A RIGHTEOUS LITTLE BOUNTY HUNTER

Young bounty hunter, Boyd, is chasing down his outlaw father and sending him to jail, no matter what.  Boyd hasn't had an easy childhood you see.  His older sibling weren't the cuddly kind and his ma wasn't the gentle sing you a lullaby at night type either.  So, Boyd sets out to set things right by bringing his no good dad and the rest of the family.  

Warning:  
Though the atmospheric illustrations sets you up for a great western tale and the illustrations are cute and cuddly looking,  the story  contains serious and mature themes: racism, sex, violence and etc.  

This is a great graphic novel for mature readers in grades 6th-8th.  Cow Boy:  A Boy and His Horse, a Western Graphic Novel  by Nate Cosby and Chris Eliopoulos is not for the faint of heart.  You can read an excerpt online by clicking on this link.  

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN ... SURVIVE ALL THIS

Chomp by Carl Hiaasen takes you on a trip through the Everglades of Florida where alligators, snakes and all sorts of wildlife are not just a great attraction but a matter of life and death.  Wahoo and his dad have been hired to provide animals (tame ones) as props for a reality show, Expedition Survival, but what they really have to do is make sure the show's star, Derek Badger, makes it through each scene without any mishap, mostly brought on by his own stupidity.  

Wahoo's classmate, Tuna, thinks Derek Badger is the most amazing adventurer, eating all kinds of stuff in order to survive as shown on his TV shows, but she comes to realize that's he's nothing but a fake.  If this wasn't all, she, Wahoo and his dad are trying to keep her away from her abusive, crazy and drunken father who is determined to bring her back home.  

This is one wild ride of a book with lots of adventure, and humor to boot.  For readers in grades 6th and older.   

MIDDLE SCHOOL IS TOUGH, BOYS

After Cody and his father are shot at he is sent to live with his aunt and attend a regular middle school for the first time in his life. At thirteen, most kids know the ins and outs of how to dress and behave in an American middle school, but for Cody, nothing is making sense and he keeps getting sent to the assistant principle's office; four times his first day. Danger, however, has followed Cody. He and his new friend, a war vet, are about to find out who is watching them in the dark of night.

The cover does not do this story justice. It's an odd cover choice, making the reader think this is slick spy novel, but it's more than that. Once you get beyond the spy business, it's really about Cody coming of age and trying to figure out his place in the world and deciding what kind of a person he wants to be. Alibi Junior High by Greg Logsted is for mature readers in 6th - 8th due to some descriptions of violence.

TOUGH BOY SONATAS

Tough Boy Sonatas by Curtis L. Crisler with illustrations by Floyd Cooper is a very serious book that deals with the struggles of inner city boys that have almost no hope for the future. Without a proper education and decent living conditions, they have to learn to fight for their lives with dignity and honor. These seemingly tough boys want so much more in their lives than the usual violence and crimes. They long for safer streets, good education, love and justice. These sonatas will break your heart but at the same time your spirits will be filled with passion and hope for them. The boys on the streets are not just living a careless life without worries and problems. Their lives are full of range and anger and they observe way more than we think they do. The sadness and the realism in this book is overwhelming but at the same time very touching and satisfying.

For grades 7 and up.