STORYLINING

Ice Shock

2012-01-25T07:41:00.000-08:00

Ice Shock
M. G. Harris

This second novel in the series starts off with the theft of a priceless artifact in Kabul by a mysterious ninja-like thief and then quickly switches back to Oxford, England, where 14-year-old Josh Garcia continues on an adventure involving his father's death in Mexico, a hidden Mayan civilization called Ek Naab in which the citizens are brilliant and highly advanced, a lost codex, and danger at every turn.

The plot twists and turns as Josh runs for his life, unsure who he can trust. Cryptic clues, a secret city, an ancient prophecy of a catastrophic end to the world keep the reader engaged to the very end!

Submitted by: JL

Library Wars – Love & War Vol. 1

2012-01-11T11:03:00.000-08:00

Library Wars- Love & War Vol 1.
Kiiro Yumi

In a world where the government dictates what people should and should not read, libraries have had to resort to creating an army, called the Library Defense Force to protect the collections they have from being confiscated by the dreaded military Media Betterment Act army.

Iku Kasahara has fulfilled her dream of being recruited by the LDF but the training is difficult. Not only does she physically have to be in shape, but she has to memorize the entire layout of the library and know where every book is located (this in itself is boring enough to make any student fall asleep).

There are many humourous side comments about her training and trainers, especially good-looking Sergeant Atsushi Dojo. Despite his being particularly hard on her, Dojo can be surprisingly gentle at times.

Reviewed by BZ

POD

2012-01-02T13:35:00.000-08:00

POD
Stephen Wellenfeld

Surviving a massive alien siege is one thing – surviving humanity is another. POD is a page turner of a book that combines a Life as We Knew It style scenario with an alien invasion. When the aliens arrive, filling the sky with black pods, instantaneous death from above strikes any person who ventures outside. And yet, the aliens don’t seem to be attacking directly—just picking off humans, one by one…

For 16-year old Josh, trapped with his dad in their home in Washington with all lines of communication to the outside world cut off, every day is a slow torture of isolation and annoyances. For 12-year old Megs, life is a scramble as she tries to stay alive on the run inside a hotel parking lot – left there by her mother.

Tension mounts as the situation becomes progressively more grim. Will Megs survive long enough to find her mother? Will Josh and his father survive each other?

Reviewed by CD

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

2011-12-23T09:26:00.000-08:00

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
Michelle Hodkin

Get out your fire extinguishers friends because this book is HOT. If you don’t believe me, just watch the trailer.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, by debut author Michelle Hodkin, is the first book in a series. Seventeen year old Mara is the sole survivor of an accident which killed three of her friends. Mara has no memory of the accident and is haunted by its trauma. Trying to escape the memories, Mara and her family move. But starting a new school and falling for the irresistible, gorgeous and yes school womanizer Noah Shaw do not help Mara put her past behind. Instead, death begins to follow Mara wherever she goes and Mara begins to realize that the death of her friends was no accident.

Hodkin’s leaves you clamoring for more at the end! Sequel due out Fall 2012.

Between Sisters

2011-12-22T11:11:00.000-08:00

Between Sisters
Adwoa Badoe

Living in a poor area of Accra, 16 year old Gloria has dreams of becoming a dressmaker, but after failing most of final exams it seems unlikely to happen. Then a distant relative, Christine, offers to move Gloria to Kumasi to look after her son. In exchange, Christine will pay for Gloria to go to dressmaking school. In Kumasi Gloria learns that city life is much different than from her home village. She quickly has to learn who she can trust and that temptations be it material or human must be addressed. When everything starts to go wrong Gloria misses her sister and must decide how she will move forward with her future and her family.

Reviewed by MH

A Map of the Known World

2011-12-16T09:13:00.000-08:00

A Map of the Known World
Lisa Ann Sandell

Cora Bradley feels trapped starting ninth grade in a small town after her older brother Nate died six month earlier in a car crash. Her parents are lost in their grief and offer nothing but severe restrictions on her life outside the school. Cora seeks comfort in art, drawing beautiful maps and imagines herself in exotic places.

Soon she meets Damian, the handsome boy who was in the car with her brother the night of the accident. Their friendship is developing after Damian shows Cora a secret place of art that he and Nate were creating. Cora begins to understand her complicated and troubled brother through his artwork. Both Damian and Cora are damaged after Nate’s death and try to use their artwork to deal with their emotions.

The book is an enjoyable read , a great book to give to younger teens ( 12 and up) without worrying about inappropriate material.

Reviewed by SG

Conspiracy 365

2011-12-08T11:41:00.000-08:00

Conspiracy 365
Gabrielle Lord

On New Year’s Eve, Callum Ormond’s life was about the change. Just months earlier Cal’s father had passed away leaving a mysterious and history changing secret. It was because of this secret both police and ruthless criminals were after Cal, thus leaving Cal on the run like a fugitive, since everyone seems to want him dead. Cal has been warned that he must survive 365 days. The countdown begins with a book full of action and adventures.

Conspiracy 365 is a Series of 12 books (12 months)

The author keeps you guessing at the end of each chapter so you want to keep reading.

Reviewed by LR

Jump

2011-12-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

Jump
Elisa Carbone

P.K. and Critter, 16 years old, meet by accident at a rock climbing gym and immediately hit it off. Both are unhappy with their home life feeling their parents do not understand or listen to them. They decide to run away to do some serious rock climbing together. While their parents are looking for them, P.K. and Critter get to know each other better. They support each other in their climbing challenges. Critter has a wonderful ability to look at life as an adventure and be happy in the moment. Carbone alternates voices between P.K. and Critter. The story moves quickly with short chapters and an exciting climax.

Reviewed by DS

The DUFF (designated ugly fat friend)

2011-11-18T06:41:00.000-08:00

The DUFF (designated ugly fat friend)
Kody Keplinger

Life isn’t exactly a dream for Bianca Piper but it gets nightmarish for the seventeen-year-old when her dad gets served divorce papers by her always absent mom and he breaks his eighteen years of sobriety. Bianca is ashamed and saddened by her home life and does her best to conceal it from her two best friends Casey and Jessica.

Suddenly the one person she finds herself drawn to is Wesley Rush, the arrogant womanizer that had the nerve to nickname her Duffy, based on her being the “designated ugly fat friend” compared to Casey and Jessica. The nickname stings, but spending time with one of the hottest guys in school makes Bianca feel like nothing else in the world matters, which provides an excellent distraction from her parent’s divorce. Wesley and Bianca initially start off as “enemies with benefits” using one another, but then Bianca finds herself falling for someone who may not be such a bad guy after all…..

Reviewed by DH

Clockwork Angel

2011-11-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

Clockwork Angel
Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel, the prequel to the New York bestselling series The Mortal Instruments is set in gas lit streets of Victorian London. 16 year old Tessa Gray is lured by the Dark Sisters members of The Pandemonium Club a secret Downworld organization of vampires, warlocks and other demons. Tessa manages to escape with the help of Will, a magical being called a Shadowhunter, killing one of the sisters and a servant who is more robot than human. Will, along with his Shadowhunter friends belong to the London Institute are dedicated to ridding the world of demons.

Tessa is fascinated and torn between Will and his best friend James and is drawn deeper into the plot that threatens to destroy not only the Shadowhunters but the world as well. Magic is dangerous – but love is the most dangerous. Compulsive reading as Clare has the ability not only to tell a story but to create a very intriguing other world.

Reviewed by JD

Matched

2011-10-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

Matched
Ally Condie

“ ‘What are you smiling about?’ Xander wonders as I smooth the fold of my green dress down neat.
‘Everything,’ I tell him, and it’s true. I’ve waited so long for this: for my Match Banquet. Where I’ll see, for the first time, the face of the boy who will be my Match. It will be the first time I hear his name."
-Matched

Seventeen year old Cassia Reyes lives in a world where ‘The Society’ makes choices for everyone- including who you you will marry. On her matching day, Cassia’s best friend appears on the screen as her ideal match. When she goes to access his information however another face appears- Ky. Has 'The Society' made a mistake? Does she trust The Society- or does she follow her heart?

If you already have read Matched, get ready for Crossed out November 1st!

The Monkeyface Chronicles

2011-09-30T11:06:00.000-07:00

The Monkeyface Chronicles
Richard Scarsbrook

For those who love lots of twists and turns in a plot, this award winning coming of age story is for you. Philip Skyler born with a severe facial deformity, thus the terrible nickname “Monkeyface” has been the main target of bullies, and unfairly labeled by school administrators.

Through his grandfather’s guidance, the support of his twin Michael and the friendship his classmate Adeline, Philip manages to persevere through his high school years. The book veers off in all sorts of directions where topics such as fundamental Christianity, adult movies, small town politics, homosexuality and dysfunctional families are all explored. This book is at once unbelievable but entirely riveting.

