Frozen Fire

by Tim Bowler

Summary: Dusty's brother disappears without a trace, and then her mother leaves without an explanation. Dusty remains behind in an empty house with a devastated father. A phone call from a mysterious young man makes her think he knows something about her brother's disappearance, but danger seems to follow him. He knows things he shouldn't, people are getting hurt, and the cops warn Dusty that the boy may not be what he seems. In fact, he may not even be human.

My thoughts: The opening words of this story pull you in immediately. The words "I'm dying," uttered by a stranger on the phone. While it's slow in some parts, the unusual story kept me reading. I liked this book, but I'll warn you, all the questions you have will not be answered. Sometimes that's okay, though!

The Maze Runner

by James Dashner

Summary: When Thomas wakes up in the Glade, the only thing he can remember is his name. He's surrounded by other guys his age, who certainly aren't making his transition to a strange new world any easier. He's clearly the new guy, and the rules the Gladers have created for themselves don't make any sense at first: don't leave the maze, never get caught in the maze after dark, and don't ask questions. Until one night, through a tiny window in the maze, he sees what everyone is afraid of--a terrifying creature called a Griever. The Grievers come out at night, and kill everyone in their paths. The Gladers have made a life for themselves, and have become accustomed to their routines. They have jobs, and friends, and a crude form of government. A group called the Runners explores the maze by day to try to find a way to escape. Their routine hasn't been altered in years. But the day after Thomas arrives, everything changes...

My thoughts: The Maze Runner is a sort of sci-fi Lord of the Flies. I love the way the characters interact with each other. It's exactly how I imagine teenaged guys would treat each other in this situation. The suspense/mystery element is really well done. I truly couldn't put this book down, and when I had to, I was thinking about when I could pick it back up. Hunger Games fans, give The Maze Runner a try!

What I Saw and How I Lied

by Judy Blundell

Summary: The time is just after the end of World War II. The soldiers are finally home, including Evie's stepfather, Joe. One night, the phone rings, and Joe has a strange and puzzling reaction to the call. The next day Joe, Evie and her mother are in the car on a road trip from New York to Florida for what Joe says is a surprise vacation. While hanging out at the mostly empty hotel (they have arrived in the off-season) Evie meets 23 year old Peter. He's gorgeous, and kind, and pays attention to Evie in a way she has never experienced. She falls head over heels in love. When Joe meets Peter, it's clear they're no strangers, and that no love is lost between them. What secret are they hiding? And what's going on between Joe and Evie's mother? The tension is building, and Evie can't figure out why.

My thoughts: There are many novels set during WWII, but I love that this one takes us to the weeks and months following the war. Rations have been lifted; people can eat what they want, sew what they want, and shop, and work and rest without the stress of the war. This books gives us a glimpse into that exciting time. It is also a smart, disturbing mystery with a strong central character you can't help but love. You might see what's coming for Evie before she does, but you'll never guess how this story ends.

When You Reach Me

by Rebecca Stead

Summary: Miranda and Sal have been best friends since birth. As they walk down the street one day, a boy walks up to Sal and punches him in the stomach for no apparent reason. From that moment on, their friendship changes. He begins avoiding Miranda, and completely cuts her out of his life. By chance, Miranda must come face to face with Marcus (the puncher) at school one day, and the two have a very interesting conversation about Miranda's favorite book, A Wrinkle in Time. Marcus makes her think about things in a different way. Meanwhile, Miranda is finding strange, cryptic little notes that instruct her to keep the notes a secret, mention the location of her house key, and most importantly, to write a letter. What do the notes mean? Who are they from? And will her letter really help save Sal's life like the mysterious author claims?

My thoughts: Finally! This book is everything a Newbery Award winner should be. It's sweet, real, and completely believable, even though the biggest plot element is total fantasy. Somehow Stead makes you believe that the impossible can happen. I absolutely loved this book.

Purge

by Sarah Darer Littman

Summary: Janie Ryman has a secret, or rather, she HAD a secret. She makes herself throw up in a desperate attempt to stay thin, and to try to take away some of the pain she feels inside. At her sister's wedding, her secret is revealed, embarrassing herself, her sister, and horrifying her friends. She chronicles her story through journal entries at the psychiatric hospital where her parents send her. At the hospital, she meets an intriguing cast of characters with eating disorders who seem to fall into two categories: the Barfers and the Starvers. The people she meets, the discoveries she makes, and the secret she eventually reveals will keep you turning pages.

My thoughts: Just like with Wintergirls, this book makes me sad. It is horrible to think that I know anyone who can relate to the way this young girl thinks and feels about herself. What I like about this book is that the author reveals that she is an eating disorder survivor, and lists many resources on how to cope with and get help for this terrible disease. Her personal knowledge of the disorder makes the story very believable.

Bad Girls Don't Die

by Katie Alender

Summary: Alexis's younger sister Kasey is kind of a weird girl. She acts more like an elementary school kid than a middle-schooler, and she has a strange attachment to her doll collection. But soon Alexis starts to notice Kasey's behavior getting more and more bizarre. And did her blue eyes just turn green? When Kasey asks Alexis to tell her a story, why does the tale of a young girl being tortured and bullied suddenly spring into her mind? As weeks pass, it becomes increasingly clear that Kasey is not altogether herself, and who she is becoming is a danger to not just Alexis, but to many people in town.

My thoughts: This is not only a great ghost story, but a good story about fitting in, school, and figuring out who you are. Alexis is an interesting character, one you can relate to. She's not the character in the scary book or movie who makes dumb decisions and gets herself in trouble. She's smart and makes good choices, which makes this story all that much scarier.

Kaleidoscope Eyes

by Jen Bryant

Summary: Lyza was always close to her grandfather, and when he passes away in 1968, she has to go with her father and older sister to help clean out his house. In the attic she finds a note with some maps and a key that are marked for her eyes only. Her grandfather has left her documents that lead Lyza and her two best friends on an exciting search for Captain Kidd's pirate treasure.

My thoughts: The Vietnam War-era setting gives this book a different feel--it's interesting to read Lyza's reaction to the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Bobby Kennedy, and to watch her see her friend's older brother get drafted. This is a novel written in verse. Jen Bryant takes full advantage of this format, using very few words to make a very powerful statement.