Adult/High School–Seventeen-year-old Anthony has followed in his late father’s footsteps onto a fishing boat, but the lure of college (and college girls) means that he wouldn’t turn down the chance to earn a little extra money. When his best friend comes up with a plan to rob a supposedly empty mansion on a nearby island, Anthony is the one who surprises, and is surprised by, the house’s occupants. In a terrible moment, the man on the stairs is dead, but the teen begins an obsession with his beautiful daughter, later sneaking back to the island to meet her and begin a relationship. Like Flannery Culp in Daniel Handler’s Basic Eight (St. Martin’s, 1999), Anthony relates his story from a jail cell, and is, like Flannery, a sometimes unreliable narrator, a fact that is slowly revealed as his actions become more disturbing and letters from the girl’s mother begin to show an alternate version of the events that he recounts. The all-consuming nature of adolescent love is a common theme, but the formality of Anthony’s language gives this story an old-fashioned feel, while the intensity of his yearning drives the narrative. Readers will soon realize that Anthony is headed for big trouble, but his relentless quest for love will pull teens along for the ride.–Jenny Gasset, Orange County Public Library, CA

Adult/High School–A story set in the near future, in which the U.S. cuts back nearly all civil liberties. Ben Trinity, a former college professor arrested for funding a terrorist group, is hitchhiking west when he is forced by a snowstorm to stay the night in Redemption, MT. After getting permission from his parole officer, he takes a job as a handyman at a diner. His first few days are easy; he works hard and endears himself to the locals. But word gets out about his past, and the novel becomes a political thriller. The locals fear Trinity, speaking out against his living in their town and even threatening his life. As his situation worsens, it becomes clear that he is being set up to take a fall and, perhaps, even to be killed by a government faction. Trinity moves from mysterious to likable as his innocence becomes apparent. Unfortunately, secondary figures don’t quite have the same feel, reading more like stock character types, such as the closed-minded sheriff and the sweet-but-cautious love interest. Although confined to laws and technologies that limit the freedom of citizens in the name of government protection, the futuristic elements are well done. In fact, the most haunting aspect of this debut novel is how real Trinity’s situation seems; it’s not hard to imagine the circumstances of an innocent man’s life torn apart in the name of protecting the public. This cautionary tale asks some pointed questions about the current political climate and its potential direction.–Matthew L. Moffett, Pohick Regional Library, Burke, VA

Adult/High School–FBI agent Peggy Weaver returns to her hometown just as her childhood friend, who had been kidnapped when they were 10 years old, disappears again. At the time of the kidnapping, Peggy had been with her friend and had gotten away. Readers are drawn immediately into the horrific plot as the adult Peggy receives pornographic photos of 10-year-old Samantha, and it is revealed that Peggy’s life is in danger as Lakeman brings the past horror into the present. Chillwater Cove is a remote area in the Tennessee woods. It is home to poor, racially mixed outcasts who have something many of the major players in the town want–badly enough to commit crimes to get it. Peggy’s father, the redneck police chief, is less than supportive as they both work on the case; he also plays other roles as the plot twists and turns. In spite of occasionally awkward descriptions, the author draws readers into a story so terrible and so action-packed that they cannot put it down. Teens who like James Patterson and Dean Koontz will eat this one up. Give it to students who “don’t like to read” and watch them reconsider that statement.–Ellen Bell, Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton, CA

Adult/High School–If Mara is to be believed, the NFL is full of paranoid coaches, backroom deals, and a spy or two. A contract dispute is the conflict driving this fictionalized look at a training camp. The three main characters, players desperate to make the team, are sympathetic, engaging readers in their quest. This inside look will hold interest for football fans, but the extreme characterization of the coach may turn off some readers. His motivation is more two-dimensional, his character revealed through explanation rather than illuminated by his actions. However, the plot takes some interesting turns throughout, keeping sports-fiction readers readily entertained.–Mary Ann Harlan, Arcata High School, CA