Submitted by: BZ

The Diamond of Darkhold

2011-09-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

The Diamond of Darkhold
Jeanne DuPrau

Fourth book in the Ember Series. A dystopian novel about two tweens, Doon and Lina, who leave the city of Sparks to return to their underground city of Ember to look for a mysterious device. All they have is a partially torn book of instructions which they are using to find this device. Warfare has destroyed a large segment of the earth and life is difficult for the citizens of Sparks.
Submitted by KY

The Declaration

2011-09-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

The Declaration
Gemma Malley

Imagine someone offered you the chance to live forever- would you do it? Would you still want to do it if it meant you could never have children? In The Declaration by Gemma Malley this is the question citizens of 2140 England face. The creation of longevity drugs has eliminated disease and sickness, but eternal life has created a population and resource problem.

12 year old Anna is a surplus- a child born illegally. She lives with all the other surpluses in an institution separated from the legals. She feels worthless and hates her parents for breaking the law by having her. She sees it as her duty to pay back the world by serving others- that is until she meets Peter.

Like Anna, Peter is a surplus. Peter however believes his life is important and has a secret to share with Anna: her parents are looking for her. Together, Anna and Peter have to figure out how to make their way through a world where the young do not belong and prove that they do. The first in a trilogy.

Enclave

2011-09-09T08:57:00.000-07:00

Enclave
Ann Aguirre

If blood, mutants, romance and wicked battle scenes are up your ally, then this book is for you. Deuce has only ever known a world underground- a world where the scars on her arms mark her place and worth in society.

But all that is about to change.

Fade was born on the outside. Deuce is bothered by his questioning of the elders, hates that he makes her challenge her beliefs- but deep down knows he is right: the elders are liars.

Can Deuce trust Fade- is there really life topside? Will there be able defend themselves against the Freaks and what else might live above ground? The first in the Razorland trilogy.

Cryer's Cross

2011-08-31T11:53:00.000-07:00

Cryer's Cross
Lisa McMann

The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace.

Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear...and whether that would be so bad. Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him?

The only person who believes her is Jacian (Ha-see-ON), the new guy she finds irritating...and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly—and deadly—local history. Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

So far this looks like it will be a standalone book but the ending is just cryptic enough that it could be the start of a new series…

Revolution

2011-08-25T06:09:00.000-07:00

Revolution
Jennifer Donnelly

Two years ago, when her brother Truman died, Andi’s world fell apart. Her mother now isolates herself and is depressed, her father has taken up with a younger women and Andi is about to fail out of her senior year of school. She blames herself for Truman’s death, and the only things that seem to temporarily numb the pain are antidepressants and music.

Andi arrives home from school one day to find that her father has committed her mother to a psychiatric hospital and that he is leaving for Paris for three weeks- and that Andi will be going with him. In Paris, Andi finds a diary from the time of the French Revolution and feels a deep connection to the diary’s author Alex. Like Andi, Alex is a musician and, more importantly, knows what it is like to lose someone you love. It is Alex’s story which gives Andi strength and shows her it is possible for life to go on.

My only regret with this book is that I did not check Jennifer Donnelly's website before I read the book.

As I read, I wished I could have been listening to Andi's Ipod. Knowing this might be a desire of her readers Ms. Donnelly has kindly posted on her website 'Andi's playlist'. If you have not read this book yet I highly recommend having the playlist handy so you can listen to some tunes as you read.

The Carbon Diaries 2015

2011-08-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

The Carbon Diaries 2015
Saci Llyod

Set in the year 2015, The Carbon Diaries is about a future where power is scarce and the UK has begun carbon rationing. The story is told in the form of a diary by teenager Laura Brown who lives in London with her family.

Due to excessive carbon emissions, the UK is the first country to issue everyone a carbon allowance. The diaries chart the family’s rocky and turbulent road to despair. Laura’s dad loses his job which involves the travel and tourism industry but no one can go anywhere, so he begins drinking, putting his marriage in peril. Laura’s mom is having a hard time coping with the family in crisis.

The premise of the book is excellent and despite the hard times befalling the family, the story is told with a lot of humour.

The Body Finder

2011-08-17T07:13:00.000-07:00

The Body Finder
Kimberly Derting

Seventeen year old Violet is starting grade eleven with a vow to get to school on time and a crush on her longtime best friend, Jay. Also, she has an ability to sense the “echo” of those (animal or human) who have died a violent death. Usually, this means she has an unpleasant feeling that she can ignore but bodies of young girls start showing up near her town. She is determined to find the murderer.

The storyline switches between typical teenage concerns – prom, crushes, friendships- and the search for the murderer. Throughout the book are short sections from the perspective of the killer. This is a page turner that will appeal to older girls. A good debut novel for Kimberly Derting with a sequel already available.

Stitches: a memoir

2011-08-03T06:05:00.000-07:00

Stitches: a memoir
David Small

David Small, a well-known picture book author, wrote this graphic novel about his childhood in Detroit in the 50’s.

Emotionally distant, silent parents … and older brother who pounded on drums in the basement … and a mysterious operation that left him without one of his vocal chords. Very powerful.

Hold Still

2011-07-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

Hold Still
Nina LaCour

Caitlin is numb, almost paralyzed with grief and shock, unable to cope with the recent suicide of her best friend Ingrid. When Caitlin finds Ingrid’s journal (under her bed - where Ingrid must have hidden it) she begins to understand what Ingrid had been experiencing - the pain and hopelessness of depression.

Caitlin slowly works through the tremendous weight of guilt and grief and, bit-by-bit, with the help of her family and new friends, allows herself to be recalled to life. As heart-breaking as it is to read, the journal provides Caitlin with a way to reach out to those who loved and cared for Ingrid and to realize for herself that “there is life after Ingrid”.

Mountain Girl, River Girl

2011-07-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

Mountain Girl
Ting-xing Ye

Mountain Girl, River Girl is the story of two Chinese teenagers who leave their homes in rural China to seek a better life in the city. It is a harrowing tale of misery and hardship. One of the girls is gang-raped and they both face threatening situations and serious injury while working in a running shoe sweatshop.

The girls are sensitively portrayed, and it is because of their friendship and loyalty that they survive. The book is well-written, easy to read and extremely informative, although the subject matter is disturbing.

Mockingjay

2011-07-14T13:38:00.000-07:00

Mockingjay
Suzanne Collins

Katniss, Peeta and Gale are back in this violent but satisfying conclusion to The Hunger Games trilogy. After blowing up the Hunger Games arena and embarrassing the Capitol yet again, Katniss is rescued by the rebel alliance, while Peeta is left behind to deal with the aftermath in the clutches of President Snow.

Encouraged to embrace the role as the Mockingjay, the face of the rebel alliance of all the districts, Katniss questions whether her life will continue as the pawn regardless of which side she aligns herself with. Either way, she is at the mercy of those in control of her loved ones - and Katniss must finally choose between Peeta and Gale.

Old enemies become allies and all of your questions about the mysterious District 13 and more are finally answered! A fantastic series I would enthusiastically recommend for both teens and adults. The dark and twisted nature of the series along with the graphic deaths would most likely disturb a younger audience.

Brightly Woven

2011-07-07T13:36:00.000-07:00

Brightly Woven
Alexandra Bracken

Sydelle Mirabil is a beautiful 16 year old peasant girl from the village of Cliffton in the Astraean nation of Palmarta. For years, Cliffton has experienced a horrible drought, until the day the mysterious young wizard, Wayland North, appears from nowhere, and the rains begin. North speaks to Sydelle’s father, the village elder, about the impending war between the wizards and humans of theirs and their enemy’s nations. He brought the badly needed rains to Cliffton, and he will let them continue on one condition: that Sydelle accompanies him on his journey to the capital city to speak to the Sorceress Imperial about stopping the war.

She refuses, but her parents inexplicably agree, and the two of them fall into one harrowing adventure after another, surprisingly unscathed by the extreme winds, rains, avalanches, and earthquakes that follow them. Slowly, Sydelle discovers that it is in fact she who is the coveted object in the wizard battles, and far more valuable to the enemy dead than alive.

Those who like the Harry Potter series will appreciate the good magic versus dark magic in the storyline. This is author Alexandra Bracken’s first novel, and the ending leaves it open to possible sequels.

The Second Trial

2011-06-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

The Second Trial
Rosemarie Boll

Danny, one summer day, is told by his mother that he has a choice to come and listen to the trial against his father or stay home. He decides to go where he learns that his father has been abusing his mother and almost killed her.

The Alberta court system only keeps Danny’s father in jail for a short period of time. In fear for their lives, Danny’s mom decides they must go into hiding. Now Danny and his family have to change their identities and start a new life in a new city. But Danny can’t believe that his father is a danger to them, cannot reconcile the father he looks up to with the man who almost took his mother’s life.

Thirteen year old Danny thought he had the perfect life, now it no longer exists. The Second Trial is a book illustrating domestic violence and how one family tries to survive!

Clockwork Angel

2011-06-14T08:17:00.000-07:00

Clockwork Angel
Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel is book one of the Infernal Devices series, a prequel to the popular Instruments series.

