Castle Waiting September 12, 2009

Title: Castle Waiting

Author/Illustrator: Linda Medley

Summary: What happens after Sleeping Beauty wakes up? She leaves her enchanted castle behind to go live with her prince, of course! This imaginative graphic novel tells the story of those she left behind – ladies-in-waiting, magical creatures and other castle dwellers who also succumbed to the sleeping spell who wait…and wait…and wait for their princess to return.

The castle becomes legendary as a place for outcasts and wanderers, including the mysterious Lady Jain, taciturn Iron Henry, and the hilarious Sister Peaceful. Like any great fairy tale, there is no shortage of magical creatures wreaking havoc and clever solutions to seemingly impossible problems. Castle Waiting is a charming, fast-paced read and will leave you smiling.

Who will like this book?: Fans of fractured fairy tales and light-hearted, romantic, fun stories.

If you like this, try this: Into the Wild and Out of the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst. For mature readers, the Fables series by Bill Willingham or books by Gregory Maguire (Wicked, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, etc.)

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian

Chalice August 19, 2009

Title: Chalice

Author: Robin McKinley

Summary: Mirasol was a simple woods keeper, taking care of her bees and goats when members from the Circle, whom rule the land, came to her cottage. Mirsaol was to become the new Chalice of the Willowlands – meaning that it was now her job to listen to and heal the land.

But she is not the only new member of the Circle, for the Master had died as well, and his brother, a Fire Priest, is coming to fill in the position. But no one has ever heard of a Fire Priest coming back into the realm of humans, let along to become a Master. Together can the two keep the lands from dying? Or will a new Master have to take control? The story is compelling, a light-hearted fantasy, with an interesting heroine and a cast of characters whom you’ll grow to love.

Who will like this book?: Those seeking a light book with cute romance that’s not too intense. It flows well and is great for just before bed. There’s not too much action, but I thought it to be very well written and engaging.

If you like this, you should try: The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley, The Secret Country by Jane Johnson,  and Fairest by Gail Carson Levine.

Recommended by:ZZ, Fairfield resident and avid reader

Getting the Girl July 22, 2009

Title: Getting the Girl: A Guide to Private Investigation, Surveillance, and Cookery

Author: Susan Juby

Summary: At Harewood Technical High School, the worst thing that could happen to a girl is to get ’defiled,’ or ‘D-Listed.’ When your picture goes up in the bathroom with a D written over it, you instantly become a non-entity: No one will associate with you, or even talk to you at all, ever again. When Sherman Mack, a slightly short culinary student and all-around nice guy, begins to fear that the new girl he has a crush on might get D-listed, he decides to find out who exactly is doing the ‘defiling,’ even if it means crossing the social boundaries of his school and asking questions no one really wants to have answered.

This mystery will keep you guessing, and gives both guys and girls a great hero to root for in Sherman. Even though like most young people, he has a lot on his plate (both literally and figuratively), he goes out of his way to help his friends and the Defiled. You’ll finish this book wishing Sherman was your next-door neighbor - a guy who stands up for what he believes in and a terrific cook!

Who will like this book?: People who like funny mysteries that aren’t intense or gory. Readers who like stories with heroic teens who aren’t afraid to stand up for what is right.

If you like this, try this: The Alice books, also by Susan Juby. 13 by Jason Robert Brown. Little Brother by Cory Doctrow. Paper Towns by John Green.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian

Marcelo in the Real World June 10, 2009

Title: Marcelo in the Real World

Author: Francisco X. Stork

Summary: Marcelo is different – he is not very good at interacting with new people or understanding the nuances in their conversation, but he can hear music no one else does and is deeply interested in matters of faith. At the end of his junior year, he is excited about his new job at his school, caring for the ponies that are used in student therapy. But his dad thinks he is ready to go to ‘regular’ school and tests him: If Marcelo can work the summer in the family law firm, he can return to his beloved school. If he fails or quits he must attend public school.

Marcelo takes up the challenge and enters the ‘real world,’ away from his familiar surroundings. In the office he makes friends, enemies, and discovers that it’s not so easy to determine who is bad and who is good. This beautifully written story is about growing up, testing yourself, and learning to stand up for what you believe.

Who will like this book?: People interested in the way differently-abled minds work. This is a great coming of age story for teens and adults to enjoy.

If you like this, try this: A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon. For younger readers, The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian

Life As We Knew It March 6, 2009

Title:  Life As We Knew It

Author:Susan Beth Pfeffer

Summary:  Have you ever gotten about half-way through a book and were struck with the almost irresistible impulse to flip to those last few pages –  and you fight that impulse for the rest of the book?   The impulse is born not out of  the need to finish some mega-hit bestseller before someone spoils the ending for you, but rather because you are so invested in this story and in these character’s lives that you need to know what happens to them.  Author Susan Beth Pfeffer has created one such story in Life As We Knew It. 

Miranda, a sixteen year old high school student, records the usual teen woes – step-parent issues, friend problems, massive crush on an unattainable local Olympic hopeful, etc. – in her diary.  Along with the rest of the world she thinks nothing of it when it becomes known that a meteor is about to crash into the moon.  With unconcealed excitement people around the world wait to see this once in a lifetime astronomical event, but the scientists were wrong about the potential outcome of the meteor crash.  

No one could have imagined that life on earth would change so drastically:  Massive tsunamis, newly erupting volcanoes, and earthquakes strike throughout the world and with a ripple effect, touch the lives of everyone on the planet.  Through Miranda’s diary we experience the horror of these disasters and how she and her family must change if they are to survive this new world.

Who would like this book?:  Don’t be fooled by the science fiction set-up – you won’t find a truly in-depth scientific explanation as to the how’s-and-whys leading to this natural disaster.  Rather, this book’s focus is on self-examination and relationships with family and the world around oneself.   This book’s universal appeal is that it builds off of a question most of us have asked of ourselves – “If a disaster struck, how would I react?”

If you like this, try this: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, the dead and the gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer, Unwind by Neal Shusterman, The Giver by Lois Lowry.

Recommended by: Jennifer, Branch Teen Librarian

You Know Where to Find Me January 14, 2009

Title: You Know Where to Find Me

Author: Rachel Cohn

Summary: Miles and Laura, first cousins, neighbors and childhood best friends, lived very different lives growing up. Laura, pretty and popular, has lived in the lap of luxury all her life. Miles, overweight and disenchanted, has only one other real friend, Jamal. When Laura suddenly and unexpectedly commits suicide, Miles is left behind to pick up the pieces. But when you are just as addicted to pills as Laura, how can you expect to put anything back together again?

This is a good story for mature readers. Rachel Cohn, known more for her comedic books Gingerbread and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, has written a devastating book about loss, grief, and moving on. Bitter, foul-mouthed (and minded) Miles is no hero – but her story will move you. 

Who will like this book?: People who like serious stories about real life. Miles has a lot of issues, they are discussed in a frank, funny way.

If you like this, try this: Big Fat Manifesto by Susan Vaught. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. Stay With Me by Garrett Freymann-Weyr.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian