SÁENZ , Benjamin Alire. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. S & S. 2012. ISBN 9781442408920. JLG Level: YM : Mature Young Adults (Grades 11 & up).

Winner of three Youth Media Awards (a Printz Honor, a Stonewall, and a Pura Belpré), Saenz’s coming-of-age novel is about two very different 15-year-old boys with contrasting lives―Aristotle, who seems angry at the world, and Dante, who takes life for what it is. Aristotle talks to his mother, but his father, who’s a Vietnam War veteran, rarely has anything to say. On the other hand, Dante’s family talks about everything. When the two become friends at the community pool, their worlds collide, causing both the boys and their families to change. A car accident that injures Aristotle draws Dante even closer to him, but only causes Ari to feel more anger. A sudden move to Chicago allows Dante to write about his romantic feelings for his friend. Ari, like his father, closes off his emotions, even refusing to write back. In the dramatic end, a gay-bashing attack puts Dante in the hospital and forces Ari to realize his true feelings. Slow-paced and poignant, the story addresses issues of homosexuality, identity, war, family responsibility, and friendship. This multifaceted award-winner is sure to withstand the test of time.

BLUMENTHAL, Karen. Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different. Feiwel & Friends. 2012. ISBN 9781250015570. JLG Level: C : Advanced Readers (Grades 6-9).

Against all the odds, a man who was given away at birth, dropped out of college, and fired from the company that he created became the man who transformed the computer, music, and movie industries. In 2005, Steve Jobs delivered a commencement speech at Stanford University. It would be a tale told in three parts. Blumenthal uses that thread to weave her story for teen readers. “The journey is the reward,” says Jobs. Adopted as an infant, Jobs’s new parents had to sign an agreement that they would send him to college. Frequently in trouble at school, Jobs dropped out of college after one year. He was reclusive, picky about eating, and had poor hygiene habits. In spite of that, he and his friend, Steve Wosniak, created the first Apple computer in his parents’ garage. The Cinderella story builds from there―and includes fascinating information about Jobs’s involvement with Pixar, Macintosh, and iProducts. In spite of (or maybe because of) Jobs’s tantrums, lack of social graces, and empathy for others, his products made millions and continue to do so. Informative sidebars, copious footnotes, and black-and-white photographs support this unauthorized biography. Finalist for the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults.

HOPKINSON, Deborah. Titanic: Voices from the Disaster. Scholastic. 2012. ISBN 9780545116749. JLG Level: NE : Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2-6).

Though interest in the Titanic disaster never seems to fade, its 100th anniversary has brought several new amazing titles to our shelves. Hopkinson examines primary source documents and presents surviving characters from each social class on the ship, as well as the crew. From the construction of the ship to the harrowing rescue of its passengers, readers will find fascinating new details in their never-ceasing hunger for information about the tragedy. Complete with photographs, artwork, and maps, this oft-told story will have teens riveted to the pages. Sibert Honor and Finalist for the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults.

LEVINSON, Cynthia. We’ve Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March. Peachtree. 2012. ISBN 9781561456277. JLG Level: NM : Nonfiction Middle & HS (Grades 7-11).

Based on interviews with children who marched in Birmingham, AL, in 1963, Levinson delivers a narrative that chronicles a momentous event in the history of civil rights. Told through the eyes of four young people, history comes to life in a painful and sobering retelling of children willing to stand up to adults for their freedom. Nine-year-old Audrey Hendricks saw an elderly black couple walking in the park. When a police officer allowed a dog to attack them, she decided she had to do more than just attend meetings. Afraid he would fight back, James Stewart chose to march instead of sit. Washington Booker III thought the marches were crazy; he spent his time playing with friends. Arnetta Streeter joined the Peace Ponies and signed a pledge of nonviolence. These four young people were among the thousands who participated in the Birmingham’s Children’s March. Meticulously footnoted with bibliographical information and index, this volume will certainly meet research needs. Finalist for the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults.

TURNAGE, Shelia. Three Times Lucky. Dial. 2012. ISBN 9780803736702. JLG Level: C : Advanced Readers (Grades 6-9).

“Trouble cruised into Tupelo Landing at exactly seven minutes past noon on Wednesday, the third of June, flashing a gold badge and driving a Chevy Impala the color of dirt. Almost before the dust had settled, Mr. Jesse turned up dead and life in Tupelo Landing turned upside down.” Full of quick wit and humor, mystery and mayhem, this novel for young teens will have readers turning pages. Plenty of trouble awaits Mo(ses) and Dale (Earnhardt Johnson III) and there are lots of red herrings to steer them astray. Mo is an orphan who washed up in a storm 11 years ago and was found by “The Colonel,” who has lost his memory. When Mr. Jesse is found dead, Mo and Dale decide to solve the murder themselves. After Dale becomes a suspect and The Colonel goes missing, things just get complicated. Mo will steal your heart and give you a laugh along the way. Newbery Honor Winner.

For these and other fabulous books for teens, search Junior Library Guild.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. You can visit them at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

FORMAN, Gayle. Just One Day. Dutton. January 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780525425915.

Gr 9 Up—Allyson has been a simple, goody-two-shoes her whole life; being adventurous has always been the job of her best friend, Melanie, or Mel 2.0, as she likes to be called. By chance, Allyson receives a flyer for a performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. It takes one performance, one coin flipped her way by a boy going where the wind blows, and suddenly she’s blown in too many ways too quickly. Allyson suddenly becomes Lulu and is wrapped in a world of fluidity in a small span of time, only to have it suddenly ripped away. Having it ripped away, though, just seems to make her want it back even more.

Already a huge fan of If I Stay and its companion, Where She Went, I had extremely high expectations for Just One Day. It definitely didn’t disappoint me! I was immediately wrapped in a world of senses, feelings, and people. Just One Day is a story of love, friendship, independence, and discovery of oneself and the world. I loved falling in love with every word and feeling that Allyson felt, and I can only hope there will be more to her story.—Destiny B., age 15

Skilton, Sarah. Bruised. Amulet. March 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781419703874.

Gr 7-12—In Bruised, Imogen witnesses an armed robbery. Because she has a black belt in Taekwondo, Imogen feels that she should have done something to stop the robbery, instead of just hiding under a table. Throughout the book, she begins to get closer to Ricky, who was also hiding under a table.  In the end, she realizes that there was nothing she could have done.

I liked this book because it shows that while a person may say they would do something in a particular situation, no one truly knows how they would react beforehand. This story also shows us that no matter how strong you are, no one is invincible and in the end, there are some things that are completely out of one’s control.—Alexandra M., age 15

MORIARITY, Jaclyn. A Corner of White. Scholastic. April 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780545397360.

Gr 6-10—Madeleine is a girl of science, a girl of bright colors. But walking through the streets of Cambridge, England, she finds her corner of white wedged in a parking meter—a connection between our world and a Kingdom where seasons change in the course of a single day and her precious Colors can kidnap and even kill people. In this Kingdom (an unbelievable figment of imagination to Madeleine), young, handsome Elliot Baranski seeks his lost father. But there’s disorder in his land, much like the bleak life that Madeleine leads in her world. Together, they save each other from reality and imagination, loss and love, darkness and light.

I’ve always been captivated by the mysteries of color and light, just like Madeleine. Her interest in Isaac Newton’s discoveries and the way in which those observations are incorporated into helping Elliot survive the Color attacks are perfectly executed. It’s an excellent and consistent theme throughout the novel; even when the plot slowed down, the colors kept me reading. I also greatly appreciated the psychological connections between Madeleine and Elliot toward the end of the story, especially regarding the dangers of imagination. It had never crossed my mind that living in an imagined world, as Madeleine often did with Lord Byron and her father, could be detrimental to one’s sanity. Congratulations to the author—this is a very unique and much appreciated book.—Abrania M., age 16

Another take:

SEPETYS, Ruta. Out of the Easy. Philomel. February 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780399256929.

Gr 9 Up—Seventeen-year-old Josie desperately wants to leave New Orleans and the hustler lifestyle that it seems to have in store for her. But with a prostitute mother who cares only about herself, Josie must depend on herself to find the money to go to college. She faces many obstacles along the way—mostly because of her mother—including owing the local Mafia boss thousands of dollars. With only two small jobs, Josie’s hopes of escaping her debt and getting the money for college seem impossible.

