Miami-Dade Public Library System

Pretty Dead
by Francesca Lia Block

Charlotte is a vampire. She has been for almost a century. She is perfect in every way. But something is changing. Something or someone. Could it be the vampire that changed her that she has run away from?  Could it be Jared, the boy who is making her want to live again, or could it be the death of her human friend, the only friend she’s ever had since she lost her brother? Block relives her story for you with her beautiful words in one of her most recent books.  Janelle G.

Going Bovine
by Libba Bray

It's a challenge to explain how unusually good this story is.  Cameron is an ordinary teen in an ordinary school, although just barely passing his classes.  He has a preppy sister, who he's not close with and she is dating football captain who enjoys bullying Cameron.  His parents are all wrapped up in their own lives.  Suddenly Cameron abruptly starts misbehaving in disturbing ways and his parents think he is on drugs.  However, this is not the case.  Cameron is diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, better known as "mad cow disease." Simply his brain is slowly becoming mush.  At the hospital, Cameron meets a new friend, a hypochondriac dwarf named Gonzo, and they decide to take a final road trip together.  Supposedly there is this mysterious Dr. X who has the cure for Cameron's disease, if they can only find him!  On the way to locate Dr. X's secret lab, they meet the Norse god Balder, who is in the form of garden gnome, and end up in Florida during Spring Break.  Full of fun and zany adventures, this book doesn't disappoint.  Does Dr. X really exist and if so, will Cameron and his friends find the good doctor in time? The answer awaits you within the book. Sky K.

I'll Pass for Your Comrade: Women Soldiers in the Civil War  
 by Anita Silvey 

Fighting in the civil war was difficult enough given the horrific sanitary conditions, psychological trauma, primitive medical techniques and lack of food and training. Now imagine fighting this war as a woman disguised as a man. I'll Pass for Your Comrade: Women Soldiers in the Civil War by Anita Silvey tells the story of the hundreds of women who fought in the civil war dressed as male soldiers. They did this either to chase adventure, to follow their husbands or to fight for the cause they believed in. This book profiles several of these women and includes fascinating primary sources such as photos and letters from the battlefields.  To get a fascinating new perspective on the Civil War, check out I'll Pass for Your Comrade. Eleanor G.

The Orange Houses 
by Paul Griffin

Set in the Bronx, a friendship forms between an unlikely pair, a hearing impaired teen and an illegal teen immigrant, brought together by a war-torn teen veteran.  From the day they meet, their entire lives are changed ... The duo encounters many adventures as their friendship strengthens.  Faced by bullies, government snitches, drug dealers and more over the course of a month, the girls' lives are never the same. And what results from a day away in the city will change their neighborhood forever ... Latoya D.

The White Darkness
by Geraldine McCaughrean

Sym has been in love with Titus Oates for a long time. She talks to him every day, but only in her head, because he’s dead. But, she figures that since she’ll be dead in ninety years, the age difference won’t matter anymore. She talks to him about school, boys, her friends, and how she does not seem to fit in. In fact, she rarely talks to anyone but Titus. But one day, her Uncle Victor says to her, “would you like to go to Paris?” Skip school for a week and go to Paris? Now she would have something to tell her friends. And that is where Sym’s adventure begins. She travels to Paris only to find out that the real destination is Antarctica, where Titus – the guy’s she’s in love with, the dead guy – died. He was an explorer of Antarctica and now Sym is going to be an explorer just like Titus, except hopefully without the whole death part. Well, you can imagine what happens. She meets a guy named Sigurd, and they’re in the caravan together, and it’s really, really, cold and . . . it’s The White Darkness because all Sym sees is the is the never-ending snow of Antarctica. If you want to find out what happens to Sym, and whether she can manage to make it out alive, read The White Darkness. Lisa D.

Flash Burnout: a Novel
by L.K. Madigan

15-year-old Blake finds himself juggling his relationship with not only his girlfriend, but also with his friend who happens to be a girl. When the lines of these relationships blur, Blake finds out about growing up the hard way. Despite coming across as arrogant and cocky at times, Blake is a humorous and likeable enough narrator to make you care about him and his girl troubles in this entertaining book. Justin K.

The Awakening (Quantum Prophecy)
by Michael Carroll

This is an action-packed series that most reluctant readers and comic book lovers will enjoy. Ten years ago after a huge battle, all superheroes vanished- until one day when teens Danny and Colin discover their own super powers. Soon after they uncover their new secret skills, people are chasing after them. They don't know who they can trust while they are on the run. However, they do find out why and how all the original superheroes vanished. Want to know how? Read the first book in this series, "The Awakening" by Michael Carroll. Sky K.

Bras & Broomsticks
by Sarah Mlynowski

Rachel Weinstein is an average high school student whose life changes when she learns that her mom and little sister have the power of witchcraft. But isn’t it unfair that this witch gene skipped over Rachel and gone straight to her little sister, Miri? After all, Rachel has a lot more creative ideas to use witchcraft then her more practical and conservative little sister. For example, Rachel knows that magic can break up her dads wedding to the evil step-monster, magic can make Rachel popular and that magic could even cure the occasional zit. Rachel may not be a witch like her sister, but she does have the ability to convince Miri that witchcraft can be used to make their real lives perfect. As Rachel attempts to control her high school universe through magic, she discovers that there are unintended consequences to the supernatural forces that they unleash. Bras and Broomsticks is funny and lighthearted but it also tackles some real world issues, like step-families and the cruelty of high school cliques. This book is great for those looking for a light comedy with a bit of romance. Eleanor G.

