Reddit mentions: The best teen books

This is what I send to friends - - -

TLDR version;

(1) worm is one of the best things i've read in any genre

(2) don't tell my parent's i'm a supervillain is fun, age appropriate for kids but good enough for adult

(3) Dire, Super Powereds (and corpies spinoff) are excellent - don't miss these

(4) the rest listed are the best of what i've found in the genre



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Each book or series has the following information





ranking:

age:

rating:

Strengths:

Genre Detail:

Comments:

Cons:

link to book/series

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Each of the above catagories is rated, ranked, or noted using the following (obviously opinion based)



ranking:

n/10 (range for series)

• : books improve over time (often new author or genre for author, learning on the go)
  
  

• : books get worse over time (often first book is excellent, whatever made it enjoyable decreases in future books, the first book is often worth reading)
  
  
  
  Strengths:
  
  "I"nteresting powers, power sets - not just cookie cutter powers (Worm is the best at this)
  
  "W"orld building - how well the world around the story is built (Worm is the best at this)
  
  "F"un - just plain fun to read (don't tell my parents im a supervillain is the best at this)
  
  "D"rama and storlyline - character interaction and depth of plot (Worm is the best at this)
  
  "T"heme - depth behind the story (Worm is the best at this)
  
  "E"xcellent protagonist / strong main characters - how engaging are the main characters (Worm is the best at this)
  
  
  
  Genre Detail:
  
  Fantasy (powers based on magic)
  
  Sci-fi (powers based on altered person)
  
  
  
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  worm
  
  note to readers - One friend of mine who read this didn't enjoy it because it is so violent/grey morals, others have unanimously loved it. I was floored at how excellent the story was, had to read it again to pick up what I missed first read through.
  
  ranking: 10/10
  
  Strengths: I/W/D/T/E
  
  Genre Detail: sci-fi
  
  Comments: putting here as a baseline - linked to goodreads seperate writeup. this is a must read as long as the negatives noted there are not a problem
  
  
  
  
  
  wearing the cape (5 books in series, not complete)
  
  note to readers - this is the most comic-book like of the novels/series, if you are patient with it it gets better as you go along.
  
  ranking: 8/10 + (6.5-9)
  
  Strengths: F/E
  
  Genre Detail: Sci-fi
  
  Comments: worth reading, first book isnt great, each one gets better.
  
  Cons: first book isnt very good. story lines take a while to get decent. characters are fairly cookie cutter power wise.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Wearing-Cape-Book-ebook/dp/B004XRCC1G/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504392&sr=1-2&keywords=wearing+the+cape#navbar
  
  
  
  super powereds (3/4 books done)
  
  note to readers - I really enjoyed this series, Drew Hayes (author) is an excellent indy author who writes what he loves. One of my favorite characters in any book (Nick) in the series.
  
  ranking: 9/10 + (7.5-9.5)
  
  Strengths: I/W/D/E
  
  Genre Detail: Sci-fi
  
  Comments: unique, first chapter of book 1 is first chapter written by the author (first 10 chapters or so are rough reading). has good story, good depth, good powers and treatment of powers, gets better with each book. annoyances (some bad writing early on, and cadence in sections of the overall story) are outweighed by some really long term cool scenes.
  
  Cons: Truly rough reading first few chapters, pacing can be tough, non essential characters motivations are 2 dimentional
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Super-Powereds-3-Book-Series/dp/B010HIUG1C/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504369&sr=1-1&keywords=super+powereds
  
  
  
  after reading the above books, this spinoff is a virtual must read, best of the bunch: https://www.amazon.com/Corpies-Super-Powereds-Spinoff-Book-ebook/dp/B01D9C21DE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1473257391&sr=1-1&keywords=corpies
  
  
  
  
  
  action figures (5 books done, 3 in works for next year)
  
  note to readers - this is more YA targetted, but on occasion goes way beyond what I would expect in YA - still fun and well done
  
  ranking: 8/10 (7.5-8)
  
  Strengths: F/D
  
  Genre Detail: Sci-fi
  
  Comments: steady, easy, enjoyable
  
  Cons: not much depth, angsty, simple, seems to target YA but occasionally breaks boundry to be potentially inappropriate for younger audience
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Action-Figures-Issue-Secret-Origins-ebook/dp/B00GC74K4M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504262&sr=1-1&keywords=action+figures+michael+bailey#navbar
  
  
  
  dire (3 books, not complete)
  
  note to readers - Outstanding lead character and really nicely written. I loved DIRE.
  
  ranking: 9/10 (9-9)
  
  Strengths: W/D/E
  
  Genre Detail: sci-fi
  
  Comments: dire is a great character, its a good story, inspired by worm (was originally fan-fiction on parahumas site, the intro to dire)
  
  Cons: taking a while for next book to come out, only sample size of 2 books in series. third book was just released, didnt like as much as first two.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/DIRE-BORN-Dire-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B018L5DJN0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504229&sr=1-1&keywords=dire+born#navbar
  
  
  
  Gailsone (2 books, then shifted to periodical short novella releases)
  
  note to readers - Least good of the good ones, If you leave any off this is the most leave-off able.
  
  ranking: 8/10 (7.5-8)
  
  Strengths: F/E
  
  Genre Detail: sci-fi
  
  Comments: fairly unique story, strong main character, quite murdery at times.
  
  Cons: after second book author started releasing .99$ 100 page short excerpts, books are fun but no depth, some annoying interplay between characters
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Gailsone-Big-Japan-Casey-Glanders-ebook/dp/B00GXTADYA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504156&sr=1-1&keywords=gailsone#navbar
  
  
  
  
  
  Dynamistress (2 books, series done)
  
  note to readers - fan fiction at its finest, a talented author who played City of Heroes wrote a 2 book biography for his character, lots of "labor of love" and nicely written story.
  
  ranking: 8/10 (8-8)
  
  Strengths: F
  
  Genre Detail: Sci-fi
  
  Comments: unique autobiography format, this is more a story of a person who happens to engage in the super human community than a hero story, very well done. oddly enough - inspired by the MMO City of Heroes, written by an author who played the game.
  
  Cons: if you are looking for a heroic story, this is more a person story that unions the genre.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Reckoning-Many-Deaths-Dynamistress-Book-ebook/dp/B00F6F8NOY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470503535&sr=8-1&keywords=dynamistress#navbar
  
  
  
  confessions of a d-list supervillain (3 books, not really a series though there is a timeline)
  
  note to readers - These were fun, first ones in the genre I read. Not as good as others in the list, but worth reading if you get into this format (novelization of super/parahuman stories)
  
  ranking: 7.5/10 (7-7.5)
  
  Strengths: F
  
  Genre Detail: sci-fi
  
  Comments: One of the first "super hero" genre books published, fun read but not much beyond that. it has not held up to other books/series since it came out, but still decent enough read
  
  Cons: others are better, not terribly unique or deep. just fun and one of the first forays into this genre.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/D-List-Supervillain-3-Book-Series/dp/B00XM5XKWA/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504127&sr=1-1&keywords=confessions+of+a+d+list+supervillain
  
  
  
  don't tell my parents i'm a supervillain (3 books, not complete)
  
  note to readers - book 1 was a blast, and is also very appropriate for young readers (5th -8th grade reading level advised). cant suggest it more highly for a fun read, and you might find it appropriate/fun for your kids too after reading it
  
  ranking: 8/10- (9.5-6.5)
  
  Strengths: I/F/E
  
  Genre Detail: Sci-fi
  
  Comments: first book has Worm inspiration, excellent introduction and very creative. second and third books are not as good. worth reading first book.
  
  Cons: very ya, first book captures a story in a "harry potterish" enjoyable story with a ton of discovery and creativity. second and third books fell off that mark.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Please-Dont-Tell-Parents-Book/dp/B01A951V2G/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504101&sr=1-1&keywords=don%27t+tell+my+parents+i%27m+a+supervillain
  
  
  
  wild cards (many books, all anthologies of short stories by various authors)
  
  note to readers - anthologies by dozens of authors, with an overall theme and world canon maintained by the editor (George RR Martin). you have to take the good with the bad to get through this series, there are alot of both
  
  ranking: 7- (8.5-5)
  
  Strengths: I/W/D
  
  Genre Detail: sci-fi
  
  Comments: anthology format, very unique. some amazing, some awful stories. multi author short stories covering a variety of characters over the course of 30-50 years or so. first of its sort. George RR Martin editor. the first 5 books are mostly good, there are a bunch of bad mixed with some good after that.
  
  Cons: expensive, and quality of stories varies wildly.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Cards-I-Trust-ebook/dp/B003P8OZ0U/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504054&sr=1-3&keywords=wild+cards+george+rr+martin#navbar
  
  
  
  steelheart (3 books, complete)
  
  note to readers - I just didn't like the story, seems like almost everyone disagrees with me based on online reviews. really well written, but it never hooked me.
  
  ranking: 7.5
  
  Strengths: I/D
  
  Genre Detail: sci-fi.
  
  Comments:I didnt enjoy these as much as I thought I would, many others enjoyed more than me based on reviews. well written (the author is a top notch writer) but there was just something off about them that I couldnt place.
  
  Cons: premium cost, other stories (indy pub/other) are just more enjoyable.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/The-Reckoners-3-Book-Series/dp/B0141KGAIK/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504007&sr=1-1&keywords=steelheart
  

I second the Tamora Pierce suggestion. Also definitely Gregor the Overlander! Suzanne Collin's lesser known series (she wrote Hunger Games). I recently finished reading (it's a 5-book series) and it was FANTASTIC. Just amazing. It's a YA series. The House of the Scorpion is also great, might be for your stronger readers. Eragon series is fun, and Dealing with Dragons is still one of my all-time favorite dragon books/series. Bruce Coville is a great author, and his work might be a little young but it's good to have a mix. I absolutely loved everything of his I have read, but especially Aliens Ate My Homework and the rest of that series. Most of these will appeal to the young men, hopefully.



When I was a young lady, I read pretty much anything, but I know a lot of boys like books with a boy main character. I really was a bit horse crazy, so here's some you might look into for your young ladies. The Saddle Club is a very long series about 3 girls and their horse-y adventures. It was really fun and it's great to find longer series because, if they like the first one, there's a lot to enjoy. (Oh a thought - you could always get the first one in a series, then just tell them to get the rest from the library or something, if there's budget concerns) I also liked the Thoroughbred Series and the wonderful Marguerite Henry horse books, especially the famous Misty of Chincoteague but really any of her books is a good read. My all time favorite horse series was and still is The Black Stallion by Walter Farley. Oh, how I loved that book.


There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom was fantastic the first time I read it, and I also like the "Wayside School" books which are both by Louis Sachar. Judy Blume is fun as is Beverly Cleary. Redwall gets a lot of kids into reading, you also might consider some high-level comics/graphic novels to reach a different audience. The Hobbit Graphic Novel has great illustration and I loved reading it so much when I found it one day in a store.


I found history pretty boring so avoided those books but I did enjoy The King's Swift Rider about Robert the Bruce and Scotland, might be the only vaguely historical book I remember reading around those ages. I tried to avoid mystery books more or less, but I loved Encyclopedia Brown (even though according to Amazon it's for younger ages). I enjoyed Harriet the Spy she was a pretty cool girl role-model at the time. My Side of the Mountain was absolutely fantastic and such a great adventure, though I enjoy everything Jean Craigshead George writes. I feel like Julie of the Wolves is pretty standard reading material, maybe not anymore, but what a great story. Oh my gosh, I just about forgot The Indian in the Cupboard, that was such a good story. Anything Roald Dahl is wonderful as is Jane Yolen, I especially recommend the Pit Dragon trilogy. The Golden Compass, So You Want to be A Wizard, Animorphs, Goosebumps, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Kiki Strike, Dinotopia, Song of the Gargoyle and The City of Ember.