The book opens in 1878 with Tessa receiving a letter from her brother Nathaniel asking her to leave New York and come to live in London England.Tessa agrees and sets sail for Southhampton. Nate isn’t there to greet her but in his place are the evil Dark sisters who inform Tessa that her brother sent them to accompany her to London.

It is quickly revealed that Tessa has been kidnapped and the Dark sisters force her to reveal an unknown hidden power that she possesses- Tessa has the ability to change shape into another person. The Dark sisters are involved in a nefarious plan that involves Shadowhunters, vampires, warlocks, demons and clockwork monsters.

A great adventure in Victorian England with lots of twists and turns.

Impulse

2011-05-31T13:44:00.000-07:00

Impulse
Ellen Hopkins

Fans of Ellen Hopkins will not be disappointed in this fast paced, emotionally charged novel written in verse. Three teens that have attempted suicide meet in a mental hospital and reveal in alternating chapters the events of their lives that brought them to this point.

This book is edgy, gritty and dark and highly relatable. Even the book cover red suggests blood, death or hunger, belonging. We would suggest this read for fans of “Go Ask Alice” and for those that like the authors previous titles.

Reviewed by the BPL Random Reads Book Club

Looking for Alaska

2011-05-24T09:07:00.000-07:00

Looking for Alaska
John Green

In this realistic dramatic novel, 16 year old Miles is in search for answers about life and death after his crush Alaska commits suicide. Green breaks the story into two very effective sections before and after Alaska dies. The after section is filled with emotion and the story moves along at a regular pace.

Fans of Breathless by Jessica Warman and the Private Series by Kate Brian may enjoy the boarding school setting and character driven storyline of this novel as well.

Reviewed by the BPL Random Reads Book Club

Happyface

2011-05-17T07:46:00.000-07:00

Happyface
Stephen Emond

Happyface is the story of a boy’s journey from a shy, artistic boy to a happy-go-lucky person to make new friends in his freshman year when he moves to a new town after his parents’ divorce.

He tries to hide his past from his new friends because there are some things that he feels ashamed of- like his mother’s drinking habit. He tells his story through his hilariously self-deprecating journal and graphics in it.

Can he learn to face the reality of life and smile genuinely instead of trying to be someone else?

The Archaeolojesters

2011-05-05T15:30:00.000-07:00

The Archaeolojesters
Andreas Oertel

In Sultana MB (population 463), Cody and his friends are desperate to improve the local economy so nobody has to move away. Cody, his friend Eric and Eric’s twin sister Rachel consider various schemes to turn Sultana into a tourist attraction: a giant moose or gopher? a UFO or Sasquatch sighting?

But they decide to create an Egyptian artifact complete with hieroglyphics—proof that ancient explorers sought trade routes across the ocean. Once the fake artifact is complete, the kids plant their clay tablet alongside the river where a reputable adult will discover it.

When the tablet is “discovered” news of the exciting find brings archeological experts, the press, and flocks of tourists to Sultana. Tension mounts when an armed stranger arrives in Sultana and the kids have more to worry about then being revealed as hoaxers.

House of Tomorrow

2011-04-28T06:08:00.000-07:00

House of Tomorrow
Peter Bognanni

After the death of his parents, Sebestian moves into his aging grandmother's geodesic dome, built on the teachings of Buckminster Fuller, on the outskirts of a small town in Iowa. While his grandmother homeschools him, they make their money on giving tours of their dome.

All is well, until his grandmother suffers a stroke while giving a tour and Sebestian suddenly finds himself trying to make sense of a world that he doesn't know much about. From there he discovers; punk rock music, computers and, of course, girls.

This is a great, great book about finding family, hope and happiness - even if you do live in a dome.

Million Dollar Throw

2011-04-26T06:07:00.000-07:00

Million Dollar Throw
Mike Lupica

Nate “Brady” Brody is the thirteen year old starting quarterback for his 8th grade football team. During a time in which his family is facing a financial crisis and Nate’s best friend Abby is facing a medical crisis - Nate is presented with an opportunity that could very well turn it all around.

He wins a sports store draw for a chance to throw a football through a 20” hole to win a million dollars during a half-time stunt at the Thanksgiving game of the New England Patriots.

Excited at first, Nate begins to crack under the pressure of suddenly becoming a home-town celebrity and the strain of both his parent’s and BFF’s dire need for the money.

This is a good choice for a teen or tween male reader who enjoys sport stories.

The Sky is Everywhere

2011-04-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

The Sky is Everywhere
Jandy Nelson

After being deserted by their mother when they were toddlers, Lennon (Lennie) and her older sister Bailey have always leaned on each other. They live with Gram, an eccentric earth-mother artist, and their pot-head uncle Big.

Seventeen-year-old Lennie has always been content to stay in the shadow of her outgoing, vivacious sister and is completely devastated when Bailey dies suddenly of an arrhythmia. As she struggles through her grief, she realizes she can no longer play a supporting role in her own life. She is drawn, against her better judgement, to Toby, Bailey’s heartbroken boyfriend who is as grief-stricken as she is.

At the same time, Lennie is falling for Joe, the new boy at school who never knew Bailey.

At times lyrical, at times heart-wrenching, at times hilarious, this is an impressive debut novel. Each chapter opens or closes with a poem written by Lennie to keep her sister’s memory alive.

Laika

2011-04-20T06:07:00.000-07:00

Laika
Nick Abadzis

Laika is the true of an abandoned puppy who grew up to become Earth's first space traveller. It's an interesting mix of fact and fiction as it tells Laika's story - from the streets of Moscow to outer space - through the eyes of the people whose lives she touched along the way.

Bear in mind, this is a true story and is almost unbearably sad. However, it is also really, really good.

Fishtailing

2011-04-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

Fishtailing
Wendy Phillips

In this new book, four teenagers who attend a Vancouver high school tell their stories in free verse. While the book also includes e-mails between a teacher and a guidance counselor, the plot is driven mainly by the students and their poems.

Told in four different voices the story moves quickly, and readers will connect together the pieces of the story from the different voices. Through their poetry we learn about four lives caught up in a game - but the problem with games is that there are always winners and losers. Everything culminates at a party where the four lives fishtail out of control. This has dark and gritty realism.

Readalikes: Any of Ellen Hopkins verse novels, “Beautiful Malice” by Rebecca James and “Split Image” by Mel Glenn to name a few.

Prophecy of the Sisters

2011-04-12T06:37:00.000-07:00

Prophecy of the Sisters
Michelle Zink

An ancient prophecy divides two sisters...a prophecy that forces one sister into a role of savior while aligning the other sister with ‘Samuel’. One sister becomes the ‘Gate’, a portal through which Lost Souls can return to walk the earth awaiting the return of their Lord. The other sister becomes the ‘Guardian’, a protector whose role is to make sure her sister never opens the ‘Gate’.

It is after their father’s death that twin sisters Lia and Alice first learn of the prophecy. Lia, the sweet, thoughtful, kind sister must be the Guardian while Alice, the angry, bitter, secretive sister must be the Gate. I

t is only when the story of their birth unfolds that Lia and Alice realize that things are not always what they seem…

Told from Lia’s point of view, this is an exciting, tense read! It is the first in a new series.

Nieve

2011-04-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

Nieve
Terry Griggs

Nieve noticed that strange things were happening around her. Her parents, professional weepers, were becoming forgetful and complacent. Then spiders started covering everything, including Nieve’s toothbrush.

The town is turning darker and darker, the teacher has been replaced, the doctor has fallen ill and Nieve’s best friend, Malcolm has disappeared. Nieve comes to realize with the help of her grandmother that something must be done to save the town and its inhabitants - it is up to Nieve to find her friend.

This fantasy adventure is full of fright, weirdness and intrigue that keeps the reader wanting to know what lies ahead for Nieve. Will she find her friend?
This is the first in a projected trilogy.

Matched

2011-04-07T06:17:00.000-07:00

Matched
Ally Condie

Cassia is a girl who lives in a time where the Society decides everything: what to wear, what to eat, how to live, whom to get married to and even when to die. Cassia has always respected the decisions made by the Society for her...like her match with her best friend Xander.

She is very happy about the match until another person’s face flashes on the screen when she is trying to view the microcard with Xander’s details on it. This person is Ky Markham who is also her friend. The Society tells her that it was a glitch as Ky cannot be matched because he is an Aberration. However, she cannot get him out of her thoughts and ends up getting close to him while trying to find out more about him. At the same time, her grandfather gives her a forbidden poem right before he dies. She likes it but does not want to take a risk of carrying it around - so she destroys it. As time passes, she keeps thinking about the words and their meaning.
Then she starts learning to write from Ky.

These things are the beginning of turning her into a rebel and thinking out of the box. It is the first book of a trilogy

Epitaph Road

2011-03-31T06:17:00.000-07:00

Epitaph Road
David Patneaude

The year is 2097, thirty years after a virus killed 97% of the male population of the world.

Women rule the world.

Crime, poverty, war and hunger have disappeared. There are tight restrictions on men and fourteen year old Kellen feels he has no future. He learns that there is a potential virus outbreak in the area where his father lives. With the help of his friends Tia and Sunday they set out to warn him. During their attempt to locate his father, they uncover a disturbing secret about the past - one that will affect the future of the world.

