looking for a good read??

One of my favorite things about summer is finally being able to read for fun because it's something that I definitely don't have time for during the school year. {textbooks it is from September to May for me} Some of the best books I've ever read have been recommendations from other people so I thought I'd do the same and share with you my favs from this summer.

Moloka'i *****

This is a historical fiction story beginning in 1890 where new diseases, particularly leprosy were being carried to the Hawaiian islands from foreign travelers. Those who acquired this disease were exiled from their families to the island of Molokai where they lived together in isolation. The story focuses specifically on the life of a seven year old girl who shows signs of leprosy and is forced to leave her family to a whole new world where she learns a lot about love, life, and what it means to find happiness in your trials. Make sure to grab a tissue with this one. Hands down this book was my favorite this summer!

Heaven is for Real *** 

This is a true story about a pastor's son who is rushed into emergency surgery from appendicitis at three years old. Several months after he has recovered from the surgery he begins sharing with his parents bits and pieces about his journey to heaven during the surgery. Many of the stories that he shares are things he could have never known without his parents telling him. This book was very interesting and definitely a page turner for me. It left me thinking even after I finished it. 

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas ****

As a future elementary teacher, I really wanted to read this book as it is one that many children are introduced to in school between fourth through sixth grade. It portrays the holocaust through the eyes of a young boy whose father is a German leader over a concentration camp. The boy discovers a fence only a few feet away from his home and makes a friend with another young boy on the other side, a Jewish boy in "striped pajamas". This was also another tear jerker for me but a very interesting perspective coming from the naive minds of children. 

Hidden Children Series ****

At first I didn't realize this was a series. I had heard of the title of one of the books in the series and began reading it while realizing that it left out information that must have happened before and ended with a cliff hanger. Clearly I should have checked the back of the book first, oops. haha Loved these books though. They are about a society where families are only allowed to have two children. If they have a third, they are forced to keep their child in hiding so that he/she isn't killed. These are short quick reads but definitely page turners. 

Like I said, I always love book suggestions so if you have any please share. They will just have to go right to the top of my "reading list" for next summer. :)