Adult/High School–Lamin and Zion meet in church, where they've been dragged by their grandmother and foster mother, respectively. Their fast friendship grows even tighter after Lamin is put out of his home by his mother and her abusive boyfriend. He joins Zion in a crack-dealing scheme, and soon the teens are living large. Lamin finds romance with rich girl Lucky, and Zion secretly spends time with his friend's younger sister, Olivia. But after Lamin gets shot in a club, he realizes that it's time to get legit. While he is able to use his drug money to finance a career in music videos, his hustling life always threatens to catch up with him. Lamin, Zion, Lucky, Olivia, and Lamin's ex-con cousin take turns narrating the story, a tactic that makes an already fast-paced tale even more of a page-turner. Each character's perspective illuminates the misguided decisions the others make. However, despite their bad choices, readers will root for them. The language and situations are occasionally explicit, but also perfectly in character for these Staten Island young adults. While some of the story lines are pulled from a variety of rap videos and rapper bios, the plot also has unique twists that will keep readers going. Urban fiction is hotter than ever with teens of both sexes, and this is a strong entry in the genre.–Jamie Watson, Harford County Public Library, MD

Adult/High School–This novel brings together two different strands of the classic English detective story by taking two men as its protagonists: Phillip Bethancourt, a well-born dabbler with an interest in and aptitude for crime solving, and Jack Gibbons, a hardworking and dedicated up-and-comer on the police force. They must solve the murder of a wealthy industrialist, which allows Chan to give readers a modern take on the old English country-house murder tale through the two lead characters, one of whom falls in love with the dead man's widow. The author tells a tale that is part crime story, part family drama, part buddy flick, and part love story, a combination that makes for enjoyable reading.–Ted Westervelt, Library of Congress, Washington, DC

Adult/High School–The four sisters at 26 Waifer Avenue, in a somewhat shabby London neighborhood, must deal with their alcoholic English father and their spirit-talking Nigerian mother. Twins Bessi and Georgia Hunter create their own world in their attic room. Although their older and younger siblings are allowed to share in it occasionally, the bond between Bessi and Georgia goes beyond typical sisterhood, and the two cannot always determine where one ends and the other begins. While they are growing up, this is not such an issue, but as they approach adulthood, the conflict between separate interests and loyalty to one another becomes more pronounced. Yet even as Bessi tries to forge a distinct identity, and a heartbreaking secret of Georgia's threatens to come between them, they find that they cannot easily escape the oneness of their relationship. Evans's first novel brims with lyricism and mysticism. The author deftly captures the voices of all six family members as each one struggles with questions of identity. Meeting the topics of depression and suicide head-on, Evans treats these issues with a respect and grace that underscore the eventual triumph of spirit within the Hunter family.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Library System, VA

Adult/High School–Former Chicago commodities broker-turned-gourmet-chef Marcus Walker and his alien companions–George the talking dog, Braouk the poetic Tuuqalian, and Sequi the intelligent K'eremu–just want to go home, but they don't know how to get there. They escaped from the slave-trading alien race Vilenjji only to find themselves on another alien planet; no matter how peaceful Sessrimathe is, it's not home. Walker's increasing expertise in the kitchen nets him a job offer from a star-crossing race much further out on the Milky Way's spiral arm. Even though none of them knows if it's the right arm of the galaxy, at least they've found a way to leave Sessrimathe. The four set off to a world where warfare is a game played by traditional rules that restrict military technology to a medieval level, but simultaneously give newscasters sophisticated broadcast equipment to beam live action to every city. Reluctant readers seeking an engaging science-fiction novel will gravitate toward this book. Although it is the second in the trilogy, it can stand alone. Foster's trademark dry wit, colorful characters, and talented retelling of the traditional fish-out-of water story will keep readers' attention.–Erin Dennington, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Adult/High School–Charles “Fat Charlie” Nancy leads a normal, boring existence in London. However, when he calls the U.S. to invite his estranged father to his wedding, he learns that the man just died. After jetting off to Florida for the funeral, Charlie not only discovers a brother he didn't know he had, but also learns that his father was the West African trickster god, Anansi. Charlie's brother, who possesses his own magical powers, later visits him at home and spins Charlie's life out of control, getting him fired, sleeping with his fiancée, and even getting him arrested for a white-collar crime. Charlie fights back with assistance from other gods, and that's when the real trouble begins. They lead the brothers into adventures that are at times scary or downright hysterical. At first Charlie is overwhelmed by this new world, but he is Anansi's son and shows just as much flair for trickery as his brother. With its quirky, inventive fantasy, this is a real treat for Gaiman's fans. Here, he writes with a fuller sense of character. Focusing on a smaller cast gives him the room to breathe life into these figures. Anansi is also a story about fathers, sons, and brothers and how difficult it can be to get along even when they are so similar. Darkly funny and heartwarming to the end, this book is an addictive read not easily forgotten.–Matthew L. Moffett, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale

Adult/High School–When nine-year-old Ariadne Jackson loses her father and baby sister in an auto accident, her life in a black middle-class Atlanta neighborhood changes forever. Her eccentric mother grows more erratic, locking Aria and her surviving sister, Hermione, out of the house on Halloween or serving them raw chicken as a punishment for bad behavior. These little cruelties push Hermione to distance herself from the family, leaving Ariadne to fend for herself. Years later, at 25, Aria believes she has surmounted the traumas of her youth, until she thinks she is pregnant but instead finds that she is infertile. Her life becomes layered with lies and half-truths as she fears she will lose the promise of family and a normal life. It is the untelling of these tales that leads her finally to accept the odd turns a life may take. Teens will appreciate Ariadne's dilemma as she wrestles first with the implications of a child out-of-wedlock and then the more difficult truth that she will never bear her own children. They will also understand how she must unravel the untruths she has told, just as her namesake in Greek mythology unrolled a length of string to rescue her lover from a deadly maze.–Pat Bangs, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Adult/High School–This novel opens with the title character's first memory: as a cub floating in the ocean with a nutshell for a life raft, he heads straight for a giant whirlpool threatening to suck him down. After he's rescued by a boatload of Lilliputian pirates, Bluebear enters into a life (or 13½ lifetimes) filled with humor and adventure. Each “life” has a different challenge to overcome, pitting him against the likes of headless giants and storytelling contests. The book is one part Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth and two parts Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Each adventure mixes fantasy, science fiction, and fables in a satirical cocktail that readers can't help but gulp down. The quirky writing is definitely strong enough to carry itself, but Moers includes several black-and-white illustrations that enhance the whimsy. With so many little side trips in Bluebear's narrative, the story might frustrate those who prefer straight-line plots. But this is the kind of tale that readers have to just sit back and enjoy, wherever it takes them. The ending does tie the loose threads together. A wild, fun-filled ride.–Matthew L. Moffett, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale

Adult/High School–Sara Frost's life is not exciting, but she is happy with her research into Charlotte Brontë, her teaching assistantships, and her engagement to Paul. That predictability ends when vibrant and brash Claire Vigee joins the faculty of the English department. Suddenly, Paul is off to Europe, unsure of whether he wants the staid life that marriage seems to offer, and Sara is left picking up the pieces of her tattered romantic life. When Claire, bestselling author and self-proclaimed expert on Princess Diana, takes it upon herself to broaden Sara's horizons, Sara meets a slew of quirky characters. From the Hollywood film producer who is enamored with the idea of an upbeat Charlotte Brontë movie to eccentric Mr. Burke and Mr. Ives, who refuse to admit that the 19th century has ended, the young woman finds herself swept into a glossy world of hype and self-promotion. This first novel is a sometimes-sardonic, always-witty look at where scholarship ends and entertainment begins. Vandever's characterization is perceptive and the plot has twists and turns that will engage readers. The inclusion of excerpts from the writer's letters at the beginning of each chapter nicely parallels Sara's story, and the author cleverly weaves enough Brontë history into the plot to give readers a deep appreciation of the life of that literary family. The afterword gives pertinent information for those who seek to delve further.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Library System, VA