Sea Change
by Aimee Friedman

16 year old Miranda is a studious high-school student who is excited to start her summer internship at the Natural History Museum in NYC. Unfortunately, her grandmother dies and Miranda must change her plans. Instead of working in the museum, Miranda spends the first weeks of the summer cleaning out her grandmother’s old house on an island off the South Carolina coast.  Miranda quickly realizes that her quirky, studious, personality doesn’t combine well with the Southern belles of her grandmother's town. The alienation she feels towards her island peers and the boredom of house cleaning is wonderfully interrupted by the attentions a strikingly handsome local teenager.  This young man shares Miranda's love of science and pursues her with intensity. At this point in the story, the many parallels between the bestselling Twilight and Friedman’s Sea Change emerge. Book stars a plain, female protagonist who is newly popular with boys upon her arrival to a small town? Yes. A handsome local boy who others warn her about? Yes. Local boy who may or may not be human? Yes. However, don't overlook the unique qualities of this book, it is romantic and magical and Miranda is a great character worth knowing. Try this book when you need a break from vampires.  Eleanor G.

Punkzilla
by Adam Rapp

Jamie, known as “Punkzilla” to his friends, is a 14 year old who has run away from home and found himself living on the streets and in halfway homes in the Pacific Northwest. The story is told through a series of letters written between Jamie and his older brother as Jamie travels across the country to be with his brother who is dying of cancer. Through Jamie’s letters, the reader embarks on a memorable journey across America in this heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful story. Justin K.

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn
by Alison Goodman

Eon joins the ranks of 12 eager young men trying for a chance to become an apprentice to a Dragoneye, a Lord who uses a dragon's powerful energy to control the elements.   However, if people find out that Eon is really Eona- a mere girl, it will mean certain death for her and her teacher.  However, Eon doesn't get chosen by that year's Rat Dragon.  The Mirror Dragon which has been missing in action for 500 years chooses Eon in a spectacular way.  This book casually challenges gender identity and gender roles in a way that do not dominate or drown the story. Fans of the Eragon series will want to snatch up this dragon themed tale! Sky K.

Newes from the Dead
by Mary Hooper

Anne Greene wakes up in the dark, unable to move or sense anything around her. Is she asleep, awake, alive, or dead? The last moment she can remember was standing on a platform with a noose around her neck. The year is 1650 and the reality is that Anne is lying immobile on a table, ready to be dissected for medical research. As she recalls her story in this dark, still state, a young medical student notices a flicker in her eye. What follows is the bringing back of Anne Greene in this miraculous story based on true events. Kristen W.

Shiver
by Maggie Stiefvater

Grace was attacked by wolves when she was younger. Ever since then she’s had an obsession with one of the wolves. They share a connection. She sees him watching her, with his yellow eyes. She wishes there was more. But that’s crazy, right; it’s just a wolf. Until that wolf shows up on her doorstep as a boy. He’s her wolf and he is just as obsessed with her as she is with him. They share a bond that people only dream about; they fill a gap in each other’s lives they didn’t even know was there. But winter is coming and along with it the threat of Sam turning into a wolf for good. Can they find a cure for him or will he disappear from her life forever? Janelle G.

The Compound
by S. A. Bodeen

One night on a camping trip a family is awoken by their father declaring there is a nuclear attack and they must seek shelter immediately. Fifteen year-old Eli and his family have taken refuge in their deluxe, private underground shelter to protect themselves from the nuclear war. The door closes when Eli and his family realize that his twin brother and grandmother are on outside and unable to make it in the shelter. After six years in the shelter with food running low, Eli discovers that his billionaire father made up the entire nuclear attack to just see if his family had the skills and gumption to survive. His father becomes ill, refusing to give up the code to unlock the shelter door and Eli's mother is having life-threatening trouble with her pregnancy. Can Eli find the clues his father has left to unlock the shelter hatch or will the nuclear compound become their tomb? If you liked Lowry's The Giver or The City of Ember, The Compound is a must-read. Sky K.

The Hollow Kingdom (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy)
by Clare B. Dunkle

Things and people are not always what they seem. Take a kaleidoscope and give it just a half a turn. The picture becomes totally different than you though it would be. Scary can turn out to be brave and strong, the beautiful can be cruel and frivolous. Welcome to the world of elves and goblins as seen from the Goblin King’s point of view. If you like The Hollow Kingdom (the first in the trilogy), be sure to read book two -Close Kin and book three -Into the Coils of the Snake. Barbara B.

Karma for Beginners
by Jessica Blank

Tessa, a fourteen-year-old girl, is thrust into a new lifestyle when she and her mother move into an ashram. Tessa is unhappy with her new living situation, and very unhappy with her relationship with her mother. Tessa does not fit in at the ashram, and she finds herself spending most of her time with an older boy, Colin, outside of the ashram. Tessa's journey is a coming of age story that revolves around the search for identity and love. Kristina M.

Avalon High
by Meg Cabot
Ellie has it bad enough with being the new kid in school. But when she develops a huge crush on the most popular boy there, who already has the perfect girlfriend, it can only lead to trouble. Add to that a series of coincidences that point to one unmistakable, unbelievable conclusion, and you've got a modern day Camelot on your hands. Lina C.

The Savage
by David Almond; illustrated by Dave McKean
This short story is about Blue Baker. Blue’s dad just died, and Blue can’t really explain what he is feeling. They used to be such a happy family but now he is just sad. His counselor tries to get him to talk about his grief but he can’t. She wants him to get his feelings out on paper but that doesn’t work either. But he does manage to get something on paper. A story about a savage. A boy he feels he knows, a boy that reminds him of himself. Except this story is magic, but not exactly happy magic. Blue’s story starts to come to life, and Blue Baker is left wondering who the real main character will be. Janelle G.

