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Reluctant
Reader Awards
2007
Top Ten
Davidson, Dana. Played.
When one of Ian's boys dares him to sleep with plain-faced, nobody Kylie Winship,
he thinks it will be a snap. If he succeeds, he'll be down with the most popular
crew in his school. For him, love is just a game . . .
de la Cruz, Melissa Blue
Bloods YA DE
Select teenagers from some of New York City's wealthiest and most socially
prominent families learn a startling secret about their bloodlines.
Giles, Gail What Happened to
Cass McBride YA GIL
After his younger brother commits suicide, Kyle Kirby decides to exact revenge
on the person he holds responsible.
Gruner, Jessica and Parker, Buzz
Emily the Strange: The Lost Issue
YA Graphic Novel GRU EMI
For more than ten years, pop culture cultists have revered and adored a
mysterious, brooding thirteen-year-old girl named Emily the Strange. Nobody
knows much about the young girl with a porcelain face and huge eyes framed by
black bangs, and her ever-present brood of black cats only adds to the intrigue
- but that hasn't stopped a generation of rabid fans from letting Emily put her
spell upon them. Now Emily fans are invited into her odd, mysterious world - a
place where kitty friends talk, the ghosts of famous weirdos come out to play,
reality is never quite what it seems, and - above all - a place where anyone
who's ever been considered a little "strange" themselves will be made to feel
right at home. Dark Horse Comics and the creative minds behind Cosmic Debris are
thrilled to present the second issue of Emily, with all new stories and art.
Each issue of Emily comics features 48 pages of black, white, and red art (with
the occasional outburst of full-color freakouts!), illustrating a wacky range of
Emily stories.
Saltz, Ina Body Type: Intimate
Messages Etched in Flesh YA 391.6 SAL
Body Type is an eye-opening look into the amazingly creative ways that tattoo
artists are utilizing typography. Whereas the majority of tattoo art uses images
to convey messages, here the message actually is the image.
Seckel, Al Optical
Illusions: The Science of Visual Perception YA 152.14 SEC
Optical Illusions is an intriguing collection of baffling images and shapes that
change before your eyes: hidden figures, incredible designs and dazzling graphic
patterns. The book includes such well-known optical illusions as Shepard's
Tabletop, Wade's Spiral, the Floating Finger illusion, Ames Room, and Rubin's
Face/Vase illusion. There are more than 275 illusions in all, with explanations
of each image and notes about the science of visual perception.
Sniegoski, Tom The
Sleeper Conspiracy YA SNI
Teenager Tom Lovett suffers from a rare form of narcolepsy that can knock him
out for days at a time. At least, this is what his parents and doctors have
always told him. But Tom’s about to make a shocking discovery: He’s actually a
sleeper assassin. His narcoleptic "fits" are cover for his horrific missions. In
fact, his entire life has been a lie. The truth is, Tom shares a body with Tyler
Garrett, a separate personality who has committed coldblooded murder without a
second thought. Now, Tom is on a mission to take down the evil agency that
created him. But can he also fight the evil within himself? In the tradition of
The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy, Sleeper Code and Sleeper Agenda
are a two-part white-knuckle thrill ride that will keep readers riveted to the
very last page.
The two part series are: Sleeper Code and Sleeper Agenda.
van Diepen, Allison Street Pharm.
Grade 9 Up–Set in Brooklyn, this urban drama novel depicts Ty Johnson's life as
a 17-year-old African-American drug dealer. Taking over his father's territory
seemed to be all that to Ty when he was younger, but now he realizes that there
is more to life–mainly forming a relationship with Alyse, a single mother and
his classmate at the local continuation high school. Struggling to hold onto the
pieces of his father's business, he faces competition from out of town and
things get serious. Neither Alyse nor his mother knows what sort of work Ty does
until he ends up in the hospital after a drive-by shooting. Then the teen leaves
school completely and moves out of his mother's apartment. He must decide who he
is as his life is threatened and he loses the people closest to him. Easy to
read and written in street slang including drug references and profanity, this
debut novel will appeal to reluctant readers.–Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles
Public Library
Warren, Frank PostSecret:
Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives
It all began with an idea Frank Warren had for a community art project. He began
handing out postcards to strangers and leaving them in public places -- asking
people to write down a secret they had never told anyone and mail it to him,
anonymously. The response was overwhelming. The secrets were both provocative
and profound, and the cards themselves were works of art -- carefully and
creatively constructed by hand. Addictively compelling, the cards reveal our
deepest fears, desires, regrets, and obsessions. Frank calls them "graphic
haiku," beautiful, elegant, and small in structure but powerfully emotional.
As Frank began posting the cards on his website, PostSecret
took on a life of its own, becoming much more than a simple art project. It has
grown into a global phenomenon, exposing our individual aspirations, fantasies,
and frailties -- our common humanity. Every day dozens of postcards still make
their way to Frank, with postmarks from around the world, touching on every
aspect of human experience. This extraordinary collection brings together the
most powerful, personal, and beautifully intimate secrets Frank Warren has
received -- and brilliantly illuminates that human emotions can be unique and
universal at the same time.
Quick Picks for
Reluctant Young Adult Readers 2007
(the rest of the list)
FICTION
Araki, Hirohiko. Jojo's
Bizarre Adventures, Vol. 1. Tr. by Alexis Kirsch.
The characters, especially the main character and his grandfather, are larger
than life. In a way, that's good, but it also means that they're hard to relate
to. Also, there's some grossness and gore; in one scene, a woman possessed by a
parasite suddenly jabs a pen deep into a student's eye. However, as long as you
like hardcore action stories with supernatural elements including vampires and
super powers and don't mind the gore, this is an excellent choice.
Barnes, Derrick The Making of Dr. Truelove
Diego is a sixteen-year-old boy with a problem. He loves his girlfriend, Roxy.
And when they suddenly break up due to Diego's own insecurity issues, the boy is
crushed. How ever will he win Shorty back?
On the trusty advice of his (crazy) best friend, Diego invents an alter ego
known as Dr. Truelove. A sex and relationship e-columnist, Truelove is smooth
where Diego is gawky, skilled where Diego is clueless. Truelove is, quite
clearly, the way back into Roxy's heart. Or so it seems. .
