Lincoln's Grave Robbers by Steve Sheinkin

I read the book, Lincoln’s Grave Robbers, by Steve Sheinkin. The story takes place in the 1880s in Springfield and Chicago, Illinois. It centers around an undercover police officer who is originally sent to bust an undercover fake money ring. However, he stumbles onto something way more intense than that. 

In this book you will experience laughs and many intense moments. If you like historical fiction, this is the book for you. This book is a quick read for the casual reader. I recommend this book if you want to have a book to read during your free time, like a nice relaxing Sunday morning with eggs and a hot cup of coffee for breakfast. I highly recommend this book.  

I myself don’t really care for books but once I got into this book I couldn't put it down. Page after page I found myself wanting to read the book even more. Steve Sheinkin did a very good job of giving descriptions in the book; the detail was very vivid. I highly recommend Lincoln’s Grave Robbers to people aged 13 and up who would enjoy a good historical fiction book.

Mark S.

Hole In My Life by Jack Gantos

Jack Gantos’ book, Hole In My Life, is one of the first biographies he wrote. If you like to read action and suspense this would be a good book to read.Jack moved a lot during his last year of school so it was hard for him to finish that final year. After he graduated, his family was going to move back to his home town which was Puerto Rico. He did not like this idea. He wanted to go to college in Florida because in Puerto Rico it’s not as good as Florida. Months later he decided to come back on his own and rent a place

with a family friend and make some money so he could start school and do what he always wanted. Things started to get difficult and he just couldn't make enough money so he decided to get involved with some wrong activities. This would take about a month sailing a boat with one other person but once this job was done he would have enough money for college plus some extra money to waste. Everything worked out well and he was about to get paid his money but that’s when he ran into some cops who had been looking for him. Everything ended up going to waste and he got nothing.

Edwin S..

The World Made Straight by Ron Rash

Ron Rash’s book, The World Made Straight, is a work of fiction. 


It’s about a seventeen year old boy named Travis Shelton. Travis wanders into the woods near his home one day while fishing. That’s when he discovers a patch of marijuana plants big enough to make him a lot of money. On his third trip up to the patch of pot plants, he steps right into the jaws of a bear trap. 

After hours on the forest floor, he is released from the bear trap and brought into the house of the farmer who set the trap. Before he is brought to the hospital, the farmer, Carlton Toomey, cuts Travis’ Achilles tendon in half with his pocket knife as a lesson for him to keep his mouth shut about the plants. 

Shortly after that, Travis moved out of his parents’ house to live with Leonard Shuler, a one-time school teacher who now deals a little pot and pills to make ends meet. Travis becomes his student, of sorts, and these two outsiders become increasingly involved as they learn about the community’s violent past and the corrupt present with which they have to deal.

Tommy K.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

This book is a detailed, true account story of what happened to Herbert, Bonnie, Nancy and Kenyon Clutter. Every character is explained in detail, down to the way they combed their hair. We also get to relive the last day of each of their lives before they were brutally murdered that night. Capote also ties in the lives of the killers as well. The way he intertwines all their lives and connects them back at such humane points reminds us that stories like this are real. 

Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood is a non-fiction book about the tragic murders of the Clutter family. If you enjoy watching crime shows such as Law and Order, Criminal Minds or Cold Case, you would really enjoy this book. 

From beginning to end, Capote is skillfully tying together every aspect of the lives of everyone who was affected by these murders. From the moment you begin to read this book, you know the fate of the poor Clutters. However, the thirst to figure out how it all happened is over powering. 

If you are interested in true crime stories or criminal justice, I highly recommend you read In Cold Blood.

Cristal C.

After by Amy Efaw

I recommend After by Amy Efaw. I liked this book because it was realistic. 

Devon, the main character, was a great student who made a mistake. This book gave me a reality attack. This book tells about a lot of real life mistakes and what’s happening each day with young parents. It also tells about how things could change in a matter of seconds for better or for worse. 

I don’t want to summarize the story because then you wouldn't read it. I’ll just say you wouldn't regret reading After by Amy Efaw. The only thing is I did expect more from the ending, but maybe it was just me. Overall, this was a great book.

Ana M.

Racial Profiling by Deborah Kops

Racial Profiling, by Deborah Kops, is a non-fiction book. I would have to say this book is a great piece of work because it showed me how much people have used racial profiling, especially law enforcement officials. 

The thing about the book that grasped my attention was the cover of the book. There is a police officer holding a book that has the word police on it and also has the word racially on it. It caught my attention because I had an idea the book was going to deal with police officers and I am very interested in being a police officer in the future. 

This book taught me there are many cases that happened as early as the 1940s about racial profiling and how this caused destruction in many families and the government as well. I am taking Criminal Justice classes at Technology Center of DuPage right now and this book helped me understand a lot about the cases. Some of them are now laws and I have to comprehend them in order to be a police officer. 

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to be a police officer because this book will teach you many things you will have to learn in college in order to be successful.

Mariana R.

Right Behind You by Gail Giles

Gail Giles' book, Right Behind You, is a work of fiction. If you want to learn what a person does in their life and how they feel about killing a kid when they were young, you will enjoy Right Behind You. It is a story of a boy who burned another boy for a baseball glove.

Kip was nine years old when he killed a kid who was making fun of him about his mother so he just burned him alive. There were a lot of people who hated him and his father because of the murder. Kip’s life was terrible. Through most of the story, he doesn’t want happiness because of the crime he did and he can’t tell anybody about his past or his real name. 

Kip’s life got a little better when he started a new life and he wanted to tell all of his friends about his past but his parents didn’t want him to tell anybody. So Kip had to keep his secret to himself forever and he couldn’t tell anybody about it. That was the problem he had and he wanted to tell anybody who was close with him like family and friends. He wanted them to accept him as the person he is. 

There were some moments when he was enjoying his life but then his thoughts would turn to bad memories. His parents still had hope for Kip that he could find happiness in his life. However, Kip thinks he does not deserve it. If you are interested and want to find out more you should read Right Behind You.

Miguel M.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson’s book Speak is a really great book. There is a movie about this book. The movie is a little different than the book, of course, but the book and the movie are both very great. 


This book is about Melinda Sordino, who is known as the party buster. Everyone hated her because at the end of the summer everyone had an end of summer party and she decided to call the cops. Her friend hates her and so does everyone else in the school. But at the party something happened. Something that no other girl would want happening to them. She was scared and she didn't know what to do. She can’t tell anyone about that night because she is scared about what might happen.

Melinda has no friends just because she called the cops about the party. If she told them why she did it, they probably wouldn't believe her and hate her more. Melinda is in a tough spot. If I were her I would at least tell someone because I wouldn't be able to just keep it to myself. I would be scared, worried, upset and wouldn't be able to sleep and wouldn't want to step foot into school. 

Melinda tried to go to her old friend, but she wouldn't believe her. If my friend came up to me and told me what Melinda told her then I would find a way to believe her over my boyfriend. In the end some girls found out what happened and Melinda told her mom about that night. 

I think this book is a really great book. I suggest people read this and possibly watch the movie. Read the book first, however, and then watch the movie. If I had to rate this book I would give it five stars.

Taylor M.

Right Behind You by Gail Giles

Gail Giles’ book, Right Behind You, is a fictional story about a young boy named Kip. If you are into mystery and suspense, then you would enjoy reading Right Behind You.

This book tells the story of a little boy named Kip McFarland who set his next door neighbor, Bobby Clarke, on fire. Due to this mistake made by Kip, he is forced to spend the next few years of his life in a juvenile correction center. Once he enters his teenage years, Kip is released and he moves to Indiana to start a new life. He is forced to change his name and start all over.

Things are going very well in Indiana for Kip until he lets his secret out to a few of his teammates from swimming and they all turn on Kip. Now that this small town in Indiana knows Kip’s secret, he is forced to pack up once again with his father and his father’s girlfriend and begin another life in Texas.

Once they arrive, Kip decides that he wants to be home schooled to prevent any more leaks that could affect his family and their good life in Texas. Kip quickly meets a girl named Sam who befriends him and teaches him how to live the home schooled life in Texas. Kip begins to gain trust in Sam very early and Sam does the same with Kip. After a few weeks, Sam tells Kip a very big secret that could destroy the friendship they have built. But Kip refused to let that happen. Kip loved Sam just the same and treated her with more respect than he did before.

A few days after Sam told her secret, Kip decided it was his turn. He printed out articles from his accident and he even called Bobby’s mother to ask her opinion. After reminiscing about the incident, he wrote a letter to Sam explaining everything that happened to him. She gave him no answer, not even a response, and because of that, Kip packed his bags and planned to ship off to Dallas so his family wouldn't have to suffer. Fortunately, right before he left, he heard from Sam and she let him know that she always understood him.

If you want to understand what it is like to have to start all over and live a life you never truly know, then I strongly suggest you read Right Behind You by Gail Giles.

Kylee G.

Recommended Reading: Hard Knock LIfe

Here are five true stories about teenagers who grew up in a world of gangs, drugs and violence. All eventually found their way out to a successful life away from the streets.

365.42 HEN
Henry, Nathan L. Good behavior.
In jail at 16 for armed robbery, tales of a rough life filled with guns, drugs, and violence, Henry reflects from jail on his life so far.

B DeLaCruz,J
De la Cruz, Jesse. Detoured : My Journey from Darkness to Light. 
Jesse De La Cruz grew up in the barrios of California leading a life that led to him to become a convict heroin addict and gang member. He eventually served about thirty years of his life in prison. He eventually enrolled in college and graduated with bachelors and masters degrees.