This is a good read for those that enjoy books such as Among the Brave or the Giver. There is definitely potential for a sequel.

The Worst Thing She Ever Did

2011-03-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

The Worst Thing She Ever Did
Alice Kuipers

Sophie Baxter, at 16, has a terrible burden to bear as she returns to school after the Christmas break. She and her mother are still grieving for the death of her popular sister Emily and both are hiding behind silence and bedroom doors instead of turning to each other for comfort.

On the advice of her therapist, Sophie begins a diary and through her entries we are led slowly and with growing suspense to the story of what happened. Along the way, Sophie must navigate the daily world of school, friends, parties, all the while refusing to talk to anyone about her feelings.

Believable characters, realistic dialogue and mature topics combine to give a sensitive, yet hopeful voice to a story filled with both terrible sorrow and the joy of living.

The Replacement

2011-03-28T06:20:00.001-07:00

The Replacement
Brenna Yovanoff

Have you ever felt like you didn't belong? Mackie Doyle has felt like that his whole life and for a good reason - because he doesn't.

Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, Mackie comes from a world of tunnels and black, murky water. He is a replacement, a creature left in the crib of a human baby to take their place. Now after 16 years of trying to be human, he's just fighting to survive.

That is until the younger sister of one of his classmates disappears and is replaced. Soon Mackie is drawn to the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem, to try and figure out where he belongs.

Borderline

2011-03-24T06:14:00.000-07:00

Borderline
Allan Stratton

Sami Sabiri is the only Muslim kid in his school. He has friends but finds his father’s high expectations are hard to live up to. When his father cancels a planned trip, Sami begins to suspect that something is going on with his dad. Is he having an affair?

Is his dad a terrorist?

This is a tautly paced thriller.

God is in the Pancakes

2011-03-23T06:40:00.000-07:00

God is in the Pancakes
Robin Epstein

15 year old Grace has a lot on her plate. Her father has walked out on the family, her sister’s boyfriend is cheating on her, her best friend Eric is becoming interested in other girls and her Mother is exhausted and cranky. Add to that, her favourite resident at the nursing home where she works as a candy striper, Mr. Sands - who is suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease - has cheerfully asked her to help him die.

Faced with such a moral dilemma is it any wonder Grace turns to praying for all manner of help; “please let my dad come back”, “please make Mr. Sands get better”.

Cheeky, funny, thought-provoking and with detailed instructions on how to make the perfect pancake right on page one!

Some Girls Are

2011-03-17T06:20:00.000-07:00

Some Girls Are
Courtney Summers

Regina Afton has climbed the social ladder and become one of the Fearsome Fivesome. This group is known to make people’s lives miserable. When vicious, untrue rumors spread against Regina she learns what it’s like to be “FROZEN OUT”. She tries befriending Michael who she has bullied in the past. Finally he accepts her as a friend. Just when she thinks there could be something more between them the group threatens they will hurt Michael’s reputation if she doesn’t give him up. Can things get any worse?

The Magicians

2011-03-15T06:01:00.000-07:00

The Magicians
Lev Grossman

The Magicians is the story of Quentin Coldwater, a high school senior in New York who should be much happier than he is. He has two good friends and really good grades - he can pretty much get into any Ivy League school he wants. However, he's also secretly obsessed with an enchanted land called Fillory that he read about in fantasy novels when he was younger.

He also knows magic isn't real - until he returns home from a very unusual college interview and is magically transported to Brakebills, an exclusive Ivy League school for wizards. However, even a thorough education in magic isn't enough to make him happy - until he finds out that Fillory is real and can be accessed through the push of a button.

The Magicians is similar to books like Harry Potter and the Narnia series except done in a much more realistic fashion. It demonstrates the impact that magic would have in a world where love, sex, death and responsibility can't be easily ignored. A very interesting read as long as you don't expect everything to always work out for the best.

The Truth About Forever

2011-03-14T06:32:00.001-07:00

The Truth About Forever
Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen is an incredibly popular writer for a very good reason - her books are really good.

In The Truth About Forever, 17 year old Macy Queen is pretending to be coping with her father's death when nothing could be further from the truth. She consumes herself with living a perfect, controlled life. This changes when she ends up getting a job with Wish Catering and, in particular, meets Wes who lives his life in the exact opposite way she does. As the two share their summer, Macy begins to try and deal with her Dad's death.

Num8ers

2011-03-10T10:25:00.000-08:00

Num8ers
Rachel Ward

I picked this one up because of the great job the book jacket did in sucking me in. Check it out:

Whenever Jem meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die. Burdened with such an awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. But while they're waiting to ride the Eye Ferris wheel, Jem notices that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today's number. Today's date. Terrorists are going to attack London. Jem's world is about to explode!

This is a pretty good book that was impressive for the amount of swearing it had. Seriously, if you have a problem with that kind of thing steer clear. Ultimately, it was a pretty good read.

The Dead

2011-03-09T06:34:00.000-08:00

The Dead
Charlie Higson

I loved The Enemy to absolute pieces and was thrilled beyond measure with this sequel.

Sequel probably isn't the best way to describe it though since it's set one year BEFORE the events in The Enemy. Everyone over the age of 14 has either been killed or turned into a zombie and a small pocket of schoolboys has to try and leave their school campus and make it into the supposed safety of the countryside. This quickly proves to be a mistake and will finding Greg, an adult butcher who seems to be immune to the virus, actually help or harm them?

This is no-holds-barred sheer awesomeness. No character is safe and every decision has immediate consequences. There will be another book coming out this year apparently and there is no question I will be the first person in line to snatch it up, even if I do have to fight my way through throngs of undead to do it.

Fables

2011-03-03T06:34:00.000-08:00

Fables
Bill Willingham

The whole idea of 'fractured fairy tales' seems to be popular right now and I think some of the credit for that has to go to Bill Willingham's series of graphic novels called Fables.

A being known only as the Adversary has conquered the fabled lands of legend, folk tale and myth and has forced the inhabitants into exile. Disguised amidst the normal inhabitants of New York City, such legendary characters as the Big Bad Wolf, Snow White, Bluebeard and more try to make a life for themselves in a little corner of the city.

The first series deals with the murder of Rose Red, Snow White's sister, that the sheriff - Bigby 'the Big, Bad' Wolf - has to try and resolve. The series gets more and more elaborate as time goes on and, because of the characters involved, literally anything can happen.

Ender's Game

2011-02-24T06:10:00.000-08:00

Ender's Game
Orson Scott Card

Although the cover makes it seem a bit dated, Ender's Game still holds up as one of the best sci-fi books ever.

Humans have barely survived two conflicts with an insectoid alien race called 'Buggers'. To prepare for a third conflict, the world's most talented children are taken to Battle School in order to be trained to become Fleet Commanders and lead the battle against the Buggers.

The book is violent but also thoughtful. It won both the Hugo and Nebula awards and, strangely, is also on the United States Marine Corps reading list.

Curse of the Wendigo

2011-02-23T06:12:00.000-08:00

Curse of the Wendigo
Rick Yancey

The story of Will Henry continues on in this follow-up to The Monstrumologist.

Will Henry and Dr.Warthrop are pressed into service to find an old friend of the doctors who has disappeared in the Canadian wilderness in search of the elusive Wendigo. Although Dr.Warthrop does not believe in the legend and against his better judgement, they traverse the woods in an attempt to discover what happened to John Chandler. Discovering him ends up just being the start of the story as the Wendigo, a creature who is neither living nor dead, whose hunger is never satisfied comes out of the woods with them.

Much like the first book, this is a great series if you like gory, graphic horror novels. I thought the first book had some of the most disturbing scenes I've read in a long, long time but the second half of this book is some of the grossest, most disturbing images I've read.

Obviously that's highly recommended.

Sloppy Firsts

2011-02-14T06:14:00.000-08:00

Sloppy Firsts
Megan McCafferty

Jessica Darling, an observant, sarcastic 16 year old is devestated when her best friend Hope Weaver moves away with her family from their town of Pineville, New Jersey. Sloppy Firsts is about Jessica dealing with losing her best friend, struggling with her family and her mixed-up feelings about a 'dreg' in her school, Marcus Flutie.

Although it sounds kind of cliche, it's either a funny book with serious parts or a serious book with funny parts. Either way, it's a love story that isn't boring...and doesn't involve tortured, forbidden love.

Asterios Polyp

2011-02-10T10:10:00.000-08:00

Asterios Polyp
David Mazzucchelli

In keeping with this weeks inadvertent graphic novel recommendations, you really should try out Asterios Polyp. Although Mazzucchelli is probably best known for Batman: Year One (and for good reason)Asterios Polyp is completely different from that.

It's the story of a 'paper architect' who has renowned designs for buildings but has never actually built anything. After a fire destroys his building and all his possessions, he attempts to start his life over. It sounds deceptively simple but it absolutely captivating to read because of the way it's told.

