"The Giver"
"The Giver" by Lois Lowry, Newbery winner in 1994, is a perennial favorite. In the ordered and uniform community that Jonas lives in, no one questions their place within the society. At 12 years old, Jonas becomes the community's Receiver, the person who will hold all of the memories of the community from far into the past. As these memories begin to be passed to him, Jonas begins to question the realities of the community and his place within it. This book is appropriate for young adult readers, but also makes for a great discussion for book club members of any age.

"Bridge to Terabithia"
A book with renewed popularity due to its silver screen debut, and many a childhood favorite, "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson was the Newbery winner in 1978. It follows the changes that begin to take place in the life of Jess, a fifth-grade boy, when a misfit girl moves into an old house down the road. After an initial mutual dislike, the two eventually become close as they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom all their own, over which they reign. The book deals with some of the hard truths of life as the two are eventually separated forever.

"The Higher Power of Lucky"
And of course we can't conclude without talking about "The Higher Power of Lucky" by Susan Patron, this year's Newbery winner and impetus of much discussion. One controversial word aside, the book focuses on 10-year old Lucky who has recently lost her mother in a tragic accident. Now cared
for by a guardian (who happens to be her father's first wife), Lucky listens to members of several twelve-step groups, who all talk about finding their higher power. Inspired to try and find her own higher power, Lucky tries to find a way to hold on to her guardian and her newly formed life.