Back to School Survival Books for Tweens and Teens

Summer break is over and we survived the first week of school. Yay! We are all excited, right? Anyways, teens go through a lot. And I mean a lot! From starting out as a freshman, having relationship problems, being bullied, and getting ready to graduate and even prom. Here are some books you can find at the Richmond Public Library to get you through the school year.

YA Fiction Lyga The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl by Barry Lyga	YA Fiction Gallo On the Fringe by Donald Gallo	YA Fiction Going Kings of the Screwups by K.L. Going
YA Fiction Medina  Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina	YA Fiction Rowell  Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell	YA Fiction Gownley  The Tweenage Guide to Not Being Unpopular  by Jimmy Gownley
YA Fiction Ehrenhaft  Drawing a blank, or, How I tried  to solve a mystery, end a feud, and land the girl of my dreams by Daniel Ehrenhaft	YA Fiction John  Five Flavors of Dumb  by Antony John	JUV Fiction Dowell  The Secret Language of Girls  by Frances O'Roark Dowell
JUV Fiction Yee  Bobby vs. Girls (accidentally) by Lisa Lee	YA Fiction Hartinger Geography Club  by Brent Hartinger	YA Fiction Ziegler  How Not to Be Popular  by Jennifer Ziegler
YA Fiction Halpern  Into the Wild Nerd Yonder   by Julie Halpern	JUV/YA Fiction Patterson  Middle School, the Worst Years of My Life  by James Patterson	JUV/YA Fiction Patterson  Middle School: Get Me out of Here!  by James Patterson
JUV/YA Fiction Patterson  Middle School: My Brother Is a Big, Fat Liar  by James Patterson	YA Fiction Koss  Poison Ivy   by Amy Goldman Koss	YA Fiction Sewell  If I Were Your Boyfriend (Kimani Tru)  by Earl Sewell

Reading YA with Amanda

It is a new year and there are some incredible new YA books for your reading pleasure. There is something new for everyone, every interest and every mood! Keep checking back here since there are more great books still to come.



Been waiting patiently for Cinder's story to continue in the Lunar Chronicles?

Scarlet: the Lunar Chronicles, part 2 by Marissa Meyer

Linh Cinder grew up a cyborg and a stepchild in New Beijing, not sure which one made her life worse. But after her stepmother donated her body to science, it is the doctor's discovery that she is the lost Lunar Princess Selene that puts her in the most danger of all. Being the missing niece of Queen Levana only puts her in more danger as the Queen continues her pursuit of domination of the Earthern Union. Now, in prison, can she escape and reconnect with Dr. Erland? A world away in France, Scarlet Benoit's grand-mere has been missing for two weeks and the police have given up looking for her. She meets a man named Wolf, who seems to know more then he says, but she can't ignore the attraction she feels. He agrees to take her to Paris, where her grand-mere is being held for a past she won't share. But it is not until she tries to escape that Cinder and Scarlet's worlds collide and they realize just how much is at stake. 

Meyer, Marissa. Scarlet: The Lunar Chronicles. New York: Feiwel & Friends, 2013. ISBN-13: 978-0-3126-4296-9. (hardback). Ages 12+.

Meyer, Marissa. Cinder: The Lunar Chronicles. New York: Feiwel & Friends, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-0-3126-4189-4 . (hardback). Ages 12+.

 
Are you addicted to Downton Abbey?

Cinders and Sapphires: At Somerton, Book 1 by Leila Rasheed

It is 1910 and the Earl of Westlake and his daughters, Ladies Ada and Georgiana, have spent the past decade in India, where their father has been the lieutenant governor. Now, forced to return to their home, Somerton, in the wake of political scandal, the family has to adapt in more ways than one. The staff at Somerton are in a rush trying to ready the home for the Averleys'  arrival. Then news comes of a wedding and the Lord's new wife and her children. Rose is trying to quickly learn the ropes as the new ladies' maid, but refuses to accept the advice she has been given to take advantage of her situation. Lady Ada feels the weight of her family's troubles on her shoulders. How can she choose between her dreams and ambitions and her family?
Rasheed, Leila. Cinders and Sapphires: at Somerton, Book One. New York: Hyperion, 2013. ISBN-13: 978-1-4231-7117-1. (hardback) Ages 12+ 
In the mood for a murderously good laugh?

