Book Review

Ancient, Strange and Lovely by Susan Fletcher - This is a really wonderful story, about a young woman who finds a strange object in her missing mother's belongings, and is led into a marvelous adventure. If you enjoy dragons in "real world" settings, you'll love this story. Bryn is a strong and believable heroine, who loves her little sister, her parents, and even her difficult Aunt. The story opens with her feeling lost and alone, burdened with secrets she wishes she didn't have to keep, and rapidly moves into her discovery of what can only be an egg - which, to her amazement, hatches into a strange, lizardlike creature with wings! Bryn's struggles to keep her find secret, to take proper care of it, and to discover how it connects to the fact that her scientist mother has vanished in the Arctic wilderness, are all very well written. The villains are also believable, acting from their own needs and desires. All in all, it's a good story for anyone who loves fantasy in the real world, dragons, and adventure! And it is subtly connected to her other dragon fantasy books, as an added bonus.

New YA Fiction

Fiction:

Far, Far Away by Tom McNeal -- When Jeremy Johnson Johnson's strange ability to speak to the ghost of Jacob Grimm draws the interest of his classmate Ginger Boltinghouse, the two find themselves at the center of a series of disappearances in their hometown.







Real Boy by Anne Ursu -- On an island on the edge of an immense sea, there is a city, a forest, and a boy. The city is called Asteri, a perfect city that was saved by the magic woven into its walls from a devastating plague that swept through the world over a hundred years before. The forest is called the Barrow, a vast wood of ancient trees that encircles the city and feeds the earth with magic. And the boy is called Oscar, a shop boy for the most powerful magician in the Barrow. Oscar spends his days in a small room in the dark cellar of his master's shop, grinding herbs and dreaming of the wizards who once lived on the island generations ago. Oscar's world is small, but he likes it that way. The real world is vast, strange, and unpredictable. And Oscar does not quite fit in it. But it's been a long time since anyone who could call himself a wizard walked the world, and now that world is changing. Children in the city are falling ill, and something sinister lurks in the forest. Oscar has long been content to stay in his small room in the cellar, comforted in the knowledge that the magic that flows from the trees will keep his island safe. Now, even magic may not be enough to save it.

Pretenders by Lisi Harrison -- Five high school freshmen -- the Phoenix Five -- reveal their friendships, crushes, school and family dramas, and big secrets, as told in their unique voices through journal entries.

Living with Jackie Chan by Johanna Knowles -- This isn't how Josh expected to spend senior year. He thought he'd be hanging out with his best friends, Dave and Caleb, driving around, partying, just like always. But here he is, miles from home -- going to a new school, living with his Jackie Chan-obsessed uncle, Larry. Trying to forget. But, Josh can't forget. So many things bring back memories of last year and the night that changed everything. He thinks about it every day. The pain, the shame, the just not knowing are never far from his thoughts. Why is he such a loser? How could he have done what he did? There are moments of peace, like when he's practicing karate paired with Stella, the girl upstairs and his one true friend. When they move together through the katas, Josh feels connected in a way he has never felt before. He wonders if they could be more than friends, but Stella's jealous boyfriend will make sure that doesn't happen. Maybe it doesn't matter. If Stella knew the truth, would she still think he was a true karate man?

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis -- Sixteen-year-old Lynn will do anything to protect her valuable water source, but the arrival of new neighbors forces her to reconsider her attitudes.








Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac -- In a world that has barely survived an apocalypse that leaves it with pre-twentieth century technology, Lozen is a monster hunter for four tyrants who are holding her family hostage.




Red by Alison Cherry -- Felicity St. John has it all: loyal best friends, a hot guy, and artistic talent. And she's right on track to win the Miss Scarlet pageant. Her perfect life is possible because of just one thing: her long, wavy, coppery red hair. Having red hair is all that matters in Scarletville. Redheads hold all the power--and everybody knows it. That's why Felicity is scared down to her roots when she receives an anonymous note: "I know your secret. " Because Felicity is a big fake. Her hair color comes straight out of a bottle. And if anyone discovered the truth, she'd be a social outcast faster than she could say strawberry blond. Her mother would disown her, her friends would shun her, and her boyfriend would dump her. And forget about winning that pageant crown and the prize money that comes with it--money that would allow her to fulfill her dream of going to art school. Felicity isn't about to let someone blackmail her life away. But just how far is she willing to go to protect her red cred?

Blackout by Robison Wells -- A mysterious virus is spreading through America, infecting teenagers with incredible powers -- and a group of four teens are about to find their lives intertwined in a web of danger and catastrophic destruction.






Jumped In by Patrick Flores-Scott -- In the two years since his mother left him with his grandparents in Des Moines, Washington, Sam has avoided making friends and perfected the art of being a slacker, but being paired with a frightening new student for a slam poetry unit transforms his life.

Shadowhunter’s Codex by Cassandra Clare -- Delve into the details of all things Shadowhunter with this special collector's edition of the illustrated guide to the knowledge and lore of the Shadowhunter world. Since the thirteenth century, the Shadowhunter's Codex has been the" "one and only manual for Shadowhunters looking to brush up on their demon languages, learn proper stele use, and discover just what exactly a pyxis is. Featured in both The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices, this guide is a necessity for any young Nephilim on their journey to becoming a Shadowhunter. Beautifully illustrated, the Codex contains images of the famous Shadowhunter homeland of Idris, as well as depictions of demons and other Downworlders. But this isn't just any copy of "The Shadowhunter's Codex." It's Clary's copy, and as an artist herself, she's sketched pictures of her friends and family in the book, and scrawled helpful advice in the margins.

Clockwork Scarab by Gleason -- Stoker and Holmes #1 - In 1889 London young women are turning up dead, and Evaline Stoker, relative of Bram, and Mina Holmes, niece of Sherlock, are summoned to investigate the clue of the not-so-ancient Egyptian scarabs -- but where does a time traveler fit in?