This book combined many great storytelling aspects. Josie is a very relatable character; she loves reading, and she’s insecure about her identity. Both her social status and the fact that she doesn’t know her father cause significant problems. The unexpected twists are well intertwined, creating the complicated atmosphere that surrounds Josie’s life. Set in the French Quarter in the mid-1900s, Out of the Easy overflows with the customs and aura of New Orleans. It’s an interesting and enjoyable read.— Paris E., age 16

Paper Mario: Sticker Star (Nintendo)

The annual Mushroom Kingdom holiday of Sticker Fest is taking place at the festival grounds in Decalburg. But Mario’s old nemesis, the evil Bowser, disrupts the event, scattering the kingdom’s sticker collection far and wide and kidnapping Princess Peach. It’s up to Mario and the spirited royal sticker caretaker, Kersti, to set things right. With Kersti’s help, Mario can paperize any environment, taking three-dimensional objects and flattening them into an ever-folding paper world. Mario’s trusty hammer and stiff boot are his main weapons, but he also uses a variety of stickers to enhance his power. Most battles are enjoyable and follow the classic running, swinging, and jumping associated with Mario games. Mario is such a happy and charming character that players can’t help but laugh alongside this mustached hero. Throughout the game, you collect specific items to turn into stickers, which are needed to solve puzzles and mazes. Some of the best and most rewarding parts of the game are in finding the solutions to move to the next stage. There’s lots of Mario-style fun here that will provide hours of adventure, making you smile over and over again. Rating: E for Everyone. Platform: Nintendo 3DS.—Ryan A., grade 9, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Burning Lights, Chris Tomlin (Sparrow Records)

Music has always been an important part of my life, as is being a person of faith. That’s why it’s really cool to have an opportunity to listen to Christian themes in modern music. Worship leader, musician, and songwriter Chris Tomlin does just that on Burning Lights, his seventh studio album. Tomlin’s trademark songs express Biblical themes combined with personal reflection, and they’re truly meaningful and inspirational to the listener. The appeal of many of the 12 tracks is in Tomlin’s emotional call to his audience. He recognizes the difficulty and challenges we face on a daily basis, and that in tough times, we need to seek comfort from God. He does this by mixing Christian lyrics with electronic beats, strings, and rap vocals in a traditional Brit-rock style. For example, on the opening track, “Awake My Soul,” featuring Lecrae, he recites a passage from the Book of Ezekiel, which adds a whole new dimension to the power of the song. The same goes for “Crown Him,” in which Tomlin reconstructs the timeless hymm “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” with the help of Karl Jobe’s vocals. Other notable tracks include “Whom Shall I Fear,” “Lay Me Down,” and Thank You God for Saving Me.” Although this album is definitely not for everyone, it’s worth taking a listen to.—Latyese M., grade 11, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Contrast, Conor Maynard (Capital)

This 20-year-old YouTube sensation has hit it big and may just be a continuation of the British invasion that began with One Direction and Adele. With his debut album, Contrast, Maynard has already conquered the U.K. pop chart and is now bringing his success to the States.  Lucky for him, he has all the ingredients for a recipe for fame—good looks, sex appeal, a great voice, self-esteem, and the backing of powerful people in the music industry. On the track “Pictures,” written by Frank Ocean, Maynard’s voice comes across with such depth and maturity it literally shines. On “Lift Off,” the fast-paced beat and pumped-up pop sound produced by the Neptunes’ Pharrell Williams works perfectly with Maynard’s voice. One of the best tracks is “Better Than You,” where he’s paired up with the feisty Rita Ora. Listeners will definitely feel the great chemistry between these two performers. Other tracks to check out are “Turn Around,” with Ne-Yo, “Animal,” and “Vegas Girl.”  It will be interesting to see what comes next from this new heartthrob of the music industry.—Maureen L., grade 12, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

BRIAN, Kate. Shadowlands. Hyperion. January 2013. Tr. $17.99. ISBN 9781423164838.

Gr 9 Up—Rory Miller is the target of serial killer Steven Nell. After his attempt to kill her fails, the FBI sends Rory and her family to a safe home on Juniper Island,Vermont. Being hundreds of miles away from Massachusetts at a location supposedly unknown to Nell, Rory tries to feel safe again. She and her sister begin hanging out with a group of local teens, going to parties, and surfing on the beach. Still, unusual things are happening: people are found missing, the locals are acting strange, and Rory suspects that Nell has discovered her whereabouts. There’s a fine line between nightmares and reality in this captivating start to a new trilogy.

This book starts off making readers wonder if Rory will be able to successfully escape Nell—and that’s what drew me in. Nell’s lurking skills, Rory’s paranoia, and the behavior of Juniper Landing locals had me on edge the entire book. Questions constantly arose that had me thirsting for answers. Shadowlands isn’t a book you’ll want to put down, and its unexpected ending will have you wanting more.—Paris E. age 16

SULLIVAN, Laura L. Delusion. Harcourt. January 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780547688367.

Gr 7-12—Set in England during World War II, Delusion follows two flamboyant sisters as they leave behind their world of exciting (but fake) magic and travel to the safety of the boring, out-of-touch, rural town of Bittersweet. Phil, the more adventurous of the two, longs to help out the war effort in any way that she can, while Fee, the romantic, hopes to meet a charming, handsome young man who will sweep her off her feet. When Phil tries to create a Home Guard for Bittersweet, she stumbles upon the concealed Stour, which houses a college for male magicians. This thrusts the sisters into the world of actual magic as Phil continues to support the war effort and Fee finds the man of her dreams. However, they soon find out that the magicians have their own war to fight, one that will determine the fate of all people.

After reading the back cover of Delusion, I was very intrigued; the plot and the setting seemed really interesting. However, the novel didn’t live up to my expectations. At first, I found the characters to be annoying and unlikeable, although some of them did grow on me in time. The plot was all over the place, with too many conflicts, most of which were not fully developed. I did like the book despite its flaws, but I will not be remembering or recommending it.—Kayla T., 16

MEYER, Marissa. Scarlet. Feiwel & Friends. February 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN: 9780312642969.

Gr 7 Up—Scarlet is the sequel to Cinder in the “Lunar Chronicles” series. The book follows the point of view of a 17-year-old girl, Scarlet, who works on a farm with her grandmother. When she discovers that her grandmother has been kidnapped, Scarlet is desperate for any leads that might help her find her. While searching for her grandmother, Scarlet meets an appealing yet untrustworthy street fighter named Wolf, who agrees to help her. In a way, the story serves to present the reader with a dystopian version of the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood. Eventually, Scarlet’s story ties in with the story of the main protagonist, Cinder, and many questions are answered. However, just as the reader’s questions are answered, many new conflicts arise and the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, ready for the third book.

When I learned that there was a sequel to Cinder, I was excited to find out what would happen next in the series. You don’t have to read the first book to enjoy Scarlet, but some of the action that occurs in it might be confusing if you haven’t read the first volume of the trilogy. What I liked most about the book was Scarlet’s blossoming romance with the mysterious Wolf. Scarlet ended like Cinder, with a total cliff-hanger, which compels me to read the next book. It was interesting to see how the revelation of a certain secret had forever changed Cinder’s life and further developed the conflict concerning the fate of the Earth. I would recommend this to other young readers who enjoy a good dystopian novel with some fairy tale elements.—Courtney B., age 18

CREWE, Megan. The Lives We Lost. Hyperion. February 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781423146179.

Gr 7-12—A disastrous virus has befallen the world and 17-year-old Kaelyn has a vaccine that could restore civilization. As she and her friends make their way through Canada’s deserted, snowy provinces in search of a doctor that can replicate the vaccine, they encounter people who will stop at nothing to take the vaccine for themselves. After treading hundreds of miles, Kaelyn wonders if the risk she took dragging her friends through such awful circumstances was worth it.

The Lives We Lost will have you on the edge of your seat. Every person the group encounters is one that can either make them sick or burglarize and kill them. They hope that there are people who haven’t lost the kindness they may have possessed before the epidemic. Their highest anticipation is finding a doctor or scientist who is working on the cure, but with a thin line between who’s a friend and who’s a foe, their chances grow slim. This compelling novel is detailed enough to read without having read the first book of the trilogy, and it leaves out just enough to have you ready for last book in the series.—Paris E., age 16

Nationally, there are more than 700,000 teens in custody each night—teens who have been abused and neglected, teens who are entrepreneurs, teens who have experienced many major losses, teens with adult experiences and low reading levels. Due to the fact that minorities are disproportionately confined, too many of these teens are African American and Latino. Being underground, they’re the canaries in a coal mine, exposing what’s poisonous in the environment. There are many opportunities to reach these young adults both in and out of custody. My hope is that this column can bring to light new finds for these “urban” readers.

According to a December 2012 Anna E. Casey Foundation report, nearly 4.3 million young adults (ages 20 to 24) are unemployed and truant. That 4.3 million translates to a national 74 percent teen unemployment rate. With those statistics, it’s an understandable and even somewhat logical choice to turn to an underground economy. Kenny Johnson’s memoir, The Last Hustle, is unique in providing insight into the normality and reasoning that led to his choice of a life that was devoted to crime. The consequences? He spent over 20 years in city, state, county, and federal prisons. Booker T Huffman’s From Prison to Promise tells a more familiar story of a neglected child who turns to the successful role models he sees growing up: gangsters and drug dealers.

