Recent Returns

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate - Cally Vee is eleven, and this is her story, being the only girl in a family of six brothers, in Texas in 1899. She spends one glorious summer of freedom swimming in the river, learning to study nature with her grandfather, and to understand what growing up is all about. This is a wonderful historical novel, rich with details of life on the late Victorian Texas frontier. 2010 Teen Top Ten selection. 21 circs, 5 copies of the book, 8 circs, 1 copy of the audiobook.

The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti - Quinn lives with her mother, grandmother and aunt - all women who have had problems with men. She tries to be an optimist, but when she gets dumped unexpectedly, she begins to wonder if there's not some truth to the idea that there are "no good men". Quinn's hunt for the truth behind love is a touching one, and very true. You'll enjoy the answers she finds. 2 copies, 36 circs for the book, 1 copy, 10 circs for the playaway.

Melting Stones by Tamora Pierce - Evvy is four years from living on the streets, four years into her magical training, but she still feels like she's feeling for her way, uncertain of her abilities, and uncertain in her relationship with prickly Rosethorn, her mentor. Can she learn to listen, and understand, and act, in time to prevent disaster? 1 audiobook, 13 circs - 4 books, 49 circs.

Bad Apple by Laura Ruby - a rumor at school has it that Tola Riley, junior at Willow Park High School, is having an affair with Mr. Mymer, the art teacher. When the school board gets involved, and the rumor turns to vicious attacks on not only one teacher, but on books in the library, classes being taught, and even other students, Tola tries to take control. Can she, the bad apple, tell the truth and make people listen? 1 copy, 11 circs.

Forbidden Game by L. J. Smith. 3 novels in one (The Hunter, The Chase, The Kill) follow Jenny, Tom and her five other friends as they're plunged into the nightmare of "The Game". Tormented by Julian, the Prince of the Shadows, each must risk confronting his or her most terrible phobia and either conquerit, or lose their lives. And that is only the beginning... 1 copy, 9 circs.

new Books

All new Graphic Novels - soon to be available in your library!