B McCall,N
McCall, Nathan. Makes Me Wanna Holler : A Young Black Man  in America. 
McCall’s story takes us through his troubled childhood, to prison and finally to a successful career as a journalist at the Washington Post.


B Rodriguez,L
Rodriguez, Luis J. Always Running : La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A. 
By the time he was 12, Rodriguez was a veteran East L.A. gang member. He witnessed many shootings, beatings and arrests as he lost an ever greater number of family and friends. He eventually was able to break out of the gang life and become an award winning writer.


B Ruiz,M
Ruiz, Mona. Two Badges : The Lives of Mona Ruiz.
Ruiz has been a gang member, high school dropout, disowned by her family, an abused wife and a mother on welfare. But finally, she overcame all obstacles and became a police officer serving her community.

Street Pharm by Allison van Diepen

Allison van Diepen's book, “Street Pharm”, is a work of fiction. If you have read Allison van Diepen, you will enjoy reading “Street Pharm” because it tells the story of Ty Johnson, the street pharmacist. Ty Johnson was born into the business but his father gets arrested and Ty takes over his dad’s business at the age of 16. Ty and his mother do not have money so Ty takes over and deals dope.

Arthur R.

The Godfather by Mario Puzo

I think this book is very interesting and very exciting. This book has it all; murders, drugs, sex and it is very descriptive on all three of these topics. The author, Mario Puzo, also wrote “The Sicilian” and based this book in Chicago. He put a lot of trust and betrayal in the story as well.

This story is about the "Corleone Family", a mafia family, and their rise to the top of mafia families. This book is filled with corruption, inside and out of the families, and filled with violence and some romance. A must read!

Amatore L.

After the First Death by Robert Cormier

I enjoyed this book because it was interesting knowing what goes on through the thoughts of a young teen and the reasons why he would want to join a gang. If you have ever wondered why people want to join a gang or what drives them to do crazy things they will later regret, then this would be a book you would enjoy reading. This book shows what different people think about and how they feel experiencing the same situation. This boy later learns what he did was wrong and regrets every mistake.

Yesenia M.

The Mafia's Greatest Hits by David H.Jacobs

This is a good book which I enjoyed reading. It is about hits and murders and illegal things the mafia did. It rates the succcess of the hit or murder. There are a couple of pages with some pictures and visuals of the murders of people lying on the ground dead with a shot to the head. At the end of each chapter there is a score given for the tactics used and for the success of the mission.

Alex R.

Holes by Louis Sachar

I liked this book because it is more at my reading level. It is an easy story to follow. It is one of the few books that actually kept my attention. I think other students will like this book too because it has a good story line. There is also a movie about the book. I suggest people read the book then after they finish reading they should go see the movie and compare the two.

Sam C.

Al Capone by Luciano Iorizzo

I liked this book because it was interesting to see how Chicago was back then. One of the most famous gangsters of all time, Al Capone, ran Chicago for over ten years. I think other students will enjoy this book because we live so close to where all this happened and you will be surpised about how different it was. All in all I think everyone will enjoy this book about Al Capone.

Frank S.

Blood and power : Organized Crime in Twentieth-Century America by Stephen R. Fox

Blood and Power is about the original Gangsters and how they organized crime to make money so if something went wrong they had money to bail themselves out of jail. Most of the Gangsters were Italian and most of the crime was in New York and in Chicago. After the wars broke out between the gangsters, the police started to investigate what was going on. When they found out what was going on in the cities, they started to end the wars.

Juan P.

Paddy Whacked by T.J. English

Paddy Whacked talks about the Irish Mob from Chicago, New York and Boston. It tells about the stories of when they came here and how they got into the mob and about famous hot spots for the mob to go. Also, there are stories about mobsters getting killed and their relationship with the Italian Mob and such criminals as Al Capone. I liked this book because it was interesting and had stories about the mob. Other students might like this book if they like to learn about mobs and mobsters of the 1800's and 1900's.

Cole P.

Boy Kills Man by Matt Whyman

I liked this book because it was a mysterious book about these two kids who grow up in a bad neighborhood. It's full of suspense and I highly recommend people who love mystery and suspenseful books to read it.

Lynette F.

My Bloody Life by Reymudo Sanchez

I liked reading this book because it was based on a real story. Also, it showed a lot of serious situations the main character went through. For example, having to kill someone. Also, another person actually dying in your arms. I liked this book because it showed how a kid lived on his own while having no support from his family and having to go through a lot of problems in his life. One of those problems was whether or not to choose if he wants to enter a gang. I think kids who are into gangs or even if someone wants to know why anybody joins a gang, this book can inform you. Also, people may like this book if they’re already involved in gangs.

Marisol A.