Booktalk: Books with Sequels

Some books are just so good that you hate having to say goodbye after the last page ends. In some cases, the author has already planned to continue the story. In other cases, though, the author feels the same way at the end of the writing -- h/she has come to know the characters and the setting so well that another book just has to be written, to tell what happens after (or what happened before).

Today's 8th grade book talk had a simple theme, "Books with Sequels." I presented a first book, and the sequel (and mentioned whether there are more in a trilogy or series). Here they are.

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Korman, Gordon. Son of the Mob + Son of the Mob: Hollywood Hustle.
Vince does NOT want to go into the "family business." Will dating the daughter of an FBI agent be his ticket out?


Shanower, Eric. Age of Bronze: A Thousand Ships + Age of Bronze: Sacrifice.
First two in a 7-volume graphic novel retelling of the Trojan War.



Anderson, M. T. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation: Volume 1, The Pox Party + Volume 2: Kingdom on the Waves.
Octavian was raised in luxury and intellectual stimulation, and he only gradually realizes that both he and his African-born mother are slaves, and that all his finery and education are but a cruel experiment. During the American Revolution, chooses sides for freedom -- but will his freedom be won by the Patriots or the British?

Kirkman, Robert & Cory Walker. Invincible: Family Matters + Invincible: Eight is Enough.
Family life is hard when you're a teen, but being a superhero child of superhero parents definitely complicates things. Full-color graphic novel series.

Johnson, Angela. Heaven + The First Part Last.
Marley's got great parents and a good life in Heaven, Ohio. But what Marley doesn't know is huge, and changes everything. Bobby and Feather also live in Heaven. Bobby tells the "then" and the "now" of how he became a single teenage dad caring for an infant daughter on his own.

Naifeh, Ted. Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things + Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics.
Courtney's not too happy about moving to the 'burbs to live with rich, wierd old Uncle Aloysious. Her parents don't seem to notice the creepy critters that roam at night, but Aloysious knows Courtney's tough enough to handle the night things (and witches, warlocks and other magical powers.) Black & white graphic novel series.

King, Laurie R. The Beekeeper's Apprentice + A Monstrous Regiment of Women.
A brilliant 15-year old misfit meets the retired beekeeping master detective, Sherlock Holmes. Their partnership suits them both, and leads to danger and adventure. A continuing series.


Ryan, Sarah. Empress of the World + The Rules for Hearts.
Nicola spends a summer at academic honors camp and loses her heart, not to archaeology as she planned, but to a beautiful blonde girl. Then Battle tells her story of what happens after.


Perkins, Mitali. First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover
+ First Daughter: White House Rules.
'Sparrow' is an ordinary, straight-talking, social networking American teenager, until her dad decides to run for President. His campaign handlers try to turn Pakistan-born, adopted, inquisitive Sameera into a giggly, trendy, 'all-American' girl. Leave it to her to show the country what 'all-American' really means. After the election? Look out White House!

Westerfeld, Scott. Midnighters: The Secret Hour + Midnighters: Touching Darkness.
Only some people, the ones born at midnight, can see the dark and dangerous beings that come out during the hour between 12:00 and 12:01 am. Jessica is a Midnighter, and the evil midnight creatures are out to get her.


Crossley-Holland, Kevin. The Seeing Stone + At the Crossing Places.
As young Arthur is waiting for his chance to become a knight, he receives a strange stone that shows him stories of his namesake, King Arthur of Camelot. The stories of the two Arthurs continue to mingle as young Arthur joins the Great Crusades. Part of the Arthur trilogy.


Woodson, Jacqueline. if you come softly + Behind You.
Two outsiders at a swanky private school, Ellie & Jeremiah fall for each other right away. To them, it doesn't matter that Jeremiah's black and Ellie's Jewish, or that their families are worlds apart. But the world may not agree.



Crutcher, Chris. Stotan! + Ironman.
What five best friends, four guys and one girl, learn during Stotan Week, a grueling four-hour daily swimathon over Christmas break, keeps them going when life really gets hard. Years later, one of the Stotans becomes a teacher, and works to help another angry kid conquer his own demons.