The story is told through the plot, the dialogue, the layout on the page as well as the intermingling of colours and shapes. In short, it's really, really cool to read since you can notice something new each time.

American Born Chinese

2011-02-09T06:08:00.000-08:00

American Born Chinese
Gene Luen Yang

American Born Chinese is one of those great stories that is so well told because of the format it uses. It is three inter-related stories; the first is about the Chinese legend of the Monkey King, the second about a young Asian American boy trying to make friends and acceptance in school and the third about an American boy ashamed of his Chinese cousin who embodies all of the worst stereotypes you can imagine.

The way these different stories are all weaved together with great, expressive artwork definitely demonstrated why this won the 2007 Printz Award for best young adult literature of the year.

An Abundance of Katherines

2011-02-03T06:22:00.000-08:00

An Abundance of Katherines
John Green

Colin Singleton used to be a child prodigy and a member of an academic game team. He met a girl named Katherine and they started dating. She dumped him.

Then eighteen more girls named Katherine dumped him.

Now Colin feels washed-up and depressed, especially after graduating high school and being dumped again. However, with the help of his friend Hassan they decide to embark on a road trip where Colin discovers something he's been missing - an original idea.

Filled with funny footnotes* and mathematical formula, An Abundance of Katherines is a fun, quirky read. Plus it features a lot of math but isn't boring. That's impressive.

*I dare you not to like a book with footnotes

The Graveyard Book

2011-02-01T08:53:00.000-08:00

The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman has proven time and time again that he's one of the best writers working today. He has a boatload of awards, a dedicated online following (due in no small part to one of the best blogs around) and The Graveyard Book is further proof why.

Nobody Owens is a relatively normal child except for the fact that he lives in a graveyard. Being raised by ghosts. With a guardian who is neither alive nor dead. Because his parents were mysteriously murdered by a man named Jack. So, you know, relatively normal. While Bod (which is, of course, short for Nobody) grows up in the graveyard, soon he'll have to discover what life is like outside the graveyard with the living. Not to mention the fact that Jack, the man who killed his parents, is still looking for him as well...

If Snowpacalypse 2011 really is about to open up the Casket of Ancient Winters and envelope us all in some sort of frozen tundra, you owe it to yourself to have a good book by your side while it happens. You owe yourself some Neil Gaiman

Fat Kid Rules the World

2011-01-31T08:50:00.001-08:00

The Knife of Never Letting Go

2011-01-27T06:03:00.001-08:00

The Knife of Never Letting Go
Patrick Ness

For some reason, sequels to books are always more appealing to me than sequels to movies. I think it's because you get to spend more time with a character or place that you liked the first time (hopefully, or why else would you be reading the sequel?) whereas for movies, it always seems that you're just watching the same movie again, except worse. Unless it's Batman, in which case it's better. But that should really go without saying - it's Batman.

I digress.

On my bedside right now is The Ask and The Answer which is the sequel to The Knife of Never Letting Go

The story in The Knife of Never Letting Go is as follows; Todd Hewitt is the only boy in a town of men. Upon settling on New World, a war with the native population, known as 'Spackles', killed all the women and infected the male population with the 'noise germ'. The noise germ causes all the men to broadcast all their thoughts for everyone else's hearing. When he turns 13 Todd will become a man and learn all of the secrets of the town, which is something he's apprehensive about...and for good reason.

With his trusty, slightly dimwitted dog Manchee, Todd ends up encountering a girl in the woods - the first female he's ever seen - and so begins to unravel the secrets behind New World, the spacks and the noise germ.

This was a great, intense read made all the better by two completely different things. Number one, the really great typesetting and font that's used when Todd is hearing everyone's thoughts. It really demonstrates how it would feel to have to suffer through that and it's something that can really only work on the printed page. So score one for books! The other is the fact that there's a talking dog. I know talking dogs can be seen as 'childish' but, really, I can't think of one book that couldn't be improved be a talking dog. I would have read Moby Dick three times if there was a talking dog in it.

Anyways, the first book was great and the second one is crying out to be read...

The Monstrumologist

2011-01-26T06:08:00.000-08:00

The Monstrumologist
Rick Yancey

Will Henry is the ward and apprentice to Pellinore Warthrop who, as it happens, is a monstrumologist. What's a monstrumologist, you ask? Well, it's a little known field of science that finds, studies and analyzes monsters. It also, if required, will hunt and kill monsters too.

This atmospheric novel has the Doctor and his ward attempting to discover where a nest of Anthropophagi (or as they're charmingly called later on in the book 'poppies') a mis-shapen, vicious man-eating creature are holed up in New Jeruseleum.

The language and atmosphere are superbly gothic and quite melodramatic like a mixture of Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen King. As well, some of the scenes are just flat-out gruesome.

In other words, it's great.

Carter Finally Gets It

2011-01-20T06:13:00.000-08:00

Carter Finally Gets It
Brent Crawford

Carter, actually Will Carter - he just has a lazy nickname, is about to start his first year of high school. He's totally not ready. His problems include:

1. He has a stuttering problem - mainly around girls
2. He has Attention Deficit Disorder...unless he gets distracted
3. He's a virgin (see problem #1)

Carter Finally Gets It is a great, funny read with Carter's unique ways of dealing with high school. Plus his sister is awesome.

Going Bovine

2011-01-18T06:08:00.000-08:00

Going Bovine
Libba Bray

So when it comes to great supporting characters in books (a topic I was thinking about yesterday due to Tiny Cooper) I think you would be hard-pressed to beat Libba Bray's Going Bovine

All Cameron wants to do is graduate high school with a minimum of effort. He's well on his way of doing that before being given some bad news - he has mad cow disease and he's going to die. Which sucks. However - and this is where it gets good - there is a spot of hope, in the form of a punk angel with a sugar habit who may or may not be a hallucination who tells him there's a cure - he just has to go find it.

Joining him on this quest are a death-obsessed, video-gaming dwarf who has some slight mother issues and a garden gnome who is possibly also a Norse God.

Again, I'm going to repeat myself here but his friends on this mission are a garden gnome who might be a Norse God and video-gaming hypochondriac dwarf.

I don't think it gets more awesome than that.

Needless to say, this is a very surreal book that takes a very skewed look at life and death. It's not for everyone but if you like the strange, weird and funny there's a good chance you'll like this as well.

Also, you have to like any other who's willing to do this:

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

2011-01-17T06:16:00.000-08:00

Will Grayson, Will Grayson
John Green & David Levithan

Will Grayson, Will Grayson is the story of two teens named - wait for it - Will Grayson. After one of the best 'meet-cute' situations ever, the two teens, who don't seem to have all that much in common, tell their stories in alternating chapters, each one written by a different author.

Meanwhile, the true star of the story is Tiny Cooper. Tiny is a gay football player who is trying to allow his school to put on his production 'Tiny Dancer: The Tiny Cooper Story'. The various stories all culminate in a great ending that will allow even the most heartless monster to tear up a little.

The Enemy

2011-01-13T10:09:00.000-08:00

The Enemy
Charlie Higson

Stop me if you've heard this before - a mysterious virus sweeps through the world, ravaging the population. The ones who die are considered the lucky ones, as the other victims of the plague become the walking dead, roaming the apocalyptic landscape in search of something, anything, to eat...

Chances are you've read or watched something like this before. However, here's the difference in The Enemy - the plague only affected people older than 14.

Now it's up to a handful of kids to try and navigate their way through London and survive their new reality. And the cannibalistic grown-ups are far from their biggest concern...

I hate to use a cliche here but I could not put this book down. The characters are great, the situations horrific and the setting top-notch. If you love zombies or hate zombies, you need to read this but be warned it's gory and scary.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

2011-01-12T11:06:00.000-08:00

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
E. Lockhart

Frankie Landau-Banks has gone from a mildly geeky girl to drop dead gorgeous over the summer. Attending a prestigious boarding school, Frankie's crush has finally noticed her and become her boyfriend. However, things aren't what they seem for Frankie as she discovers that her boyfriend, Matthew, is actually the leader of a secret all-male society on campus. Not one to take 'no' for an answer, Frankie has to decide what to do when she knows her boyfriend is lying to her, she knows she's smarter than everyone in the society and she feels she's being overlooked because she's a girl.

So she becomes a (possibly) criminal mastermind.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks is absolutely required reading for anyone who likes to be both entertained and provoked. Frankie is one of literature's great heroes as she (much like Katniss from The Hunger Games though, you know, less likely to kill you) shows how far guts and intelligence can take you.

Boneshaker

2011-01-07T06:37:00.000-08:00

Boneshaker
Cherie Priest

In the early days of the Civil War, rumours of gold brought hordes of newcomers to the Pacific Northwest. Not wanting to be left out, the Russians invested in an inventor named Leviticus Blue who created his Incredible Bone-Shaking Drill Engine. However, during its first use something goes horribly wrong and it ends up destroying several blocks of downtown Seattle and, even worse, unearthing a subterranean gas that turns anyone breathing it into the living dead.

