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The Dangerous Days of Daniel XMore by James Patterson James Patterson, author of the Maximum Ride series, is back with teen novel—The Dangerous Days of Daniel X. Daniel has super-powers, including the ability to alter thoughts with his mind, and change his shape, and he will need to use all of these powers to their fullest if he is to survive after his parents are brutally murdered. And even more, he’s going to need them if he’s to track down their killer and take revenge. The novel is a taught, suspense-filled thriller, as one would expect from Patterson, filled with assassins, super-powers, aliens, murders, action, adventure and vengeance. This is just the first in a series of novels to follow, along with a graphic novel, and the movie rights have already been optioned.
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The Time ParadoxMore by Eoin Colfer Book 6 of the NY Times bestselling Artemis Fowl series is here! This time, Artemis must find a cure for a terrible brain disease which is killing his mother. Unfortunately, the cure lies with an extinct species of African lemur—which he caused to go extinct years earlier. He must get the help of the supernatural members of LEPrecon to help him travel back in time where he faces his greatest adversary yet—himself. Recommended similar reads: Rick Yancey’s Alfred Kropp series; D.J. Machale’s Pendragon series; Tobias Druitt’s Corydon series; Timothy Zahn’s Dragonback series; Obert Skye’s Leven Thumps series; Anne Ursu’s Cronus Chronicles series; Mark Walden’s H.I.V.E. series; and Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series.
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The Boxer and the Spyby Robert B. Parker Edgar Award-winning author Robert B. Parker is most widely known for his best-selling suspense-filled mysteries for adults, including his very popular Spenser detective novels. The Boxer and the Spy is his second novel for young adults, following 2007’s Edenville Owls. In addition to tightly plotted mystery and suspense, both of these novels also have a very strong sports component and should appeal to teenage boys. While Edenville Owls featured basketball and was set in the 1950s, The Boxer and the Spy is a contemporary novel and features boxing. This thriller of a novel tells the story of fifteen-year old boxer Terry Novak who is unconvinced that a classmate’s death was a steroid-related suicide. Terry and his friend Abby begin investigating, only to find out that there is far more going on than meets the eye, and in the dangerous situation they find themselves in, Terry’s boxing skills might be all that can save them.
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Little BrotherMore by Cory Doctorow A NY Times bestseller, Doctorow’s Little Brother is a chillingly contemporary science fiction thriller. Following a terrorist attack on San Francisco, seventeen-year-old computer hacker Marcus, known by his online handle “w1n5t0n,” is arrested and viciously interrogated by the Department of Homeland Security. After being released, he finds the world a vastly changed place as a government sponsored police state has been enacted and personal freedoms are increasingly being revoked. Realistic, riveting, and wholly worrying, Little Brother is a fascinating work of social critique steeped in current concerns and headlines which portrays a very possible America.
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Truancyby Isamu Fukui If Christopher Paolini became a sensation for writing Eragon as a teenager, Isamu Fukui should become a rockstar. Written while he was just fifteen, Truancy is another amazing piece of social criticism and sci-fi adventure writing. Set in a dark city enthralled to the Mayor who regulates his police state via a harsh education system, Truancy explores many of the same concepts as classic works like 1984 and Brave New World while adding a fresh voice, fantastic story, and real young adult thoughts and emotions. Fifteen-year-old Tack is just trying to survive in this world, living day-to-day and following orders, until he gets caught up in the battle between the Educators and a rogue revolutionary group of teens known as Truants. What results is an action-packed, yet thought-provoking, story that questions the nature of our society and where it could possibly head. For similar reads, check out the Perfect Worlds? and Sinister Science booklists.
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RumorsMore by Anna Godbersen Sequel to The Luxe, this novel continues the story of a group of young wealthy Manhattan socialites in the early 20th century. Filled with intrigue, social infighting, romance, and, of course, lavish parties, The Luxe series is like Gossip Girl, only a hundred or so years earlier.
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The Battle of the LabyrinthMore by Rick Riordan ISBN: 9781423101468 Book four of the NY Times bestselling series, Percy Jackson & The Olympians has arrived. Fans of the series will be demanding this one, and new readers will be looking for the rest of the series which involves Greek myths and legends being part of modern society. Percy Jackson is the son of Poseidon, and in an interesting realistic twist, a young adult with ADHD. The series is very well-written and super action-packed. This new installment finds demonic cheerleaders invading Percy’s school as he enters 9th grade, and the cataclysmic battle between the Olympians and Kronos, the Titan, drawing closer. Other books in the series: The Lightning Thief (book 1); The Sea of Monsters (book 2); and The Titan’s Curse (book 3).
