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Flop down and Flip the pages!
Venture
into Strange Worlds
Science Fiction, Time Travel, and Fantasy
| Featured
Title |
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 Nation by Terry Pratchett |
| School Library Journal Best Books > 2008/ Booklist Editors' Choice >2008/ Michael L. Printz Honor Books > 2009 / YALSA Best Books for Young Adults > 2009 /USBBY Outstanding International Book/ ALA Notable Children's Books -> 2009.
* Starred Review */ School Library Journal Review/Gr 7–10— In this first novel for young people set outside of Discworld, Pratchett again shows his humor and humanity. Worlds are destroyed and cultures collide when a tsunami hits islands in a vast ocean much like the Pacific. Mau, a boy on his way back home from his initiation period and ready for the ritual that will make him a man, is the only one of his people, the Nation, to survive. Ermintrude, a girl from somewhere like Britain in a time like the 19th century, is on her way to meet her father, the governor of the Mothering Sunday islands. She is the sole survivor of her ship (or so she thinks), which is wrecked on Mau's island. She reinvents herself as Daphne, and uses her wits and practical sense to help the straggling refugees from nearby islands who start arriving. When raiders land on the island, they are led by a mutineer from the wrecked ship, and Mau must use all of his ingenuity to outsmart him. Then, just as readers are settling in to thinking that all will be well in the new world that Daphne and Mau are helping to build, Pratchett turns the story on its head. The main characters are engaging and interesting, and are the perfect medium for the author's sly humor. Daphne is a close literary cousin of Tiffany Aching in her common sense and keen intelligence wedded to courage. A rich and thought-provoking read.—Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City --Sue Giffard (Reviewed October 1, 2008) (School Library Journal, vol 54, issue 10, p158) |
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(Titles
in blue are new to the list).
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Books recommended
by students. |
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Books recommended by staff. |
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Award Winners |
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Adams, Douglas
The
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Chronicles the journeys, notions, and acquaintances of reluctant
galactic traveler Arthur Dent, accompanied by never-before-published material
from the late author's archives as well as commentary by famous fans. |
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YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2009 - After his dad's death, Blue Baker finds comfort in writing about a savage living alone in the woods near his home, but when the savage pays a night-time visit to the local bully, boundaries become blurred and Blue begins to wonder where he ends and the savage begins. |
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I, Robot by Isaac Asimov - Robots, who must observe three rules (they mustn't harm a human
being, they must obey orders, and they must protect their own existence
as long as that doesn't violate rules 1 and 2) struggle to survive with
humans and sometimes fight against them. |
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood - In Gilead, a Christian fundamentalist dystopia, fertile lower-class
women serve as birth mothers for the upper class. |
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The
Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor ©2006 - "When she is cast out of Wonderland by her evil aunt Redd, young
Alyss Heart finds herself living in Victorian Oxford as Alice Liddell
and struggles to keep memories of her kingdom intact until she can return
and claim her rightful throne" (Novelist). |
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Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor School Library Journal Review: Gr 6–10— This second volume in the series continues the story of Alyss Heart, who defeated her Aunt Redd and is now Queen of Wonderland. She struggles to restore the devastated queendom to its former glory with the help of characters from the first book, including Bibwit, Hatter Madigan, and Homburg Molly. As she works to balance her duty with her private times alone with Dodge, Alyss finds that she has more enemies than just her Aunt Redd. Or perhaps Redd is behind everything. Alyss must rely on her amazingly strong imagination to defend herself, her friends, and her world. While The Looking Glass Wars (Dial, 2006) was a triumph of imagination, this one lacks a bit of its sparkle. Still, it is similarly filled with battles and gore, and fans of that book will be clamoring for it.—Tasha Saecker, Menasha Public Library, WI --Tasha Saecker (Reviewed August 1, 2007) (School Library Journal, vol 53, issue 8, p110) |
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Fahrenheit
451 by Ray Bradbury -
Enter a futuristic world where reading is prohibited because it stimulates
thought, and firemen "protect" society by burning books. |
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A Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray (trilogy, 3) -
At Spence Academy, sixteen-year-old Gemma Doyle continues preparing for her London debut while struggling to determine how best to use magic to resolve a power struggle in the enchanted world of the realms, and to protect her own world and loved ones. |
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A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth Bunce YALSA Best Books for Young Adults > 2009/ Feminist Task Force of the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association - School Library Journal Review: Gr 8 Up— Too stubborn to let go of the troubled mill that has supported her community for generations, Charlotte Miller takes over after her father's death, fighting impending disaster with bargains with a mysterious Jack Spinner that eventually threaten her infant son. Set in a rural valley in the late 1700s, this reworking of the "Rumplestiltskin" story includes ghosts, witchcraft, elements of Georgian society, and much earlier folk magic in the guise of a novel of manners. The leisurely paced narrative gathers steam as it becomes clear that the family and the mill have not simply had a long run of bad luck, but are seriously cursed. Readers need not be familiar with the folktale to see where Charlotte's efforts to save her mill are headed. Though their roles in the narrative are clear, secondary characters are distinctive: foppish Uncle Wheeler is more than a stereotyped villain, and Charlotte's eventual husband is an admirable romantic lead with unsuspected talents. A rich opening to Jane Austen's world for teens.—Kathleen Isaacs, Towson University, MD --Kathleen Isaacs (Reviewed May 1, 2008) (School Library Journal, vol 54, issue 5, p120) |
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Wabi:
A hero's tale by Joseph Bruchac School Library Journals Best Books 2006 - "After falling in love with an Abenaki Indian woman, a white great
horned owl named Wabi transforms into a human being and has several trials
and adventures while learning to adapt to his new life" (Novelist). |
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Ender's
Game by Orson Scott Card Nebual Award, YALSA Best Books for the College Bound - In a world decimated by alien attacks, the government trains
young geniuses like Ender wiggin in military strategy with increasinlgy
complex computer games. |
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Dragon's Keep by Janet Carey 2007 YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2008, School Library Journal Best Books 2007 - "In stunning, lyrical prose, Carey tells the story of Rosalind,
a twelfth-century princess destined for greatness by a prophecy from Merlin:
the twenty-first queen of Wilde Island, which is plagued by dragons, will
do three great things" (Booklist). |
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Atherton: The House of Power by Patrick Carman,School Library Journal Review: Gr 7–10— This first book in the series starts out reading like a pastoral fantasy set on a fig farm where children and adults labor side by side to handle the trees and reap the harvest. The farm is on Tabletop, which is bordered by a rising cliff on one side and a drop-off on the other. Edgar vaguely remembers his deceased father telling him that he had placed something in the cliffs for his son. The boy teaches himself to climb up there even though it is forbidden. When he finds the book his father left him on the cliff face, he knows that he must travel all the way to the Highlands above to have someone read it to him. But the world is getting more treacherous as the ground itself begins to rumble, shift, and change. The book that Edgar has holds the secrets of their entire world and its changing future. Despite the setting, this novel is actually not a fantasy but rather pure science fiction where a manufactured world created by a madman is throwing the inhabitants' lives into turmoil. It is a fast-paced novel with a unique setting, fascinating plot, and cliff-hanger ending. It shines because of the author's imagination and skill. The characterizations of even the secondary figures are skillfully done, which makes the world all the more vivid and believable.—Tasha Saecker, Menasha Public Library, WI --Tasha Saecker (Reviewed June 1, 2007) (School Library Journal, vol 53, issue 6, p140) |
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Graceling by Kristin Cashore YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2009, School Libray Journal Best Book 2008, Booklist Editors' Choice 2008 - In a world where some people are born with extreme and often-feared skills called Graces, Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying Grace, the Grace of killing, and teams up with another young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king. |
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Airman by Eoin Colfer YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2009 - In the late nineteenth century, when Conor Broekhart discovers a conspiracy to overthrow the king, he is branded a traitor, imprisoned, and forced to mine for diamonds under brutal conditions while he plans a daring escape from Little Saltee prison by way of a flying machine that he must design, build, and, hardest of all, trust to carry him to safety. |
