THE TEQUILA WORM
by Viola Canales
Wendy Lamb Books/Random House Children's Books;ISBN: 0385746741;$15.95;2005

A series of vignettes brings to life Sofia's small-town Texas barrio and its Mexican American traditions and celebrations. When chosen to go to a prestigious boarding school miles away, she is torn between a good education and her beloved family.

Suggested for ages 12 - 18
Subjects: Boarding schools | Hispanic Americans | Pura Belpré Award | Texas

LOOKING FOR ALASKA
by John Green
Dutton;ISBN: 0525475060;$15.99;2005

Until his arrival at Culver Creek Preparatory School, smart, friendless Miles has had a pretty dull life. He is hungry for something more—“the Great Perhaps”—and he finds it in the friendships of cynical Chip and beautiful, articulate, and ultimately unhappy Alaska.

Suggested for ages 13 - 18
Subjects: Boarding schools | Death | Friends | Printz Award