New YA Books

Too Many for Details

2008-04-08T15:28:00.010-04:00

Wow! A big pile of stuff hit the shelf in the last couple of days. So many, in fact, that I don't have time to give much info on them. This will basically just be a list. Here goes:

From Kate Brian's Private series (yes, they're chick books):

Inner Circle

Invitation Only

Untouchable

Confessions

Legacy

and Private

For fans of Daughters ofthe Moon who have been hoping for something new from Lynne Ewing, we now have the first 3 in the Sisters of Isis series:

Enchantress

Divine One

and Summoning

Icebound Land is the latest in John Flanagan's Rangers Apprentice series.

We have 2 more in Eric Nylund's Halo series inspired by the video game:

Fall of Reach

and First Strike

Cross My heart and Hope to Spy is the newest by Ally Carter, sequel to I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You.

2 new ones from Hilari Bell:

Shield of Stars is the first in a new series called The Shield, Sword and Crown.

Last Knight is the first in the Knight and Rogue series.

Dragon and Herdsman by Timothy Zahn is the latest in the Dragonback series.

Final Warning is the latest in James Patterson's Maximum Ride series.

Blaze of Silver is the latest in K.M. Grant's The DeGranville Trilogy.

Time's Memory by Julius Lester

HIVE::Higher Institute of Villainous Education by Mark Walden

The Spell Book of Listen Taylor by Jaclyn Moriarty

The New Policeman by Kate Thompson

I Am Rembrandt's Daughter by Lynn Cullen

The Death Collector by Justin Richards (I'm in the middle of this one right now. It's not bad! Look for a review soon.)

Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick

A Thief in the House of Memory by Timothy Wynne-Jones

Undercover by Beth Kephart

The Luxe by Anna Godberson

Right Behind You by Gail Giles

The Princess and the Hound by Mette Harrison

Elissa's Quest by Erica Verrillo

Paint the Wind by Pam Munoz Ryan

Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman

Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata

Bread and Roses Too by Katherine Paterson

Brooklyn Rose by Ann Rinaldi

Um Like Om: A Girl Goddess's Guide to Yoga is just what it sounds like.

Phew!! Enjoy!

New Fantasy

2008-03-26T15:40:00.006-04:00

A small pile of new books just hit the shelves, including, for fantasy lovers:

The entire 5 book Lost Years of Merlin series by T. A. Barron. A young boy with no name, home or memory soon discovers that he holds special powers. That boy is actually the young Merlin.

Voices by Ursula Le Guin is a companion to Gifts. In this one has Memer, a young girl, taking on a pivotal role in an attempt to free her countries from oppressors who believe that the written word is evil.

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia McKillip has a young girl who's only companions have been magical creatures called to her mountain by wizardry, suddenly caring for a baby.

Elske by Cynthia Voight is the story of 13-year-old Elske, who escapes rape and certain death at the hands of barbaric leaders and later becomes handmaiden to a rebellious noblewoman whose rightful throne she helps to reclaim.

Cannibals, Death, and Brothers

2008-03-07T12:12:00.007-05:00

A few more new books have trickled in. Here's some detail:

Are We There Yet? by David Levithan has 16-year-old Elijah and his 23-year-old brother Danny, polar opposites who barely tolerate each other, being tricked by their parents to go on a trip to Italy together. While there, Elijah falls for a girl who later decides that she really likes Danny, leading both brothers to examine their lives and relationship.

10 Things to Do Before I Die by Daniel Ehrenhaft. As a joke, Ted's friends make a list of things he really should do before he dies. When Ted finds out that he's been poisoned and only has 24 hours to live, it's time to pull out the list.

The Cannibals is the sequel to Iain Lawrence's The Convicts (see What Mrs. N's Been Reading - The Convicts for my review of that one). In this one, Tom and Midgely escape from the prison ship taking them to Australia, and head for a remote Pacific island.

New and Continuing Series

2008-03-06T11:46:00.009-05:00

Another pile just hit my desk. Included are additions to some popular series as well as the first book in a few new ones and a few stand-alones.

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard. If you've run the other chick series and are looking for a new one, this could be just what you've been waiting for. As an added bonus, this one has a mystery twist, as one of the group of friends has disappeared.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare is another in the growing list of urban fantasies, with young Clary able to see strange creatures and entering the world of the Shadowhunters who are charged with killing demonic creatures.

To Hawaii With Love by Michael Spradlin is the latest Spy Goddess book. In this one Rachel and her gang head for Hawaii (sounds real good about now!) to get hold of an artifact before the evil Simon Blankenship can.

Slawter by Darren Shan is the latest in the Demonata series. This one has Grubbs and Bill-E on the set of a horror movie.

Forging the Sword by Hilari Bell is the third in the Farsala trilogy.This one has the Farsalan resistance trying to hold off the Hrum.

Darkness Creeping is a collection of twisted tales by the always twisted Neal Shusterman. If you're looking for horror in short doses, this collection of short stories is for you.

House of the Red Fish by Graham Salisbury picks up one year after Under the Blood-Red Sun, as Tomi deals with anti-Japanese-American attitudes while attempting to rescue his father's fishing boat, sunk in the canal by the army's attack after Pearl Harbor.

The Eternal Flame by T.A. Barron is the third in the Great Tree of Avalon series. Three unlikely heroes must pull off seemingly impossible tasks to save Avalon.

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima. 16-year-old Jack thinks he has a heart condition until he forgets to take his medicine and discovers that he is actually extremely powerful and a member of an underground society of magical people that are separated into 2 warring factions, each of which wants Jack to fight for their side in a magical tournament for power.

Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett continues the adventures of Tiffany Aching and the Wee Free Men. If you love Terry Pratchett's twisted sense of humor, that's all I need to say. If you're a lover of twisted humor and haven't yet checked out Pratchett, start with The Wee Free Men.

Last of That Last Batch - More Sequels and Series

2008-02-26T12:52:00.006-05:00

OK, here's the last of that big batch from last week. It's more sequels and additions to series.

The Dark Flight Down by Marcus Sedgwick is the sequel to The Book of Dead Days. In this one, Valerian is now dead, and Boy is captured and imprisoned in the palace of Emperor Frederick III, who is obsessed with finding a way to become immortal.

Blood Brother by Malcolm Rose is the latest in the Traces series about a futuristic teenage forensic investigator. In this one, Luke and his robotic sidekick, Malc, are assigned to a hospital with a mysteriously high rate of fatalities. As Luke investigates anumber of suspicious patient deaths, he meets his long-lost father, a doctor who practices alternative medicine at the hospital. But this is no happy family reunion, as Luke's father's DNA is connected to several of the crimescenes, making him Luke's prime suspect.

Viking Warrior by Judson Roberts is the first in the Strongbow Saga. 14-year-old Halfdan, the son of a cheiftain and a princess, lives as a slave in Denmark in A.D. 845 but through a tragic bargain he gains his freedom and sets out to claim his birthright. If you like those bloody old Saxon battles, you'll probably love this one

The Riddle by Alison Croggon is the second in the Book of Pellinor series. Maerad's powers grow stronger by the day but now she and her mentor, Cadvan, are being hunted by both the Light and the Dark, and must unravel the Riddle of the Treesong before their fractured kingdom erupts in chaos.

It Had to Be You by Sabrina Jordan is from the First Kisses series. Emma, who gives love advice under her "Dear Daisy" junior high school column, wonders if she is really qualified since she can't even get her cute next door neighbor to ask her out.

Flawless by Sara Shepard is from the Pretty Little Liars series. This looks like a series that you really should read in order, with a continuing storyline. This one is #2. I also ordered #1 at the same time, but it's not in yet - don't ask me why. Anyway, I'd hold out for #1, Pretty Little Liars. The series deals with the disappearance of one of a group of teenage friends.