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The Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsAlex Award Winner 2009, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, New York Times Notable Book, ALA Notalbe Book 2009- In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place. (Novelist) |
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Blokhedz:
Genesis I by Mark & Mike Davis - " In this inner-city supernatural adventure, gifted teen rapper
Blak must discover his true self and his superpowers. On one side beckons
shady rap-and-drug broker Bloko and the fly lifestyle; on the other side,
the spirit of Blak's wiser older brother plus his homies, seeress Rosetta,
and maybe-girlfriend Essence" (School Library Journal). |
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Tell
Me What You See by Zoran Drvenkar,
2002 - Starred Review "In the icy-cold weeks after Christmas, Alissa's normal
adolescent problems are overlaid with supernatural mysteries. On her annual
Christmas pilgrimage to her father's grave, Alissa falls through the snow
to the tomb of a dead boy with a plant growing from his chest. When Alissa,
magically compelled, plucks and eats the plant, she finds herself afflicted
with visions. She sees people walking down the street whom nobody else
can see, people who turn into ravens and fly across the sky. Alissa's
rotten ex-boyfriend is also affected by Alissa's new powers, and becomes
a preternatural stalker, obsessed with Alissa and blessed-or cursed-with
the ability to find her". (Booklist) |
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Black
Tattoo by Sam Enthoven- "Esme's
martial arts and sword-wielding skills provide plenty of action, and a
wide range of intriguing creatures populates the story: floating sharks;
blood-sucking, meal-vomiting bats; and giant spiders--sometimes serving
as gladiator adversaries in Hell" (Booklist). |
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Diamond Willow by Helen Frost Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award - School Library Journal Review: Gr 5–8—When a diamond willow's bark is removed, sanded, and polished, it reveals reddish brown diamonds, the dark center of which are the scars of missing branches. Frost has used this image to craft an intricate family story in diamond-shaped verse. In her small Alaskan town, 12-year-old Diamond Willow, named for the tree, prefers to be just "Willow" but muses that if her parents had called her "Diamond," "…would I have been one of those sparkly kinds of girls?" Instead she describes herself as an average, part-Athabascan girl with one good friend, who finds herself more comfortable around her family's sled dogs than with people. Her story takes a heartrending turn on a solo dogsled trip to visit her grandparents, and Willow is soon caught up in an intense adventure that leads to the discovery of a family secret. As she unravels the truth, Willow comes to understand the diamonds and scars that bind her family together. She also gains awareness of her own strength and place in her community. Willow relates her story in one-page poems, each of which contains a hidden message printed in darker type. At key intervals, the narrative is continued in the voices of her ancestors, who take the form of animal spirits—Red Fox, Spruce Hen, Mouse, Chickadee, Lynx—and her sled dogs. Frost casts a subtle spell through innovative storytelling. Her poems offer pensive imagery and glimpses of character, and strong emotion. This complex and elegant novel will resonate with readers who savor powerful drama and multifaceted characters.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA --Marilyn Taniguchi (Reviewed June 1, 2008) (School Library Journal, vol 54, issue 6, p140) |
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Anansi
Boys by Neil Gaiman - Alex Award 2006, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2006, Locus Award " In the bestselling American Gods (2001), the gods of old European,
African, and other mythologies retired as ordinary, if eccentric, people.
One of these gods, Charlieâ€Ts father, appears in the follow-up
novel, Anansi Boys . Gaiman, best known for his 1990s Sandman comic book series, describes his new work as "a magical-horror-thriller-ghost-romantic-comedy-family-epic,"
and critics agree that it's all that and more" (Bookmarks
Magazine). |
