The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson

This title is the first in a series of books by one of my new favorite authors. The fourth one is set to be released at any time, and this is one of the few series where I have kept up on each book. The books are subtitled "A Forensic Mystery", and will be of high interest to fans of real crime and CSI.

Cameryn Mahoney is the daughter of a single father who just so happens to be the county coroner. Cameryn has aspirations of becoming a forensic scientist someday, and convinces her father to let her "job shadow" him so that she has a leg up on the competition someday.

In short time, Cameryn is involved in the investigation of a serial killer who adorns the body of his victims with the medallion of St. Christopher, earning him the title "The Christopher Killer". Cameryn accompanies her father to the scene of one of the killer's victims, and is upset to learn that it is a friend of hers. She quickly becomes involved not only in the investigation of the victims, but in tracking down the killer. The book is full of twist and turns as she puts herself into stressful, dangerous situations.

This book is a quick read, and although the protagonist is female, boys enjoy this book, too. Although the book isn't full of gore, there are enough details about some of the investigations to make some readers cringe! A subplot involves the mystery behind Cameryn's past and some dark secrets surrounding her mother. While the author wraps up the Christopher Killer aspect of the mystery, the reader is left with many questions about Cameryn, which are further explored in subsequent novels.

Gym Candy by Carl Deuker

This book is a must read for football players and fans alike. The author spends a brief period of time setting up the background to the story, and then delves right into the world of high school football. In classic Carl Deuker style, the story is a great balance of on the field action and real life drama.

The majority of the story is set during Mick Johnson's high school career. The son of a a fallen NFL star, Mick carries the burden of living the dream for both of them. Through hard work and natural ability, Mick earns a coveted spot on the varsity team. Unfortunately, he falls short with some of his goals. His overbearing father convinces him to abandon team training to work one on one with a personal trainer, who leads him down a path that begins with legal supplements and ends with anabolic steroids (hence the title of the book). As these drugs create an initial increase in Mick's performance on the field, we see things begin slipping away elsewhere, as the side effects of steroids isolate him from family and friends.

The book ends with a surprising twist, and I applaud the author for not taking the easy, obvious way out. This is a popular title among my sports loving guy students, but as a football fan, I loved it, too! If you like this book, be sure to check out all of Carl Deuker's other titles---they are all outstanding!

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This book has been a favorite in my classroom for two years now. Since the first time I book talked it, I don't think it's been on the shelf, and every student who has read it has obsessively devoured it!

The exposition is intriguing, and the story never lets up from then on out. High school student Clay Jensen returns home from school one day to find a mysterious package at his front door. When he opens the package, he finds a number of cassette tapes and instructions. He plays the first tape and is shocked to hear the voice of Hannah Baker, a former crush who committed suicide the previous week. We learn that prior to her death, Hannah recorded detailed tapes outlining the "thirteen reasons why" she decided to end her life. She states that those in possession of the tapes are one of those reasons. It is Hannah's ultimate wish that those involved come face to face with their roles in her life. Each recipient must listen to the tapes until they hear their own story, as well as the next person on the tape. After that, he/she may continue to listen or stop. The important thing is that the tapes are delivered to the next person on the list. Hannah has entrusted someone in the community with a second set of the tapes, and instructs this person to make them public should the chain stop. This is essential, as they contain many very dark secrets of some very unlikely high school students.

The story is told in alternating points of view. We hear Clay's reaction to each of the stories, and wait in anticipation to hear his role in the story. Alternately, we hear Hannah's voice from beyond tell her very real, very painful, and very surprising story. Because of this dual perspective, both boys and girls could relate and enjoy the story.

I think this book is so important for many reasons, but mostly because it shows readers not only the effects of their actions, but of their inactions. There were so many heartbreaking moments when bystanders chose to allow Hannah to suffer alone. It also shows that sometimes it is the most unlikely person who is suffering, as Hannah is a beautiful, intelligent student at her high school.

Although I knew from the start that Hannah would end her life, I found myself pleading with her to make an alternate decision right down to the very last page.