Secrets of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita is the first in a series about a teenage celebrity, 16-year-old actress Kaitlin, who assumes a new identity to experience the life of a "normal" teenager.

New Books By Favorite Authors

2008-02-25T11:58:00.007-05:00

As promised, here are some more of those new Teen books that came in last week.

Airman by Eoin Colfer takes place in the late 19th century. Conor Broekhart discovers a conspiracy to overthrow the king, is branded a traitor, imprisoned, and forced to mine for diamonds under brutal conditions while he plans a daring escape from Little Saltee prison off the Irish coast by way of a flying machine that he must design, build, and trust to carry him to safety. This one looks quite good, but it's Colfer, so what else would you expect?

A Coming Evil by Vivian Vande Velde combines a ghost story with the German occupation of France during WWII. 13-year-old Lisette meets a ghost while living with her aunt who harbors Jewish and Gypsy children in the French countryside.

The Book of Mordred, also by Vivian Vande Velde takes place in Camelot. Mordred has been characterized a lot of different ways, depending on the author. This book looks at him through the eyes of three women who love him, including young Keira, a girl who can foretell the fate of her world.

Jinx by Meg Cabot mixes a love story with the supernatural. 16-year-old Jean "Jinx" Honeychurch, the descendant of a witch, leaves Iowa to live with relatives in Manhattan after her first spell goes bad. She'll need to brush up on her skills to stop her cousin from practicing black magic that could endanger both them and the boy they both like.

Blind Faith by Ellen Wittlinger deals with coping with the death of loved ones. While coping with her grandmother's sudden death and her mother's resulting depression and fascination with a spiritualist church, whose ministers claim to communicate with the dead, 15-year-old Liz finds herself falling for a new neighbor whose mother is dying of leukemia.

Diva by Alex Flinn is a different take on the "teen wants to be a famous star" genre. In this one, 16-year-old Cailin want to be an opera star.

Lucky T by Kate Brian takes place in a locale that's a bit unusual for a Teen book - Calcutta. Carrie's mom accidentally donates her lucky t-shirt to a charity called Help India, and Carrie's goes halfway around the world to get it back.

New Sequels and Series

2008-02-21T17:27:00.006-05:00

A big pile of books hit my desk this morning. I'll do this in a couple of posts over the next couple of days, but to start, here are the sequels and series.

Faerie Lord by Herbie Brennan, is the 4th in the series that started with Faerie Wars. This one has Henry and Blue trying to stop a plague that is making the inhabitants of the faerie realm age far too quickly. Surprisingly, the hold list is short on this one today. I suspect that will change quickly when people realize that it's available.

It Had to Be You by Cecily Von Ziegesar, is the prequel to the Gossip Girl series. That pretty much sums this one up.

Payback by Melody Carlson is the latest in the Secret Life of Samantha McGregor series. This one has Samantha trying to prevent the violence that she has visions of happening at the prom.

True Talents and Hidden Talents by David Lubar is a series about a group of boys at an alternative school who discover that they have psychic powers.

We now have 4 books in Clare Bell's series, The Named - Ratha's Creature, Clan Ground, Ratha and the Thistle Chaser and Ratha's Challenge. This series follows a group of intelligent cats, 25 million years in the past. If you finished the Redwall series and the Warriors series, you might want to check these out.

Voyage of the Slaves by Brian Jacques is the latest in the Flying Dutchman series. Continuing their adventures through space and time, Ben and Ned find themselves in the Mediterranean in 1703, pursued by Barbary slave traders.

A lot of good stuff! Check 'em out. Look for more in the next couple of days.

Early Beach Reads?

2008-02-19T15:14:00.003-05:00

A few new books just hit the shelf. Sorry guys, but these are essentially beach "chick books."

My Almost Epic Summer by Adele Griffin has 14-year-old Irene dreaming of being a hairstylist to the stars but ends up babysitting for the summer. Then she meets Starla, a gorgeous lifeguard with attitude, a the summer gets more interesting.

In The Bermudez Triangle, by Maureen Johnson, the longstanding friendship between 3 girls is tested when 2 of them find themselves attracted to each other. This one is for more mature teens.

Camp Confidentials, the end of the Withern Rise trilogy, and a Rum Running Mystery

2008-01-18T16:39:00.000-05:00

Here's what hit the shelf today:

Reality Bites and Hide and Shriek by Melissa J. Morgan. These are both part of the Camp Confidential series, which was quite popular with people who turned in book reviews during Teen Summer Reading 2007. They take place at a summer camp.

The Underwood Sea by Michael Lawrence is the end of the Withern Rise trilogy (see my review of A Crack in the Line What Mrs. N's Been Reading - A Crack in the Line .) I really liked the first one and expect this to be good as well. If you like the alternate realities storylines you'll enjoy this series.

Black Duck by Janet Taylor Lisle is a story about rum running off the coast of Rhode Island during the 1920's.

Sonnenblick, Feddor and Martin Just In

2008-01-17T15:43:00.000-05:00

There are a few new books trickling in. This batch includes the following:

Notes From the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick, the author of Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. When 16-year-old Alex is assigned community service at a nursing home, he befriends a crotchety old guy, who teaches him about jazz guitar, love and forgiveness. I just love the cover - a picture of a garden gnome in the driver's seat of a car.

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor, is a twisted re-imagining of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Birdwing by Rafe Martin is a continuation of the Grimms fairy tale the Six Swans. In the Six Swans, six brothers are turned into swans. In this story, a sister sacrifices to save them from the curse but one brother isn't completely transformed. This is his story.

Reeve, Bray, Haddix and More

2008-01-10T12:53:00.000-05:00

A very varied group of books by some wonderful, familiar authors just hit the shelf. There should be something for everyone. Check 'em out!

Larklight by Philip Reeve
The author of Mortal Engines ( a book I highly recommend - just don't read the blurb on the back cover - makes it sound really stupid) has started another unique fantasy series, this one set in space but in an alternate reality in the Victorian Era. I'm in the middle of reading this one, and am really enjoying it. Look for my review soon.

The House on the Gulf by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The author of the very popular Shadow Children series, brings us a standalone suspense novel about a house-sitting opportunity gone very bad.

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
The conclusion of the trilogy that started with A Great and Terrible Beauty, has the Order fighting for control of the realms, the burned East Wing of Spence Academy being rebuilt, and Gemma and her friends seeing a changed Pippa.

The Secret Under My Skin by Janet McNaughton
It's 2368, and humanity is struggling to recover from a technocaust that has left a generation of orphans in its wake. Strict government regulations convince people that technology is dangerous; confusion and fear rule the earth. When Blay, a government work-camp orphan, is chosen for a special mission by a guardian of the environment she begins to discover that all may not be as it seems.

New Fear Street

2007-12-21T10:47:00.000-05:00

Not much new coming in at this time of year, but good news for fans of R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. We just got 2 new ones in.

Switched - Switching minds and/or bodies with someone else might sound like classic Disney fare, but with R.L. Stine you know there will be a wicked twist.

Secret Admirer - An actress getting flowers from a fan. No big deal, right? Not unless other events lead her to believe that the "fan" wants her dead.

All Mates Together

2007-11-29T15:24:00.000-05:00

Just one new one in. It's Cathy Hopkins' All Mates Together, the latest in the Truth or Dare series. This one has the gang playing Truth or Dare at a sleepover celebrating the end of their high school days.

New Horowitz, Zevin and More

2007-11-20T15:57:00.000-05:00

This time of year we're not getting a whole lot of new materials in, but a few hit the shelf recently.

