A dystopian thriller with a touch of romance

In the fast-paced Legend by Marie Lu the action never stops!  The story takes place in futuristic Los Angeles - there's no "United States" any more, just an ending war between the Republic and the Colonies - and it's told in alternating chapters by the two main characters, both 15 years old.  Day is the Republic's most wanted criminal; he's trying desperately to find a cure for the plague that has infected his little brother. June is brilliant and wealthy, heading for a prestigious career in the Republic's military.  When June's brother is killed, Day is the prime suspect - she's out to get him, but when their paths finally cross...a lot changes.  Besides falling for each other, they learn something really nasty that the Republic government is up to.  How can they put a stop to it, when Day is captured and his execution date is set?  Younger middle schoolers may not like the violence, but older students (and, yes, high school kids), especially fans of "The Hunger Games"-type books, won't be able to put this one down.

What would YOU do for fresh water?

Think about it, next time you take a drink, and then read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park.  This short and excellent book alternates between two stories in Southern Sudan:  In 2008, Nya has to walk eight hours every day to gather fresh water for her family; in 1985, Salva is separated from his family when soldiers invade his village. Based on the real life of Salva Dut, the stories of survival and the importance of fresh water (especially when it's hard to get) are mesmerizing; when the stories intertwine at the end of the book, you may not be surprised, but I bet you're inspired.  This book has been used by many schools that have a "One Book" program; it would be great for students looking for a service project.

But she's black - will they let her compete?

I loved the title character in Kizzy Ann Stamps by Jeri Watts!  The year is 1963; Kizzy Ann is black, and she's nervous about starting at a new school that has just been integrated.  She's already faced hatred and bigotry, and she doesn't know what her white classmates will think of her.  Fortunately, KIzzy Ann has her beloved dog Shag.  Shag is a border collie, a type of dog that loves to work and is especially good at herding sheep.  With Shag at her side, she gets to know the others at her school a little better, but when she learns about a herding competition, she's not sure if she should go for it: what if a black girl isn't allowed to compete?  The story is told through letters to her new teacher and journal entries; although Kizzy Ann's voice sometimes sounds more like that of an adult than a child, she's a likable character and teaches us about an important part of our country's history.