Booth, Coe Tyrell
YA BOO
Tyrell is a young African-American teen who can't get a break. He's living (for
now) with his spaced-out mother and little brother in a homeless shelter. His
father's in jail. His girlfriend supports him, but he doesn't feel good enough
for her -- and seems to be always on the verge of doing the wrong thing around
her. There's another girl at the homeless shelter who is also after him,
although the desires there are complicated. Tyrell feels he needs to score some
money to make things better. Will he end up following in his father's footsteps?
Chayamachi, Suguro Devil May Cry 3: Volume One: Code One: Dante
Based on the best-selling game, Devil May Cry 3 is an action-packed adventure,
pitting good against evil...and brother against brother! Dante is a demon slayer
and bounty hunter with a demon heritage of his own that haunts his past. He's
currently unemployed--and bored to death. Opportunity knocks in the form of a
missing-child case, which his friend and manager, Enzo, offers him. But a
four-million-dollar reward, an unexpected demon attack and a little girl named
Alice all conspire to send Dante through the looking glass on a nightmarish
adventure beyond his wildest imagination.
Cohn, Rachel and Levithan, David Nick and Norah's
Infinite Playlist
Told in alternating chapters, teeming with music references, humor, angst, and
endearing side characters, this is a love story you’ll wish were your very own.
Working together for the first time, Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have
combined forces to create a book that is sure to grab readers of all ages and
never let them go.
Easton, Kelly Aftershock
Grade 8 Up–In a state of shock, 17-year-old Adam walks away from the scene of
the car accident that has killed his parents. Stranded on a lonely road in rural
Idaho, he heads east, on foot, as random snippets of memory wander in and out of
his mind. Too traumatized to speak, his silence is misinterpreted by the
succession of characters he meets on the odyssey home to Rhode Island. Stumbling
upon a Wiccan meeting in a forest, he is taken in by one of the chatty young
women and takes a job as a dishwasher in a local diner, where he is treated as
deaf. Weeks later, he hitchhikes with a trucker and finds backbreaking work in
Colorado fields with Mexican migrant farmers. He struggles to survive as he
devours a frozen pizza found in a taxidermist's cabin, sleeps in a Dumpster,
crashes a picnic, and steals a car. The adventures intertwine with thoughts
about his girlfriend, locker-room antics, his parents, their bookstore, and his
autistic cousin–spontaneously, as if his mind has short-circuited from the
crash. Adam, though still mute, arrives home emotionally ready to accept his
parents' death. While some situations seem far-fetched and there is some raw
language, readers will be caught up in the teen's predicament.–Vicki Reutter,
Cazenovia High School, NY
Friend, Natasha Lush
YA FRI
It's hard to be a 13-year-old girl. But it's even harder when your father's a
drunk. It adds an extra layer to everything -- your family's reactions to
things, the people you're willing to bring home, the way you see yourself and
the world. For Samantha, it's something that's been going on for so long that
she's almost used to it. Only, you never get used to it. Especially when it
starts to get worse...
Giffen, Keith and Roman, Benjamin I Luv Halloween Series
I Luv Halloween: Volume One
This time it's not just about the candy... Join the misadventures of a
group of particularly disturbing trick-or-treaters as they go about their
macabre business on Halloween night. Blaming the apples they got from the first
house of the evening for the bad candy they've been receiving all night, the
kids plot revenge on the old bag who handed out the funky fruit.Riotously funny
and wickedly shocking, artist Benjamin Roman and comic book vet Keith Giffen
have crafted a sometimes sick and always twisted tale about a holiday that some
of us just can't live without--who doesn't love Halloween?
I Luv Halloween: Volume Two
Play Magazine's #1 Manga All your twisted favorites return, but this
time they've brought along a few friends! The ghoulish Halloween adventures
continue--but what's this? The town has been overrun with zombies! Will the
undead take a bite out of trick-or-treating forever?!"Read it if you have a
strong stomach and are just a little disturbed." -Dave Halverson, Play Magazine
Grant, Vicki Pigboy
YA GRA
Grade 5-9–Dan Hogg is the class brain who wears glasses and has weird hair. But
his biggest problem is his name: it just begs for insults. And the kids in his
class are glad to oblige. When they go on a field trip to a heritage farm
specializing in raising pigs, Dan knows that it will be the worst day of his
life, but he never imagined just how bad it would get. An escaped criminal has
made his way to the farm and locked up the owner. The convict is not sure what
to do with the bus full of eighth graders, but soon figures out that he needs to
get rid of them all. Surprising even himself, Dan, in a bumbling, self-effacing
way, becomes a hero by saving his classmates and teacher. He is still the class
nerd, but he has earned the respect of the biggest bully, and that helps. Grant
has done a fantastic job of developing the voice of an adolescent who is the
class bully's whipping boy. Dan's wry sense of humor catches readers' attention
and has them rooting for him practically from the first page. Pigboy is a great
quick read for boys who may be reluctant readers, but others will enjoy it as
well.–Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD
Hayes, Stormcrow and Steen, Rob Afterlife #1
The Afterlife is disintegrating and nobody knows how long it will be before its
population--everyone who has ever died on Earth--is forever lost in the great
Ether...Thaddeus, a guardian in the Afterlife, becomes obsessed with discovering
an answer to the meaning of life and death. His best friend Mercutio is
distracted by his search for his beloved Anabelle, who may or may not be in the
Afterlife. And as the acceleration of decay intensifies around them, an
encounter with a mysterious girl will lead to a search for what it means to be
truly alive...
Henry, April Shock Point
YA HEN
Sixteen-year-old Cassie’s stepfather Rick is about to strike it rich with Socom,
a new behavioral drug in which Rick is a big investor. But then Cassie discovers
that Rick, a teen psychiatrist, has already been prescribing Socom illegally to
his patients—and three teens have died.
Before she can report him, Rick has Cassie committed to Peaceful Cove, a
sadistic boot camp for troubled teens in Mexico where the only way out is to
graduate at age eighteen. Cassie knows she has to get out now, before more teens
die from Socom. But no one has ever escaped from Peaceful Cove alive—and even if
Cassie gets over the walls and survives the Mexican desert, will anyone believe
her story?