Years later a wall has been built to keep out the toxic city and its inhabitants. On the other side of the wall live Leviticus Blue's widow and their son...until one day Leviticus Blue's son ends up crossing under the wall in order to try and re-write his history.

So, let's see:

- zombies? check
- devastated apocalyptic city? check
- steam-powered clockwork machines? check
- air pirates? check

Is there a reason you're not reading this right now?

Behemoth

2011-01-07T06:17:00.000-08:00

Behemoth
Scott Westerfeld

Behemoth sees the return of Midshipman Deryn Sharp (a girl pretending to be a boy in the British Air Service) - Alek (an exiled royal pretending to be a commoner) from last years excellent Leviathan The two of them try to make sense of navigating their way between the war of the Clankers and the Darwinists and their own duties to their countries. Plus, it has fabulous beasties, daring raids and enough steam-powered monstrosities to make even the grumpiest steampunk fan happy.

It also has an awesome illustration of the Behemoth.

If you didn't read Leviathan, you should have, and if you have read it, you should be reading this sequel.

I am Number Four

2010-12-16T15:12:00.000-08:00

I am Number Four
Pittacus Lore

Nine aliens are secretly living on Earth among us. They look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives. The nine had to separate and go into hiding. Each of the nine aliens is given a guardian and will develop superhuman powers as they grow. The Mogadorian - evil aliens - have already killed number one, two and three. John Smith is living in Paradise, Ohio. He meets Sarah, and everything will change, since he would like to stay and not run anymore. This book has romance and action to please boys and girls.
I am Number Four is the first in a thrilling six-book sci-fi series. The movie is set for release in 2011.

Submitted by: JP

Mostly Happy

2010-12-16T15:06:00.001-08:00

Mostly Happy
Pam Bustin

Mostly Happy is the story of Bean Fallwell’s young life growing up as the product of an unhappy teen marriage. Usually in a state of poverty and often abused, her wit and intelligence are her saviour as she travels with her single mom from town to town. Her coping skills and good humour grow as she does. Bean develops some interesting and important relationships along the way, in particular with her best friend Gustav “Goose” whom she remains close to throughout the book. Her strong sense of family and her caring nature is what makes her determined to help her young sister escape the cycle of self-abuse that so often plagues those from difficult backgrounds. Despite the often sad and dark moments in Bean’s life, she never allows them to bring her down. The book is surprisingly uplifting and Bean’s character is truly memorable. This award winning novel is superbly written and would be enjoyed by older teens.

Submitted by: BZ

Keeping the Moon

2010-12-16T15:03:00.001-08:00

Keeping the Moon
Sarah Dessen

15 year old Colie Sparks thinks that her life is basically nothing, going nowhere. Her mother, a world-famous fitness instructor, is going to tour Europe to spread her fitness gospel and Colie, with an attitude and a 'punk' look, is spending the summer with her eccentric Aunt Mira in Colby, NC. She meets Norman, Morgan and Isabel who convince her to take a job as a waitress in their diner. Norman is the chef and has an apartment in Aunt Mira's house so he can develop as an artist away from his bullying father. They slowly convince her that she really is a worthwhile person. She learns many lessons about dealing with her past and gains self-confidence. While Keeping the Moon appears to be little more than a Cinderella story, readers may see parts of themselves in the reclusive, skeptical Colie and empathize with her.

Submitted by: NB

Poster Boy

2010-12-16T14:59:00.000-08:00

Poster Boy
Dede Crane

Sixteen year old Gray Fallon's life is looking pretty good. His easygoing parents let him entertain his friends in their basement, complete with TV, video games and hot tub. A part-time job at the Cineplex, the occasional beer or joint, a smart, funny best friend and a hot new girlfriend...things couldn't be better. Then Gray's 12 year old science-nerd sister, Maggie, contracts a rare form of cancer that is brought on by sensitivity to environmental carcinogens. After the initial shock wears off, Gray does what comes naturally to teenagers: he googles cancer and carcinogens. He quickly learns that we are in contact with carcinogens in our everyday lives so he sets out to rid his house of all carcinogens. Gray's obsession takes over and he soon finds himself quitting school and work and living on an organic farm in an Environmental Pod. Dede Crane gets inside the mind of a teenage boy, a fascinating character who evolves into a hero for our times.

Submitted by: BR

The Great Wide Sea

2010-12-16T13:52:00.000-08:00

The Great Wide Sea
M.H. Herlong

Two months after the unexpected death of his mom, Ben has been forced to spend a year sailing around the Bahamas with his two brothers, Dylan and Gerry and their father. While on the boat, Chrysalis, anger sparks between Ben and his dad causing tension on the tiny sailboat. On their sailing journey Ben’s dad disappears just before a violent storm. Ben tries to come to terms with the death of his mom and the disappearance of his dad while dealing with keeping himself and his two younger brothers alive.

Submitted by: MH

One Lonely Degree

2010-12-16T13:46:00.000-08:00

One Lonely Degree
C.K. Kelly Martin

Fifteen year old Finn is trying to deal with the deterioration of her parent’s marriage. At the same time she is trying to cope with her own trauma from an incident that happened at a party. Her world falls apart and her best friend Audrey is the one person she can talk to.
The reappearance of a childhood friend, Jersy, brings new feelings for both girls. When Audrey leaves for the summer, Finn is forced to learn to stand on her own. She will accept her parent’s separation and she will learn there is a chance of happiness after horrible experiences. Many teens will be able to relate to this realistic novel.
One Lonely Degree is a second novel by author Kelly Martin, a graduate of York University of Toronto. She spent some time in Ireland where she started her first novel. She discovered that YA fiction is more exciting as she declares: “You have most of your life to be an adult but you only grow up once.”
Submitted by: SG

Shift

2010-12-16T13:31:00.000-08:00

Shift
Jennifer Bradbury

After high-school graduation, best friends Chris and Win leave West Virginia heading to Washington State on a bicycle adventure. All goes well until Win suddenly disappears in Montana. After searching for Win, Chris decides to keep going, assuming that Win is being his usual irresponsible self. Chris finishes the ride and heads back home to start college. After Win fails to return home, his overbearing father calls in a favour from a FBI agent to help locate his son. Through alternating chapters we flash back to details of the trip and forward to the current investigation. Although there is some mystery and adventure, the book is mainly about friendship and self discovery. This is the author’s debut novel and I look forward to many more. The novel is fast paced and the characters are well developed and believable. I would recommend this book for anyone Grade 8 and up but especially for boys
Submitted by: KH

Andromeda Klein

2010-11-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

Andromeda Klein
Frank Portman

Teenage occultist Andromeda Klein is pretty sure her best friend Daisy, dead for eight months, is trying to get in touch with her, but it’s hard to tell. Andromeda Klein finds many things hard to discern in her world, since her disorganized collagen makes hearing difficult, the mom never stops shouting, and she has no taste for typical high school rituals like obsessing over bands, preferring instead her own rituals of self tattooing and scrying. But Andromeda Klein has “Friends” of the library to thwart and an apprentice to teach and so must remain as vigilant as she can. Frank Portman’s portrayal of a very unusual girl is hilarious and sad, all the more so because Andromeda is in fact very much like the rest of us. Older teens who like dry humour, King Dork, and Stargirl will enjoy Andromeda’s fight to be herself in a crazy world. Reviewed by SET.

The Maze Runner

2010-11-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

The Maze Runner
James Dashner

An action-packed thriller!! When Thomas finds himself stepping out of the dark into the ‘Glade’, he doesn’t know what to expect. His memory is gone – he knows his name but other than that he doesn’t remember anything of his past life. When he looks around at the fifty or sixty boys surrounding him and sees the big stone walls that he learns close every evening to lock the boys inside the grounds, he wonders if he has been sent to some type of prison. He finds it even more bizarre when he learns that just outside those massive stone walls lies a huge maze that boys called ‘Runners’ are sent into every day, trying to desperately solve the puzzle of the maze in the hope of finding life beyond the Glade. Thomas learns that someone is controlling this situation – someone is watching the boys… testing them. He is determined to find out what is going on… before time runs out! This is a great book -fast paced and full of aciton! Book 2: The Scorch Trials is now available!

Lockdown: Escape from Furnace

2010-11-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

Lockdown: Escape from Furnace
Alexander Gordon Smith

Beneath Heaven is Hell... Beneath Hell is Furnace!
Imagine being framed for a crime you didn't commit! Imagine being sentenced to life in prison! Imagine if that prion is the world's most secure prison for young offenders - FURNACE - buried a mile beneath the surface of the earth - a place where many are sent but none returns. This nightmare is more than imagination for Alex Sawyer as he is framed for a murder he didn't commit and then sentenced to life in Furnace. Alex learns that Furnace is far worse than anything he has ever heard about before. Terrifying things happen at night. Under blood-red lights, eerie men dressed in black move about the prison, marking certain cells with an 'X' only to have even creepier men called 'Wheezers' come and drag inmates away - never to be heard from again. Alex knows it's only a matter of time before his cell gets marked with the 'X' of death! He is determined to do what no one before him has been able to do... Escape from Furnace!