Tears of a Tiger
by Sharon Draper
Late one night four friends are driving around town and celebrating their high school's latest football victory. Unfortunately the driver of the car, Andy Jackson, is intoxicated and causes a horrible crash. The front seat passenger, who is Andy's best friend, is killed. Andy becomes terribly tormented by guilt and depression. This book follows the life of Andy and his classmates as they struggle with the accident and its aftermath. Told through letters, notes, news articles and phone conversations, this book will keep you captivated till the last page. Eleanor G.

A Kiss in Time
by Alex Flinn
Jack, an American teenager traveling through Europe, stumbles upon gorgeous Princess Talia, who, under the curse of a witch, has been sleeping for 300 years. A simple kiss awakens the princess and her kingdom, including her very angry father. Soon Talia finds herself in 21st century Florida, a very different time and place. Yossi G.

Speak
by Laurie Halse Anderson
It is Melinda's first year of high school and no one is talking to her. Over the summer she called the cops at a party and this has made her into an outcast. No one will sit with her at lunch, she gets shoved in the bleachers and her ex-best friend won't make eye contact with her. The truth is that she called the cops for a shocking and horrible reason. Will she ever be brave enough to tell someone what really happened at the summer party? Eleanor G.

Graceling
by Kristin Cashore
Enter a world where some people are graced with amazing powers. These special people all have different skills but are the same in that you can always tell a graced by their eyes. Some people fear them and some people use them. Katsa is graced with the art of killing and is being used by her uncle to do his dirty work. But she hates being used. She also hates her grace and what it makes her do. It’s not until she meets Po and finds the strength to break free from her uncle that she begins to understand herself and her powers. Now it’s up to her and Po to uncover a mystery that has their whole world fooled. Full of adventure and mystery, you won't be able to put this book down. Janelle G.

Night Road
by A.M. Jenkins
They live forever, surviving on human blood and enduring severe burns under the sun's rays, but don't call them vampires. Cole and others like him prefer to go by the label "hemovore," or "heme" for short. When Cole, a loner who spends his life roaming from town to town, is asked to help take a newly-created heme under his wing, he is reluctant to say the least. He finally agrees to take him on the road, hoping to pass on his knowledge to the new heme and feeling confident that he can deal with any situation that may arise. But then things take an unexpected and dangerous turn and Cole begins to question whether he really is the clever and self-controlled person he thought he was. This intriguing and atypical vampire novel delves into the "reality" of life as an undead creature and is a great change of pace from the traditional vampire story. Edda R.

The Big Splash
by Jack D. Ferraiolo
The most feared squirt gun assassin at Franklin Middle School has hit the dust and P.I. Matt Stevens was used as the bait. Now, with a bad taste in his mouth and a criminal kingpin on his tail, he'll work hard to solve the case. But with hidden secrets, former friends, and hall monitors blocking his every move, it'll take everything Matt's got to find out whodunit and see that justice is done, all before Friday. Melinda M.

Epic
by Conor Kostick
On Earth ruled by the Central Allocations committee, violence has been banned and all disputes must be settled within Epic, a virtual online game. Success in the game means success in your life offline, anything you want, you must win through the Epic. Everyone is so busy playing the game that their offline world is crumbling around them and Erik's parents have been exiled. Erik creates a beautiful female avatar, Cindella, after his original character is killed by a dragon. He plans to use his new dashing character and his friends to save the lives of their families, while ending the world that is Epic once and for all. Sky K.

Shift
by Jennifer Bradbury
Chris and Win have grown up together, best friends despite their obvious differences. When they decide to spend the summer before college cycling across the country, they have to talk their parents into letting them go. The trip turns into an epic adventure, but disagreements lead them to split up before reaching their destination. When Chris gets home, he finds that Win has yet to arrive. Can he go off to school and forget his childhood friend? Or will he try to find out what happened to Win? Cynthia B.

Something Wicked
by Alan M. Gratz
Horatio is ready for a weekend of kilted sword fights, camping and Scottish games with his best friends. The weekend is nearly ruined when his best friend's grandfather and host of Tennessee's Scottish Highland games, Duncan MacRae, is discovered murdered in Horatio's tent. However, Horatio sees a mystery to be solved and there is always that cute girl from one of the vendor's booths to get to know better. The police have arrested Duncan's son as the killer but Horatio is not so sure he is the murderer. As Horatio gets closer to the real killer, another murder takes place on the mountain. Will Horatio discover who is the true murderer before he becomes the next victim? Read Something Wicked by Alan Gratz to find out. Sky K.

Madapple
by Christina Meldrum
Aslaug is being raised by her mother under the strictest of control. Her education only covers the basics as requested by the state, and whatever her mother wants to teach her. Plants and forgotten languages are all that exist in Aslaug’s world, until the day her mother dies and Aslaug is suspected of her murder. Confused by a world she does not know, Aslaug finds family in the next town and goes to them, thinking nothing could be worse than living under her mother’s thumb. As she sinks into her new family’s religious fanaticism, she slowly loses what identity she had and her freedom. How will she break free of these iron controls, and at what cost? Melinda M.

Jellicoe Road
by Melina Marchetta
Already abandoned by her mother at a 7-Eleven when she was eleven, Taylor Markham is looking for her best adult friend, Hannah, who has mysteriously disappeared. If that wasn't bad enough, Taylor has reluctantly taken leadership over her dorm and must contend with territorial disputes between the Townies, Cadets and Jellicoe School students. And with the help of friends, she discovers the secrets of a mysterious car accident that happened years ago. Yossi G.