New Avengers vols. 1-5, 7-9 - With the Avengers disassembeled, there's nobody on hand to stop the chaos that ensues when Electro frees forty-two supervillains from the Raft, New York City's maximum security prison. The remaining local superheroes band together as the New Avengers to protect New York City from this dire threat.
Dark Reign: Young Avengers - The Melter, The Executioner, The Enchantress, Egghead, Big Zero, and Coat of Arms: they call themselves the Young Avengers, teenage rebels, on the run from the authorities, hated and feared by a world they've sworn to protect. Their interests include interspecies romance, modern art, and bloody murder. Everything is permitted, and so are they. Until they meet the original Young Avengers. And then their gray areas will come home to roost.
Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers - The Skrulls are invading, and the Runaways and Young Avengers both have a Skrull on their team. Coincidence? We think not. With Xavin having turned on his teammates and Hulkling out of commission, can the rest of the Runaways and Young Avengers keep it together? Heck, can they survive?
Young Avengers Presents - They're back at last! Patriot, Hulkling, Wiccan, Vision, Stature, and Hawkeye! Where have they been and what is their place in this new post-Civil War Marvel Universe? Today's top creators tell the tale in six chapters!
Avengers/X-Men Maximum Security - Welcome to Earth: penal colony for the universe's deadliest villains! When the civilized alien races -- influenced by the Supreme Intelligence and his newly-evolved Kree -- tire of Earth's involvement in their affairs, they decide to make it their new prison planet!
X-Men Forever vol. 5: Once More, Into the Breach! - Assault on the Consortium!!! Sometimes, the best way to take down a secret organization is with a team of the best, strongest, fiercest mutants on the planet! But, have the X-Men -- along with Nick Fury -- bitten off more than they can chew?
Marvel Masterworks Presents the Amazing Spider-Man vol. 5 - After months of hints and failed setups, Mary Jane Watson jumps into Peter Parker's life with a bang -- leaving him unsure who he likes more, MJ or Gwen Stacy! And while Peter gets a motorcycle and his first apartment with friend Harry Osborn, Spider-Man faces villains deadlier than ever!
Spider-Man. Fever - Spider-Man is abducted by a depraved tribe of spider-demons to a bizarre dimension where he is to be eaten alive. Dr. Strange goes on a perilous occult quest to rescue his friend -- and tangles with some very peculiar characters along the way.
Amazing Spider-Man. The complete clone saga epic. Book 3 - Clones, and jackals and symbiotes -- oh my! Spider-Man's clone is back, costumed as the Scarlet Spider, and neither is sure which is the genuine article! Will the real Peter Parker please stand up?
Amazing Spider-Man. The Gauntlet. Vol. 2, Rhino & Mysterio - The Gauntlet continues to close around Spider-Man in this heartbreaking story of love, loss, and lust for power as the Rhino charges into Spider-Man's life, out to make a name for himself ... by killing the Rhino? And Mysterio is back from the dead, and he's not alone!
Amazin Spider-Man. The Gauntlet. Vol. 3, Vulture & Morbius - The gauntlet rages on as Peter Parker meets the new Vulture! Who is he? Why does he prey on the city's criminals? And what extreme circumstance could possibly make Spider-Man even consider allying with a creature this deadly?
Incredible Hulk. Vol. 2, Fall of the Hulks - Skaar is loose on Earth, hunting down his father with blood on his mind! Bruce Banner is a man free of the Hulk's gamma-irradiated grip but maniacally in pursuit of a long-dead lover. And Red Hulk wants to put a big red hurt on the Intelligencia, and he'll need Banner to do it.
Fall of the Hulks. The Savage She-Hulks - She's left her apocalyptic world for this one. Her mother was a heroine, her father a rampaging Hulk! What path is the Savage She-Hulk called Lyra on, and why has it led her to add her might to the Wizard's Frightful Four?
Hulk. Fall of the Hulks. Red Hulk - This is it! The opening round: the Red Hulk vs the Thing with Reed Richards' life at stake! When the Baxter Building is attacked by the all-new, all-deadly Frightful Four, who will save the Fantastic Four? How about the Red Hulk? Not a chance!
Hulk. Fall of the Hulks Prelude - Watch Red Hulk do battle with Iron Man! Revisit the violent origin of Skaar, the savage son of Hulk, and see what happens when he finally visits Earth!
Hulk. Volume 5, Fall of the Hulks -- This is it! The opening round: the Red Hulk vs the Thing with Reed Richards' life at stake!
Batman & Robin Vol. 2, Batman vs. Robin - The new Dynamic Duo uncovers clues involving the mysterious death of Bruce Wayne before facing off against each other in a heated battle that both heroes will regret -- if they live through it!
Batman. Cacophony - Batman is forced to choose between capturing Onomatopoeia and saving The Joker's life!
Batman. Unseen - Horrible murders have Gotham City held captive, but all anyone knows is that a weird, skinless man has been seen fading away at the scenes of the crimes.
Batman. Arkham Reborn - Following Black Mask's destruction of Arkham Asylum, Dr. Jeremiah Arkham has rebuilt the Asylum following the design of his mad Uncle Amadeus. But, will the new Arkham be a haven for the criminally insane -- or a house of torture?
Booster Gold. Vol. 4, Day of Death - Booster Gold investigates the death of Batman -- only to run afoul of another Batman who doesn't want Booster near this case.
Green Lantern Chronicles volume 3 - A new helping of chronologically collected GL tales including the emerald gladiator's first confrontation with the Guardians, an early team-up with the Flash, the origin of the GL oath, and more.
Justice League of America Vol. 6, When Worlds Collide - The hero called Doctor Light is missing, and her former Justice League teammates intend to find the man responsible and make him pay. But before they do that, they'll have to get past his Shadow Cabinet of powerful superbeings who have sworn to save humanity from itself.