The latest in Anthony Horowitz' Alex Rider series, Snakehead is here (sort of - there's a hold list but the last time I checked it wasn't nearly as long as I expected.) This one has Alex uncovering some information about his parents, while on a mission.

Gabrielle Zevin's (of Elsewhere fame, an excellent book if you haven't already read it) Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, has a young girl losing her memory of the last four years, after a nasty fall, causing her to reassess her life.

I'd Tell You I Love You But then I'd Have to Kill You (I don't know if the book's any good or not, but I love the title) by Ally Carter, has Cammie, the daughter of a former CIA operative and sophomore at a spy school, meeting a local boy which throws a wrench in her life.

New Westerfeld, Grant, and Hale

2007-10-01T14:25:00.000-04:00

Only a few new things in today's batch, they look like really good ones.

Extras by Scott Westerfeld is the latest in the Uglies series. I loved the first one in this series (see What Mrs. N's Been Reading ) and the books are never on the shelf. I expect this to be the same.

How the Hangman Lost His Heart is by K.M. Grant who also wrote the DeGranville Trilogy which started with Blood Red Horse. I really liked that one as well (see What Mrs. N's Been Reading - Blood Red Horse ). This one is the story of a young girl, Alice, whose uncle was executed for treason in 1746 England. When Alice tries to reclaim her uncle's head from the pike on which it was displayed, to give it a proper burial, she ends up on the run from the king's soldiers with the help of the executioner. If no one has this one on hold, I may take it home. Looks good.

Book of a Thousand Days is by Shannon Hale who also wrote The Princess Academy (see What Mrs. N's Been Reading - The Princess Academy ) and the Books of Bayern series which started with The Goose Girl. This one is a retelling of a forgotten Brothers Grimm tale. I expect this to be a good one as well.

After the Wreck...

2007-09-25T11:44:00.000-04:00

The exciting news today was the pile of video games that came in, but there was also one Teen book in the pile. It was Joyce Carol Oates', After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away. It's the story of 15-year-old Jenna's struggle to come to terms with the car accident that killed her mother and nearly took Jenna's life as well. Check it out!

Installments of Samantha McGregor, The Door Within, and More

2007-09-20T15:33:00.000-04:00

Here's the latest new Teen stuff to hit the shelf:

Playing With Fire by Melody Carlson is the latest installment of the Secret Life of Samantha McGregor series. In this one Sam has a dream about an explosion in a place which may be associated with illegal drugs.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Leviathan is a he said/she said told in alternating chapters, about a guy who asks a girl to be his girlfriend for five minutes to avoid his ex.

The Final Storm is the last installment of The Door Within series by Wayne Batson. In this one, Paragor, the Wyrm Lord, and the deadly Seven Sleepers unite against the followers of King Eliam.

Fly on the Wall: How One Girl Saw Everything by e. lockhart. When Gretchen Yee wishes she were a fly on the wall of the boys locker room, she never dreams that wish might actually come true. This one is for older teens.

Eclipse and Knife Edge

2007-09-11T15:07:00.000-04:00

Wow, it seems like forever since I've posted to this site. We have been getting new stuff in, but I was so swamped with Teen Summer Reading stuff that I just never got to posting them. Two sequels just hit my desk today so it seemed like a good time to get back into the swing of things.

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer is the long-awaited sequel to Twilight and New Moon. I actually ordered this a while ago, but it was so popular that our distributor was temporarily out. Nice to finally get a few copies in so we can we start making a dent in the line of holds on this one.

Knife Edge by Malorie Blackman is the sequel to Naughts and Crosses, later renamed Black and White. I haven't read this one yet, but I really liked Naughts and Crosses (see my review from a while back What Mrs. N's Been Reading - Naughts and Crosses ) so I expect this one to be good as well.

Insiders, Inside Girls, and an It Girl

2007-06-14T14:12:00.000-04:00

Lots of good summer vacation reads just in.

From J. Mintners Insiders series, we now have The Insiders, Take It Off, Pass It On, Hold On Tight, and Break Every Rule. If you like the series' like Gossip Girls, you'll probably enjoy this series as well. Similar style, but the main characters are guys, so if you've been wondering how cute guys think, these may give you a clue.

Also by J. Mintner, we've got 2 from the Insiders Girls series, Inside Girl and Girls We Love. Not hard to figure out what these are all about.

The latest It Girl novel, Unforgettable, by Cecily Von Ziegesar just came in as well.

Enjoy!

One More Audiobook

2007-06-05T15:17:00.000-04:00

One more Teen audiobook has found its way to the shelf. It's Blood Fever , the second one in the Young Bond series by Charlie Higson. I haven't read this book yet, but the first one in the series, Silverfin, was pretty good. This should be a good summer listen.

Idiocy, Robots, Fantasy, and a Chick Book

2007-06-05T14:47:00.000-04:00

Ok, I'll confess I'm a little bit behind here, what with getting ready for Teen Summer Reading (Sign-ups have already started, so if you're not registered yet, get in here!) a rather large stack of new books came in the last week or so that I haven't had time to write up here. I may or may not get back to them. In the meantime a more managable stack also found its way to my desk, and I'm going to give you the scoop on those, and just kind of ignore the big stack for a while. Don't worry, the big stack isn't still on my desk, they have hit the shelves.

If you're a fan of the "stupid crook" stories on the radio, you'll love Hey Idiot! Chronicles of Human Stupidity by Leland Gregory. With chapter headings like Idiotic Excuses, Idiots in Education, Politically Correct Idiots, and Unexplainable Idiots, you can pretty much figure out what this book is all about. It's a collection of short snippets, so you can read just a few and come back later.

How to Survive a Robot Uprising by Daniel Wilson is chock-full of practical advice, with chapter headings like How to Deactivate a Rebel Servant Robot, How to Treat a Laser Wound, How to Establish a Hidden Base in Robot Territory. Paranoid anyone?

The Door Within by Wayne Thomas Batson is the first of a fantasy trilogy that has 3 ancient scrolls beckoning high school student, Aidan Thomas, to enter a realm of knights, kings, and assorted fantasy creatures.

Last Summer by Hailey Abbott is another in the Summer Boys chick book series.

Artemis Fowl on CD

2007-05-24T13:48:00.000-04:00

Just in time for the start of summer car trip season, a few more YA books on CD are coming in. This time it's Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer and Artemis Fowl: the Lost Colony also by Eoin Colfer. Great summer listening that the whole family could enjoy!

On the Head of a Pin and Wish House

2007-05-16T16:28:00.000-04:00

Only 2 new ones in this latest batch, but they look pretty good. Here they are...

The Wish House by Celia Rees is the story of a 15-year-old who discovers that a rather bohemian family has moved into the previously abandoned house where he has spent a great deal of time in the summers. He becomes enamored of the daughter and involved in the family's mysteries. Looks like one for older readers.

On the Head of a Pin by Mary Beth Miller is the story of how an accidental shooting that leaves the local homecoming queen dead, affects the teens that were involved.

Latest A-List, Meg Cabot, Holly Black and More

2007-05-11T15:08:00.000-04:00

Another very diverse pile of books have just hit the YA shelf. Here they are:

Ironside: A Modern Faery's Tale by Holly Black

This is the latest installment of the series that began with Tithe and Valiant. In this one Kaye is sent on a nearly impossible quest to try to release Roiben from the spell of the queen of the Seelie Court.

Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot

Popular Katie doesn't consider herself a liar. She just considers telling the truth a little tricky. But things start to look a little bit different to her when an old middle school friend suddenly reappears in town.

Crushed by Laura and Tom McNeal

17-year-old Audrey's life being turned upside down by the arrival of a mysterious new student and the vicious underground school gossip sheet.

Benny and Babe by Eoin Colfer

13-year-old Benny thinks he can take on the world until he meets tough girl Babe, while spending the summer with his grandfather.