Adult/High School–Miranda Bookman is disappointed with the state of her life. Divorced with two kids, she has ambled through a string of shallow and short-lived romances. Perhaps most embarrassing is her public exit from the publishing world as a result of an editing mistake in the title of a “Nancy Drew” novel. But Rannie’s life begins to take on the drama and excitement of a real-life mystery after the suspicious death of the director of college admissions at her son’s upscale private academy, Chapel School. Her current job of giving tours to applicant families at Chaps gives Rannie the opportunity to explore the mystery of this soon-to-be murder investigation. However, murder isn’t the only puzzle in her life. Her new relationship with Tim Butler, the father of another student, is clouded by the secrecy surrounding his widowhood and exit from the police force. In addition to Rannie’s own emerging steamy relationship, there is a romantic plot involving her teenage son will intrigue romance fans. The ritzy Manhattan setting is almost a subplot as well; it is sure to attract fans of Cecily von Ziegesar’s “Gossip Girl” series (Little, Brown). Ultimately, readers will be satisfied by the dangerous, nail-biting ending.–Lynn Rashid, Marriots Ridge High School, Marriotsville, MD

Adult/High School–Stories of war, hunting, murder, and loss are all set in rural Oregon, in the shadow of the Cascade Mountains. Perhaps the most striking one, “Refresh, Refresh” is the heart-wrenching tale of a small town in which all of the fathers–coaches, teachers, barbers, UPS deliverymen, deputies, etc.–have been deployed to Iraq. The boys who are left soon become the men their fathers were, fighting, drinking, and eventually enlisting in the army. This story sets the tone for the dark, depressing existence of the mostly lower-middle-class male characters. Blood runs through many of the tales. In “The Caves in Oregon,” the red soil from the nearby volcanic caves leeches its way into the house, reminding the main character of his bloody wisdom teeth extraction. In “The Killing,” a Vietnam veteran murders another man and watches as “some redness joined the yellowness of his beer,” and in “When the Bear Came,” two mauled girls are found in a tent “that looked less like a tent and more like an organ excised by blunt scissors.” While the stories are riddled with death, they are consistently and beautifully written and will no doubt appeal to older teens. Percy’s visceral writing promises to remain with readers for a long time.–Jennifer Waters, Red Deer Public Library, Alberta, Canada

Adult/High School–Pared-down prose and brushstroke character sketches make this a remarkably even first collection of short fiction. Evoking the heart of the West, each tale is about moving back, moving on, or moving away, and the meandering paths that life takes on the road to getting somewhere. The stories occasionally intersect or overlap; characters reappear unexpectedly in welcome ways. Setting is paramount to the spare yet lyrical tone of the collection, which takes in the gamut of human experience from teen to old age. Introspective and soul-searching, but not self-indulgent, the selections feel timeless, despite their brevity. Teens who like Ernest Hemingway or Jim Harrison will enjoy this book.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Adult/High School–Set during the waning days of the Aztec empire, this novel is filled with political intrigue, religious rivalries, romantic alliances, and human sacrifice. It is a coming-of-age story featuring a strong female protagonist who must face life in a strange new place without her family. Hoshi’tiwa is just 17 years old when she is forced to leave her clan to serve Jakal, the Dark Lord of Center Place. She is a gifted potter, and the ruling classes expect she will make Rain Jars that are pleasing to the gods, thereby ending a debilitating drought. Much to their dismay, the Aztec rulers soon realize that Hoshi’tiwa’s presence in Center Place is a portent for change. Despite her enslavement, the young woman dares to speak her mind and question the ways of the Toltec masters. Wood’s use of an omniscient narrator allows readers to understand events from various perspectives; the multiple major characters are credible and well developed. Although the novel is long, the story is well paced and suspenseful. The geographic and historical settings are integral: the author effectively interweaves descriptions of landscape and man-made structures, as well as intimate details of daily life (dress, hygiene, food, shelter). The language is descriptive yet accessible, although some of the character names are challenging. Readers will find themselves rooting for Hoshi’tiwa as she challenges the status quo, makes mistakes, experiences isolation, but ultimately emerges as a leader to her people.–Sondra VanderPloeg, Tracy Memorial Library, New London, NH