I am sure that is way more than you need, but my mind started racing. It was hard to stop once I started -- thank you for that enjoyable tour through my past. Lots of great memories of time spent reading. Hope you find some of this helpful, at least.

I take it from Harry Potter and Divergent he likes strong, morally-white protagonists on journeys to save the world. I don't know his exact reading level or interests, so I will make the following suggestions by category. I ranked books in each category by difficulty.

 

Teen Fantasy:

 

Dealing with Dragons: Funny, easy to read, dragons, magic, and sarcasm.

The Lioness Series, Immortal Series, or The Magic Circle Series: Strong female leads and interesting to read with great stories (Think Mulan). My brother loved them.

Artemis Fowl: Strong, morally ambiguous but ultimately altruistic, sarcastic, and smart protagonist against the world.

User Unfriendly: Dudes get sucked into a video/rpg and try to get out without dying. Like Tron, but less sci-fi and more fantasy.

Halo: One of my brothers who HATES reading -- or at least is incredibly picky actually stayed up all night to finish four of Halo books. He also really likes the games. I don't know which one is the first or the best but this one had the best reviews. I dunno if it is dark either -- I haven't read it :'(.

The Dark Elf Trilogy: Darker than anything else I have on here (or can be) hero vs world type fantasy. Drizzit = my brothers' hero growing up. Kinda WOW-esque? Having played both, I understand how much of WOW is inspired by DnD. I personally didn't like this.

Redwall: Harder to read, talking animals save the world from other talking animals. I personally hated this series, but my brothers read every single book in the series at the time.

 


Adult Fantasy:

 

Magician: Magic, totally badass protagonist, BORING first couple chapters, but ultimately the most OP hero I have ever read. Amazing, truly amazing. I think it is two-three books in the first series.

Harper Hall: Dragons, music, strong, but lost protagonist. Deals with sexism and gender biased. The other books in the cycle range from sci-fi to political fantasy.

Dragonbone Chair: Strong, badass hero vs a dragon. What happens? He becomes more badass. It is a lighter verison of LOTR/Sword of Shanara (which is probably too much politics/genetics/enviromental commentary -- generally boring-- for him right now) --

An even lighter alternative, more teen book is Eragon. That being said, I absolutely DETESTED these books. I don't care if he was 16, he didn't coming up with any of his own material. But -- a lot of people really like it, so your brother might!

 

Sci-fi:

 

Ender's game: Amazing ending, especially if he likes videogames. I haven't seen the movie, but my Dad said it was "loosely inspired" from the book. All I know is the book was world-changing. It has some legitimately dark points (like gouging out a giants eye or drowning puppies).

Johnny Maxwell Trilogy: This dude is cool. I didn't know until I linked it that it is hard to get a copy >.<.

Dune: This, like LOTR, is VERY political and can be very easily boring. It might also be too adult or hard for him. There is mental illness and just crazy people in the later books.

 

Mature Humor:

 

He should be ready for some British humor, which is a little more mature than American humor (sorry) and much more sarcastic. You also have to be in the mood for it, especially if you aren't expecting it.

Sourcery: Really, really funny.

Hitchhiker's Guide: Also funny.

Magic Kingdom for Sale -- Sold: American. Funny take on fantasy books.

 

I kept away from darker books where the protagonist is morally grey (Artemis fowl and Drizzit being exceptions -- though they are both still definitely heros), sex, questionable themes, or general mental derangement.

I also stayed away from more modern books, which I have read a lot of if you would like recommendations for those instead. I read a lot in general, so if you have a questions about a book in particular, I can try to help.

Edit: Links

Unpaid internships are essentially slave labor, or at least indentured servitude. That's a terrible idea.

I'm not sure what you would describe as your dreams, so I'll give you a possible alternative track for a possible set of goals that may or may not coincide with yours.

Let's say your goal is to get a well paying job and have a reasonably deep understanding of physics. Perhaps you'd also like that job to be intellectually stimulating. Here's a rough outline of what you could do to accomplish that:

-------------------------------------------
Before college

You're in 7th grade. First step, use this collection of links on efficient study habits to destroy and master your school work (check out Anki, too). At minimum, treat school like a day job. (Hopefully you'll have great teachers that teach you a love of learning and a value for a well-rounded educational base that includes the sciences, arts, and humanities.) Do all the exercises from Khan Academy from the beginning to fill any gaps in your knowledge and use sites like PatrickJMT, Paul's Online Math Notes, BetterExplained, and MIT OCW Scholar to supplement school and KA. Also, read these two books.

Once you've got school under control and are getting the most of what's available to you through that avenue, use the Art of Problem Solving Books to get a vastly deeper understanding of precollege mathematics. I'd say it should be a higher priority than learning calculus early in terms of ROI, but you can learn it if you want to.

See if you can find a group near you to train for a Math Olympiad or similar competition (like the ones listed on AoPS). Aim for the gold, but realize that it's unlikely and the real prize is how the training will bring up your mathematical maturity so you can tackle evermore challenging problems, concepts, and subjects.

Also, use sites like Coursera, edx, and Udacity to teach yourself programming. Once you've got a reasonable handle on programming, check out a site like Topcoder and maybe try to compete in the Coding Olympiad. Also, mess around with a Raspberry Pi.

You could also check out any big research universities or even decent state schools in your area. They often have youth outreach like summer camps for kids who love math to come and learn things not usually taught in schools. You could also see if there are any researchers willing to take on a hard working and science-loving high school student for a research project (this is how most of the winners of Intel science competitions get their start).

------------------------------------------------------
College (Undergrad)

If you've done the first paragraph of the previous section alone, you should be able to get into any top 20 program in the country without any trouble. Chances are you'll be competitive for most Ivies and top 10 programs. Do any of the stuff beyond the first paragraph, and you'll be a shoe-in with a huge advantage over the overwhelming majority of college applicants in the country. The link about scholarships in my earlier comment will guarantee that you get a free ride. Also, read this book.

So now you want job security and financial security. Any sort of engineering would do, but I think you'd be more interested in computer science so let's say you do that and double major in physics.

Every summer you do paid internships for CS at various software firms for work experience. This will be the best way to make sure you are extremely hireable after graduation for lucrative positions with interesting work as a software engineer. That's Plan B.

For physics, you find a lab that does interesting work and start doing undergraduate research. You might change labs a few times to find a better fit. You might stick with the first one until graduation. Doesn't really matter as long as you gain real research experience.

You also study your ass of for the Physics GRE from your first semester. A few hours per week you do problems from old tests from subjects as you learn them. As in, do mechanics problems your first semester, do mechanics and E&M problems your second semester, do mechanics and E&M and thermo and optics problems your third semester, etc. (This may be different depending on how your school organizes its physics curriculum.)

You talk to your advisors and grad students and fellow students and professors about applying to grants and graduate school. They'll be able to give you actual advice tailored to your situation.

Either in the spring of your junior year or the fall of your senior year, you take the GREs and apply to graduate programs in areas that interest you and apply to grants to fund you and wait for the offers to return. Assuming you've followed my advice, at least some of them will contain acceptance letters with details of stipends. More than likely all the acceptance letters will include stipends you can live off of.

If you just get rejected, you'll at least have a BS-worth of physics knowledge and have experienced real research and can go off and enjoy your well-paid life solving interesting problems as a software engineer.

Or you can try and get a job at a national lab somewhere putting your physics background and programming chops to work and just apply again another year while saving up more money.

And all of this was debt free because you had the forsight in high school to apply to hundreds of scholarships.

------------------------------

Also, read this thread on what it takes to kick ass at MIT. The post and the ensuing discussion should drive home what you could train yourself to become. (I think the reply by the twin is particularly enlightening.)

You can either shoot for the stars and hit the moon, or you can read magazine articles about gravity on the moon.

I highly recommend:

1. The Orphans of Chaos trilogy by John C. Wright. He really pushes the boundaries of the imagination by writing about a universe in which there are 4 different paradigms of magic/power, each of which cancels one of the others out and is canceled out by one of the others. It's an epic Titans vs Olympic Gods fantasy, and I've read it several times--which is rare for me to do.
   
   
2. Obviously read the Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin if you haven't already done so! I delayed reading it a long time but then read all of them in a week and a half when I finally succumbed.
   
   
3. ALWAYS recommend The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
   
   
4. ALSO always recommend Lies of Locke Lamora and its sequels by Scott Lynch.
   
   
5. The Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix. It's YA, but pretty mature YA, and IMO could easily transition to the regular fantasy section.
   
   
6. Books by Diana Wynne Jones. She writes YA, but fantasy that I wouldn't call immature. The best word I could use to describe it would be "whimsical." If I could compare her style of fantasy to anyone's it would EASILY be the filmmaker Miyazaki. (His films include Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, etc.--he even adapted one of her books!) I think her best work is her Chrestomanci series which has 3 volumes (each volume is made up of several novellas), but she is best known for Howl's Moving Castle, which I also highly recommend (along with its sequels Castle in the Air and The House of Many Ways).
   
   
7. Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series. It's fun, original, often dark, often humorous, fast-paced, and FILLED with action. As noted by someone else, there are vampires in the universe, but they're not the central motif. There are also other scary things, like fairies, goblins, witches/wizards, demons...the list goes on and on.
   
   
8. Terry Pratchett's Discworld canon. There are many, MANY books, and they're not written in series so you can jump in almost anywhere. I recommend Small Gods to start.
   
   
9. The Sevenwaters Trilogy by Juliet Marillier, starting with Daughter of the Forest. There are also spin-off novels, though I haven't read them all. Her writing is beautiful and mystical. She almost makes me believe magic/fae could exist.
   
   
10. The Passion and The Promise (a duet) and, separately, The Alchemist by Donna Boyd. These are really, really excellently written. "Lush" would be the word I'd use. They're not hugely well known, and I find that utterly boggling considering how good they are.

I'm so excited for your son to have fallen in love with reading - books are some of the best comforts one can have.

Ages 6 - 8 (some of these may be challenging)

Flora & Ulysses (Newbery Award winner) by Kate DiCamillo

I actually haven't read this book, but DiCamillo is an amazing author, and Newbery award winners are usually a safe bet. Tale of Despereaux is another great book of hers.

Everything written by Roald Dahl

Just in case he hasn't read them yet - I suggest Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, BFG, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Mathilda, James and the Giant Peach, and The Witches.

The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis

Fantastic fantasy series to prepare him for Lord of the Rings trilogy I'm sure he'll watch/read in the future. Fun fact: the authors were dear friends.

Ages 9 -12 (more challenging)

The Giver, by Lois Lowry

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L'Engle

Holes, by Louis Sachar


Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls

Warning: he will cry at the end. Everyone cries at the end.

Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli

A runaway kid who starts a new life - like a children's version of Forrest Gump.

The A. I. Gang Trilogy, by Bruce Coville

• Operation Sherlock
  
  
  
• Robot Trouble
  
  
  
• Forever Begins Tomorrow
  
  
  Bruce Coville is a great children's author and this series would be right up your kid's alley if he likes spies. Five kids go to an island with their mad scientist parents and basically have amazing spy adventures. This series is geared toward 9+ years, but his other books and collections of stories are geared for younger kids (some of which are about aliens, which may appeal to his Star Wars attraction).
  
