New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Synopsis :

The sequel to Twilight. The saga of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen’s human-vampire love story continues in this book. Or does it? After another close disaster with Bella and vampires, Edward decides it’s time for the Cullens to leave Forks. His motivation? The vampires who snapped at Bella this time were his family. He’s no good for her. Bella is inconsolable when Edward leaves until she resumes her friendship with Jacob, whose sunny personality makes her feel alive again. But Jacob wants more than friendship from Bella, more than Bella feels that she can give. And Edward? Well, despite the fact that he always says it’s Bella who attracts danger like a magnet; Edward manages to get himself into quite the situation.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Synopsis :

Bella Swan, a clumsy 17 year old girl, is transplanted from sunny Phoenix to dreary Forks, Washington, where her life is anything but the boring tedium she expects. She quickly spots Edward Cullen, and she catches his eye too. Edward is anything but ordinary, and Bella is enchanted by him, and he fixated on her. There’s a catch however; beautiful, extraordinary Edward is a vampire.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Synopsis :

Her name is Coraline, not Caroline, and she’s very curious. She has just moved with her parents into a very large house, and Coraline is eager to explore her yard, her strange new neighbors, and she’s especially curious about the door in the drawing room. This curiosity gets Coraline in trouble when she unlocks this dangerous door and is transported to the ‘other world’ where her ‘other mother’ and ‘other father’ wait to love her, cater to her every whim, make her life more exciting, and … sew buttons on her eyes. Follow Coraline on a twisted, creepy adventure as she battles the evil other mother in the hopes of winning back her real parents and her freedom.

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

Synopsis :

This book is the second of the Uglies series, and begins with a post-surgery Tally enjoying her new life in Prettyville. She spends most of her time partying, or preparing to party; Tally has all but forgotten her life in Smoke and the promises made there. Then, a visitor arrives from the New Smoke with two pills – a possible cure. Tally struggles to remember what she thought before her surgery and faces the decision: is the ‘perfect’ life she’s always wanted enough?

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

Synopsis :

This book is the continuation of the Uglies series, but from a different character’s point of view, and in a different setting. Extras takes place a few years after the mind rain and while Tally Youngblood appears in the book, she is not the main character. Aya Fuse, our new narrator, is part of a new society, one based on drawing attention to yourself through showy tricks or crazy ideas. Everything in her society is based on a person’s “face rank” – a number that shows how interested (or uninterested) people are in you. In this city, to be an ‘extra’ means that you’re not noticed… for Aya, this is the worst possible fate, and she is always scheming for ways to become famous. Unfortunately for Aya, fame and danger are intertwined when she uncovers a mysterious plot.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Synopsis :

To say that Percy Jackson has a rough time at school would be an understatement. He’s been kicked out of a school each year… and that’s while trying to avoid trouble. But none of this is fault, and part of it’s not true. In sixth grade, after accidentally killing his evil pre-algebra teacher on a school field trip, Percy learns that he’s a half-blood; and that his “dyslexia” is really a mind that’s geared toward reading ancient Greek and his “ADHD” is really battle reflexes. Before Percy has the chance to enjoy this new-found knowledge, he’s sent on a dangerous quest; return Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt, or civilization as we know it may be over.

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Synopsis :

Roy Eberhardt’s family has moved again; this time landing him in Coconut Grove, Florida where he quickly becomes the favorite victim of a bully named Dana. But, just as quickly, Roy becomes entangled in a mystery about a barefoot boy, some teensy owls, and a pancake house. One part ecology and four parts funny make this a great book for either gender.

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

Synopsis :

They’re at it again! Why can’t those Greek gods behave? It’s Percy and Annabeth’s job to save Camp Half-Blood (and the rest of the world, too) from the squabbles of the Mount Olympus crew. This time Percy’s got a new and embarrassing brother and he’s crashing a new and dangerous quest into the Sea of Monsters.

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Synopsis :

A teenage James Bond story! Alex Rider, a 14-year-old British boy, has his life changed forever when the police knock on his door late one night. The officers tell him that his secretive Uncle Ian died in a car accident, but Alex discovers that the car is full of bullet holes! As Alex investigates, he finds more than he ever could have imagined – his uncle wasn’t a banker – he was a spy. Now MI6 wants to recruit Alex too. Alex finds himself left with little choice but to obey and soon finds himself fighting for his life in an undercover mission.

The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley

Synopsis :

Who says you’re too old for fairy tales?! This story approaches the familiar stories from a different direction. If you’re a fan of Shrek or Enchanted, you’ll love this book. Sabrina and Daphne Grimm have been having a rough time since their parents mysterious disappeared, they’ve hated all their foster parents, and now their grandmother has come out of no where and would like to claim them… a grandmother that their parents had said died before they were born. Who is this quirky lady? Why does she believe that giants and witches are real? Could Prince Charming really be a bad (but beautiful) mayor? Daphne’s all set to believe the wacky stories, but Sabrina’s not so sure. Fairy tales aren’t real… are they?

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Synopsis :

Ember is a city unlike any other… to discover it’s many mysteries, read this book. When Lina Mayfleet and her classmates turn twelve, they follow the same ritual that has been followed since the founding of the city of Ember; they are assigned a job. Lina’s job as messenger takes her all around the city and she begins to learn some of the city’s secrets: supplies are running out and the city is dying. Lina and her friend Doon find a secret message left by the city’s founders; can they figure it out and save Ember before it’s too late?