Point Blank
by Anthony Horowitz
Imagine a teenage boy eluding a mad scientist by skiing down the Alps on a homemade snowboard.  In that same week, he also rescues a beautiful girl from the path of an oncoming train and uses a construction crane to destroy an illegal drug lab.  Obviously, this is no ordinary teenager.  This is 14 year-old Alex Rider, the first and only teenager to work for the British Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6*.  So far, all his missions have been successful, but will he be able to solve the murders of two prominent billionaires without being murdered himself? Eleanor G.

Chains: Seeds of America
by Laurie Halse Anderson.
Thirteen-year-old Isabel is a slave during the Revolutionary War. While the country is fighting for its freedom, she and her sister, Ruth, are sold to an abusive couple in New York. They are soon separated when their mistress sells Ruth in the middle of the night. Increasingly desperate to find her sister and win her freedom, Isabel makes the dangerous decision to spy for the American rebels. Unsure of whom she can trust and close to falling into despair, will Isabel be strong enough to defy the status quo and accomplish her dreams? Kristen W.

The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman
They say that it takes a village to raise a child, but can a graveyard do it just the same?  Nobody Owens, Bod for short, is a young boy being raised by ghosts after his family was murdered.  If Bod leaves the graveyard he fears the same assassin who killed his parents will hunt him down to murder him as well.  This story follows Bod as he grows up in the cemetery from being a toddler to a teenager where eventually he gets a showdown with Jack, the man who murdered his family.  Will Bod survive or will this story serve as a memorial for our dear friend- find out by reading The Graveyard Book.  Older fans of Coraline will love this story! Sky K.

Streams of Babel
by Carol Plum-Ucci
 A teenage girl's mom suddenly dies under strange circumstances. Then kids around the neighborhood come down with a mysterious flu that never quite goes away. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a brilliant computer-hacking teen intercepts terrorist communications that speak of a plot to kill innocent Americans. Could this be related to the mysterious flu? This engrossing bioterrorism thriller grabs your attention from the start and never lets go. Edda R.

Cirque du Freak
by Darren Shan
Darren and his best friend are thrilled to be among the chosen few to attend the illegal, underground "Cirque du Freak" traveling show. At the show a performing tarantula, a raging werewolf and a snake boy all cause Darren and his friend to squirm in terror. Despite his fears, Darren is irresistibly attracted to the performing tarantula and returns to the circus to steal it. The stolen tarantula attacks Darren's best friend and causes Darren to make a series of terrifying decisions. The question is, will Darren be able to remain human and still save his friend? Eleanor G.

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
The Capitol demands a tribute: one boy and one girl from each of Panem’s districts to fight to the death and broadcast, reality-TV style. When sixteen-year-old Katniss listens in horror as her sister’s name is called as a tribute, she pushes her way to the front of the crowd to do what almost no one does: volunteer to be part of the Hunger Games. She and Peeta, the boy chosen from her district, are swept away to a world where available food, supplies, and even weather are under the control of the officials, children have been trained as killing machines, and life and death are a matter of entertainment. As the games progress, so does their relationship, where love and trust balance on the tip of a blade, literally. The first in a series, The Hunger Games will grip readers and leave them contemplating the parallels in today’s society. Kristen W.

Paper Towns
by John Green
John Green, the same author who has written great books such as "Looking for Alaska" and "An Abundance of Katherines," introduces us to Quentin whose life is just floating along awaiting one month until his graduation. His coasting along comes to an end when he meets up with the elusive and beautiful Margo Roth Spiegelman. She entices him to take her on a mysterious all-night road trip adventure, but then she disappears on Quentin the next morning. Her parents think Margo is up to her old tricks, but her new friend is not so sure. Quentin, with help from his friend Radar, follows a path of clues in hopes of finding Margo. This exciting journey is full of surprises that will make the pages flip quickly. Sky K.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
by Ann Brashares
What if you had a pair of jeans that made you feel a bit more powerful, a bit more confident, and a bit more beautiful? And what if this pair of jeans fit you and all three of your best girl friends perfectly? Four friends, Bridget, Lena, Tibby, and Carmen, share a magical pair of jeans one summer, accomplishing more than they thought possible. Eleanor G.

Red Scarf Girl
by Ji-Li Jiang
Red Scarf Girl is the autobiography of Ji-Li Jiang. It chronicles her experiences during the first two years of China’s Cultural Revolution, which began in 1966 and ended in 1976. When the Cultural Revolution begins, Ji-Li Jiang is a happy 12 year old girl. She is the oldest of three children and one of the best students in her school. She is well-liked and has a promising future. Over the next two years, Ji-Li Jiang and her family suffer greatly: most of the family’s possessions are confiscated; her father is falsely accused of being a “counter-revolutionary,” beaten, and imprisoned; her grandmother is beaten and publicly humiliated; and Ji-Li Jiang is stripped of her class rank and forced to attend special political “study sessions.” Through all of Ji-Li Jiang’s suffering, she struggles to reconcile her patriotism and love of China with her sense of justice and love for her family. Red Scarf Girl beautifully shows not only the strength of one particular girl, but it also powerfully depicts one of the most tumultuous periods in China’s recent history, a period about which most Americans know very little. Douglas H.

Absolute Brightness
by James Lecesne

Leonard Pelkey is 13 years old, charming, and finds the good in all people. He is verbally precocious, a tremendous actor, and gives fantastic style advice. These are all wonderful attributes, but they also set him wildly apart from the average male teenager in Neptune, NJ. Both his classmates and his family tease him for his flamboyant style and his quirky personality. When Leonard suddenly disappears, his 15 year old cousin Phoebe begins to regret the poor way that she treated him. But by the time Phoebe and his classmates realize how special Leonard is, it may be too late. This book is a finalist for the William C. Morris Award, which honors a book written by a first-time author for young adults. Eleanor G.