A taut, psychological thriller ripped from today’s headlines, Shock Point deftly
explores the cutting edge issue of behavioral drugs while taking readers on a
roller coaster ride of action and suspense.
Hoffman, Kerry Cohen Easy
YA HOF
Easy. At the ripe young age of fourteen Jessica has discovered that getting the
attention she wants is just that -- easy. It's not the attention of a divorced
mother who spends all of her time grieving over a broken marriage. Nor is it
that of a father with a new girlfriend who's moving on with his life. It's
certainly not the attention of a clueless older sister or a best friend since
grade school who still acts like she's in grade school. No. For some reason
being noticed by her friends and family seems to have become almost impossible.
Boys -- and men -- are a different matter altogether. With the right clothes and
attitude, Jessica realizes that she can get all the male attention she wants.
What she doesn't realize is how easy it is to get more than you're ready for.
In this compelling and often harrowing novel for teen readers, first-time author
Kerry Cohen Hoffmann delves into the mind of a teenage girl as she attempts to
replace the shifting relationships with friends and family with sexual
exploration. With candid storytelling rooted in years of personal experience,
Mrs. Hoffmann offers a searing look at how easy it is to take a wrong turn in
search for the right answers.
Jenkins, A. M. Beating Heart.
Combining verse fragments with chiseled prose, A. M. Jenkins captures the
compelling voice of a long–dead ghost and the perspective of a modern teen,
twining mystery and romance in this evocative, sensual, and unrelentingly
engrossing novel.
Juwell and Precious The Absolute Truth
THE AB-SOLUTE TRUTH is the second book in the Platinum Teen Series and focuses
on the life of Christopher Abdul Parker. Abdul, as he likes to be called, is a
good student, a star basketball player, and is the boyfriend of Porsha, a
character from the previous book in the series. Despite Abdul's good qualities,
one bad choice is his decision to sell drugs. Without the drug money, he and his
brother would be unable to wear the hot designer gear because their parents have
a limited income. About the time the drug game blows up in Abdul's face, a
sexual encounter with Porsha ends with a broken condom. The chain of events that
follows is wrought with drama, unexpected twists, and valuable lessons.
Korman, Gordon Abduction
(Kidnapped, Book 1) YA KOR
When Matt leaves his kindergarten class for a quick trip to the bathroom, he
never imagines what will happen next. He suddenly finds himself in a stranger’s
car traveling to an unfamiliar place. But who is this man, and is he really a
"stranger"? When the school bell rings and Matt is nowhere to be found, his
sister, Bonnie, is frantic. She quickly realizes that her little brother is not
lost, but missing! And she must do everything in her power to save him…even if
it puts her own life in danger.
Korman, Gordon Born to Rock
YA KOR
Leo Caraway—high school senior, president of the Young Republicans club, 4.0
GPA, future Harvard student—had his entire future perfectly planned out. That
was, until the X factor. As in Marion X. McMurphy. As in King Maggot, the lead
singer of Purge, the most popular, most destructive band punk rock has ever
seen. As in Leo’s biological father. When Leo discovers that his real father is
the punk rock legend King Maggot, he is disgusted. Not only is Leo not a punk
rock fan, but he believes the X factor (the Maggot blood that is running through
his veins) is a dangerous time bomb just waiting to explode. And sure enough it
does—Leo stubbornly defends the unlikeliest of people, thereby getting himself
falsely accused of cheating on a test. Because of the blemish on his record, the
once star pupil finds his scholarship to Harvard taken away. So he hatches the
crazy plan of going on tour with King Maggot for Purge’s summer revival tour,
all the while secretly hoping to convince Maggot to pay for his tuition. But
life on the road is even crazier than Leo ever bargained for, and before the
summer is out, he will finally discover the surprising truth about his dad, his
friends, and most importantly, himself.
Lowell, Pamela Returnable Girl
Dumped by her druggie mom, Veronica (Ronnie), 13, spent three years in nine
different foster homes, until she finds a family with counselor Alison, who
comes to love her and wants to adopt her. But can Ronnie trust anyone? Can she
abandon the idea of reuniting with her "real" mom? In her first novel, Lowell, a
family therapist, brings close the drama of betrayal and longing through
Ronnie's first-person narrative, which always stays true to the young teen's
viewpoint. In Ronnie's desperate need for acceptance by the popular kids at
school, she abandons her needy friend, Cat, to the crowd's unspeakable cruelty
and reveals that Cat is giving blow jobs. There are messagey moments (especially
involving Alison's wise boyfriend), but even Alison proves less than perfect,
and Ronnie learns that forgiveness is part of love. Readers will be moved by the
story of anger and distrust in a harsh world, and the temptation to give up the
best in yourself to fit in. Hazel Rochman
Mac, Carrie Crush
Just when she thinks she knows who she is, Hope falls in love--and her world is
turned upside down.
Mancusi, Mari Boys that Bite
Technically Sunshine can't get killed-because she's immortal. Well, not quite
yet. Due to the worst case of mistaken identity with her dark-side-loving twin
sister at a Goth club called Club Fang, Magnus, a vampire hottie, went for
Sunshine's innocent neck. Now if she doesn't reverse it in time, Magnus will be
her blood mate forever and she's doomed to be a blood-gulping, pasty,
daylight-hating vampire. That would seriously bite.
And now, after the unfortunate slaying of the vampire leader, Sunshine, her
sister Rayne, and Magnus must find the one thing that can solve her problem: the
Holy Grail. They wish it were a joke but it's not. It's absolutely necessary
that Sunshine gets out of this in time, because somehow she scored the hottest
prom date in her school, the mouth-watering Jake Wilder. So she just can't be a
vampire for the prom-let alone the rest of eternity
Marunas, Nathaniel and Craddock, Erik Manga Claus: The Blade of
Kringle
A disgruntled employee, dark elven magic, and a horde of cursed toys threaten to
put an end to Christmas just as the North Pole is getting ready for the
hap-hap-happiest time of year. The only things standing between the destruction
of the workshop and the happiness of millions of kids around the world are Santa
and his ancient samurai swords, imbued with the spirit of the season. His blades
are keen and his bujitsu unmatched, but will they be enough to save the season?