Most of my teens were initially victims, with their victimization not adequately addressed. Meg Medina’s fantastic Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass (slight quibble: the title should be Is Going to, not Wants to) deals with bullying and the way that teens facing difficult and challenging circumstances hold their fear and vulnerability underground. Check this out along with these other featured titles.

*The names of kids have been changed.

Takoudes, Greg. When We Wuz Famous. Henry Holt, March 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780805094527.

Gr 8 Up—The jury (my kids as well as myself) is still out on this title. It reminds me of Matt De La Pena’s pacing style—slow to start, yet ultimately an engaging read. In one of the first chapters, Francisco’s girlfriend, Reignbow (yeah, really), is talking openly to the police. From my experience, this is completely unrealistic and I’m not sure my kids will make it past this point. But by page 61, I was rapidly turning the pages as Francisco struggles with attending the white prep school on a basketball scholarship and feels torn by his loyalty to Reignbow and his messed-up foster kid brother who’s on the streets. Takoudes made a movie with teens from Spanish Harlem and the book is based on the film.

Huffman, Booker T with Andrew William Wright. Booker T: From Prison to Promise. Medallion Press. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9781605424682.

Gr 8 Up—Booker T was one of eight children. His hardworking father died of a stroke when he was 10 months old, and his equally hardworking mother died of surgical complications when he was 13. Without her, the family fell into chaos, leaving Booker T and his youngest sister to fend for themselves. His mother’s house gradually decays around them as the electricity, water, garbage and other services are cut off, while his older siblings are living their lives to various dysfunctional degrees. Booker T then turns to the successful role models he sees around him: gangsters and drug dealers. In junior high, he becomes a father but doesn’t have the wherewithal to deal with it and blames his girlfriend and abandons his son, just as he was abandoned. Ending up in prison with a job in the laundry, he talks his way onto the weight-lifting team. Upon his release, he recognizes his responsibilities, gets his son out of foster care, and is on his way to becoming the six-time world wrestling champion and public figure he is today. It’s not action-packed, but rather a straight-forward, no-frills commentary.  Reluctant readers will find the trim size appealing and subject matter of interest, and other teens will pick it up for a quick read.

Johnson, Kenny with Shanti Einolander.The Last Hustle. Non-Duality Press. 2011. pap. $16.45. ISBN 9780956643285.

Gr 8 Up—Street lore says that a life of crime leads to only one of three places: death, prison, or going crazy in prison. There’s a fourth option that isn’t talked about much but experienced by some—a deep spiritual awakening leading to complete and total transformation. This isn’t a religious conversion, but an awakening to the true nature of life so that abiding peace is found even in the most challenging of circumstances. The latter was Kenny Johnson’s experience. He writes, “Prison was where I discovered my soul and so much more.” Throughout his life, he desired freedom. Ironically, prison offered him the challenges of confinement and pain as well as the time to read, study, and take classes. Teens who are looking for titles like Jarvis Masters’s Finding Freedom: Writings from Death Row (Padma Publishing, 1977) will enjoy this book.

Medina, Meg. Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass. Candlewick. March 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780763658595.

Gr 9 Up—There’s a lot packed into this vibrant small book which will make it a favorite for teens. When the stair to their tenement collapse, Piddy’s mom, an immigrant from Cuba, insists on moving.That means a new school.The trouble begins right away when Yaqui Delgado targets 16-year-old Piddy with threats. Piddy doesn’t even know who Yaqui is, much less what she has done to instigate these threats. Living in fear, her grades suffer, and she finally figures out that to avoid trouble, it’s easier to skip school. Piddy is tough, and knows the rules of the streets, but she doesn’t want to fight. But that doesn’t work—Yaqui tracks her down and inflicts a brutal beating that’s posted on the Internet. Subplots include a boy with an abusive father, Piddy’s desire to work with animals—elephants, to be exact—a wonderful hair salon/aunt/neighbor contingent, and Piddy’s longing for information about her father whom she’s never met. Lots of action with a realistic setting, dialogue, relationships, problems, and solutions make this book a winner. The cover—a blue locker with graffiti for the title—will attract reluctant readers. The content will keep them reading to the end and wanting more, especially to hear Yaqui’s story.

Unorthodox Jukebox, Bruno Mars (Atlantic)

Unorthodox Jukebox is a great album even though it only has 10 tracks. Mars’s contemporary pop style is more infectious on Unorthodox as he mixes strong vocals with R&B, reggae, ’80s new wave, doo-wop, and funk sounds. Mars has a boyish charm, but he’s able to bring sincerity to everything he produces. This album shows us a more confident and mature Mars with a rawer, almost sleazier side, then lets us see some of his vulnerability. Definitely check out the new wave ’80s sound on “Locked Out of Heaven,” the breezy listening on “Treasure,” the Michael Jackson influence on “Moonshine,” the reggae steel drum jam on “Show Me,” and the beautiful piano ballad on “When I Was Your Man.” Bruno Mars shines on Unorthodox Jukebox and makes a strong statement to the music world.—Latyese M., grade 11, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Forza Horizon (Microsoft)

If you love the open road, Forza Horizon is the auto-racing game for you. Set in the gorgeous Colorado countryside, the story is based on the Horizon Festival. Races fall into themed categories, and you gradually build your skills by moving from one tier to the next, which heightens the sense of excitement. With the expansive terrain, great new features are the mixed-surfaces events and point-to-point races.  Players need to vary their driving styles to handle the constantly shifting non-asphalt roads, which is both refreshing and challenging.  The name of the game here is competition—and it’s embedded in the game play. Your speed is captured and posted on the leader board, as well as on Xbox Live for the whole world to see.  Horizon’s multiplayer is very intense and action-packed, but the cooperative free-roam system also has a lot to offer and is probably underutilized.  Overall Forza Horizon is a terrific racing game that provides hours of entertaining fun and features the thrill of exploring the Wild West. Rated: T for Teen Platform: Xbox 360.—James M., grade 10, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Beautiful Books

Mark Cotta Vaz’s Beautiful Creatures: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion (Little, Brown, 2013; Gr 7 Up) provides an in-depth look at the making of the film. Beginning with a description of the book’s origins (the authors scribbled out their story ideas on paper napkins at a restaurant during lunch and were egged on to complete the project by a bet made with one of their daughters), the well-written text goes behind the scenes to delve into the screenwriting process, casting, costume and hair design, location and sets, special effects, and more. Thorough explanations and quotes from the creative staff and actors paint a portrait of a production that strove to make the story’s fantasy elements seem real. Readers discover the nitty-gritty details behind the movie magic from the construction of a ruined plantation’s crumbling columns and walls out of foam, to a meticulously crafted high-tech dining room set that could actually spin and move around (design schematic included), to the challenges of re-creating Civil War battle scenes. Numerous full-color photos, both candid shots and film stills, appear throughout and are handsomely integrated into to volume’s inviting layout. Eye-catching and informative, this fun-to-browse offering will reel in book and film fans.

Help moviegoers make a connection to the source material by displaying Little, Brown’s new media-tie-in edition of Garcia and Stohl’s novel (2012; Gr 7 Up), which features an eye-catching cover showcasing the cast. Told in a riveting first-person narrative by Ethan, this page-turning story is driven by unique and strongly delineated characters, a skillfully created world in which small-town realism coexists with supernatural secrets, and an against-the-odds romance that reveals the power of true love. This edition is also available as an audio book with CD. Make sure you have copies of the rest of the series for readers who get hooked: Beautiful Darkness (2010), Beautiful Chaos (2011), and Beautiful Redemption (2012, all Little, Brown).

A graphic novel version of Beautiful Creatures (Yen, 2013; Gr 7 Up), adapted and illustrated by Cassandra Jean, will be released in early February. The elegant cover, a profile image of Lena in luminous violets with silver lettering, welcomes readers. Though the plot has been streamlined, the succinct script and crisp manga-style illustrations effectively convey the major story points and work in harmony to establish characterizations, build suspense, and create a distinctive and dramatic mood. Shading is used to distinguish between spoken dialogue and Ethan and Lena’s ability to communicate silently. Bold cross-hatching underscores moments of great magic, while softer lines and and smaller-size panels evoke the protagonists’ indomitable affection. Well-paced and logically delineated, each chapter ends on a high note, building toward a satisfying climax. This graphic novel grabber provides an inviting and fresh way for series fans to revisit the story or for the uninitiated to take their first steps into the Caster world.

A Potpourri of Paranormal Romances

Tempt teens who just can’t get enough of these Beautiful Creatures to keep reading by booktalking or displaying a selection of page-turning tales forged with mystical wonder and touched by true love. Encompassing copious coming-of-age themes and a variety of writing styles, these titles also make excellent choices for book discussion groups.