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

Synopsis :

Two orphans trying to escape their awful Aunt Esther, run away to Venice, Italy. In the city of canals, Prosper and Bo befriend a mysterious 13-year-old who calls himself the “Thief Lord” and supports a group of homeless children with his stealing. Prosper and Bo feel at home with their strange new family and are starting to adjust to their new life, until a detective hunts down their secret hideaway. At the same time, the Thief Lord is offered a tempting new heist, one that appears to be very simple and will pay them beyond their wildest dreams. But, in a city of twisting canals, narrow alleys, and spooky islands, nothing is as simple as it seems.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Synopsis :

Donald Zinkoff is not the typical kid. He loves school, but he’s not that good at it. He wants to be a mailman so that he can deliver mail in sleet and snow. He giggles a bit too much, has a lucky piece of bubble gum, and throws up and burps a lot. But Zinkoff doesn’t realize that he’s different until the other students start to treat him differently. This book is an interesting look at the relationships within elementary school classrooms and what it means to not fit in.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Synopsis :

Mira’s small mining town is turned upside down when a delegate from the king arrives and announces that the prince must choose his princess from among the girls in the village. To prepare the mountain girls for their possible future responsibilities as princess, a ‘princess academy’ is opened. At the academy the girls are taught poise, diplomacy, reading; but the most important lessons don’t come from the text. As the girls are pushed to achieve, they develop a new sense of who they are, where they come from, and what they want out of life.

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

Synopsis :

Taran is a simple assistant pig keeper until the day his pig escapes. But Hen Wen is no ordinary pig; she can predict the future. With an evil Horned King attacking the countryside, her powers are being hunted by both sides and it’s up to Taran to rescue her. For people who like the Lord of the Rings series, or Eragon, this is another series you’d enjoy reading. Full of battles and fantastical creatures, this story is part myth, part adventure, and very exciting.

Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz

Synopsis :

It seems that Alex has developed a taste for adventure. He’s back at school in the beginning of the novel, but Alex feels that he doesn’t quite fit anymore. His new MI-6 knowledge tempts Alex to pull off a stunt that lands him in jail, Blunt bails him out, but conditionally: accept a new mission or deal with the police consequences. Soon, Alex finds himself with a new identity and shipped off to the mysterious Point Blanc School, a school that has built its reputation on reforming the delinquent sons of the very wealthy. In fact, the boys are so well behaved when the leave the school, it’s almost like they’re entirely new people…

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Synopsis :

Edward’s back, but Bella’s life isn’t perfect yet. There is a string of mysterious murders going on in Seattle, Edward and Jacob are battling, and Jacob hasn’t given up his claim on Bella’s life, or her heart. There’s a battle brewing between vampires and werewolves and the tension is building.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Synopsis :

Tally Youngblood lives across the river from New Pretty Town. She can’t wait until she turns 16, because then she’ll get the operation to make her pretty and make perpetually happy. But then Tally meets a new friend, and Shay tells Tally that there are alternatives to the surgery. Before Tally can decide what she really wants, she becomes entangled in a battle between the world as she knows it, and the world as it used to be. This futuristic novel has a fantastic plot and an important message.

Skeleton Key by Anthony Horowitz

Synopsis :

The third book in the Alex Rider series is fast-paced and action packed with lots of subplots and adventure. Alex starts by investigating a mysterious break-in at Wimbleton and ends up in the United states, next Cuba, and then in Russia. Along the way he picks up some allies, some enemies, and some enemies who’d like to be allies. Once again, it’s up to our favorite 14-year-old spy to save the world.

Loser by Jerry Spinelli

Synopsis :

Donald Zinkoff is not the typical kid. He loves school, but he’s not that good at it. He wants to be a mailman so that he can deliver mail in sleet and snow. He giggles a bit too much, has a lucky piece of bubble gum, and throws up and burps a lot. But Zinkoff doesn’t realize that he’s different until the other students start to treat him differently. This book is an interesting look at the relationships within elementary school classrooms and what it means to not fit in.

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

Synopsis :

Hollis Woods is tough. She has to be. She’s been bounced from one family to the next, living in six different houses before she turns 12. Mostly they’ve been awful, but there’s one family she loved and would have loved to belong to. Hollis tries not to think about that family; about how she messed everything up there and spoiled everyone’s chance at happiness. She’s with Josie now, and she loves her. But Josie’s older, and she’s forgetting things. It seems like Hollis may have to move again, but she’s so tired of leaving. Could running away be the way to stay together?

The Killing Sea by Richard Lewis

Synopsis :

This is a fictionalized story of two different people trying to survive in the aftermath of the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia on 12/26/2004. Both Ruslan, a teenager from Aceh, and Sarah an American teen are stranded without their parents after the giant wave strikes. Written by an aide worker who helped with the relief efforts, this is a realistic portrayal of what it was like to survive this disaster.

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

Synopsis :

Set at the turn of the twentieth century in upper crust Manhattan, The Luxe follows the lives of privileged teenagers as the discreetly, and not-so-discreetly break all the rules of etiquette and decorum. In a time when social conventions dictated behavior, these characters are breaking all the rules in their quests for love, social standing, pleasure, and money.

Specials by Scott Westerfeld

Synopsis :

Special Circumstances has always been a group that has terrified Tally and her friends. Most people don’t even believe they exist. But what if Tally is given no choice but to join their growing ranks? Tally finds herself with ‘special’ abilities and talents, but what will happen when her next assignment is to destroy the New Smoke?

