Thursday, June 21, 2012

HEMLOCK By: Kathleen Peacock Young Adult

HEMLOCK  By: Kathleen Peacock
Since the brutal murder of Mackenzie's best friend, Any, Mackenzie's life has been turned upside down. Amy has been haunting her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac's hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy's killer: A white werewolf. To make matters worse, Lupine syndrome (aka the werewolf virus) is on the rise across the country. People keep trying to hide their symptoms, but blood lust is hard to control. Mac wants desperately to put an end to her nightmares, so she decides to investigate Amy's murder herself. But there are secrets and danger lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, and Mac has just gotten herself thrown into the middle of it all. Ages 14 and up. Katherine Tegen Books. $17.99 Reviewed by Maggie.

LUCKY FOOLS By: Coert Voorhees

LUCKY FOOLS  By: Coert Voorhees
It has always been David Ellison's dream to act at Julliard, but he's expected to attend nearby Stanford University, just like all of his classmates at hard-driving Oak Fields Prep. As is "wasting" his private school education weren't enough, David has basically destroyed his relationship with his girlfriend, Ellen, when he fins himself falling for his new co-star, Vanessa. David's Julliard audition is quickly approaching, his relationship is hanging on by just a thread, and, as if that wasn't enough, a mysterious prankster has begun to attack the Oak Field's greatest achievers, attempting to destroy their changes at college. Anyone could be next, even David, and he's terrified. Ages 12 and up. Hyperion $16.99 Reviewed by Maggie

SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY By: Susan Dennard Young Adult

SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY By: Susan Dennard
Eleanor Fitt is in trouble. Her brother has gone missing, her family has lost nearly all of its money, and her mother is determined to marry her off to a rich man as soon as possible. But all of this seems trivial after Eleanor comes face to face with the walking dead on her way home from the post office. And then, during the frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor from her brother. It seems that whoever is controlling the Dead has taken her brother. If Eleanor really wants to see him again she has to venture into the lab on the infamous Spirit-Hunters, a group of misfits who protect the city from the super natural. But the more time Eleanor spends with the Spirit-Hunters, including their frustratingly stubborn inventor, Daniel, the more danger Eleanor puts herself. Now, not only is her brother's life on the line, but hers as well. Ages 13 and up.. Harper Teen  $17.99 Reviewed by Maggie

OF POSEIDON By: Anna Banks Ages 13 and up

OF POSEIDON  By: Anna Banks
Sent from his watery home, Galen, a Syrena prince, must search the land for a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. While Emma is on vacation at the beach she runs into Galen...literally. Both Galen and Emma sense a connection, but Galen's not fully convinced the Emma's the one he's been looking for. That is, until a deadly encounter with a shark proves that Emma is exactly what he's been sent to find. The only problem is Emma has no idea what she is or the power she posses. But her Gift may be the only thing that can save his kingdom. He needs her help, no matter what the risk. Ages 13 and up. Feiwel and Friends $17.99 Reviewed by Maggie.

ARISE By: Tara Hudson Book Two Hereafter Series Young Adult

ARISE  By: Tara HudsonThe second book in the Hearafter series, ghost girl Amelia-still caught between life and death--must fight for every moment of her relationship with her human boyfriend Joshua. They can hardly even kiss without Amelia suddenly dematerializing. In search of answers, they go to visit some of Joshua's Seer relatives in New Orleans. But in a city so full of the supernatural, Amelia ends up with more questions than answers and finds herself on the run from a mysterious group, determined to destroy her. Wandering through the French Quarter, meets Gabrielle, another ghost girl. Somehow, against impossible odds, Gaby has found a way to live a sort of half-life...a half-life for which Amelia would pay any price. torn between tow worlds, Amelia must choose carefully, before the evil spirits catch up to her, ending her existence and any chance of being with Joshua. Ages 13 and up. Harper Teen $17.99 Reviewed by Maggie.

UNRAVELING By: Elizabeth Norris Young Adult

UNRAVELING  By: Elizabeth Norris
Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed. She know that she is dad, she feels herself leaving her body, but the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner form her high school, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, Janelle knows that Ben has somehow brought her back to life. But her reincarnations, and Ben's strange powers, are only the first of a series of strange events that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI-agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seem to be counting down to something horrible. And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened points to the end of the world. As the clock ticks down, Janelle must race to stop the countdown and save everyone she loves. Ages 13 and up. Balzer and Bray $17.99  Reviewed by Maggie.

TRANSCENDENCE By: C.J. Omololu

TRANSCENDENCE  By: C. J. Omololu
After a visit to the Tower of London triggers an unnervingly real vision of a beheading that occurred hundreds of years ago, Cole Ryan thinks she's losing her mind. A tour guides son, Griffon Hall, comes to her aid, but their immediate connection frightens Cole, as she suddenly has memories from a life that she never lived. Griffon explains that he a Cole are members of the Akhet-an elite group of people who can remember past lives and use their collected wisdom for the good of the world. But not all Akhet are good, and a rogue is after Cole to avenge their shared past. Now in extreme danger, Cole must piece together clues from many lifetimes. What she finds could ruin her chance at future with Griffon, but risking his love my be the only way to save them both. Ages 12 and up. Walker $16.99 Reviewed by Maggie.

