

# of Pages:  261

RAC:  Yes

Maggie and her boyfriend climbed a gorge in order to jump hand in hand into the water below, but something went terribly wrong and Maggie woke up at the top with no memory of what happened.  Meanwhile, her boyfriend, Joey, floated in the water below dead.   Afterward, Maggie and her friends must face life without Joey, while also overcoming the guilt they feel for having gone to that place at all.  Adam, one of their best friends, seems to be holding something back and has been steadily withdrawing since the accident.  Is there something Maggie doesn’t know about Joey?  Will she ever remember what happened at the top of that gorge?

Fans of realistic fiction will enjoy this title.  This story is engaging right from the beginning and the individual characteristics of the group are detailed well so that the reader can truly distinguish between each member.  There are a few key elements that the reader will pick up on before Maggie, but the big reveal seems satisfying nonetheless.  The book deals with grief, the aftermath of death, and even the ability to see the flaws as well as the strengths in someone who is gone in a manner that anyone can relate to who has experience with losing a loved one.

Dark Souls by Paula Morris

Published February 7, 2013 Fantasy , Mystery , RAC Leave a Comment
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dark souls

Genre:  Fantasy/Mystery

# of Pages:  292

RAC:  Yes

Miranda and her brother, Rob, are in a terrible car accident that kills Miranda’s best friend.  After the fact, Rob has some serious fears about riding in cars and claustrophobia, while Miranda is mourning her friend.  Her parents have professional reasons for visiting York, England and decide it is a perfect time for the family to get away.  Upon arrival, Miranda realizes she can now see ghosts, but is most intrigued by the one across the street that she can see in the attic of a boarded up house.    She meets a troubled young man, Nick, who can also see ghosts and invites her to some mysterious places in order to interact with them.    The more time she spends with Nick the more she suspects he is planning something big and mysterious.   Can she save him from making a terrible mistake that will change his entire future?

This story includes a lot of folklore about York which ties into the story well.  The characters are well developed, especially Miranda’s family, despite being in the story rather infrequently.  The mystery moves a tad slow at the beginning, but eventually takes off and it’s obvious that the groundwork for solving it has been laid from the beginning.  Fans of ghost and/or mystery stories will enjoy this title.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

Published May 24, 2010 Award Winners , RAC , Science Fiction 3 Comments
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Genre:  Science Fiction

# of Pages:  265

RAC Book:  Yes

Iowa High School Award Winner 2010

Jenna Fox was in a horrible car accident and wakes up a year later in a different part of the country with no memory of the previous year.  She lives with her mom and grandma and her dad is back home.  No one will tell her why they moved or why she has no memories of her life.  They assure her it will take time to recover and remember who she was.  In this book, it is possible to replace organs or create clones, but it is illegal to do so.  As Jenna starts piecing together bits of information that do not make sense she starts to wonder what her parents were willing to do in order to save her.  How far would a parent go to save a dying child?

Students who like Jodi Picoult books will enjoy this one, because it moves quickly and has several twists and turns in the plot.  There are also many moral issues discussed as the society struggles with the previous overuse of antibiotics that have annihilated several species of plants and animals on earth.  What scientific measures are appropriate if the intentions are good?  When does it go too far?  An interesting futuristic story that will leave the reader thinking about the possibilities the future could hold if we do not monitor some of our ways today.

Listen! by Stephanie S. Tolan

Published June 10, 2008 RAC , Realistic Fiction 36 Comments
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Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Level: 12 and up

# of Pages: 197 p.

RAC Book: Yes

2008 Iowa Teen Award Winner

Twelve-year-old Charley is still recovering from a car accident in which her leg was badly hurt. As she struggles to walk with a cane around the lake near her house she finds a wild dog whom she names Coyote. Charley makes it her mission to tame Coyote and keep him as a personal friend. She feels they have a connection and she needs a friend for the summer since her best friend went off to tennis camp.

Listen is a slow moving story about a girl coping with the death of her mother and then a traumatic accident of her own in which she spent many months rehabilitating from. Coyote helps her to come to terms with everything she has lost as well as finding how to move on. Animal lovers will enjoy this book because it accurately illustrates how animals and humans can help each other heal. A good story, but many students may find it too slow without enough action to keep them intrigued and engaged.

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