The Plain Janes
by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg; with lettering by Jared K. Fletcher

Castellucci, author of the popular The Queen of Cool, debuts in comic book format with a story about a group of girls all named Jane. These four girls with their disparate hobbies and interests are bound not only by their names, but also by their status as outcasts. Together they hatch a plan to bring art to lives of all the people in their small town through their secret "art attacks." Working up their fellow teenagers' support as well as the adults' suspicion, the "art attacks" change the lives of everyone, especially the Janes. Claudia O.

Twilight
by Stephenie Meyer

Perhaps one the most gushing teen romances ever written, Twilight tells the tale of Bella & Edward. Edward, mysterious and handsome, and Bella, smart—but insecure about her own beauty— are star struck at first sight. As the story unfolds we learn that Edward is not quite what he appears to be. Both gripping and suspenseful, this wonderful parable for romantic love reminds us of philosopher Rene Descartes’ observation that “the heart has it reasons that reason does not understand.” By the time Bella discovers her frightening suspicions about Edward’s nature are true, it’s too late: she is willing to risk nearly all—even her own life—for love. Brian C.

The Boxer and the Spy
by Robert B. Parker

Enjoy Robert Parker's newest book for teens, a mystery that opens with a clandestine conversation overhead leading to Jason, a shy high school boy being found dead on the beach. Terry who is training to be a boxer wasn't exactly best friends with Jason who supposedly died from a suicide attempt, but Terry believes something fishy is going on in this seaside town. Terry and his girlfriend Abby start asking questions about Jason's death which puts both of them in grave danger. Will the boxer and his girl spy discover the secret to Jason's suicide or will them both end up being covered up by six feet of dirt? Read this thriller of a story to find out! Sky K.

Powder Monkey: Adventures of Sam Witchall
by Paul Dowswell

Ripped from his shipmates by the Royal Navy, thirteen year old Sam is forced to serve aboard a warship. Enduring incredible hardships and facing terrible dangers, Sam must grow up very quickly just to stay alive. This teen story is riveting fiction yet accurate history. Bryant C.

Japan Ai: A Tall Girl's Adventures in Japan
by Aimee Major Steinberger

If you love manga and the Japanese pop culture from which it was born - and yes, I'm talking about Hello Kitty, Geishas, Volks dolls and Japanese food - you'll love Japan Ai. The format is manga meets traveler's sketchbook with illustrations galore, and the story follows a trip to Japan made by Steinberger - a 6-foot-tall cosplaying American with a penchant for anything Japanese and anything cute. Her travels with her two best friends take her to lots of interesting places in Japan, including maid cafes, fantasy restaurants and Harajuku Street. You'll finish the book feeling ready to depart for your own adventure in Japan. Claudia O.

The Dead and the Gone
by Susan Beth Pfeffer

This sequel to Life as We Knew It is about 17-year old Alex and how he deals with life in the aftermath of a horrible astronomical event. The moon is knocked out of orbit causing awful natural disasters all over the world. Its effects cause power outages, food shortages, freezing temperatures and people start dying. Things go from bad to worse and Alex is found alone having to care for himself and his two younger sisters. The story is a tale of survival as Alex tries to come to terms with what must be done to stay alive and his faith in God and himself. Janelle G.

Devilish
by Maureen Johnson

Would you give anything to be beautiful and popular? What if you were an awkward, timid, and fashion-impaired social outcast? When Jane’s hopelessly uncool best friend Allison does a complete one-eighty overnight, Jane suspects something strange is afoot. What she does not suspect is that Ally has paid the ultimate price for her makeover—one that may cause her to lose her immortal soul to a demon in the form of a sophisticated cupcake-eating teenage girl. This thrusts Jane into a race to save her best friend’s immortal soul—without losing hers in the process. With its funny and clever narrator and an engaging plotline, the pages will fly by in this fun read. Edda R. .

Chess Rumble
by G. Neri; art by Jesse Joshua Jackson.

Marcus attends an inner city school. Soon after his sister dies, his father—who has always been a bit absent—leaves the family. Angry, Marcus starts getting into trouble…first he gets into a fist fight with his best friend, then he starts fighting with his younger brother and sister…and soon he gets into trouble at school. The wise school principal sends Marcus to the library where he meets CM (for “checkmate”), a former inmate who has turned chess pro. After a rough start, CM teaches Marcus not only about chess strategy but also some very important life lessons. Brian C.

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X
by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Meet Daniel X. His parents were killed when he was three years old by an evil alien. After their death, Daniel discovers that he is an alien hunter like his parents and is charged with saving Earth from alien outlaws. Armed with a list of the top outlaws he inherited from his father and Daniel’s supernatural powers, he attempts rid the world of bad-to-the-bone aliens. However, Daniel X is number one on the alien outlaw’s list of most wanted. While attempting to pick off number six on Daniel’s list, he is captured and loses his special powers. Can Daniel escape the impending doom of a slow death? Will Earth be taken over by evil aliens? Read this awesome book to find out! Sky K.

Wildwood Dancing
by Juliet Marillier

In Ancient Transylvania, 16 year old Jena is left in charge of her four sisters while her father is away for the winter. To escape the drudgery of everyday life, Jena and her sisters use a portal in the bedroom to travel to a magical world, the Wildwood. However, as the winter wears on, the hidden dangers of the Wildwood begin seeping into the real lives of the girls. With rumors of Vampires, a haunted forest and small-minded town folk against her, Jena must use all her courage to make the household survive the winter. Eleanor G.

