Pride and Prejudice and Zombies September 10, 2009

Title: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Author: Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Summary: It’s Pride and Prejudice…with zombies! Fighting off zombie attacks are a daily chore for the Bennet sisters. During their years of training in China, they have honed their mastery with the sword, becoming famous in their small town for their abilities. Our hero Mr. Darcy happens to also be a famous zombie slayer. It would be a match made in heaven if not for Darcy’s superior status and the disapproving glare of his aunt, the renowned Lady Catherine de Bourgh. With the classic cast of passionate, sharp-mouthed, lovesick characters, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies brings this original tale back to life – literally.

Who will like this book?: If you’re a fan of Gregory Maguire, I’d say this book is for you. If you enjoyed the original Pride and Prejudice, you might enjoy this as well, as it contains many direct passages (and essentially the same plot) from the original.  Even if you don’t like reading the classics, you’ll find this one hard to put down.

If you like this, you should try: Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. Wicked and Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire. Fool by Christopher Moore. Goose Girl by Shannon Hale.

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

Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie April 16, 2009

Title: Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie

Author: Jordan Sonnenblick

Summary:  Eighth-grader Steven Alper is a rock star drummer, at least according to his annoyingly cute five-year-old brother.  The same cute brother that is the star of Steven’s English class journal entry exploring  the topic “The Most Annoying Thing in the World.”   Add the annoying brother with a crush on an unattainable girl, an occasionally irritating best friend,  a love of drums, and the regular school drama and you have Steven’s life. 

That is until the day Steven’s brother falls from a bar stool while Steven is making him breakfast and develops a nose bleed that just won’t stop.  The reason behind that non-stop nose bleed will change the lives of everyone in the Alper family and will lead to the most difficult year of their lives.  Steven struggles with the lack of parental attention and rebels against school, but through it all he maintains his quirky sense of humor and a pretty good heart. 

Who will like this book ?:  Those who like drama but can also appreciate a clever character who handles that drama with a bit of humor.

If you like this, try this: Notes from the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick,  Deadline by Chris Crutcher, or Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass.

Recommended by: Jen, Branch Teen Librarian

Kiki Strike: The Empress’s Tomb October 30, 2008

Title: Kiki Strike: The Empress’s Tomb

Author: Kirsten Miller

Summary: Kiki Strike and the Irregulars can never get a good night’s sleep: They’re too busy protecting the Shadow City they discovered the previous year and keeping safe from the various hitmen who want them dead. Much to everyones surprise, Oona is finally revealing some of her secrets – Lester Liu, leader of the Fu Tsang is her dad! And even more surprising, he’s suddenly opened his arms to welcome her back as his daughter.

The Irregulars are suspicious, but Oona willingly goes with him, casting doubt on her loyalty. To make matters worse, Anaka’s parents are fed up with her late night adventures and are going to send to her a border school out west. With squirrels attacking strangers in the park, stolen Thai prodigies popping up in the Shadow City, and Oona getting drawn further and further into her father’s grasp, what can the Irregulars do to save New York when they can barely keep their own group together?

Who will like this book?: It’s definitely aimed at the younger female audience who likes a good adventure story with some mystery, plot twists, and a cute guy who can command squirrels to do his bidding. Another great book in the series.

If you like this, you should try: The first adventure in the series, Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City, the Artemis Fowl series, Ella Enchanted, Cross my Heart and Hope to Spy, and H.I.V.E series.

Recommended by: ZZ, Fairfield resident and avid reader

Zen and the Art of Faking It August 20, 2008

Title: Zen and the Art of Faking It

Author: Jordan Sonnenblick

Summary: Because his dad was a con man (now in prison), San has spent his life moving from school to school. Each time he transfers, San finds a way to blend in: In one school he’s a skater, in another a scholar, and so on. But when he moves to Pennsylvania, he adopts his most curious persona yet. Because he has already learned about Buddhism in social studies at his old school, he knows enough to convince his classmates he might be a Zen master himself. Now, instead of blending in, San stands out – and he likes it. With this new identity, he can fight for the little guys, impress his teachers, and maybe even win the heart of the guitar-playing girl of his dreams, Woody.

But it isn’t easy being Zen – not only does San have to study up with supersized library books on the subject, he has to embody principles like selflessness and tolerance all the time – which is next to impossible when you’re in middle school and you’re still really angry at your dad. How would Woody and the rest of the school react if they find out that San is just faking it?

Who will like this book?: Readers who like a big dose of humor in their stories. Anyone who ever ‘faked it’ a little to win hearts or make friends.

If you like this, try this: Stuck in the Middle, a great graphic novel by Ariel Schrag. Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian

ghostgirl August 14, 2008

Title: ghostgirl

Author: Tonya Hurley

Summary: Charlotte Usher’s made a vow – this is going to be her year.  She’s going to tryout for cheerleading and get the guy of her dreams.  Her plan can’t fail, after all she’s been laboring over it all summer.  Gone with invisible Charlotte– “Hello” to popular Charlotte.  Unfortunately for Charlotte, all her effort is wasted when she chokes on a gummy bear and dies the first day back to school.  However, Charlotte is not a quitter and she’s not about to let a little thing like death keep her from getting her dream guy to fall in love with her and her first kiss.  And, if being dead weren’t bad enough, poor Charlotte still has to finish high school.  Only now her classmates consist of other kids who have died before her and graduation will take a team effort. 

Who will like this book?:  Fans of dark satirical writing, humorous ghost stories, and those who see the humor in high school popularity “contests.”  For those who are attracted to books with amazing covers, I have to say that this is one of the best cover designs I have ever seen.  It’s worth taking a look at this book just for the cover. 

If you like this, try this: Generation Dead by Daniel Waters.  Zombie Blondes by Brian James.

Recommended by: Jen, Woods Teen Librarian