Supernatural: Bone Key by Keith DeCandido

DeCandido, K. R. A. (2008). Bone key. New York: Harper Entertainment.

ISBN: 9780061435034 (Paperback)

Price: $7.99; 290 pages

Other Formats: eBook

Recommended for ages 15 and over.

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Awards: None

Annotation: Dean and Sam were raised to track down and destroy ghosts, vampires, witches, and demons. They have traveled across America a million times to eradicate inhuman pests. This series is based on the popular television show Supernatural.

Brothers Dean and Sam Winchester are no strangers to paranormal events, because they are well-seasoned demon hunters who traveling around the country to eliminate supernatural presences. When a good friend requests that Dean and Sam travel down to Key West, Florida to investigate a series of otherworldly events, the boys quickly agree to take the case. Upon arrival, the brothers learn that a creepy doll is probably responsible for the death of two innocent tour guides; a dead president has returned to his vacation retreat and had been giving speeches to awestruck tourists; and the ghost of Ernest Hemmingway himself has been scaring away visitors with his legendary temper. Moreover, Dean and Sam discover that an ancient Native American specter is seeking revenge on the decedents of those who slaughtered his tribe. The guys have seen plenty of strange things in their lifetimes, but man, Key West is downright weird.

What Other Teens Have to Say: 

“I read all the time. My mom gets mad at me because I’ll stay up to 2:00 a.m. on a school night reading. I can’t help it because there is nothing else that I’d rather do. As of right now, my favorite book is The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness.” (Alexandra S., age 16).

For a sneak peak, visit the Publisher's Website!

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

 

Morgenstern, E. (2011). The night circus: A novel. New York: Doubleday.

ISBN: 9780307744432   516 pages (paperback)

Price: $15.00

Other Formats: Hardcover, eBook, large print, and audio book

Recommended for ages 15 and older

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Awards: 2012 Alex Award

Annotation: Prospero the Enchanter believes that magic is inherited. Secretive Mr. A.H. believes magic can be taught. Proteges Celia and Marco will determine which theory is correct once and for all. 

“Opens at Nightfall. Closes at Dawn.”

Celia and Marco are a pawn in a competition between provoked by 2 old adversaries. Celia is the only daughter of a famous illusionist named Prospero the Enchanter. A mysterious stranger only known as Mr. A.H. adopted Marco long ago. Prospero and A.H. have a long-standing feud that centers on the true origin of magic. As young children, both Celia and Marco are forced to train for a duel of powers, whose purpose is as mysterious to them as the Le Cirque des Reves (The Circus of Dreams). This otherworldly circus only operates at night and is home to an eccentric group of characters. As Celia and Marco grow into young adulthood their magical prowess is beyond what their mentors could have ever dreamed. When it is finally time for this sinister battle to commence, Le Cirque des Reves is the perfect arena.  Who will become the ultimate victor?

Be sure to visit the Author's Website!

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Haddon, M. (2003). The curious incident of the dog in the night-time. New York: Doubleday.

226 pages

ISBN: 0385512104 (Hardcover), Price: $22.95

Other Formats: Paperback, eBook, audio book, and downloadable audio book.

Recommended for ages 13 and up

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Awards: Whitbread Award

Annotation: When autistic teen Christopher Boone is wrongly accused of murdering his neighbor’s dog, he decides to clear his name by finding the actual killer. However, the more he digs into the case, the more secrets he uncovers.

Index Card Trick

·      Christopher is intrigued by puzzles, numbers, and Sherlock Holmes

·      Lives in the United Kingdom with his father

·      Believes his mother died of a heart condition

·      Does not believe in the afterlife

·      Accused of murdering Mrs. Shears’ dog, Wellington, with a pitchfork

·      Attends a special school and considers his teacher Siobhan as a friend

·      Does not like being touched and will become physically violent when he feels threatened

·      Loves the color red and is afraid of yellow

·      Decides investigate Wellington’s death by questioning a few of his neighbors

·      Keeps a written evidence log and plans to write a novel

·      His father, who tells Christopher to cease his investigation, confiscates his notebook.

·      What is his father hiding? 

Please be sure to visit the Author's Website!

The Lindbergh Child by Rick Geary

Geary, R. (2008). The Lindbergh child. New York: NBM Comics Lit.

80 pages

ISBN: 9781561635290 (Hardcover), Price: $15.95

Other Formats: Paperback and eBook

Recommended for ages 12 and up

Image Courtesy of WorldCat

Awards: A Junior Library Guild selection (WordCat)

The Graphic Format

Annotation: The case of the Lindbergh kidnapping is one of the most infamous and tragic events that occurred in the 20^th Century. Author and Illustrator Rick Geary brings the details of this chilling crime to life through the use of black and white line drawings.