Adult/High School–“Gross!” “No Way!” “I don’t believe it!” These are the likely responses to many of the 60 summaries of bizarre science experiments collected here. After digging through hundreds of science monographs and journals, Boese found such gems as experiments producing two-headed dogs, zombie kittens, racing roaches, hypersexual turkeys, elephants who never forget, and elephants (not the same ones) on acid. Boese stresses the point that all of these were, at the time of their occurrence, serious scientific experiments. Some were challenged from the get-go, some soon afterward, and some are still supported by current research. Although many of these efforts were undeniably eccentric and even stupid, the impetus behind every one is the same: to better understand the world we inhabit. The underlining point is clear: science often progresses in weird ways. The author’s tone is light, his writing fluid and humorous. He wisely stays clear of the truly horrendous experiments of the darkest days of scientific research, such as those of Nazi Germany. Here readers will learn whether people can or cannot tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi, if wine connoisseurs really know what they are talking about, and whether ants really can save the day by acts of communal peeing. With well-chosen black-and-white photographs throughout, Elephants on Acid is by turns funny, scary, gross, but always entertaining. A winning choice for any teen collection.–Robert Saunderson, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Adult/High School–The Whydah had a short life. Built in 1715, she made a single voyage to Africa, where her hold was loaded with a cargo of slaves, and she sailed to the Caribbean. She was captured there and became the flagship of “Black Sam” Bellamy, one of the most successful pirate captains of the time. Two months later, the treasure-laden Whydah sank off Cape Cod during a violent storm. The wreckage was discovered in 1984, and the artifacts brought to the surface and restored are now the basis of a touring exhibit, to which this book is a companion. The first and last chapters succinctly discuss the slave trade and the recovery efforts respectively, but the majority of the volume is devoted to describing the life and culture of 18th-century pirates. Common myths are debunked: pirates did not bury their loot, and there is only one recorded instance of anyone “walking the plank.” The authors’ main argument, however, is that the pirate subculture was both multiethnic and democratic, and thus was an attractive alternative to a life of hard manual labor or slavery. Amply illustrated with black-and-white and color drawings, photographs, and maps, this is a lively and informative look at the real pirates of the Caribbean.–Sandy Schmitz, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Adult/High School–In 1960, when Dully was 12 years old, his stepmother, with his father’s approval, took him to see Dr. Walter Freeman, who performed a transorbital, or “icepick,” lobotomy on him. His stepmother felt that he was “defiant” and “unruly,” and Dr. Freeman believed in the power of the lobotomy to change personalities. Dully was given electroshock treatments to quiet him, then a sharp instrument was inserted above each eyeball into the frontal lobes of his brain and moved back and forth. The procedure took about 10 minutes and cost $200. However, it didn’t have the desired effect, so his stepmother got him admitted to a state mental institution. As the author tells the story, he was just a kid who needed attention and affection, but instead he was essentially abandoned both by his family and the system, and he spent the next 40 years in and out of jails, institutions, and halfway houses, turning at various times to alcohol and drugs. In his 50s, he decided to find out what exactly had happened to him, and he began learning about Freeman and looking into his own past. The memoir is written in simple, straightforward language. Dully comes across as a very gentle man who doesn’t want to offend anyone; even his descriptions of his sexual escapades are mild and euphemistic. This compelling and tragic story will appeal to fans of Torey Hayden and Dave Pelzer.–Sarah Flowers, Santa Clara County Library, CA

Adult/High School–This bright, oversize paperback is an appealing introduction to competitive cheerleading. Every page is chock-full of colorful, mid-stunt photographs. The book gives a good overview of the sport and how it has developed over time, including an aside from the Father of Modern Cheerleading, Lawrence Herkimer. From trying out for the team to choosing a captain, cheerleading clinics, choreography, and college all-star teams, this book emphasizes etiquette, attitude, fitness, athleticism, and performance. It provides information and inspiration; it is not a manual for cheering. Also included are a great illustrated glossary and a resource list of organizations.–Charlotte Bradshaw, San Mateo County Library, CA

