The Sweetheart of Prosper County

by Jill S. Alexander

Summary: Ninth grader Austin Gray wants to be FFA (Future Farmers of America) Sweetheart, so she can ride on the hood of the car in the Christmas parade. In order to do that, she's got to first join FFA! She asks for a chicken for Christmas, and her mom lets her go pick one out from Lafitte Boudreaux, a local Cajun man rumored to involved in cock fighting. She picks a beautiful rooster and names him Charles Dickens. Her path to the parade is full of obstacles, though, including a boy who has been bullying her her whole life, a new friend, a new crush, and dealing with the death of her father three years earlier.

My thoughts: This book reminded me of my own childhood in so many ways, and anyone who is growing up in the south (especially Texas!) will be able to relate to Austin. She's awkward and funny and believable and sweet. You'll cringe at her mistakes, and cheer at her victories!

Box Out Book Trailer

If the video doesn't play, try this link.

http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=140846&title=Box_Out__by_John_Coy

Jade Green

by Phillis Reynolds Naylor

Summary: After Judith's mother dies, her uncle agrees to take her in, on the condition that she never, ever brings anything green into her uncle's home. Unfortunately, the only item she has left from her mother is a photo in a green picture frame. Since no one ever told her why there is no green allowed, she figures her uncle just doesn't like the color, and that the frame would do no harm buried at the bottom of her suitcase. Boy, was she wrong!

My thoughts: While the ending was no real surprise, I still really enjoyed figuring it out, and all the creepy events leading up to the resolution. Just a good old fashioned ghost story!

The Magician's Elephant

by Kate DiCamillo

Summary: Peter, an orphan being raised by an old soldier who fought with Peter's father in wartime, is sent one day to the market with a single coin. He is meant to purchase bread with it, but instead spends it on a fortune-teller, in an attempt to get any information he can about his long-lost sister. He has been told his whole life that she died at birth, along with his mother. When the fortune teller tells him that he will find his sister if he follows the elephant, he is overjoyed that she might be alive, but can't figure out where he would possibly come across an elephant. Low and behold, a local magician conjures an elephant during a show, and crushes the legs of an audience member. The magician is imprisoned, and the poor elephant is tied up, far from home, with no idea how she got to this strange place. Peter must figure out how to help the elephant, the magician, and himself. It's an interesting, sweet, and magical journey.

My thoughts: This is classic DiCamillo. Something about the way she writes just makes you want to curl up and read through the night. Her stories are so comforting--the literary equivalent of mashed potatoes!

Hush

by Donna Jo Napoli

Summary: Melkorka and her sister Brigid are Irish princesses in the time of the Vikings. When their brother's hand is cruelly and randomly cut off to settle a gambling debt, their father hatches a plan to avenge him. This plan is dangerous, though, so he disguises his daughters and sends them to what he thinks is safety to let the danger pass. During their journey, they are kidnapped, and soon realize they are on a slave ship bound halfway across the world. The girls decide not to speak a word to each other, or to anyone else. Will their decision to hush save them, or be their undoing?

My thoughts: As modern Americans, we often think of slavery only in terms of what happened here on our soil. This book is set around 900 A.D., and is an interesting reminder that many groups and nationalities have endured the tragedy of slavery at one point or another in world history. The horrible things Melkorka lives through and witnesses are hard to believe, and her strength is inspirational. I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about the ending of this book. It was very disturbing, and not necessarily in a good way.

Catching Fire Book Trailer

Check out the Catching Fire book trailer here!

http://video.scholastic.com/services/player/bcpid1543302482?bctid=31267246001

The Boy Who Dared

by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Summary: Helmuth is a German boy growing up during the rise of the Nazi regime. As Hitler's noose on the German people gets tighter and tighter, and they get closer and closer to war, Helmuth begins to rebel against the rules he feels the German government is recklessly placing on its people. They are not allowed to listen to anything but German broadcasts on the radio, but Helmuth takes a chance, and illegally begins to listen to a BBC (British) broadcast. From the BBC, he finds that things are not really as Hitler would have the Germans believe, and that the Nazis are lying to the people to advance their own causes. He will pay an unthinkable price to stand up for his beliefs.

My thoughts: This book literally made my stomach hurt. It's a fictionalization of a real event, which means that the major events are all true and documented. Knowing that this young man actually had to live through the fear and torture described in this novel is so very, very sad. His courage to stand up for what was right makes him a hero. The real photos of Helmuth and his friends are an interesting addition to the book.