Who Done It? An Anthology conducted by Jon Scieszka (and YOU the reader)

A Serial Act of Criminal Literature to Benefit 826NYC

"You are invited to a gathering" reads the invitation sent by editor Herman G. Mildew to his clients. But Mr. Mildew is obsessed  not only with cheese and pickles, but also with being the most hated boss that ever existed. When we arrive at the party, Mr. Mildew is dead and every author and illustrator present is a suspect. Now they each have to convince us of their alibis, when every one of them had desire and motive. It is up to us to aid Jon Scieszka in his investigation. We must sort through the first person accounts of over 80 of the best names in YA and children's fiction. Each one has a story to tell and something to hide. One that may prove that, in the end, they all did it!

Scieszka, Jon (Ed). Who Done It? An Anthology. New York: SOHO Teen, 2013. ISBN-13: 978-1-6169-5152-8. (hardback) Ages 12+

Looking for the next Hunger Games?

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Children are mysteriously dying all around the United States. But those who live meet a fate much worse fate than death. Parents are afraid of their own children and turn them in to the government. Most are carted off to camps claiming to rehabilitate them, but others are forced to run on their own with no adult support. It was Ruby's tenth birthday when her parents sent her away, and for six years she lived in one of the camps not really knowing what she truly was. When the truth comes out and she is presented with the opportunity to run, she takes it. Something doesn't feel right and she escapes. Not trusting any adult, Ruby becomes the fourth member of a group of kids looking for a safe haven. Fighting for survival, they quickly learn that nothing is what it seems and the only ones they can trust are each other.

Bracken, Alexandra. The Darkest Minds. New York: Hyperion, 2012. ISBN 13: 978-1-4231-5737-3. (hardcover) Ages 12+

Reading YA with Amanda

2012 is almost over, and with the upcoming holiday season and the end of the semester, this can be a hectic time of year. So why not curl up with a good book? This list has a little bit of this (fantasy and adventure) and a little bit of that (family and mystery), but are some of my favorite Young Adult reads.

Dreamland Social Club by Tara Alterbrando

When Jane's grandfather passes away he leaves his estate to her and her brother Marcus.  With their father in tow, the family relocates to her mother's family home on Coney Island. Jane is excited and hesitant at the same time. Since her mother's death years before, she has been struggling with who she is and where she came from. But it isn't just her life that is a mystery to her, after all there is a carousel horse chained to the radiator in her living  room. Then weird signs start popping up all over the walls at school. Dreamland Social Club, tomorrow afternoon, room 222, you know who you are. The history she discovers in her own house and the more people she meets at her new school only leave her with more questions than answers. Jane wants to learn about her mom and hopefully discover herself in the process. Maybe Leo, the tattooed boy can help? But what exactly is in room 222, and the mermaid ever give up her secrets?  

Alterbrando, Tara. Dreamland Social Club. New York: Duttons Children's Books, 2011. ISBN-13: 978-0-5254-2325-6. (hardback). Ages 14+.

Envy by Gregg Olsen

Nothing seems to be going right for Katelyn Berkley. She has drifted away from her group of friends and now that she didn't make the cheerleading squad her best friend won't talk to her. Unable to talk to her mom, she is lonely and depressed. But was she desperate enough to kill herself?
The night Katelyn was found dead in her bathtub everything changed for twins Taylor and Hayley Ryan. They are drawn by reasons they can't explain to figure out the truth about what really happened to Katelyn. But the deeper they get into the mystery, the more information about their own past seems to come to light which will change everything.
Envy is the first book in the Empty Coffin series by Gregg Olsen. If you loved Envy, check out Betrayal!

