1. “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio
“Wonder” is a realistic fiction novel that tells the story of a young boy named Auggie, who has extreme facial abnormalities causing him to be repeatedly bullied. When his parents decide to send him to a private school for fifth grade after being home-schooled all his life, Auggie must learn to face how the world views those who look different. This novel opens the eyes of the reader on what it’s like to be judged based on your appearance.

2. “Arena One: Slaverunners” by Morgan Rice
Trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world is difficult. More than difficult, it’s nearly impossible. That’s what teenager Brooke Moore and her younger sister Bree have been doing alone for the past three years. Trained by her former marine father to fight, Cassie’s skills are virtually useless trying to survive in the mountains of New York. When her sister gets captured by Slaverunners, a group of people sent to capture survivors for sport, she must go to Arena 1 and save her from being killed. This book is the first in “The Survival” trilogy and set in a dystopian world.

3. “The Sword of Summer” by Rick Riordan
Based on Norse mythology, this book full of witty humor and is the first in the ‘Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard” series. Magnus Chase is the teenage son of Norse god Frey, who must look for a weapon that’s been lost for a thousand years in order to stop it from going into evil hands. Along the way, he must stop Fenrir, an evil wolf god, from escaping his imprisonment. “The Sword of Summer” is funny, emotional and overall a fun read.

4. “Throne of Glass” by Sarah J. Maas
Notorious assassin Celaena Sardothien has been promised freedom from her life sentence in the salt mines of Endovier, a town in the kingdom of Adarlan. But she must agree to win the tournament to become the king’s champion. Except she hates the kingdom she would be working for and would have to do all the king’s dirty work. However, while the tournament is going on there is something killing the participants and Caleana must find out who the murderer is before she’s next. “The Throne of Glass” series is full of magic, suspense and is so action packed, it will be hard to put down.

5. “The Naturals” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The main character in this mystery book is 17-year-old Cassie Hobbes who has the
unique ability of being able to infer what type of person you are based on appearance, otherwise known as profiling. She can also guess how you think and what you would do in a given situation. Cassie joins the FBI’s Naturals program where she helps hone her skills and help solve cold cases. When a serial killer targets her, Cassie must use her gift to find out who the killer is. This book is the first in “The Narurals” series and will leave you wanting more.