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

by Wendy Mass

Summary: Jeremy's dad has been dead for several years, but a month before his 13th birthday, he receives a box that his dad left for him to open on that day. The box has four locks, but no keys, and Jeremy can't wait to find out what's inside. The lawyer who was supposed to have the keys doesn't have them, so Jeremy and his best friend Lizzy begin a quest to find the keys before his birthday, which takes them all over New York City. They meet many interesting people and have some funny, crazy, adventures along the way.

My thoughts: A sweet, sad, funny, intriguing story. You'll be dying to find out what's in the box, and you won't be disappointed.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

by Kate DiCamillo

Summary: Edward is a beautiful china rabbit, with real fur ears, and a huge ego. His arrogance is shocking, and he believes the world owes him. The girl who owns him, Abilene, adores him--he's her favorite toy. One day on a boat trip, Edward is snatched from Abilene's hands and falls deep, deep into the ocean, where he stays for many years, until he is found by a fisherman. Through the years, Edward is lost and found by many people, cared for lovingly, and horribly mistreated. With each passing year, and each new owner, Edward learns another lesson. Will his cold little heart ever warm?

My thoughts: This is one of those beautiful stories that stays with you forever. Even though Edward is unbearably snobby, it's easy to see that he is simply young and foolish at the beginning of the tale. His journey truly is miraculous.

I.Q.: Independence Hall Book Trailer

If the video won't play, try this link.

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=132808&title=I_Q___Independence_Hall&ref=Mustanglibrarian

Wintergirls

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Summary: Cassie and Lia, friends from the time they were little girls, both struggle with eating disorders: Cassie with bulemia, and Lia with anorexia. Their disorders both bonded them, and tore them apart. The night Cassie's disease finally kills her, she calls Lia over and over again, but Lia doesn't pick up the phone. Lia must now deal with the guilt of abandoning Cassie in her hour of need in addition to dealing with her own anorexia.

My thoughts: This is such a sad book about two very sad disorders, but I think it's an important topic to tackle in YA literature. This book doesn't pull any punches when it comes to showing the very ugly side of these diseases. As usual, Anderson has written a book that will really touch the hearts of young women.

Heaven Looks A Lot Like the Mall

by Wendy Mass

Summary: Tessa gets hit in the head with a ball in gym class, and wakes up in a place that might be heaven, but certainly seems a lot like the mall where her parents work. There she meets a boy with a drill bit sticking out of his head, so she realizes pretty quickly something's not right! He charges her with finding the answer to a mysterious question, which leads Tessa to reflect on her life. Her bad choices start in elementary school, and she recounts each one in a matter-of-fact tone that lets the reader know that Tessa thinks she is simply a bad person, but you'll have to decide for yourself.

My thoughts: Tessa is so real it hurts. She sounds like the little voice in your head. You know, the one where you talk to yourself like you would never talk to anyone else? The one you're so glad no one else can hear? Recommended to me by Celeste G. and Sarah E., my wonderful 8th period library aides!

Wintergirls Book Trailer

If the video doesn't work, try this link.
http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=128476&title=Wintergirls

Stolen

by Vivian Vande Velde

Summary: Isabelle, a 12 year old with no memory of who she is or where she comes from, is taken in by an older couple on the exact same day the old witch's cottage is burned down. Most of the villagers speculate that she is the six year old who disappeared six years earlier. When the family of the missing child comes to claim her, the couples oldest child, Honey, is convinced that Isabelle is faking her identity to get her hands on a family inheritance. Who is Isabelle really, and why does Honey hate her so much?

My thoughts: This is a fast read and a great little mystery with a supernatural twist.

The Chosen One

by Carol Lynch Williams

Summary: Kyra is part of The Chosen Ones, a tightly knit religious community on the outskirts of a desert town. The community practices polygamy, the practice of one man having several wives. The community is so closed off from the rest of society that they don't feel bound by the laws that we are accustomed to. The Chosen Ones feel that young girls of twelve or thirteen are ready to be married, often to men much older than themselves. They don't allow any reading unless it's the Bible. Kyra, thirteen, is a sweet girl who has broken rules and discovered that withing walking distance from her compound, a man with a library bookmobile drives by every Wednesday. She falls in love with reading. She falls in love with a young man from her group. Then she finds out that the group's leaders want her to marry her uncle, who is in his sixties. If she tries to leave, they will kill her. If she runs, she will die in the desert. How can Kyra escape this terrible fate?