For as long as she can remember, 16-year-old Blue Sargent has been told by the members of her clairvoyant family that she’s destined to kill her true love with a kiss. Though she has no psychic ability of her own, Blue’s presence amplifies the talents of others, and she knows from experience to put trust in these predictions and resolves to never fall in love. When she meets The Raven Boys (Scholastic, 2012; Gr Up), a group of students from a nearby posh private boy’s school, she finds herself swept up in their quest to locate a local ley line—an invisible pathway of spiritual power. Led by the handsome Gansey, they hope to discover the resting place of a legendary “sleeping” Welsh king. Things get complicated when her feelings for Gansey—who is as exasperating as he is charismatic—begin to deepen, and prophesy seems destined to lead to danger. Unfolding at a pace that manages to be both suspenseful and stately, Maggie Stiefvater’s masterfully written novel features unique and deftly drawn characters, a plot as pleasingly complex as a well-played chess game, and the heart-pounding excitement of a murder mystery. The surprises keep on coming, right up until the very last sentence, and readers will clamor for the next installment in a planned quartet.

Rosemary Clement-Moore’s Texas Gothic (Delacorte, 2011; Gr 8 Up) blends laugh-out loud humor, hair-raisingly eerie ghost tale elements, and delectable romantic tension. Priding herself on her steely rationality, Amy Goodnight has long played the role of protector of her oddball family of practicing witches, “psychics and potions makers and ghost whisperers” who have zero interest in appearing normal. She’s looking forward to a quiet pre-college summer spent with her sister ranch-sitting for their aunt in rural Texas. However, when a construction project exposes long-buried human remains and stirs up the local specter—a spirit who seems to want something from her—Amy must tap into her own talents. Add to this a neighboring cowboy whose blue eyes and biceps make it worth overlooking his obnoxious demeanor, a crew of university students tasked with excavating the grave site, spine-tingling supernatural occurrences, and a mystery that involves menacing bad guys who are very much alive. A fast and fun read, narrated by a likable protagonist, peopled with quirky characters, and propelled with rip-roaring action.

A true Misfit (Amulet/Abrams, 2011; Gr 9 Up), Jael is aware of her half-human and half-demon heritage, but knows almost nothing about her past…or her potential. When her strict and ever-cautious father, a former priest, gives her a necklace for her 16th birthday that once belonged to her mother along with an admonition not to wear it, she just can’t resist. Suddenly, she finds herself in possession of amazing powers and begins having visions of the past: the fiery romance between her father and the ancient goddess/demoness Astarte; their amazing adventures smiting and exorcising evil-minded demons; and her mother’s choice to sacrifice herself to protect baby Jael. Needless to say, all of this makes the teen’s day-to-day life as a Catholic high school student a bit of a challenge, as does the fact that Belial, fearsome Grand Duke of Hell, is determined to hunt her down. Empowered by the affection of a cute skater dude and and her own blossoming abilities, Jael resolves to stand and fight. Steeped in mythology, religion, and dazzling imagination, supernatural elements fuse neatly with the book’s realistic Seattle setting. Jon Skovron blends demon-slashing action with philosophical quandaries and touches of wry humor as this delightfully strong heroine wrestles with believable coming-of-age issues.

The Golden Lily (Razorbill, 2012; Gr 8 Up), the second volume in Richelle Mead’s “Bloodlines” series, is set at Amberwood Academy, a California boarding school that serves as secret hiding place for Jill Dragomir, princess of the Moroi, a vampire sect more peaceable than their fierce Strigoi counterparts. Alchemist Sydney, part of a covert organization of humans dedicated to keeping the existence of vampires a secret, has been tasked with keeping Jill and her cohorts safe. Dangerous foes and mysteries intrigues lurk everywhere, and Sydney must balance schoolwork with duties that include serving as boyfriend advisor, bodyguard, and scientific researcher. And though she’s supposed to remain detached, she finds herself thinking of her vampire acquaintances almost as family, bringing her true allegiances into question. When she meets a boy who seems to be the perfect match, the overly analytical and socially inept Sydney struggles with the ins and outs of date expectations and first-kiss etiquette, while a much more heartfelt—and forbidden—passion brews between her and a troubled Moroi. Both funny and sincere, the first-person narration remains consistently in character, defining an individual who is intelligent, courageous, caring, and charmingly clueless about how others perceive her. A spin-off of the “Vampire Academy” series (Penguin), this spellbinding series will thrill fans and win new readers over to the author’s enticing world.

Truly Gothic in its haunting early-20th-century Swampsea setting and grandiose in its storytelling panache, Franny Billingsley’s Chime (Dial, 2011; Gr 7 Up) is told from the perspective of a 17-year-old character who believes that she should hang for her witchy crimes. Gifted with the second sight, Briony has the ability to see the spirits that linger in the marshes surrounding her town and thinks that she caused the incident that resulted in her stepmother’s death as well as the long-ago accident that left her twin sister Rose mentally fragile. Only when a handsome visitor arrives, a young man with leonine good looks and flashing eyes, does Briony begin to gaze through her guilt and self-hatred to see her own spirit—and dark secrets long hidden away—with clear eyes. Flavored with primordial magic and touches of wit, this novel is lyrically written, breathtakingly romantic, and beguiling from beginning to end. Also available in audiobook format from Random House Listening Library.

Publication Information

VAZ, Mark Cotta. Beautiful Creatures: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion. Little, Brown. 2013. pap. $18.99. ISBN 978-0-316-24519-7.

GARCIA, Kami & Margaret Stohl. Beautiful Creatures. Media tie-in ed. Little, Brown. 2012. Tr pap. $10.99. ISBN 9780316231671; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0316231657; AudioBook. $19.98. ISBN 9781619698437.

_____. Beautiful Creatures. illus. by Cassandra Jean. Yen Pr. Feb. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780316182713.

STIEFVATER, Maggie. The Raven Boys. Scholastic. 2012. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780545424929; ebook $17.99. ISBN 9780545469791; AudioBook. $39.99. ISBN 9780545465939.

CLEMENT-MOORE, Rosemary. Texas Gothic. Delacorte. 2011. PLB. $20.99. ISBN 9780385906364; Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780385736930; pap. $9.99. ISBN 9780385736947; eBook. $9.99. ISBN 9780375898105.

SKOVRON, Jon. Misfit. Amulet/Abrams. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781419700217; pap. $8.95. ISBN 9781419704109.

MEAD, Richelle. The Golden Lily. “Bloodlines” series. Razorbill/Penguin. 2012. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781595143181; pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781595146021; eBook. $10.99. ISBN 9781101565889.

BILLINGSLEY, Franny. Chime. Dial/Penguin. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780803735521; pap. $8.99. ISBN 9780142420928; eBook. $8.99. ISBN 9781101476048.

What else is new? Allison van Diepen’s latest book—in the genre we like—now has a title and a pub date: Takedown, September 2013. Mark your calendars. Some of her earlier works, Street Pharm and Snitch, will also be released again at that time—and kids from facilities in Texas, California, and New York contributed their favorite pop culture references. For those of you who aren’t allowed to have hardcovers at your facilities, there’s good news: Takedown is coming out simultaneously in hardcover and in paperback.  Now on to my list…

COCHRANE, Mick. Fitz. Knopf, 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780375856839. A boy kidnaps, at gunpoint, the father he’s never met. (SLJ Review)

GRIFFIN, Paul. Stay with Me. Speak, 2012. pap. $8.99. ISBN 9780142421727. A girl, a boy with a criminal record, a pit bull, and alcoholic parents are featured in a fast moving plot. (SLJ Review)

HALLS, Kelly Milner.  Alien Investigation: Searching for the Truth About UFOs and Aliens.  Millbrook, 2012. Tr $20.95. ISBN 9780761362043. Are UFOs and aliens the next vampires? I can’t keep this book on the shelf. (SLJ Review)

JIANG-STEIN, Deborah. Even Tough Girls Wear Tutus: Inside the World of a Woman Born in Prison. Cell 7  Media, 2011. pap. $14.95. When Stein was 12, she discovered a secret—she was born in prison addicted to heroin. (SLJ Review)

JOHNSON, Kenny with Shanti  Einolander. The Last Hustle. Non Duality, 2011. pap. $16.45. ISBN 9780956643285. For 31 years, Kenny avidly chose criminality, until he found the ultimate freedom. Look for a review in SLJTeen’s new column, YA Underground, coming January 16.

