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The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume 1: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson Ages 14–up Octavian, a black youth in Revolution-era America, is raised in a Boston household of radical philosophers. He is given a classical education and kept with his mother, an African princess, in comfort. As he matures, Octavian realizes he is an experiment to discover the intellectual capability of Africans. When his mother dies, Octavian runs away and joins the Patriot army. Though written in 18th century language in the form of letters, this powerful novel raises contemporary issues of racism, human rights, the causes of war, and the struggle of an individual to define himself. Peeled by Joan Bauer Ages 12–up Hildy Biddle, a feisty and funny aspiring teen journalist in an appealing upstate New York town famous for its apples, loves her staff position on her high school paper. When the local paper publishes sensational ghostly happening stories, Hildy and her friends are determined to discover and publish the truth. Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway Ages 12–up When Audrey breaks up with her boyfriend, he writes a song about it that hits the top of the charts. Audrey is famous, and mortified. This irresistible debut novel captures teenage dialogue and wit. The Compound by S.A. Bodeen Ages 12–up Ellis, the 15-year old son of a billionaire, has spent the last six years in the massive underground shelter his father built to shelter the family from the nuclear war that destroyed the world above. With nine years to go before the air above is safe, the food begins to run out, and Ellis is caught in an ethical and moral dilemma as he becomes increasingly suspicious about his father’s choices and actions. Black Rabbit Summer by Kevin Brooks Ages 12–up Five teens, formerly close friends and now acquaintances, visit their long-abandoned hideout. The next morning Raymond, who believes his black rabbit can talk, and a young starlet who was taunting him the evening before are missing. As the police hunt for the celebrity, Pete searches for Raymond. This brooding thriller explores teenaged alienation and the nature of relationships. Debbie Harry Sings in French by Meagan Brothers Ages 14–up Johnny, a 17-year-old recovering alcoholic, is sent to live with his uncle Sam. He bonds with fellow outcast Maria, who encourages him to pursue his love for Debbie Harry’s music, even when he decides to perform in drag. Touching portrayal of tough issues with an empathetic narrator who introduces shades of gray into the usual black and white view of sexuality and gender. Ringside 1925: Views from the Scopes Trial by Jen Bryant Ages 12–up The fictionalized inhabitants of Dayton, TN, home of the infamous “monkey trial,” speak in a range of perspectives about the teaching of evolution. Graceling by Kristin Cashore Ages 14–up People with special talents, called Gracelings, are identified by their unusual eyes. Katsa has one green and one blue eye, but it is not until she is eight that her special talent is discovered—killing. By age 18 she is henchwoman to the king. Hating her job, Katsa creates a secret council to work against corrupt power. Teens (and adults) struggling to put their own talents to good use will enjoy this riveting novel. How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming by Lynne Cherry & Gary Braasch Ages 10–14 Hopeful tone and comprehensive resource list. Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs Ages 12–up Phoebe is shocked when her widowed mother returns from a Greek vacation not only engaged to a man she has just meet, but determined that Phoebe will complete her senior year of high school at her future stepfather’s private academy. The twist is that the school caters to the descendents of the Greek gods and goddesses, cleverly mixing mythology into the usual high school cliques. Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor Ages 10–up Sixth-grader Addie’s mother disappears for days at a time, leaving the resilient Addie to struggle to maintain a normal life. Addie’s optimism in the face of child neglect makes for a powerful story. Dingo by Charles De Lint Ages 12–up Incorporating Australian folklore, this fantasy tells the tale of Michael Schreiber who discovers that his new girlfriend is something other than human. A mixture of darkness and hope, humor and mystery, and the friendship within love. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen Ages 12–up After her mother abandons her, Ruby Cooper is taken in by the older sister she hasn’t seen in 10 years and her wealthy husband. Ruby now has everything she’s dreamed of: fancy house, private school, new wardrobe. But Ruby is a reluctant Cinderella, suspicious of her own good fortune. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow Ages 13–up Set in near-future San Francisco after a terrorist attack, 17-year-old Marcus and his friends (guilty only of cutting school) are arrested and interrogated by the Department of Homeland Security. Released, techno-geek Marcus and his crew fight against the oppressive police state. Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd Ages 12–up When Fergus McCann is digging for peat for his uncle to sell in 1981, he finds the body of a small boy. Archaeologists suspect the body is ancient and arrive in droves to study the find. Trying to earn entrance to medical school 18-year-old Fergus is haunted by his find and confused by the hunger strike his imprisoned IRA brother has joined. This compelling book raises questions about moral choices and highlights the impact of political conflict on innocent bystanders. The Possibilities of Sainthood by Donna Freitas Ages 12–up Antonia is a 15-year-old Catholic schoolgirl who petitions the saints to help her deal with the angst of adolescence. When St. Augustine lets her down, she proposes herself as the new Saint of the First Kiss and sends regular emails to the Pope in the Vatican. The warm portrayal of Italian-American life add depth to this coming-of-age novel. The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner Ages 12–up This suspenseful and haunting book is set during the French Revolution. Yann Magoza, an orphan traveling with a troupe of magicians, can read minds. While performing at a castle, Yann meets Sidonie, the daughter of a cruel marquis, and a scheming count murders one of the troupe of magicians. The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding Ages 10–14 Cat has lived in the Drury Lane Theater Royal ever since she was abandoned as a baby and taken in by Mr. Sheridan, the owner of the theater. After Cat sees Mr. Sheridan hiding a valuable diamond, she and her friends decide to help safeguard the treasure. Set in 1790s London, England, this thrilling mystery will keep readers glued to the pages. (first in a projected quartet) Imaginary Enemy by Julie Gonzalez Ages 12–up Jane writes to her imaginary enemy “Bubba” and he replies, in this entrancing and witty novel that follows Jane from elementary school into high school. Ten Mile River by Paul Griffin Ages 12–up Ray and José, two homeless teenaged boys, are hiding from their parole officer in New York City’s Ten Mile River Park. Ray meets Trini, who encourages the boys to go straight, and Ray is caught between his loyalty to his friend and his desire to make something of himself. Griffin’s ear for authentic dialog makes his gritty novel memorable. The Last Exit to Normal by Michael Harmon Ages 14–up When 17-year-old Ben’s father announces he’s gay and the family splits up, Ben figures it can’t get worse. But then his father and boyfriend move with Ben from big-city Spokane to a rural Montana town—no place for a boy with spiked hair, a skateboard habit, and two dads. Ivy by Julie Hearn Ages 12–up Two 19th century London women of the Ragged Children’s Welfare Association rescue the orphan Ivy, a Pre-Raphaelite beauty, who has been discarded by her family as useless. The laudanum addicted Ivy spends most of her time in a swoon, but the other characters scheme and frolic in this lush absorbing novel. Bird Lake Moon by Kevin Henkes Ages 10–14 Mitch (12) is brooding about his parents’ upcoming divorce when he meets Spencer (10) who has been shaken by a drowning at Bird Lake. Told in alternating chapters from both viewpoints, this novel explores secrets, loss, and acceptance of what cannot be changed. How I Saved My Father’s Life (and Ruined Everything Else) by Ann Hood Ages 11–up Madeline (11) believes she saved her father from an avalanche, and is hoping for another miracle to undo her parents’ divorce and father’s remarriage. Perceptive view of divorce from a child’s perspective. Identical by Ellen Hopkins Ages 14–up Kaeleigh and Reanne are identical 16-year-old twins. From the outside their family seems perfect, but since an accident their mother is emotionally unreachable and the girls are self destructive in different ways. Narrated in free verse, this disturbing novel is both beautiful and shocking. ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley Ages 12–up Charlotte Usher is determined to join the ranks of the popular when she enters Hawthorn High, but she chokes to death on a gummi bear the first day of school and is sent to Deadiquette School instead. This witty satire of a teen who refuses to stay dead will appeal to teens and adults alike. Genius Squad by Catherine Jinks Ages 12–up Cadel Piggot and his disabled friend Sonja Pirovic join the Genius Squad, hoping that the superhuman Brainiacs and their technology will be powerful enough to protect them from Prosper English. [sequel to Evil Genius] Would You by Marthe Jocelyn Ages 14–up In the summer before their junior year in high school, Natalie and her friends play the “Would you…” game. Everything changes when her older sister is struck by a car and rendered comatose. Her mother grows numb, her father becomes angry, and Natalie struggles to cope with a situation that grows more difficult every day. Jocelyn’s humanity in handling tragedy lets the reader experience both grief and eventual peace. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Ages 12–up As the oldest of three, Sophie knows that she is doomed to try and fail so that her youngest sister will win fame and fortune. Then the Witch of the Waste comes into the family hat shop and turns Sophie into an old lady and she is forced to go and seek her fortune as housekeeper for the Wizard Howl in his flying castle. A wonderful blend of humor and magic will enthrall lovers of fantasy. House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones Ages 12–up When bookish, self-centered Charmain leaves home to care for her great-uncle’s magical house, she surprises herself by discovering her own hidden talents. The flamboyant Wizard Howl (from Howl’s Moving Castle) appears mid-way through the book, yet Charmain manages to hold her own. Outside Beauty by Cynthia Kadohata Ages 12–up When 12-year old Shelby’s beautiful mother is critically injured in a car crash, Shelby and her three sisters are parceled out to their four different fathers. As Shelby plans to reunite the sisters, she begins to appreciate her father’s kindness and begins to understand the difference between beauty and perfection. House of Dance by Beth Kephart Ages 12–up Abandoned by her father at a young age, detached from her mother who is involved in an affair with her married boss, 15-year old Rosie is sent to spend the summer before her junior year with her terminally ill grandfather. Helping him sort through his belongings, Rosie realizes that memories are the only meaningful possessions and decides to recreate the time her grandfather loved most—when his wife danced to the music that filled the house. The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages Ages 10–14 It’s 1943 and 10-year-old budding inventor Dewey Kerrigan sets off to join her father who is doing secret war work in New Mexico. As the adults work on “the gadget,” the kids at Los Alamos are often left to their own devices. When Dewey’s father is killed in an accident, she moves in with another family. The growing friendship between Dewey and Suze, both misfits in different ways, forms the bulk of the book. The unique atmosphere of the secretive scientific community is clearly presented in this excellent historical novel, but the true nature of “the gadget” may not be understood by kids who don’t know it already. Ever by Gail Carson Levine Ages 10–up In this mythological tale, Kezi is the only daughter of a wealthy and devout family in an ancient vaguely Middle Eastern city. When her mother falls deathly ill, her father promises to sacrifice the first person who congratulates him if the god Admat will let her live. Another god tries to help Keri who is the first to congratulate her father.