My Most Excellent Year
by Steve Kluger

Like his previous book, Last Days of Summer, Kluger uses epistolary fiction - a novel told through emails, diary entries and instant messages - to tell the story of an incredible Boston family that proves that love and friendship can be as strong a link as blood. First loves, baseball, musical theater and sign language are all mixed into this story which covers a year in the life of 3 high school students. If you're looking for a story full of hope and change, don't let this one pass you by. Claudia O.

Ink Exchange
by Melissa Marr

Ink Exchange is the sequel to Wicked Lovely. It is based in the same world of faerie but focuses on Leslie as its main character. This is the very dark, troubled story of Leslie’s life as she deals with her current issues at home while slowly being sucked into the equally nightmarish world of faerie. With a drug addicted brother and a drunken father she is used to flying under the radar. Suddenly, with the addition of a new tattoo, she finds herself being the object of two very important faeries’ attention. This is a great book with a dark twist on the world of faerie. Janelle G.

American Born Chinese
by Gene Luen Yang; coloring by Lark Pien.

Three distinct stories are interwoven in this colorfully illustrated graphic novel: the retelling of a Chinese fable, the tale of a middle schooler moving from Chinatown to a white suburb, and the story of an American teenager ashamed of his Chinese cousin. The Chinese fable, "The Monkey King," begins the novel with an action-themed narrative about an ambitious monkey who wants to be accepted by the ruling gods. The next story centers on Jin Yang's shock as he realizes his new classmates in an all white suburb consider him an outsider. Finally there is the tale of American teenager Danny, whose Chinese cousin embarrasses him at every opportunity. Yang skillfully weaves these three stories together into an astonishing conclusion. Both graphic novel fans and non-graphic novel fans will find themselves turning the pages to discover the fate of these well-drawn characters. Eleanor G.

Me, Penelope
by Lisa Jahn-Clough

Depressed, lonely, and obsessed with love, 16-year-old Lopi is also desperate to get away from her mother, which is why she has figured out a way to graduate high school early. Her next goal - to have sex with someone she loves - is the challenge she now faces. Lopi soon realizes that she and her mother will need to accept the horrible tragedy in their past if they are to move forward with their lives. Claudia O.

Slam
by Nicholas Hornby

Sam is a 15 year old boy growing up in England and living an ordinary life. He lives with his single mother, loves to skate, and is dating a pretty girl. The most unusual thing about Sam is that he worships the skater Tony Hawk and channels advice from a Tony Hawk poster in his bedroom. Sam turns to Tony when he discovers that his girlfriend is pregnant. Ultimately, however, Sam must rely upon his own strength and courage to create the best future for himself and his girlfriend. Hornby tells this story with humor and realism but without preaching. Eleanor G.

Kiki Strike: the Empress' Tomb
by Kirsten Miller

A talented animal rights activist and his band of giant thieving squirrels are loose in the city. Oona confesses that the leader of the fierce Fsu Tsang gang is actually her father and Ananka is being threatened with boarding school if her performance at school doesn't improve. The sequel to Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City is every bit as good as its predecessor, with lots of action, mystery, suspense and little bit of romance thrown in. Claudia O.

Heat
by Mike Lupica

Michael Arroyo’s life is baseball. Ever since he arrived in the Bronx with his father and brother from Cuba, he has dreamed about playing in the Little League World Series. Now, he has the chance to turn his dream into reality. It isn’t just that Michael loves baseball with a passion; he is really good at it as well. So good, in fact, that rival coaches and players will stop at nothing to prevent him from playing the game he loves. To make matters worse, Michael’s father isn’t around and, if the people from social services find out he and his teenage brother live alone, they might separate them. With seemingly the whole world against Michael, and with no parents around to help him, can Michael survive life in the Bronx, let alone lead his team to the Little League World Series? Ryan L.

What Happened to Cass McBride?
By Gail Giles

A cruel note carelessly left behind. A shocking suicide. A smart, popular girl kidnapped…and buried alive. These elements comprise Giles’ smart psychological thriller that delves into the personalities of Cass McBride, her kidnapper, and his dead brother. When Cass McBride awakens to find herself trapped underground in a box, placed in there by the person who blames her for his brother’s death, she knows she must use her guile, intelligence, and strength to survive. Along the way, however, she also comes to a few startling realizations about herself. Edda R.

Wicked Lovely
by Melissa Marr

The lead character, Aislinn, can see fairies, only these are not the sweet and whimsical fairies that people think. They are capricious, selfish, magical and most important, not human. The King of Fairies falls in love with Aislinn and wants to make her his queen, regardless of what she wants. Aislinn is not happy to be his choice and resolves to not be his. She is a strong character and very likable. The ending was unexpected and satisfying. Nancy M.

Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City
by Kirsten Miller

This first book in the Kiki Strike series combines espionage, New York City lore, and appealing characters to create a clever and enjoyable story. The plot revolves around precocious 12-year-old Ananka Fishbein, whose adventure begins the moment she climbs down a newly-opened sinkhole in the park across from her apartment in pursuit of a mysterious pixie-like girl and discovers the existence of a previously unknown world under the streets of New York City. She soon teams up with the elusive Kiki Strike and other girls with unusual talents to uncover the secret of the Shadow City hidden beneath ground. And if you like this one, check out the sequel, Kiki Strike: The Empress’ Tomb! Edda R.

Flora Segunda
by Ysabeau S. Wilce

Flora Fyrdraaca is the youngest daughter of one of the great families of Califa. This is not as nice as it seems. Her mother is always away commanding the army and her father is an alcoholic former POW who lives in their attic. To make matters worse her mother banished the family’s magical butler, so Flora has to do all of the cooking and cleaning in her their mansion, Crackpot Hall. One day Flora accidentally stumbles into her house’s old abandoned library and comes face to face with the banished butler. This starts her on a series of magical adventures which, if they don’t kill her, may help her achieve her dreams. John S.