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Indiana JonesIndiana Jones is back with a vengeance! The new film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, recently opened with the second-highest Memorial Day weekend box-office take, second only to last year’s third Pirates of the Caribbean film and the Indiana Jones franchise is seeing a huge resurgence in interest. • The Adventures of Indiana Jones – the original three films, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
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The Host: a NovelMore by Stephenie Meyer Meyer’s ongoing Twilight series is a blockbuster and has been on the NY Times bestsellers lists for months (and good luck finding a copy on our shelves—the first volume has been in print for over 3 years, we have 6 copies, and there are still 19 requests on it). Recent articles have touted Meyer as being the next J.K. Rowling in terms of success, especially with teen girls. While Twilight and its sequels deal with teenage girls, vampires, werewolves, high school and romance, The Host is about our world after an Invasion of the Body Snatchers type of alien invasion. While written with an intended adult audience, the novel does not feature any overtly adult content and is acceptable for teenagers. Told from the point of view of Wanderer (an alien) and Melanie (the body that the alien has taken over), the novel is essentially a love story as Wanderer/Melanie seeks out the human man she is in love with, but also deals with many social, cultural, and political themes.
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The Adoration of Jenna FoxMore by Mary E. Pearson Jenna Fox recently awoke from a coma following a car accident. Her genius doctor parents moved her across country during that time in order for her to recover. Jenna’s recovery, however, is going slowly and she has no memories of her life before the accident. All she knows is what her parents tell her, and as her past begins to reassert itself in her mind, they do not seem to mesh with the life her parents tell her about. Why does she suddenly seem to be amazingly more intelligent than she should be? Why does her grandmother seem to shun her? As she struggles to remember her life, she must find the answer to the question: “Who am I?” or better yet “Who is Jenna Fox?” This is a taught mystery and thriller filled with questions about identity and science.
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STORM: The Infinity Codeby E.L. Young ISBN: 978-0803732650 Fans of Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider or Charles Higson’s Young Bond will not want to miss this first book in an exciting new series. In London, a group of teenage spies work for a group called STORM, and it’s their job to save the world whenever it needs it. In this first novel, an evil scientist has created a deadly weapon and it’s up to the three genius agents – Wil, the inventor; Andrew the rich software whiz, and Gaia, the mysterious chemist – to save the day. In order to do so, they’ll travel the world, experience great dangers, and get to use awesome high-tech gadgets in this fast-paced, action packed adventure. Check out these other great Alex Rider Read-alikes.
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Iron Man (comic books and graphic novels)by Marvel Comics The mega-hit movie is in the theaters starring Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, and Terrence Howard. The film opened with the # 2 best opening weekend for a non-sequel (#1 being the first Spider-Man film) with a domestic box office take of over $100.8 million. A sequel has already been announced for release in 2010. Check out the comics that inspired the film. Recommended titles: Ultimate Iron Man, Invincible Iron Man, and Hypervelocity. Iron Man is also featured prominently in the Avengers, Ultimates, and Marvel Civil War series of comics and graphic novels.
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RepossessedBy A.M. Jenkins A 2008 Printz Honor Book, Repossessed is the story of a demon, or “fallen angel,” who gets bored in Hell and decides to vacation on Earth by possessing the body of a teenaged boy named Shaun. While in Shaun’s body, the demon experiences teen life and discovers humanity. Jenkins writes with wry humor and spins a fantastically funny yarn.
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SightMore by Adrienne Maria Vrettos Dylan has the ability to “see” the tragic last moments of abducted children. She uses her ability to help the police, but tries to keep her “sight” secret from everyone, including her best friend, Pilar. After Cate, a new girl, moves to town she begins to open up and share more about herself, but when Pilar’s sister is abducted, the truth may be more than Dylan can deal with and she will need to use her abilities to their fullest. Shocking and full of mystery, Sight is a real page-turner.
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EndgameMore by Nancy Garden Garden, famous for her novel Annie on My Mind, tells the powerful story of a young man who feels like the entire world is against him. Gray Wilton relates his story to his lawyer, while he waits in jail to be sentenced for murder. As his tale unfolds the reader experiences the pain of someone who feels outcast by everyone around him, bullied, ridiculed, abused. The reader knows the outcome, but feels every ounce of pain with Gray as he relives his experiences, and ultimately his horrible choice to take violent action.
