Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 09/18/2012
ISBN-13: 9780062195180
ISBN-10: 0062195182

Fantasy. After a devastating war between faeries and humans, England is transformed into a strange -- and dangerous -- place. Young Bartholomew Kettle, son of a human mother and a fae father, is reviled by faeries and humans alike, as are most changelings (known in this story as "Peculiars"). He and his sister Hettie stay hidden most of the time. But after Bartholomew witnesses a Peculiar being kidnapped, he comes out of hiding to investigate and finds himself caught up in web of intrigue and danger. Sinister, captivating, and decidedly weird, this highly imaginative story may cause you to stop reading from time to time in order to ponder the visuals the author creates as he builds his unusual, fascinating imaginary world. (Don't worry, though -- the intense plot will pull you back in.)

Publisher: Dutton Children's Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 09/27/2012
ISBN-13: 9780525425816
ISBN-10: 0525425810

Dark Fantasy. In this oh-so-gruesome follow-up to A Tale Dark and Grimm, cousins Jack and Jill live through very different versions of some stories you might think you know (they involve things like a magic beanstalk, a naked Emperor, and a talking frog). Packed with wickedly dark humor and positively dripping with gore, these are not fairy-tale adventures for the squeamish, but they'll be just the thing for fans of the first book, or for those who were thrilled by the deliciously macabre short-story collection Troll's Eye View (edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling).

Publisher: Little, Brown
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/14/2012
ISBN-13: 9780316176903
ISBN-10: 0316176907

Fiction. Jamie hardly remembers his sister Rose, who was killed in a terrorist bombing when Jamie was only five years old -- but his family's whole life revolves around her. When his parents split up, Jamie and his sister Jasmine (Rose's twin) move from London to the countryside with their dad, who drowns his sorrows even more thoroughly in alcohol and lavishes attention on the urn that holds Rose's ashes. Then Jamie finally makes a friend -- a Muslim girl named Sunya -- and has to defend his friendship against his dad's anger and blind prejudice. This honest, affecting novel "straddles that fine line between funny and tragic" (Booklist) and is a story you won't soon forget.

Publisher: Graphix
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 09/01/2012
ISBN-13: 9780545326988
ISBN-10: 0545326982

Graphic Novel. Callie loves theatre and has a hand in most of her middle school's productions -- but since she can't sing (which she demonstrates with hilarious aplomb), she'll be designing sets for their run of Moon Over Mississippi. That is, if she can overcome her limited carpentry skills, deal with squabbling fellow crew members, and help boost ticket sales. Then, when super-cute twin brothers Justin and Jesse join the production, Callie's got the added distraction of not knowing which of them she's got more of a crush on. Funny, entertaining, and full of realistic drama both onstage and off, this is a great pick for fans of Hope Larson's Chiggers.

Publisher: Chronicle Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/15/2012
ISBN-13: 9780811866798
ISBN-10: 0811866793

Humorous Adventure. Twelve-year-old twins John and Abigail really, really want a dog -- but they can't seem to get their distracted, depressed father's attention in order to ask permission, so they build a very impressive contraption instead (their dad's an inventor). This, dear readers, is only the beginning and only a very small part of this short, simple, goofy, and magnificently convoluted tale. Narrated by a rambling, smart-alecky narrator who could be described as a pouty, conceited Lemony Snicket, the story's twists and turns are sure to surprise -- and there are plenty of codes and puzzles to keep you guessing while you giggle, too.

Publisher: Zondervan
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 04/12/2011
ISBN-13: 9780310719816
ISBN-10: 031071981X

Realistic Fiction. After her mother dies from cancer and medical bills force her father to close his auto-repair shop, 17-year-old Emily and her dad move in with Emily's wealthy aunt. Emily is miserable there -- her aunt seems determined to make tomboyish Emily into a carbon copy of her beautiful, perfect cousin, Whitney -- and she keeps to herself, grieving for her mom and unable to talk to anyone (even God). Then she meets Zander, the cute guy-next-door, who's restoring a 1970s-model Dodge Challenger. Can he help Emily find her way back to her faith? This emotional, character-centered read is a good bet for Melody Carlson fans.

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Publisher: Zondervan
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/10/2010
ISBN-13: 9780310721437
ISBN-10: 0310721431

Historical Romance. In a love story loosely based on the tale of Sleeping Beauty, 17-year-old Rose, a healer's apprentice, falls in love with Lord Hamlin -- but, although he loves Rose in return, the nobleman is already promised to another. Unable to marry the man who holds her heart, will Rose succumb to the charms of Lord Hamlin's wild younger brother? Readers who revel in vivid period details will be captivated by the descriptions of medieval music, clothing, and customs in this novel -- and those who enjoy historical romance with a Christian message and a fairy-tale feel will also want to read the author's book The Merchant's Daughter, which is based on "Beauty and the Beast."

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Publisher: Zondervan
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/06/2010
ISBN-13: 9780310720782
ISBN-10: 0310720788

Novel in Verse. Nobody expected 14-year-old Mary Rudine (nicknamed "Mister" because of her initials) to wind up pregnant -- least of all her. Now the boy she couldn't resist is gone, and Mary feels ashamed, scared, and alone despite the forgiving and nurturing attitude of her church congregation. Then she stumbles on a book of poetry written from the Virgin Mary's perspective and gets caught up in its story. Beautifully written and full of deep emotion, this novel about making hard choices and struggling to find one's faith is a memorable, thought-provoking read.

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Publisher: Revell
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/01/2009
ISBN-13: 9780800733803
ISBN-10: 0800733800

Realistic Fiction. Tory Tyson has big plans that don't involve finishing high school. He's going to have a music career -- a big one, as a rap producer -- and he's sure that it's going to start with winning NYC radio station Power 97's "Unsigned Hype" contest. But Tory's mom, a devout Christian, isn't going to make it easy for him to just walk away from his education (especially for music that, according to her, goes against the Bible). With its well-rounded characters, authentic writing, and even a bit of a love story, Unsigned Hype is a bit edgier than most Christian novels but is an edifying read with faith at its core.

Publisher: Pocket Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/20/2009
ISBN-13: 9781416563518
ISBN-10: 1416563512

Chick Lit. In this 4th volume of the Divas series, high-school sophomores Diamond, India, Veronique, and Aaliyah are preparing for a gospel singing competition in Los Angeles. Aaliyah isn't as passionate about performing as her friends are; she really only joined the Divas to spend more time with them. And when she comes face-to-face with a secret from her past, Aaliyah is upset enough that she might leave the group altogether -- which could kill the Divas' chances at winning the $250,000 recording contract that's at stake.

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