This Is What I Did
by Ann Dee Ellis

As Logan begins a new year in a new school, he is taunted and bullied because his secret is out. But the reader is left in the dark, with only hints and glimpses of what happened. Logan has to find the courage to stand up to the bullies and confront his past. Claudia O.

Prey
by Lurlene McDaniel

Ryan, a lonely high school freshman, captures of the attention of the attractive new History teacher, Ms. Settles. Their secret relationship has repercussions that not only affect them but their community as well. Joseph G.

Rats
by Paul Zindel

This book is so gross you don't want to eat while reading it. Join Sarah and her younger brother Mike as they battle mutant rats that have taken over New York. Will they win the battle to save their city or become food for the rats- read the book to find out! Sky K.

Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarians
by Brandon Sanderson

This is the story of Alcatraz Smedry, a thirteen year old foster child with a talent for breaking things. On his thirteenth birthday he receives a bag of sand in the mail, but the sand is soon stolen by evil librarians bent on world domination. Alcatraz must team up with his long lost grandfather to recover the sand and uncover his destiny, before evil librarians take over the world. (WARNING: This book claims to be a true story, but it is not! It is a work of fiction. Librarians are NOT trying to conquer the world!) John S.

The Black Sheep
by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout

Kendra signs up to participate in a reality TV show after getting tired of her banker parents, who want to turn her into a younger version of themselves. She ends up swapping lives with a hippie family from California who are all about saving the otters. Fortunately for her, her host family has a handsome son she immediately falls for head over heels. Drama abounds in this story as the pushy producer Judy tries to get Kendra to divorce her parents, among other cooked up schemes, to raise ratings for the TV show. Sky K.

The Chaos Code
by Justin Richards

Matt comes home for the holidays to discover that his dad has been kidnapped because of a secret project he has been working on. After discovering a letter in secret code that his dad left him before he was kidnapped, Matt gets caught up in an exciting adventure to rescue his dad and to uncover the archaeological find of the century. Whoever unlocks the secrets behind this old disc will have the power to rule the world. Will Matt find his dad and will he keep the secret of the disc before it falls into the wrong hands? Find out by reading the amazing story of The Chaos Code. Sky K.

The Road of the Dead
by Kevin Brooks

In this dark and gripping tale about two brothers trying to lay their sister to rest, Brooks is at his morose best. Set against a bleak, gray backdrop of the English moors and peopled with characters that are both strange and depressingly hopeless, the writing is so vivid that it's easy to imagine this being made into a film along the lines of "No Country for Old Men." Claudia O.

Spud
by John Van de Ruit

South Africa's answer to The Catcher in the Rye, Spud is the journal of John "Spud" Milton, a 13-year-old who won a scholarship to an elite all-boys boarding school. In his first year, he charts his most embarrassing moments, the most outrageous stories and pranks in the school, as well as the antics of sometimes quirky, sometimes flat-out crazy classmates, teachers and parents. Claudia O.

The sweet far thing
by Libba Bray

In the conclusion to the trilogy that started with "A Great and Terrible Beauty," Gemma Doyle is faced with the greatest trials she's encountered yet: keeping the magic of the Realms safe and curtsying to the queen on the day of her debut to society. Together with the only people she can truly trust, her friends Felicity and Ann, Gemma struggles to determine what to do with the magic that she has bound to herself. All three girls want to change their lives in extraordinary ways, but they must also save that world from the evil forces at work in the realms. A bittersweet ending to the Gemma Doyle Trilogy will leave readers sad, but satisfied. Claudia O.

The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian
by Sherman Alexie; art by Ellen Forney.

Arnold "Junior" Spirit lives with his parents and sister on a Spokane reservation. He tries to break the prevalent cycle of poverty and addiction by attending a very affluent (and very white) high school away from the reservation. Junior faces hostility from his best friend and his community who see him as trying to "be white". He survives the obstacles and challenges that face him through basketball and cartoons. Joseph G.

The green glass sea
by Ellen Klages

This 2007 winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction delves into the story of the creation of atom bomb from the point of view of a young daughter of one of the scientists at work on it. Ten-year-old Dewey is happy to live in Los Alamos, even though everything is so secret that the world doesn't even know they exist and even though she doesn't get along with any of the girls her age. Readers will admire Dewey and root for her happiness while also learning a lot of interesting information about what life was like in Los Alamos as the atom bomb was being built. Claudia O.

Samurai shortstop
by Alan Gratz

What do baseball and bushido –the way of the warrior- have in common? Find out as you follow Toyo Shimada, a 16 year old living at a time of great changes both in his personal life and his country. A family tragedy and the challenges he encounters at Ichiko, an elite boarding school, find him on a collision course between the old and the new ways. Toyo will discover things he never knew about himself and his heritage in the midst of a changing Japan. Bonina G.

Maximum Ride : the angel experiment
by James Patterson

Max and her friends were raised in a laboratory through a science experiment splicing human and bird DNA enabling them to fly. Her and her friends escape only to be later chased by mutant werewolves sent by the lab scientists to get them back. Will Max and her friends discover who their parents are before they are captured by the scientists and their werewolves? Will the voice Max is magically hearing lead her to her doom or help her save the world? Or will the werewolves “erase” this experiment gone wrong? Sky K.

Story of a Girl
by Sara Zarr

After being caught in an embarrassing position at the age of thirteen, Deanna's reputation is in ruins. Her father has lost all of his trust in her and her brother, a teenage father who lives in the basement with his wife and young daughter. Deanna yearns for freedom from her reputation and low expectations that her family and community have of her. Joseph G.