My thoughts: The Chosen One is one of my favorite books this year. Guys, this one's not just for girls, even though it has a girl on the cover. (Just trust me...) The suspense is unbelievable--and the lengths the leaders go to in order to maintain control over Kyra is horrifying. Even more horrifying is knowing that this type of thing really does happen in our world today, and that young people are actually living this existence.

Catching Fire

by Suzanne Collins

Summary: Even a broad summary here would spoil the ending of The Hunger Games, so if you haven't read that yet, what are you waiting for???

My thoughts: Wow. Usually sequals are disappointing, but not this one! I'm not sure how Suzanne Collins keeps surprising me, but I would never have guessed the direction this novel takes. Catching Fire is drama, action, romance, adventure, and great, great writing.

The Killer's Cousin

by Nancy Werlin

Summary: Seventeen year old David has quite a past. His parents simply can't deal with the stress his mistake has caused him, and send him to live with his aunt and uncle and their daughter, Lily, in Massachusetts. His aunt is disgusted by what he has done, and doesn't want him there. This is the definition of a dysfunctional family. The aunt and uncle refuse to speak to each other, keep David separate in an upstairs room that used to belong to their eldest daughter (now tragically dead), and allow Lily to torture him. To make matters worse, David is pretty sure his room is haunted.

My thoughts: Lily is a creepy, creepy little kid. You'll definitely keep reading just to find out what is wrong with this child. Werlin also reveals what David did in his past piece by piece, and you'll want to know what happened and how, which isn't fully revealed until the end. If you're looking for a full on ghost story, this isn't it, but the hint of the supernatural will give you a chill!

Yotsuba&!

by Kiyohiko Azuma

Summary: When Yotsuba moves to a new town, she is so strange, she kind of becomes the neighborhood entertainment. From mispronouncing everything, to being scared of an air conditioner, Yotsuba's antics are a mystery to everyone.

My thoughts: Yotsuba is a cute and funny little girl. If you like graphic novels, you'll love her sweet nature and innocent goof-ups! (Recommended to me by Kim Christenson!)

New Moon Movie Trailer!

The Twilight Saga: New Moon Taylor Lautner Robert Pattinson Kristen Stewart | Movie Trailers

The Lightning Thief Movie Trailer!

The Compound

by S.A. Bodeen

Summary: Eli has lived in the compound since he was nine years old. As far as he knows, he and his family are the only ones who survived a nuclear disaster, and they're all very lucky that his father planned ahead for the occasion. Unfortunately, his twin brother and grandma didn't make it into the shelter. Eli is devastated with grief, and has a difficult time with life in the compound. Eli, his sisters, and his mother and father have enough food for fifteen years, until some of their stores are contaminated. How far will they have to go to survive, and what secrets are his father hiding?

My thoughts: This is such a great thriller it could be a movie. I just kept getting more and more creeped out the more I read. I can't imagine being trapped for fifteen years underground, no matter how many supplies I had. Shudder...

Gregor the Overlander

by Suzanne Collins

Summary: Gregor's father disappeared two years ago, leaving him as the man of the house. His little sister Boots never even got to meet her father. One day, left in Gregor's charge, little Boots wanders to the laundry room, and falls down a ventilation chute. As Gregor follows her down, he realizes this is no ordinary tunnel. He and Boots fall to the Underland, where humans coexist with giant bats and four foot tall cockroaches. These humans are engaged in war with scary, bloodthirsty, people-sized rats. When Gregor tries to make it home to the Overland (our world) by himself, he fulfills parts of an ancient Underland prophecy. Soon he finds himself in charge of a great quest, where lives are on the line--including his own.

My thoughts: I picked this book up because I loved The Hunger Games so much, and it's by the same author. Since this is Suzanne Collin's first book, I figured that I would probably be disappointed, and that it wouldn't be nearly as good. Boy, was I wrong! I love this story! It has the same "un-put-downable" quality as The Hunger Games, and is just as high on adventure. I can't wait to dig into the rest of the series! If you are a fan of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, give Gregor a try!