  There are so many more books out there, but I didn't want to overwhelm you with choices. Please let me know if there are a specific genre you'd think your son would be interested in, and I'll try to think of more (although I was much more into fantasy when I was younger). Your son is so lucky to have a parent who encourages his reading!!
  
  P.S. I LOVED The Phantom Tollbooth when I was younger :D

Full text:

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The Official SAT Study Guide 2020 Edition (currently $19), despite not having changed much from the 2018 edition, is still the most essential SAT preparation book on the market. This is neither because the book contains useful SAT strategy advice, nor because the answer explanations are particularly helpful or easy to understand—the strategy advice is almost nonexistent, and the answer explanations are sometimes insightful but far too often convoluted, simplistic and/or incomplete. Instead, the book’s primary value lies in the fact that it includes 8 full practice SATs for only about $.02 per page.

How is this book different from the 2018 edition of the Official SAT Study Guide (https://www.amazon.com/Official-SAT-Study-Guide-2018/dp/1457309289), of which you can also read my detailed Amazon customer review (#1 on top) ? The first 294 pages of the book (the portion before the tests) are exactly the same. 6 of the 8 tests are the same—though the order has been reversed. And the two new tests—which show up as the first two tests in the book—are the October 2018 and October 2017 SATs, respectively, which are not yet available for download through College Board but can be found easily with a Google search. SAT practice tests #2 and #4 are gone, though you can still find them easily with a Google search. If we agree to call the October 2018 SAT test #10, and the October 2017 SAT test #9, then the tests are in the order 10,9,8,7,6,5,3,1.

Although 6 of the 8 the tests in this book are indeed free to download from the College Board / Khan Academy websites and print out at home (I expect the other 2 to be available as free PDF downloads soon), the cost of doing so would most likely exceed $19 unless you have a free/low-cost printing option. In addition, there is significant value in having all the tests literally bound together in one place—it makes it easy to stay organized, and since the SAT doesn’t provide scratch paper, you can practice by taking all of your notes right there in the book.

In fact, I would suggest that you buy 2 copies of this book: one for taking notes, and the other to keep blank, so that you can review questions later without bias. This is known as the “blind review” method and it works wonders.

You will notice that there is no Kindle version of this book, but again, you can download PDFs of the individual tests, scoring guides and answer explanations from the College Board / Khan Academy websites for free, which is far easier than the Kindle format anyway. That being said, it would be nice if the College Board would put a PDF of the entire book on its website as well--the first 300 pages of the book do include some useful advice on the essay, for example--though again, that advice could be vastly improved.

Of course, these 8 official SATs are just scratching the surface of what’s out there in terms of official SAT practice material: as of this writing I’ve counted 36 official SATs and PSATs in the new format that are publicly available online—and that doesn’t include other test forms that have been leaked.

Finally, in 2015, I also wrote an exhaustive Amazon review of the original (2016) edition of this book (https://www.amazon.com/Official-SAT-Study-Guide-2016/dp/1457304309), which I’m happy to say is also the #1 review of that book on Amazon. Please feel free to give that review a read as well, and to google “SAT Action Plan: How to Study and Prepare for the SAT College Entrance Exam” for a full list of my personal SAT prep recommendations.

Best of luck on your SAT and beyond,

-Brian

You're starting early, which is best. I would recommend this book to you: How To Be A High School Superstar. It details what you should do to get into top colleges.

Overall, I'd say strive for straight A's, score well over 700 on each section of the SAT, and try to find ONE thing your son is passionate about and follow that to the highest level possible.

Don't be one of those boring "well rounded" students who has great grades, test scores, and is on a club. They're looking for people who make impact. As I was told from a former Duke admissions officer, "Every student body has to have a President, Every year book has to have an editor, but who are the movers and shakers? Who is making impact?"

Winning awards like Nextel Science competition is major, doing research in a field is impressive, etc.

Overall, make sure your son is "different." He's going to apply 4 years from now, and at the rate things are going, I would assume that there will be probably 45,000+ applicants by then. What is going to make him different from those other applications?

Make sure he loves learning for the sake of learning and is taking control of his own education. Make sure he follows his passions during the summer, because elite schools want to know what these kids are doing during the summers. Make sure he leaves an impact in his school and forms a strong bond with his teacher.

Make sure he's "high impact" in some type of field. The keyword being "impact."

Here's a link to a youtube video of a former Stanford admissions officer :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96XL8vBBB7o




http://www.amazon.com/How-High-School-Superstar-Revolutionary/dp/0767932587/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459262515&sr=8-1&keywords=high+school+superstar

hmm so you’re pretty evenly split there. 41 days may not seem like a lot, but it is plenty of time for a large improvement if you study well and consistently. i can’t truly predict any one number since i don’t know you or your work ethic/capabilities but i’ll try and give u some tips for each section to maximize ur time before the august test :)

math: if you haven’t already, purchase the college panda SAT math book ( The College Panda's SAT Math: Advanced Guide and Workbook for the New SAT https://www.amazon.com/dp/0989496422/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Ze.kDb1QDZA61 ). it’s truly a godsend. work through this entire book over the course of around two weeks, highlighting, taking notes in the margins, and doing EVERY PRACTICE PROBLEM. you’ll see significant results right away. use khan academy to practice individual problem types if you still have trouble after using this book (i swear this book & uworld — which is sadly no longer free but if you can afford it it’s a great resource — got me -0M)

Writing: you really need to get a strong foundation in “standard” american english grammar. i put standard in quotes cuz college board keeps its own grammar rules and likes them a distinct way. all of the rules you need to know (as well as helpful tips for the other section) i learned from the SAT black book ( SAT Prep Black Book: The Most Effective SAT Strategies Ever Published https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692916164/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.i.kDbWGRK8W2 ). again, highlight and take notes in the margins and read through a couple of the walkthroughs this book provides

Reading: this is the toughest to improve in, but not impossible. really work on math and writing before attempting to tackle this section. if you don’t know this already, the best advice any person on this sub can give you for this section is that THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS IN THE PASSAGE, AND IS 100% SUPPORTED BY THE PASSAGE AND CAN BE BACKED UP WITH EVIDENCE FROM THE PASSAGE. that being said, CB is a nasty bitch that excels at making tricky answers that readers with poor comprehension skills tend to choose. this is best remedied by reading a lot in your free time, specifically high level texts

1. Girls to the Rescue series -- In most heroic tales, a helpless young lady waits around for a prince to rescue her. But the spunky girls in this entertaining series are much too busy saving the day to await Prince Charming. These adaptations and original stories from around the world inspire readers to become a new kind of heroine.
   
   
2. The Enchanted Forest Chronicles series -- Princess Cimorene. Rangy, curious, energetic, matter-of-fact, she rolls up her sleeves and gets the job done with a happy disregard for the traditions of her role. Although her parents want her to stifle her improper interests in fencing, Latin, and cooking, the princess is not about to be forced into marriage with the vapid prince they have chosen. She throws herself wholeheartedly into a career as a dragon's princess, a respectable role, although not one for which one usually volunteers. As she fends off nosy wizards, helps out hysterical princesses, and turns away determined rescuers...
   
   
3. Harry Potter. Sure, it's about a boy, but a person who is downtrodden and unhappy until he's whisked away to another world where he finds his inner strength. Over the course of the 7 books, Harry undergoes a dramatic transformation from a child filled with self-doubt and uncertainty to realizing he can do anything and he must summon the strength to do the impossible. As a parent, I saw numerous positive messages hidden in these stories.
   
   
4. Dear America series -- Fictional diaries of girls living in various points in American history.
   
   
5. Akiko series -- When fourth grader Akiko finds a spacecraft hovering outside her window one night, she begins the adventure of a lifetime. She is whisked off to the planet Smoo to lead a team searching for the King of Smoo’s kidnapped son. Akiko the head of a rescue mission? She’s afraid to be on the school’s safety patrol! So begins the adventures of Akiko, wherein she meets her team — Spuckler Boach, Gax, Poog, and Mr. Beeba — and sets off on a journey across Smoo to find a prince and become a leader. Wikipedia lists which books should be read in order and which ones can stand alone. Note: These are chapter books, not comic books. Akiko is based on a comic book series that came first.
   
   Also: The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes series, Judy Moody series and Animal Ark series. Animal Ark is not religious; the daughter of a veterinarian rescues animals. There are so many books in the series that after the first book, just pick books about animals your daughter likes.
   
   Some of these books may be above your daughter's reading level. Check the suggested age on Amazon or be prepared to read some aloud to her.

I love the Chronicles of Egg series, fun pirate adventures!

Has he read anything by Brandon Mull? He has several fun series, Fablehaven was his first and still most popular, I believe.

I loved the Chronicles of Chrestomanci by Diana Wynne Jones growing up, about a nine-lived enchanter in a world similar to ours. The best part was Ms. Jones was a prolific writer so if he likes these there are a lot more where that came from.

For an interesting new sci-fi series try The Search for WondLa. Kind of Alice in Wonderland with aliens.

And one of my favorite MG books for boys is Peter Nimble. It's just fantastic. I sold tons of copies when it first came out.

China Miéville's Un Lun Dun. It's a kids' book, but it's fantastic. Miéville turns a lot of the standard fantasy tropes on their heads, with thoroughly enjoyable results.

Dathan Auerbach's Penpal. Horror/suspense, written by a redditor, and debuted on reddit. The Kindle version is less than $4. Seriously creepy but totally worth it.

Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's Good Omens. I have never laughed so much while reading. It's phenomenal.

Neal Stephenson's The Diamond Age. What happens to poor people once nanotechnology can be used to make anything? It's my favorite of the Stephensons I've read, but it still ends like a Neal Stephenson novel. :|

Cory Doctorow's Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town. It's about the first-born son of a mountain and a washing machine. It's also about setting up wireless networks. Also: it's FREE.