The Killer's Tears by Anne-Laure Bondoux

Angel, a wanted murderer kills the parents of a young boy, Paolo, who he then takes in and cares for. When another man, Luis, enters their lives and teaches the boy to read, Angel and Luis find themselves vying for Paolo's love and attention. Angel's later arrest and Paolo's despair at losing him will challenge readers to examine their views on forgiveness and rehabilitation, on whether violence is ever necessary, and on how environment can influence human actions.

Now You See It by Vivian Vande Velde

When Wendy puts on a pair of sunglasses that she finds on the lawn, they not only correct her horrible vision, but allow her to see things that other people can't - like dead people and a time portal.

Inexcusable by Chris Lynch

This book explores the topics of responsibility and rationalization. Is Keir the good guy that he thinks he is, or is he reckless and irresponsible? And are some things absolutely inexcusable?

Runner by Carl Deuker

17-year-old Chance's love of running gets him a high paying job picking up packages, but is the money worth the risk?

Inventing Elliot by Graham Gardner

When Elliot starts at a new school, he is determined to be a tougher person to avoid the bullying he experienced in his old school. When a group of thugs want him to join their group, he must decide what kind of person he really wants to be.

Heart of Glass by Zoey Dean

The latest A-List novel has Anna and Cammie caught trespassing on a celebrity's beach estate.

Series Additions and a Robert Parker

2007-05-04T10:58:00.000-04:00

Here's what's new in the YA collection today:

Robert Parker (of the Spenser adult dectective series fame) ventures into the world of YA literature with Edenville Owls, a mystery set in a small New England town in the days just after the end of WWII, narrated by 14-year-old basketball player, Bobby Murphy.

Demon Thief is the second installment of Darren Shan's Demonata series. This one has young Cornelius Fleck, who sees strange lights and hears voices, discovering that he has powers that need to be used to hunt the Demonata.

Physik, book three in Angis Sage's Septimus Heap series. Septimus unseals a neglected room, inadvertently releasing the ghost of an evil queen who lived 500 years earlier and awakens with a diabolical plot to make herself immortal.

Latest Carlson, Horowitz and More

2007-05-02T15:22:00.000-04:00

Here's what's new in the last several days:

Nightrise by Anthony Horowitz is the third installment of The Gatekeepers series and continues the struggles of the Gatekeepers against the evil Old Ones.

Tamar: A Novel of Espionage, Passion and Betrayal by Mal Peet interweaves the stories of a Dutch resistance fighter in WWII and his 15-year-old granddaughter, to whom he leaves a box full of clues to his past when he commits suicide in 1995. This one looks very good, but there are holds on it, so I haven't gotten to it yet.

It's Kind of a Funny Story is author Ned Vizzini's humorous account of a New York City teenager's time in a psychiatric hospital after crumbling under the pressure of getting into a fiercely competitive school. Vizzini writes from experience, having spent some time in a psychiatric hospital himself.

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins is written in free verse. It combines the stories of three teens in a psychiatric hospital after attempting suicide. No, we're not suddenly bring tons of books on mental illness. These two just happened to come in at the same time. This one looks much more serious than It's Kind of a Funny Story.

Moon White: Color Me Enchanted is the latest by Melody Carlson. This one has Heather exploring Wiccan spirituality at the urging of her stepmother, but becoming estranged from her Christian friends in the process.

The Trap by John Smelcer is the story of 17-year-old Johnny, an Alaskan Native American, and his grandfather, in alternating chapters. Johnny becomes worried when his grandfather is late coming back from checking his traplines, but it might be disrespectful to begin a search. What he doesn't know is that his grandfather has caught his own leg in one of traps and is just out of reach of his supplies.

New From TokyoPop

2007-04-20T12:00:00.000-04:00

TokyoPop, the folks who publish most of the popular manga series, have branched out into the world of YA novels. I've already written about Kino No Tabi, which I really liked (see What Mrs. N's Been Reading - Kino No Tabi). I just got the first installment of 2 additional series in. I haven't read either of them yet, but they look like they might be pretty good. Check 'em out and let me know what you think.

Magic Moon by Wolfgang and Heike Hohlbein
The Hohlbeins have a reputation for doing top-notch fantasy in Europe. This one has just been translated into English for the first time. Kim enters the realm of Magic Moon where he must battle monsters and fantastical beings to try to unravel the secret that is keeping his younger sister locked in a coma. This one is the first in a planned 3-part series.

Witches' Forest: The Adventures of Duan Surk by Mishio Fuzakawa
This one is based on the RPG world of Fortune Quest. A trio, including the Level 2 player Duan Surk, battles mythical creatures and evil sorceresses in an attempt to free Agnis' mother from an evil spell. This is part 1 of a 4-part series.

Historical Fiction Additions

2007-04-20T11:23:00.000-04:00

Good news for historical fiction buffs - we just added 2 to the YA collection.

Sarah's Ground by Ann Rinaldi is the story of Sarah Tracy, an 18-year-old girl who comes to work at Mount Vernon during the Civil War.

Nine Days a Queen by Ann Rinaldi is the story of Lady Jane Grey, who at the age of 16 became Queen of England, but only for nine days before being executed. Being royalty isn't always all glamor.

Mysteries and More

2007-04-16T11:12:00.000-04:00

Here's the scoop on the new YA books that just hit my desk:

The Angel of Death and The Christopher Killer, both by Alane Ferguson
These are forensic mysteries. The main character is the 17 year-old daughter of a coroner, who works as an assistant in her father's office. I haven't read either of these yet, but according to reviews they are excellent, but very realistic in their descriptions of autopsies and other forensic stuff, and not for the squeamish.

The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie by Jaclyn Moriarty
Bindy Mackenzie believes herself to be the smartest, kindest girl at Ashbury High. Unfortunately, she is alone in that belief. To prove her likability, Bindy decides to document her life in transcripts, essays, and e-mails. What this reveals is a girl who's funny, passionate, hilariously self-righteous...and in danger. Someone wants to kill Bindy Mackenzie. The clues are in the documents. The detectives are the very students who hate her most. And time is running out.

Terrier by Tamora Pierce
Another series set in Tortall, but 200 years before the Song of the Lioness series. This one features Beka Cooper, a rookie law enforcement officer who can communicate with the dead, and uncovers an underworld conspiracy.

The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin
Don't expect Werlin's usual mystery, but do plan on a suspenseful book about 18-year-old Matthew's attempt to rescue himself and his younger siblings from their unstable, abusive mother.

Man vs. Beast by Robert Muchamore
The latest installment of the popular Cherub series has James and the other Cherub agents (a secret branch of British Intelligence made up of teenagers) going up against a radical animal rights group.

Lord Loss by Darren Shan
The first installment in the horror series, The Demonata, has gruesome murders, werewolf lore, family curses and plenty of gore.

Odds 'n Ends

2007-03-28T16:07:00.000-04:00

A few odds 'n ends new things hit my desk today. Here's some detail:

Force Majeure by Christopher Golden and Thomas Sniegoski
20-year-old Shane's research project on weather patterns is commandeered by a covert government agency to be used as a weaponof mass destruction. When he refuses to cooperate with them, he is kidnapped and some of his friends murdered. Can he stop them before they unleash mayhem on the world?

The Schwa Was Here by Neal Shusterman
The story of 8th grader charles Schwa who is "functionally invisible". Chapter titles like "Which Is Worse: Getting Mauled by a Pack of Dogs, or Getting Your Brains Bashed Out by a Steel Poker?" and "Maybe They Had It Right in France Because Getting My Head Lopped Off by a Guillotine Would Have Been Easier" give you a good idea of what to expect.