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Samurai ShortstopMore by Alan Gratz Toyo Shimada wants to play shortstop for his school’s baseball team, but the upperclassmen treat the lower grades like dirt, bullying and abusing them. At the same time, he must deal with his uncle’s suicide, his father’s adherence to the traditions of bushido, and the clash of his family’s samurai values and an ever-Westernizing Japan. Set in Japan in 1890, this fascinating historical novel shines a light on the clash of values in a culture and modern progress takes root, along with the regular, everyday experiences of a young man.
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Spider-Man: Reignby Kaare Andrews Anyone concerned with civil liberties in our post-9/11 world should read this graphic novel. Sure, it’s Spider-Man, but it is also so much more. Kaare Andrews envisions a possible future NYC in which the pressing need for security has lead the government to take drastic steps and an elderly Peter Parker has long since hung up his suit. As the increasingly totalitarian regime known as the Reign solidifies its plans for complete security, someone from Peter’s past seeks him out in an effort to bring back Spider-Man, and with him, hope and freedom. A dark and disturbing, but ultimately thought-provoking, read that demonstrates what the comic book format is truly capable of.
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The White Darkness: a NovelMore by Geraldine McCaughrean Winner of the 2008 Michael L. Printz Award, The White Darkness is the gripping story of a teenage girl’s travels with her uncle in Antarctica. Filled with danger and mystery, it is a edge-of-your seat read that looks deep into the heart of obsession, questions reality and truth, and portrays a harsh wilderness.
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The Night BirdsBy Thomas Maltman A visceral look at the life of a family in the Midwest in the late 19th century through the eyes of fourteen-year-old Asa Senger. From Asa the reader learns of the mass execution of a group of Dakota Sioux following an uprising in protest of the U.S. government’s failure to provide for the displaced Indians; the violence of the James-Younger gang; and the plight of pioneering people, slaveowners, farmers, Indians, and outlaws. The novel is gripping historical fiction that was a 2008 Alex Award winner for an adult novel that teens will enjoy.
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A Swift Pure CryBy Siobhan Dowd Fifteen-year-old Shell lives in a small town in Ireland with her father following her mother’s death. Her father has spun downward into alcoholism and Shell is quite alone. She finds support in a new young priest and a budding relationship with an altar boy named Declan, but the relationship leads to an unplanned pregnancy. Facing social criticism and scandal, and raising the child alone, Shell struggles to persevere. A Swift Pure Cry is a powerfully written novel that evokes the emotional turmoil of Shell within the reader.
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Hellbentby Anthoy McGowan Conor O’Neil was just run over by an ice cream truck. He died. And, he went to Hell. Conor discovers that every soul in Hell gets to experience their personal version of it. For Conor, it is a musty room filled with old books and educational programming. No loud music. No video games. No fun. But what if someone else’s Hell has all those things? For Conor, it would be Heaven! Conor sets off on an adventure across Hell with his stinky pet dog (also run over by the ice cream truck), a cross-dressing Viking named Olaf, and his personal devil, Clarence. Filled with crude, but absolutely hilarious humor, Hellbent is a bizarre romp through the underworld that would make Dante blush. A must read for anyone who likes funny books and doesn’t mind a poop joke or two (or ten).
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The Trials of Shazam!By Judd Winick and Howard Porter A disaster of epic proportions sends shockwaves through the magical side of the DC Universe as the wizard Shazam is killed. Billy Batson, aka Captain Marvel, has suddenly received the burden of maintaining the balance of magic in the universe, and Freddy Freeman, once Captain Marvel’s sidekick, suddenly finds himself on a quest to become the new Captain Marvel. Simply amazing storytelling filled with magic and mythology combines with gorgeous artwork for a great superhero book.
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Marvel Zombiesby Robert Kirkman and others What happens when Marvel’s greatest superheros get turned into zombies? Mutant undead chaos, that’s what! Robert Kirkman, acclaimed creator of Invincible and zombie fantatic, writes one of the wildest and craziest Marvel stories ever. On an alternate Earth an alien virus has transformed the world’s greatest heroes into flesh-eating monsters. Their superpowers allow them to devour the human population in just a few hours, so what’s next on the menu? Could it be the Silver Surfer, just arriving from outer space? Oh no!