Hope you enjoy some of these! :)

For Reading: https://www.amazon.com/Critical-Reader-3rd-Complete-Reading/dp/0997517875

For Writing: https://www.amazon.com/College-Pandas-SAT-Writing-Advanced/dp/098949649X/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=college+panda+sat+writing&qid=1563901164&s=gateway&sprefix=college+panda&sr=8-3 or https://www.amazon.com/4th-Ultimate-Guide-SAT-Grammar/dp/0997517867/ref=pd_aw_fbt_14_img_2/133-6279214-8476330?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0997517867&pd_rd_r=b1b3ba1b-4d03-4aef-8534-fb724df88793&pd_rd_w=tVeGd&pd_rd_wg=AG0DL&pf_rd_p=3ecc74bd-d08f-44bd-96f3-d0c2b89f563a&pf_rd_r=S0E4J8G00TRD6F0ZY1ZK&psc=1&refRID=S0E4J8G00TRD6F0ZY1ZK

For Math: https://www.amazon.com/College-Pandas-SAT-Math-Advanced/dp/0989496422/ref=pd_aw_fbt_14_img_2/133-6279214-8476330?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0989496422&pd_rd_r=6bc275dd-8dee-497b-aa49-17576266463e&pd_rd_w=YjIig&pd_rd_wg=Pc71l&pf_rd_p=3ecc74bd-d08f-44bd-96f3-d0c2b89f563a&pf_rd_r=P3X7H8SAQZT59M5F6FNV&psc=1&refRID=P3X7H8SAQZT59M5F6FNV or https://www.amazon.com/PWN-SAT-Guide-Mike-McClenathan/dp/1523963573/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=pwn+sat+math&qid=1563901232&s=gateway&sprefix=pwn+sa&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

For Essay (if you’re taking it): https://www.amazon.com/College-Pandas-SAT-Essay-Battle-tested/dp/0989496465/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=college+panda+essay&qid=1563901277&s=gateway&sr=8-3

For General Strategy: https://www.amazon.com/SAT-Prep-Black-Book-Strategies/dp/0692916164/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=sat+black+book&qid=1563901330&s=gateway&sprefix=sat+bla&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

For Practice Tests: https://www.amazon.com/Official-SAT-Study-Guide-2020/dp/1457312190/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=college+board+sat+2020&qid=1563901505&s=gateway&sprefix=college+board+&sr=8-3 (NOTE: These practice tests are available online but I prefer having them on paper, which is why I bought this book.) and https://amp.reddit.com/r/Sat/comments/9544rw/all_qas_tests_and_scoring_in_pdf_form/

Good online resources include Khan Academy, UWorld, and 1600.io. Also, I recommend taking a timed practice test often to follow along with your progress and see what you need to work on. Make sure to do the practice test all at once (don’t break it up into section) and try to do it in the morning like you would in the real SAT. Then, go over your mistakes very carefully (this is VERY IMPORTANT) until you truly understand the mistake so that you won’t make it again in the future. This is the most important step. If you skip this, it’s unlikely that you see any meaningful score improvement. Also, It’s up to you which resources you buy/use based on what sections you need help with. Good luck!

Hey, OP! High school English teacher/book nerd here. Hopefully I can help you find a book that you enjoy! I reviewed your criteria, and the only thing I would like you to reconsider is the length. I know, I know, typical English teacher trying to get you to read more, but I promise you if us Redditors can find you a book you LOVE, then you won't want to put it down! I've read the following list, and think they fit your list for the most part (especially the suitable for a 13-year-old young man, this is essential for my job every day!)

Here's some young adult books that fall into the horror (read: horror, supernatural, psychological thriller, etc) or realistic fiction.


The Replacements: Mackie is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement — left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is slowly dying in the human world.


Asylum: Super creepy, twisting plot line, male protagonist, definitely a great read all around.


Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children: MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE BOOK ON THIS LIST A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. If you like this book, definitely read Asylum; I found those two went well together.

Unwind: This is a dystopian (realistic fiction) novel that we teach in 7th grade in my school district. Our students LOVE it, and the good news is that it is a series! We do require mom and dad to sign off before they read (and have never had any complaints...), but check with your parents before you delve into this one!

Alright, since you're not going for any electronic resources, I'll list a couple of books. Your main problem seems to be English in general. While the books might help you, I recommend reading a lot. Try historical and scientific articles online or even in a book. Read a couple of classics by Charles Dickens or Victor Hugo.


1- Kaplan https://www.amazon.com/SAT-Prep-Plus-2018-Strategies/dp/1506221300
This book has exceptional EBRW practice and thorough explanation with multiple methods of approaches. The math section is alright, but I feel that it is a little easier than the actual test.


2- Dr. John Chung's SAT math book. https://www.amazon.com/Dr-John-Chungs-SAT-Math/dp/1481959794
A phenomenal book. It has challenging question in the math section that will over prepare you. If you can get a 700 on his tests, you're set up on getting an 800 for the math section.


3- Barron's New SAT 28th edition https://www.amazon.com/Barrons-NEW-SAT-28th-Sat/dp/1438006497
Great book for learning the entirety of standard English convention and reading strategies. The EBRW questions might be a little easier than the actual thing, but the information it provides is meritorious. The math section also has some challenging problems that will over prepare you.

The official SAT study guide (alias blue book.) https://www.amazon.com/Official-SAT-Study-Guide-2018/dp/1457309289
This is the best book to test all you've practiced for. After you complete all other books, take all 8 practice tests. This will prepare you well.


Now for some tips:
1- Focus on your writing section more at the begining. Getting 44/44 in this section while missing 10 on the reading puts your score at 740-760. It weighs more.

2-Write some essays and have someone check them. It'll help you spot mistakes easier.

3-Calm down, you can always take it again.


Good luck!

I've read and loved almost all of the recommendations already here (TAMORA PIERCE). But to add some that haven't been mentioned (and trying really hard to not overload you with 20 books at once), I read and reread Robin McKinley's The Hero and the Crown and its prequel so. many. TIMES. Maybe even more than I reread Tamora Pierce. Patricia McKillip, Maria Snyder, Patricia C. Wrede (Dealing with Dragons quartet), Althea Kontis, Francesca Lia Block, Libba Bray and Susan Fletcher (Dragon Chronicles) are similar authors to check out for awesome female-driven fantasy, with varying degrees of lightheartedness. Wrede, Fletcher, Snyder and Kontis all wrote books that lean a little less epic/serious, Block writes a lot in prose that's also a very quick (but more intense) read, McKillip tends to be more wordy but beautifully so, and Bray can kind of go either way depending on the series.

For more contemporary fiction, RACHEL COHN (of "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist"). Her Gingerbread series has content a good deal more mature than Angus, Thongs, etc., but her style is similarly irreverent and witty and really fun. Seriously, check her out. Sharon Creech's Walk Two Moons is like a much younger version of Cohn, still zingy and sweet. For a quieter modern-day read, Garret Freymann-Weyr writes realistic (more mature) young adult relationships, and introduced me to the idea of bisexuality in a sort of roundabout way.

Julia Alvarez relates stories about the Latina-American experience incredibly well, although I think the first book I read by her takes place solely in the Dominican Republic. According to my reading list, I guess young me got sick of reading about other white people, so I'll add Marjane Satrapi's hilarious graphic novel Persepolis and the more sedate Shabanu series by Suzanne Fisher Staples.

I'd also strongly second comments for Gail Carson Levine, E.L. Konigsberg, and did I mention Tamora Pierce?

(I tried to link a lot of authors to my faves from their work, but I won't be mad if you never look at any of them. Is your reading list long enough now? Also, I know you didn't ask for a ton of fantasy/historical fiction recs, but I think a lot of us defined our teenagerhood by and identified more strongly with one of those series or another.)

tl;dr my top three recs that haven't been mentioned yet are Rachel Cohn, Julia Alvarez, and that one duo by Robin McKinley.

Well, if there has to be a discussion on strong female characters, it's only fair to discuss the boys.

I think strength would be better defined as well-rounded characters who avoid stock cliches and change (for better or for worse) through the course of a novel. So at this point, I don't think a battle-weary swordsman with a dead family bent on protecting his sweetheart and little sister while adhering to a code of chivalry is a particularly strong male character - even if he is harboring some pretty heavy traditionally male features. Unless he has some other things going on for him, he sounds pretty boring to me.

I've said this before, but I'd like to see more boys - of any orientation - comfortable with traditionally feminine hobbies or attributes. There are plenty of examples in anime, but in literature, all I can think of from the top of my head is Park's use of guyliner in Eleanor and Park. It's almost standard for girls in books to like sports or camping or being a tomboy, but you don't often see authors writing about boys enjoying musicals, or baking, or wedding planning, or whose favorite color is pink even though that's everywhere in real life.

Note: these examples are drawn from the cigar-smoking, whiskey-drinking, project car and video game enthusiast STEM majors who frequently inhabit my kitchen. They were teenagers once. Not much changed except the acne.

I just saw that someone had been gifted A Wrinkle in Time and it brought back such good memories for me. I remember loving that book when I was younger :) I'd love to read it again!

I'm so sorry you have to work this weekend, I know that feeling :( This weekend I will be participating in a yard sale (which is awesome because I have tons of junk I need to sell!) Then my dad and I are going to look at a car (and I hope to buy it!) Sunday I'm going with my family and my roomie and his family to the Sugarloaf Craft Festival :)

Thanks for hosting! I hope work won't be too terrible for you this weekend <3

Happy Friday

Sarah Dessen's books are good summer reads. She just released a book recently, but I would start with The Truth About Forever.

The Divergent series by Veronica Roth was also really good and has a similar feel to The Hunger Games.


I love reading books! If I happen to win, I would love a paperback version of The Giver. Thanks for the contest! :)

YA lit is my favourite genre, and i remember being that age and being bored with what the school had us read.
Ideas for you: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Dealing with Dragons series by Patricia C. Wrede (anything by her, actually, but that's where I'd start)

I'll second the Redwall books, there are a BUNCH!

On a slightly different topic, 9 was the age I started reading Dorothy Gilman (specifically, Caravan and Incident at Badamya)and Elizabeth Peters's Amelia Peabody books. If she is a sophistocated reader, they are pretty awesome mystery/exotic books with light romance but nothing narsty.

I myself have just spent my summer re-reading Tamora Pierce's Tortall books for the heck of it, and those are super awesome, if she hasn't read them already. Why don't you have her look over our suggestions, haha?

Labor Day! I would love a new book to read I have a few books on my list but the number one book I would like to read is City of Bones, & my second choice would be The Witching Hour. You're amazing thank you for a great contest! As for a favorite quote from a book none come to mind right away I usually love the book as a whole.

I would start by taking a practice test as a diagnostic to gauge where you stand. Generally speaking, Math and Writing are the easiest to improve, so don't be discouraged by an initial low score because you can make a lot of improvement just by learning the relevant math/grammar concepts.

As far as materials go:

For Writing, you've got either Erica Meltzer (if you prefer a very dense writing style) or College Panda (if you prefer something more to the point). Meltzer also has a separate workbook of 6 practice tests to use after you've learned the concepts. Note that Writing isn't ALL grammar-oriented ... there WILL be Reading comprehension questions that require you to add a relevant detail or move a sentence to a logical location or think about the appropriate word in context. For these, you'll need to rely on the passage and choose the answer that is supported by textual details.

For Math, you've got College Panda ... he also has a book of 10 practice tests.

Reading is a bit of a trickier animal. On its surface, it's quite simple because every correct answer is 100% supported by the passage ... you just have to find it. You have to work on not letting your school English way of approaching Reading seep into the SAT because interpretive answers that sound good in a literature class are wrong the SAT ... you want to think literally.

Erica Meltzer is thrown around on the sub as having good information for Reading, but I honestly think grinding through official sections and understanding your mistakes is the best approach. Don't work on just explaining the right answer but also explaining why all the others are wrong to refine your elimination technique.

If you need a general overview of the test, I see the SAT Prep Black book thrown around every now and then.

Take practice tests to periodically gauge your progress. If you're afraid of running out of these, you've also got a selection of PSATs for practice. Be sure to review your errors and relate them back to concepts. Feel free to also download the free official SAT Question of the Day App for daily questions from the test-maker.

For explanations of official tests, you have 1600.io (only the first four tests are free) and Dr. Roger's Math Neighborhood (100% free but math only).

If you're more of an online learner, then use Khan Academy (free) to learn concepts and Uworld (requires subscription) as a practice question bank.

Good luck!

https://i.imgur.com/AI27uvV.jpg

If I won I would love either this skirt or this book!

Merry Fridaymas!

I was going to enter earlier which if I did I would say how yesterday my exciting plans were going on a wine trail with my SO. It was very fun, despite dying in the end LOL. If that doesn't count then I don't really have anything exciting planned for this upcoming weekend 'cause all that's planned is work.