Superman New Krypton vol. 2 - Led by Supergirl's own parents, incredible powerful refugees from a vanished world are prepared to do whatever it takes to preserve their newfound freedom and crush those who would take it from them.
Wonder Woman vol. 7 Contagion - Five mysterious young men with a dark and terrible secret have arrived on Paradise Island with one mission: to kill Wonder Woman! Plus, Wonder Woman battles Power Girl!
Shonen Jump Jan. 2011 - Ultimo continues, and new Manga Yu-gi-oh 5D's and Psyren begin.
Cloud Searchers -- Amulet vol. 3 - Emily, Navin and their crew of resistance fighters charter an airship and set off in search of the lost city of Cielis. there they hope to find help from the Guardian Council's powerful Stonekeepers. It's a mission that Alledia's survival depends on, and time is running out -- Emily's got to find Cielis before the Elf King finds her.
Bartimaeus trilogy. [Volume 1], The Amulet of Samarkand : a Bartimaeus graphic novel - Nathaniel, a magician's apprentice, summons up the djinni Bartimaeus and instructs him to steal the Amulet of Samarkand from the powerful magician Simon Lovelace.
Wallflower Vols 22, 23, 24 - It's summertime, and all Sunako wants to do is stay in the darkest depths of her room. But, the guys are desperate to complete Sunako's transformation into a lady, which means a weekend at a beachside resort. Now, Sunako is trapped in a fancy five-star hotel and surrounded by creatures of the light.
Slam Dunk vol. 12 - The final four teams that will play in the round-robin tournament have been decided, and Shohoku's one of them. However, Shohoku's next opponent is Kainan, and they're known as the 'Kings' for good reason -- they've made it to Nationals 16 years in a row. Can his team defeat them?
Fairy Tail vol. 12 - Erza and Natsu are trying to stop Jellal from reviving the most feared black lizard the world has every known!
Naruto vol. 49 - As the five leaders of the strongest villages in the ninja world meet to discuss the fate of their universe--and how to deal with the ever-looming threat of the rogue organization, the Akatsuki--plans are made that will affect Naruto deeply.
InuYasha vols. 52 and 53 - Kagome learns a piece of critical lore about the Shikon Jewel as well as the secret behind the incredible powers she cannot access. Our friends' archenemy Naraku takes on a particularly malevolent new form. And Sesshomaru regains something very precious to him!
Chibi Vampire. Airmail - In these sweet tales and scary legends, finally discover what happened to Karin and her friends all while getting a glimpse of some mysterious vampires from the Maaka family that were never before seen in the main series.
Chi's Sweet Home vol. 3 - Kitten-rearing is something, but raising a street-smart feline in a building with a strict no-pets policy is another story altogether.
Fruits Basket Ultimate Edition vols. 4 and 5 - Tohru and company have been having a lot more fun ever since Kisa came to visit. Now, it's time for Tohru to meet another member of the Zodiac -- the skillfully sarcastic grade-school student, Hiro! And more!
Usagi Yojimbo vols. 1-5 - In feudal Japan, Ronin rabbit Miyamoto Usagi wanders the land as a shugyosha (student warrior on a pilgramage) occasionally selling his services as a yojimbo (bodyguard).
Nightschool vols. 1-4 - Schools may lock up for the night, but class is in session for an entirely different set of students. In the Nightschool, vampires, werewolves, and weirns (a particular breed of witches) learn the fundamentals of everything from calculus to spell casting.
Black Gate: the Black Gate Does Not Wait for the Soul to Die - when a person dies, if the black gate appears, their soul is forcibly withdrawn, but there are guardians sent to protect them. They are the Mitedemashi. This is their story.
Odyssey: a graphic novel - Retells, in graphic novel format, Homer's epic tale of Odysseus, the ancient Greek hero who encounters witches and other obstacles on his journey home after fighting in the Trojan War.
King of Hell vols 4, 17-22 - As Mejeh and company journey to the Gobi desert in search of the Insane Hounds, we learn more about Mejeh's past... Why is his master at the Dawn of Taoism hunting him down? And why are his friends trying to kill him?!
Werewolves of Montpellier - Southern France, early 21st century. A shadowy figure sneaks across the rooftops. The fangs, the pointy ears, the fierce demeanor, the hair -- is this the latest addition to the ranks of the urban werevolves so famed in movies and comic books?
Kind -- bk. 3 of Good Neighbors - Rue, a faerie heir, faces a difficult dilemma when the faerie world launches an attack on the city she has always known.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians vol. 1 The Lightning Thief - After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, twelve-year-old Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods like himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.
Pandora Hearts vols 2-3 - Oz Vessalius may have survived his stint in the Abyss, but he is no closer to discovering the truth behind the "sin" for which he was condemned. Oz, Alice and Pandora's Raven, embark on a mission to investigate the site of his disastrous coming-of-age ceremony in search of answers.
Dengeki Daisy vol. 1 - After orphan Teru Kurebayashi loses her beloved older brother, she finds solace in the messages she exchanges with Daisy, an enigmatic figure who can only be reached through the cell phone her brother left her.
Buddha vols 6-8 - the devil Mara possesses the bandit Ananda, in an effort to eliminate the Buddha. When Ananda and his bandit buddy attack the Fire Shrine of the Brahmin brothers Kassapa, it is none other than the Awakened One who happens by. Buddha must confront his eternal enemy, Mara, before he can open the eyes of arrogant priests and hardened criminals.
Nola's Worlds vols. 1-3 - Good at making up stories that she is not allowed to finish, Nola's teacher and friends little realize that Nola's stories, often an extension of her dreams, may hint at something strange going on underneath their perfect and boring town of Alta Donna, especially after two unusual new students enroll in school.