Eagle Strike by Anthony Horowitz

Synopsis :

While on vacation with Sabina and her family, Alex sees a face from his past: contract killer Yassen Gregorovich; bombs and danger ensues. When Alex brings information to MI6 about a conspiracy involving Sir Damian Cray, a famous singer, environmentalist, and general do-gooder, they don’t believe him. So, Alex is forced to conduct the investigation by himself, and of course, he finds danger. Will Alex be able to bring down a crazed mastermind without the help of MI6? When Sabina is taken hostage, can Alex save her, himself, and the world at the same time?

Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins

Synopsis :

Many characters’ paths criss-cross throughout the plot of this book. The two main characters, Debbie and Hector, are both trying to figure out who they are and how to get boys and girls to notice them. This book is written in a very creative format, telling many different stories through great descriptions, pictures, and realistic story lines. This is not a straightforward story and some may find it to be a challenging read.

Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman

Synopsis :

Julia always gets caught up in her best friend Ashleigh’s latest crazes. This often leads to a whole lot of embarrassment. But what will happen when Ashleigh’s newest obsession involves one of Julia’s loves: Jane Austin’s writing? It turns out that they end up crashing the fall dance at the local boys’ school. Of course there’s embarrassment, but there’s something else as well… both Julia and Ashleigh find their Mr. Darcy in the crowd. Unfortunately, both of their Darcys end up being the same boy.

Scorpia by Anthony Horowitz

Synopsis :

Alex is determined to find out the truth about his father, but does he really want to know the truth? Alex is in Venice, following up on the cryptic message that Yassen uttered with his dying breath. He finds himself involved in the dangerous terrorist group SCORPIA. Will Alex follow in his father’s footsteps? And where exactly will his father’s footsteps lead?

Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Synopsis :

Stargirl has moved to Pennsylvania, but she has not forgotten about Leo. This novel is in the form of a series of letters Stargirl writes to Leo describing her new life, zany new friends, and her continued love for him. Even though she’s not in the enchanted desert anymore, Stargirl’s still one of a kind and her new set of friends are just as unique and lovable as she is.

Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz

Synopsis :

Technically Alex isn’t involved in an MI6 mission at any point in this book. Despite this fact, he can’t seem to avoid danger. It follows him from the hospital in England, to the United States, to a tropical island, to … outer space! Can Alex save the world from eco-terrorists and multibillionaires… again?

Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick

Synopsis :

“Do real Zen masters blush? Because fake ones do” (pg 125). When San moves to a new town, he may have accidentally led his new class to believe that he was a Zen enthusiast. Once this knowledge spreads, he’s not sure how to tell the truth, especially since his Zen-self has caught the eye of a girl and made him more popular than he could’ve imagine. This book is a hilarious, fast read and I enjoyed every page.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Synopsis :

This fantastic story is set in Victorian England. Gemma has just moved back to England from India after her mother dies in mysterious circumstances. At her new finishing school, Spence Academy, Gemma makes new friends and learns more about herself and the mystical other world called the Realm. When Gemma and her friends form a new group, called the Order, to explore the magic, they realize that they aren’t as powerless as society would like them to believe. But does the true power lie in the Realm, or in their friendship? And can either their friendships or power survive with so many dark forces working against them? “What frightens you?…Is your heart beating faster? Do the clouds seem to be gathering on the horizon? Does the skin on your neck feel stretched tight, waiting for a kiss you both fear and need? Will you be scared? Will you know the truth?” (pg 86-87)

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood

Synopsis :

This is an interesting book that takes place in Shakespeare’s England. Widge is an orphan, who’s been trained in a special secret form of writing. When Widge is hired to steal the play Hamlet, he begins to wonder, for the first time, if doing what he’s been told and doing what is right are always the same thing. His dilemma is further complicated when he joins the theater group; can he betray the first people that he can call friends?

Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz

Synopsis :

When Alex splashes down from space into Australian waters, he finds himself deep in spy business again, only this time it’s not for MI6 or the CIA, the Australians need his help. Scorpia’s back in this book, and so is a man from Alex’s past – his godfather. Alex keeps swearing that he’s done with spy work, but can he pass up an opportunity to work with his father’s best friend?

The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander

Synopsis :

Taran, Eilonwy, Gurgi and the others are all back in the second part of this adventure. Gwydion has led them into a new adventure: seize the cauldron that Arawn has been using to create his corpse-warriors. This second book does much to advance the plot and introduces a host of new characters and dangers to Prydian.

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

Synopsis :

Lady Saren is faced with a tough choice: marry the man her father has chosen or be locked in a tower for seven years. Saren, who knows a dreadful secret about her betrothed, chooses the tower and is locked inside with a supply of food and a single maid, Dashti, who records their lives in a book of thoughts. But what will happen when their food supply runs out? What will the girls do when they discover that the world that lies outside of the tower is much different than the one that they left behind?

To Catch a Pirate by Jade Parker

Synopsis :

Annalisa, her father, and a chest of the king’s treasure are making a journey across the ocean to their new home in the Caribbean when their ships is attacked by pirates. In exchange for sparing her life, the young pirate James Sterling demands a kiss. Both of them leave this encounter changed forever. James is banished from his captain’s ship for not capturing the girl. Annalisa is filled with rage because her father was imprisoned for failing to protect the treasure. When Anna goes out to seek revenge and apprehend James, she is truly taking a risk. Will it be the pirate or her heart that becomes captured?