LEAVITT, Martine. My Book of Life by Angel. Farrar, 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780374351236. Life on the streets, with all the struggle, soul, and poetry.  (SLJ Review)

MAIA, Love.  DJ Rising. Little, Brown, 2012. pap. $8.99. ISBN 9780316121897. This books sits on the shelf for some reason—is the cover too dark? I have to talk my kids into reading this book, but once they dip in, they’re hooked. (SLJ Review)

McCORMICK, Patricia.  Never Fall Down.  Balzer and Bray, 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780061730931. What book do I give my kids after they’ve read Ishmael Beah’s A Long Way Gone? This one. (SLJ Review)

McGARRY, Katie.  Pushing the Limits. Harlequin Teen, 2012. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9780373210862. Anything that has romance, grit, and alternating boy/girl chapters like Elkeles’s “Perfect Chemistry” series is a hot sell. (SLJ Review)

MCGILL, Jerry. Dear Marcus: A Letter to the Man Who Shot Me. Spiegel and Grau, 2012. Tr $14.00. ISBN 9780812983166. My kids have been talking and writing about McGill’s visit and book for weeks. When something bad happens, it doesn’t mean it’s the end—it becomes something to overcome, a chance to learn something new. One of my students told McGill, “I learned the best thing from you, forgiveness.” This made it on to SLJ’s Best Adult Books for Teens list! (SLJ Review)

PEREZ, Ashley Hope. The Knife and the Butterfly. CarolRhoda, 2012. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9780761361565.  The reality of gangs and prison with a supernatural element is a winning combination. (SLJ Review)

PHELPS, Carissa, with Larkin Warren. Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Streets, One Helping Hand at a Time. Viking, 2012. Tr $26.95. ISBN 9780670023721. Real. Gritty. Transformational. (SLJ Review)

ROSS, Richard. Juvenile in Justice. Richard Ross, 2012. Tr $29.95. ISBN 9780985510602. If I could only select one best book of the year, it would be this one. Groundbreaking journalism and a heartbreaking read. Plus, it’s another title that made the Best Adult Books for Teens list. (SLJ Review)

And one final special mention:

LANKFORD, Susan Madden. Born, Not Raised: Voices from Juvenile Hall. Humane Exposures, 2012. pap. $24.95. ISBN 9780979236631. This is not a book for teens; it’s way too research- and policy-driven for my kids, at least. But it’s a must read for anyone who works in the juvenile corrections field or wants to understand what’s going on with incarcerated teens and those who work with them. (LJ Review)

GRANT, Michael and Katherine Applegate. Eve & Adam. Feiwel and Friends. October 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780312583514.

Gr 7 Up—Evening’s (or E.V. as her friends call her) mom is Terra Spiker, the owner and founder of Spiker Biopharmaceuticals. When E.V. is in a car accident that temporarily lands her a wheelchair, her mom brings her to her research facility to heal—and to keep her entertained with the task of “creating the perfect boy”—a.k.a. Project 88715. Enter Solo, a coffee cart boy and orphan, who’s searching for answers about the intriguing project. He wants nothing to do with Spiker Biopharm, unless it means bringing down the whole corporation—that is, until he meets the boss’s daughter.

One of my favorite aspects of Eve & Adam is the twists! I expected a cheesy romance novel about “star-crossed lovers,” maybe, or two teens in love who run away to be together. Needless to say, that’s not the case here. This is much more than a budding relationship book; instead, it takes readers on a roller coaster ride that’s filled with secrets and action, and—yes—some romance. Discovering the fine line between what’s right and wrong is a big focus as the secrets are revealed—as is finding out what kind of person you are because of those secrets. Interesting and action-packed, this is a page-turner!—Destiny B., age 15

RHODES, Morgan. Falling Kingdoms. Razorbill. December 2012. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781595145840.

A long, long time ago, in the country of Limeros, Lucia was stolen from her cradle. She was snatched by two sisters, who lust for power and quickly destroy one another. Lucia winds up in the hands of the King of Blood, whose son begins to lust for her as she begins to come into her magical powers. Then, in the country of Palesia, a boy gets murdered, which sparks a war that destroys all but one country. In Auranos, the reader follows a girl who witnesses her betrothed killing a young boy from Palesia. This girl then travels to Palesia to find a magical cure for her sister. If you can’t keep all of these details straight, don’t worry, the story isn’t all that difficult.

I loved it from start to finish. The first 20 pages took me a week to read, but I finished the rest of it in a day. Don’t let its slow beginning discourage you—the story speeds up considerably. The author keeps you on your toes by making you try to find out who’s the enemy. I loved the constant backstabbing. Eventually, the reader realizes that there’s no enemy, just arrogant humans whose quarreling gets in the way of progress.—Kaleb B., age 14

HALBROOK, Kristin. Nobody But Us. HarperTeen. January 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9780062121264.

Gr 9 Up—Nobody But Us is about a young couple on the run from their past in hopes of a better future. Fifteen-year-old Zoe is consistently abused by her father. Everyone in the small town knows that, but no one offers to help her. When Will arrives, he’s quickly attracted to her, and she’s instantly curious about his broken past and his bad-boy ways. Will soon turns 18, and the couple decides to run away to Las Vegas to start a new life together. As incidents with serious consequences occur along the way, the two find themselves doubting everything they once believed could happen.

This is a very captivating book that was hard to put down. Will and Zoe’s persistent love was inspiring. Their journey from their small North Dakota town to Las Vegas will have readers on the edge of their seats with anticipation. This book offers a brutally honest account of the struggle of young love and its hope for a better future, no matter what. I recommend it to anyone who’s interested in romance, multiple points of view, violence, and endings that’ll leave you speechless.—Jazmine W. age 15

Ellison, Kate. Notes from Ghost Town. Egmont USA. February 2013. Tr. $17.99. ISBN 9781606842645.

Gr 9 Up—Sixteen-year-old Olivia Tithe has become color blind and believes that she’s completely losing her mind—just like her mother. When her best friend, and first love, Lucas Stern, dies and returns as a ghost, she tries to unravel the mystery of his death. In order to save her mother and herself, Olivia must follow her heart to the truth, no matter how painful it may be.

Honestly, the summary wasn’t particularly interesting to me, but I’m glad I gave the book a chance. The author has a knack for making readers want to come back for more. Olivia is one of those characters readers love to read about. She’s strong, passionate, and doesn’t take no for an answer, even when the odds are against her. The mystery is intriguing enough that readers will find themselves reading faster and faster to figure out what it is, but they’ll also want to slow down so they won’t finish the book too soon. Ellison did a wonderful job, and I applaud her.—Kathleen M. age 16

Lego™ Lord of the Rings (TT Games/Warner Bros.)

For those who think Legos are for children, think again. After the overwhelming success of the Lego Star Wars franchise, TT Games has decided to try their luck with Lego Lord of the Rings. The simplified narrative and family-friendly gameplay are a real bonus and all the most riveting moments of the film trilogy are recreated here to provide players with hours of action and adventure. The solid gameplay begins with an epic quest by Frodo and his companions to journey to Mordor to destroy The One Ring of Power. The main quests are full of side battles and players can swap protagonists at any point to take advantage of their respective abilities. There are also plenty of entertaining diversions such as seeking out white mithril blocks, racing through checkpoints, fighting enemies, and unlocking characters that help provide secrets in the campaign. Of course, this game is more fun when you play with a friend and the game allows each of you to be involved in separate campaigns that don’t negatively affect the other.  TT Games and Lego have a gold mine here and the coming release of The Hobbit movie should only make this game more popular. Rated E for Everyone. Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Wii.—Nick M., grade 9, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (Treyarch)

The Call of Duty franchise has dominated the gaming market the last few years and Black Ops 2 does not disappoint. Even with the familiar search and destroy gameplay, Treyarch has introduced a host of new features in Black Ops 2 that enhances gameplay. The single player campaign now has a developed storyline that is split between the original Cold War plot line of Alex Mason and Sgt. Frank Woods and the future with Mason’s son in 2025, both fighting the evil war lord, Menendez and his terrorist organization Cordis Die. New to single player mode is the option of multiple endings, which is best showcased in Strike Force missions. In multiplayer mode, (the main reason to play Call of Duty in my opinion), players have the option to customize their weapons, accessories and even perks pre-campaign, and the new Score Streaks system has replaced in-game rewards. The great online multiplayer modes such as Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag,  and Search and Destroy are here in all their glory. And of course Black Ops would not be Black Ops without Zombies—lots and lots of Zombies. This installment is better than ever with the Survival, Grief, and the Tranzit mode. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is the most thrilling installment yet and any fan of this franchise will definitely be satisfied. Rating: M for Mature. Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation3, Wii U and PC.—Andrew B., grade 11, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 Motion Picture Soundtrack (Summit/ChopShop/Atlantic)

Like the previous Twilight Saga albums, Breaking Dawn Part 2 follows the established protocol that the listener can enjoy this great soundtrack without being a fan of the movie. An interesting selection of artists with varying degrees of fame have been enlisted to create the 14 tracks that make up Breaking Dawn Part 2.

Most of the songs have a soulful sound that are heavy on mood and incorporate a bit of wailing as well. Overall the album possesses a haunting, almost melancholy sense of mourning that is reflective of the ending of this franchise. With that being said, there is also a dance beat evident in certain tracks as well as some pop/synth rock/punk ballads. Nikki Reed, who plays Rosalie in the film, is featured with her husband and former American Idol contestant Paul McDonald on the piano ballad “All I’ve Ever Needed.” Other tracks to check out are St. Vincent’s “The Antidote,” Ellie Goulding’s “Bittersweet,” Feist’s “Metals,” Boom Circuits’ “Everything and Nothing,” and my favorite, Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years: Part 2.”—Maureen L., grade 12,  Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

MILLER, Ashley Edward and Zack Stentz. Colin Fischer. Razorbill, November 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781596145789.

During the American Library Association’s annual conference, in Anaheim, CA, last summer, I had lunch with two new YA authors: Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz. Although they’re new to the YA novel scene, these guys have a lot of writing credits under their belts, including the screenplays for the films X-Men and Thor. During the screenwriters strike in 2007, they took a character named Colin Fischer—who was created for a television show that never was produced—and turned his story into a novel for young adults. Colin has Asperger’s syndrome and exhibits all the strange personality traits that go along with it. After hearing the authors’ story of how they created this book, I was eager to read it and even cracked it open before I left California. By the end of the first chapter, Colin had captured my heart. When he begins high school, he’s dogged by Wayne Connelly, the same bully that he couldn’t shake in junior high. When a handgun turns up in the cafeteria, the principal is convinced that Wayne brought it to school. Putting his dislike of the bully behind him, Colin steps up to investigate the crime and absolve Wayne. The two boys are odd companions, but together they put together the puzzle and figure out how to build a friendship—a relationship that neither of them has had much experience with.

If you’re a fan of Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Doubleday, 2003) and Francisco X. Stork’s Marcelo in the Real World (Scholastic, 2009), both of which feature young adults with Asperger’s, you’re going to fall in love with Colin Fischer. Colin is younger than the protagonists in those two books, but his quirkiness and unusual take on life is refreshing and hilarious. You may not want to deal with Colin day in and day out, but spending a few hours with him, his family, and his new friend make for a great read.—Elizabeth Kahn, librarian, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, New Orleans, LA

TAKOUDES, Greg. When We Wuz Famous. Henry Holt, March 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780805094527.

Gr 9 Up—Francisco Vicioso grew up in Spanish Harlem, a neighborhood where he was well known for his above average grades and outstanding basketball skills. In the eyes of others, his life was perfect. He had a close group of friends who named themselves the Kaos Krew. What happens when Francisco is offered a full scholarship to an elite boarding school? Because he wants to better his future, he decides to take the offer. Not only is he leaving behind his family, but he’s also leaving behind his best friend, Vincent, and his girlfriend, Reignbow. While Vincent is back at home getting into trouble, Francisco is struggling to fit in with the affluent, white society at his new school. Francisco faces the stereotypes surrounding his background and questions regarding his gang affiliation. Francisco must make a decision of whether or not he will stick with his present or with his past. Unable to escape his past back home, Francisco makes a risky decision that eventually determines his fate.

Takoudes’s novel is an empowering one that depicts the harsh realities for those living in Spanish Harlem. While reading the novel, I felt as if I was Francisco, facing the struggle between the old and the new. As the story continued, I felt empathy toward all of the characters. This novel is one of the best I’ve read in a long time! It isn’t one of those clichéd realistic fiction novels that I’m accustomed to reading. With a pinch of romance, it shows the trials and troubles an average teenager would face today. This novel portrays nothing but the truth, which is what I love most about it.—Lauren T., age 16.

A Second Take …

BRODY, Jessica. Unremembered. Farrar, March 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780374379919.

Gr 7-12—Seraphina, a 16-year old girl who’s found near the wreckage of a plane, has no memories and no real identity. To add to that problem, she has amnesia, but she knows one thing—nothing is as it seems. While trying to regain her memories, Seraphina questions every clue and struggles to find out who she really is. But her biggest question is, Who is the alluring boy who claims that he knew her before the plane crash and says that they were in love? Seraphina struggles to understand and when he adds that there are people out there that are trying to find and hurt her, can she really trust him? And is he able to protect her from the people he claims have made her forget?

Unremembered is an intriguing and puzzling book that will sweep readers off their feet. During the majority of the book, I was trying to solve the mystery and figure out what would happen next. The author does an excellent job keeping readers captivated and wondering what’s going to happen next. There’s also a plot twist toward the end that I found very perplexing and interesting. Overall, this novel is fascinating and thrilling to read, and I’d definitely recommend it.—Kaylynn T., age 16

ABIRACHED, Zeina. A Game for Swallows. Graphic Universe, 2012. ISBN 9780761385684. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—Based on her grandmother’s story, Abirached tells the tale of one long night in Beirut, when the parents of two children cross the line between East and West and get caught in a bombing. Told with simple black-and-white illustrations, in the tone of Persepolis, the children are comforted by their neighbors in their building’s foyer while the world is crashing down all around them. This beautiful story illustrates Florian’s words: To die to leave to return / It’s a game for swallows.

ANTHONY, Jessica and Rodrigo Corral. Chopsticks: A Novel. Razorbill, 2012. ISBN 9781595144355. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—If there was ever a book that didn’t fit into any particular mold, it’s Chopsticks. More of a mixed-media novel, the story is told through photographs, ticket stubs, postcards, and other ephemera, with a little text in-between. Glory is a child prodigy―a pianist of amazing talent. Her teacher and father books a European tour after she becomes romantically involved with Franco, the new boy next door. As Franco begins to fail out of school, Glory begins to descend into what appears to be madness as she interrupts her playing with “Chopsticks.” In a hauntingly ambiguous ending, readers will have to decide for themselves what really happened in the disappearance of Glory. What is reality? What is madness?

MCCLINTOCK, Norah and Mike Deas. I, Witness. Orca, 2012. ISBN 9781554697892. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—Being a teenager is hard enough, but when you witness a murder and the next thing you know your best friend is killed in a drive-by shooting, life gets really complicated. Boone’s friends begin to drop like leaves as the dead bodies pile up around him. Thinking that it’s better to keep his mouth shut, he walks into another situation that makes him think twice about not getting involved.

Blood-red ink is used to highlight the mostly black-and-white graphic novel, and with all of those deaths, there’s a fair amount of red. Canadian novelist McClintock enters the teenage world and mixes it with violence and conscience-driven actions. Teens will wonder what they would do if they knew more than they wanted to know.

PETTY, J.T. and Hilary Florido. Bloody Chester. First Second, 2012. ISBN 9781596431003. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—Petty’s young adult graphic novel debut is a mix of horror, mystery, and the Wild West. Filled with coarse language (and racial slurs), the story tells the tale of a teenage boy who grasps at the chance to start over. Called Bloody Chester (because he constantly gets a beating), Chester must burn down a plague-ridden ghost town in order to earn his salary. It seems, though, that it’s much more complicated than that. He falls for a girl who’s still in town because her crazy, holed-up, treasure-hoarding father won’t leave. Then there are the ghosts or zombies or plague-ridden souls that haunt the town. Chester is determined to do his job and discovers that no one seems to be telling the truth.

From humor to horror, Petty and Florido create an interesting tale with full-color illustrations. A few sketches of the work in progress are also included. There’s even a bit of reflection in the story’s secrets that will cause the reader to ponder.

PHAM, Thien. Sumo. First Second, 2012. ISBN 9781596435810. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—When his chance for a career in pro football is eliminated and a long-term romance ends, Scott chooses to start over in Japan as a sumo wrestler. Though it’s harder than he expects, his past experiences help him give it his best shot.

Using color to indicate the time and setting, Pham tells a powerful three-part story that builds until the final wordless conclusion. Readers may be able to read it quickly, but will want to reread to absorb the brilliance of the telling.

For ideas about how to use these books and links to supportive sites, check out the Junior Library Guild blog, Shelf Life.

Junior Library Guild (JLG) is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, JLG’s book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit them at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

MORRILL, Lauren. Meant to Be. Random, November 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780385741774.

Gr 7 Up—Completely firm in her beliefs about fate and love, Julia, an adamant rule follower, sets off to London with her class in hopes of having an educational and cultural experience. Even more than that, Julia can’t wait to discover the city that her mother and deceased father—the ones who originated her ideas on fate—explored as newlyweds. Unfortunately, this also means that she must leave behind Phoebe, her best friend, and Mark, her childhood crush. Matters become even worse when Julia is paired up with Jason, the class clown. Jason is determined to get Julia to loosen up and have some fun, especially if that means breaking a rule or two. As Julia learns more about Jason and starts exchanging flirty texts with a secret admirer she met at a party, Julia begins to question everything she believes about fate and love.

Meant to Be is, above all, a romance novel. While quite predictable, it’s a very fun and light read. The setting adds a nice and unique touch to the plot. Jason is an incredibly likeable character, but, although some readers may relate to Julia, she may come off as annoying to others. Overall, Meant to Be is highly recommended to romance enthusiasts, but those who aren’t into love stories should stay away from it.—Kayla T., age 15

SEPETYS, Ruta. Out of the Easy. Philomel. February 2013. Tr. $17.99. ISBN 9780399256929.