Recent Returns

General Winston's Daughter by Sharon Shinn- Averie is the daughter of a soldier, engaged to a soldier, but she is also a naive and spoiled young lady. When she travels to faraway Chiarrin, a recently-captured enemy city, she begins to see her own way of life differently. Are the Chiarran rebels justified in trying to kill the conquering soldiers? Is her father always right? And what about Lieutenant Ket Du'kai, who is also from a conquered nation? What is he really like? But the biggest question is, will Averie survive her visit to Chiarrin at all? 8 circs, 1 copy.

Ash by Malinda Lo - In this variant of the Cinderella story, Ash must choose between the fairy prince who is fated to love her, and the King's Huntress, whom she loves. 4 circs, 1 copy.

Light on Snow by Anita Shreve - while out in the cold snowy winter, Nicky Dillon finds a baby - abandoned and crying, its survival guaranteed only by her random choice of paths through the woods. 12 year old Nicky is already confused and lost by her father's sudden relocation to this small New England town; what secrets does this baby hide, and what choices led to its abandonment? 5 copies, 75 circs

Something Like Fate by Susane Colosanti - what happens when you fall for your best girlfriend's boyfriend? Lani knows she can't betray Erin that way, but it seems that Jason is equally attracted to her. How long can she keep running from the boy who may be the love of her life? 1 copy, 3 circs (new book)

Amazing Spider Man: The Complete Clone Saga Epic, Book 1 - the Jackal is back, and Spider Man is beside himself, again. Where did the spider-duplicate come from, and where has he been? Is he Peter Parker's dark side, or his better half? Everyone wants answers, and the cloaked killer Kaine is ready to rip them forcibly out of whoever has them!

Do you like the Hunger Games?

If you're like me, you've devoured all three novels, heard that they are making a movie, and are eagerly awaiting the news of who gets cast as Katniss.

Until then (sometime in January, I think), we'll have to make do by reading other novels that are similar in tone or flavor. Here are some things (in no particular order) I would suggest you try:

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
Graceling by Kristen Cashore
Maze Runner by James Dashner
The Silenced by James Davita
The Declaration by Gemma Malley
Dark Life by Kat Falls
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Truesight by David Stahler

I won't tell you more about all these books, because I want you to explore them and find out which ones YOU think are most like the Hunger Games. Or propose your own favorite read-alike, and I'll supplement the list with any suggestions I get.

Recent returns

Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind by Suzanne Fisher Staples - the story of Shabanu, a young girl in modern-day Pakistan, living with her camel-raising desert-dwelling family. She is the younger girl in a family without a son, and has always been allowed many freedoms. But after disaster strikes, she is promised to an older man in marriage. Will she choose to submit herself to a hated marriage to support her family, or will she follow her heart and try to find a different way to live? A poignant look at a culture that is very different from ours here in the U.S. There is a sequel, called Haveli. 29 circs...