Bruiser

2010-10-04T10:21:00.001-07:00

Bruiser
Neal Shusterman

What if you never had to feel pain or sorrow or extreme emotions? What if every sickness or injury that happened to you was absorbed by someone else? Brewster, known to everyone as Bruiser, has a dark secret. He doesn't associate with the kids at school, and his home life with his uncle and brother is very private and mysterious. Strange things begin to happen when Bronte and her brother befriend Brewster, things which on the surface seem to be good for them but may eventually destroy the very person who is making everything seem so perfect. A great book that was hard to put down! Reviewed by IBR.

The Dead-Tossed Waves

2010-08-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

The Dead-Tossed Waves
Carrie Ryan

In this sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Gabry lets herself get talked into sneaking into an abandoned amusement park beyond The Barrier around her village by the boy she is in love with, only to narrowly escape being infected by the rogue zombie that gets several of the others in her group. She also escapes punishment by the authorities, unlike her friends, because she runs away and doesn’t fess up to her crime, which gets the rest of her friends a life sentence with the zombie fighting army. Then things really fall apart. Teens looking for the next thing after Twilight could possibly be tempted by this zombie romance thriller – there is a love triangle, one of whom is a monster, hideous death at every turn, and lots of angst. Not for the squeamish. Reviewed by SET

I am a genius of unspeakable evil and I want to be your class president

2010-08-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

I am a genius of unspeakable evil and I want to be your class president
Josh Lieb

This is a satire about an unpopular overweight twelve year old male who is running for class president at his middle school. Oliver is the third richest person on earth and has a real evil side to his character. He claims to dislike his dad and wants to win the upcoming middle school election to show him that he has worth. In his quest to win he does some pretty amazing feats, including overthrowing an African dictator! Oliver pretends to be dumb but in reality he is a genius. He has an adult, Lionel Sheldrake, who does all of the financial transactions that Oliver can’t do because he is a kid. He has secret spies, body guards and hide-outs throughout town including his school. Will he win the election? Will he get his Dad's approval? Read this funny book and find out! Reviewed by KY

Hate List

2010-08-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hate List
Jennifer Brown
How would you deal with returning to high school the year after your boyfriend gunned down half a dozen students, wounded numerous others and then killed himself? Valerie Leftman doesn’t know if she can deal. Valerie had no idea that the Hate List, which was once a refuge for Nick and her to pour out their frustration and anger at those who bullied them, would be used by Nick to target his victims. But even though some of her schoolmates blame her for what happened, others see her as a hero for trying to save some of the students and consequently getting shot by Nick. Valerie struggles to understand and resolve her conflicting feelings about the Nick that could carry out the horrible events from the year before and the one that used to love Shakespeare and could always make her laugh. Will Valerie be able to make it through her senior year? Is it possible that she can help her school and those affected by the shooting to deal? You won’t be able to put this book down until you find out.

The Gryphon Project

2010-06-01T06:28:00.000-07:00

The Gryphon Project
Carrie Mac

The Chrysalis Corporation controls many aspects of life, especially the lives of Gryphon, their star athlete and poster boy, and his family! Chrysalis has set society up based on how many “recons” or rebirths one is entitled to. The elite get 3recons, those whose families fill less important roles receive 2, those whose families perform service jobs receive 1 and the lower elements of society receive none. Phoenix, Gryphon’s younger sister, has died twice and used 2 of the 3 recons members of her family are entitled to. When Gryphon starts staying out all night, losing races and generally behaving badly, Phoenix knows that something is up. When a horrific accident happens, Gryphon’s friends form a silent wall, hiding the truth from Phoenix, her family and Chrysalis. The suspense and drive to find the truth will keep readers going! For those who have enjoyed books by Suzanne Collins and Orson Scott Card. Reviewed by AG.

Cracked Up to Be

2010-04-27T12:17:00.001-07:00

Cracked Up To Be
Courtney Summers

High school senior Parker Fadley is on a determined path of self-destruction…a far cry from her former position as top student, cheerleading captain, prettiest and most popular girl at St. Peter’s High. She’s been placed on suicide watch by her parents and is being watched and counseled by her principal and teachers. What terrible secret has caused Parker to nose-dive into drinking, swearing, sloppiness and self-loathing? First time author Summers mixes gritty, realistic language and surprising humour to create this edgy, suspense filled story of teen life, relationships and modern tragedy. Reviewed by GF

Getting the Girl

2010-04-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

Getting the Girl: A Guide to Private Investigation, Surveillance, and Cookery
Susan Juby

Getting the Girl has all the bases of high school life covered. All the social groups are represented in this quirky story. Sherman Mack is a somewhat geeky grade 9student at a technical school in Nanaimo BC, who has a special interest in his cooking class and is a blossoming private detective. Something strange is happening with some of the girls at his school – they are being “D-listed”, and Sherman is going to get to the bottom of it. Getting the Girl is a well written, humorous mystery, written from a boy’s perspective with many Canadian references, such as Tim Horton’s “double double” and hanging out at Mac’s Milk.
Reviewed by CS and JK

Me, the missing, and the Dead

2010-04-27T12:04:00.000-07:00

Me, the Missing, and the Dead
Jenny Valentine

This debut novel deals with the serious issue of a missing parent, the author’s use of humor keeps it on the lighter side. Lucas Swain, the main character, is very detail-oriented. This is evidenced by his sole desire to find out why his father disappeared five years earlier. His attention to detail is also noted by the author’s frequent use of lists; for example, “Good Reasons to Make Friends with a Dead Lady in an Urn”. The plot includes characters such as Lucas’ struggling mom, his absent sister, his “live wire” gran, his girlfriend and, of course, the deceased Violet. Although they reappear in chapters throughout the book, their inclusion and importance to the action seems random. This condensed, humorous writing style may appeal to the reluctant reader – whether they are male or female. Reviewed by PGH

Dust

2010-04-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

Dust
Arthur Slade

7-year-old Matthew’s disappearance during the Great Depression in a small farming town in rural Saskatchewan leaves his 11-year-old-brother Robert devastated. A stranger named Abram Harsich holds a magic show and mesmerizes everyone with his magic mirror. At this event, Robert sees an image of his dead Uncle Edmund who warns Robert about Abram. Abram claims to be a meteorologist who plans on building a rain machine he calls a “rainmill”. He recruits the townsmen to build this rainmill. Abram puts a spell on the town’s people with only a few individuals who are not affected but this spell, Robert being one of them. Under this spell the people soon forget that Matthew and others have disappeared, with the exception of Robert, his Uncle Alden and Sergeant Ramsden. Slade does a great job of creating suspense and mystery as Robert slowly learns the truth and evil in Abram and Abram’s plans with the rainmill and the missing children. Reviewed by MH

Shiver

2010-04-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

Shiver
Maggie Stiefvater

For years, Grace has been fascinated by the wolves near her home, despite their attack on her as a child. She is especially drawn to one wolf with yellow eyes. But now a wolf has attacked and killed a boy, and the men of the town are hunting them. While trying to deter the hunters, Grace finds an injured boy at her door. A boy with yellow eyes. Sam was also attacked by wolves as a young boy. Now he spends his winters as a wolf, returning to his human body in the summer. In both his existences, he is fascinated by a girl who seems strangely drawn to the wolves. When he is shot by the hunters, he turns to her.Maggie Stiefvater has created a beautifully-written tale of Grace and Sam finding love as they struggle to hide Sam’s werewolf identity and find a way to let him remain human. Shiver is the first of three books in Stiefvater’s The Wolves of Mercy Falls series. Keep a look out for Linger - published in July! Reviewed by JS

Need

2010-04-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

Need
Carrie Jones

Fans of Twilight will love this book! Moving from the warmth of Charleston to snowy, cold Maine is the least of teenager Zara’s problems. She is struggling to cope with the death of her stepfather, fit in at a new school and figure out why she is being stalked! When the stranger who is following Zara shows up at school she and her new friends, (including Nick the hottest guy at school) do some digging to find out what they can. Does this weird guy have anything to do with the recent disappearance of a fellow student? Why is he following Zara? Their research leads to a shocking discovery about him, many of the ‘people’ who live in this town and even her own family. Reviewed by JL

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

2010-04-27T08:41:00.000-07:00

The Adoration of Jenna Fox
Mary Pearson
This book takes place in the not too distant future. Jenna, age 17, has recently woken up from the coma she’s been in since an accident 18 months ago. She finds herself in California not Boston where they had been living and she is without her close friends. Relearning how to do things like walk and smile come quickly, but it’s her memory that is most damaged. While trying to piece together her former life, she gets little help from her mother and father who are obviously hiding things from her. She watches old videos of her childhood days to try and get clues as to who she really is. But why is the scar on her chin she had as a child no longer there and why is she 2 inches shorter now than she was just prior to the accident? Bit by bit her memory returns and with it her new shocking identity. Well-written and highly recommended. Reviewed by DSp