A Curse Dark as Gold

by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Summary: Have you ever wondered why exactly Rumpelstiltskin wanted the miller's daughter's firstborn child? So did the author of this retelling of the famous Grimm's fairy tale, so she set out to answer it herself. Charlotte, the oldest Miller sister, is left in charge of the wool mill, called Stirwaters, after her father's death. She's certain she can run the place, until her Uncle Wheeler shows up with plans to sell it. Misfortune after misfortune continues to befall the Millers as Charlotte tries to save Stirwaters. Just when she thinks all is lost, a strange man, who calls himself Jack Spinner, appears, and claims he can weave straw into gold. The price he asks is ridiculously small, so Charlotte accepts. But soon she finds herself owing Spinner a debt she cannot possibly pay. Can she break the Stirwaters curse, or will she have to pay an unspeakable price?

My thoughts: If you've been reading this blog you'll know that this is one of my favorite genres--the retold fairy tale. A Curse Dark as Gold is a long, epic story that is creepy, absorbing, and mysterious. It's very loosely based on the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, but don't think that just because you know that story that you'll know this one.

Bonechiller

by Graham McNamee

Summary: Danny lives in a tiny Canadian town, in the middle of a snowy expanse of nothingness. One night he encounters what he at first thinks is a bear, but soon realizes it is a terrifying creature he has never seen before. It "bites" him, leaving a tiny blue mark on his hand. He hopes he has imagined the encounter, but unexplainable footprints, and the next night, a similar attack on his friend Howie, convince him that what he has seen is real. Soon the two boys begin experiencing strange symptoms, and discover that they have a limited time to save themselves from an unimaginable death.

My thoughts: This story is based on the Native American legend of the Windigo, which makes it extra creepy, because there are actual people in this world who think this creature really exists. There is a terrifying feeling of hopelessness for these characters throughout the book, which forces you to keep reading into the wee hours of the night. Truly chilling!

The Amaranth Enchantment

by Julie Berry

Summary: When Lucinda's parents are killed in a carriage accident, she is forced to live with her uncle and his wife, and work in their jewelry shop. She endures all kinds of abuse from her aunt, and when her uncle dies, she has no safe place to go. A woman comes into the shop with a strange stone to be set, and when Lucinda tries to return it to her, she finds it has been stolen. She soon finds it's no ordinary stone, and it leads her on adventures with princes, witches, pickpockets, magic, and her own mysterious past.

My thoughts: Lucinda is a strong, smart, brave female character, and I love her! You might think you know where this book is going, but I bet the ending will surprise you! (Recommended to me by Laci, a senior at Lewisville High School!)

Envy

by Anna Godbersen

Summary: The drama of the Hollands and the Hayes continues! Penelope arranges a train trip to Florida with her new husband's money, and invites Diana, Elizabeth, and Lina along for her own personal entertainment. Will she have the last laugh?

My thoughts: This one starts out a little slower than the others, but about half way through you won't be able to put it down! There is one more book to go in this series!

Box Out

by John Coy

Summary: Liam lives to play basketball, but when he makes varsity as a sophomore, he realizes the varsity coach has a different way of running things. He is forcing the varsity players to attend prayer meetings and to lead prayers, no matter what their religious background. He also makes racist comments to an African American student who is the star player on their team. When that student quits, Liam has to make a choice--stand up for what he believes is right and lose everything he cares about, or go along with the crowd?

My thoughts: This book has it all: drama, controversy, sports action! John Coy gets what it's like to be a teenager. Liam's feelings and way of speaking are so realistic, you almost feel like it was written by a teen. Great story!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

by Jeff Kinney

Summary: Greg Heffley is trying very hard to be cool in middle school, but he just can't seem to catch a break. This hilarious story is told with text and pictures, and in Greg's very authentic sixth-grade-guy voice.

My thoughts: This is one of the most popular books in the library. It's a fast-paced, fun story that everyone who has ever been in middle school can relate to! The first in a series.

Wake

by Lisa McMann

Summary: What if you could never fall asleep in the same place as another person, because if you do, you fall into their dreams? Or worse yet...their nightmares? This is Janie's gift and her curse. She's never told anyone her secret, until now. But who can she really trust?

My thoughts: The premise of this novel alone is very unsettling. One scene that stood out to me was her falling asleep on a bus on a school trip, and being bombarded with all of the dreams of the many other people sleeping around her. It's an interesting and original concept, and this is a kind of weird, kind of creepy story. The sequel is called Fade.