Adult/High School–Describing himself as a Shakespeare enthusiast instead of an expert, Ackroyd focuses on the bard as an extraordinarily talented theater professional rather than rhapsodizing about the intricacies of the man's genius. He interweaves Shakespeare's life story with England's dramatic history and the fascinating world of the emerging Elizabethan theater. Apocryphal stories are identified and plausible explanations for what occurred during the “missing” years are offered. Shakespeare emerges as a thoroughly engaging, almost modern man, brimming with humor, eager for social advancement, and carefully tracking the popular trends in entertainment. Students who want to discover whether Shakespeare really was the author of the famous plays will find compelling evidence that only the man from Stratford could have hidden so many ingenious clues in his work. Sixteen pages of color illustrations include portraits of Shakespeare's famous contemporaries, photographs of the interiors of Elizabethan buildings, and illustrated title pages. Those daunted by the length of this book will find it a good reference source. Students looking for information on the building of the Globe, the meanings of the sonnets, the differences in the various editions and revisions of the plays, and other typical academic questions will find useful, well-organized information. A rich, vivid account.–Kathy Tewell, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Adult/High School–Increasingly, exotic animals and plants have been migrating to new environments, resulting in a phenomenon that biologists call “the homogenization of the world.” Burdick's journey found him searching for the brown tree snake (indigenous to Australia) in Hawaii–once a paradise without serpents–and visiting NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the foothills of Pasadena, CA, where scientists take extreme measures to make sure that we neither introduce nor bring back alien species in our exploration of space. He had set out to solve an ecological riddle; but as he followed “invasion biologists” fighting exotic invaders in Tasmania, Guam, and San Francisco, his observations led him to ask philosopical questions about the nature of the natural world. Teens curious about natural history and its odd permutations will be fascinated by this lyrical treatise.–Pat Bangs, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Adult/High School–In 2002, cartoonist Frank Miller visited with Will Eisner for a free-ranging discussion across several days. Brownstein provided shape to their encounters, giving the two artists a medium in which they could use words to explore the history of American graphic-novel expression, the business concerns of comics publishing, the relationship between art forms such as comics and film, and the meanings of “success” to each individual. Both men proved themselves thoughtful and agile speakers, engaging one another's ideas and building together a kind of oral history of the art form. Brownstein worked invisibly but successfully so that each man stepped out from time to time from the overarching wholeness of the discussions to be seen as unique. The volume is gracefully and carefully illustrated with work not only by Miller and Eisner, but also by those whom they called into the conversation: Johnny Craig, Neal Adams, and even Lynn Johnston. Photos show the distinctive ages of the two subjects and confirm the comfortable nature of this recorded interaction. This is a fine example of critical literary biography with no whiff of academic revisioning attached. As such, students will find it valuable both for curriculum support and casual reading.–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Adult/High School–Each chapter of this enjoyable book features original brainteasers, challenging puzzles, and a trove of literary trivia. Readers will glean the meaning behind “pushing the envelope” and be informed that the phrase “happy as a clam” is an abbreviation of the simile “happy as a clam at high tide.” Those looking for that perfect word to describe something unique will find it here. Elster uses a lively question-and-answer format to cover a variety of topics–word and phrase origins, slang, style, usage, punctuation, and pronunciation. Without an index, this volume is not an ideal reference work, but it makes for good casual reading.–Erin Dennington, Fairfax County Public Library, Chantilly, VA

Adult/High School–This collection of more than 400 entries begins with a letter written by Abigail Grant, accusing her husband of cowardice in battle, and ends with an e-mail by Wall Street Journal correspondent Farnaz Fassihi on the stark state of affairs in war-torn Iraq. In between, a wide variety of compelling subjects is covered. The letter Amelia Earhart presented to her husband on their wedding day detailing her terms for the marriage is included as are the “send-a-dime” chain letter sent more than a billion times during the Depression and a letter addressed to Michael Powell, head of the Federal Communications Commission, complaining about the winner of Fox Network's 2003 American Idol competition. The book is divided by time period, and each section is illustrated with black-and-white graphics representative of the age. The letters are accompanied by information about the topics included, biographical details about the author and the recipient, and other interesting facts.–Debra Shumate, Bull Run Regional Library, Manassas, VA

