By L.K. Madigan
Lena loves the ocean and finds herself walking on the beach several nights. With her sixteenth birthday approaching, she wants to learn to surf, but her father won't let her. Overhearing several conversations, Lena is determined to find out the truth about her birth mother, why she is being drawn to the ocean in her sleep, and why her father won't let her surf. After secretly learning to surf, Lena is saved by a mermaid and gives her a mysterious key. What will Lena discover about her family?
Monday, September 26, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
2011-2012 High School Award Nominees
Paper Towns
John Green
When I girl he has always liked, drags him out all night to get revenge on people, Quentin gladly follows. The next day she seems to have pulled a disappearing act. Quentin sets out to figure out where she went only to discover a lot more about himself.
Streams of Babel
Carol Plum-Ucci
After 9/11 threats against the US seem to be everywhere. A Pakistani teen helps the CIA find these threats through his tracking of internet chatter. Meanwhile, in a small town in the US a mysterious illness kills two women and threatens their kids. Will the computer clues help them discover the threat in time to save the lives of innocent Americans?
Iron Heart
Brian Boyle
A horrible car accident should have killed Brian Boyle. As a competive swimmer, his body is able to fight off death. When he comes out of the coma, he finds out he may never walk. Brian is determined to not only walk but to compete in ironman triathalons. This is an incredible story of survival and love.
After
Amy Efaw
Devon seems to be perfect. She's a good athlete and student and destined to make something of herself. How could she be the girl that dumped a newborn baby into a dumpster? Now she's in jail and may be tried as an adult and imprisoned for the rest of her life.
Shift
Jennifer Bradbury
Chris and Win graduate from high school and take off cross country on their bikes. Together they have a great time until Win suddenly leaves Chris behind just before they make it to the Pacific Ocean. Chris heads home and off to college only to have a private investagator on his tail hoping Chris will lead him to Win's whereabouts. Chris sets out to solve the mystery of Win's disappearance.
Thirteen Reasons Why
Jay Asher
Clay recieves a mysterious package. They are cassette tapes with the voice of a girl that has committed suicide. She insists that the listener must hear all that she recorded and then pass the tapes on to the next person. Clay has no wish to hear what went wrong especially since he cared for Hannah but feels compelled by her voice and finds out the horrible secrets that she reveals.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Carrie Ryan
In a world where zombies threaten a small village, Mary must accept her place in a convent as she learns to be part of the sisterhood. But Mary falls in love with a man that she can't have and starts to think that the Sisterhood is not being completely honest with the village. When their village is overtaken by the zombies, Mary and a handful of others escape but aren't sure they will ever be safe.
Flash Burnout
L. K. Madigan
Blake has trouble maintaining a friendship with Marissa, a photography classmate, while making his girlfriend happy. One day he photographs a homeless women that turns out to be Marissa's mother. As Marissa tries to save her mom, Blake feels pulled to help Marissa causing even more problems with his girlfriend.
The Knife of Never Letting Go
Patrick Ness
Book one of the Chaos Walking series. In a world where you can hear other people's thoughts, nobody has any secrets. But there are secrets that have been kept from Todd. His surrogate parents suddenly tell him he must leave. Chased by a madman and suddenly finding a girl-something that doesn't exist in his village, Todd must find a way to survive and cope with all that he is learning about his world.
The Assist
Neil Swidey
Basketball can be the ticket to college for young man in the Boston inner city. In this book, the real lives of a determined coach, his players, and the importance of the game are followed through the ups and downs of the basketball season.
Shiver
Maggie Stiefvater
Grace has always watched the wolves behind her house. Eventhough, she was attacked by them as a young girl she feels a special connection to them. In turn, one of the wolves is watching her. The two continue to be drawn together in this love story.
Liar
Justine Larbalestier
Micah the narrator of this story admits that she is a liar, but she promises to tell the truth as she tells about the death of her boyfriend. But can the reader really believe everything she says?
John Green
When I girl he has always liked, drags him out all night to get revenge on people, Quentin gladly follows. The next day she seems to have pulled a disappearing act. Quentin sets out to figure out where she went only to discover a lot more about himself.
Streams of Babel
Carol Plum-Ucci
After 9/11 threats against the US seem to be everywhere. A Pakistani teen helps the CIA find these threats through his tracking of internet chatter. Meanwhile, in a small town in the US a mysterious illness kills two women and threatens their kids. Will the computer clues help them discover the threat in time to save the lives of innocent Americans?