Gr 9 Up—I picked up Out of the Easy knowing that the story was set in my hometown of New Orleans. With fleur-de-lis adorning the beginning of each chapter, I immersed myself in the world of a 1950s Big Easy and followed the life of Josie Moraine, a young and intelligent woman who’s trying desperately to avoid following in the footsteps of her mother, a French Quarter prostitute. A year after high school, and six years living without a mother’s guidance, Josie takes readers through a world in which the streets are littered with alcoholics, where officers and criminals collaborate, and parental figures are found in a brothel’s madam and a Cajun taxi driver. It’s an older version of a city that I love dearly and depicts a dark past that Josie desperately wishes to escape.

After meeting an admiring, high-class gentleman in her bookstore, Josie falls in love with the idea of having a respectable father, sentiments that are so easy to relate to. However, when the man is mysteriously murdered just hours after their meeting, Josie’s scarred life is further wounded and damaged. As she attempts to leave her old life behind, Josie becomes more involved with New Orleans’ criminal world. The story evolves with an enthralling climax and an enchanting despair, as readers easily fall in love with each unique and beautiful character.—Abrania M., age 15

BRODY, Jessica. Unremembered. Farrar, March 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780374379919.

Gr 7-12—A girl wakes up in the middle of the ocean surrounded by bodies and debris. She wakes up without a single memory, without any idea about her life before being found as the only survivor of the crash of Freedom Airlines flight 121. After being rescued, she’s brought to a hospital and given the name Violet because of her distinguishable violet eyes, and becomes an overnight celebrity. She’s placed into the foster home of Heather and Scott Carlson with their 13-year-old son, who live in a secluded area in California. Violet’s entire life before living with the Carlsons is a mystery, and the only clue she has gotten is the strange boy who keeps showing up in her life. With the help of this boy and the Carlson’s son, Violet tries to piece together her past and find out where she came from and where she was trying to go.

Unremembered is a book about the search for a life forgotten. The mystery behind the life of Violet is filled with twists and turns that leave the reader striving to find out what really happened and how she ended up in the middle of the ocean. Written from inside the uncompleted mind of Violet, Unremembered is sure to be an interesting story for readers who love a good mystery.—Emmalyn B., age 17

ARMISTEAD, Cal. Being Henry David. Albert Whitman. March 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780807506158.

Gr 8 Up—The last thing he remembers is now. When Hank wakes up in Penn Station, he discovers that a hobo is eating his book, a drug dealer is shanking him, and there’s a lot of emotional baggage that he now has to open up. There’s one thing in his way though—a monster in his stomach who’s his greatest enemy and later his greatest friend. This friend is hiding him from an important aspect of himself—that his sister was maimed in a car accident and he was driving the car.

I fiercely enjoyed this book from start to finish. I liked the constant action that was driving the story forward. I also enjoyed the fact that Hank had no memory. I liked this because it adds an extra layer of mystery to the story. I also appreciated the extra layer of athleticism; this also adds a layer of mystery because it makes you think, why? I loved how this book was tied in with Walden, which added a lot of depth to the story.

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”– Henry David Thoreau

I recommend this book to those people who would like to run away from it all to start over or to just have the choice to do so.—Kaleb B., age 14

SLOAN, Robin. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. Farrar, 2012. Tr. $25.00. ISBN 9780374214913.

Gr 10 Up—The debut of Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is taking my library by storm. Partly, it’s the unique glow-in-the dark cover, but the story inside holds its own. Book lovers will find comfort in the dark, mysterious bookstore that’s open all hours of the day. Clay Jannon, experiencing the recession and out of a job, takes the night shift at Mr. Penumbra’s. He soon realizes he’s not working in an ordinary store. A variety of quirky characters patronize the place, always “checking out” volumes, never buying. As Clay begins to unravel some of the store’s secrets, readers will be led on a journey that involves tech gadgets, clandestine societies, and the quest for answers. This is a tale that skillfully combines books and technology.

PICOULT, Jodi and van Leer, Samantha. Between the Lines. Emily Bestler/Simon Pulse, 2012. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781451635751.

Gr 6 Up—Bestselling author Jodi Picoult teams up with her daughter, Samantha van Leer, to write a book within a book. Delilah loves books—they are much more interesting than the kids at her high school. Her favorite fairy tale, Between the Lines, feels real, and it’s about to take a turn for the unbelievable, as prince Oliver starts to vent his frustrations over being a literary character and wishes for more depth. For all those who have imagined their favorite characters coming to life, this is a fun new read.

Other titles that feature books:

BRADBURY, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. S & S, 2012. pap. $11.99. ISBN 9781451673319. Gr 9 Up.

FFORDE, Jasper. The Eyre Affair. Penguin, 2003. Tr $16.00. ISBN 9780142001806. Gr 10 Up.

FUNKE, Cornelia. Inkheart. Scholastic, 2009. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9780545046268. Gr 5 Up.

SMITH, Lane. It’s a Book. Roaring Book, 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 9781596436060. Gr 1 Up.

ZUSAK, Markus. The Book Thief. Knopf. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9780375842207. Gr 9 Up.

Red, Taylor Swift (Big Machine)

Red is Swift’s fourth studio album. Many of the 16 tracks have a love-related theme, clearly influenced by her past relationships.  If anything, this has made her even more alluring and loved by the music industry. Her collaboration on this album with Max Martin, Ed Sheeran, and Shellback add to her mastery of a broader range of musical styles, which only cements her position as a pop diva. Definitely check out the pop chant-along “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” the dubstep-inspired “I Knew You Were Trouble,” as well as the alternative country sounds in “All Too Well” and “Stay Stay Stay.” Red is a fabulous album that will continue to solidify Swift’s musical career.—Claire H., grade 10, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Just Dance 4 (Ubisoft)

With 43 tracks of party-pleasing music, Just Dance 4 is the latest installment in the Just Dance franchise. Balancing contemporary rock and pop with classic Barry White and Rick Astley provides listeners with hours of fun, as well as an awesome workout and fitness experience. Like other Just Dance games, you follow the figure on the screen while pictograms in the bottom-right corner tell you what the next move is, and the score bar at the top left lets you know your score. If you’ve never played this type of game, it might take you a turn or two to get the hang of things. The choreography is the most important part of the game with lots of arm and hip shaking. Sometimes, the motion sensor didn’t properly register the slower dance moves, but overall, the game is still a blast.

Dance Quests add extra challenges to each song and a few tracks are designed purely for multiplayer capability, like Dirty Dancing’s “Time of My Life” and Rocky Horror’s “The Time Warp.”  There is also a Battle Mode feature in which players compete head to head in traditional dance-off style. The new Just Sweat mode allows you to get an intense workout by selecting a specific style like ’80s aerobics, Latin Dance, Cheerleading Bootcamp, or Kickboxing fight moves. Workouts range from 10 to 45 minutes and an on-screen calorie counter is included. This new component alone might be all the reason you need to get in shape in the comfort of your very own home. Rating: E for Everyone. Platform: PlayStation 3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360.—Geena G., grade 10, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Skylanders Giants (Activision)

Sylanders Giants, like the original Sylanders: Spyro’s Adventure, is a very kid-friendly action-adventure game that has added more depth and difficulty, and some new features. This is a very magical game for me since it’s essentially Pokemon come to life. The Skylanders Giants starter pack includes the game, the Portal of Power, and great Skylanders toys (four Giants—Tree Rex, Crusher, Bouncer, and Swarm). The 16-level main story also features Heroic Challenges, Arena Battles, and Skystones. Each Skylander controls one of the eight elements: water, air, tech, earth, magic, fire, undead, and life, using these to battle enemy monsters (very Pokemon-like). You can pick up accessories and powers as the game progresses. The point of the game is to build an arsenal of Skylanders that you can use at any time to battle the evil Kaos. The Giants were the “first” Skylanders and they possess powers and abilities necessary to save the world.

Skylanders Giants provides hours of entertainment since the variety of characters and added difficulty levels keep the action fresh as well as challenging. The negative side is that Activision will release 16 new characters over the next few months along with upgrades to the older characters. So if you want to keep up to date, you’ll have to spend more money, which is a bit of a bummer. Rated: E for Everyone. Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and 3DS.—Nick M., grade 9, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

DOYLE, Roddy. Greyhound of a Girl. Amulet, 2012. ISBN 9781419701689. JLG Level: B+ : Upper Elementary & Junior High (Grades 5-7)

Twelve-year-old Mary meets a new, mysterious woman one day after school. Mary’s head is full of worries at the time, so she doesn’t think much of it. Her best friend has moved away. Her mom ends every sentence in an exclamation point! Her beloved Granny is very ill in the hospital. Oddly enough, no one new has moved into her neighborhood. What’s even odder is that sometimes when she looks at the old woman, it’s as though she can see through her. Then the old woman gives Mary a message to take to her Granny. She seems to know her well, and she should, for she is Granny’s mother. She’s been dead since Granny was a little girl.