The Last Treasure by Janet S. Anderson
Thirteen-year-old Ellsworth, starts to have dreams of a house he doesn't remember. The house has a hidden treasure only a child can uncover—the last treasure of the family's eccentric patriarch. Can Ellsworth set the ghosts in the house to rest and uncover the family's last treasure—or will the secrets of the past haunt him forever?

Sequels and New Ones from Some Favorite Authors

2007-03-23T15:00:00.000-04:00

Here's the scoop on the latest pile of new books to hit my desk:

A Dangerous Engine by Joan Dash

Dash is also the author of The Longitude Prize, one of my favorite non-fiction YA books. This time her subject is Benjamin Franklin. I haven't read this one yet, but I'd expect it to be good.

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Another author that never disappoints. After getting busted for a prank gone bad, formerly invisible Tyler, enjoys the attention his new reputation gets him at first. But then things get complicated and Tyler has to decide what it really means to be a man.

Room in the Heart by Sonia Levitin

The story of a 15-year-old Jewish girl in Nazi-occupied Denmark.

l8r, g8r by Lauren Myracle

The sequel to ttyl and ttfn covers events leading up to senior prom.

Sunset by Erin Hunter

The latest in the Warriors: The New Prophecy series has Leafpool receiving an ominous warning from StarClan.

It's Not Easy Being Mean by Lisi Harrison

This is the latest in the Clique series. Need I say more?

New Atwater-Rhodes and a New Traces

2007-03-09T15:44:00.000-05:00

Here's what's new today.

Snakecharm by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is the second in the Kiesha'ra series, sequel to Hawksong. In this one Danica is carrying Zane's child and they struggle with the resultant tensions regarding their child's mixed bloodline.

Double Check is the latest in Malcolm Roses's Traces series about a futuristic teen forensic expert. In this one Luke and Malc have only 19 days to try to clear a young man on death row who may not have committed the crime.

4 New True Colors Books and More

2007-03-02T15:46:00.000-05:00

Here's what hit my desk today and will be on the shelf as soon as I'm done here:

Green Jasper by K.M. Grant
This is the sequel to Blood Red Horse, which I liked very much. See What Mrs. N's Been Reading - Blood Red Horse for my complete review. In this one, Will and Gavin are back from the Crusade and must rescue Ellie from an enemy of the king's who is holding her prisoner.

Keeper by Mal Peet
A World Cup soccer player tells a journalist about his youth in the Brazilian rainforest and the people and experiences that made him a great goalkeeper.

Darkhenge by Catherine Fisher
After his sister's accident results in her being comatose, Rob escape is to take a job working at a secret archaeological site, where workers have uncovered a mystical ring of black timbers where an ancient tree has the power to transport Rob to the Unworld. There his sister, Chloe, lives in a forest of enchanting dreams, trapped between life and death.

Melody Carlson's True Colors series :
Torch Red: Color Me Torn
A high school junior wrestles with questions about love and sex.

Faded Denim: Color Me Trapped
A 17-year-old battles an eating disorder.

Pitch Black: Color Me Lost
After a classmate commits suicide, 17-year-old Morgan makes a suicide pact with a group of friends.

Dark Blue: Color Me Lonely
Two sophomore girls, best friends since kindergarten, grow apart when one wants new friends and decides the other is a popularity liability.

A New Fantasy Series and a New Kevin Brooks

2007-02-28T14:58:00.000-05:00

Just got a few additional new books. Details below:

The Road of the Dead by Kevin Brooks

On a storm-ravaged night, a 19-year-old girl is murdered. Three days later, her two younger brothers set out in search of her murderer. Cole, 17, is a dark-eyed devil who doesn't care if he lives or dies, while Ruben, 14, is a strange child who sometimes, inexplicably, experiences sensations above and beyond his own. Their journey takes them from their half-gypsy home on a London junk lot to the ghostly moors of Devon, where they hope and fear to find the truth about their sister's death.

The Secret Country, The Hidden Land, and The Whim of the Dragon by Pamela Dean

In the Secret Country trilogy, cousins Patrick, Ruth, Ellen, Ted, and Laura have played "The Secret"-a game full of witches, unicorns, a magic ring and court intrigue. In it, they can imagine anything into reality, and shape destiny. When they suddenly find themselves in Secret Country at the start of the game, the Country is on the edge of war. Can they stop the war? Will they ever get back home?

New Series Books, Plenty of Pirates and More

2007-02-26T13:50:00.000-05:00

Just got a batch of new stuff in. Here are some details:

Daughter of Destiny series by Jenna Solitaire
We've got all 4 in the series - Keeper of the Winds, Keeper of the Waters, Keeper of the Flames, and Keeper of the Earth. When the last of Jenna's relatives dies, she finds a mysterious board in her grandfather's attic. Jenna becomes the Keeper of the Board and must protect it from those who want its power for nefarious purposes.

The Tenth Power by Kate Constable
This is the third installment of the Chanters of Tremaris trilogy. In this one, Calwyn searches for the missing half of the Wheel of the Tenth Power in hopes of stopping the plague and endless winter that have fallen on her world.

Montmorency and the Assassins: Master Criminal Spy? by Eleanor Updale
Just as Montmorency is thinking that he is rid of his alter-ego, Scarper, he made need him to help a friend who is caught in the middle of a murderous political plot.

Finding Grace by Alyssa Brugman
As Rachel starts college she also takes on the job of caring for Grace, a brain-damaged woman. As she pieces together information about Grace's life, Rachel also learns a lot about herself.

Pirate Curse by Kai Meyer
Two fourteen-year-old "polliwogs"--humans who can walk on water--rely on a mysterious figure known as the Ghost Trader and a band of pirates to help them escape from the evil that is chasing them.

Pirate's Passage by William Gilkerson
An eccentric old sea captain takes up residence at a small inn run by young Jim and his mother. The captain's presence soon becomes invaluable- and Jim and his mother will never be the same again. But who is this odd and mysterious man who tells such engrossing and detailed stories about pirates, whom he likes to call "the Brotherhood of the Sea"?

Heavy Metal and You by Christopher Krovatin
High-schooler Sam begins losing himself when he falls for a preppy girl who wants him to give up getting wasted with his best friends and even his passion for heavy metal music in order to become a better person. For older readers due to some mature content.

Death and the Arrow by Chris Priestley
Fifteen-year-old Tom Marlowe, and the rest of London, is fascinated by a string of murders: People are being killed with arrows shot from above, and each victim has a “Death and Arrow” card with him. Danger and intrigue abound, especially when Tom’s friend, a young pickpocket, is also found murdered. But who would want to kill Will? To avenge his friend, Tom sets out with Dr. Harker, a family friend and retired adventurer, to discover who is behind these seemingly unsolvable murders.

An Unlikely Friendship by Ann Rinaldi
Details the friendship between Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley, a black seamstress.

One Mystery and a Chick Book

2007-02-09T14:25:00.000-05:00

Here's what came in today:

They Never Came Home, by Lois Duncan. When 2 teenage boys disappear while on a camping trip, and a mysterious phone caller claims that one of the boys owes him a lot of money, a nightmare begins for their families.

The Mislaid Magician, or Ten Years After, by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer. This one continues the adventures of Kate and Cecilia from Sorcery and Cecilia and The Grand Tour. It's ten years later and the advent of the railroad is disrupting the underground magic realm endangering all of Britain.

More New Ones - Mostly Chick Books

2007-02-07T16:20:00.000-05:00

Here are a few more of those new books, mostly chick books - sorry guys.

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson. Following the instructions in 13 sealed envelopes provided by her recently deceased aunt, a 17-year-old sets off for the experience of a lifetime, including travels through Europe, that help her understand both her aunt and herself.