The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall by L.J. Smith -- Elena is alive again, after her sacrifice to save the brothers, Stefan and Damon, who loved her. And now, her blood pulsing with power, she has returned to find them. But then she finds the diary entry Stefan left for her, which shatters her world. Can she resist Damon's urging to become his Princess, rule at his side, and become a vampire again? And what of the new darkness that is creeping over Fell's Church? Who is this new, malevolent being, and why does he want to destroy Elena? 14 circs.

Wake by Lisa McMann -- all her life, Janie has felt like a freak. At any time, she can find herself caught up in another person's dreams or nightmares; but this time, when she falls into someone's dream, a horrific nightmare, she's not just a watcher - she's a participant... 3 copies, 56 circs.

Girl, Stolen by April Henry -- Cheyenne is blind, and today she is sick, as well. Lying on the car's back seat, she suddenly hears a stranger get in the car and drive off with it - and her... Can she rescue herself? What does he want? Will he kill her when he finds her? A great adventure story. A New book - 2 circs.

Dragonlight by Donita K. Paul -- fifth and final book in the Dragonkeeper Chronicles -- The fantastic land of Amara is recovering from years of war; Kale, her father and her husband, Sir Bardon are busy hatching dragons and helping rebuild the kingdom. But all is not well in Amara... a secret enemy is attacking from hiding. Can they overcome an ominous peril that they cannot even see? 5 circs.

Book Review

A Sweet Disorder by Jacqueline Kolosov - Miranda is a sixteen year old in 15th century England, in the midst of Queen Elizabeth's reign. When Miranda's father dies unexpectedly, plunging the family into debt, she is sent to live with her father's cousins, the Earl and Countess of Turbury. Life is strange with the Countess, and Miranda longs for home. But when she discovers, after they go to Elizabeth's Court, that her cousins intend to marry her off for their own profit, she rebels. Miranda daringly takes her future into her own hands, and tries to win a place at Court on her own merits. Will she be able to win the Queen's favor? Will her own "trusted friend" betray her? Will she be able to escape marriage with Lord Seagrave? Filled with (mostly accurate) period detail, and written in the (modernized) voice of a believable, likeable young woman with pride and an independent spirit, this is a really lovely story. I give it 4 stars (only 4 because the ending could have been a bit less rushed, I think).

Nonfiction Award Winners

Do you prefer to read Nonfiction?

Or at least, do you occasionally like an excellent biography or fascinating dip into a science or historical topic?

Then try some of the YALSA NonFiction for Teens award books this year.

You won't regret it!

SLJ Teen Book Reviews

SLJ has posted another column of Book Reviews by Teen Reviewers, here.

Judging books by their covers

I love book covers. Sometimes I just have to read a book because of the cover art. Other times I am really saddened when a book doesn't live up to the lovely cover. And yet other times, I've put off reading a book for weeks or months just because the cover doesn't draw me in.

If you feel the same way, you can read all about the cover art of new YA books, and the reactions of their authors, at Melissa Walker's blog.

Would you like me to discuss book cover art here? Is it something that interests you? Let me know!

Recent returns

Glass by Ellen Hopkins - sequel to the novel Crank, this hard-hitting story follows Kristina as she struggles to overcome her addiction and raise her newborn baby. But managing both proves impossible, and things are soon worse than ever. Told in verse, this is a very powerful, sad, but possibly hopeful story of abuse, loss, and love. Book; 3 copies have circed 78 times.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman - The novel that the movie was based on, this tells the adventures of young Coraline after her family moves to a new flat in an old house out in the country. She finds a mysterious locked door, meets peculiar neighbors, and befriends a very unusual cat. And then things get very very odd indeed, and Coraline must defeat a nightmarish evil to save her family. Book; 2 copies, 11 circs. Graphic Novel; 34 circs; Sound Recording; 7 circs; Movie; 274 (the book is much better!)...

The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade - Book one of the series by the same name - audiobook read by Jayne Entwistle - Modo's life begins in freak show, until he is rescued by the mysterious Mr. Socrates and raised to be a secret agent for the Permanent Association. His first investigation is into the disappearance of street children in London, where he soon discovers a villainous plot against the government. This high action steampunk thriller involves shape-changers, mad scientists, revolution, and other exciting mysteries. Sound Recording; 4 circs. Book, 1 circ.