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The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Booklist Editors' Choice >2008/ Newbery Medal/ YALSA Best Books for Young Adults > 2009/USBBY Outstanding International Book > 2009/ ALA Notable Children's Books -> 2009 - School Library Journal Review: Gr 5–8— Somewhere in contemporary Britain, "the man Jack" uses his razor-sharp knife to murder a family, but the youngest, a toddler, slips away. The boy ends up in a graveyard, where the ghostly inhabitants adopt him to keep him safe. Nobody Owens, so named because he "looks like nobody but himself," grows up among a multigenerational cast of characters from different historical periods that includes matronly Mistress Owens; ancient Roman Caius Pompeius; an opinionated young witch; a melodramatic hack poet; and Bod's beloved mentor and guardian, Silas, who is neither living nor dead and has secrets of his own. As he grows up, Bod has a series of adventures, both in and out of the graveyard, and the threat of the man Jack who continues to hunt for him is ever present. Bod's love for his graveyard family and vice versa provide the emotional center, amid suspense, spot-on humor, and delightful scene-setting. The child Bod's behavior is occasionally too precocious to be believed, and a series of puns on the name Jack render the villain a bit less frightening than he should be, though only momentarily. Aside from these small flaws, however, Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.—Megan Honig, New York Public Library --Megan Honig (Reviewed October 1, 2008) (School Library Journal, vol 54, issue 10, p144) |
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As
Simple As Snow by Gregory Galloway - An Alex Award Winner, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2006, Booklist Editors' Choice - "Oh,
the story is simple, as simple as snow: an average high-school boy, the
narrator, meets and falls in love with an extraordinary, spooky girl,
Anna, a Goth fascinated with mysteries, codes, ciphers, and ghost stories
and whose self-imposed project is writing obituaries of everyone in their
small town" (Booklist). |
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Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow By Jessica Day George YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2009 - A girl travels east of the sun and west of the moon to free her beloved prince from a magic spell. |
| Split
Screen by Brent Hartinger, 2007- "The characters' narrative voices sound authentically teen, and the
section in which Russel tells about his coming out to his parents, their
reaction, and his subsequent talk with the family priest particularly
rings true. Min Wei's story is equally well told. Libraries owning the
first two books will definitely want this one" (School Library Journal).
Geography Club series titles. Geography Club (2003) and Order
of the Poison Oak (2005) |
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Stripes
of th Sidestep Wolf by Sonya Hartnett - YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2006- "This
hauntingly beautiful story pits 23-year-old Satchel O'Rye against the
world that is his and the world he might have. He lives with his father,
mother, and beloved dog in a dying town in rural Australia" (School
Library Journal). |
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Evil
Star (book II of the Gatekeepers) by Anthony Horowitz, 2006 - "Plenty of gore-gently described-place this in the Indiana Jones genre
of adventure tale. Lots of cool details sustain interest; among them are
the boys' mystical mental powers, golden treasure hidden in the walls
of Cusco and a visit to the lost city of the Incas. As in some plot-driven
stories, stereotypes provide an easy shortcut. Horowitz, however, does
reverse some roles-in this case, the Incans are the good guys. The climax,
littered with dead heroes and villains alike, guarantees a suspenseful
start for the next installment. Bring on gatekeeper number three-soon"
(Kirkus). |
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The Fetch by Chris Humphreys,
2007 - After exploring
a sea chest full of runes and a journal belonging to his deceased grandfather,
fifteen-year-old Sky summons the old man's ghost, who teaches him how
to travel through time and space. |
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Brave
New World by Aldous Huxley - A bitter satire of the future in which the world is controlled
by advances in science and social changes. |
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Night Road by A.M Jenkins YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2009 - Battling his own memories and fears, Cole, an extraordinarily conscientious vampire, and Sandor, a more impulsive acquaintance, spend a few months on the road, trying to train a young man who recently joined their ranks. |
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The Seventh Daughter by Frewin Jones Faerie Path Series - School Library Journal Review: Gr 7 Up— In this concluding novel in the trilogy, the Realm of Faerie is being devastated by the Sorcerer King of Lyonesse and his Gray Knights. The power of the Sun King and Moon Queen seems broken. Hope is rekindled as Princess Tania returns again to the Realm accompanied by her mother, Queen Titania; her sisters; and Master Edric Chanticleer. They soon realize that the only way to save the kingdom is to rescue King Oberon and unite the faeries to do battle. A quest ensues involving all the creatures of faerie in a life-or-death struggle that may mean the end of the world as they know it. This epic tale of battle and death contains many twists and surprises that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.—June H. Keuhn, Corning East High School, NY --June H. Keuhn (Reviewed February 1, 2008) (School Library Journal, vol 54, issue 2, p118) |
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Freaks:
Alive on the Inside! by Annette Curtis Klause, 2006- Starred Review "The characters often speak coarsely, occasionally dipping
into broad sexual innuendos, and Abels romantic interludes read with the
steaminess of a bodice-ripper. But teens will be easily drawn in by the
cliff-hanger chapter endings; the vibrant, affectionately drawn cast of
characters (including a seductive mummy); and the exuberant, often bawdy
language, in which even emotions are visceral creatures: A worm of anger
squiggled in my gut, Abel says. Klause's suspenseful twist on the outsiders
story, the grim horror of human exploitation, and the questions about
belonging will fascinate readers" (Booklist). |
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Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox, book one of the Dreamhunter duet. YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2008, Booklist Editors Choice -
In a world where select people can enter "The Place" and find dreams of every kind to share with others for a fee, a fifteen-year-old girl is training to be a dreamhunter when her father disappears, leaving her to carry on his mysterious mission. |
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Dreamquake by Elizabeth Knox, book two of the Dreamhunter duet - YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2008, Printz Honor 2008, Booklist Editors'Choice - Aided by her family and her creation, Nown, Laura investigates the powerful Regulatory Body's involvement in mysterious disappearances and activities and learns, in the process, the true nature of the Place in which dreams are found. |
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Strays by Ron Koertge 2007 - "Readers will root for Ted as he learns how to feel comfortable
both around other people and in his own skin. Using deft touches of humor
and an element of the supernatural, Koertge (Boy Girl Boy) delivers
a stirring account of a boy's rise above difficult circumstances"
(Publishers Weekly). |
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Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan A young woman who has endured unspeakable cruelties is magically granted a safe haven apart from the real world and allowed to raise her two daughters in this alternate reality, until the barrier between her world and the real one begins to break down. |
| Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy 2007 -"Landy sets the tale on the Irish coast and reaches into Celtic
lore for a cameo from the son of Finn McCool, but there's nothing old-fashioned
about the way this story unspools. The book may be hefty but it moves
at warp speed. An utterly charming debut, perfect for the Potter crowd"
(Publishers Weekly). |
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Playing With Fire by Derek Landy(
Skulduggery Pleasant 2)- When the evil Baron Vengeous escapes from prison, Detective Skulduggery Pleasant and his apprentice, Valkyrie Cain, have just two days to recapture him or the Baron's creature, the Grotesquery, may summon the Faceless Ones back to their world. |
| Tales from Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin - Explores the magical world of Earthsea through five tales of
events which occurs before or after the time of the original novels, as
well as an essay on the people, languages, history, and magic of the place. |
| Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis - The first book in Lewis' Space Trilogy begins the adventures
of Dr. Ransom, an estimable man who is abducted by aliens and taken via
spaceship to the red planet of Malacandra where he eludes his captors,
risking his life and his chances of returning to Earth. |
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Pretty Monsters: Stories by Kelly LinkNine short stories take readers into worlds with elements that mix fantasy with reality. |
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The Giver by Lois Lowery - Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas
becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community
and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives. |
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True Talents by David Lubar. YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers > 2008 - School Library Journal Review: Gr 6–8—A year has passed since the five boys from Hidden Talents (Tor, 1999) left Edgeview Alternative School. An evil former military operative, Major Bowdler, has kidnapped telekinetic 15-year-old Eddie "Trash" Thalmayer, and his supernaturally talented friends must rescue him. The plot—full of top-secret equipment and espionage—is a little confusing, but it moves well, thanks to Trash's snappy and heartfelt narration. Lubar's trademark, genius one-liners are few here, as the sober themes of mortality and the fuzzy area between good and evil prevail. Fortunately, the novel's swashbuckling action balances the mood. The author's writing is as fluid and teen-smart as ever, though discussion of the boys' true talent—their brotherly bond—is occasionally heavy-handed and sentimental. The characters have both depth and sparkle, and the author deftly juggles the ensemble of five funny, thoughtful, distinct boys. Bowdler is just plain, puppy-killing mean, but Lubar gives him dimension by getting into his head. Older elementary and middle school fans of the genre, even those who missed Hidden Talents, should enjoy this one.—Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library --Johanna Lewis (Reviewed April 1, 2007) (School Library Journal, vol 53, issue 4, p142) |