Sold by Patricia McCormick, the author of Cut. When the monsoons in Nepal destroy the crops on 13-year-old Lakshmi's family's farm, her stepfather arranges for her to leave their village to become a maid for a rich lady in the city to pay off the family's debt. Instead Lakshmi is sold into a Calcutta brothel, facing unspeakable cruelty and horror, her memories of home all she has to help her endure.

River Secrets by Shannon Hale is a companion to Goose Girl and Enna Burning. This one features Razo, who is chosen to accompany the king's guard on an ambassadorial mission. Razo must hone his skills as a soldier, spy, and diplomat to head off a plot to create war between two countries and meets a woman who controls water in a way similar to Enna's talents with fire.

Two New Orcas and a Chick Book

2007-01-26T12:49:00.000-05:00

Here's what landed on my desk this morning:

The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson has 3 teenage sisters trying to cope with their father's sudden death.

These are both from Orca Publishers. Both the Orca Currents and Orca Soundings series' are great for reluctant readers, or readers who need a lower reading level, but want a more mature, involved storyline. They do a really good job of make the books short and the vocabulary at a lower level, while at the same time not dumbing down the story.

Pigboy by Vicki Grant has a class field trip going badly awry, when a burglar strikes and wants to eliminate all witnesses to the crime. The class nerd has the opportunity to become an unlikely hero.

Tell by Norah McClintock - When David's stepfather is murdered, David becomes a suspect. The police questioning brings out family mysteries and secrets including the earlier death of David's brother under suspicious circumstances.

More Sequels and Series

2007-01-24T13:20:00.000-05:00

Just when I think I'm getting caught up listing the new books coming in more pour in. Good for you, cause it's more good stuff coming in, but it keeps me hopping. What hit my desk today was more series and sequels.

The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld, is the sequel to Peeps. Vampires, a mysterious epidemic, a rock band, and the possibility of a catastrophic end of the world. What more could you want?

Dragon and Slave by Timothy Zahn is the 3rd in the Dragonback series. Jack and Draycos face a sinister intergalactic slavemaster.

The Lion Throne by Jennifer Roberson is a compilation of books 7 and 8 of the Chronicles of Cheysuli.

New Sequels and Series Installments

2007-01-17T15:11:00.000-05:00

Continuing that list of new stuff, here are the latest installments in some series' as well as some sequels.

Things Hoped For by Andrew Clements is a sequel to Things Not Seen.

Crispin: At the Edge of the World by Avi is the sequel to Crispin: The Cross of Lead.

The Key by Marianne Curley is the latest in the Guardians of Time series, which started with The Named and The Dark.

Valentine Princess by Meg Cabot is the latest in the Princess Diaries series, with Mia rereading her account of her first Valentine's Day with Michael.

Quest of the Fair Unknown by Gerald Morris is the latest in the Squire's Tales series. This one has Beaufil receiving deathbed instructions from his mother to find his father, a knight of King Arthur's round table.

The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau is the prequel to The City Of Embers and The People of Sparks, taking place 50 years before the establishment of Ember.

Girl Nearly 16, Absolute Torture by Sue Limb picks up where Girl 15, Charming But Insane left off with Jess's plans for a summer with Fred being interrupted by a road trip with her mother, her granny, and the ashes of her grandfather.

More New Stuff

2007-01-15T13:23:00.000-05:00

Continuing that list of new stuff coming in, check these out:

Niko No Tabi, Book 1 of the Beautiful World by Keiichi Shiqusawa is in! I really liked this one. For my review see What Mrs N's Been Reading: Kino No Tabi

Two war-related books:

An Innocent Soldier by Josef Holub has a young boy tricked into fighting in the Napoleonic Wars in place of his employer's son.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by Joseph Boyne has the son of a Nazi officer befriending a "boy in striped pajamas."

Tons of New Stuff

2007-01-12T15:10:00.000-05:00

Wow! Lots of new books are pouring in from my first order of the year. So many, in fact, that I'll list them over the next several days in a series of postings, with a lot less information than usual just to get them out.
Here goes....

For horror fans:
House Next Door and Blood Brothers (#3 in The Unseen series) both by Richie Tankersley Cusick.

Troy by Adele Geras is an account of the final weeks of the Trojan War from the perspective of the women of Troy.
Not the End of the World by Geraldine McCaughrean is the Biblical story of the ark told from the point of view of Noah's family.

Chick books:
Royally Jacked by Niki Burnham.
6X: The Uncensored Confessions by Nina Malkin.
Forever in Blue by Ann Brashares (the latest in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series.)
Parallel Parking by Natalie Standiford (the latest in The Dating Game series.)
Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski is for old Sabrina fans.

More later.

Ruler of the Realm is in!

2006-12-13T13:58:00.000-05:00

Fans of Herbie Brennan's Faerie Wars Chronicles series are in luck. The 3rd installment, Ruler of the Realm just came in. As the Faeries of the Night and the Faeries of the Light attempt to negotiate a truce, Queen Holly Blue is kidnapped by an unlikely culprit, and the Realm descends into chaos. Enjoy!

New CHERUB and More

2006-12-11T14:00:00.000-05:00

These two new books have come in recently.

Divine Madness by Robert Muchamore, is the latest in the CHERUB series. In this one, a link is discovered between an eco-terrorist group and a wealthy religious cult and James is sent to their isolatated outback headquarters on an infiltration mission. This is a good series. If you haven't tried it yet, start with The Recruit.

Sixteen: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday is a collection of short stories edited by Megan McCafferty and written by some of the best YA authors around, including M. T. Anderson, Tanuja Desai Hidier, David Levithan, Sarah Mlynowski, Sonya Sones, and Ned Vizzini. The subtitle pretty much sums it up.

New Fantasy Series and More

2006-11-29T16:05:00.000-05:00

This time of year the stream of new YA books is down to a trickle, but there are still a few coming in. Here's the latest batch:

The Chronicles of the Cheysuli series by Jennifer Roberson includes the books Shapechanger's Song, Legacy of the Wolf, and Children of the Lion. This is the saga of a warrior race of shapechangers and all 3 are here.

In Hunter's Moon by O.R. Melling, Gwen travels to Ireland to visit her cousin Findabhair, expecting a summer of backpacking, late nights, and the usual road trip adventures. But when Findabhair is kidnapped by the King of Faerie, Gwen must race to save her cousin before the rise of the Hunter's Moon, when the fairies need a human sacrifice.

And finally, the latest installment of Cecily Von Ziegesar's It Girl series, Reckless, is now in. Need I say more?

Batch of New Books In - Something for Everyone

2006-11-15T13:27:00.000-05:00

I just got a handful of books in, ready to hit the shelf. It's an interesting assortment - a little something for everyone. Enjoy!

Peak Survival by Pam Withers
Another in the Take It to the Extreme series. This series is very good. The books are short but action packed. This one is centered around heli-skiing and snowboarding.

Introducing Vivien Leigh Reid, Daughter of the Diva by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout
Fifteen-year-old Leigh is less than thrilled to be packed off to Ireland to spend the summer with her movie star mom.

Rise of a Hero by Hilari Bell
This is the second book in the Farsala Trilogy which started with Fall of a Kingdom. In it, the land of Farsala was facing invasion by the notoriously vicious warrior nation of Hrum. Now, in the second book, Rise of a Hero, the Hrum think they've nearly claimed Farsala, but Soraya, armed with new knowledge, believes she can still defeat the invaders if only she can get to fellow resistance members Jiaan and Kavi in time.

CC (Cape Cod) by Randi Reisfeld
Part of the Summer Share series. A house at the beach. A bunch of hot strangers. A three-month party that's off the hook. That about sums it up.

