Guardian of the Dead

by Karen Healey

Summary: Strange things are happening around Ellie Spencer's New Zealand boarding school. One of which is the fact that she seems to have fallen in love with a fairy. But not just any fairy. He's part of an ancient race, and Ellie finds herself pitted against some of them in a fight for her life.

My thoughts: There was so much buzz about this book I was thrilled to get an advanced copy of it. Sadly, it just never really clicked for me. I enjoyed how the author incorporated the legends of the New Zealand Maori, but other than that, it was just another supernatural romance. Lots of people disagree with me, though, so if you want to check it out, hit the public library! This one's high school only!

Somebody Everybody Listens To

by Suzanne Supplee

Summary: Retta Jones is kind of a big deal in her small Tennessee home town. She's the girl with a big voice, who can sound like just about anyone--Dolly Parton, Faith Hill...you name it, she can sing it just like they do. When she graduates high school, and after a particularly irritating incident at her dead-end waitressing job, she decides try her luck in Nashville. With her grumpy aunt's beat up car, a cell phone courtesy of her best friend, some holey jeans, and her guitar, Retta learns the hard way what life is like on Music Row, and in the process learns how to be herself.

My thoughts: Supplee (also the author of Artichoke's Heart) is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her female characters have such fresh, strong voices, and her story lines are realistic and believable. I don't get emotionally involved or invested in books as often as I wish. Supplee completely sucks me in.