Jinx by Meg Cabot

Synopsis :

Jinx, a preacher’s-daughter from Iowa is hoping to leave her bad luck and nickname behind when she moves to New York City to live with her aunt and uncle. Luck, however, has never been in the cards for Jinx, and it seems that her flair for disasters has followed her to the city. How else can you explain the fact that her cousin is involved with some dangerous pastimes, or that the guy she falls for has already been claimed? Can Jinx help her cousin, help herself, and get rid of her bad-luck curse at the same time? She certainly hopes so.

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

Synopsis :

Bryce is scared of his next door neighbor, Juli. She may just be a little girl, but her enthusiasm is overwhelming, and she’s overly enthusiastic in her love for him. Will Juli finally catch the guy she’s ‘flipped’ over? Will Bryce finally escape from Juli? Will he always want to? This fun book spans Bryce & Juli’s lives from second grade to high school, and the chapters alternate between their perspectives.

Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

Synopsis :

Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are home for their Christmas break, but the magical world they discovered at Spence, is also with them in London. For Gemma, the world of society she finds in London is just as mysterious as the realms. She has difficulty navigating the expectations of her family; especially when she begins to be courted by a highly desirable suitor and the enigmatic Kartik. There are other pressures on Gemma as well: the magic she released in the realms is sought by many, and it’s her responsibility to see that it is properly controlled.

City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende

Synopsis :

Alex Cold’s life is in turmoil. His mother is very sick, maybe even dying, and his father decides to ship Alex across the country to his grandmother’s house. But his grandmother, Kate, is far from the traditional cookie-baking, sweater-knitting, Grammy. In fact, Kate decides to bring Alex along with her on an expedition into the Amazon rainforest, in search of a mythical creature called ‘the beast.’ This book is full of danger, adventure, description, realism, fantasy, and tells an important story about protecting the natural resources of South America.

The Unusual Suspects by Michael Buckley

Synopsis :

Sabrina and Daphne may have found a home with the grandmother they didn’t know existed, but all is not well in Ferryport Landing. The girls have finally been enrolled in school, but Sabrina’s teacher is murdered in a suspicious manner on her very first day. This a is a great sequel that tells a complete story, but also sets up the plot for an engaging and entertaining series.

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Synopsis :

Quincie’s got problems! She’s in love with her best friend, but he’s half-werewolf and keeping her at a distance. She in charge of her family restaurant, the legacy left behind when her parents died in a car crash, which is currently undergoing a makeover to a vampire-chic theme. In that restaurant, someone close to her was murdered and the cops suspect either a vampire or a werewolf. As Quincie tries to balance her emotions and her responsibilities, she finds herself increasingly drawn into a world where she doesn’t know who to trust and where to turn.

Kingdom of the Golden Dragon by Isabel Allende

Synopsis :

Alex Cold and Nadia join Kate on another one of her crazy adventures. She thinks she’s traveling to the Kingdom of the Golden Dragon to write a new article for International Geographic, but she ends up bringing her team into the middle of an international plot to steal the country’s biggest treasure and kidnap the king. Of course Alex and Nadia get themselves caught up in the middle of the conflict! This book, like The City of the Beasts, is full of real environmental and cultural information and keeps your interest with an adventurous plot.

The Problem Child by Michael Buckley

Synopsis :

The third book in this series picks up exactly where number two left off. Sabrina and Puck are facing the evil Little Red Riding Hood, and her pet “Kitty,” otherwise known as the monstrous Jabberwocky. In their dangerous encounter, Sabrina learns a bit more about who is holding her parents captive, but this knowledge doesn’t seem to bring her any closer to saving them. Until… a new unknown relative appears. Uncle Jake offers to teacher Sabrina about magic, which makes her feel more powerful than she’s ever felt before. But Daphne and Granny Relda disapprove of Sabrina’s magic-habit, should she and can she abandon her new power?

The Melting of Maggie Bean by Tricia Rayburn

Synopsis :

Things haven’t been going well for Maggie Bean lately. Her dad doesn’t have a job and money’s tight. The only things that bring her relief are micromanaging her schedule on her laptop and chocolate. But all that chocolate is bringing her new problems, in the form of clothing that doesn’t fit, weekly meetings at humiliating Pound Patrollers, and increased self-doubt. So when her best friend Aimee suggest that the two of them try out for the Water Wings, the elite synchronized swim team, Maggie’s not so confident. Can Maggie conquer her fears, the chocolate, the scale, and the swimsuit and show everyone what she’s made of?

Once Upon a Crime by Michael Buckley

Synopsis :

The fourth book in this series doesn’t take place within Ferryport Landing, but rather in the girls’ hometown of NYC, the location of the mysterious Faerie. The Grimms have managed to return Puck to the Fairy kingdom for healing, but they find a few surprises waiting for them there. First, Puck isn’t welcomed by his father the king. Second, soon after their arrival the king is murdered! The Grimms are once again roped into a fairy tale mystery, only this time Sabrina has a bigger mystery to solve: how do all of these Everafters know her mother?

Heat by Mike Lupica

Synopsis :

Michael Arroyo loves baseball more than anything in the world. It has always been his and his father’s dream that Michael would pitch at the Little League World Series in Pennsylvania. But now his father’s gone and Michael and his brother Carlos are on their own. Michael’s getting closer and closer to his dream, but he’s surrounded by problems. First social services has been snooping around, and then another coach accused Michael of being older than 12, a claim he can’t fight because his birth certificate was left behind when he and Carlos took a boat over from Cuba.