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Troyby Adele Geras The Trojan War is one of the greatest and best known epics of all time, yet Adele Geras manages to make it fresh and fascinating for modern readers. Geras tells the familiar story from the point of view of two young women who serve within the city of Troy—Marpessa, handmaiden to Helen; and her sister Xanthe, who tends to the wounded soldiers. Filled with mythology and history, romance and violence, Troy is an award-winning and powerful novel that not only sheds light on the lives of women in ancient times, but reworks the Trojan War into new forms.
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Year of Wondersby Geraldine Brooks Pulitzer prize winner Geraldine Brooks' novel Year of Wonders takes the reader back in time to a village in England, 1666 as the plague ravages the country. The village makes a drastic choice to quarantine itself in an attempt to halt the plague’s progress, but as people continue to die, tensions rise. Anna, while trying to help heal villagers, becomes the target of a growing witch-hunt and faces tragedy on all sides. Year of Wonders is a richly told story of another time and place with a strong female main character who will remain with you long after you’ve finished reading.
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The Dragonback Seriesby Timothy Zahn Timothy Zahn knows how to write a great scifi outer space adventure and the Dragonback series is proof of that. Fourteen-year-old Jack Morgan has been falsely accused of a crime and is on the run in a stolen space ship. Crash landing on a remote planet, he meets up with an alien named Draycos, sole survivor of a genocide which has wiped out his race. They form an unlikely partnership in the first novel, Dragon and Thief, which continues throughout the series. Filled with space battles, dragons, tattoos, fighting against oppressive governments, righting wrongs, danger, and more action than you can shake a stick at, Dragonback is a simply fantastic series.
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The Perhapanautsby Todd Dezago, Craig Rousseau, and Rico Renzi Todd Dezago, known for his work on Spider-Man and his own amazing series Tellos, brings us another fantastical comic book romp. The Perhapanauts are a team of supernatural misfits whose job it is to investigate mysterious events and paranormal happenings. While this sounds like a rip-off of Hellboy, it is not. The stories are hilarious and the characters are instantly lovable. From the pint-sized wisecracking Choopie (an el chupacabra) to the gigantic Big (a genetically altered sasquatch with a PhD), you will want to follow the zany adventures of these investigators. The art is superb, the story-telling topnotch, and The Perhapanauts are a wild and fun comic book ride.
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Claymoreby Norihiro Yagi In a medieval fantasy world filled with monsters called yoma which can hide their true nature to go amongst, and feed upon, mankind with impunity. The secret organization Claymore, nicknamed such because of the large swords its members wield, fights these monsters to protect humanity. Members of the organization are all silver-eyed human-yoma crossbreeds, having been fully human, but melded with monster blood and flesh to become super-powered warriors. All of these monster slayers are also female, since all men die during the process of joining yoma and human to make a Claymore. Combining rich storytelling, striking art, fast-paced battles, a bit of horror, and memorable characters, Claymore is top-notch manga and a fantastic read.
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Edenville OwlsMore by Robert B. Parker Successful adult mystery author Robert B. Parker makes his young adult debut with this novel set just after World War II. Bobby Murphy and his friends have formed a new basketball team called the Edenville Owls and everything seems to be going well. The team is headed for the state championships, Bobby has started developing new feelings for his friend Joanie, and there is a new teacher at school named Ms. Delaney. However, the team needs a leader, Joanie starts dating Bobby’s teammate Nick, and Ms. Delaney appears at school covered in bruises. Bobby’s idyllic life in Edenville is about to be shattered, and amongst his own normal teen problems, Bobby must find out the truth about Ms. Delaney and a mysterious man before worse things happen. Edenville Owls is a taught mystery with a great main character and a wonderful historical setting.
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The Faerie Pathby Frewin Jones Anita, a normal human girl, is whisked away into a turbulent world of magic, romance and adventure when a handsome stranger reveals that she is actually Tania, princess of the Faerie realm and his betrothed. The world of Faerie was enveloped in darkness 500 years ago when Tania disappeared on the eve of her wedding, but is returned to life when she is brought back. However, a evil plan is afoot that could mean the end of Faerie. Now, torn between two worlds, and two loves, Anita must act to save the world of Faerie, and herself. First in a series, The Faerie Path enthralls with wonder, magic, romance, and danger.