In a story that blends the past with the present, four separate Irish voices weave an adventure that is part family story and part ghost story. Like most ghost stories, Tansey has a purpose for remaining with the living. She needs the help of Mary and her mother to complete that task. Their final adventure plays out like a scene from The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (Harper, 2004).

FLEMING, Candice. On the Day I Died: Stories from the Grave. Schwartz & Wade Books, 2012. ISBN 9780375967818. JLG Level: C : Advanced Readers (Grades 6-9)

Author of many award winning nonfiction books, Fleming believes that sometimes the scariest stories begin with a bit of the truth. Beginning with a version of the traditional pick-up-the-dead-girl story, readers are treated to ten stories about how these young people died too soon. Mike has picked up a girl who, as it turns out, actually died years ago. When he tries to return the shoes she left, he is directed to the cemetery where teenagers are dying to tell their stories. One by one, the dead reveal the truth―about the day they died.

Using voices from different time periods, Fleming’s new book takes her love of Chicago history and blends it with her fondness of ghost stories. Concluding author notes give source information about the stories. Lovers of history and hauntings alike will shudder.

MCNAMEE, Graham. Beyond: A Ghost Story. Wendy Lamb Books, 2012. ISBN 9780385906876. JLG Level: HI : High-Interest High School (Grades 10 & up)

If a person ever needed nine lives, it would be Jane. When the story begins, she has a nail (from a nail gun) in her head. It’s not the first time Jane has encountered near death experiences. She grabbed a live power line. She stood on a rail as a train approached. Folks say she’s suicidal, but Jane has a witness. Her best friend, Lexi, saw the shadow hold her to the tracks. What they don’t understand is what her shadow wants and why it keeps trying to kill her.

Both ghost story and mystery, McNamee’s tale holds the reader in an unrelenting grip. Readers will puzzle over the clues and read faster and faster to come to its thrilling conclusion. What are these dreams that Jane has? What does the skull of the dead boy have to do with her shadow? Who killed these missing boys? How does Jane save herself while fighting her shadow? It’s a ghost story with a frightening secret.

PAULS, Chris and Matt Solomon. Deck Z: The Titanic. Chronicle Books, 2012. IBSN 9781452108032. JLG Level: PBH : Paperbacks High School (Grades 10 & up)

It doesn’t really matter that this is the 100^th year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, as the subject is always hugely popular. Deck Z, however, is no retelling of the research on the building or sinking of the ocean liner. The brilliant premise is this: take a biological weapon and run away with it on an ocean liner sailing to America. Dr. Weiss is a German scientist who discovers a plague that turns its victims into zombies. Though he wants to use his findings to create a cure for other diseases, the German army has other ideas. Planning to use the Toxic to start a zombie army, they anticipate that Russia will use all its funds to stop them and Germany can win the war.

When Dr. Weiss learns of the plot, he does the only possible thing―run for America. The problem is that he took the vial with him and left a trail for the Germans to follow. Once on board, the Toxic is released and zombies take over the E Deck, turning it into Deck Z.

Using known research and inserting fantastic events from the zombie plague, Pauls and Solomon create a riveting mystery. The band plays on to distract the zombies from boarding the lifeboats. More people die on Deck E than any other. The architect goes down with the ship. Who is after the Toxic? Can the passengers defeat the zombies? What happens to Dr. Weiss? Does he invent a cure? You’ll have to read it for yourself―you’ll never believe it until you do.

POBLOCKI, Dan. The Ghost of Graylock. Scholastic Press, 2012. ISBN 9780545402682. JLG Level: C : Advanced Readers (Grades 6-9)

Neil and Bree are spending the summer with their aunts. The tale of how Nurse Janet killed three children from the town’s psychiatric hospital sends them to visit Graylock Hospital themselves. After a traumatic visit, Neil and Bree find that something may have followed them home. There is lake weed in the tub and toilet and pools of water by their beds. They begin to have the same horrifying dreams. Determined to solve the mystery, they take their new friends into danger until the ghost world and reality collide.

Did Nurse Janet really kill those children? Why is her son so angry at the teenagers? When dreams begin to feel real, how can they prevent the ghost of Graylock from drowning them? Can they reveal the murderer before they lose their own lives? Poblocki’s ghost mystery that is sure to haunt your readers.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

MITCHELL, J. Barton. Midnight City. St. Martin’s Griffin. October 2012. Tr $17.99 ISBN 9781250009074.

Gr 7-12—Midnight City starts with a crash as Holt, the main character, is trapped under a bus by a gang from Midnight City. He then escapes to find his friend Max, who we find out is a dog, waiting in the forest. We later learn he is trying to capture an outlaw named Mira to raise some money, and he promptly does. He then finds himself in a huge battle between different factions of the Assembly, a group of alien robots trying to kill all humans with the Tone. Later in his travels, he finds Zoey, a little girl immune to the Tone. Once Holt, Mira and Zoey get to Midnight City, they find out that Mira is an outlaw because of a false charge against her. The three of them finally have a huge battle with the Blue and Whites which Zoey wins by using her special power over machines. Later they discover that the only way to overcome these obstacles is to destroy the main spire where all of these aliens originate from.

I enjoyed this book because of the constant action. I also like the reluctant love bounty hunter Holt feels for Mira: a textbook example of a good love story because of the tension. I also enjoyed the mystery within a mystery surrounding Zoey. This book is a real page turner because of the politics created by the founders of Midnight City and the strange currency of points within it. The author leaves a hanging ending when a new faction of aliens appears near the spire—expect a sequel. Recommended to all of those insane people out there who don’t want a happy ending and just want to see it all burn.—Kaleb B., age 14

ROECKER, Lisa and Laura Roecker. The Liar Society: The Lies that Bind. Sourcebooks. November 2012. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781402270246.

Gr 8 Up—Liar Society takes place in an elite prep school where things are not as they seem to be. After her best friend Grace’s death, Kate is determined to bring the murderer to justice. This is easier said than done since the killers are part of the Brotherhood, a secret society within the school that controls the entire community. Throughout the story Kate works with the Sisterhood in an attempt to merge the two societies but inadvertently destroys the Brotherhood’s power.

I liked the book because it kept you guessing about the loyalties of the characters until the very end. Also, it made me think about whether or not the influence of secret societies is happening in real life without our knowledge. For example, many of the U.S. presidents were members of secret societies like the Masons and the Skull and Bones Society at Yale. Were some of the presidents’ political decisions influenced by their involvement in these societies?—Alexandra M., age 14

SCHREIBER, Joe. Perry’s Killer Playlist. HMH. November 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780547601175.

Gr 7-12—Perry Stormaire’s life has finally returned to normal. In fact, it’s better than normal—he has been accepted to Columbia, has a very good looking girlfriend, and his band is going on a European tour with the possibility of a record deal. Then in Italy, Gobi shows up. She is the Lithuanian exchange student that Perry’s family took in last year, the one who forced them to drive around New York until she had crossed all of the names off of her hit list. Gobi has a new list of people to kill, and Perry soon finds himself sucked into her murderous adventures. As Perry soon discovers several shocking secrets that change everything, his world gets turned upside down.

Perry’s Killer Playlist is an action-packed novel that moves very quickly. It is full of interesting characters who lead secret lives. However, while the novel has lots of adventure and humor, it lacks the ability to create a strong connection between the reader and the characters. Also, at times, it can be difficult to follow the action. Still, it is fun and is recommended for readers who are looking for a quick read.— Kayla T., age 15

F., Christiane. Zoo Station: The Story of Christiane F. Zest Books. January 2013. pap. $14,99. ISBN 9781936976225.

Gr 9 Up—Zoo Station: The Story of Christiane F. is an autobiography of a teenage girl who is struggling with addiction. At a young age Christiane began acting out. She went where she shouldn’t have gone; she broke all the laws she could. Around the age of 11, Christiane associated herself with the wrong people, and she began to smoke pot. Christiane lied about her age and got into clubs where she met people even deeper into the drug world. Eventually, she got involved with heroin, something she swore to herself she would never do. The memoir tells the story of her struggle with the drug, and all she did to get the money to pay for drugs, whether she sold other people’s things, or herself.

Zoo Station tells an amazing story. It seemed a little boring when I first picked it up, but as soon as I started reading it, I couldn’t stop. Her story is so intriguing, and all the more so for being true. Pictures in the middle of the book helped place faces with the names, making it even better. Though definitely not for the younger crowd because of its constant emphasis on drug use, high school students who like reading about the topic will definitely enjoy this memoir.—Sarah A., age 15