Iron Heart
Brian Boyle
A horrible car accident should have killed Brian Boyle. As a competive swimmer, his body is able to fight off death. When he comes out of the coma, he finds out he may never walk. Brian is determined to not only walk but to compete in ironman triathalons. This is an incredible story of survival and love.
After
Amy Efaw
Devon seems to be perfect. She's a good athlete and student and destined to make something of herself. How could she be the girl that dumped a newborn baby into a dumpster? Now she's in jail and may be tried as an adult and imprisoned for the rest of her life.
Shift
Jennifer Bradbury
Chris and Win graduate from high school and take off cross country on their bikes. Together they have a great time until Win suddenly leaves Chris behind just before they make it to the Pacific Ocean. Chris heads home and off to college only to have a private investagator on his tail hoping Chris will lead him to Win's whereabouts. Chris sets out to solve the mystery of Win's disappearance.
Thirteen Reasons Why
Jay Asher
Clay recieves a mysterious package. They are cassette tapes with the voice of a girl that has committed suicide. She insists that the listener must hear all that she recorded and then pass the tapes on to the next person. Clay has no wish to hear what went wrong especially since he cared for Hannah but feels compelled by her voice and finds out the horrible secrets that she reveals.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Carrie Ryan
In a world where zombies threaten a small village, Mary must accept her place in a convent as she learns to be part of the sisterhood. But Mary falls in love with a man that she can't have and starts to think that the Sisterhood is not being completely honest with the village. When their village is overtaken by the zombies, Mary and a handful of others escape but aren't sure they will ever be safe.
Flash Burnout
L. K. Madigan
Blake has trouble maintaining a friendship with Marissa, a photography classmate, while making his girlfriend happy. One day he photographs a homeless women that turns out to be Marissa's mother. As Marissa tries to save her mom, Blake feels pulled to help Marissa causing even more problems with his girlfriend.
The Knife of Never Letting Go
Patrick Ness
Book one of the Chaos Walking series. In a world where you can hear other people's thoughts, nobody has any secrets. But there are secrets that have been kept from Todd. His surrogate parents suddenly tell him he must leave. Chased by a madman and suddenly finding a girl-something that doesn't exist in his village, Todd must find a way to survive and cope with all that he is learning about his world.
The Assist
Neil Swidey
Basketball can be the ticket to college for young man in the Boston inner city. In this book, the real lives of a determined coach, his players, and the importance of the game are followed through the ups and downs of the basketball season.
Shiver
Maggie Stiefvater
Grace has always watched the wolves behind her house. Eventhough, she was attacked by them as a young girl she feels a special connection to them. In turn, one of the wolves is watching her. The two continue to be drawn together in this love story.
Liar
Justine Larbalestier
Micah the narrator of this story admits that she is a liar, but she promises to tell the truth as she tells about the death of her boyfriend. But can the reader really believe everything she says?
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Streams Of Babel
2011-2012 Iowa High School Book Award Nominee
Two women from the same street die under similar unusual cirmcumstances. Taking place shortly after 9/11, the story is told from the perspective of the teens affected in the small New Jersey town. Scott suspects that the water supply has been tainted. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, a 16 year-old v-spy tracks the terrorists through their on-line chatter. Anxious to continue to help track them, he comes to the US for help with this asthma and finds himself drawn into the danger as well.
Two women from the same street die under similar unusual cirmcumstances. Taking place shortly after 9/11, the story is told from the perspective of the teens affected in the small New Jersey town. Scott suspects that the water supply has been tainted. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, a 16 year-old v-spy tracks the terrorists through their on-line chatter. Anxious to continue to help track them, he comes to the US for help with this asthma and finds himself drawn into the danger as well.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Last Days
Scott Westerfield
The Last Days
Razorbill: 2007
sequel to Peeps
New York City seems to be destructing as rats, cats, and evil worms have people fleeing the city. People who are suffering from a disease react violently to their friends and possessions. Moz meets Pearl one night as they rescue a special guitar being thrown from an apartment by such a person. Joined by some off beat characters they form a band. Their "new sound" soon gets them a record deal. Moz begins to suffer symptoms of the disease and their first gig results in massive disaster. Rescued by some Peeps, the band may be the key to saving not only the city but the world.
At first, it was hard to relate this book to Peeps. However, as the reader finds out more and more about the events in New York City, you will recognize the connections. Westerfield brings the characters all together in a satisfying conclusion. Readers of Peeps won't want to miss this book.
