Horseradish: bitter truths you can't avoid by Lemony Snicke

"Most schools have a system of loud bells, which startle the students and teachers at regular intervals and remind them that time is passing even more slowly than it seems."

Haven't had enough of Mr. Snicket, yet? The mysterious author returns one more time to offer a collection of musings. Some startling, some amusing, all terribly, terribly true. Snicket fans should find a few minutes to peruse this tome.

SLJ recommends grades

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Hole in the Sky by Pete Hautman

"I look toward the sound and see a pile of rags on the floor against the far wall. My eyes adjust further and the pile of rags becomes a man hugging his knees to his chest. He coughs, a dry cough that starts high in his throat, then works its way down until it becomes a bubbling chortle."

In the year 2038, only 38 million people are left on Earth. Most have fallen victim to the worst flu in history. Many others have been killed in the aftermath by the warring tribes of people left behind. Some have survived the flu, only to live without hair, or sight, or sanity. Four teens are on their own, trying to survive, and hoping to find a hole in the sky. Told, in turn, from the points of view of all four teens (including the deaf mute) this is a harrowing story of loyalty and hope.

SLJ recommends grades 7 to 10.

Learn more at HCL, Amazon, and here.

Dragon Head by Minetaro Mochizuki

"I remember the train lurching like it had been hit, and then...screaming...the train started shaking...I was thrown out of my chair...then the lights went out. There was this long noise, like a chainsaw cutting through sheet metal...and then everything went black."

Aoki is on his way home from a school field trip when his train ride is interrupted by a devastating accident in an underground tunnel. Everyone is killed in the crash, except for Aoki and two unstable classmates. Cut off from the outside world, trapped in an oppressively hot tunnel, the trio are all alone...or are they? Mochizuki's story and art combine to evoke the terror of a disaster story, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

SLJ recommends grades 10 and up.

Learn more at Amazon and here.