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Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier- Marillier weaves the tale of the frog prince
into this lush novel, peopled with vampires and forest witches, and adds
a surprise twist (involving Jena and her amphibian companion)" (Publishers
Weekly). |
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Cybele’s Secret by Juliet Marillier Scholarly eighteen-year-old Paula and her merchant father journey from Transylvania to Istanbul to buy an ancient pagan artifact rumored to be charmed, but others, including a handsome Portuguese pirate and an envoy from the magical Wildwood, want to acquire the item, as well. |
| Dragonsong (Series)by Anne McCaffrey - Forbidden by her father to indulge in music in any way, a girl
on the planet Pern runs away, taking shelter with the planet's fire lizards
who, along with her music, open a new life for her. |
| The
Hunter's Moon" The Chronicles of Fairie,
book , by O. R. Melling - " Idealistic Findabhair
and her cautious cousin Gwen have always shared a love of fantasy and
hunted for a door into other worlds. The teens plan to spend their summer
hitchhiking through Ireland, but when Findabhair is abducted from a barrow
by the King of the Faeries himself, Gwen has to become self-reliant and
overcome her fears in order to rescue her cousin" (School Library
Journal). |
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Twilight (series) by Stephanie Meyer - "In Twilight , an exquisite fantasy by Stephenie Meyer, readers discover
a pair of lovers who are supremely star-crossed. Bella adores beautiful
Edward, and he returns her love. But Edward is having a hard time controlling
the blood lust she arouses in him, because--he's a vampire" (Amazon). 2nd
book New Moon 3rd Eclipse 4th Breaking Dawn. |
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Tiger Moon by Antonia Michaelis Sold to be the eighth wife of a rich and cruel merchant, Safia, also called Raka, tries to escape her fate by telling stories of Farhad the thief, his companion Nitish the white tiger, and their travels across India to retrieve a famous jewel that will save a kidnapped princess from becoming the bride of a demon king. |
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Hero by Perry Moore - 2007 -
"The story tackles love, friendship, and the eternal struggle to
come to terms with who we really are in a tactful, interesting, and well-developed
manner. Although the beginning is a little slow, there are subtle hooks
that will keep readers' interest, and once the action picks up, Hero becomes a real page-turner that is worth the wait" (School
Library Journal). |
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The Restless Dead: Ten Original Stories of
the Supernatural by Deborah Noyes - 2007 - " 'Whether
motivated by shock, sorrow, self-preservation, or more subtle ambitions
. . . the dead in this anthology are all restless, all awake when they
shouldn't be, all conspiring to keep you up at night,' writes Noyes in
her introduction to this collection of terrifying stories from some of
the most well-known authors writing for teens, including M. T. Anderson,
Holly Black, Libby Bray, and Annette Curtis Klause" (Booklist). |
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Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel - "Oppel
does it again! This action-packed sequel to Airborn (HarperCollins,
2004) starts with a bang and doesn't let up until the satisfying ending.
Matt Cruse, now a student at the Airship Academy, finds himself training
as a navigator aboard a worn out, tumbledown cargo airship piloted by
a reckless captain" (School Library Journal). |
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Brisingr by Christopher Paolini (book 3) previous Eragon & The Eldest The further adventures of Eragon and his dragon Saphira as they continue to aid the Varden in the struggle against the evil king, Galbatorix. |
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Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer Through journal entries sixteen-year-old Miranda describes her family's struggle to survive after a meteor hits the moon, causing worldwide tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. |
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The Science of Pullman’s His Dark Secret by Mary and John Gribbin Discusses how real science is represented and used in the "His Dark Materials" trilogy. |
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Predator's
Gold by Philip Reeve - First in the series, "A
page-turner, this adventure in a city-eat-city world will have readers
eagerly suspending disbelief to follow the twists and turns of the imaginative
plot" (Booklist). |
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Starcross by Philip Reeve-