The Last Days
Razorbill: 2007
sequel to Peeps
New York City seems to be destructing as rats, cats, and evil worms have people fleeing the city. People who are suffering from a disease react violently to their friends and possessions. Moz meets Pearl one night as they rescue a special guitar being thrown from an apartment by such a person. Joined by some off beat characters they form a band. Their "new sound" soon gets them a record deal. Moz begins to suffer symptoms of the disease and their first gig results in massive disaster. Rescued by some Peeps, the band may be the key to saving not only the city but the world.
At first, it was hard to relate this book to Peeps. However, as the reader finds out more and more about the events in New York City, you will recognize the connections. Westerfield brings the characters all together in a satisfying conclusion. Readers of Peeps won't want to miss this book.
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Nich & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Alfred A. Knofp: 2006
Nick and Norah meet at a music club when he grabs her and kisses her to show his old girlfriend he's not still in love with her. The kiss sparks some feelings between them and thus begins their night in New York City as they face their pasts and wonder what the future could hold for them.
With the music scene as the backdrop, this story of finding love and acceptance is filled with teen drama and will keep you reading as Nick and Norah stay out all night. Some coarse language will not detract from the interesting characters that have been created here.
Nich & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Alfred A. Knofp: 2006
Nick and Norah meet at a music club when he grabs her and kisses her to show his old girlfriend he's not still in love with her. The kiss sparks some feelings between them and thus begins their night in New York City as they face their pasts and wonder what the future could hold for them.
With the music scene as the backdrop, this story of finding love and acceptance is filled with teen drama and will keep you reading as Nick and Norah stay out all night. Some coarse language will not detract from the interesting characters that have been created here.
Monday, March 9, 2009
The Mortal Instruments Series
Cassandra Clare
City of Bones
Simon Pulse: 2007
Book One
Clary has begun to see things that others can't see and witnesses a murder. The bizarre thing is that the body disappears before her eyes. She finds out that there are Shadowhunters, warriors trained to kill demons that inhabit the earth. When one of the demons attempts to kill Clary, she starts to discover that her life is not what she thought it is. With her mother kidnapped by the evil Valentine, Clary sets out to find the Mortal Cup in order to bargain for her mother's life with the help of Jace, a Shadowhunter, and Simon, her human bestfriend.
Filled with lots of twists, this story is perfect for fantasy lovers. Werewolves, warlocks, and vampires are just a few of the characters that fill the pages with bloody battles. Like me, you'll want to read Book Two to see what happens next!
City of Bones
Simon Pulse: 2007
Book One
Clary has begun to see things that others can't see and witnesses a murder. The bizarre thing is that the body disappears before her eyes. She finds out that there are Shadowhunters, warriors trained to kill demons that inhabit the earth. When one of the demons attempts to kill Clary, she starts to discover that her life is not what she thought it is. With her mother kidnapped by the evil Valentine, Clary sets out to find the Mortal Cup in order to bargain for her mother's life with the help of Jace, a Shadowhunter, and Simon, her human bestfriend.
Filled with lots of twists, this story is perfect for fantasy lovers. Werewolves, warlocks, and vampires are just a few of the characters that fill the pages with bloody battles. Like me, you'll want to read Book Two to see what happens next!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Night Road
A. M. Jenkins
Night Road
Harper Teen: 2008
Cole has been called to New York City by Johnny to help with a problem. As a hemevore, he survives by drinking blood, and now he has been summoned to help a new heme learn how to survive. Cole must face his past and his own demons as he attempts to teach Gordon the proper way to feed and not attract attention to himself. Cole, Gordon, and another heme Sander embark on a road trip that results in a stray heme finding them. When Cole's thirst overtakes him, his carelessness leads to problems that he hadn't imagined.
Readers who enjoyed Jenkins' book Repossessed will enjoy the unusual problems that he creates for his characters. Those who enjoy vampire stories will find this a good read.
Night Road
Harper Teen: 2008
Cole has been called to New York City by Johnny to help with a problem. As a hemevore, he survives by drinking blood, and now he has been summoned to help a new heme learn how to survive. Cole must face his past and his own demons as he attempts to teach Gordon the proper way to feed and not attract attention to himself. Cole, Gordon, and another heme Sander embark on a road trip that results in a stray heme finding them. When Cole's thirst overtakes him, his carelessness leads to problems that he hadn't imagined.
Readers who enjoyed Jenkins' book Repossessed will enjoy the unusual problems that he creates for his characters. Those who enjoy vampire stories will find this a good read.
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