McClintock, Norah Tell
YA MCC
Grade 9 Up—In poker, a "tell" is a sign that someone is bluffing. It might be a
twitch, a nervous cough, or a glance. David learned a lot about tells as he
watched his stepfather play the game. Now the man has been murdered, and the
teen lies when a policeman shows up on his doorstep asking questions. The police
quickly focus in on him, and in convincing them of his innocence, David thinks
back to his stepfather's tells and realizes some long-hidden truths about his
family. Embedded in the mystery are two smaller puzzles involving the boy's
brother and birth father. Unfortunately, David's questions about why this man
disappeared from his life and where he is now are never explained, but they are
not central to the plot. The main mystery is wrapped up so quickly and neatly
that fans of the genre might be disappointed that it's over so soon. This short
novel is aimed at teens with lower reading levels but it will also appeal to
others. Overall, the quick pace and David's secret make this a good
thriller.—Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA
McCormick, Patricia Sold
YA MCC
Lakshmi, 13, knows nothing about the world beyond her village shack in the
Himalayas of Nepal, and when her family loses the little it has in a monsoon,
she grabs a chance to work as a maid in the city so she can send money back
home. What she doesn't know is that her stepfather has sold her into
prostitution. She ends up in a brothel far across the border in the slums of
Calcutta, locked up, beaten, starved, drugged, raped, "torn and bleeding," until
she submits. In beautiful clear prose and free verse that remains true to the
child's viewpoint, first-person, present-tense vignettes fill in Lakshmi's
story. The brutality and cruelty are ever present ("I have been beaten here, /
locked away, / violated a hundred times / and a hundred times more"), but not
sensationalized. An unexpected act of kindness is heartbreaking ("I do not know
a word / big enough to hold my sadness"). One haunting chapter brings home the
truth of "Two Worlds": the workers love watching The Bold and the Beautifulon TV
though in the real world, the world they know, a desperate prostitute may be
approached to sell her own child. An unforgettable account of sexual slavery as
it exists now. Hazel Rochman
Meyer, Stephenie New Moon
YA MEY & MEY
When the Cullens, including her beloved Edward, leave Forks rather than risk
revealing that they are vampires, it is almost too much for eighteen-year-old
Bella to bear, but she finds solace in her friend Jacob until he is drawn into a
"cult" and changes in terrible ways.
Myers, Walter Dean Street Love
Grade 8 Up–The swift flow of these short poems carries readers along in
thoughts, conversations, and scenes as Damien and Junice's romance begins. He is
a high achiever who has been accepted to Brown University and is expected to go
far. Junice has just lost her mother to prison and is trying to keep her younger
sister and her grandmother together as a family. Damien and Junice question who
they are and who they will become. Hip-hop-style phrases feel like Shakespeare
telling of these African-American teens in Harlem, struggling to keep it
together. Intellect meets Street as true love conquers all. This is a quick and
satisfying read, simple and timeless.–Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public
Library
Neenan, Colin Thick
YA NEE
Grade 9 Up Nick, 17, is in a holding cell awaiting trial and telling his lawyer
what happened. He begins with his admission of guilt: he killed someone. The
identity of the victim isn't revealed until the final pages, but the author
sustains suspense with Nick's short, simple recap of recent events. He is in a
special-education program at his high school. His alcoholic father verbally
abuses him every chance he gets, and calls him stupid and thick. The teen meets
Alice and her boyfriend, who physically abuses her. Between helping his
18-year-old sister keep her plans to go to college a secret from her father,
being tormented by a bully at school, and trying to help Alice escape her
boyfriend, Nick begins to crack. With an intense emotional climax, he finds
himself armed with a gun and facing all of his hopes and fears. The chapters are
short some are only a paragraph or two and the action never stops, making the
book ideal for reluctant readers. The narrative is conversational and easy to
read. Even though readers know the outcome in the first few pages, they will
want to know more about Nick and the answer to the ultimate question: Who did he
kill? Delia Carruthers
Nelson, Blake
Paranoid Park YA NEL
A sixteen-year-old Portland, Oregon skateboarder, whose parents are going
through a difficult divorce, is engulfed by guilt and confusion when he
accidentally kills a security guard at a train yard.
Pagliarulio, Antonio. A Different Kind of Heat
Luz Cordero is on fire. She’s burning up with rage. She was there the night her
brother got killed. She saw the cop pull the trigger. She tried to do something
positive about it by going to protests, but all her anger got her into trouble.
Now Luz is living at the St. Therese Home for Boys and Girls, working to turn
her life around.
Sister Ellen and Luz’s three fellow residents are helping. When Sister Ellen
gives Luz a journal to write everything down, Luz is finally able to face the
truth about what happened that night. And she’s able to forgive her brother, the
man who took him away, and—most importantly—herself.
Pearsall, Shelly and Steptoe, Javaka
All of the Above YA
PEA
Everyone knows that Washington Middle School is a dead end and its students
have no future. Then, Mr. Collins, the seventh-grade math teacher, inadvertently
challenges several students to build a tetrahedron (a 3-D multiplane structure)
to break the Guinness world record. The students feign disinterest, but
gradually the idea takes hold, ultimately drawing in troublemakers and
well-behaved kids, parents, relatives, and community members alike. Told in
alternating chapters by Mr. Collins and four of his students, Pearsall's novel,
based on a real event in 2002--is a delightful story about the power of a vision
and the importance of a goal. The authentic voices of the students and the
well-intentioned, supportive adults surrounding them illustrate all that is good
about schools, family, friendship, and community. Frances Bradburn
Peters, Kimberly Painting
Caitlyn YA PET
Like many teen girls, Caitlyn is having a tough time. She feels ignored by
her mother and step-father who are obsessed with having a baby, her best friend
is always blowing her off for a boyfriend, and she's struggling in art, her
favorite subject. Caitlyn is completely depressed, when Tyler enters her life,
and seems to make her problems disappear. Older, gorgeous, and totally into
Caitlyn, he makes Caitlyn feel important, needed, and special. But just as
things get serious, Caitlyn discovers Tyler’s jealous side. Once she realizes
her "perfect" boyfriend is as controlling as he is caring, she is faced with a
choice: she can either let this relationship define her, or find the courage to
break away. This emotionally-charged story about teen dating and abusive
relationships touches upon first love, sexual peer pressure, family dysfunction,
and the need for young women to empower themselves.
Plum-Ucci, Carol TheNight
My Sister Went Missing YA PLU
A tiny pistol, passed from friend to friend at a party on an abandoned pier,
suddenly fires, and Casey Carmody falls into the water below. Kurt, Casey's
older brother, endures a seemingly endless night at the police station while the
coast guard searches for his sister and his friends are questioned, one by one.
Dark secrets are revealed and petty jealousies rear their ugly heads as each
eyewitness comes to the questioning room with his or her own version of "the
truth."
Ruby, Laura Good Girls
Grade 9 Up–Audrey wants to spend her senior year staying at fourth in her class
and hanging with her friends, so she breaks it off with the flirty and
mysterious Luke DeSalvio by giving him a goodbye gift he won't forget. But at
school next week, Audrey gets snickers, jeers, and dirty jokes, and Luke won't
even look at her. As it turns out, someone took a photo of her intimate moment
with him, and now she must spend all her energy repairing her reputation. She
reacts to her newfound infamy by pouring herself into her schoolwork and
analyzing her relationship with Luke via flashback chapters.
Steer, Dugald Pirateology
YA 910.R STE
Step lively, pirate foes and fanciers! Mysterious booty found inside a
long-lost sea chest, hidden for hundreds of years off the coast of Newfoundland,
has just been uncovered for your enjoyment. Within these covers is the
fascinating eighteenth-century journal of Captain William Lubber, an earnest
soul who sailed the seas in search of the vicious female pirate Arabella
Drummond. Prepare for a mesmerizing tale of the golden age of piracy — from
storm-tossed sailing ships to tantalizing treasure islands, from pirates’ flags
and fashions to their wily weapons and wicked ways. An extraordinary find for
pirateologists, here is a true and complete companion for the dedicated pirate
hunter.
Singleton, Linda Witch Ball (Seer, #3)
Sabine is finally starting to feel accepted at her new high school. She's
friends with the popular girls and even has a cute boyfriend. But Sabine also
has a dark secret-she's psychic, and was forced to leave her old school after
she accurately predicted the death of a football player.
Volunteering with her friends to help run the psychic booth at their school's
fundraising carnival, Sabine discovers too late that the fake crystal ball she
meant to bring has been mysteriously switched. In its place is the strange
"witch ball" she locked away after her grandmother refused to have it in the
house. Now the haunted witch ball's predictions are coming true, and Sabine must
solve the mystery before its final prediction-her own death-becomes a deadly
reality .
Stewart, Sean and Weisman, Jordan and others
Cathy's Book: If Found Call
650-266-8233 YA STE
“Things weren't so peachy in Cathy's life before Victor broke up with her.
Her father died unexpectedly, she's failing school, and her best friend is mad
at her. But now things have suddenly gone from bad to very, very, very, bad.
Take Victor, for instance. Sure he looks like he's around Cathy's age, or at
least young enough not to make her mother freak out, but what if he's older than
he appears? Like maybe 200 years older. And what does the death of Victor's
co-worker, the strange mark that appeared on Cathy's arm, and the surreal
behavior of several Chinese elders have to do with it? Through Cathy's unique
and irresistible voice-and lots of proof in the form of letters, photographs,
date book entries, telephone numbers readers can call, websites they can access,
as well as secrets only a careful reader will be able to decipher-readers will
enter a strange and fascinating world where things often aren't how they
appear."--Publisher's website.
Stone, Tanya Lee A Bad
Boy Can be Good for a Girl YA STO
Josie, Nicolette, and Aviva all get mixed up with a senior boy who can talk
them into doing almost anything he wants. In a blur of high school hormones and
personal doubt, each girl struggles with how much to give up and what ultimately
to keep for herself.
Strasser, Todd DriftX: Slide or Die
Kennin is new to Sin City, running from a tragic past and anxious to start a
life outside the gearhead crowd. But he can't resist the lure of all the hot,
tricked-out cars in Las Vegas.
WhenKennin accidentally proves his talent, he's pulled into a tsuiso battle
against the toughest drivers around. The competition is cutthroat, and Kennin's
outsider status only makes it worse. With ugly rivalries and vicious sabotage
all around him, Kennin's ride will be gut-wrenchingly dangerous...and totally
amping.
Vaughan, Brian K. and Alphona, Adrian
Runaways: Volume One
YA Graphic Novel VAU RUN
Six young friends discover their parents are all secretly super-powered
villains! Finding strength in one another, the shocked teens run away from home
and straight into the adventure of their lives - vowing to turn the tables on
their evil legacy. In Teenage Wasteland, the Runaways find a kindred spirit in a
daring young stranger and welcome him into their fold. But will this dashing
young man help the teenagers defeat their villainous parents... or tear them
apart? Plus: who do you send to catch a group of missing, runaway teenage
super-heroes? Marvel's original teen runaway crimefighters, Cloak and Dagger,
make their first major appearance in years! In The Good Die Young, the world as
we know it is about to end, and the Runaways are the only hope to prevent it!
Our fledgling teenage heroes have learned how their parents' criminal
organization began, and now they must decide how it should end. As the Runaways'
epic battle against their evil parents reaches its shocking conclusion, the
team's mole stands revealed, and blood must be shed. Which kids will still be
standing when the smoke finally clears?
Volponi, Paul Rooftop
Cousins Clay and Addison were like brothers, growing up together in the
projects, until they were ripped apart by a family argument. when they are
reunited in a drug-treatment program, they try to work out their issues like a
family. but one night, one wrong decision, leaves Clay shaken and Addison dead.
And in the rash of events that follow, the truth of what actually happened on
the rooftop of the apartment building is caught up in a clash of politics and
racial issues. will Clay be able to rise above the lies and face the truth?
Vrettos, Adrienne Maria
Skin YA VRE
When his parents decide to separate, eighth-grader Donnie watches with
horror as the physical condition of his sixteen-year old sister, Karen,
deteriorates due to an eating disorder.