Forest of the Pygmies by Isabel Allende

Synopsis :

Alex Cold and Nadia are adventuring in Africa in this book. This time they are fighting to save a tribe of Pygmies from their enslavement within a Bantu village. Like The City of the Beasts and Kingdom of the Golden Dragon, they go on a journey that is part physical world, part spiritual world, and partially a message to the reader about respecting nature and the beliefs of others.

Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson

Synopsis :

Straight A, type A Kate has a plan. She’s mapped out her life and the next step should be MIT. She’s so sure of her plan that it’s the only college she’s applied to. But, for the first time in Kate’s life, a plan may not be enough. She can be organized and fit every criteria, but life has a way of intervening. This intense, emotional, and realistic look at the crucible that is senior year is wonderfully written and haunting.

Ophelia by Lisa Klein

Synopsis :

This story goes far beyond the confines of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In Lisa Klein’s creative retelling, Ophelia is much more than a discarded pawn in Hamlet’s quest for revenge. Klein’s Ophelia is a wonderfully real heroine, torn between love and fear for what the man she loves has become.

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

Synopsis :

In this magical world, unicorns, dragons, wizards, and curses are real and powerful. At least, they were… the unicorn learns that she is the last of her species. She sets out on a journey to find out what has happened to all of her kin, encountering danger, magic, friendship, love, and fairy tales along her way.

Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson

Synopsis :

Ashley has always thought prom was over rated. While the rest of her friends happily dreamed about limos and dresses and labored on prom committee, she avoid everything related to the ‘p-word.’ Then their math teacher steals the prom money and the big day is going to be canceled… unless Ashley and her friends can save the day.

Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Synopsis :

Ani is the Crown Princess of Kildenree, but this is a responsibility that she fears she’s not suited for. Gifted with speaking to animals, but awkward when it comes to speaking to people, Ani is not the daughter that her queen mother had hoped for. When Ani is sent to marry the prince of the neighboring country of Bayern, she hopes that she can make her mother proud by bringing peace to the two nations. But there is a rebellion during her journey, and Ani does not make it safely to the palace. Forced to work as a goose girl in an unfamiliar country, Ani learns more about herself than she had in all of her years within a marble palace, but she still doubts her ability to speak to people. Can she convince strangers of her true identity and save the countries from war?

Deadline by Chris Crutcher

Synopsis :

Ben Wolf feels like he’s ready to outgrown his small town of Trout, Idaho. He can’t wait until he’s finished his senior year and is out in the world. But in this important year Ben learns that there’s more to his small town than meets the eye; many of his classmates and neighbors carry terrible secrets. Ben understands this lesson all too well, he’s got the biggest secret of all and he’s determined not to let anyone find out. Ben’s just learned that there will be no next year for him; he’s dying of a terminal illness and this year will be his last.

Flush by Carl Hiaasen

Synopsis :

Nothing seems to be going right for Noah, his dad is in jail for sinking a casino boat and he’s refusing to let anyone pay his bail and release him. His mother’s getting fed up and has mentioned the d-word: divorce. Noah’s dad swears he has a good reason for his actions; that the casino boat captain was dumping sewage into the sea, but there’s no proof. Now Noah’s been asked to help gather evidence. Can he stay out of trouble, help save his dad, and help save his family, before things get any worse?

Magic and Other Misdemeanors by Michael Buckley

Synopsis :

Things are NOT going well in Ferryport Landing. To say that the Queen of Hearts is an unfair mayor would be a major understatement. The only thing worse than the ways are currently in the town is the glimpse we get of how they will be. In one part of this book the girls fall through a tear in time and discover the future is even more grime than the present… unless they figure out a way to go back in time and change things for the better.

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

Synopsis :

Max has always felt like a dumb kid is a giant’s body, until the day he meets Freak. Kevin, also known as Freak, is a genius trapped in a tiny body. The two become good friends; working together to create imaginary quests and to teach each other about life, friendship, and overcoming obstacles.

Enna Burning by Shannon Hale

Synopsis :

Set in the same country as Goose Girl, this book is told from the prospective of Enna. While Isi is a major character, she doesn’t steal Enna’s thunder… or rather, her fire. While Isi has wind and animal speak, Enna stumbles into a language more powerful and destructive: fire speech. Meanwhile, Bayern is at war with neighboring Tira. Enna believes that her new powers can help save the country… until she is captured and falls for the enemy… until her the fire begins to consume and destroy her.

Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan

Synopsis :

Rachel Sheridan loves her life in Africa where her parents are missionaries and run a hospital and school. But when both of her parents die from influenza, Rachel is taken in by the scheming Pritchards, who involve her in their money-making schemes and send her away to England. Rachel longs for her old life on the African plains but will she ever see them again?

Schooled by Gordan Korman

Synopsis :

School, friends, pizza, tv, Starbucks… these may be part of everyday life for a normal teenager, but not for Capricorn Anderson. Cap has spent the first 13 years of his life living on a commune and being homeschooled, but now he’s forced to go to attend a public middle school. When Cap’s unusual looks and clothing make him the target of an elaborate teasing scheme, he’s not sure how to react, or even why others are being so mean.

Airman by Eoin Colfer

Synopsis :

Young Conor Broekhart’s life has revolved around flight. From his birth in a hot air balloon, to the obsessive inventions he and his tutor construct, Conor is determined to build the first flying machine. He’s lucky enough to live on the Saltee Islands, where the king supports his scientific experimentation, and where the princess is both beautiful and returns his feelings. Or, he was lucky until he stumbles into the middle of the king’s assassination and is falsely accused and imprisoned. From his prison cell Conor dreams of freedom and flight. If he can solve the mysteries of the second, he might be able to gain the first.

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

Synopsis :

On Caitlin’s birthday she wakes up to discover that her older sister, Cass, has run away. Her mother, who had always poured her energy and attention into orchestrating Cass’s life, suddenly is without an outlet. Caitlin, who never had to worry about being the center of attention, is uncomfortable with the family that’s left. Seeking to escape the too-perfect role that Cass abandoned, Caitlin starts dating Rogerson, a handsome, but dangerous boy.

Tales from the Hood by Michael Buckley

Synopsis :

Mr. Canis is stuck in jail. Everyone is depressed. Even Daphne’s lost her sunshiny charm and has adopted Sabrina’s eye-rolling habits. Could the weapon that Hamstead gave the girls save them? Can anyone beat the rigged trial that Mayor Heart and Sheriff Nottingham are conducting? And what about the girls’ parents? Will they ever be able to find Goldilocks and wake the sleeping Grimms?

Hush by Donna Jo Napoli

Synopsis :

This novel tells the story of an Irish princess who is captured by slave traders and taken from her homeland. Melkorka decides to stop speaking, and her silence becomes a key part of her safety as she is sold and taken further and further from her homeland.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Synopsis :

Catherine spends a lot of time wishing that her brother would wake up and be magically ‘healed.’ He’s autistic, and as much as she loves him, she’s tired of him messing up her life and embarrassing her. Mostly Catherine wishes that other people would be more tolerant and understanding. When Catherine makes two new friends, pretty, out-going Kristi and wheelchair-bound Jason, she learns something new about herself. Maybe she isn’t as tolerant as she thought she was. She certainly doesn’t want Kristi to find out about Jason, which could be a problem because both of them want her to attend a summer dance.

Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen

Synopsis :

Holly is a sixth grade runaway. She’s been placed in an awful foster home and decides that she has little choice but to leave. This novel takes the form of a journal that Holly confides in as she journeys all the way out to California in the hopes of finding a new home… or a least a place that she feels safe.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Synopsis :

Clay comes home from high school one day and finds a package waiting for him. Inside the box are 13 tapes. When he plays the first one, he is shocked to hear the voice of Hannah Baker, his crush and classmate who had committed suicide a few weeks earlier. Even more disconcerting are Hannah’s words: she committed suicide because of 13 people… the same 13 people who will receive the tapes in the mail. Clay doesn’t know what he could have done to make Hannah suicidal, but once he listens and learns, his life will never be the same again.

If you can, get the audio recording and listen to this book. Hearing Hannah’s words out loud makes it feel like you are listening to the tapes right along with Clay. An eerie experience, but one I highly recommend!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Synopsis :

Greg Heffley’s mom is making him write in a journal. And it’s a journal, NOT a diary! The narrator is a funny, selfish, and very often clueless kid who draws and journals his way through the first year of middle school.

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Synopsis :

DJ has enough responsibility for three high school students! She’s in charge of doing all the farm work on her family’s dairy farm while her father recovers from an injury. She’s failing English. Her younger brother won’t speak to anyone and her older brothers are in a feud with her father. The last thing she needs is to worry about training the quarterback from the rival town’s football team. Or is it the best thing for her? As DJ spends more time with Brian, he teaches her the importance of speaking up for herself and figuring out just what it is that will make her happy.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Synopsis :

Meggie’s father, Mortimer, has a powerful reading voice. So powerful, in fact, that when he reads aloud the characters climb right off the pages. But some of the characters he’s conjured aren’t peaceful, and they aren’t satisfied with what he’s done. Meggie, Mo and many others are dragged on adventure after adventure as they try to escape capture from Capricorn and his clan of evil henchmen who want Mo to read aloud and summon the scariest villain of all.

Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

Synopsis :

Steven thinks his life is rough: he considers himself an awkward band geek with an adorable little brother. This changes when his life actually becomes rough: his adorable little brother is diagnosed with leukemia. Steven tries to cope with the demands of eight grade, all-city jazz band, girls, and his dramatically changing family life. This book is touching, but more surprisingly, very, very funny.

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

Synopsis :

Since she bound all the magic in the Realm to herself, Gemma’s been left with so much power and so little guidance. Who can she trust? Not the Order that tried to trick her, nor the Rakshana who are power-hungry. Even Gemma’s friends want a taste of the magic for themselves in order to smooth their debuts and secure their futures. While Gemma tries to decide how to share the magic, the situation in the Winterlands grows worse, forcing her to make decisions before she is ready and before she considers the consequences.

The Off Season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Synopsis :

DJ’s life hasn’t gotten less complicated since the summer. Sure she’s made the football team, but that doesn’t make her life any easier, the farm work less demanding, or Brian any easier to understand. When something goes very wrong on the football field, DJ’s life is turned upside down again and even more demands are made of her. Can she handle even more responsibility and still manage to communicate her needs?

River Secrets by Shannon Hale

Synopsis :

Tira and Bayern have an uneasy peace between their angry countries. Tira is threatening to begin the war again at any moment, so Isi and Geric must send a diplomatic party to live in Tira to try and establish peace between the kingdoms. But Tira is slow to forgive for get the deaths that occurred at the hands of the ‘fire witch’ and when burning deaths start happening in Tira, it’s up to Razo to figure out who’s behind these deaths before war begins again.