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Boy Toyby Barry Lyga When Josh was 13 he met Eve and his life fell to pieces. She was attractive, interesting, liked XBOX, sex, and him. She also was his teacher. Five years later, Josh is finally getting his life back on track and is getting ready to graduate high school. He’s playing baseball, forming a real relationship with Rachel, and applying to colleges. Then Eve is released on parole from prison and the memories of her molestation, and its impact upon his life, come flooding back. At times funny and tragic, and wholly moving, Boy Toy is a powerful and unflinching look at the loss of innocence and the impact child molestation can have upon the lives of its victims.
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Here, There Be Dragonsby James A. Owen First in the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series, this novel is a wonderfully imaginative fantasy. John, Jack and Charles are strangers brought together in World War I London as caretakers of a mysterious book that provides maps of all lands that never existed. Pursued by evil and terrifying creatures, they board a ship called the Indigo Dragon which can cross the boundaries of the real world and the many mythical lands in the Imaginarium Geographica in a race to save the book, and themselves. Here, There Be Dragons combines myths and legends with historical London to create a rich fantasy world. Readers of fantasy novels will love this book, and will also be amazed to find out just who John, Jack and Charles really are.
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Epicby Conor Kostick In the future, violence is nonexistent. Disputes are resolved in a virtual arena, part of the massive computer game Epic which is now the foundation of everyone’s lives. Wins in the game give you good things in life—college, toys, money, power, fame—while losses make you worthless. Erik seeks vengeance for his mother’s death in the game and challenges the Epic system and the dystopia that it represents in this science fiction thriller that questions politics, society, and humanity in the grand tradition of novels like Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, and 1984.
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XS Hybridby Song Ji-Hyung In a strange future where gifted "hybrid" humans police the planet, Mina is a likable tomboy with growing psychic powers. When a young boy falls into a coma after gazing into her eyes, it becomes quite clear that there is more to Mina than just her looks. Huin Chang, the young boy, grows to become a daredevil with an awkward, secret love for Mina which fuels his protective feelings towards her, but when mysterious men arrive bringing the violence of the "hybrid" with them, can Mina or Huin survive? This Korean manhwa features violence and fast-paced action combined with detailed and fantastic art and an intriguing sci-fi plot, along with a great characters and a well-formed relationship between Mina and Huin, to make an absolutely great read.
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Shelterby Benette Whitmore Sixteen-year-old Sky thought filming her summer vacation for a school project would be a good idea. Boy, was she wrong. Instead of a fun-filled summer break, she documents her family falling apart. Her mother begins dating a new man and, turning paranoid, decides to build a bomb shelter in the backyard. The bomb shelter becomes a perfect place for her and her twin brother to hide out and experiment with sex, drugs, and teenage rebellion, but their experiences there are not all fun and games as the shelter has strange impacts upon the entire family. Written in a striking style which mimics the script for the movie Sky is making, Shelter is a riveting look into the, often bizarre, lives of ordinary people.
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They Came from Belowby Blake Nelson Emily and Reese are looking forward to a summer on the beach and cute boys. Steve and Dave are adorable and seem to be just what the girls are looking for, but appearances can be deceiving. The boys come from under the ocean in a last-ditch effort to help convince mankind that its actions are destroying the planet! Funny, but also filled with depth and sadness, They Came from Below is a thought-provoking story that tackles the timely issue of environmental degradation in an interesting way.
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Gothic!: Ten Original Dark TalesISBN: 0763622435 These two collections feature scary stories by some of the hottest authors for teens including Holly Black, M.T. Anderson, Libba Bray, Herbie Brennan, Vivian Vande Velde, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Anette Curtis Klause, and Neil Gaiman!
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The fetch
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Straight on ‘til MorningMore by Christopher Golden It is the summer of 1981. Kevin and his friends are savoring their last few months before beginning high school. Kevin has a crush on Nikki French, but she’s started dating a local thug named Peter. When Nikki goes missing, Kevin must follow Peter and his gang into a grotesque world called Neverland, a place from which they might never return. Golden twists elements of the classic story of Peter Pan into a darkly scary tale of growing up, first love, and horror.
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30 Days of NightMore by Steve Niles Not for the faint of heart, this graphic novel series features visceral, bloody vampire stories. The simple, yet brilliant, premise of the first graphic novel in the series sets the dark tone for the entire run. In Barrow, Alaska the sun has just set…for the next thirty days. A group of vampires enter the town to feast unhampered by the sun. Bloody mayhem ensues. Subsequent volumes in the series continue the stories of the people of Barrow and the vampires who attacked them, and begin new horrific tales. 30 Days of Night is also being released as a terrifying film starring Josh Hartnett.