Olsen, Gregg. Envy. New York: Splinter, 2011. ISBN-13:  978-1-4027-8957-1. (hardback). Ages 12+

Olsen, Gregg. Betrayal. New York: Splinter, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-1-4027-8958-8. (hardback). Ages 12+
 

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde

For over 400 years, the unUnited Kingdoms have been living in a world underneath the terms of the Dragonpact. Almost sixteen years old, Jennifer Strange is a strong, sassy heroine who just happens to be managing Kazam, an employment agency and home for wizards. Wizards and Sorcerers are struggling to find work as magic in the world and their powers are fading. Just when she thinks she has her hands full with Mystical Arts Management and a new foundling to train, pre-cogs start seeing premonitions of the death of the last dragon. Sometimes it seems that only her faithful Quarkbeast and Tiger Prawns, the new foundling, are the only ones on her side. Jennifer must figure out how to balance the demands of her job while magic seems to be disappearing all around them, and at the same time figure out who the Last Dragonslayer is and convince them not to kill the dragon.

Fforde, Jasper. The Last Dragonslayer. New York: Harcourt, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-0-5477-3847-5. (hardback). Ages 12+

Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call
to storm or fire the world must fall
an oath to keep with a final breath
and foes bear arms to the doors of death

Now that Jason and Percy have reconnected with their home camps, the heroes know that time is running out to start their quest. With the Roman and Greek demigods finally all together, they must figure out what the prophecy of seven means and make it to Greece in time to stop Gaea from waking and hopefully save Hazel's brother Nico before it is too late.

Told from different points of view of several of the demigods, Riordan shares each one's unique voice and sense of whit. The Mark of Athena is a worthy third installment in the Heroes of Olympus series that will have you laughing out loud and hanging by the edge of your seat.

Riordan, Rick. The Heroes of Olympus, Book 3: The Mark of Athena. New York: Disney - Hyperion Books, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-1-4231-4060-3. (hardback). Ages 10+

Riordan, Rick. The Heroes of Olympus, Book 2: The Son of Neptune. New York: Disney - Hyperion Books, 2011. ISBN-13: 978-1-4231-4059-7. (hardback). Ages 10+
Riordan, Rick. The Heroes of Olympus, Book 1: The Lost Hero. New York: Disney - Hyperion Books, 2010. ISBN-13: 978-1-4231-1339-3. (hardback). Ages 10+

Necromancing the Stone by Lish McBride

Sam LaCroix is just trying to adapt to his new life as a necromancer. Just six weeks ago he went from a burger flipper to a powerful necromancer and a member of the local magic council who is now living in his dead enemy's house and is possible dating a very cute werewolf. Sounds completely normal, right? But Sam's self defense and necromancy training isn't exactly going well.  Oh, and on top of it all it seems that his new house may just be trying to haze him.

But he better get a grip on his powers, and fast. First something, or someone is threatening his sister. Then one of his mentor's ends up dead. Sam needs to solve the murder before his new life completely unravels around him. Seems like there is no rest for the necromancer.

McBride, Lish. Necromancing the Stone. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-0-8050-9099-4. (hardback). Ages 14+

McBride, Lish. Hold Me Closer, Necromancer. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2010. ISBN-13: 978-0-8050-9098-7. (hardback). Ages 14+

Reading YA with Amanda

Its back to school time! But just because summer is over, doesn't mean the reading has to stop. Whether you feel like you need to escape reality for a moment, or just need a good laugh. Try one of these books out!

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Once upon a time Hazel lived with her parents and attended a private school where the teachers loved her imagination and creativity. Now that her father has left, the only one who seems to understand her is her best friend Jack. Like Hazel, his home life is not perfect, but together they use their imagination to have the time of their lives. But being best friends with a boy has its own challenges, especially when he seems to change mysteriously over night almost like his heart had turned to ice. Hazel doesn’t believe that he doesn’t want to be friends anymore, but when he suddenly disappears; his friend doesn’t believe the story and convinces Hazel that she is the only one who can save him. Only, does Jack want to be saved? For the first time, Hazel must become a player in her real life fairy tale to rescue her friend and save him from the ice queen.

Like Breadcrumbs? Check out the rest of the 2012 Girls of Summer List!