It all started back in 1927 when 25-year-old American Aviator Charles Lindbergh made headlines due to crossing the Atlantic Ocean alone by plane (Open book to page 7). Overnight, Mr. Lindbergh becomes a highly recognizable personality and his face is plastered in newspapers around the globe. During the next several years, the aviator settles down and marries Anne Morrow, and within a year, Anne gives birth to their 1^st child, Charles Lindbergh, Jr. (Flip to page 9). Unfortunately, the press and the general public are relentless in its fascination with Mr. Lindbergh and his new family. Because of this obsession, a number of crazed individuals surface in the hope of extorting money from Lindbergh, for they were desperate to make a buck during the Great Depression. While the Lindbergh family is staying in their New Jersey home in 1932, young Charles Jr. vanishes from his crib one evening, never to be found alive again (Open book to drawing of an empty crib). To this day, the events that transpired on that dark night remain a mystery (Hold up front cover of book).

Visit Mr. Geary's website here!

 

Being Nikki by Meg Cabot

Cabot, M. (2009). Being Nikki. New York: Point.

ISBN: 9780545040563 (Hardcover)

352 pages; $16.99

Other Formats: eAudiobook , paperback, and eBook.

Recommended for ages 13-16

Image Courtesy of Goodreads

Awards:

• A New York Times Children's Chapter Book Best Seller
• A Publishers Weekly Best Seller
• Appeared on the Summer 2009 Kid’s Indie Next List as an "Inspired Recommendation for Kids From Indie Booksellers" (Retrieved from Author's Website)

Annotation: Emerson is a victim of a cruel experiment. In the process, she has lost her family, friends, and identity.

Emerson (she goes by Em) Watts’ life will never be the same. Ever since the mad scientists at Stark Enterprises removed Emerson’s brain and transplanted it into the body of teen fashion model Nikki Howard after a tragic accident, everything she has ever known has suddenly been transformed, besides her face. Em is trying to become adjusted to her new jet-setting lifestyle in order to avoid the wrath of Stark Enterprises, which has threatened to harm her real family if she tells the truth, but it’s getting kind of hard looking into the mirror and seeing a different appearance in its reflection. So when Nikki’s brother arrives in Manhattan and asks Em to help him search for their missing mother, Em is unsure if she can continue with this charade. Does Em have the courage to expose Stark Enterprises?

A Street Girl Named Desire by Treasure E. Blue

Blue, T. E. (2007). A street girl named Desire: A novel. New York: One World/ Ballantine Books.

ISBN: 9780345493286 (Paperback)

325 pages, $13.95

Other Formats: ebook

Recommended for ages 15 and older

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Annotation: Sometimes the past is apt to repeat itself, but history is not always destiny.

The streets of Harlem are not paved with gold, yet with Desire- desire to be loved, safe, and famous. Growing up as a kid in the system is not desirable, but Hattie Mae, a caring foster mother, makes the struggle a bit easier for Desire- a young girl whose mother is a prostitute and addicted to crack. As Desire grows into a young woman, a famous recording label recognizes her talent as a singer, and she instantly becomes a rising star. However, how high can a star climb before the brutal streets of Harlem desire to reclaim its bright light?

Follow the Author on Twitter.

 

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

 

Meyer, M. (2012). Cinder. New York: Feiwel and Friends.

ISBN:  9780312641894 (Hardback)

390 pages

Price: $17.99

Other Formats: Paperback, audio book, ebook, and large print

Recommended for ages 14 and up

Image Courtesy of Goodreads

Awards:

ABC New Voices Title, ALA Top 10 Books for Young Adults

Annotation: In this modern retelling of Cinderella, Cinder is a teenager battling prejudices and secrets. Only her stepmother and doctor know about Cinder's past and true origins.  

Once upon a time, in the far away city of New Bejing, lived a teen girl named Cinder. Cinder is brilliant, strong, and a cyborg- half girl and half robot. Cinder was not born a cyborg, but the doctors turned her into one after her terrible accident. Now that she is a cyborg, she frequently encounters people who are prejudiced against her differences, especially her stepmother and 2 stepsisters. Cinder’s cruel stepmother forces her to work as a mechanical repair woman at the local flea market to support the family. One day, Cinder meets a handsome stranger at the market who looks a lot like Prince Kai. But this thought is ludicrous because the Prince would never show his face at a dirty market, would he? When Cinder learns that the palace will soon be hosting a formal ball in honor of the Prince, Cinder repairs a broken-down orange muscle car in the hopes of escaping her wretched family and winning the Prince’s heart. However, there is a dark family secret that has an inescapable grip on Cinder. 

Visit the Author's Website here!