/u/MisterMagellan you have such a lovely smile & eyes! <3

Sure! I know exactly what you mean. So, I will say that a lot of the most interesting stuff in Fantasy is (and has for a while) being done in YA fantasy, and I don't mean stuff like Twilight.

Garth Nix's Abhorsen series (starting with Sabriel) is excellent. Melina Marchetta's Finnikin of the Rock is kind of along the lines of what you're talking about, but is really well done.

Just about anything by Dianna Wynne Jones is great, I will call out specifically Howl's Moving Castle (the inspiration for the Miyazaki film of the same name) and also her 6 part [Chronicles of Chrestomanci] (http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Chrestomanci-Charmed-Lives-Christopher/dp/006447268X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417629757&sr=1-1&keywords=chronicles+of+chrestomanci).

If you're in the mood for something more adult, I really enjoyed Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series, starting with Kushiel's Dart, but that gets into some S&M stuff, which, YMMV.

And then Terry Pratchett's Discworld. Which is just fantastic.

Sounds like he views reading as a chore and not a form of entertainment. It may be that he hasn't found a book that clicks with him yet. Try focusing on his interests. Does he have a favorite movie? If its been adapted from a book, it might keep his interest.

Take clues from how he spends his free time. What kind of games does he play? Both Halo and Warcraft have their own line of books. I think it boils down to he need to find reading entertaining, and only he will be able to make that distinction.

He are some choices to try out:

• Scary Stories to tell in the Dark
  
• Redwall
  
• James and the Giant Peach ... heck, ANY Roald Dahl
  
• The Mouse and The Motorcycle
  
• Halo
  
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid - This one has been very popular with kids that didn't like reading.
  
  Calvin and Hobbes, Far Side, or even try manga, Naruto is very popular.
  
  
  Good luck with finding the something that he likes.

I would check out most of Cal Newport's recent writings. He received his PhD in Computer Science from MIT, and is now teaching at Georgetown.

His main thesis is deliberate practice consists of lots of different facets, most of which aren't necessarily thought about. While his work focuses a lot on improving work in "knowledge fields" it is drawn mostly from creative pursuits. He argues that thinking about your habits for practicing and learning (meta-habits) are just as important as sitting down to practice or learn. For example, knowing how to build a clear path of improvement and success in learning the piano is as important as sitting down and working through the hard parts. Sometimes the hardest part is simply figuring out where it is wisest to invest your time.


His article "The Deliberate Creative" I found to be particularly enlightening, among others. He's also been published in the New York Times, The Economist, and has five bestselling books.

On a side note, I originally found him looking for ways to improve my study habits, which is what he originally wrote about as an undergraduate. Any current high school or college students would benefit GREATLY (IMO) from his blog and first three books. Seriously, the guy has some great stuff.

In her defense, I hated "The Great Gatsby" too, and I consider reading/literature to be my number 1 hobby. Not every book is for every person.

If she likes horror stories/movies, my top suggestion is Stephen King. All very creepy, minimal to no sexuality in most stories, and the best part is that he has numerous short story collections for the attention impaired. I actually prefer his shorts to his novels. I'd start with Night Shift, Nightmares & Dreamscapes, or Skeleton Crew, as these are all classic creepy King. A slightly newer but also excellent collection is Everything's Eventual.

If she doesn't want to try King, maybe something like The Forest Of Hands And Teeth would catch her interest. It's 'The Village' meets '28 Days Later' in a way, a teen novel and the first in a trilogy.

If she likes graphic novels, there are graphic novelizations of many popular fiction books out there. This HuffPo list has classics like Dante's Inferno and Farenheit 451. Campfire Graphic Novels has tons of classics and nonfiction graphic novels. They are usually for a younger set, but that just means she'd read them faster.

Oh boy, a question I can answer.

I constantly search for superhero books. There are quite a few books in this thread that I like that other people have mentioned. Here's are two I enjoyed that I think have not yet been mentioned.

Prepare to Die! by Paul Tobin

A superhero is defeated by a group of villains. The lead villain gloats and monologues. The situation is dire. How will our intrepid hero escape this peril? A sneaky attack? A rescue by his allies?

No. He gives up.

Reaver, the hero of the story, is burnt-out. He's been fighting for too long, he's seen too many awful things, and all his friends are long dead. He asks the villains for a few weeks to get his affairs in order. Then they can kill him without a fuss.

I enjoyed this story immensely. There are quite a few action scenes, but it's mainly about a hero reminiscing about his old life and trying to tie up some loose ends. The story has lots of flashbacks, which bothers some people. Furthermore, the main character is rather young and rough-and-tumble guy who lived his life as a sort of superhero rock-star, and thus talks very frankly about sex and drugs and the like. This frank talk is the main complaint I've heard about the book, but your own mileage may vary. It didn't bother me at all.

Wearing the Cape! series by Mario G. Harmon

In a world were people gain superpowers in response to trauma, Hope Corrigan becomes a super heroine after a terrorist attack drops a bridge on top of her car.

In this world, superheroes are all corporate. They join teams, have sponsorships, have agents, and sell merchandise. They are carefully regulated by the government and have to undergo strict training.

This story has a very fleshed out, fascinating world, one which I feel presents an accurate depiction of what the real world would look like with superheroes. The main character, Hope, is great. I'm a dude, but I feel as though she's a very well written female character. There are no love triangles, no exasperating sexual tensions, no becoming dysfunctional around her crush, etc etc. She's not a Michelle Rodriguez stereotypical "badass" female character either, she's actually the kind of girl who covers her bed with stuffed animals and listens to cheesy pop songs. Overall, a very good book with a very good main character.

wow! you're so generous!! i've been wanting a kindle fire for college because i'll be able to use it in class for notes and most of my classes last semester required ebook readers for the textbooks and my mom also wanted one so i'd love to share it with her too

i have books on my wishlist that i wanted in paper back but if i were to win the kindle i wouldn't mind any of them but for a specific one This book City of bones i saw the trailer for the movie and it looked amazing and i like reading the books before watching the movies

you truly are really amazing mister numbers man :P

Get those kids some books!

[This was my FAVORITE series as a kid!](Redwall (Redwall, Book 1) by Brian Jacques et al. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0142302376/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_Imontb0WZZHMF)
They were so fun to read, and written for young audiences as well. I love animals and adventure. :) They are novels through so probably above 5 year old level, but would make great bedtime stories still.

I have lots of books in my wishlist if I win. I also love books!

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson is a favorite of mine, kind of a weird fantasy/superhero riff that has some rather dark elements, but is generally funny and sweet.

Through the Woods by Emily Carrol is darker, a collection of some excellent, short scary stories (most structured like fairy tales) in comics form. If your daughter likes horror at all, I strongly recommend her work, she is very good. His Face All Red is collected in the book, and is a good introduction to her work.

Added to my kiddos' wishlist! :)

My daughter Rylee is 7. She's a huge bookworm! The last book she read was the second book in the Amulet series. My other daughter, Trinity, is 4 and loves to read about dragons. One of her favorite books so far has been The Egg, which is about a baby dragon. :)

Thank you for the contest! ♥

Do not take the actual SAT just to see how you do. Many colleges request the full testing history and will see your first score.

Instead, do one of these official practice tests from the College Board:

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/full-length-practice-tests

My recommendation is to print it out and do it on paper. However, the most cost-efficient option is to purchase the Official SAT Study Guide, which includes the 8 practice tests (it's $19 with ~1000 pages, and you save a lot on printing costs). It can be found here:

https://www.amazon.com/Official-SAT-Study-Guide-2018/dp/1457309289/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524454802&sr=8-1&keywords=official+sat+study+guide+2018+edition

I highly suggest skipping the CollegeBoard's "study guide" (the first ~200 pages or so), as most of it is fluff that won't help you. Instead, take practice test 1 as a diagnostic.

Then, sign up for Khan Academy practice. Khan Academy will help you tremendously considering the position you're at now. They have skill levels from 1-4 for all math concepts. If you have the time and dedication, level up for the math as much as you can. However, KA math is best used as content review/practice and not as practice for the actual math questions. The questions tend to be phrased awkwardly and are not identical to those you will encounter on the SAT.

Instead, once you have a solid grasp and conceptual understanding of the Algebra II topics, sign up for UWorld (free code on the sidebar) and complete as many math problems as possible. Reading and writing are phenomenal on KA and much better than UWorld, though, so I recommend KA for that.

If you have the time and dedication, you can easily achieve your target score of 1450. You still have several months left, and you will be shocked on how quickly your score will go up. Don't waste your money on tutoring services; you'll be able to increase your score far more on your own.

Space out the official practice tests by about 2 weeks. They should be completed under real timed conditions and serve best as diagnostics for how your studying has been paying off. If you don't see an improvement on subsequent practice tests, then something is wrong with the way you're studying. Do not use the practice tests as merely practice questions, because there are a plethora of practice questions available to you on UWorld.

Once you feel confident with your score on the official practice tests, then take the real SAT.

Good luck!

Gregor the Overlander is a pretty good series!



City of Ember




Inkheart, I don't know if its a bit young for him, but I remember enjoying it over a vast course of ages




Redwall!




The Wind Singer, my personal favorite. Part of a trilogy. I remember loving these when I was younger

This github project will download Worm and convert it to a .mobi ebook. Wildbrow has said he's OK with people making personal ebooks, provided they do not distribute them.

It's the only book I've not been able to read without recharging my Kindle; over 5000 pages, and it keeps the I-must-know-what-happens-next quality for that entire length.

In my opinion it's the greatest superhero story in any medium.

---

I also enjoyed Wearing The Cape which has a very "real" feeling to it in how the world has changed with the advent of superheros. There are plenty of little touches like airliners having clearly marked areas for a flying hero to support them in an emergency or OSHA limiting how long heroes can work continuously once an initial crisis is dealt with and it's in the cleanup phase or the hero groups working to generate as much positive PR as possible because they're aware of just how much public sentiment can shift against capes if there's a bad supervillian attack.

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede. It's technically a young adult book, but I've loved it all my life and still do. The characters are AMAZING and you will laugh out loud reading it.

Sherwood Smith. Start with Crown Duel because it's the best to start with from Pierce, but she has a number of really wonderful books. Possibly Maria Snyder's books as well. I didn't discover those until many years since I'd worked through every Pierce book more than once, but they're probably still age appropriate. I'd start with Poison Study. The Enchanted Forest series could also be a nice option. Walter Moers might be a bit intimidating at 12, but I'm a big fan. Robin McKinley's Damar series would also be good.

For elaborate world building, it's tough to beat Dune. Intergalactic politics in the wake of an AI rebellion, deep mysticism and Bedouin-flavored lore, religious fanatics, a drug that makes the universe go round, and giant freaking sandworms!

Ender's Game is another popular suggestion to get you into reading. I preferred Dune, though.

Another good read that I enjoyed immensely was Unwind by Neal Shusterman. After the United States has fought a second civil war over abortion, a new deal is struck - no abortion, but unwinding up to the age of 18. It's dark and twisted and I loved it... especially considering it's a young adult novel, which is not my genre of choice.

Odd Thomas is a fun series, but Koontz can be kind-of hit or miss. I'm finding the odd-numbered books in the series to be better than the even-numbered ones, but that's just based on the first four. I wonder if that was intentional?

Wow, what a great contest

Hellooo my name is Kate! This is my favorite ebook from amazon. I read a snippet about a year ago and I've wanted to read it ever since! I love reading and a kindle would make it so much easier to do so.

Read How to be a High School Superstar.