DOUBLE By: Jenny Valentine

DOUBLE  By: Jenny Valentine
After being mistaken for a missing boy, Cassiel, sixteen year old Chap's life makes a dramatic change. Having been on the run for years Chap has never really had a place to call home. As he begins to embrace his new identity, he gains the friends, family, and love he has always dreamed about. But blending into someones else's life isn't as easy as Chap hoped. Chap isn't the only one with secrets, and the farther he walks in Casiels' shoes the more he begins to uncover about Cassiel's disappearance and the more he begins to realize that he's in deep, deep danger. Ages 12 and up. Hyperion $16.99 Reviewed by Maggie

REVOLUTION By: Jennifer Donnelly

REVOLUTION                                                                    By: Jennifer Donnelly                                                    
 Andi Alpers is losing control. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for falling apart, heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman, and she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.
Alexandrine Paradis lived in Paris over two hundred years ago. She had always dreamed of performing, but after encountering a doomed prince of France she finds herself cast in a tragic role she never wanted.
These girls lived two centuries apart, completely unaware of each other’s existence, until Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary. She recognizes something in the other girl’s words and begins to find comfort in the diary’s antique pages. But then, on a midnight journey through the Paris catacombs, Alexandrine’s words transcend time, and suddenly the past becomes the terrifying present.
Ages 14 and up. $8.99 Ember  Reviewed by Maggie.

A WORLD AWAY By: Nancy Grossman

A WORLD AWAY  By: Nancy Grossman
Eliza Miller has never made a phone callnever been to the mall, and never seen a movie. In fact, she's never even talked to someone her age who isn't Amish, like her. So when she leaves her family to spend the summer as a nanny in Chicago, part of her can't wait to leave behind her Amish home. She never imagined the secrets she would uncover, the friends she would make, and the temptations of a way of life so different from her own. And she certainly never imagined she would meet a guy like Josh. Every minute Eliza spends with her new friend is an adventure of its own, and she starts to wonder if there might be a place for her in his world. But as the summer comes to an end she begins to miss the family and friends that she left behind, and the simple life she once took for granted. Eliza has to decide for herself where she belongs. But whichever choice she makes, she knows she will lose someone she loves. Ages 12 and up.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

CHLOE By: Peter McCarty

CHLOE  By: Peter McCarty
Chloe is the middle child, she has ten older brothers and sisters and ten younger brothers and sisters.
She loves her family just the way it is. But one day Dad brings something home that changes everything. Chloe is not happy with the new television. She wants to play and only one sibling will play with her, until she gets creative with the box. Ages 2-6 $16.99  Balzer and Bray

ON MY WAY TO THE BATH By: Sarah Maizes Ages 3-6

ON MY WAY TO THE BATH  By: Sarah Maizes
Livi's mother is trying to get her to the bathtub. But on the way, she makes a few detours.  "On my way to the bath, I see my blocks on the TV room floor. I will make a statue. It will be a statue of me. Holding a cat." The illustrations are hilarious and it just takes a few more detours to arrive in the tub. I think all of us will relate to this clever story. $15.99 Walker Ages 3-6

LITTLE DOG LOST By: Marion Dane Bauer Ages 8-12

LITTLE DOG LOST  By: Marion Dane Bauer
Mark wants a dog more than anything else in the world. But his mother won't let him have one. So everyday he goes and plays with his friends and their dogs, and one cat who thinks he's a dog. On the other side of town their is a dog left by his owner, for he had to move. Buddy is a sweet dog left with an old lady who isn't overly fond of dogs. So she digs a hole under the fence and runs away. Will the two meet and live happily ever after? A great read, especially for those of us who love animals. Ages 8-12
Antheneum  $14.99

MONUMENT 14 By: Emmy Laybourne Young Adult, content

MONUMENT 14   By: Emmy Laybourne
When a monster hailstorm attacks two school buses they take refuge in a superstore. Only one bus driver survives and goes to seek help, leaving the children in charge. But the hailstorm was only the beginning, a chemical weapon spill has made living outside the store impossible, and they are on their own. Six high school kids, two eighth graders, and six little kids. Things would be great if everyone got along, but big problems arise. They have to cook, find places to sleep, assign jobs for everyone and seal off the store from the chemicals outside. The story is riveting, however there is sexual content in the story, so it should be read by a more mature reader. Recommended age group is 13 on up. $16..99  Feiwel and Friends  Coming in July 2012

CHAINED By: Lynne Kelly Ages 10-14

CHAINED By: Lynne Kelly
When ten year old Hastin's sister becomes ill his family has to borrow money to pay for a doctor. His mother has to work for the person to repay the debt. But when Hastin sees how he is treating his mother he finds someone to pay the debt. Thus making him responsible for the money. So begins his adventure with a cruel circus owner. He is told that he will only have to work a year to pay for his debt . Living in the hay until they capture the elephant. When Nandita is captured Hastin falls in love with her, but when they start hitting her to get her to perform Hastin wants to run away with the elephant. All to soon Nandita is in chains and any opportunity to escape is gone. Will Hastin figure out how to get he and his precious elephant away? A remarkable story that will tear at your heart strings. $16.99  Ages 10-14  Farrar Straus Giroux

FROM WHAT I REMEMBER By: Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas 14 and up.