Breathless by Jessica Warman - Katie's whole life is uprooted when she is sent to boarding school to get her away from the trouble caused by her brother's growing mental illness. But she tells all the other teens that her brother has died, instead. And when her lies catch up with her, Katie will find out who her true friends are. A school story with real meat - you'll love Katie, her room-mate Mazzie, her maybe boyfriend Drew, and her worst enemy, beautiful Estelle. They're all very believable, and so is what happens. Book; 11 circs.

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei: the Power of Negative Thinking, vols 1 and 2 by Koji Kumeta - this OLDER TEEN manga is about a melancholy high school teacher in Japan. In volume 1 we meet Nozomu and his students, each odder than the last, and learn how they deal with life. In volume 2 Nozomu's family have decided it is time he marry; will he manage not to commit suicide and avoid marriage at the same time? This series is very funny in a satirical, twisted kind of way. Vol 1; 16 circs. Vol 2; 2 circs.

Best of List ... with sample chapters!

Wow, I love Best of Lists... and here's a great one, with links to sample chapters of each and every YA novel included. (Note: this is not a blog I read regularly, so I'm not sure it is always teen friendly, so be sure to use your discretion!).

And here's something else I just discovered: a website called Figment. It's a literary site for teens; you can share your writing, what you're reading, or anything else bookish you want to discuss...

Book Reviews

I just read two YA novels that I'd like to discuss. The first was The Princess and the Snowbird by Mette Harrison. Technically this is a sequel to her earlier novels The Princess and the Bear & The Princess and the Hound, but you don't have to have read them to understand and enjoy this fairy-tale-like novel. Liva and Jens, two very different young people, find each other in the deep forest, and share an instant bond. Liva has met very few people before now, as she was raised in a cave by her magical parents, who have taken the forms of a bear and a hound. Jens has no magic, and is almost an outcast in his own village. Together, they set out to restore magic to their world, and avenge a terrible wrong. The story is short and swift, but packs some real emotional punch. If you enjoy fairy tales, magic and a touch of sweet romance with a lot of action and adventure, you'll love this story.

Girl, Stolen by April Henry, is a very different story. Cheyenne is sleeping in her stepmother's car outside a pharmacy, when Griffin, a teen from a bad background, steals the car. Cheyenne's problem is that she's blind; Griffin's is that he dares not let her go for fear that he'll be caught in her stolen vehicle. So he kidnaps her, almost by accident. This leads to a very dangerous, almost explosive series of events involving them both. Griffin discovers things about his father and mother, while Cheyenne discovers how far she can push herself, even without vision. Will they each survive? Read this adventure story to find out...

It is interesting to see what these stories have in common, though they seem quite different. Both involve young women in unusual situations, with loving parents who have done their best to protect them, and young men with troubled family relationships, who are not sure what to do with themselves or how to avoid trouble. In both situations, the young people find themselves in challenging, dangerous situations, and come to rely on each other in some fashion. In each, they must learn to take risks, compromise and put their faith in fragile relationships. And in both cases, the teens grow and accomplish more than they believed they could dare. Have you read either of these stories? Do they remind you of other books you've read?

New Books

Nonfiction:

Unbound and Unbroken: the story of Frederick Douglass by Amos Esty --
Traces the life and historical impact of the noted abolitionist, detailing his birth into slavery and harsh upbringing, his subsequent escape, and his emergence as a leader.

Fiction:

