Summer Reading Game recommendations (Mysteries and books about different countries)

Summer Reading recommendations continue...

The game board asks you to read a mystery book and a story about a different country, so here's some suggestions to make deciding easier:


Mysteries for teens

Rat Life by Tedd Arnold (YA FIC Arnold)
When an unidentified body is pulled from the river, Todd questions his mysterious new friend's involvement in this gripping mystery.

The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci (YA FIC Plum-Ucci)
The guys never thought that picking on Chris was a big deal, but when he turns up dead they begin to turn on each other and point the finger.  As the group tries to unravel the mystery of Chris's death, they find themselves further implicated in his possible murder.

King Dork by Frank Portman (YA FIC Portman)
Life isn't easy for perpetually bullied high schooler, Tom, but it gets even more complicated when girls, bands, mistaken identities, and the suspected murder of his father are thrown in.  Through his father's writings and his own investigation into what happened to his dad, Tom finds himself entangled in secrets that started long before he was born.

Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan (YA FIC Duncan)
Mr. Griffin is the strictest teacher in the school, and even straight-A student Susan finds him impossible.  When her crush asks her to take part in a seemingly harmless prank against Mr. Griffin, Susan can't resist.  But when things go horribly wrong and people are dying one-by-one, Susan must face the fact that one of her friends is a killer...





Other mysteries you might like:
Heather Wells mysteries by Meg Cabot (in Adult Fiction) (FIC Cabot)
Wanted: A Pretty Little Liars Novel by Sara Shepard (YA FIC Shephard)
Paper Towns by John Green (YA FIC Green)

Books about another country

 Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah (YA FIC Abdel-Fattah)
A funny journey into the life of an Australian teen who chooses to wear the hijab to express her Muslim faith.  Along the way she encounters people who don't understand her decision, a serious crush on a classmate, a friend's conflict with her mother, and an uncle who's driving everyone crazy with his Australian slang!

Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia by Cindy Pon (YA FIC Pon)
Strong-willed and fearless, Ai Ling has different plans than other girls her age in her ancient Chinese kingdom.  Instead of marriage and settling down, Ai Ling is determined to find and destroy the emperor's captor, a feat that takes her on an action-packed journey that includes demonic predators, mysterious strangers, and the quest to fulfill her destiny.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (in adult section; FIC Hosseini)
An adult book with teen appeal, this story tells of betrayed friendships and sought forgiveness in the midst of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

Ostrich Boys by Keith Gray (YA FIC Gray)
The quest to give a dead buddy a proper departure sends a group of friends on a journey from England to Scotland.  Along the way certain secrets that they've chosen to ignore until that point are brought into the open, forcing the boys to confront truths that may threaten their friendship.






Other books about another country that you may like:
Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison (YA FIC Rennison)
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (YA FIC Perkins)
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (YA FIC Paulsen)
Stolen by Lucy Christopher (YA FIC Christopher)
Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick (YA FIC Sedgwick)
Nothing by Janne Teller (YA FIC Teller)

More suggestions on the way!