Snow Falling in Spring: Coming of Age in China During the Cultural Revolution by Moying Li Ages 12–up In this memoir, Moying, a 12-year old student in Beijing, finds her house ransacked and her father taken to a labor camp. With faith in knowledge and education, Moying survives the climate of fear that accompanies the rise of the Red Guard. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr Ages 12–up This suspenseful fantasy takes place in a fully realized world that conveys the details and the politics of faery life. Seventeen-year-old Leslie is attracted to an eerie tattoo of eyes and wings that binds her to Irial, the dark king of the faery world. (Leslie made a cameo appearance in Wicked Lovely.) Forever Rose by Hilary McKay Ages 9–14 This fifth and final book in the delightfully daffy Casson family series is narrated by the youngest child, Rose, now 11. Rose is coping with her separated parents, talented siblings and their friends, and wondering if she is brilliant herself, or simply daft. (Previous books in the series: Saffy’s Angel, Indigo’s Star, Permanent Rose, Caddy Ever After) Chalice by Robin McKinley Ages 12–up Mirasol, a humble beekeeper, has been chosen to take the role of Chalice, communicator with the sentient land. While trying to heal the trouble caused by the former Master, Mirasol is drawn to the new master in this lavish magical fantasy. Suck It Up by Brian Meehl Ages 12–up Morning McCobb, recent graduate of Vampire International, is charged with telling the world about vampires. Morning is not the usual vampire—he’s a vegan, subsisting on a soy-based product called Blood Lite. This very funny book with an appealing misfit protagonist is a welcome change from the usual brooding vampire romance. All We Know of Heaven by Jacquelyn Mitchard Ages 12–up Based on a true story, this gripping novel tells the story of two girls involved in a car crash. One dies and is buried, the other lies in a coma. When the girl emerges from the coma, inconsistencies alert the hospital staff that the girls have been misidentified. Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers Ages 12–up Robin Perry, nephew to Myer’s Vietnam soldier from Fallen Angel, writes to his uncle from Iraq in this powerful novel that may help American teens grapple intelligently and thoughtfully with the war in Iraq. Brett McCarthy: Work In Progress by Maria Padian Ages 12–up Brett McCarthy lives for soccer, vocabulary words, and her larger-than-life grandmother, Nonna. Funny coming of age novel about a smart-mouthed 14-year old. Blue Like Friday by Siobhán Parkinson Ages 11–14 Olivia tells the story of her friend Hal, who sees the world in colors and tastes and is determined to get rid of his sort-of-stepfather. This portrayal of family and friend relationships is funny and sad at the same time. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson Ages 14–up Awakening from a coma, 17-year old Jenna Fox with almost no memories of her past and is unsure the memories she has are really hers. A thrilling look at bio-medical ethics and the nature of humanity. Sovay by Celia Rees Ages 12–up Raised in the English countryside during the French Revolution, 17-year-old Sovay sets out to find her father and brother who have been condemned for supporting the Revolution. Playing the roles of highway robber, spy, and socialite, Sovay travels from London to Paris in this romantic and suspenseful story of political intrigue and class struggle. How to Build a House by Dana Reinhardt Ages 12–up Harper Evans is shaken by her father’s second divorce and her separation from her beloved stepmother and best friend stepsister. Participating in a summer program to build a house for a needy family helps Harper see how both houses and relationships can be resurrected through hard work, hope, and teamwork. He Forgot to Say Goodbye by Benjamin Alire Saenz Ages 12–up Two alternating teenage narrators from El Paso, Texas share the same pain: their fathers walked out on them years ago. Ramiro Lopez is the responsible son of a hard-working mother with a drug-addicted younger brother, Jake Upthegrove is disgusted with his mother and stepfather’s materialistic values. The growing friendship between the two boys helps them deal with their sense of betrayal and the traumatic events they endure in this powerful and honest book. The Last of the High Kings by Kate Thompson Ages 12–up In this sequel to The New Policeman, J.J. Liddy is now married with four children, including 11-year old Jenny whose mysterious destiny is interwoven with the mythic fairy kingdom of their native Ireland. Lucky by Rachel Vail Ages 12–up Fourteen-year-old Phoebe and her two older sisters have been raised by their mother to view themselves as Valkyries unable to be intimidated. Phoebe is more of a people-pleaser and is busy planning the 8th grade graduation party when her mother is fired for possible shady dealings. For the first time money is a family issue and Phoebe must consider what effect it has on her friendships and popularity. (first in a trilogy about the sisters) Me, the Missing, and the Dead by Jenny Valentine Ages 14–up Fifteen-year-old Lucas finds an abandoned urn of ashes in a London cab depot and discovers the truth about the disappearance of his father five years earlier. This British novel raises questions about death, euthanasia, and broken families while retaining a healthy sense of humor. Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman Ages 12–up Set in World War II India, 15-year-old Vidya’s father joins the freedom fighters who follow Gandhi’s nonviolent protest of British rule. During a rally he is severely beaten and left too brain-damaged to support his family, who must move in with relatives and work as servants. This novel movingly presents a unique time and place and shows how love and hope can blossom in even the most dismal of circumstances.

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