Adult-High School–With this title, teens can create a funky felt purse or make one from an old book, or decorate an old handbag. Haab reviews the types of fabrics, glues, linings, materials, and sewing techniques to consider for these projects. This same type of information, in simpler language and on a smaller scale, is provided in Haab's The Hip Handbag Book: 25 Easy-to-Make Totes, Purses, and Bags (Watson-Guptill, 2004). Designer Style focuses on more complex creations that require more steps and several specific tools and craft items. The many colorful photographs are of excellent quality.–Shannon Seglin, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Adult/High School–From a young age, Helfer had a way with animals and an urge to work with them. After an inauspicious start as a teen helper in a Los Angeles pet store, he gradually acquired animals that movie studios used in their productions. He was the first Hollywood animal trainer to use affection rather than fear. He showed that his method worked better, and now, of course, it has become commonly accepted. He even turned an orphaned lion cub into a vegetarian for a brief period, to test a theory. Over the years, Zamba appeared in many movies and television commercials and shows, riding to jobs in the back of Helfer's station wagon, uncaged. The author reminds readers that wild animals are never thoroughly predictable and are not house pets; even Zamba surprised him occasionally, although never in a dangerous way. The special bond between these two mammals; Helfer's ideas about animal-human communication and understanding; and the many stories, both humorous and touching, make this a fascinating book.–Judy McAloon, Potomac Library, Prince William County, VA

Adult/High School–Ostensibly a book about therapy dogs, this thoughtful work also looks at the shortcomings of nursing-home life. Dog lovers will enjoy the antics of Hugo's chocolate Lab, who is a great icebreaker at a home, and will learn that dogs needn't be perfectly behaved to be good in their role (far from it, in this case). Readers also learn that residents too often can be neglected by family, even those who live nearby, and that the effects of this neglect are huge in already severely circumscribed lives. Teens volunteering, or contemplating it, at nursing homes and hospitals, as well as social-studies students, will get a great deal out of this sympathetic volume and will be much more understanding and able to help residents/patients in practical but small ways. A fine and sensitive book.–Judy McAloon, Potomac Library, Prince William County, VA

Adult/High School–The stated aim of this book is to give readers the knowledge necessary to make movies with little or no money, and it lives up to its promise. Patmore targets the short (up to 15 minutes) film as a means of honing students' skills. The text is clear and concise, and the book is loaded with instructive color photographs. All aspects of the moviemaking process are covered in five sections, including preproduction considerations (types of cameras and film, script writing, and storyboarding), the logistics of the actual shoot, postproduction activities (editing, special effects), suggested projects, and how to market the final product via film festivals and the Internet. Teens will be attracted by the idea of producing their own music videos, and this book will show them how to do so. The section on producing 3-D animated videos will appeal to fans of computer-generated features. Suggestions for useful software, Web sites, and related books are included, along with sources for grants. This volume will give students the tools necessary to produce a first film with little more than an idea, a video camera, and basic word-processing software.–Debra Shumate, Bull Run Regional Library, Manassas, VA

Adult/High School–When she was 17, Siana wrote a series of letters to punk rocker Ogre, the front man of the '80s band Skinny Puppy. The letters speak of depression and cutting, drug abuse and sex, music and poetry. At one concert, Ogre told her that he saved all her letters and one day would return them. True to his word, two boxes arrived at her door nine years later; inside were illustrated letters and journals filled with her most intimate thoughts and fears. Like most “cutters,” those who injure themselves as a physical manifestation of their inner pain, Siana felt powerless as her life spun out of control. Rereading the letters years later, she realized that expressing herself through this way had saved her life. The letters share what it's like to grow up “weird” and how one girl could rise above her background. Almost every page of the book is filled with heartbreaking artwork and photos, which brilliantly link the journal entries and letters together, allowing readers to get a look inside the mind of a very creative but disturbed young woman. At the end of the book is a letter from Siana's therapist and a list of resources for teenagers who may be experiencing the same problems and emotions that the author wrote about.–Erin Dennington, Fairfax County Public Library, Chantilly, VA

Adult/High School–Having graduated from William and Mary, Soffee, the nerd girl of the title and a longtime fan of hair-metal bands, decided that Virginia was not the place to enjoy her passion for the music. And so, with a vague statement of interest in her writing on music by the editor of a metal magazine in Hollywood, she set off for L.A. What she found there was not what she had expected: certainly not her dream of becoming the next great music critic. But the years she spent in L.A. were not without interest as she hit high points and low before having to accept the reality of the situation, aided by the triumph of grunge over metal and her own alcohol and drug addictions. This is not an unusual story; any number of memoirs by young writers chronicle those first uncertain years out of school. Yet Soffee's stands out for its humor and its lack of self-absorption and self-importance. The author has no illusions about the reality of her life at that time, nor does she now condemn it as wasted years. Neither a cautionary tale nor a paean to living it up, Nerd Girl will resonate with teens.–Ted Westervelt, Library of Congress, Washington, DC