Maxine Banks is Getting Married by Laurie Aurelia Williams -- When seventeen-year-old Maxine's best friend gets married, Maxine suddenly decides that she and her boyfriend Brian should, too, but things do not turn out the way she expected, and both she and Brian realize that they are not as grown up as they thought.
Sellout by Ebony Wilkins -- NaTasha loves her life of affluence in Park Adams, but her grandmother fears she has lost touch with her roots and whisks her off to Harlem, where NaTasha meets rough, street-wise girls at a crisis center and finds the courage to hold her own against them.
Half Upon a Time by James Riley -- In the village of Giant's Hand, Jack's grandfather has been pushing him to find a princess and get married, so when a young lady falls out of the sky wearing a shirt that says "Punk Princess," and she tells Jack that her grandmother, who looks suspiciously like the long-missing Snow White, has been kidnapped, Jack decides to help her.
Cloaked in Red by Vivian Vande Velde -- Presents eight twists on the traditional tale of Little Red Riding Hood, exploring such issues as why most characters seem dim-witted and what, exactly, is the theme.
The Frenzy by Francesca Lia Block -- When she was thirteen, something terrifying and mysterious happened to Liv that she still does not understand, and now, four years later, her dark secret threatens to tear her apart from her family and her true love.
Crusade by Nancy Holder -- An international team of six teenaged vampire hunters, trained in Salamanca, Spain, goes to New Orleans seeking to rescue team-member Jenn's younger sister as the vampires escalate their efforts to take over the Earth.
Wicked: a Pretty Little Liars Novel by Sara Shepard -- The stalker's identity has finally been revealed but high school juniors Spencer, Emily, Hanna, and Aria seem condemned to repeat the past as they resume their unrepentant ways.
Killer: a Pretty Little Liars Novel by Sara Shepard -- Former best friends Emily, Aria, Hanna, and Spencer continue to live in fear as they struggle to keep hidden even more secrets and someone new begins stalking them via their cell phones.
Heartless by Sara Shepard -- After high school juniors Spencer, Emily, Hanna, and Aria think they have seen Ali, their missing and presumed dead friend, they pursue clues from a mysterious stalker, trying to find out if she is still alive.
Wanted by Sara Shepard -- In this final volume, former best friends Hanna, Aria, Spencer, and Emily, who lost their best friend and leader, Alison, years ago when she disappeared, find themselves in grave danger when they pursue the truth about Alison.
Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness -- As a world-ending war surges to life around them, Todd and Viola face monstrous decisions, questioning all they have ever known as they try to step back from the darkness and find the best way to achieve peace.
Fear: 13 stories of Suspense and Horror by R.L. Stine -- In 13 blood-chilling stories from such masters of suspense as R.L. Stine, Meg Cabot, Heather Graham, and Suzanne Weyn, nothing is what it seems, and no one is safe.
Zen and Xander Undone by Amy Kathleen Ryan -- Two teenaged sisters try to come to terms with the death of their mother in very different ways.
Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stuber -- In Missouri in 1926, fifteen-year-old Iris Baldwin discovers what family truly means when her father hires her out for the summer as a companion to a country doctor's invalid mother.
My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours by Kristina Springer -- When her best friend Sea returns from her summer vacation claiming to have a boyfriend, twelve-year-old Tori is sure she is lying and makes up her own boyfriend, who just so happens to do everything better than Sea's boyfriend.
Ninth Ward by Jewel Parker Rhodes -- In New Orleans' Ninth Ward, twelve-year-old Lanesha, who can see spirits, and her adopted grandmother have no choice but to stay and weather the storm as Hurricane Katrina bears down upon them.
Lighter Side of Life and Death by C. K. Kelly Martin -- After the last, triumphant night of the school play, fifteen-year-old Mason loses his virginity to his good friend and secret crush, Kat Medina, which leads to enormous complications at school just as his home life is thrown into turmoil by his father's marriage to a woman with two children.
The Secret to Lying by Todd Mitchell -- Fifteen-year-old James lies about himself to be considered "cool" when he gets into an exclusive boarding school, but soon unnaturally vivid dreams of being a demon-hunting warrior lead to self-destructive acts while he is awake.
The Wake of the Lorelei Lee by L. A. Meyer -- bk. 8 of Bloody Jack -- Now rich, Jacky Faber has purchased the Lorelei Lee to carry passengers across the Atlantic, and believing she has been absolved of past sins against the Crown, she docks in London, where she is arrested and sentenced to life in the newly formed penal colony in Australia.