FROM WHAT I REMEMBER  By: Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas
It started with an English paper, two unwilling partners, and a truck of stolen electronics. After that the details get kind of fuzzy. Somehow Kylie Flores and Max Langston have ended up in Tijuana together, sharing a bed, with wedding rings on their fingers. With no passports, no cell phone service, and no car they have no way to get back home. And graduation is less than twenty four hours away. Max and Kylie have no idea how things could have gotten so out of hand so quickly, but one thing is blatantly clear: if they want to make it to graduation they are going to have to set aside their differences and work together to find a way home and figure out how they ended up like this in the first place. Ages 14 and up. Hyperion $16.99  Reviewed by Maggie.

ONCE By: Anna Carey Ages 13 and up.

ONCE  By: Anna Carey
After learning the terrifying fate of her and her classmates, Eve fled to the wilds of Califia, a haven for women determined to escape the oppressive rule of the king of New America. But Eve's freedom came at a cost. He had to leave her friends to become unwilling surrogates to repopulate New America, and she was forced to lave Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone in the wilds. Soon Eve finds that her sacrifices may have been in vain. Califia is not as it seems and Eve quickly finds herself in the City of Sand and the palace of the king. While there she uncover the truth behind her capture. Eve is meant to fill an unbelievable role, but excepting will mean losing Caleb and becoming the one thing eve said she would never become. Ages 13 and up. $17.99 HarperCollins Reviewed by Maggie age 17.

PARTIALS By: Dan Wells Ages 14 on up.

PARTIALS   By: Dan Wells
It's the year 2065 and the human race has been almost entirely wiped out; the human's war with the Partials has left only a few hundred thousand survivors and every new baby born only lives for a few days before it succumbs to the RM virus and dies. Kira and her friends are some of the few left on the planet and they are determined to do everything int heir power to cure the terrible RM disease. But no matter what they try, no matter what they do, nothing is working. All hope seems lost. Then one day, by pure luck, Kira discovers something that will help cure RM. The only problem is, to get to her fiends and she will have to travel into the wilderness and into Paritals' territory to get it. And no one ever returns from the Partials.  Ages 14 and up. $17.99 Balzer and Bray  Reviewed by Maggie age 17.

FALL FROM GRACE By: Charles Benoit Ages 13 and up.

FALL FROM GRACE  By: Charles Benoit
"I need you to steal something for me."
Those are the first words that Grace says to Sawyer, and it's then that Sawyer's life changes forever. Grace is alluring and funny and adventurous, all things that Sawyer is not. He can't help but be attracted to her. So when Grace tells him about her plan to be rich and famous, Sawyer hops right on board. It's not like he had any plans of his own anyway. In hindsight he probably shouldn't have helped her steal that painting or lies to his parents or cheated on his girlfriend, but you only live once right? Ages 13 on up. $17.99 Harper Teen  Reviewed by Maggie age 17.

CODE NAME VERITY By: Elizabeth Wein Ages 14 on up.

CODE NAME VERITY  By: Elizabeth Wein
When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she knows she doesn't stand a chance. A secret agent caught in enemy territory, she is given one simple choice: write down everything she knows about the British Was Effort or face the firing squad. So pen in hand, she begins to weave the story of her past, how she become best friends with a pilot named Maddie, and why she ended up leaving Maddie in the wreckage of their plane. Verity writes page after page, each word a fight for her life. But trading her secrets might not be enough to save her from the enemy. Ages 14 and up. $16.99 Hyperion  Reviewed by Maggie age 17.

TEMPTATION By: Alisa Valdes Ages 14 on up

TEMPTATION  By: Alisa Valdes
Shane was driving to her violin practice on a lonely stretch of highway when she crashed her car. Glass, metal, and blood everywhere, Shane was struggling to stay alive, when out of nowhere a boy named Travis appeared and saves her. With one simple touch he mended her broken bones and healed every cut. Shane is instantly attracted to Travis, and for the first time ever she believes in soul mates. But there is something strange about her savior, something supernatural, and his presence in Shane's life is stirring up a whole lot of trouble. Ages 14 and up. $8.99 Harper Teen  Reviewed by Maggie age 17.

SWEET EVIL By: Wendy Higgins Ages 13 and up

SWEET EVIL  By: Wendy Higgins
Anna has always been a good girl, with a gift. Ever since she was a child she could see and feel the emotions of of other people. Anna knows that her powers are strange, so ti doesn't really come as a shock to her when, on her sixteenth birthday, she learns her true heritage--she is the daughter of a guardian and demon. Anna has always been a good girl, but she has always felt a pull toward her demon side. And that pull is only strengthened when she meets Kaidan, the alluring, extremely handsome son of the demon of lust. She is immediately attracted to him, but with Kaidan in her life everything starts to fall out of control. Anna is now in incredible danger and the only way to save herself is to embrace her demon side. Ages 13 and up.  Harper teen $8.99 Reviewed by Maggie age 17.