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The Society of Sby Susan Hubbard It won’t be giving anything away to say that this fantastic book is about vampires, but it is also an amazing story of a thirteen-year-old girl named Ariella. It is simply beautifully written. Hubbard’s prose is marvelous and Ariella is a wonderfully quirky narrator. The novel is broken into parts which deal with events before and after her decision to leave her home in search of her long-missing mother. The theme of separation and dealing with a broken family is strong in The Society of S, but above all else it is a novel of coming to terms with one’s self and understanding who you are. Ariella’s journey allows her to see what she really is, but she learns that it is the choices a person makes, and how someone lives their life, that determine who that person really is.
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InterworldMore by Neil Gaiman Neil Gaiman once again makes the What’s Hot list with this awesome novel of inter-dimensional travel, magic, science, bravery, and, of course, a fight to save all of humanity in all possible realities. One day clumsy Joey Harker accidentally loses himself in another dimension—a dimension filled with evil forces that desire to conquer everything, but only lack the ability to traverse the dimensions which Joey has. Joey realizes he must stop these from happening, so, teaming up with many alternate versions of himself, he fights to save not only those he cares about in his home world, but every version of everyone, everywhere.
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JapanamericaBy Roland Kelts Kelts delves deep into the Japanese pop phenomenon that is, and has been, sweeping the United States. From the most obvious influences, such as anime and manga, to the more obscure, Japanamerica is a fascinating look at how Japanese culture is becoming more and more part of mainstream American life, particularly the lives of young Americans.
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Princess ResurrectionBy Yasunori Mitsunaga Middle-schooler Hiro is on his way to meet his sister at the house where she works as a maid. When he arrives, the house appears vacant. Confused, he wanders around town, only to be run over by a truck! His last memory is of a beautiful young woman. When he wakes up in the morgue, all he can think of is the woman he saw, but with nothing better to do, he goes back to the house where he was supposed to meet his sister. Can you imagine his surprise when he finds out that the house is owned by the same beautiful woman, and the she brought him back from the dead? She’s Princess Hime, a warrior that fights monsters with a chainsaw and a smile, and Hiro is now her undead servant.
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Soccer Chick RulesBy Dawn Fitzgerald Thirteen-year-old Tess lives for soccer. The school district, however, is facing a financial crisis and unless a tax levy is passed, sports at Clarkstown Middle School will cease to exist. Before she knows it, she’s up to her sports bra in local politics and associated with people she never did before, people like cheerleaders! Filled with humor, action-packed soccer scenes, and a great main character, Soccer Chick Rules is perfect for getting back into school, and sports, this fall.
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The Rules of SurvivalMore by Nancy Werlin “I need to make sense of it. I need to try to turn the experience into something valuable for you, and for myself—not just something pushed away and forgotten. Emmy, the events we lived through taught me to be sure of nothing about other people. The taught me to expect danger around every corner. They taught me to understand that there are people in this world who mean you harm. And sometimes, they’re people who say they love you.” From The Rules of Survival.
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Tithe: a Modern Faerie Taleby Holly Black If you’re unfamiliar with Tithe, you’re missing out on a very popular dark fantasy. Sixteen-year-old Kaye and her rocker mother have just been forced to move back in with Kaye’s grandmother in New Jersey. Mysterious creatures from Kaye’s childhood, along with a shockingly handsome stranger, pull Kaye into a twisted creepy plot in the world of Faerie. This is a sexy and horrifyingly fascinating tale in which our modern world and ancient magic intertwine with love and glamour. Be sure to also check out sequel Ironside and companion novel Valiant.
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Y: the Last ManMore by Brian K. Vaughan Intense, harrowing, funny, scary, thought-provoking…just a few words to describe this masterpiece series. For some mysterious reason, all males have died on planet Earth. All of them, that is, except for Yorick and his pet monkey. As the only males left, they are both in high demand, by those who want to save the species and also the ultra-feminist groups that want to rid the world of the male scourge altogether! As Yorick continues on a trek across a decimated United States, the plot thickens with adventures and atrocities abounding. This, however, is much more than just a tale of post-apocalyptic society. It is a richly drawn and well-crafted human drama, filled with characters both likeable and hateable. Y: the Last Man shows mankind, er, humankind, at its best and worst in a time of great crisis.