The Private Thoughts of Amelia E. Rye by Bonnie Shimko -- Growing up in a small town in upstate New York during the 1960s, a young girl, unwanted by her mother, searches for love and acceptance.
You by Charles Benoit -- Fifteen-year-old Kyle discovers the shattering ramifications of the decisions he makes, and does not make, about school, the girl he likes, and his future.
Bullet Point by Peter Abrahams -- The only thing seventeen-year-old Wyatt knew about his biological father was that he was serving a life sentence, but circumstances and a new girlfriend bring them together, and soon Wyatt is working to prove his father's innocence.
Time Riders, Book 1 by Alex Scarrow -- Rescued from imminent death, teens Maddy, Liam, and Sal join forces in 2001 Manhattan to correct changes in history made by other time travelers, using a "time bubble" surrounding the attack on the Twin Towers to hide their journeys.
Where the Truth Lies by Jessica Warman -- Emily, whose father is headmaster of a Connecticut boarding school, suffers from nightmares, and when she meets and falls in love with the handsome Del Sugar, pieces of her traumatic past start falling into place.
Livvie Owen Lived Here by Sarah Dooley -- Fourteen-year-old Livvie Owen, who has autism, and her family have been forced to move frequently because of her outbursts, but when they face eviction again, Livvie is convinced she has a way to get back to a house where they were all happy, once.
Home is Beyond the Mountains by Celia Barker Lottridge -- Samira is only nine years old when the Turkish army invades northwestern Persia in 1918, driving her family from its tiny village. They flee into the mountains, but the journey is so difficult that only Samira and her older brother survive. Will she and the other children ever see their villages again?
Winds of Heaven by Judith Clarke -- Clementine thinks her cousin Fan is everything that she could never be: beautiful, imaginative, wild. The girls promise to be best friends and sisters after the summer is over, but Clementine's life in the city is different from Fan's life in dusty Lake Conapaira. And Fan is looking for something, though neither she nor Clementine understands what it is.
The Familiars by Adam Jay Epstein -- A scrappy alley cat named Aldwyn passes himself off as a magical animal companion to Jack, a young wizard in training, but must convince his fellow "familiars" that he is authentic.
Hush by Eishes Chayil -- After remembering the cause of her best friend Devory's suicide at age nine, Gittel is determined to raise awareness of sexual abuse in her Borough Park, New York, community, despite the rules of Chassidim that require her to be silent.
Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin -- Seventeen-year-old Avery can remember nothing to explain her parents' violent death in the woods where they live, but after meeting Ben, a mysterious new neighbor, she begins to believe some of the stories she has heard about creatures of the forest.
Payback Time by Carl Deuker -- Overweight, somewhat timid Mitch reluctantly agrees to be the sports reporter for the Lincoln High newspaper because he's determined to be a writer, but he senses a real story in Angel, a talented football player who refuses to stand out on the field -- or to discuss his past.
Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson -- Fifteen-year-old Scarlett, who is beginning to get over her break-up with Eric, stays busy as assistant to her theatrical-agent friend, who is not only promoting Scarlett's brother Spencer but also a new client whose bad-boy brother has transferred to Scarlett's school.
I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison -- In a series of journal entries, Jenny Cooper describes her stay with cousin Jane Austen in the 1790s, and her entrance into Jane's world of beautiful dresses, dances, secrets, gossip, and romance.
The Half-life of Planets by Emily Franklin -- An unlikely romance develops between a science-minded girl who is determined to reclaim her reputation and a boy with Asperger's Syndrome.
Worldshaker by Richard Harland -- Sixteen-year-old Col Porpentine is being groomed as the next Commander of Worldshaker, a juggernaut where elite families live on the upper decks while the Filthies toil below, but when he meets Riff, a Filthy girl on the run, he discovers how ignorant he is of his home and its residents.
Scrawl by Mark Shulman -- When eighth-grade school bully Tod and his friends get caught committing a crime on school property, his penalty -- staying after school and writing in a journal under the eye of the school guidance counsellor -- reveals aspects of himself that he prefers to keep hidden.

Teen book, music and game reviews - by TEENS

School Library Journal is a great magazine for school and public librarians, but most teens would never know it existed - except for the very special few who write for it!

Read these teen music and game reviews - and here are the book reviews, as well.

Let me know if you like seeing these, and I'll post a link to the column every time it comes out (once a month, I think).