The Empty Kingdom

2010-04-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

The Empty Kingdom: The Mark of Solomon, Book Two
Elizabeth E. Wein
Read The Lion Hunter before this book so you can get to know Telemakos and his sister, Athena. This story, told in two parts, is about Telemakos, the half-British, half-Aksumite grandson of King Arthur. Much like King Arthur’s court, this dynasty is filled with family, friends, spies, and enemies. The story is set in Ethiopia and the Arabian Peninsula with salt trading wars, a shifting power struggle involving intrigue, torture, treachery and secret maps. Why does Abreha brand Telemakos with the mark of Solomon? With only one arm, how does Telemakos manage to kill a lion? This is an exciting book about a young boy who uses his wits to cleverly survive two years of captivity. “Spiderwebs joined together can catch a lion” was a phrase taught to him as a boy, and as the story unfolds, Telemakos uses that idea to trade his sister’s freedom for his life and spin his way back to his own people. Reviewed by SW

Sketches

2010-04-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

Sketches
Eric Walters
Ever wonder what it would be like to run away from home? Well, Dana can tell you. She’s the narrator of the book Sketches, a novel that follows her and her two new friends, street kids Brent and Ashley, as they try to collect enough money to eat while protecting themselves against some of the tougher street people they encounter. Dana, a talented artist, learns that her art may be the answer to her many problems. It helps her open up about her past, earns her enough to provide meals for herself, and may even help her find a new home. Set in Toronto, this book helps you understand some of the issues facing the homeless - how do they get medical treatment, avoid danger, have an occasional shower? Sketches gives you a realistic glimpse of a world that most of us never see despite the fact that it exists all around us. Reviewed by HW

Viola in Reel Life

2010-04-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

Viola in Reel Life
Adriana Trigiani
Bestselling author Trigiani tries her hand at writing for teenagers and deftly succeeds in this story of an only child sent to boarding school in South Bend, Indiana when her film-maker parents travel to Afghanistan on assignment for the year. Viola, a dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker from Brooklyn, is determined to hate every minute of her time at the all-girls school. She decides to keep a video diary of her misery, giving her the excuse she wants to hide behind the video camera and stay aloof from those around her. But Viola discovers life can throw you unexpected surprises, both good and bad, and having supportive friends make it better either way. Viola’s droll commentary on life adds to this fun but realistic novel, as do references to current culture and New York-isms. Reviewed by DC

Jellicoe Road

2010-04-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

Jellicoe Road
Melina Marchetta
Brief description: When Taylor was 7, she was abandoned at a 7-11on Jellicoe Road by her drug addicted mother. Rescued by Hannah and taken to a boarding school where she has lived for the past ten years, Taylor has spent her time wondering about her mother, her father and her past and making a life for herself on Jellicoe Road as one of the leaders in the boarding school. In the summer of her senior year when Hannah suddenly leaves Jellicoe Road, everything comes together – romance, friendship and finally family and the answers to all her questions partially through a manuscript that Hannah has left behind. A story of choices made, fate and friendship and how they affect our lives. Reviewed by AG

So This Is How It Ends - Avatars Book 1

2010-04-22T11:43:00.000-07:00

So This Is How It Ends - Avatars Book 1
Tui Sutherland
Five teens - from various locations around the world - suddenly find themselves catapulted 75 years into the future, where “Mankind has finally outwitted itself - crystal technology rules.” The five teens are inexplicably drawn to New York City by mysterious voices and irresistible forces within themselves. They each journey towards NYC, encountering obstacles, threats, mysterious happenings & mystical omens along the way. There seems to be no-one else left on Earth - why? - where has everyone gone? AND why have only they survived?
Reviewed by SK

Marcelo in the Real World

2010-04-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

Marcelo in the Real World
Francisco X Stork

Marcelo Sandoval is a seventeen year old autistic young man who has to overcome many obstacles in his summer job at his father's law firm. Marcelo's father, Arturo wants him to experience the real world and stretch himself out of his usual comfort zone. Marcelo is assigned to work in the mail room and his supervisor is Jasmine who is only a few years older than him. Arturo makes a deal with Marcelo that if he succeeds in the summer job then he can complete his senior year at Paterson which is a private school for children with cognitive disabilities and if he fails then he will have to attend the public high school. During the course of the summer Marcelo has many difficult choices to make that involve listening to his inner voice to determine what is the right course of action to follow even though he might lose a friend and cause financial hardships for his father's law firm. A great read that gave a look at life through the eyes of an autistic young man. Reviewed by KY

By The Time You Read This I'll Be Dead

2010-04-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

By the Time You Read This I’ll Be Dead
Julie Anne Peters

Daelyn Rice doesn’t feel her life is worth living. She’s been bullied at school for being overweight since grade school. She is being called names, pushed, tripped, tormented and terrorized every single school day. After her last attempt to kill herself, her parents have been monitoring all aspects of her life and are afraid to leave her alone. When she bypasses her dad’s computer security measures, she joins an online suicide group called ‘Through the Light’, and is told she has to wait a minimum of 23 days before she is allowed to try to end her life. The book is a countdown of Daelyn’s last 23 days…
But are they really her last 23 days or will the strange and bizarre Santana Girard, a boy who is suddenly determined to be her friend, cause her to doubt ending her life? Very well-written and has readers crossing their fingers that Daelyn gives life one more chance.

The Mitochondrial Curiosities of Marcels 1 to 19

2010-04-05T10:08:00.000-07:00

The Mitochondrial Curiosities of Marcels 1 to 19

Jocelyn Brown

Life is pretty dreary for Dree... school is DEFINITELY not her thing! Boring... boring... BORING! But things are looking up... Dree's father has promised to give her some special funds for her 15th birthday so she can get out of Edmonton and head to Toronto for the Renegade Craft Fair! Dree has an artistic flair and she knows that the Craft Fair is the place for her! However, life throws her a curve ball as her father ends up suffering a fatal heart attack and Dree ends up spending her birthday at his memorial service. Trying to deal with her grief and her annoying stepmother and perfect stepsister, Dree begins to find and follow clues that lead her to the ominous Alberta Psychiatric Hospital where her parents used to work and where a mystery is waiting to be unearthed. Told in a fresh, frank voice, the book is a wry, adventurous, look at teenage life. Instructions for renegade crafts are included.

Catching Fire

2010-03-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

Catching Fire
Suzanne Collins
The number one question: Does this sequel have the cliff-hanger pace of The Hunger Games? Maybe as a middle novel it does not need to. Extremely readable, Catching Fire can stand on its own-with enough recaps to keep the new reader in the loop. A rebellion brewing, the Capitol is not pleased. It must tighten its reign over the 12 districts and over Katniss who is seen as upstaging the Capitol agenda in the hunger games, a deadly only-one-can-survive reality show watched nation-wide. After a threatening Presidential visit, the victorious “tributes,” Katniss and Peeta swirl though a tightly-monitored victory tour of 11 districts. Instead of savouring their victory, they are flung into the new games. Katniss’s survival strategies reveal her grit-and-steel character, while her romantic dilemmas temper it. The book ends with convincing chaos and suspense. Reviewed by KB

Suck It Up

2010-03-22T06:49:00.000-07:00

Suck It Up
Brian Meehl
This is the story of Morning McCobb who is a vegetarian vampire and drinks a blood substitute called Blood Lite. This is a vampire story with humour! He is chosen to be the first vampire to out himself to the general public. He is going to do that with the help of Penny Dredful, a PR person. But then he falls in love with Penny’s daughter, Portia and starts losing his self control with her. He is also supposed to be the model for the launch of the International Vampire League’s website called IVLeague.us. Also he is a target for the loners (vampires who lust for blood). Does he make it after all the problems or not? This book gives funny facts about vampires in the form of pages from the website. Reviewed by DM

After

2010-03-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

After
Hazel Hutchins

Everything changed for Kate and Sam After the shooting occurred. Kate’s family moved as far away as possible–to a horse ranch that seemed to offer a new start. Sam changed schools–he now attends the high school on the other side of town–a high school where it’s less likely that his classmates will know about his link to the shooting. The story of what happens After unfolds through the voices of Kate and Sam, told in alternating chapters. Kate describes the loneliness she feels as her family tries to deal with their grief-her parents go their separate ways-leaving Kate alone much of the time. Sam describes what it was like to grow up in the shadow of someone whose temper could blow at any minute. Although the two never meet, their stories are connected as they try to work their way through the aftermath of this one horrific event that has changed both of their lives forever.

Pinned

2010-02-22T13:55:00.000-08:00

Pinned
Alfred C Martino

This story is about two high school wrestlers, Ivan Korske and Bobby Zane and it describes their last year of high school and the wrestling matches that they participated in. Each boy tells their story in alternating chapters. Both boys are star athletes and are hoping to win the New Jersey state wrestling championship. This title would offer them the opportunity to get into a prestigious college. Ivan is from a blue collar background and Bobby’s family is affluent.The novel depicts the struggles of both boys and shows how they practice hard, starve themselves, and jog to keep in shape. Both strive to do the best for the team and they both have the personal goal to win the state championship.Reviewed by KY