Werlin, Nancy The Rules
of Survival YA WER
Seventeen-year-old Matthew recounts his attempts, starting at a young age,
to free himself and his sisters from the grip of their emotionally and
physically abusive mother.
Westerfeld, Scott The Last
Days YA WES
A mysterious epidemic holds the city in its thrall and the chaos is
contagious—black oil spews from fire hydrants, rats have taken over brooklyn,
and every day, more people disappear. but all that matters to pearl, Moz, and
Zahler is their new band. They ignore the madness around them and join forces
with a vampire lead singer and a drummer whose fractured mind can glimpse the
coming darkness. Will their music stave off the end of the world . . . or summon
it?
NONFICTION
Allen, Judy
Unexplained: An Encyclopedia of
Curious Phenomena, Strange Superstitions and Ancient Mysteries
YA 001.94 ALL
Grade 6 Up A seamless combination of absorbing fact-filled text and
stunning visuals in an investigation of mysteries that continue to baffle,
tantalize, and spark endless debate. The book is divided into engaging subject
areas as diverse as Hauntings, The Power of the Mind, Disappearances, and From
Another Planet. Readers will pore over accessible and exciting entries about the
sixth sense, premonitions, frog showers and fish falls, Atlantis, and crop
circles. In addition, there are pieces on relatively recent subjects that have
gained wide popularity, such as Feng shui and Men in Black. The articles, which
are complemented by a wealth of attractive black-and-white and color
illustrations, discuss and define the phenomena, and provide firsthand accounts.
They detail some suggested explanations, but also encourage readers to draw
their own conclusions.
Ask CosmoGirl about Guys
YA 306.73 ASK
I like this guy …How I can I let him know I'm interested in him without totally
embarrassing myself? My friends tell me I flirt too much, but I love the
attention I get…Is there something wrong with that? What's the secret to true
love-and how do I find it? Whether it's a guy who could become a boyfriend, a
boyfriend who's causing a little (or big) problem, or a once-upon-a time
boyfriend who has moved on, relationships are a top subject in every girl's
life. CosmoGIRL! can help get your love life on track, from figuring out if he's
a good match (or a bad catch) to nurturing that perfect romance and making it
last. No topic is left untouched, and there's plenty of good advice on getting a
guy's attention, handling a fight, building trust, and giving that perfect kiss.
Ask CosmoGirl about Your Body
YA 613 ASK
Our bodies don’t come with instruction manuals, and many young women aren’t sure
exactly what’s normal and what isn’t. Worse yet, they often suffer needlessly—or
put themselves in danger—because they’re too embarrassed to ask their parents or
doctor. Now, courtesy of CosmoGIRL!, comes the sympathetic, dependable help they
need. Here are actual questions sent in by real girls, with the editors’
carefully researched responses. The topics cover everything from body basics to
serious physical problems to mental health. Want to know if a burn will scar
your skin? What to do about irregular periods? How to handle a too-visible
hickey? Whether it’s really dangerous to be obese? Should you seek counseling
for depression—or is there another way to beat the blues? All these and hundreds
of other important issues receive the thoughtful, honest answers that every girl
wants to know.
Bancroft, Tom Creating
Characters with Personality YA 741.6 BAN
From Snow White to Shrek, from Fred Flintstone to SpongeBob Square-Pants, the
design of a character conveys personality before a single word of dialogue is
spoken. Creating Characters with Personality shows artists how to create a
distinctive character, then place that character in context with a script,
establish hierarchy, and maximize the impact of pose and expression. Practical
exercises help readers put everything together to make their new characters
sparkle.
Benton, Jim It's Happy Bunny: What's Your Sign?.
Astrology is all about YOU! What's not to love? Find out: What makes YOU
special; what YOUR future holds; what kinds of people will tick YOU off; and how
to use astrology to justify YOUR shortcomings! Are you cute but psycho? Then
you're a Scorpio. Do you hate everything? You must be a Cancer. Or maybe you're
a big Dorkwad? Take heart. It's not you. It's just your birth date! BONUS FUN:•
Quizzes, Games, Charts, Fill-in-the-blank letters• Personal ProfilesUnlock your
life's potential Happy Bunny style.
Blattberg, Julie and Koontz, Wendi Backstage with Beth and Trina: A
Scratch and Sniff Adventure
At last, you can finally hook up with the band—and still keep your pants on.
Join Beth and Trina, two wonderfully trashy and loveable rocker chicks, as they
hit the scene, drink and smoke way too much, and score every groupie’s ticket to
ride: backstage passes. The party is right at your fingertips—just scratch and
sniff to release the unmistakable aromas of stale beer, cigarettes, marijuana
(medicinal, of course), strawberry lip gloss, and even some . . . uh . . .
vomit. What happens next is anyone’s guess, but with Beth and Trina in full
party mode, you can bet there will be a little bit of latex—and a lot of
leather.
Cooper, Martha and Kramer, Nika and others We B*Girlz
We B*Girlz—the first handbook for accomplished or aspiring B-Girlz and the boys
who admire them—showcases the dynamic style and nonstop energy of B-Girlz in
action, in practice, and on stage. Providing inspiring insight into a previously
little-known subculture that has swept the world, We B*Girlz includes chapters
on Herstory, Girlz n’ Crewz, B-Boys, Floor Warz, We B-Family, We B-Stylin’,
B-Girl Careers, and B-Girl resources, including information on websites, gear,
events, competitions, and classes. Cooper and Kramer first began documenting the
new breed of B-Girlz in a breaking competition in Germany in 2004. Following the
dancers to the biggest battles—including Mighty4 in San Francisco, the
Spinfactor Finals in Rhode Island, Breaklanta in Atlanta, IBE in the
Netherlands, and the International Battle of the Year in Germany—they
photographed and interviewed B-Girlz representing everywhere from South Africa
to New Zealand, from New York to California, and from Japan to Germany.
Culminating in the first annual We B*Girlz competition at veteran B-Boy Ken
Swift’s studio in Brooklyn, Cooper and Kramer’s work will introduce a new
generation to the art of B-Girling.
CosmoGirl! Words to Live By
This attractively designed collection of inspiring quotations covers subjects
from friends and family to school and relationships and will help motivate and
encourage young women every single day. It’s a terrific gift that any CosmoGIRL
will appreciate.