View the book trailer here!
http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=86034&title=Wake

Stargirl

by Jerry Spinelli

Summary: Leo doesn't quite know what to think when he meets the new girl at his school. Her name is Stargirl, and she has been home schooled her whole life. She's a strange person, who sings Happy Birthday in the cafeteria, dresses like a hippie, and joins the cheerleading squad only to cheer heartily for the other team. Even though Stargirl's antics embarrass Leo, he finds himself drawn to her, and fascination slowly turns to love. But Stargirl is a free spirit, and Leo may find that the best thing about her is what she teaches him about himself.

My thoughts: Stargirl is a little too "out there," to be realistic, but if you can get past that, this is a really fun, funny, story about popularity, school, and conformity.

The Spiderwick Chronicles

by Holly Black and Tony DeTerlizzi

Summary: When their mom and dad get divorced, the Grace siblings move into their great aunt's Victorian mansion that has many, many secrets. They find an old book left by Arthur Spiderwick, their great aunt's father, which describes a fantastical world of fairies and other magical creatures. The book only leads to trouble, and the kids are on their own when one of them is captured by evil magical creatures.

My thoughts: This is actually five separate, short books, but you'll need to read them all to get the full story. If you like fairies and goblins and brownies, this is the tale for you!

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

by Marjane Satrapi

Summary: Persepolis is an autobiography (true story of the author's life) about her childhood in Iran during the Iran-Iraq war. The events she witnesses are truly shocking, and this is an interesting inside view on a part of our world that many of us know very little about.

My thoughts: This book deals with very serious topics, and is a high school book. If you like Maus, by Art Spiegelman, check this one out at the public library.

Paper Towns

by John Green

Summary: Quentin (or Q, for short) has had a crush on Margo for as long as he can remember. But she's one of the beautiful people, and he's just a regular guy. One night she climbs through his bedroom window and takes him on the wildest adventure of his life, which includes lots of prank-playing and an illegal trip inside Sea World. When Margo disappears the next day, Q thinks she wants him to find her, which leads him to follow what he thinks and hopes are clues to her whereabouts. What he finds is that he never really knew Margo at all.

My thoughts: I love John Green! All of his books are hilarious, smart, and really hard to put down. (This is my least favorite of his, but I still loved it!) Remember, you'll have to go to the public library or bookstore for this one.

Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf

by Jennifer L. Holm

Summary: This story is told entirely through the little scraps of paper and other "things" that make up our lives: notes, receipts, poems, stickers, calendar entries, etc. It simply describes the life of an ordinary seventh grader, Ginny, throughout that school year.

My thoughts: The plot of this book isn't anything terribly exciting, but it's fun to piece the story together yourself in this unusual book.

Keturah and Lord Death

by Martine Leavitt

Summary: Keturah is well-known for her storytelling in her village. One day, she wanders too far into the woods, and encounters Lord Death, who wants to take her away. She weaves a tale so good it convinces him to give her one more day, because he must hear the end of the story. Each day, she continues to meet him and draw out the story, until Lord Death loses patience and requires her to bring the true ending and directs her to find her true love. Will Keturah find her love in time to save her life?

My thoughts: What a great story, with a shocking ending!

Incantation

by Alice Hoffman

Summary: Estrella lives in sixteenth century Spain, during the Spanish Inquisition. She has been raised Catholic, because during this time, to practice another religion could mean torture and/or death. As she grows older, she begins to realize her family is different, and discovers that they have been practicing Judaism secretly for many, many years. As her grandfather trains her in the faith of her ancestry, she begins to fall in love with the boy her best friend Catalina intends to marry. When Catalina finds out, she uses her knowledge of Estrella's secret to her owns ends, with devastating results.

My thoughts: I am fascinated by all things Spanish, so thought I would like this book more than I did. It's written in a sort of poetry form, which I found a little hard to follow. There are not many books for young adults about the Inquisition, though, so it is interesting to learn more about that shockingly cruel time in world history.

First Kiss (Then Tell)

edited by Cylin Busby

Summary: Popular young adult authors share their first kiss experiences. Some are funny, some romantic, and some just weird or gross! But they're all true, and give us an interesting little sneak peek into the lives of the authors as teens.