Other than managing your grades and standardized test scores, the majority of the book is about building achievement in your extracurricular activities. It's certainly not too late as a rising junior, but you do have limited time, so get started on this endeavor immediately.

This is all assuming your grades are good (3.8+). Take a practice ACT and new SAT this summer. Figure out which test you prefer, which should usually be the one you find easier and score higher on. Find suitable resources (college confidential, as hated as it is, has a lot of test prep advice) to raise your score as much as possible. Sign up for the October administration of your chosen test and make sure to take practice tests in the weeks leading up to it. If your score meets the threshold of the universities you wanna attend (assuming 34+ and 1500+ for top tier schools), you're done with testing. If not, keep studying and try to get that done by the end of the semester. Take your subject tests in June.

Wish me good luck as a rising senior!

What sort of fantasy do you think you would like? High fantasy, modern day real world fantasy, steam punk, romance, adventure, coming of age?

If you are looking at staying with a Young Adult fantasy theme, I would suggest Cassandra Clare's series, [The Mortal Instruments] (https://www.amazon.com/Bones-Mortal-Instruments-Cassandra-Clare/dp/1481455923/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1478740289&sr=8-3&keywords=the+mortal+instruments) and it's prequel series, [The Infernal Devices] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1481456024/ref=pd_sim_14_6?ie=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1481456024&pd_rd_r=H6XGB69FAEC3097ZA851&pd_rd_w=lLXM8&pd_rd_wg=MOvOs&psc=1&refRID=H6XGB69FAEC3097ZA851) . The prequel series is actually my favorite of the two. It is steam punk fantasy while the other is not. I also would recommend [The Dresden Files] (https://www.amazon.com/Storm-Front-Dresden-Files-Butcher/dp/0451457811/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1478740351&sr=1-1&keywords=dresden+files), by Jim Butcher even though they are not Young Adult. They contain every type of fantasy creature and setting you could imagine. It's a series about a private detective in modern day Chicago who also happens to be a wizard.

If you want to delve into a zombie genre, I have enjoyed [The Forest of Hands and Teeth] (https://www.amazon.com/Forest-Hands-Teeth-Carrie-Ryan/dp/0385736827/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478740244&sr=8-1&keywords=forest+of+hands+and+teeth) series by Carrie Ryan as well as [The Enemy] (https://www.amazon.com/Enemy-new-cover-Novel/dp/1484721462/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478740190&sr=8-1&keywords=the+enemy+charlie+higson) series by Charlie Higson.

I will take you up on this too if you still feel like doing it for more than 99 cents. I couldn't find under .99 either but these are all under $3.00 as well:

Look Behind You $2.00

[Miss Peregrine's Home for Pecuilar Children] (http://www.amazon.com/Miss-Peregrines-Home-Peculiar-Children-ebook/dp/B004FGMDOQ/ref=sr_1_18?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1419918189&sr=1-18) $1.99

[Eleanor and Park] (http://www.amazon.com/Eleanor-Park-Rainbow-Rowell-ebook/dp/B008SAZHLQ/ref=sr_1_24?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1419918189&sr=1-24) $2.50

[Me before you] (http://www.amazon.com/Me-Before-You-Jojo-Moyes-ebook/dp/B0089EHWQE/ref=sr_1_30?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1419918263&sr=1-30) $2.99

Thank you so much! I am new here and it seems nice :)

Emily Carroll wrote a book! Through the Woods is a beautiful, utterly beautiful book by my favorite author. You can read some of her stories on her website--check out "His Face All Red". All her stories are deeply unsettling, she is amazing at what she does!

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

In Mary’s world there are simple truths.
The Sisterhood always knows best.
The Guardians will protect and serve.
The Unconsecrated will never relent.
And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

I absolutely loved the “Redwall” series by Brian Jacques and “The Alchemyst: Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel” series by Michael Scott as a young adult (still love them now) plus you’ll be set for the next few birthdays and holidays. They both have plenty of sequels in their respective series! (22 novels in the Redwall series and 6 in The Alchemyst series!)

I don't usually brag about myself, but my family always has. I'm smart, apparently. I don't think so though. I'm not stupid by any means, but I'm not "smart," as people are led to believe; I use common sense to figure out problems, and somehow manage to remember what I need for school without studying.

I'd really like a gift card, if that's okay. I'm saving up for stuff. If not, this book looks neat.

Happy birthday! What's the most exciting thing that happened in your 23rd year on this planet?

I'm excited to turn 24 in 2 years. By then I'll hopefully have a job teaching and making money. crosses fingers lol

item

Do not get overly stressed about your first SAT. You can retake it as many times as you want, and you can always improve. You are not on any sort of time limit, for the test or for your future. The best way to prepare for your next attempt is by working through the official SAT study guide produced by ETS, who also produces the SAT test (shocker). You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Official-SAT-Study-Guide-2018/dp/1457309289. If you work through the exercises in the study guide, I am very confident you will improve your SAT score for next time.

The Sat is definitely doable without taking an SAT prep class. I took mine this October and I'm pretty sure I did fine (I hope). You should definitely grind khan prep class or not. If you're struggling in reading or writing I recommend purchasing the SAT Black Book. It really changes how you see the test and after reading this gem I started getting consistent high 1500's on my practice tests. Remember it's not just reading this book that gets you that dream score, you have to actually apply it and practice the techniques they give you. It ultimately comes down to how much effort you put in. No SAT prep class is gonna be a substitute for actual practice.

​

https://www.amazon.com/SAT-Prep-Black-Book-Strategies/dp/0692916164/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3UBDRMFO3VBQY&keywords=sat+black+book+2019&qid=1571189264&sprefix=sat+blac%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzQTlVUEtEU0RENDM1JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODkxMjAzMlMyQk80SVhRTVRKVSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODI2Nzk3M082T1RQNkczN0FZNiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Jack goes to the doctor and says "Doc I'm having trouble getting my penis erect, can you help me?"

After a complete examination the doctor tells Jack, "Well the problem with you is that the muscles around the base of your penis are damaged. There's really nothing I can do for you except if you're willing to try an experimental treatment."

Jack asks sadly, "What is this treatment?" "Well," the doctor explains, "what we would do is take the muscles from the trunk of a baby elephant and implant them in your penis."

Jack thinks about it silently then says, "Well the thought of going
through life without ever having sex again is too much, lets go for it."

A few weeks after the operation Jack was given the green light to use his improved equipment. He planned a romantic evening for his girl friend and took her to one of the nicest restaurants in the city. In the middle of dinner he felt a stirring between his legs that continued to the point of being uncomfortable.

To release the pressure Jack unzipped his fly. His penis immediately sprung from his pants, went to the top of the table, grabbed a dinner roll and then returned to his pants.

His girl friend was stunned at first but then said with a sly smile, "That was incredible! Can you do that again?"

Jack replied, "Well, I guess so, but I'm not sure I can fit another dinner roll up my ass!"

FunnyPants

*I'd love this kindle book.

I took both and can tell you that they are two very different exams. The AP exam is more conceptual based--less factual regurgitation happening there. However, the SAT II is, in contrast, mostly factual based. You gotta get your memorization down.

There is a lot of plant stuff on there which, IIRC, isn't stressed in AP Bio, and is sometimes skipped altogether. Dont confuse what I said with photosynthesis, I'm talking about like parts of the plant (ex: apical meristem, plant classifications).

The SAT II is also easier to study for since you pretty much know what's going to be on the exam. The exam is all multiple choice (like all subject tests) and the questions are a bit different than the AP multiple choice. The beginning of the test will usually provide you with an image, which you then have to label with the choices they give you. That's just blunt memorization right there. The rest of the questions really don't stress concepts.

I remember one that gave me a picture of the heart and asked me to label the major sections (vena cava, right/left atrium, ventricles, etc.) Another question gave me a choices of 4 animals and asked me which one was a reptile. No joke. (That doesnt mean the test is easy though...)

This exam is the only real SAT II Bio released by CollegeBoard. Take a look at it and you will see what I mean--it is very different from the AP. Time yourself, practice with it, and see what you get. If you want the book where its from, here you go.

I recommend taking the Molecular Biology test, since that's essentially the core of what you did in AP. Ecological is easier, but looked as less favorably in admissions.

Brandon Sanderson: That man is genius. Writes fantasy with his own twists and spins a plot that surprises you more often than not. I fell in love with Mistborn-Trilogy, the way he makes you relate to every one of his characters and he really doesn't have just one main character, another lovely thing. One of the best book-series I've ever read, left me wanting so much more. (So I picked up his most recent book that turned out to be as addictive: Steelheart <3) The whole Mistborn series has been written so the reader learns about the history and things with the same pace than the characters, so you are graving as much the plot as the information about the history and lore :D Aaaand: Another good thing! He's managed to write quite a lot already <3
EDIT: The book I would like to read: This

All the real CB exams you'll have a very hard time finding online but they are available in CB books.

US History:

There are 4 released exams here https://www.amazon.com/Official-Subject-History-Study-Guide/dp/1457309319/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539652156&sr=8-1&keywords=9781457309311&dpID=51IAsh0C6OL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

French:

The most recently released exam is in here https://www.amazon.com/Official-Study-Guide-Subject-Tests/dp/0874479754/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1539652341&sr=8-2&keywords=the+official+study+guide+for+all+sat+subject+tests&dpID=516QUs3wKRL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

For simulation exams use Barron's. The PR book is way too easy.

Literature:

Same situation as French. For simulation exams I recommend Kaplan (8 practice tests) and Princeton Review (4 practice tests).

You are definitely not "fucked". You can easily turn things around. Even if you go to a "mediocre" college, you can still do incredible things.

I'd recommend getting this book: https://www.amazon.com/How-High-School-Superstar-Revolutionary/dp/0767932587/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JJZN9DVPA6KDVKY71SFS

Great guide about how to get into the college you want. In your situation, I'd recommend you get it ASAP. Follow it and results will happen.

I would assume you would have a solid shot at Cornell. Cornell is actually the most transfer-friendly of the Ivies. I just applied to Cornell as a transfer student with a 34 and am waiting on my decision. However, most of the other Ivy League schools take a more limited number of transfers. Not to say that it would be impossible to transfer somewhere like Yale, for example, but your shot would be significantly lower than that of a first year applicant's. I think you should check out Cal Newport's "How to Become a High School Superstar." The title may sound corny, but the author details the stories of many successful gap year students. Here's the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/How-High-School-Superstar-Revolutionary/dp/0767932587. Also, as a prospective transfer student I've read a lot of material on the tips and tricks of transfer admission so feel free to PM me if you'd like to ask me anything! Hope this helps!!

Demon Haunted World is great for teaching skeptical critical thinking skills.
When I was around his age I loved Redwall. They're great books that really appeal to a young boys sense of wonder and adventure, all while teaching great life lessons along the way.

I just started this series and so far I like it :D.

Also if you like are into romance and fantasy at all I would recommend The fever series by Karen Marie Moning. Love that series!

I think you should read this book. I read it once a while ago and really loved it... sadly i no longer have my copy so if i win id love another copy of it!! Thanks for the contest, cause I love reading books!

Don't feel like you need to 'challenge' him with hard stuff. If it's interesting, he'll read it. A few books I remember reading between age 10 and 14 that were enjoyable were:

• The Giver by Lois Lowry is great for young adults.
  
  
• Farenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
  
  
• Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls
  
  
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams (though to be honest, a lot went over my head the first time through - still loved it)
  
  
• The BFG, by Roald Dahl
  
  
• Boy - Roald Dahl.
  
