During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020–21, I read a lot of books. I’m writing this to recommend to you some of my favorite books I read during this time. These books are in no way ordered so you can just scroll through until you see a book that catches your eye.
- The Darkest Minds By Alexandra Bracken:
The Darkest Minds series is a great series that shows post-disaster America where a deadly disease has swept through the country, killing most of its child population. The surviving children on the other hand have developed unusual powers that the government sees as dangerous. So they send these children to brutal “rehabilitation” camps in which the staff treats them with brutality and abuse. This series follows a survivor named Ruby as she escapes from the camp and makes her way to free the others. There are also two other books in this series so go check them out too. I would recommend this book for ages 13+ and those who are interested in science fiction
2. Charlie Thorne And The Last Equation by Stuart Gibbs
This book is an action-packed adventure book that follows 12-year-old girl genius, Charlie Thorne. Throughout this book, Charlie is recruited by the CIA to crack a code which is the only clue to finding a mystery equation that Einstien hid decades ago that could help humanity and all life on Earth. But terrorist groups and international forces are following them in secret to steal the code. This book is an intense book that will make you turn the pages until it is over. This book has a sequel, Charlie Thorne And The Lost City. I would recommend this book to people ages 10+ and those who are interested in intense action-adventure books
3. A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry
Based on a true story, this book is about Swift, A wild wolf who is peacefully living and hunting with his pack. But one day, another wolf pack attacks which separates Swift from his family, leaving him to fend for himself alone. This book follows Swift through his journey through the challenging journey through the mountains to his new home. I would recommend this book to ages 8+.
4. Bloom by Kenneth Oppel
This starts off with rain pouring down on Salt Spring Island, nothing unusual about it. But the next morning black stalks of plants have grown, and not just there, all over the world. These black stalks grow into huge carnivorous plants that swallow animals and humans alike. They also spread dangerous pollen that only three kids are immune to. This story follows those three kids, Anaya, Petra, and Seth. Through their journey from Salt Spring Island to a military base to a dangerous toxic island filled with dangerous plants as they discover the secrets behind these plants. This book is in the Overthrow series with two more books. I would recommend this book to middle schoolers that read science fiction and action-adventure.
5. Legend By Marie Lu
This book is a famous novel written by Marie Lu for teens and young adults. This takes place in the dystopian future where America has suffered a second civil war and is now divided into The Republic and The Colonies. This book’s heroes are Day, a wanted criminal who was born on the streets, and June a wealthy and famous child genius who is readying to enter the highest ranks in The Republic. But when June’s brother is murdered, the crime is blamed on Day. This book tells the story of Day’s race to escape the authorities and June’s pursuit to catch his brother’s murderer. But when they cross paths, they discover that Day might have been framed…
6. 11 Birthdays By Wendy Mass
This book takes place one year after best friends Amanda and Leo break their friendship on their 10th birthday. Now, Amanda is nervous that this is going to be her first birthday party without Leo. After the party, Amanda is glad to go to sleep and forget about this birthday, but the day seems to be repeating itself. She wakes up again on her 11th birthday without any idea what’s happening. This book tells a tale of friendship in a creative way. This book is in the Willow Falls Series with four other books. I would recommend this book to ages 10+
7. Holes By Louis Sachar
Even though it was published in 1998, I read it because it was one of the Newberry Award Winners and my school encouraged us to read them. This book is a story of a boy who goes to a disciplinary camp for boys. Where the kids dig holes in the scorching heat. But as he digs more holes, he begins to wonder if those holes are really for discipline and if the lead counselor of the camp is searching for something by making the boys dig holes. This book has a sequel called Small Steps. I recommend this book to ages 10+ and mystery readers.