Garza, Mario Stuff on My Cat
It began with a handful of digital photographs of office supplies, toys, and
spare computer parts thoughtfully placed on Mario Garza's snoozing cat, Love.
Over time, the objects became bigger: remote controls, shoes, empty pizza boxes.
And then cat owners everywhere were sucked into the Internet phenomenon that is
defined by a simple motto: stuff + cats = awesome. From Stuffonmycat.com (the
amazingly popular website that redefines hilarious and that was named one of the
coolest sites of the year by Yahoo! And GQ magazine) comes Stuff On My Cat: The
Book. Culled from the thousands of outrageous photographs submitted by
mischievous animal lovers, here are 200 of the most unbelievably entertaining
images of cats with all manner of things on them: wigs, Easter eggs, dogs,
cheeseburgers, cookware, gummi bears, action figures, tiaras, beer cans,
pinecones, a statue of the Buddha, and much more. An introduction by the site's
creator explains the Stuff on My Cat philosophy, and playful illustrations and
graphics are sprinkled throughout. Just try to keep a straight face.
Halls, Kelly Milner and Spears, Rick and others
Tales of the Cryptids: Mysterious
Creatures that May or May Not Exist YA 001.944 HAL
Everyone loves the stories of legendary creatures that just might really exist.
This book relies on the latest information from cryptozoologists, experts who
study these mysterious beings, and the counter-arguments are explored from
experts who strongly believe they do not exist. Stories from eyewitnesses are
recounted, as well. Included in the book are Bigfoot (Sasquatch), Loch Ness
monster, Mokele Mbembe (Africa), Kongamato, Shunka Warak’in, Mapinguari (South
America), giant squids, mermaids, coelocanths, and more. An extensive "For
Further Investigation" section, offering readers more places to find
information, concludes the book.
Hart, Christopher Manga
Mania: Chibi and Furry Characters: How to Draw the Adorable Mini-Characters and
Cool Cat Girls of Japanese Comics YA 741.5 HAR
Everyone loves chibi, the newest, hottest manga style out of Asia. Chibis—characters
that range from hypercute miniature people to bizarrely sexy furry
characters—come in all varieties, all roles, including chibi teenagers, faeries,
schoolgirls, nurses, mermaids, devils, angels, and everyone in between. Now
Christopher Hart, the world’s best-selling author of cartoon and drawing titles,
shows readers exactly how to darw chibis, infusing them with personality and
creating authentic costumes for them. Cute chibi-style monsters (small yet
powerful), appealing cat-girls (humanlike, but with feline traits),
superdeformed manga/chibi characters (used to make funny wisecracks)—every type
of chibi character is shown here in crystal clear, step-by-step drawings. Manga
Mania Chibi and Furry Characters will get every manga fan in on the chibi fun.
Lee, Lela Still Angry Little Girls. The sequel to the
best-selling ANGRY LITTLE GIRLS!
The girls are back and angrier than ever! The sequel to the best-selling ANGRY
LITTLE GIRLS features the hilarious return of this beloved cast of characters:
Kim, the angry little Asian girl; Deborah, the disenchanted princess; Maria, the
crazy little Latina; Wanda, the fresh soul sistah; and Xyla, the gloomy girl.
Leonetti, Mike and Iaboni, John
Football Now! YA
796.332 LEO
Fast-paced, up-to-date and packed with action photos, Football Now profiles the
biggest stars of the National Football League. Among them are Shaun Alexander,
Larry Johnson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Peyton Manning, Jake Plummer, Troy Polamalu,
Brian Urlacher Champ Bailey, Tom Brady, Walter Jones, Dwight Freeney and Neil
Rackers. Featuring 70 player profiles and coverage of the regular season,
playoffs and Super Bowl XL 2006, Football Now provides an insider's view that
showcases the best players.
Masessa, Ed and Jankowski, Daniel The Wandmaker's Guidebook
Become a wandmaker's apprentice. This guidebook covers every aspect of making
your own wand, from the type of wood to the powers that you can create with
natural elements like sand, herbs, feathers and more. Your personal powers can
be placed in the twist off handle. What kind of wand will you make?
Masyga, Mark and Ohlin, Martin
Peeps: A Candy-Coated Tale
YA 813 MAS
Alert the media-a prominent Peepsville family of marshmallow Peeps has gone
missing! Told primarily through newspaper and magazine stories, their mysterious
disappearance provides the basis for this weird and hilarious whodunit. How did
the Peeps family find themselves in such a predicament? Who is responsible? And
more importantly, can they be rescued before their sell-by dates
Monsters: A Celebration of the
Classics from Universal Studios 791.43 MON
Now, from Universal itself, comes a lavishly illustrated book that provides the
words and images behind these legendary films–plus heartfelt tributes from some
of Hollywood’s most famous fans. Here are beautiful on-screen and
behind-the-scenes photos from the studio’s vaults; the background stories of
Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Wolf Man, and the other classic characters
that scared audiences and scared up profits; the makeup secrets; the censorship
battles; and words of praise from friends, family, and fans
Bob Pletka, Editor My So-Called Digital Life: 2,000 Teenagers, 300
Cameras, and 30 Days to Document Their World
The result of a unique project organized by a school administrator, this photo
essay captures the daily lives of a large group of California high school
students. Two thousand students from across the state were given digital cameras
and a time limit of one month to document, in pictures and words, their
day-to-day experiences. As a part of the event, some students were bussed to
schools in different parts of the state, including inner cities or rural or
suburban areas. All of the students were able to communicate with each other
over the Internet, sharing text, audio, photos, and video. Professional
photographers, teachers, historians, and community leaders accompanied and
advised the students, but the images, thoughts, fears, and hopes are theirs
alone. This complex project tracks the students as they take on issues of
identity, education, alienation, safety, technology, family, work, and
friendship.
Pick Me Up: Stuff You Need to Know
YA 031.02 PIC
Grade 4-8–This inventive compendium of interesting facts combines elements of an
almanac, a trivia book, and the Internet with playful touches of humor. The
table of contents, index, and a simple color-coding scheme provide subject
access, but the book is not intended to be read from front to back. Each page
includes a wide range of information, much of it connected in unexpected ways.
