	Cool Reads for Tough Guys
	*Alex Rider Series* by Anthony Horowitz Teen spy for MI6. Cliffhangers, cold-blooded villains, and fast action.
	*Binge* by Charles Ferry Drunk teen steals a car, wrecks it, runs over people and loses his foot. Realistic – you’ll think twice about drinking and driving.
	*The Boy Who Couldn’t Die* by William Sleator He gives up his soul to live forever, and it works! But there are a few problems… Absorbing horror.
	*Cirque du Freak Series* by Darren Shan The freaks are real and none are harmless. A fast-paced, macabre thrill ride.
	*The Contender* by Robert Lipsyte Dropout tries boxing to escape a tough life. Can he do it?
	*Drive-by* by Lynne Ewing Gangs gun down his brother and go after his family. What was his brother really like? Grim, nonstop action.
	*Ender’s Game* by Orson Scott Card Ender was bred to be a military genius to save the earth from aliens. Is he good enough? Intense – you won’t want to put this down.
	*Hatchet* by Gary Paulsen Surviving alone in the Canadian wilderness with only his clothing and a hatchet. Adventure and suspense.
	*The House of the Scorpion* by Nancy Farmer Is Matt just “spare parts” for a rich old man’s body, or can he have a life of his own? Cloning, drug wars, great characters and a chilling plot.
	*Into Thin Air* by Jon Krakauer True story of disastrous Mt. Everest climb that left eight people dead. The author was there. This book will knock you out!
	*The Last Book in the Universe* by Rodman Philbrick Crossing forbidden gangland in the future to save his sick sister. Fast pace and a surprise ending.
	*The Last Mission* by Harry Mazer Lies about his age, joins the World War II air corps, and gets shot down by Germans. Lots of action, can’t put it down.
	*Monster* by Walter Dean Myers Journal in the form of a movie script about Steve’s murder trial and his experiences in prison. Is he really a monster?
	*The Outsiders* by S. E. Hinton Gangs, social groups and murder. Written by a 16-year-old.
	*Raptor* by Paul Zindel Trapped in a cave with a living dinosaur. Nonstop action, gruesome.
	*Revenge of the Whale* by Nat Philbrick Whale gets grumpy, rams the ship and it sinks. Survivors drift 2,000 miles from land. *Moby Dick* was based on this true story. Not for weak stomachs…
	*Scorpions* by Walter Dean Myers Pressured to lead the gang when his older brother is jailed for murder. A page-turner.
	*Someone Is Hiding on Alcatraz Island* by Eve Bunting Gang follows him to Alcatraz prison and wants to hurt him. What to do? How will he escape them? Can’ stop reading this one.
	*Son of the Mob* by Gordon Korman His father’s a mobster and her father’s an FBI agent – can they find true love? Funny, sharp dialogue, fast pace.
	*Stotan* by Chris Crutcher Swimmers push themselves to the limit. What are they in for? Humor and sadness.
	*Tears of a Tiger* by Sharon Draper He kills his best friend in a drunk driving accident. Grim and realistic.
	*Tomorrow, When the War Began* by John Marsden Back from camping trip to find enemy invaders and everyone in town imprisoned. An adventure you won’t forget.
	*Touching Spirit Bear* by Ben Mikaelsen His anger lands him on an island where he’s mauled by a bear. Can Cole change? Gritty survival story.