In this eagerly awaited sequel to the acclaimed Larklight (Bloomsbury, 2006), Art and Myrtle once again save the universe. When their home that floats through space is being redecorated, the Mumsbys receive an invitation for a fantastic free holiday at a new resort in the Asteroid Belt near Mars. Their mother, who happens to be 4 ½ thousand million years old, accompanies the children, expecting rest and relaxation. But nothing is as it seems at Starcross: the hotel slips back and forth through time; demonic puppets need dodging; guests are turned into trees; and top hats alter minds. Jack Havock, the notorious space pirate and object of Myrtle's affections, is there, in the employ of Her Majesty's Secret Service. With the help of Jack, his motley crew, and the Mumsbys, several attempts to invade the British Empire and attain universal domination are scuttled. Art narrates most of the story, turning things over to prim Myrtle, the absolute blight in his life, briefly. Tongue-in-cheek, hilarious, and wildly imaginative, this intergalactic adventure that knows no boundaries of time or space contains a message of acceptance of those who are different as well as social commentary on imperialism and on advertising. Wyatt's expressive and witty pen-and-ink drawings add to the whimsy and humor. As imaginative as Reeve's writing, they clarify the characters, settings, and situations. Starcross is every bit as amazing as its predecessor. Fans will be delighted to know that a third book is on the way, and that the series has been optioned for a movie. Imagine the special effects.—Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME --Connie Tyrrell Burns (Reviewed December 1, 2007) (School Library Journal, vol 53, issue 12, p142). |
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The
Name of the Wind (Kingkiller chronicles, 1)
by Patrick Rothfuss, 2007 - " Quill Book Awards - 2008 Alex Award Winner " From his childhood as
a member of a close-knit family of the nomadic Edema Ruh to his first
heady days as a student of magic at a prestigious university, humble bartender
Kvothe relates the tale of how a boy beset by fate became a hero, a bard,
a magician, and a legend. Rothfuss's first novel launches a trilogy relating
not only the history of humankind but also the tale of a world threatened
by an evil whose existence it desperately denies. The author explores
the development of a person's character while examining the relationship
between a legend and its reality and the truth that lies at the heart
of stories. Elegantly told and layered with images of tales to come, this
richly detailed "autobiography" of a hero is highly recommended
for libraries of any size" (Library Journal). |
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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling - Sixth-year Hogwarts student Harry Potter gains valuable insights
into the boy Voldemort once was, even as his own world is transformed
by maturing friendships, schoolwork assistance from an unexpected source,
and devastating losses. |
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Bad
Monkeys by Matt Ruff, 2007 - A 2008 Alex Award Winner "In a holding cell in the psychiatric wing
of a prison, a psychologist is interviewing inmate Jane Charlotte. Shes
been charged with homicide. Although she does not deny it, she weaves
an outrageous story about the circumstances surrounding the murder. She
claims to be working for a secret organization devoted to fighting evil
with an array of fantastical weapons, including a gun that, depending
on the setting, can induce a heart attack, a stroke, or a coma. Jane details
her initial contact with the organization when she was a teenager, her
lost years as a homeless drug addict, and her eventual work for the division
dubbed Bad Monkeys, which targets and eliminates irredeemable persons.
Ruff, whose first two novels attracted a cult following, especially in
Europe, displays so much imaginative flair (similar in sensibility to
George Saunders) and relays it all with such exuberance that readers will
have a hard time tearing themselves away from the book--indeed, the more
outlandish Janes story grows, the faster theyll turn the pages. The fiendishly
clever plot twists, involving a covert group fighting for evil, only add
to the mind-bending experience" (Booklist). |
|
|
Undine by Penni Russon
- " The messages, "trickling through . . . her consciousness," start arriving
when Undine is 16: "Come Home!" At the same time, she begins to feel a
potent, frightening force within her, "something extra to herself."
When her anger sets off a violent weather storm, her fierce, bewildering
power is confirmed, and as more messages appear, she starts to link them
with questions about the father she has never known" (Booklist). |
|
Cirque
Du Freak #1: A Living Nightmare: Book 1 in the Saga of Darren
Shan - "A boy
sneaks out to an illicit freak show, and his life becomes entangled with
a vampire spider-wrangler. "The author mines the exploitative history
of early 20th-century sideshows to create an artfully macabre 'Cirque
du Freak,' "(Publishers Weekly). |
|
Frankenstein:
The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley - A gothic tale of terror in which Victor Frankenstein, obsessed
with the secret of life, creates an eight-foot monster from cadavers |
|
Dread
Locks: Dark Fusion # 1 (Dark Fusion)by Neal Shusterman - "
Shusterman brings a new and unique perspective to the old Medusa story.