My thoughts: A light and easy read. Some of the stories were definitely better than others, but for the most part it was pretty cute. A few of the authors are men, and it was fun getting the teenage guy's perspective on kissing!

The Devouring

by Simon Holt

Summary: Reggie works at a used book store, and finds a mysterious hand-written journal in a new shipment. Without telling her boss, she takes it home. What she reads describes a young girl's experiences with entities she calls "Vours," who steal souls on the night of the Winter Solstice, from anyone who is afraid. Reggie and her friend Aaron don't take the story seriously, and in an attempt to have a little fun, accidentally summon the Vours, who possess her little brother. Can they save this innocent little boy, or will the Vours have his soul forever?

My thoughts: A truly scary story. I had to stop reading it a couple of times and turn something happy on tv so I could sleep! If you like horror books and movies, you have to try this one!

Elsewhere

by Gabrielle Zevin

Summary: When fifteen year old Liz is hit by a taxi and dies, she discovers that the afterlife is a place called Elsewhere. It's very much like our world, with love, animals, jobs and relationships, but here, people age in reverse until they become infants again and are sent back to Earth. Liz is angry at first, but starts to learn to truly live in this strange new world.

My thoughts: You'll laugh and cry with Liz as she tries to navigate this place, and her emotions about her death and her new "life." Beautifully written and startlingly different.

What Happened to Cass McBride?

by Gail Giles

Summary: When Kyle's brother David kills himself, he blames Cass McBride, and a rejection letter that David received from her. So he decides to kidnap her and bury her alive...

My thoughts: Giles plays on one of humanity's greatest fears--being buried alive, and makes it feel real. Find this one at your public library in the teen section.

The Last Olympian

by Rick Riordan

Summary: Percy's 16th birthday is quickly approaching, and Kronos is planning an attack on New York City. Despite the prophecy, and Percy's fear for his own life, he sets out to try to stop it.

My thoughts: This book answers all of our questions, from what camper must die to fulfill the prophecy, to Percy's love life. A great conclusion to a fantastic series. Best of all, a new prophecy hints that there may be more books to come!

The Battle of the Labyrinth

by Rick Riordan

Summary: Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Tyson head into the Labyrinth to help Grover on his quest to find Pan, but they discover along the way that Luke is trying to raise Kronos, who wants to overthrow the gods. The group must try to stop him, but of course, meet many monsters along the way!

My thoughts: Another great adventure!

The Titan's Curse

by Rick Riordan

Summary: New half-bloods are found, and the goddess Artemis disappears.

My thoughts: This is the third book in the exciting Percy Jackson and the Olympians series! This might be the most dramatic of the five!

Book of a Thousand Days

by Shannon Hale

Summary: Dashti is a lady's maid. It is her job to serve the Lady Saren, who has just refused a proposal arranged by her father. Saren wants to marry Khan Tegus, a much less financially desirable choice. Her father is so angry that he locks Saren and Dashti in a tower as punishment. The confinement is for seven years, and they are supposed to make their food and water last for that entire time. Their only contact with the outside world is a tiny window, and Khan Tegus eventually comes calling. But Saren is weak in both mind and body, and sends Dashti in her place to speak to him, and in spite of her best effort, she begins to have feelings for him. How will Dashti and Saren survive the tower, and will either of them ever find true love?

My thoughts: This is definitely my favorite Shannon Hale book, and is truly one of my very favorite books ever! Another retelling of a Grimm's fairy tale.

13 Little Blue Envelopes

by Maureen Johnson

Summary: When Ginny is 17, her favorite aunt, a wild and free spirit, dies of brain cancer. She leaves Ginny a "will" of sorts, in the form of thirteen letters and a nice chunk of cash. Each letter contains a task, and the next letter cannot be opened until the task in the previous letter is completed. The letters lead Ginny all over Europe, where she finds adventure, love, and her herself.

My thoughts: I love to travel, and have been to most of the places that Ginny goes in this book. It was like visiting each country all over again! As you read, you're dying to find out what's in each envelope, and it's never disappointing. Inside scoop: I just read on Maureen Johnson's blog that she is currently working on a sequel!

The Sea of Monsters

by Rick Riordan

Summary: Grover is in big trouble, and Percy and Annabeth must try to save him. Percy also meets a new friend who has an exciting connection to him!

My thoughts: The second book of five, and my personal favorite in the series!