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Notes from the Midnight DriverMore by Jordan Sonnenblick Filled with humor, Notes from the Midnight Driver is a heart-felt story of life and making amends for bad decisions. Angry at his parents for their divorce, Alex Gregory gets into a drunken mishap—he crashes his mom’s car into his neighbor’s lawn. Alex is assigned to community service at a nursing home where he gets to work with a grumpy old man named Solomon Lewis. Between Mr. Lewis, the troubles with his parents, and his own delinquent behavior, what more could go wrong for Alex? Well, he may just be falling in love with his best friend Laurie, who just happens to be a lethal ninja.
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Stardust: Being a Romance Within the Realms of FaerieMore by Neil Gaiman Soon to be a major motion picture with an all-star cast including Robert DeNiro, Claire Danes, Sienna Miller and Michelle Pfeiffer, Stardust is a fairy tale told by the amazing Neil Gaiman. Filled with romance, intrigue, evil, magic, and love, as well as gorgeous illustrations by Charles Vess, Stardust is a fantastic read for lovers of fantasy and great writing alike.
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Hole in My LifeMore by Jack Gantos You may recognize author Jack Gantos from his books for younger readers, such as the Joey Pigza books, however, this book is a side of Gantos you might be shocked to see. This biography looks into his life as a young adult in the early 1970s when, as an aspiring writer, he got involved in a series of dangerous criminal activities trying to get some money. This is a no-holds barred account of his life including his time as a drug user, a drug runner, his time in prison, and how he turned his life around to become a successful writer.
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The Ghost in the Tokaido InnMore by Thomas Hoobler A nominee for the Edgar Award in 2000 for the best Young Adult Mystery of the year, The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn is the first book in the Samurai Mysteries series. Set in 18th Century Japan, the novel is rich with historical detail and features a thrilling mystery. Fourteen-year-old Seiki wants to be a samurai, but he was born to the wrong social class. The shogun’s precious ruby disappears, however, and it is up to Seiki to solve the mystery. Will he be able to prove to the shogun that the son of a merchant is as worthwhile as the son of a samurai?
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Black & WhiteMore by Malorie Blackman Set in a world alarmingly similar to our own, Black & White is the first book in the Noughts & Crosses trilogy which powerfully examines the role of racial prejudice in society. Sephy is a Cross, part of the ruling class, and Callum, her friend and love interest, is a Nought, a member of the light-skinned class that is judged inferior. These star-crossed lovers live in a world rife with terrorism, segregation, and harsh prejudice. As they struggle to maintain their relationship, society tries to violently tear them apart.
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Marvel 1602More by Neil Gaiman What would happen if all of Marvel’s greatest heroes and villains were born about four centuries early? Marvel 1602 tackles this amazing premise and spins a brilliant alternate universe in which the politics and peoples of the Elizabethan period become an integral part of the lives of the characters you know and love. Captain America is a white man raised by Native Americans. Charles Xavier is leader and mentor to a band of mutants called “witchbreed” which are persecuted by the Spanish Inquisition. Dr. Strange performs mystical rites, while Nick Fury is, well, still a secret agent, both in the service of Elizabeth I. The artwork is fantastic (the woodcut cover images alone are worth checking out) and the story is what all superhero comics should aspire to, though all readers (not just superhero comic readers) will love this imaginative and gorgeously wrought graphic novel.
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Batman & Dracula: Red RainMore by Doug Moench Batman & Dracula: Red Rain is set in alternative version of DC’s universe known as Elseworlds. In Elseworlds, DC’s characters are placed in situations that do not fit into their greater official storyline which allows for interesting, and often bizarre, reads. Red Rain is no exception. The concept could be quite cheesy—Batman fights Dracula—but instead Moench provides a powerfully horrifying psychological drama about the nature of evil, life, death, addiction, and many other very heavy concepts. The art perfectly captures the emotions and dark intensity of the story. Check out this disturbing graphic novel, and its sequels Bloodstorm and Crimson Mist, for a look deep into the hearts of men and monsters, and the fine line between the two.
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The Au PairsMore by Melissa De La Cruz Searching for a breezy summer read? Want some hot beach action? Itching to find out what it’s like to be one of the rich few spending their summers vacationing in the Hamptons? The Au Pairs is your ticket into a summer of VIP privilege, romance, good-looking boys, and parties. Fans of Gossip Girls, The A-List, Clique, and other similar series will love this!