Parker Baer, 14, has plenty of material possessions but is bored. Then
Tara, with her spirals of golden hair and dark sunglasses, moves in next
door. Within a short time, Parker's family and friends are sick and behaving
strangely" (School Library Journal). |
The Boy Who Couldn't Die by William Sleator
When his best friend dies in a plane crash, sixteen-year-old Ken has a
ritual performed that will make him invulnerable, but soon learns that
he had good reason to be suspicious of the woman he paid to lock his soul
away. |
| Quiver by Stephanie Spinner
- "A stirring YA novel that reinterprets
of the myth of Atalanta. Abandoned in infancy by her father, King Iasus,
Atalanta is rescued by Artemis, goddess of the hunt, and grows up to be
a skilled hunter and athlete, faster than any other mortal" (Booklist). |
| The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson -
Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with a drug which unleashes his alternate
personality, the evil Mr. Hyde. |
| So
This Is The End: Avatars: Book I, 2006 - "This creepy, futuristic title opens on the lives of five
teens from various parts of the world. Through alternating narratives,
readers learn that they all have strange powers that affect those around
them in various ways. Then they suddenly find themselves among the few
humans alive...what has felt like a day to them has been 75 years to the
rest of the world" (School Library Journal). |
|
Mimus by Lilli Thal - " Mimus,
King Theodo, and dozens of minor characters have roles to play and are
given convincing motivations and behaviors. This is an unusually well-realized
adventure, set in an alternate Middle Ages. It will have strong appeal
for fantasy fans" (School Library Journal). |
| The
New Policemen by Kate Thompson - "Heart-pounding
Irish music is the common ground between material and magical worlds in
this ambitious fantasy, which begins in western Ireland. When J. J. Liddy
is 15, his mother jokingly asks for a birthday present of more time"
(Booklist). |
| Ariel by Grace Tiffany - " The
first thing you should know about Ariel is that she's a liar. With this
grabber, Tiffany takes the characters from Shakespeare's The Tempest and provides background as to how they get to the point where readers
find them in the play. The story spans centuries, beginning with Ariel's
birth from the head of a luckless sailor, who was blown across the Atlantic
in the fifty-eighth Year of Our Lord and ending with the arrival of Christopher
Columbus in the New World" (School Library Journal). |
|
|
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien - Join the beginning of the classic fantasy as Bilbo Baggins is
drawn into a dangerous quest, where, alone and ultimately unadied, he
must confron the greatest terror known. |
|
Dragon
Ball Z by Akira Toriyama - A visitor from outer space arrives to tell Gohan he is an alien
and his brother is a ruthless killer who Gohan must fight to save the
human race. |
|
Twenty
Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne - Written before modern sea-going submarines were a reality, the
story is narrated by Professor Aronnax, a noted marine biologist, who
finds himself thrown overboard when s hunting for a "sea creature"
which he encounters in the form of the evil Captain Nemo's ship, the Nautilius.
|
|
Journey
to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne - Three men discover the secrets of past civilizations during a
fantastic expedition beneath the earth's surface. |
|
The War
of the Worlds by H. G Wells -
As life on Mars becomes impossible, Martians and their terrifying machines
invade the Earth. |
|
|
Uglies by Scott Westerfield - First in the trilogy, "Tally
Youngblood lives in a futuristic society that acculturates its citizens
to believe that they are ugly until age 16 when they'll undergo an operation
that will change them into pleasure-seeking "pretties." Anticipating this
happy transformation, Tally meets Shay, another female ugly, who shares
her enjoyment of hoverboarding and risky pranks" (School Library
Journal). |
|
Poison by Chris Wodding - "Quick-witted, fierce, and
fed up with living in a community where residents view misfortune as inevitable,
Poison fights back when her baby sister is spirited away by 'phaeries'
" (Booklist). |
 |
Troll
Bridge: A rock 'n' roll fairy tale. by Jane Yolen
and Adam Stemple, 2006- " In this follow-up to Pay the Piper (Tom Doherty, 2005),
the authors have converted ...The Three Billy Goats Gruff... into a modern
fairy tale that once again has a musical flair. Sixteen-year-old Moira,
a harpist, has been named one of the 12 Dairy Princesses in the small
town of Vanderby, MN. There is a long-standing tradition of carving the
Princesses...heads out of butter and placing them on the Trollholm Bridge
during the state fair. But this year, the tradition isn't carried out,
and the girls are taken into Trollholm, a magical realm filled with man-eating
trolls and a talking fox, Fossegrim" (School Library Journal). |
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