Ursu, Anne. Breadcrumbs. Illustrated by Erin McGuire.  New York: Walden Pond Press, 2011. ISBN-13: 978-0-0620-1505-1. (hardback). Ages 8-12.

Impossible by Nancy Werlin

“Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme; remember me to one who lives there, for then she’ll be a true love of mine.” Lucy Scarborough is just like any other 17 year old girl, except that her birth mother, Miranda, enters and disappears from her life at the strangest times. Lucy’s mother was Miranda’s best friend, until she gave birth to Lucy and went crazy. So when Miranda starts showing up at Lucy’s school singing the lyrics to Scarborough Fair, Lucy tries to hide the fact that Miranda is her mom. But, when Lucy attends her prom and is raped by her date and then becomes pregnant, she begins to wonder if history is just repeating herself. Then, when she begins to read Miranda’s diary she wonders if there is more to the story, and the song, then meets the eye. As Lucy begins to believe in the curse, she finds solace in the fact that she has something that no other Scarborough girl had before her: love and support from family and Zach, the boy next door. Can Lucy and Zach solve the riddles and end the curse or will Lucy follow Miranda right down into the darkness?

Werlin, Nancy. Impossible. New York: Dial Books, 2008. ISBN-13: 978-0-8037-3002-1. (hardback). Ages 13+

The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee: an Origami Yoda Book by Tom Angleberger

Be a wimp or be a wookiee, that is the question! After being suspended from McQuarrie Middle, Dwight has transferred to Tippett Academy. All of his friends miss him, but they also miss Origami Yoda! However, Dwight looked out for them and gave Sara a Chewbacca Fortune Wookiee and a Han Foldo to translate. But, is the Fortune Wookiee the real thing? If so, can he handle all the strange things happening at McQuarrie? When the boys lose faith and decide that only Origami Yoda will do, they find that everything with Dwight may not be what it seems either. But dark times are ahead, can they save Dwight before its too late?

Check out The Strange Case of Origami Yoda and Dark Paper Strikes Back, the first two Origami Yoda books!  Then look out for the forth book, Art2-D2′s Guide to Folding and Doodling: An Origami Yoda Activity Book! Coming this spring! 

Angleberger, Tom. The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee: an Origami Yoda Book. New York: Amulet Books, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-1-4197-0392-8. (hardback). Ages 8-12+

 Swim the Fly by Don Calame

Matt, Coop and Sean are three friends who have always spent their summers on the neighborhood swim team (even though they aren’t very good) and trying to achieve their own personal summer time goal. This summer is no exception, except for their goal, which is the most unlikely the trio has set yet. To see a real-live naked girl! While that seems impossible enough, Matt has a major thing for the hot, new girl on the swim team, Kelly West. So, while he can barely manage one lap in the pool, he volunteers to swim the 100 meter butterfly.  As the trio plots and schemes to achieve their goal they must content with their bodies and girls. What could possibly go wrong?

Swim the Fly is a laugh out loud book for boys, and girls who are brave enough to learn what’s really going on inside their heads.

Calame, Don. Swim the Fly. Somerville, Mass: Candlewick, 2009. ISBN-13: 978-0-7636-4776-6. (paperback). Ages 14+

Special Sneak Peek Review

Safekeeping by Karen Hesse

"This is madness. This is the United States.
This doesn't happen here. But, it IS happening."

Radley Parker-Hughes is in Haiti helping at an orphanage after the earthquake when the President of the United States is assassinated and the American People's Party takes over. Radley sets out for home and her parents, but the United States she lands in is unrecognizable. Landing in New Hampshire, Radley's parents aren't there to pick up her, but she doesn't have the proper documentation to cross state lines into Vermont. So Radley decides to walk all the way home. But after days on the road when she finally arrives at her house, her parents are no where to be found. Feeling unsafe and afraid, she does the only thing she can think of and sets out for the safety of Canada, wanting nothing more than the safety of her parents and their love.

Safekeeping by Karen Hesse
Expected Publication Date: September 18, 2012
Young Adult, Ages 12+
ARC copy used for review.

(my complete review)