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Prom Nights from HellMore by Meg Cabot If it isn’t enough to grab your attention that both MEG CABOT (The Princess Diaries) and STEPHENIE MEYER (Twilight) contributed to this collection, consider the following: Are you nervous about prom night being perfect and about all the things that could go wrong? What if angels and demons deciding to wage a war in the middle of the dance, or worse, your date was Death himself?
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Pride of BaghdadMore by Brian K. Vaughn Gorgeous. Heart-wrenching. Powerful. All words to describe this masterful graphic novel which chronicles the lives of four lions of the Baghdad zoo in April 2003 as the U.S. started to bomb Iraq. See the war through new eyes. See life through new eyes. Read this book.
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Star Wars MangaISBN: 1569713626 Star Wars is celebrating its 30th anniversary this summer. Check out this retelling of the classic trilogy in the Japanese manga style. Luke, Han, Leia and Co. have never looked so cool.
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Diary of a Wimpy KidISBN: 0810993139 “I’ll be famous one day, but for now I’m stuck in middle school with a bunch of morons.” Greg Heffley
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Demons of the Ocean (Vampirates Book 1)ISBN: 0316013730 Arr me hearties! Avast, I’ll suck yer bloode!
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Dairy Queen: a NovelAfter spending her summer running the family farm and training the quarterback for her school’s rival football team, 16-year-old D.J. decides to go out for the sport herself, not anticipating the reactions of those around her. by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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Street Loveby Walter Dean Myers Printz Award winning author Myers delivers a powerful story about love across class lines in Harlem. Told in hip-hop influenced verse, the narrative switches between various viewpoints allowing the reader to fully grasp the emotions and struggles of Damian and Junice as they try to make their relationship work despite the forces trying to keep them apart.
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Giftsby Ursula K. Le Guin Orrec and Gry live in the Uplands where powers, or Gifts, are passed on from one generation to the next. Gry can communicate with animals, but Orrec's Gift is far more dangerous--the Unmaking. Dealing with both the normal problems of a teenage boy and his deadly Gift forces Orrec to take drastic steps, however circumstances in the Uplands may make him come to terms with his power and responsibility for it. Le Guin's novel is beautifully written and she crafts an exciting and moving story about the choices we make and consequences of our actions.
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The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girlby Barry Lyga Fanboy's life kind of sucks. He is a geek, a nerd, a comic book dork, which is fine, except that he's an outcast even among others like him. He keeps a List (a very looooonnnnggg list) of the people who bully him or perform any number of mean and/or violent acts upon him. His family life also leaves much to be desired with his mom and his hated stepfather expecting a new baby. His best friend, Cal, who shares his love of comics, won't acknowledge their friendship in public because it would tarnish his repuation. The only thing Fanboy has going for him is the graphic novel he is creating, that is until Kyra, better known as Goth Girl, suddenly IMs him. And his world drastically changes.
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Ask Me No QuestionsAfter years of living as illegal aliens in NYC, 14-year-old Nadira and her family flee the city for Canada in the changing political scene after the events of September 11, 2001 and face frustration, sorrow and fear for the whole family. by Marina Tamar Budhos
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The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation (Book 1)Various diaries, letters and other manuscripts chronicle the experience of Octavian, a young African-American, from birth to age sixteen, as he is brought up as part of a science experiment in the years leading up to and during the revolutionary war. More by M.T. Anderson
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Nick and Norah’s Infinite PlaylistHigh school student Nick, member of a rock band, meets college-bound Norah and asks her to be his girlfriend for five minutes to avoid his ex. Listen to a Teen Audio Book Review of this book here. More by Rachel Cohn
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InexcusableHigh school senior and football player Keir sets out to enjoy himself on graduation night, but when he attempts to comfort a friend whose date has stood her up, things go terribly wrong. More by Chris Lynch
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Death Noteby Tsugumi Ohba After finding a mysterious notebook, high school student Light Yagami gains the ability to kill just by writing someone's name in the notebook. His decision to use this power to remove all people he considers evil from the world may seem somewhat noble, but the deaths soon lead to a massive police hunt to find the killer. Can the super-intelligent Light outwit his equal, the enigmatic investigator, L? In this fast-paced and suspense-filled mystery thriller questions about humanity, the nature of power and responsibility for one's actions combine with amazing artwork and fantastic storytelling.
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Teen Book Reviews
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Summer Reading - TeensDon't Bug Me... I'm Reading[Login to or Sign up for the Teen Summer Reading Club]
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Summer Reading - TweensMetamorphosis[Login to or Sign Up for the Tween Summer Reading Club] More information |



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