Alex and the Ironic Gentleman by Adrienne Kress

Synopsis :

If you liked Series of Unfortunate Events, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Princess Bride, or Tale of Despereaux, then you’ll like this book too. When her uncle’s doorknob store is broken into and her beloved sixth grade teacher is abducted, ten and a half year old Alex sets out on an adventure to reclaim her teacher and find his family’s buried treasure. Along the way she meets many, many unusual characters. From the Extremely Ginormous Octopus, to Coriander the Conjurer, to Lord Poppinjay, no one that helps or hinders Alex on her journey could be considered typical. This book is funny and fast paced.

True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet by Lola Douglas

Synopsis :

Morgan Carter is a Hollywood IT girl – making 3 million a movie and partying every night with fabulous famous friends. Or at least she was, until she almost overdoses outside of a nightclub one night. Now no one wants to work with her. Her manager and mother conspire to send her off to the middle of nowhere for a year – enrolling her in high school and telling her to lay low. If Morgan can survive the year and reappear sober and with a tell-all diary, she’ll be able to rebuild her career. Unfortunately, that’s a really big IF.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Synopsis :

Luke is a typical 12-year-old boy. He loves to play outside and gets frustrated with his brothers. Or Luke would be a typical 12-year-old if the very fact that he was alive wasn’t against the law, if he didn’t spend his whole life hiding, if he the Population Police wouldn’t kill him if they found out he’d been born. What is Luke’s crime? He’s a third child and families are only allowed to have two. Luke’s life changes the day he meets another ‘shadow child,’ who challenges him to fight back and protest the government’s unfair laws. Luke would love to have the rights of other citizens, but is it worth the risk?

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Synopsis :

Miranda’s life is about to change – along with everyone else on earth. When astronomers first report that meteor is going to collide with the moon, people head outside to watch. But when the collison knocks the moon out of orbit and closer to earth, life on earth changes forever. There are tsunamis, volcanoes, earthquakes, and major changes in the weather patterns. Miranda’s journal reflects on both life as she knew it, and also life as she now knows it – difficult and scary.

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

Synopsis :

hi TEST TEST TEST

Undercover by Beth Kephart

Synopsis :

Elisa feels so overshadowed by her beautiful sister and mother, that she feels like she lives her live undercover, without being noticed. She always has her eyes open, however, and is very aware of the changes going on around her. Some of these changes she writes up as love notes for the boys at school to share with their crushes. But while she may play matchmaker, she doesn’t have a match for herself … until Theo comes and asks for Elisa’s help with love notes for the beautiful Lila. Suddenly Elisa doesn’t want to write love notes for others and she doesn’t want to be undercover anymore either.

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Synopsis :

The Beaumonts are no ordinary family. On their 13th birthdays, they receive much more than gifts wrapped in paper: they receive their savvy – an unusual and unique power. Mibs brothers already have their savvies; one is electrically charged and the other creates hurricanes. She’s been dreaming of her turn and her savvy for years and finally her birthday is arriving. But when Mibs’ father is in an accident days before her birthday, her wishes change. Now all she wants is a savvy that can save him.

Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Synopsis :

This is a memoir of a girl who survived the foster care system. Despite being mistreated and shuffled for years, Ashley has emerged as a survivor with a powerful story to tell.

Starcrossed by Mark Schreiber

Synopsis :

Christy and Ben meet at a plastic surgeon’s office where each of them is having a tattoo of the others’ name removed. They quickly end up in an angst-filled relationship full of astrological signs and star charts, which Christy depends on to make all of her important decisions. Both characters have parts of their past that they’d like to keep hidden, but can their relationship grow when it’s based on so many lies?

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Synopsis :

Bella and Edward have graduated and they’re working hard to get their happily ever after. The conflicts with the wolves and the debates about when and how to change Bella are still there, however they’re overshadowed by the Volturi and the new (surprising) issues that threaten Bella and her new family.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Synopsis :

Told from four different perspectives, the 15-year-old narrators of this book are about to experience their first summer apart.  Determined not to let distance separate them or detract from their bond, the four girls communicate by sharing a pair of very special jeans.  Although they may not be together, each of the girls is stretched during the summer in a way that makes her realize how important it is to have friends to lean on.

The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Synopsis :

This book begins with the collision of the moon and the meteor and the action continues to be much faster paced than LAWKI. Alex, a high school junior, is left in charge of his two younger sisters because both of his parents are missing post collision. Alex’s struggles to keep his sisters alive and well are much different than Miranda’s difficulties. Hearing this story from a very different perspective was fascinating -–and intensely scary.

Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

Synopsis :

Comfort Snowberger doesn’t have a typical ten-year-old’s life; she lives with her family at the Snowberger funeral home and has been surrounded by death her whole life, having attended 247 funerals. But when death comes to visit her own family, she isn’t prepared for the emotions that come with it.

Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black

Synopsis :

This is not your typical fairy tale… it’s much darker, much edgier, and much more suspenseful. Kaye has always felt like she didn’t fit in. And it isn’t just because when she was little she thought she was friends with faeries. It’s because when she was little she knows she was friends with faeries and she knows that faeries exist. So when she finds herself falling in love with a faerie and embroiled in a middle of a faerie war, she’s not too surprised … until she learns something about her own past – how she’s a faerie as well.

Girls in Pants by Ann Brashares

Synopsis :

It’s the girls’ last summer before college. They’re especially protective of these last months together before they go their separate ways, but of course they’re not all staying home for the summer. Bridget’s off to a new soccer camp where she’ll be reunited with an old flame, while the others are spending most of the summer close to home – but even in Bethesda, trouble and adventure finds the pants-wearers.

Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher

Synopsis :

T.J. Jones is not the typical student at Cutter High School. Despite being a very gifted athlete, he doesn’t participate in any of the team sports… or at least he doesn’t until his senior year. Though a combination of chance events, T.J. becomes the captain of the brand new swim team – in a school that doesn’t have a pool. The only problem is that he’s the only one on the team who really knows how to swim. The strange cast of teammates that make up the rest of his team are both unusual and interesting. While these outcasts learn to swim, it is the other lessons that they learn during the workouts and on the bus to their meets that matter most.

Wake by Lisa McMann

Synopsis :

Janie does not find sleep as restful as other 17-year-olds. When people around her sleep, she is sucked into their dreams. Not only is she uncomfortable with these uncontrollable intrusions, she is often scared of them as well. When Janie begins watching horrible dreams, she doesn’t know who is trustworthy. Is the boy she’s beginning to love a monster, a victim, or a hero?

Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey

Synopsis :

Sadima has innate magical ability during a time where it is forbidden. Hahp lives in a time where magic is revered but the process of learning it can be deadly. This book tells the story of each of their lives and begins to explore how their stories overlap. This book is the beginning of what promises to be a magical, engaging series.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Synopsis :

Liesel is growing up in Nazi Germany. She craves words and finds herself stealing books to satisfy her hunger – at the same time Jews are being stolen from their homes. These two worlds collide when Max, a German Jew, comes to hide at Liesel’s house and creates a book just for her. Liesel’s world is full of secrets, silence, and sadness – and the narrator of this book has a stunning perspective on it all. Liesel’s story is told by Death as he circles around her, claiming the lives of those she loves.

Peeps by Scott Westerfeld

Synopsis :

(prequel to The Last Days) Cal has a secret – he’s infected with the parasite that causes vampires. Luckily, he’s a carrier and doesn’t crave blood. Unfortunately, everyone he’s kissed since becoming infected isn’t so lucky. The book starts with Cal tracking his ex’s and trying to control the spread of the disease, but he quickly realizes that something new is out there. Something unexpected, something out of control, something that doesn’t play by any rules: those set by vampires, carriers, or humans.

Tunnels by Roderick Gordan and Brian Willia

Synopsis :

Will has always noticed that his family doesn’t quite fit together. The one interest he shares with his father is an interest in digging and archeological finds. What he doesn’t realize that there are mysterious reasons that his family seems so hodge-podge and that his interest in digging is going to land him in a dilemma from which there is no returning. This book has a bit of a City of Ember feel, so if you’re a fan of that book, you’d probably like Tunnels.

The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer

Synopsis :

Jack and his family live in a Saxon Village where his father is a simple farmer and his life seems ordinary and boring. This changes when the Bard chooses Jack to be his apprentice and begins to teach him magic. Things go from great to awful when Vikings raid his village, capturing Jack and his younger sister Lucy. Armed with nothing but a pet crow and his wits, Jack needs to figure out how to adapt to his new life and protect Lucy from the whims of the berserkers.

Valiant by Holly Black

Synopsis :

This book, like the first in the series, is not the type of fairy tale your little sister hears at bedtime. This is a much edgier, darker story where magic is injected like heroin and power and loyalties are traded constantly. Val is an understated girl from a New Jersey suburb, ignorant of the existence of magic until she runs away from home and falls in with a strange group of teenagers who live in the subway and act as messengers for fairy folk. Val quickly gets caught up in their lives, their addictions, and a dangerous relationship with a monster that no longer seems so monstrous. In fact, he’s becoming scarily attractive.

Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer

Synopsis :

Fletcher “Half” Moon is a pint-sized student with grown up powers of investigation. He graduated top of his class in his online detective school and has an authentic detective’s badge. Now if only people would take him seriously. When Half Moon is hired to investigate a string of strange thefts, the plot quickly becomes larger than he is. Soon he’s accused of arson and running from the law that he’d always aspired to uphold. Worst of all, the only person who believe him is Red Sharkey, a member of the town’s most disreputable criminal family.

Enders Game by Orson Scott Card

Synopsis :

Ender Wiggins is a child of unusual ability. He’s been recruited to an elite training school where his directions are straightforward: save the world from another attack from the deadly buggers. The rules of his training, however, keep changing. As Ender struggles to adapt to the pressures and keep up with the challenging rules of the training game, it becomes increasingly obvious that despite his young age: Ender’s not playing a game anymore.

The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld

Synopsis :

The number of parasite positives (peeps) is exploding in New York and the city is rapidly spiraling out of control. Yet despite the rats, mysterious black water, and disappearances, Pearl has decided that it’s the perfect time to start a new band. With the help of a hot stranger and the vocals of her now-sunlight-sensitive, garlic-eating best friend, Pearl establishes a band that sings the ‘new sound.’ But the new sound is actually a very, very old sound. A sound that has the powerful ability to call to the peeps worst enemies.

Ironside by Holly Black

Synopsis :

At Roiben’s coronation he asks Kaye not to pledge herself to him. Stubborn as ever, she does just this and rewarded with a hopeless quest. Banned from the Unseelie Court, Kaye struggles with Roiben’s actions and the requests of the Seelie Court. The Bright queen also has plans for Kaye. Her actions become increasingly significant as the two courts edge closer and closer to a war that involve the future of both humans and faeries.

Top 10 Lists by Paige Turner

Synopsis :

Top Ten List