Terrier
by Tamora Pierce

Beka Cooper is a smart, streetwise girl with a passion for justice. Justice for everyone, even those who live in the slums of her city. Beka has always wanted to be one of the Provost’s Guards- to be a Provost’s Dog. But first she must survive being the Provost’s Puppy, where 2 of 10 die in their first year of work. Beka has an edge. She can hear the ghosts of the murdered who ride on the backs of the city’s pigeons, the city whirlwinds tell her the gossip of the streets and best of all, she has a telepathic purple eyed cat. Maybe, just maybe, Beka can beat the odds against her. Barbara B.

The Secret Hour (Midnighters Volume 1)
by Scott Westerfeld

This is a creepy, fascinating, and highly original tale of a group of teens gifted (or cursed?) with the unique ability to exist in a secret hour during which time becomes frozen for the rest of humanity. This first volume sees the arrival of a new Midnighter, Jessica Day, who is somehow different from the others. Soon the group of Midnighters is in a race to uncover what makes Jessica so special as to lure the mysterious and terrible creatures that reside within the secret hour out of hiding, transforming the secret hour from a place of tranquility into a nightmarish landscape. Edda R.

Life As We Knew It
by Susan Beth Pfeffer

People around the world excitedly gather to witness the once-in-a-lifetime event of the moon being hit by a very large asteroid. Unfortunately, the moon is knocked out of its orbit closer to the Earth and everyone, everywhere is affected. Miranda details in her diary the events which change “life as we knew it” into a situation where even being able to do laundry in the washing machine is something that is looked forward to. Does Miranda survive the bitter winter after the asteroid hit or is her diary the only thing left to tell us about her life? Read this great story to find out. Sky K.

Gil’s All Fright Diner
by A. Lee Martinez

Can a vampire and a werewolf be best friends? They can in Martinez’s wacky and entertaining novel about an unlikely duo that works together to help out the owner of an all-night diner when supernatural fiends come crashing through its doors. This novel will be well liked by anyone who enjoys their horror with a good dose of humor. Edda R.

The House of the Scorpion
by Nancy Farmer

Matt Alacrán is a clone of the feared ruler of the land called Opium. As such, he receives protection from “El Patrón” but is also reviled by the inhabitants of the Alacrán estate who view him as an abomination. Matt comes to understand what he is and what it means to be human, as well as discovering the fate of those clones not under the protection of the dreaded El Patrón, in this eerie and suspenseful novel of a possible future. Edda R.

The Golden Compass
by Philip Pullman

Check out this enthralling fantasy about Lyra before the movie premiers on the big screen. You'll journey to a thrilling world where everyone has a daemon (an animal form of a person's soul), magic abounds around every corner and Lyra befriends important allies in her adventure discovering the mystery behind a rash of kidnappings and that which is called "Dust." Sky K.

Nothing to Lose
by Alex Flinn

Ever thought about the traveling circus life and how exciting it could be? But what if the reason you are part of it is because you decided to run away from reality? See how a young runaway by the name of Michael travels back to his home town and sees how things have changed since he's been gone. Cynthia S.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
by Stephen Chbosky

When reading this book you will feel moved and connected to Charlie, the main character, and how he goes through adolescence carrying a secret in which he’s forgotten all about. Through his letters his hidden secret begins to unravel. It’s a great read and everyone will take something with them after reading this book. Cynthia S.

Feed
by M.T. Anderson

Ever thought how cool it would be to connect everything with your mind, to watch TV in your head or call someone just in your mind? In this ironic satire set in the future you will see how a young guy meets a girl without these abilities and how sometimes technology isn’t cut up to what it seems to be. Cynthia S.

Surviving Antarctica: Reality TV 2083
by Andrea White

In a 2083 reality TV game show, a group of teens battle each other for the $10,000 prize as they reenact Scott’s 1910-1913 expedition to the South Pole. Mother Nature is brutal and someone is secretly aiding them on their journey, but will it be enough to survive? Find out by reading this book! Sky K.

Sweetblood
by Pete Hautman

"Blood is my friend. Without it my cells shrivel. Without it I die...." Thus begins Lucy's narrative in Pete Hautman's intriguing and well-written novel Sweetblood. Lucy sees herself as one of the Undead, not as a result of overly imaginative gothic fantasies, but because of the connection between her out-of-control diabetes and her own theory of vampirism. Her increasing frustration with her diabetic state leads her to engage in self-destructive behavior that threatens her school and family life. Lucy is an intelligent and cleverly funny narrator, however, which makes this novel very enjoyable while at the same time dealing with serious issues. Edda R.

Tamar
by Mal Peet

After her grandfather's sudden death, Tamar inherits from him a box of WWII items. She vows to uncover the puzzling mystery of the seemingly unrelated objects in the box and her grandfather's history with the Dutch resistance in Nazi occupied Holland. Peet alternates telling this exciting tale between Tamar's modern day detective work and the distant past of Tamar's namesake. The story dramatically develops through two Dutch resistance agents and Marijke, the love of both their lives, as they battle for what they believe is true. Sky K.

The Wind Singer
by William Nicholson

Ever read and enjoyed Lois Lowry's The Giver and Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass? Then you will like this fantasy filled trilogy adventure of three kids from Aramanth by the name of Kestrel, Bowman, and Mumpo, and how they defy their society by going on a journey to find the Wing Singer in order to free their people from a demanding society. Cynthia S.

Bestsellers and More

Recent Arrivals – Young Adult Books
National Book Awards Young People's Literature