Adult/High School–Grahl’s story opens when he was a 15-year-old athlete who had been bullied by his own conscience into excessive dieting and exercise. This routine brought the formerly “pudgy” teen down to 110 pounds and, through the brutal cycle of recovery and relapse, he reached a weight of less than 103 pounds. In this engaging account, Grahl explores the internal and external pressures that brought him to that point, and he discusses the treatment and relationships that eventually helped him break out of his destructive cycle. Although the dialogue between the author and the people he encountered is at times stilted, the strength of this memoir lies in the passages describing his personal struggles and his internal dialogues. His anorexia is itself an exceptionally well-developed character, in turns chastising him for weaknesses and praising him for imagined successes. The voice of the disease and the voice of recovery compete for Grahl’s attention, reinforcing the idea that to succeed one must find strength from within. The overarching themes of finding faith in oneself and defeating one’s demons will appeal to many teens faced with the pressure to succeed at all costs. This book will be especially appealing to those dealing with an eating disorder, either their own or that of a loved one, and the attention to eating disorders among young men will certainly be appreciated.–Karen E. Brooks-Reese, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA

Adult/High School–According to Herz, most odors are regarded as good or bad because of emotional or cultural associations, and none are universally experienced as one or the other. The author is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on the sense of smell, and in this book she takes a look at its physiology and psychology. The text is filled with interesting anecdotes and intriguing scientific studies about smell and its relation to human health and well-being. Herz hops around from subject to subject and has a few annoying habits (like referring to researchers she knows by their first names and researchers she doesn’t know by their last names), but the volume is compelling nonetheless. Teens with an interest in psychology or biology will find this a readable source of fascinating facts.–Sarah Flowers, Santa Clara County Library, CA

Adult/High School–In the 1930s, Holman was dropped off at an orphanage at age six. He spent years wondering why his mother left him, where she was, and who his father was. Was he lovable? Add to that the abusive, money-grubbing director of the institution, who rivaled Little Orphan Annie’s infamous Miss Hannigan. The boy’s name was changed with almost each change of home, without any input from him. He was released from his last orphanage, the West Oklahoma Home for White Children, to his adoptive parents under an archaic indenture contract. Through three orphanages and many foster homes, through tears and humor, the author is a survivor. His story is interesting historically as well as personally and shows the resilience of the human spirit. This moving memoir will hold teens’ attention. It could be used in the classroom in relation to the Great Depression, the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, and The Grapes of Wrath, or as a study in psychology.–Ellen Bell, Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton, CA

Adult/High School–What are the worst sports trades of all time? What was the most spectacular meltdown–off or on the playing field? How many sports controversies can you name? Staff from the irreverent Phat Phree Web site investigate these questions, and more. The book covers all sports through the year 2000, without ignoring historical events or those ignominious ones that recently occurred. The highs and lows, ranging from American baseball to international pro golf, are discussed with humor and the occasional debate. This title will appeal to reluctant readers, sports fans, and those looking for a laugh.–Mary Ann Harlan, Arcata High School, CA

Adult/ High School–The idea of a “technography,” or a biography of a technology, is intriguing, and this thorough exposition supports the viability of the concept. Magoun discusses both the personalities and the technology that came together to create television. The explications of the science may be slightly confusing to those not scientifically inclined, but the human story of the patent battle between inventor Philo Farnsworth (erroneously named “Phil” in one heading) and television executive David Sarnoff is a tad more interesting. Magoun traces television’s origins and development through the advent of the VCR to today’s flat-panel displays and the future of the medium. Sadly, despite an extensive and impressive bibliography, there are no source notes to connect specific text with the research. Despite this serious flaw, the book is comprehensive and informative. However, the amount of detail, scholarly tone, and lackluster design of the volume are likely to limit its appeal to those already interested in the topic.–Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ

Adult/High School–Schein recalls saying, “I feel like I’ve lost a twin,” during periodic bouts with depression. However, Bernstein lived “blissfully ignorant” prior to learning about the existence of her sister. Reunited at the age of 35, these identical twins embarked on a journey to uncover the story of their separation. Research into their genealogical background revealed an ethically questionable study on identical twins performed by the doctors associated with the agency that facilitated their adoptions. In alternating voices, the women detail their emotional struggles as they navigated their developing relationship and the realities of the circumstances surrounding their birth and separation. As their relationship evolved, they marveled at their extensive similarities, but also dealt with the confusion and pain associated with their new identities. Their stories are enhanced by the anecdotal and scientific information they gathered while searching for the motives of the study they unknowingly took part in as adoptees. Ultimately, the authors came to terms with their new personae, and, through that process, redefined their notions of the bond they share. Teens will be pulled in by the mystery surrounding the study and the identity of the authors’ birth mother. The questions and evidence fueled by the nature vs. nurture debate will interest those fascinated by the roles DNA and environment play in human development and spark interesting book club and classroom discussion.–Lynn Rashid, Marriots Ridge High School, Marriotsville, MD

Adult/High School–Readers looking for inside information about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder need look no further. In a straightforward, simple manner, Taylor describes how he has lived successfully for 18 years with ADHD. He opens with a painful memory of being tied to a chair with a bungee cord in order to sit still long enough to eat his dinner. Each chapter begins with a recollection of a different period in his life, how his ADHD framed it, and what he learned from the experience that helped him develop the skills to achieve, and ends with a list of “solutions.” What makes these practical tips particularly useful is that they are recommendations that Taylor has used. He includes suggestions for dealing with distraction, hyperactivity, and bullies. He also addresses making friends; staying organized; and coping with discrimination, social anxiety, and rules. It is obvious that the author, a college freshman, had great parental and medical support throughout his childhood; it was sad to read that some of his dealings with the educational community were less positive.–Joanne Ligamari, Rio Linda School District, Sacramento, CA

Adult/High School–A core text of Hinduism, the Bhagavad Gita tells the story of Prince Arjuna moments before he sends his nation into a violent war. Arjuna turns to his charioteer, who is secretly the divine god Krishna, for advice. What follows is an extensive set of tales and discussions that lay down the foundations for Hindu philosophy, cosmology, culture, and behavior. Tirtha’s version of the Gita, a composite of different translations edited for modern audiences, is highly readable. Broken into small, easily accessible sections, each portion is followed by thoughtful annotations that explain the content. Tirtha then moves into a series of questions and exercises for readers to apply the main ideas to their own lives. Issues such as sexuality, the value of education, and dealing with stress seem particularly targeted toward teens. These different elements combine into an excellent primer for Hindu philosophy. Tirtha includes thematic links to other religions and philosophies, making the concepts accessible to readers unfamiliar with the topic. Of definite interest to anyone starting to explore Eastern thought, this volume can also serve as an excellent guidebook to tackling many of life’s issues.–Matthew L. Moffett, Pohick Regional Library, Burke, VA

Adult/High School–Tram’s extraordinary diary, which remained concealed in an American soldier’s file cabinet for more than 30 years, brings to light the history, politics, trauma, and tragedy of the Vietnam War. It begins when Tram was 25 and covers two years, ending two days before she was shot by American troops. A doctor from a loving, urbane, and socialistic family in Hanoi, she decided to contribute her services for the war effort. Tram traveled deep into the jungle of Quang Ngai Province, where she worked at a series of inadequate clinics. Naive and idealistic, she originally enlisted out of love for her country and to follow (unsolicited) in the trail of her high school sweetheart, who became a soldier. Her clear, pure voice speaks of love, friendship, family, poetry, and music, as well as of longing for peace and independence for both North and South Vietnam. She was passionate about life while confronting bombs, immense and unalterable suffering, and the daily possibility of her own demise, and her words and presence linger long after the last page is finished. Photos showing a beautiful young woman and her family members, school, and home; footnotes describing historical, geographic, and cultural contexts; a detailed introduction; and an interactive Web site that contains study guides all add to the book’s effectiveness. The volume will generate much discussion. It is an excellent source for nonfiction booktalks, book groups, World History and English classes, and public libraries everywhere.–Jodi Mitchell, Berkeley Public Library, CA