Nothing But the Truth (and a few white lies) by Justina Chen Headley
Fifteen-year-old Patty Ho, half Taiwanese and half white, never feels like she fits in, but when her overly-strict mother ships her off to Stanford for a math camp, Patty discovers that she's not as miserable as she thought she would be.

Latest in the Warriors:The New Prophecy Series In

2006-11-10T15:27:00.000-05:00

Fans of Erin Hunter's Warriors and Warriors: The New Prophecy series are in luck - and judging by the circulation numbers there are quite a few of you out there. The latest in the Warriors: The New Prophecy series, Twilight, is now in. If you're new to these series they are somewhat like Redwall, in that all of the characters are animals, primarily clans of cats. In this one, the clans are settled into their new lakeside homes, but all is not calm and peaceful as new threats lurk in the shadows and trusted former allies begin to act suspiciously. Firestar's daughters also face some important decisions. There's a hold line on this one but it's not terribly long. If you do decide to put it on hold, a word of caution - make sure you're requesting the right book. There are a gazillion books with Twilight as the title, 3 in YA alone.

Operation Typhoon Shore Now In

2006-11-08T16:30:00.000-05:00

If you enjoyed Joshua Mowll's Operation Red Jericho, your wait for the sequel is over. In Operation Typhoon Shore, Doug and Becca Mackenzie's adventures continue with a typhoon, an army of evil warriors, an erupting volcano, and plenty of other action. This one doesn't seem to have quite as many of the cool diagrams and maps as Operation Red Jericho, but that won't hurt the story.

Mississippi Trial, 1955

2006-11-03T15:20:00.000-05:00

Chris Crowe's Mississippi Trial, 1955 is fiction, but is based on the actual events surrounding the kidnapping and murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in 1955 Mississippi. The story is told through the eyes of a 16-year-old white boy, Hiram Hilburn, who had moved away from the area but is back visiting his grandfather. Hiram knows both Emmett and the people involved in the murder. The story follows from events leading up to the murder through the trial. I haven't read this one yet, but it looks pretty good based on the reviews I've read. Check it out!

Assorted New Stuff

2006-10-30T14:20:00.000-05:00

An interesting assortment of new YA books just hit the shelves. Basically, there's something for everybody, so enjoy!

Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery by John Feinstein combines sports with a mystery. Two teenage sportswriters win all-access passes to the NCAA Final Four as prizes in a writing contest. But when they overhear a coach pressuring a player to throw a key game have just had the scoop of a lifetime fall into their laps, or are their lives are now in danger?

Midsummer Meltdown is the latest in Cathy Hopkins' Truth or Dare series. In this one, Lia's family is planning the party of the decade to celebrate her mom's fortieth birthday. However, events don't go exactly as planned, and the final surprising guest list puts Lia in an awkward position when an old flame turns up and makes a play for her.

For fans of Isabelle Allende's Alexander Cold series, the wait for the final installment is over. In Forest of the Pygmies, Alexander and his crusty, adventurer grandmother travel to Africa on an elephant-led safari, and end up in the middle of the corrupt world of poaching and slavery.

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart can best be summed up by it's subtitle - 15 Guys, 11 Shrink Appointments, 4 Ceramic Frogs, and Me, Ruby Oliver.

And last but not least, fantasy fans might enjoy Wand in the Word. It's a collection of interviews with 13 of today's most popular fantasy writers including Garth Nix, Terry Pratchett, and Philip Pullman.

The Guardians of Time Trilogy Now Complete

2006-10-20T12:53:00.000-04:00

Good news for fans of Marianne Curley's The Guardians of Time trilogy (and judging by the circulation statistics on The Named and The Dark there are a number of you out there) - the final installment, The Key, is now in. In The Key, the Lathenia and the Order of Chaos are getting ready for their final campaign against the Earth, and the Named must find a key hidden in Atlantis in order to stop them.

Beach Books in October?

2006-10-13T13:14:00.000-04:00

Ok, there are 2 different ways to look at the timing of the latest arrivals on YA shelf. If you're a surly cynic, you'll say that they're a couple of months too late. If you're an optimist, you'll say that they're the perfect antidote to the sudden drop in temperature we're experiencing here in south-central Pennsylvania. However you choose to look at it, we now have the first installments of the Summer Boys series by Hailey Abbott, Summer Boys and Next Summer. The cover photos pretty much say it all - sun, sand, surf, and good-looking guys. Sounds like a great way to escape the chilly weather for a few hours. If you're a stickler for reading series books in order, Summer Boys is first.

Newest Artemis Fowl Now In

2006-10-06T15:35:00.000-04:00

Great news for fans of Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series! The latest, The Lost Colony just came in. Here's the scoop on this one:

Ten thousand years ago, humans and fairies fought a great battle for the magical island of Ireland. When it became clear to the fairy families that they could never win, they decided to move their civilization underground and keep themselves hidden from the humans. All the fairy families agreed on this, except the eighth family, the demons. The tainted time spell that has kept the demons at bay for so long is deteriorating, and demons are being flung back to earth. Only Artemis Fowl is smart enough to predict their return--or so he thinks. But there is another mysterious party who has managed to solve when the demons will appear. Can he and Captain Holly Short save the day before it's too late?

New Melody Carlson Books Now In

2006-10-04T13:29:00.000-04:00

We just got 2 more of Melody Carlson's books. Details below.

Bad Connection: The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor Book 1
Kayla Henderson is missing, and everyone, including Samantha McGregor, assumes she ran away--but then Samantha has a vision. If Kayla really is in danger, then time is running out.

Bright Purple: Color Me Confused
Addresses the sensitive issue of homosexuality as Carlson delicately tells a story of both grace and truth that's sure to spark important discussions. When Ramona discovers that her best friend since grade school is a lesbian, she struggles to decide how to respond, knowing that some people in her community and her church have trouble discussing homosexuality civilly.

The Latest "Gatekeepers" Plus a Bestseller

2006-09-20T17:07:00.000-04:00

Two more new YA books just hit our shelves.

The first is the latest installment of Anthony Horowitz' Gatekeepers series, Evil Star, the sequel to Raven's Gate. Matt thought his troubles were over when he closed Raven's Gate, but in fact they are just beginning. His fate--and the fate of the world--is tied to four other kids across the globe. But destiny is going to throw them together as the evil threat of the Old Ones grows.

Endymion Spring by Michael Skelton looks quite interesting and was recently on the New York Times bestsellers list. Here's the blurb from the book jacket:
"You've stumbled on to something much larger than you can possibly imagine." In the dead of night, a cloaked figure drags a heavy box through snow-covered streets. The chest, covered in images of mythical beasts, can only be opened when the fangs of its serpent's-head clasp taste blood. Centuries later, in an Oxford library, a boy touches a strange book and feels something pierce his finger. The volume is blank, wordless, but its paper has fine veins running through it and seems to quiver, as if it's alive. Words begin to appear on the page--words no one but the boy can see. And so unfolds a timeless secret . . .

Latest "A-List" Is In

2006-09-20T13:26:00.000-04:00

The latest in Zoey Dean's The A-List series, American Beauty, just came in. Both copies had holds already so you'll need to get in line.
In this one, as graduation approaches, Anna finds herself attracted to her father's intern and unsure of Ben, Cammie learns more about her mother's death, and Sam tries to win back Eduardo and find her mother.

New "Chick Books"

2006-09-18T13:10:00.000-04:00

Two books just came in that those of you who like "chick books" might want to check out.

Would I Lie to You? is the 10th installment in the always popular Gossip Girls series by Cecily Vov Ziegesar. Not a lot of information available on this one, but fans of the series know what to expect. For one thing, expect a hold line, so pop over to the library website and get on the list.

