As part of a campus-wide reading initiative, staff members have placed signs by their doors designating what they are currently reading. Each week, Hoof Prints is going to ask them to give a two sentence review of their selection. Stay tuned each week to see what’s new. Be sure to drop us a line in the comments to let us know what you’re reading.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

“This book is about 13 year old twins that play basketball and the hardships they face on and off the court in their young lives. The book is written totally in verse, but you don’t realize it when you’re reading it.” -Debbie King

Gray Mountain by John Grisham

“First Grisham novel I have read with a female hero. In this novel, everyone will root for the underdog.” -Debbie Olive

In the Middle by Nancie Atwell

“In the Middle is a professional book that helps middle school teachers change the way they think about teaching reading by giving strategies to use in the classroom. It really challenges teachers to step outside their comfort zones and try new approaches that will keep students more engaged and become lifelong learners.” -Sherry Petznick

Champion by Marie Lu

“After 8 months apart, June asks Day to meet her again to help with a matter of national security. A new, more deadly, strain of the plague has broken out in the Colonies, and it threatens to restart the war that they have worked to hard to stop.” -Shelly Hurst

The FitzOsbornes in Exile by Michelle Cooper

“This book is the second in a series about a fictitious royal family who is forced into exile after the Germans take over there island kingdom in the years leading up to World War II. This series has been really suspenseful, and even though the family the books are centered around is fictional, there is still a great deal of actual historic events written into the story.” -Julie Hatch

The Spearwielder’s Tale: The Woods Out Back by R A Salvatore

“It is a tale of a normal man from our world kidnapped and taken to the world of fairy. He his held against his will and forced to go on a quest to reforge a legendary spear where he is accompanied by a trickster leprechaun, a surly elf, and a foul tempered dwarf.” -John Hantke

Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve

“A fantasy story about futuristic London, the book tells the story of a girl named Fever Crumb who has been sheltered her whole life. When she turns 14 she leaves this sheltered world and begins to learn many startling truths about her past while facing danger in the present.” -Melinda Wells

America The Beautiful by Ben Carson

“Dr. Ben Carson shares his insights as to what is good about America. He also tells about how we can learn from our past in order to chart a better course to our future.” -Kathy Baldridge

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

“An alien invasion wipes out the majority of humans on the Earth. Each wave the aliens bring down on the humans, brings more and more death and destruction.” -Stephanie Woods

The End Game by Catherine Coulter

“This is the story of two FBI agents deep into an investigation of a violent group known for widespread bombings of power grids and oil refineries across the country–a high octane, fast paced mystery!” -Dr. Kima Stewart

90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper

“This is a story told by Don Piper of his devastating accident. He describes his brief time in heaven and his return to a life full of pain and questions.” -Rosemary Clester

Rumble by Ellen Hopkins

“In her typical writing style of poetry, Ellen Hopkins writes of a troubled teenager whose brother has died. Although he makes straight A’s, the main character continues to find himself in trouble. Since the death of his brother, he has turned his back on God, much to his mother’s dismay.” -Stephanie Woods

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

“Ten year old, Ada, has a club foot that her mother is ashamed of so she keeps Ada locked away from the world. During WWII, Ada escapes her mother’s prison and learns how important self-worth is.” -Marti Peel

Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain

“Bourdain’s look back on the decade since his first book took him out of the kitchen and into people’s lives as a television personality. Like Kitchen Confidential, it’s a fun romp through the foodie scene with Tony’s sharp wit as your guide.” -Tracey Yates Thompson

The Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons

“The Glass Arrow takes place in a world where women have lost their rights and are considered property; they are bought and sold to high-ranking men for various reasons. Aya, the protagonist, was raised outside of this system but is caught by Trackers to be conditioned, and she must find a way out to regain her freedom.” -Molly Delp

Touch and Go by Lisa Gardner

“This is a suspenseful book about a family that gets kidnapped. I really enjoy the way the author keeps you guessing about who took the family and why.” -Patricia Duffel

People We Know by Harcourt

“I am learning how citizens can be responsible in their community. I am also discovering places that are far and near.” -Sherri Williams

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

“In a post apocalyptic world where the sky has been infiltrated by an interstellar element know as Aether that sends tornado like funnels down to scorch the Earth, Aria is exiled from of the safety of her domed pod community to the Real where it is well known that Dwellers can’t live with its barbarian Outsiders and million possible ways to die. She’s sure she will die when she is caught out in an Aether storm on her first night, but an angry Outsider with his own agenda saves her.” -Nancy Spencer

Radical by David Platt

“A very inspirational book that questions “radical” following!! I enjoyed it!” -Gena Misner

Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews

“A story of lies, deception, and family secrets that threaten to destroy the family business. At last, true love does prevail.” -Andrea Buck