Perfect You

by Elizabeth Scott

Summary: Kate's dad quits his job to pursue his dream of owning his own business. Unfortunately, he does this by renting a kiosk at the mall and trying to sell vitamins, and his sales tactics often involve ploys that are very, very embarrassing to Kate. He asks her to work for him, so she ends up spending a lot of time at the mall, the same place Will works, a guy she tries really hard not to like. When he actually shows interest in her, she can hardly believe it. It seems like he doesn't want to go out with her, just kiss her by the dumpsters every day. Her best friend from the year before isn't helping matters. She's suddenly popular and won't talk to Kate anymore. As her dad's career choices start to wear on her mother and brother, Kate has to deal with how she feels about her boyfriend, her family, and her ex-best friend, and start to accept those who really love her for who they are.

My thoughts: This story took me back to middle school. Girls, if you're looking for a portrayal of life as you know it, this is it. It made me sad, though, how hard Kate was on herself. At many points I wanted to reach through the pages and yell at her to just be nice to herself! (Recommended to me by McKenna Brown!)

The Summoning

If the video doesn't work, try this link. http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=122980&title=The_Summoning

by Kelley Armstrong

Summary: Chloe is going through a difficult time. Her mom has passed away recently, so when she sees a horrifying ghost at school one day, everyone, including Chloe, thinks she may just be having a mental breakdown. Her aunt sends her to Lyle House, where she meets other teens with supposed psychiatric disorders. One of the guys who lives in the house begins to drop hints to Chloe about "necromancers," people who talk to the dead. Chloe slowly begins to realize that maybe things aren't what they seem to be at Lyle House, and that "crazy" might actually mean "supernaturally gifted..."

My thoughts: Check out the book trailer above! (I made this one myself!) :) This is a really fun book! My only complaint is that it's a series, and it ends on a major cliffhanger! We'll all just have to wait for the sequel, The Awakening, to see what happens!

Skulduggery Pleasant

by Derek Landy

Summary: Stephanie is close to her eccentric uncle, but is still shocked at the reading of the will, in more ways than one. She has inherited his fortune, and meets an odd man named Skulduggery Pleasant, whose face she can't see at the reading. He quickly reveals himself to be a detective, bent on finding the secret behind her uncle's murder, and a skeleton, held together by magic and dressed by a really good tailor. Skulduggery is convinced that an evil man is out to kill Stephanie, so they team up to try to stop him, and have lots of wild experiences along the way, some funny, some terrifying.

My thoughts: What an adventure! Stephanie and Skulduggery are a great pair. Their conversations are smart and funny, and the situations they encounter are sometimes downright scary. If you like The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp, or the Artemis Fowl books, check this one out! The sequel is called Playing With Fire.

Burned

by Ellen Hopkins

Summary: Pattyn's strict religious upbringing doesn't mesh with the abuse and alcoholism she witnesses every day in her home. She's angry, and lets everyone know it, which lands her a summer with an aunt in a tiny Nevada town. There aren't many people her age there, but she does meet one--Ethan, and it's a connection unlike anything she has ever felt. She also finds an unexpected acceptance and love from her aunt. But things don't ever seem to go well for Pattyn for very long.

My thoughts: This is another high school book, so it's not in our library. Hopkins writes in verse like no one else can, except maybe Sonya Sones (but I prefer Hopkins). The writing is elegant, beautiful, and compulsively readable. This book is like a train wreck--sad, but you just can't bring yourself to look away.

Unwind

by Neal Shusterman

Summary: In this frightening and controversial novel, Shusterman takes us to a futuristic society where abortion is illegal. That is, until you turn thirteen. Then, between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, your parents may decide to have you "unwound," where every piece of you will technically still be alive. The catch? Someone else is using those pieces. Shusterman asks the question, if every part of us is separated but alive, where is our consciousness?

My thoughts: Unwind is my favorite Shusterman novel. There is a scene where he allows you to see through the eyes of a person while they are being "unwound." It was so emotional and unsettling that I had a hard time getting through it. This book makes you think about the rules of our society, and where we might be headed.