  A lot of my friends at the time loved the Redwall books by Brain Jacques. I didn't get into them, but your son might.
  
  

Un Lun Dun by China Mieville turns this idea on its head very nicely. The chosen one gets taken not long after the start of the novel. Her best friend goes and saves the day instead. Near the end she becomes known as the un-chosen one.

> Monument 14

That sounds really cool! I love all kinds of dystopias, and that's an interesting twist :)

I just finished one called Wearing the Cape last night, which was a fun superhero story, but since the sequel was a little expensive for a kindle edition, I caved and started A Dance with Dragons instead :)

The Enchanted Forest series by Patricia C Wrede is engaging, witty, and sex-free.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak is wonderful for everyone of any age. It has lyrical writing, a story that sticks with you, and moving imagery. I can't recommend it enough.

Tamora Pierce's Tortall novels are great (I'd recommend starting with the Protector of the Small series or The Immortals series). There is some sex in them, but it's not graphic and it's far from the focus of the books.

The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathon Stroud is witty, well-paced, and engaging.

The Sabriel series by Garth Nix is pretty dark, but no more so than the ones you listed.

Let us know what you end up getting her!

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede were my favorite when I was that age. It's a four book series and it's awesome. It's about a not-so-pretty princess who doesn't want to be rescued.

Get those kids some books!

oh lawd, this is going to be LONG
for advanced readers,

Enders Game

The Giver

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time

The Harry Potter Series

The Heir Apparent

Farenheit 451


A lot of these books can be read young and then reread when older to get more meaning

For younger beginning readers

Dr Seuss, I really remember Green Eggs and Ham, Go Dog go, and One Fish two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish


Oh and surprise me, i really like SciFi/Fantasy and have read the Dune Series and ASoIaF, but the Modern High Power Rocketry Book would be very very appreciated.

I'd totally recommend this book. It was an impulse buy on my part but it's a legitimate etiquette book.

Good luck OP, your aunt needs a serious reality check. Keep an eye out for her kid, okay? He deserves so much better!

We plan to use some of the strategies in this book to help our kids get into the colleges if their choice. It might be helpful to you. This book says it’s not so much about the GPA and test scores, but how you market yourself and the activities you do. Good luck! How to Be a High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Plan to Get into College by Standing Out (Without Burning Out) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0767932587/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-OXwDbBD4B293

[This] (http://www.amazon.com/Unwind-Dystology-Neal-Shusterman/dp/1416912053/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1BGV2L2FWNXQM&coliid=I2IB05LZCRBV85) book looks like an interesting concept. I have a love for dystopian novels and this one fits the bill. It is about people having the right to "unwind" their children. It sounds like a scary concept and I am intrigued by it. I have quite a few books like it on my [book WL] (http://amzn.com/w/1BGV2L2FWNXQM). I just recently read a great book about North Korea called [Escape from Camp 14] (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_5?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=escape%20from%20camp%2014&sprefix=escap%2Cstripbooks%2C282&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Aescape%20from%20camp%2014&ajr=2) which is a great memoir about a man's journey out of North Korea. I used to live in South Korea so the idea of North Korea and how they treat their people fascinates me.

I like big books and I cannot lie. I love to read and have several books to read on my nightstand but sometimes no time to read them. But that is life so it goes!

You should read [Redwall] (http://www.amazon.com/Redwall-Book-1-Brian-Jacques/dp/0142302376/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397698927&sr=1-1&keywords=redwall) by Brian Jacques. It's a fun fantasy novel, full of adventure - and talking animals. I would recommend the entire series.

/u/Morthy you shall be now dubbed Dr. Morthy-o. Let's play a pill version of Tetris.

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede are great. :-) it's a humorous take on fairy tale type stories.

Cape High

a light read but still very good, it alternate between characters each book, but still maintain a overall plot

The Indestructibles

really nice too

Kid Sensation

Rise of the Renegade X

Please don't tell my parents i'm a supervillain

Wearing the Cape

Meta

Vicious

http://www.amazon.com/The-Giver-Readers-Circle-Laurel-Leaf/dp/0440237688 Easily one of the best book series I read during my young teens at school. I really hope the movie doesn't disappoint.

1. When you enter your IP in the address bar, are you using your public or private IP?
   
2. Do you have a VPN or other tunneling software set up?
   
3. Have you used ipconfig to verify that your public/private IP hasn't changed? (Also, did you have your router locked down to only allow connections from certain internal IPs?)
   
4. Did you do a system restore because of malware? If so, it's possible that your router was reconfigured as well. Consider resetting your router to the factory settings.
   
5. If you continue to have trouble getting people to help you, this book might have some useful advice in it.

I can't give you the advice, too much to type out. I can suggest the right books though. Start with "How Not to Be a Dick: An Everyday Etiquette Guide. Once you've finished that one and have figured out how to at least be civil, move on to "How to Win Friends and Influence People".

If you are a man, you should also read "Manskills: How to Avoid Embarrassing Yourself and Impress Everyone Else". As well as "How to live with a Huge Penis".

I think you should read this. I started reading this the other day and its awesome. I love reading books! Book of choice

In no particular order:

• The Enchanted Forest Chronicles.
  
• The Icarus Hunt.
  
• The Voynich Manuscript.
  
• The Chronicles of Narnia.
  
• Something else that I probably forgot. If I think of anything else, I'll add it.
  
  Most recently, I read the Quadrail series. It was pretty good. It was kind of like Zahn took The Icarus Hunt and expanded it into a full series, rather than a one-off. I think that The Icarus Hunt was better, though.

You’re in 11th Grade. You can most def improve. Here is what you should do. First, go to Khan Academy and review the math concepts you don’t understand. Actually, before that, go through the practice test. Look at all the questions and think to yourself “did I make a dumb mistake or did I not understand a concept” write down the concept. For example If it was about triangles write down, “triangles questions” then go to YouTube and type in “introduction to triangles” then when you understand that expand it to “special triangles” and then last “triangle questions on the SAT” once you understand those videos practice on Khan Academy. That’s how you improve in Math.

For the reading, buy Black Book this book will help your in reading and math. This book helps in math a lot. What you should do is buy this book and go to the chapter which talks about all the math concepts that’s tested on it. Go through it. Read the concept and in your head think “do I understand this concept” if yes move on. If no, write it down and do the YouTube thing I said above like for example “introduction to (topic)” and then more specific video on that topic and last “(topic) questions on the sat” then practice that topic on Khan Academy. For reading, read the chapter on reading in the black book. Once you do that and understand what he’s saying, practice it on a practice test you already took. Don’t take a practice test after reading the black book. Only do it after you’ve practiced a lot on practice test you’ve already took and understand the mistakes you’ve been making. Please message me if you have any more questions.

Currently whipping through Harlan Coben's latest thriller, Missing You and Bob Dylan's Chronicles Vol. 1.

Up next, a few nostalgic re-reads I received from the reddit book exchange, Number the Stars and The Giver.

How about you? What are you reading and looking forward to reading?

Great discussion. Any discussion involving books is good stuff!

This is the first book that made me start questioning life. I mean if the leaders in his world could do so many awful things under the guise of harmony, what could my own leaders being doing? I'd like to read this book because I still love dystopian society books.

Just posted this in the other sub xD

Recently got back into reading after a looooonnnnnnggggg dry spell (years) and I'm reading some fun ones!

• Letters to a Young Poet
  
• The Night Circus
  
• Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children
  
  Have you read any of those?!

Go and buy the book of 20 on Amazon and take several (only an hour apiece) to determine your best 2. Then take those official tests. You can sit for the December 1 test date. The big ones are the Stem tests, particularly Math 2 and the sciences- physics, bio, chem. You could also do US History, Literature if that is your strength.

https://www.amazon.com/Official-Study-Guide-Subject-Tests/dp/0874479754/

Based on your needs, I've got two recommendations for you:

• For your interpersonal skills
  
  
• To improve your writing
  
  Good luck, bro.

My favorite book is Princess Bride. I'm going to pick number 13. I'd love to read this book. Thanks for the contest!

SAT Prep Black Book: “The Most Effective SAT Strategies Ever Published” Second Edition by Mike Barrett & Patrick Barrett. I’ve read a few chapters from the book and it has completely changed the way I look at the SAT. It’s especially great for the reading section because it basically debunks the mysteries and vagueness surrounding it.

SAT Prep Black Book

Wearing the Cape is pretty good, and it has more books in that series if they like it.

Better you learn in it in your last year of high school than your first year of college. I highly recommend reading these books b4 stepping foot in college:

Book 1
Book 2

I think there's a high school version which might help you out with grade 12.

Great advice, thanks! Here's a book suggestion for you, if you haven't read it yet.

My niece is 13. She is reading an anime series right now. (We do live together) some about high school...I dont know much about anime, but dragons are pretty freaking sweet! I'm really trying to get her to read as much as she can, but she loves it so yay!

(I think thats then link to the right thing)

I haven't read this series yet, but Unwind comes pretty close -- it posits a world where abortion is effectively illegal, but teenagers can be "unwound" and recycled for organ donation. Let me know if it's any good.

Here are some ideas for young adult fantasy, with a few science-fiction books thrown in. Look them up and see if they look like something you might like:

Un Lun Dun by China Mieville (Mievile is a rising star of of SF/F, and this is his only novel so far written for young adults. Two British girls are pulled into a bizarre alternate London and must foil an evil plot)

The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer (scifi in futuristic Africa, three mutant detectives trying to rescue kidnapped children of a famous general)

Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes (near-future SF, robots do all the work, so what is there for new high school graduates to do?)

There are plenty of SF/F Choose Your Own Adventure books, which are a nice change of pace from third- and first-person narratives.

The Dark is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper. The first book is Over Sea, Under Stone, but you might want to start with The Dark is Rising.

Incidentally, I do NOT, under ANY circumstances, recommend Eragon.

Can I enter on .ca? Even so, I think you'd like "Through the Woods"! It's been on my list a little while now... and I haven't gotten to it yet because it's not my usual type of book. It's a collection of creepy fairy stories with ghosts and haunting, or, as the description reads, "fairy tales gone seriously wrong" (all of this I LOVE!). Most interesting of all is that it's actually a graphic novel so all of this is beautifully illustrated! That would take me out of my element and maybe you'd like to be "out" with me! ;)

This one is next on my list Unwind a lot of my friends have read it and loved it

You're very welcome! If you enjoy Emily Carroll's work, she put out a book a while back. It has His Face All Red and a few other stories in it.

I picked up The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan a year or so ago and it was a pretty good read. I haven't gotten a chance to read any other books in the set, but it was good.

I bought this Panda math book, read all of it, and worked 75% of it.

For the English, I just did a little online Khan Academy practice because my English score was already pretty high. I definitely concentrated a lot more on math.

I also used the normal SAT book, which is pretty helpful too.

If your practice or PSAT scores are really low (like below 1200), I'd suggest you get tutoring instead.

But I don't think the SAT is very difficult. It's very repetitive, so the more practice tests you take and questions you study, the more you'll be prepared for the actual test because it's just regurgitating concepts.

For people interested in this concept, I highly recommend Shusterman's Unwind. It's quick reading but quite interesting.

A wrinkle in time

Wait til helen comes

These are the first books I remember reading and just falling in love with both of them!