Cross-references, which appear in bold with page numbers within the text,
approximate the role of hyperlinks and allow readers to follow related topics of
interest. A page on the Mona Lisa, for instance, has obvious cross-references to
Leonardo da Vinci and the Italian Renaissance, but also leads to mass media and
supermodels. A spread that starts with national economies also includes features
on online shopping, obesity, and gospel music. The graphic design of each page
is impressively diverse, utilizing charts, photographs, cartoons, and diagrams
in a variety of colors and styles. Some illustrations convey most of the
information, such as a clever flow chart that shows how the book works. The tone
of the text is often irreverent, but this matches the general theme that
information is fun and worthy of enthusiasm. Comparing the Roman Empire to
McDonald's may not be the first reference for a school report, but it's a
distinctly inventive way to get readers to think imaginatively about both. This
unique resource is a natural choice for the many fans of the Guinness Book of
Records.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR
Rannals, Melissa and Alvarado, Melissa and others.
Sew Subversive: Down and Dirty DIY for the Fabulous Fashionista
Sew Subversive is about making fashion your own, whether it's embellishing
or customizing off-the-rack clothing or transforming clothes that have lost that
loving feeling. The three twenty-something co-owners of Stitch Lounge, an urban
sewing studio in San Francisco, teach you, in plain, fun language, how to do it,
whether you're hand sewing, machine sewing, or, in a few cases, simply wielding
a pair of scissors. There are 22 projects in all, some of which only require an
iron and/or pair of scissors, while others can be sewn by hand, for those
readers who haven't yet made the sewing machine plunge.
Rogge, Hannah and Rafter, Marianne Hardwear: Jewelry From a Toolbox
Adult/High School–This book is a strong entry in the DIY genre. The projects and
accessories are all made almost entirely from inexpensive items one can buy in a
hardware store. Each chapter focuses on a different type: washers, rope, metal
connectors, nuts, vinyl, plastic, and rubber. Materials lists are complete with
illustrations, and the clear instructions are numbered and illustrated. Finished
products are modeled in fashion-forward color photographs. A glossary explains
the original use for the hardware item, where to find it in the store, and which
materials one needs to get from a craft store.
Schutz, Samantha I Don't Want to be Crazy: A Memoir of Anxiety
Disorder YA 811 SCH
This is a true story of growing up, breaking down, and coming to grips with a
psychological disorder. When Samantha Schutz first left home for college, she
was excited by the possibilities -- freedom from parents, freedom from a
boyfriend who was reckless with her affections, freedom from the person she was
supposed to be. At first, she revelled in the independence. . . but as pressures
increased, she began to suffer anxiety attacks that would leave her mentally
shaken and physically incapacitated. Thus began a hard road of discovery and
coping, powerfully rendered in this poetry memoir.
Scott, Damien and Ex, Kris How to Draw Hip Hop
Hip-hop is more than baggy jeans and explicit song lyrics. It’s a cultural force
that influences everything we see and everything we hear. Now two masters of
hip-hop have joined forces to create one remarkable book: How to Draw Hip-Hop.
Damion Scott, a noted hip-hop artist, and Kris Ex, an internationally recognized
music journalist, explain drawing basics and construction of the hip-hop look;
ways to capture the style and spirit of the B-boy and B-girl; and how to draw
hip-hop gear, environments, characters, and grafitti. Every artist and aspiring
artist, every fan of hip-hop and pop culture in general needs a copy of How to
Draw Hip-Hop.
Skate and Destroy: The First 25 Years of Thrasher Magazine
In January 1981, a group of San Francisco skateboarders put together the
first issue of Thrasher magazine. Today, Thrasher is bigger and better than
ever—its name synonymous with both skateboarding's roots and constant evolution.
Marking Thrasher's anniversary, this jam-packed retrospective recounts
skateboarding's twists and turns of the last two decades and offers a glimpse at
its thriving future. New and old school skaters alike will love Thrasher: Skate
and Destroy. Not only does it cover the first twenty-five years of the magazine,
reprinting the best of the original columns—"Photograffiti," "Zounds," "Trash,"
among others—but it will feature unpublished photos, rejected covers, interview
outtakes, and detailed profiles. Action-packed photos capture legendary skaters
such as: Tony Hawk, Bob Burnquist, Andrew Reynolds, Tony Alva, Mike Carroll, and
Lance Mountain.The definitive guide to the history and development of
skateboarding, no other book will take you as close to the risk taking, bone
breaking world of what has since become the world's fastest growing extreme
sport. With an emphasis on the current trends that will especially appeal to
today's hundreds of thousands of skaters, this will be the skateboarding bible
for fans of all ages and levels. Like the tattoos carved into the arms of
skaters worldwide, Thrasher is forever. This one's gonna be gnarly!
Trumbauer, Lisa A Practical
Guide to Dragons YA 398.25 TRU
This lavishly illustrated guide showcases the wide array of fantastic dragons
encountered on the world of Krynn. Sindri Suncatcher–wizard’s apprentice–opens
up his personal notebooks to share his knowledge of these awe-inspiring
creatures, from the life cycle of a kind copper dragon to the best way to
counteract a red dragon’s fiery breath.
The perfect companion to the Dragonlance: The New Adventures
series, this beautifully illustrated title introduces readers to the looks and
habits of dragons of the Dragonlance world. With tips and tricks every new
adventurer can use on imaginary encounters with dragons, this book will enchant
readers with both pictures and words.
Williamson, Kate T. and Butefish, Jennifer and others Hello Kitty Through
the Seasons
Join Hello Kitty as she celebrates the joy and wonder of the seasons! The
follow-up to the best-selling HELLO KITTY EVERYWHERE!, this new, whimsical
collection also features clever haiku written by Hello Kitty herself! Featuring
inventive photographs of Hello Kitty in a variety of hilarious poses and exotic
locations, HELLO KITTY FOR ALL SEASONS will delight 'tweens, teens, poets,
collectors, and more. From sunbathing on the beach in the heat of summer, to
frolicking in the snow on a chilly winter day, this photographic journey is full
of enough love and adventure to last all year round!
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