Breakfast at Bloomingdale's

by Kristen Kemp

Summary: Cat lives with her grandma because her mother is, quite frankly, not up to the job of parenting. She learns the art of sewing from her grandma, and loves fashion with a passion. When she's 17, her grandma passes away, leaving Cat grieving and angry. She decides to get on a bus, by herself, and enter a fashion design contest (a la Project Runway) in New York City. Cat knows no one in NYC except for a guy she stole candy from on the bus on the way there, and obviously, he doesn't like her much. As Cat deals with the drama of the fashion contest, she also learns to deal with the drama in her own life.

My thoughts: I hard a difficult time with this book. My first problem with it is the obvious Breakfast at Tiffany's rip-off. I'm a huge fan of the Truman Capote novel and the Audrey Hepburn movie, and don't think either can or should be imitated! I also found it hard to believe that a 17 year old could survive in New York City they way this girl did, and some of the situations made me very nervous for her safety! Some of the fashion contest scenes were interesting, though, so if you're a fan of shows like Project Runway, you might like Breakfast at Bloomingdale's.

The Subtle Knife

by Philip Pullman

Summary: This book picks up where The Golden Compass left off, so I won't say too much to avoid any spoilers. Lyra and Pantalaimon, still on the search for the mysterious Dust, meet Will Parry in a parallel universe. Will is looking for his father who has disappeared, and their combined quest leads to high adventure.

My thoughts: This is fantasy writing at its beautiful best. Pullman's words read like music. The Subtle Knife is the second book in the His Dark Materials trilogy.

The Lightning Thief

by Rick Riordan

Summary: Percy Jackson thinks he's just a normal kid, living with a single mom, going to school, and battling some serious dyslexia. But when he smokes his math teacher, he realizes he's not quite so normal after all. His mother takes him to Camp Half-Blood, a place where young demi-gods (half Greek god, half human) come to learn how to fight monsters and use their skills. You see, Percy's dad is a major god, (I won't spoil it by telling you which one!) and in this story, the gods still rule from Olympus. Someone has stolen Zeus's lightning bolt, and if it doesn't get recovered, the gods will go to war, possibly destroying both their world and ours. Percy and his friends, other demi-gods and a hilarious satyr named Grover, must try to find the sword and stop the fighting.

My thoughts: Percy Jackson & the Olympians is the best series since Harry Potter! If you haven't read it yet, you don't know what you're missing! I love that each book has a satisfying ending, while still leaving you very excited for the next book in the series. A movie has already been cast and is in the works!

The Garden of Eve

by K. L. Going

Summary: Eleven year old Evie is devastated when her mom dies of cancer, and her sadness deepens when she learns that she and her father are moving to an old house in upstate New York with a cemetery and a dead apple orchard on the property. Her father has decided that he can make the orchard grow again, but the people in the town think it's impossible. They say the orchard is cursed, and has been ever since the disappearance of another girl named Eve many years before. Eve is lonely, and befriends a boy that she meets in the cemetery, but she can't tell her father about him...Alex claims to be a ghost. Everything changes when a local woman gives Evie a single seed which she claims is from the Garden of Eden. Planting the seed not only produces a beautiful tree--it opens a parallel universe. When Evie and Alex enter this world, mysteries are solved and decisions are made that change Evie forever.

My thoughts: The Garden of Eve is a suspenseful page-turner, but more than anything, it's a book about grief. Evie has to come face to face with some difficult facts, and like many of us, she hangs onto to her sadness for a long time before she comes to the other side of her pain. It's a beautiful story about how each of us deals with grief differently, and how the power of believing in the ones you love can help you move on.

Dairy Queen

by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Summary: D.J. lives on a midwestern dairy farm, and eats, sleeps, and breathes sports. Her two older brothers are off playing football in college, and her mom is overworked, so when her dad injures his back, most of the farm work is left to her. This causes her grades and sports to suffer. She's a known hard worker, and sort of a track star at her school, so the crosstown rival's football coach asks her to train his lazy, arrogant quarterback and teach him some discipline. Brian drives D.J. crazy, but the more time she spends with him, the more she learns about herself. Her growing crush on him doesn't stop her when she decides she wants to try out for her own high school football team, even though she knows she'll have to face him on the field. Lots of football game scenes and real sports action take this book way beyond typical chick lit.

My thoughts: DJ is such a great character because she just doesn't fit into a stereotype. She's not a girly-girl--she's a tomboy and a jock--but she does have the occasional girly moment. I like that she's just a regular girl who loves football, and who happens to be really good at playing. The sequel is called The Off Season.