WL linky or surprise me

Try Slam by Nick Hornby, You Don't Even Know Me by Sharon Flake, and Unwind by Neal Shusterman. You may also enjoy graphic novels. I highly recommend Scott Pilgrim and Y: The Last Man.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, for sure! Super creepy book about kids with superpowers

https://www.amazon.com/Miss-Peregrines-Home-Peculiar-Children/dp/1594746036

My choice would be this book! On a rainy day one of my favorite things to do is get under the covers with a cup of tea and a book and just read for hours. It's so relaxing just listening to the rain while reading! The old man is snoring, thanks for the contest! :D

just like to start and say name of the wind was one of my favorite books.
that being said here are my suggestions

Inheritance Series

magicians apprentice & series

Maximum Ride Series

Mortal Instruments series

I loved [Redwall] (http://amzn.to/2EL9BYT) , Brian Jacques was my jam growing up! I think you would really love the [Paradise War Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead] (http://amzn.to/2GxG9C8) .

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles.

These are still some of my favorite books. The first and third books are told from the point of view of female protagonists, though they're important in all 4.

I just downloaded PT last night at my 13 yo daughter's urgency, then promptly gave her my Kindle so she could read that and Eleanor & Park (another pretty good YA novel), so it might be a while before I get to it!

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles would be my movie (series?) of choice.

It has the same upside-down take on fairy tales as Shrek, and actually wouldn't be too bad in CGI either - but could also be done with actors/actresses for more realism. Even if only the first one got made, I'd be pleased.

Ratha's Creature by Clare Bell has some covers where the large cat is carrying a torch or being surrounded by fire.

The Chronicles of Chrestomanci books all have cats on the cover - not so much warriors, though.

Here is a list of fantasy novels about cats (all of the covers have cats on them).

I'm not satisfied with any of these and will def keep looking, but might be a place to start. This is assuming that the giant cat on the cover is a major character and not just a random cat, and I haven't completely gone on a wild goose chase. XD

These suggestions all fit the category of 1. hard to put down. 2. simple reads

They are also more on the fantasy side of the spectrum.

Highly recommend:

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children All three books in the trilogy are great. Maybe stay away from the movie...

The Night Circus

The Hunger Games trilogy Yes, I'm sure you've seen the movies, but the books will add another level.

From Amazon "On the one hand, nobody wants to be a dick. On the other hand, dicks are everywhere! They cut in line, talk behind our backs, recline into our seats, and even have the power to morph into trolls online. Their powers are impressive, but with a little foresight and thoughtfulness, we can take a stand against dickishness today."

Who are you? I asked her to show vegena, why are you acting like one brother? I think you need help; buy this, this and thisbrother.

Try the Forest Chronicles, starting with Dealing with Dragons. The princess runs away and does housework for the dragon instead of being rescued. Other issues relating to fantasy shows up. It's fun and the main character is witty.

The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper felt that way me. And my spouse feels that way about The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander.

I see by the suggestions on Amazon that we're not the only ones who liked both of those! Hah. Well, I second Amazon's third suggestion of A Wrinkle in Time.

You should give her book a try. I got it when it came out, and it's just more of that, and probably better. It's something like 5/6 short stories, beautifully drawn and creepy as hell. Highly recommended!

http://www.amazon.com/Through-Woods-Emily-Carroll/dp/1442465964/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454265097&sr=8-1&keywords=emily+carroll

It's a reference to The Enchanted Forest books. =)

LOL are you a 10 year old kid, or do you just have no respect??

Here, have a look at this MathiTheCheeze

the Horrid Henry books are incredibly silly, my son loves them... me, less so.

He also really enjoyed reading Miss Peregrin's Home for Peculiar Children.

For the lazy, here's an Amazon link for The Giver: http://amzn.com/0440237688

"In a world with no poverty, no crime, no sickness and no unemployment, and where every family is happy, 12-year-old Jonas is chosen to be the community's Receiver of Memories. Under the tutelage of the Elders and an old man known as the Giver, he discovers the disturbing truth about his utopian world and struggles against the weight of its hypocrisy. With echoes of Brave New World, in this 1994 Newbery Medal winner, Lowry examines the idea that people might freely choose to give up their humanity in order to create a more stable society. Gradually Jonas learns just how costly this ordered and pain-free society can be, and boldly decides he cannot pay the price."

In the nonfiction department, January First is about childhood schizophrenia.

Wintergirls is about eating disorders and mental illness where a teenage girl keeps seeing her dead best friend.

If you're looking for paranormal, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children might fit. It's a YA novel written around a series of weird photographs.

Ok. Five is too young for this, but The Giver. I remember this book being the turning point in my life when I feel in love with books.

Edit: everyone has hit all my knee jerk suggestions. I'll have to think on this!

My favorite book in the world. It's part of a 3 book set, I recently found out. I have read the second, Gathering Blue and absolutely loved it too. Just bought the third last week.

You might try some Kurt Vonnegut novels. Many delve into sci-fi topics, while others are absurdly realistic, and are written in straightforward language while exploring some really interesting ideas. My favorite, Galapagos, tells a tale about an apocalypse and human evolution over a million years.

The Giver by Lois Lowry is technically considered YA, but it's so amazing it doesn't matter. I still read it every few years as an adult, and I only just found out it is part of a set of four. Another book that is technically YA but is really smart and has a lot of depth is A Wrinkle in Time and the books that follow it. They are stories about imperfect and relatable characters that touch on topics such as cellular biology, time travel and ethics.

Reminds me a lot of The Giver :)

http://www.amazon.com/The-Giver-Quartet-Lois-Lowry/dp/0440237688

Wow, I am so glad you mentioned this! Absolutely loved it. You may also want to try Unwind by Neal Shusterman
http://www.amazon.com/Unwind-Neal-Shusterman/dp/1416912053/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278536573&sr=8-1

Percy Jackson series seems cool so far, or as I mentioned in another comment The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede, also Sirena by Donna Jo Napoli

All of these are fabulous!

I would also add Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles. It begins with Dealing with Dragons, wherein Princess Cimorene decides that she's terribly bored with all this royal business and runs away to live with a dragon (sort of as an apprentice). I remember it being a lot of fun!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594746036/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_IOIhtb0TA4M7G

Frank and Beans!

Thanks for the contest. I really didn't wanna flash my books ;)

Here are some tips:

1. Take the passage literally. If it were up to interpretation, the College Board would have problems. It's not like school where if you can prove the answer correct through interpretation, the correct answer MUST be present in the text.
   
2. Many problems with reading that I faced were with focusing and deep reading. Make sure you are focused on the passage.
   
3. When you are finished with a practice test, ALWAYS review it. This will help you learn and understand what you are doing wrong.
   
4. If you can check out books from your local library. I totally recommend the SAT black book. https://www.amazon.com/SAT-Prep-Black-Book-Strategies/dp/0692916164/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?gclid=Cj0KCQjwj_XpBRCCARIsAItJiuR6HFj0ZpwCcXN14aIPlKCOD3OGAEN_5oro5AvCUWHEOZ_LbP5bYb0aAnCDEALw_wcB&hvadid=241648829517&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9012138&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17497859065999215882&hvtargid=kwd-61311316065&hydadcr=8453_10382305&keywords=sat+black+book&qid=1564323775&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1
   
5. Don't rush. Many mistakes are silly mistakes that are made from testers looking at the time and worrying about not finishing.
   
6. If you rule out an answer, make sure you rule it out for the right reasons.
   
7. The most important thing is that the answer, again, is ALWAYS in the passage. If you look close enough, you will ALWAYS find it.
   
   I hope this helps. I'm pretty okay at reading but absolute trash at math.

Sorry for the sort of late reply. I'd take it one more time -- something that I think really helped me improve my score was taking official SAT practice tests. You can purchase a booklet of these online (and maybe even find them for free on the College Board website?)

Of course, first go over the concepts that you need to review and make sure you thoroughly understand them (for math especially). Are you struggling more with the math or reading/writing sections?

Then, take practice tests -- the more the better -- under "test-taking" conditions (i.e. timing yourself, no extra resources, no breaks or distractions, etc.). After you take each test, review your answers and try to work through and understand why you got each wrong answer wrong.

Good luck!

Well that's funny

https://www.amazon.com/SAT-Prep-Black-Book-Strategies/dp/0692916164/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=black+book+sat&qid=1558270107&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spell-spons&psc=1 I used this book and I got 3 wrong on a practice test I took 3 weeks before the May test and then I got 3 wrong on the actual May test. Before I used the book I got 6-9 wrong on all my practice tests/SATs that I've taken through November to March. The author breaks down every question in the first 4 official CB practice tests (for all sections but I find reading to be the most helpful). I highly recommend getting it if you're set on improving your reading score. What I did when using it was reread the passage, reanswer the question and then read his explanations. After doing that I answered all the level 4 questions on khan academy and used the strategies he explains in the book and found one that works for me.

Someone on reddit picked thisup for my kid. She loved it.

My dad is from the Netherlands and all of my friends call me dutchie. Birthday is July 27. Afraid it's not that interesting of a story, lol, but it's mine.
This http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594746036/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=33U7PBU8Z6ENP&coliid=I28FTRYXM8VH64 is a book I've been wanting to read and since I finished my BA last week (YAY!) I finally have time!!!

I read the whole series as a kid, and pretty much forgot about them for the last 25 years... I wonder if they're available on Kindle? I'm now itching to read the whole series again.

Yep, only $6.99 for the first book too. Neat!

I like the "people who bought this also bought" chain..

Images You Should Not Masturbate To


Practical Guide to Racism

How Not to Be a Dick: An Everyday Etiquette Guide

Definitely worth picking up the official study guide. Has one copy of each test in it, and it's only $10. The math 2 book also has two more tests in it (one may be a repeat from main study guide iirc).

I really enjoyed Wearing The Cape

1. Hey! Absolutely always go with the books that are created by the writers of the test. For the SAT that would be this: https://www.amazon.com/Official-SAT-Study-Guide-2018/dp/1457309289/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510794005&sr=8-1&keywords=college+board+sat+2018
   
   For the ACT that would be this: https://www.amazon.com/Official-ACT-Prep-Guide-2018/dp/1119386896/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1510794029&sr=1-1&keywords=real+act+prep+book+2018
   
   2)You can find all of the concepts tested on the respective web sites for the tests. ACT.org and collegeboard.com
   
   3)That is a way more complex question. First and foremost, I would tell you to not rely on tricks. Tricks are what sell test prep companies, not improve scores.
   

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. I've been wanting to read this for a while, it sounds like it would totally be my kind of thing! Plus, it's $5.28 on sale for eReader (I read on Kindle App).

A book is always a nice idea
Or "whine" wipes?

Yeah it was very hard for me, I only took one which was in the official SAT Subject Test guidebook, https://www.amazon.com/Official-Study-Guide-Subject-Tests/dp/0874479754

I could probably dig for more by asking r/Sat if anyone has any google drives of either Latin tests. Another possibility is simply buying older versions of the Subject Test guidebook in the hopes of a different Latin practice test offered.

I suggest China Mieville's UnLunDun. It's fun, light, and almost Harry Potteresque.

Kindle store - I'm on UK but it looks like they're on the US version too.

https://www.amazon.com/Unwind-Dystology-Neal-Shusterman/dp/1416912053

good news! that's a thing that exists and can be bought right here.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Diana Wynne Jones yet. The Chrestomanci Series is an ideal starting point.

I'm not sure which book in the series, but that sounds like The Chronicles of Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones?

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede.

Phenomenal series!