South Beach Sizzle by Suzanne Weyn has friends Lula and Jeff spicing up their boring lives by entering a local band contest. And spicy it is! Turns out that the hottie Lula keeps running into is also her band's toughest competition! Enrique might seem like the perfect guy, but as things heat up Lula has to wonder: Can she trust her biggest rival with her heart?

Latest in the Clique Series Now In (Sort-of)

2006-09-13T13:26:00.000-04:00

Good news for fans of Lisi Harrison's Clique series - the latest installment, Dial L For Loser, just came in. It's not exactly on the shelf since, as expected, there were already holds on it. But as of just a few minutes ago, the hold line was only 3 deep on 2 copies, so go to the library web-site and get in line!
In this one Claire is cast in a Hollywood film, and as Massie and Alicia report live from the set, Kristen and Dylan keep them posted on events in Westchester County.

Latest in the CHERUB Series Now On the Shelf

2006-09-08T11:42:00.000-04:00

Good news for fans of Robert Muchamore's CHERUB series! The latest installment, The Killing, is now on the shelf - well one copy is anyway. The other one was already on hold, so grab this one while it's in. If you haven't tried this series, check out the first book, The Recruit. It's about a secret group within Britain's MI5, made up of teenagers. Good stuff!

New Stand-Alone YA Books

2006-08-30T15:08:00.000-04:00

I recently posted a list of series books and sequels that have been added to the collection. Here's a list of some new stand-alones that have also come in recently. Check 'em out!

The Blue Girl
By Charles DeLint

New at her high school, Imogene enlists the aid of her introverted friend Maxine and the ghost of a boy who haunts the school after receiving warnings through her dreams that soul-eaters are threatening her life.

Just Listen
By Sarah Dessen

Annabel was “the girl who has everything.” This year, she’s the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong, a reformed bad boy with a commitment to truth-telling. With Owen’s help, maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

Quid Pro Quo
By Vicki Grant

When his mom, a former street kid who became an activist lawyer, disappears, thirteen-year-old Cyril becomes involved in a web of intrigue and deceit. A quick read with plenty of humor as well as suspense.

Looking For Alaska
By John Green

Sixteen-year-old Miles’ first year at Culver Creek Preparatory School in Alabama includes good friends and great pranks, but is defined by the search for answers about life and death after a fatal car crash.

Castle in the Air
By Diana Wynne Jones

If you liked Howl’s Moving Castle, Jones’ book on which the wonderful anime movie is based, check out the sequel. There are good and bad djinns, a genie in a bottle, wizards, witches, cats and dogs (but are they cats and dogs?), and a mysterious floating castle filled with kidnapped princesses, as well as two puzzling prophecies.

Private Peaceful
By Michael Morpurgo

It's the longest night of young Thomas Peaceful's life, as he stands watch over the battlefields of France in WW I, and he spends it thinking back on his life, including lying about his age to enlist in the army with his older brother, and trying not to think about the terrible event scheduled to take place at dawn.

A Room on Lorelei Street
By Mary Pearson

To escape a miserable existence taking care of her alcoholic mother, seventeen-year-old Zoe rents a room from an eccentric woman, but her earnings as a waitress after school are minimal and she must go to extremes to cover expenses.

Finding Lubchenko
By Michael Simmons

Since his millionaire father never gives him any money, slacker genius Evan Macalister "liberates" equipment from Dad’s business and sells it on-line. But then a man is murdered and Mr. Macalister is accused. Evan alone can clear his father’s name, but only by revealing his own theft operation. There’s just one thing to do—find the real murderer.

More YA Series Books and/or Sequels

2006-08-29T16:11:00.000-04:00

Bitter Rose: Color Me Crushed
By Melody Carlson

The latest in the True Colors series has a Mexican-American high school senior dealing with the seperation and divorce of her parents and their effects on her relationship with them and with God.

It Begins and Rest in Peace
By Richie Tankersley Cusick

The first 2 installments of the Unseen series are classic Tankersley horror.

Blood Fever
By Charles Higson

The second installment of the Young James Bond series. I haven't read this one yet, but the first one was quite good.

Second Helpings and Charmed Thirds
By Megan McCafferty

Sequels to the wildly popular, Sloppy Firsts.

Maximum Security
By Robert Muchamore

The latest in the Cherub series about a secret branch of Britain's MI5 made up of teens. This one has the agents trying to break the son of a weapons dealer out of prison in order to get to his father. I haven't read this one, but the first one in the series was very good.

Startled By His Furry Shorts
By Louise Rennison

The latest adventures of Georgia Nicholson. Yes, I know we no longer have copies of some of the early ones in this series. Unfortunately they "grew legs" over the summer and disappeared, and most of the YA budget has been spent. I'll replace them when funds are available again.

Duckling Ugly and Red Rider's Hood
By Neal Shusterman

The latest additions to the Dark Fusion series has Shusterman once again taking classic fairy tales and giving them sinister, creepy twists. I haven't read any of these yet, but I like the concept so they are on my to-read-soon list. I'll let you know what I think.

Club Dread
By Walter Sorrels

In this sequel to Fake ID, Chastity and her Mom, on the run from the evil corporate magnate Kyle Van Epps, are in San Francisco where Chass witnesses a murder. When the cops hone in on her as the only suspect despite clear forensic evidence that proves her innocence, Chass decides to solve the crime herself by infiltrating a secret, elite club of teenagers.

Ex-Rating and Speed Dating
By Natalie Standiford

The latest additions to the Dating Game series both involve the girls' blogs.

Specials
By Scott Westerfeld

The conclusion of the incredibly popular Uglies series, in the carefully engineered, futuristic society where everyone is transformed into a “pretty” on their sixteenth birthday, but at a cost.

More YA Series Books

2006-06-09T16:19:00.000-04:00

Fool's Gold: Color Me Consumed
and Blade Silver: Color Me Scarred
By Melody Carlson

These latest additions to the True Colors series have the daughter of missionaries getting caught up in consumerism when she spends a summer in L.A. and a girl from an abusive home cutting herself until she finally receives the help she needs.

Killers Kiss
The Perfect Date
and Secret Admirer
By R.L. Stine

Yes, I've finally added to the Fear Street series. If you're an R.L. Stine fan you know what to expect. When you're done with these, check out the Christopher Pike books below.

Monster
and Road to Nowhere
By Christopher Pike

If you like R.L. Stine and other creepers you'll like these. I hadn't added to this series in awhile either, so enjoy!

It Begins
and Rest in Peace
By Richie Tankersly Cusick

If you're not familiar with the author, think R.L. Stine or Christopher Pike. She's written some of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series. This series is called The Unseen. There will be at least 2 more books in this series, so keep an eye out for them.

Welcome

2006-05-19T14:29:00.000-04:00

I'll be using this blog to let you know what new books have recently been added to the YA collection. That is all that will be in this blog. Other YA news, info about programs, etc. will be posted on my other blog fred-teens.blogspot.com
Visit that site regularly for updates.

Midnighters, Alex Rider and more...

2006-05-19T14:17:00.000-04:00

Here are some of the series books added to the YA collection in the last few weeks:

Midnighters #2: Touching Darkness
and Midnighters #3: Blue Moon
by Scott Westerfeld
If you've read Midnighters: The Secret Hour, you won't want to miss the sequels as Jessica and the other midnighters continue to uncover the secrets of Bixby, Oklahoma, and fight the darklings.

Ark Angel
by Anthony Horowitz
Alex Rider fans - the latest adventure is here.

Mates, Dates, and Sizzling Summers
by Cathy Hopkins
Just in time for summer beach reading! The bad news is that this is the last book in this always popular series.

Only in Your Dreams
by Cecily Von Ziegesar
More great beach reading! The latest in the Gossip Girls series takes place during the summer following high school graduation.