Destroy All Cars September 22, 2009

Title: Destroy All Cars

Author: Blake Nelson

Summary: James Hoff is angry: He is sick of watching the people around him disregard the immediate peril of global warming and environmental destruction just because they like to shop and drink bottled water. He hates new clothes, preferring to cut the elbows out of his sweaters to make them look older than they are. And he hates the way his ex-girlfriend Sadie tries to change the community by working on silly projects like bike paths and conservation that can’t possibly make a difference. But most of all, as he describes in one of the many essays for his AP English class that form the bulk of this funny, quick read, he hates cars.

James is a great character, a dark and jaded loner who says he has no hope in the future but still obsesses over the possibilities of reunion with his ex, and a determined misfit who finds that it isn’t always so easy to practice what you preach. As you follow James through the ups and downs of his junior year, you will be drawn into his world, and maybe consider walking to school instead of grabbing a ride in your family’s giant SUV.

Who will like this book?: Budding political radicals and environmentalists, and the friends who would like them to relax a little bit.

If you  like this, try this: The Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd. If you are interested in making an impact, try The Virtuous Consumer: Your Essential Shopping Guide for a Better, Kinder, Healthier World by Leslie Garrett or Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life by Linda Sivertsen.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian

Leviathan August 12, 2009

Title: Leviathan

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Summary: The first book in a new series by the author of Uglies is a fast-paced alternate history of World War I. The nations of Europe are divided: The Clankers favor mechanical, steam-powered fighting machines and the Darwinists use ‘fabricated’ living beasts created from manipulated DNA as their weapons.

On the eve of war, we meet Aleksandar, a headstrong prince sent into hiding after his parent’s assassination, and Deryn, an ambitious girl who has disguised herself as a boy in order to join the air corps. When Deryn’s ship, the immense blue whale called Leviathan, crash lands near Aleksandar’s hideaway a fantastic adventure begins. This exhilarating story is great for all readers, and is a terrific introduction to the alternate history and steampunk genres.

Who will like this book?: Fans of this popular author. People who like alternate histories and gadget-filled fantasy.

If you like this, try this: The Mortal Instruments series by Philip Reeve.  The Temeraire books by Naomi Novik.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian

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

Epic June 3, 2009

Title: Epic

Author: Conor Kostick

Summary:There is no violence in Erik’s world, only Epic. The global online multiplayer game allows people to create avatars to fight against one another and settle grievances. But Epic is more than just a game. It’s politics. Run by Central Allocations, a group of the richest, most powerful players, they lead a corrupt system that dictates the lives of everyone else.

Fed up with the difficulties his family faces, Erik creates a new type of character. He creates a girl named Cindella with only beauty instead of the typical fighter/elf/magician. But there’s something special about Cindella. When she starts getting attention from NPs (and not for her looks), Eric knows he’s onto something. Teaming up with his group of friends, they set off to fight dragons, find treasure, and slay the corrupt Central Allocations once and for all.

Who will like this book?: Boys and girls who enjoy discovering virtual worlds will find Epic to be a must-read. It’s packed full of adventure and has the interesting twist of a male player with a female avatar. The game system is well described but you don’t need to be a technician to understand the way this excellent sci-fi novel works.

If you like this, you should try: Saga, the sequel to Epic. Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde, 1/2 Prince(manhwa), The 39 Clues series, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Walls of the Universeby Paul Melko, The Game by Dianna Wynne Jones

Recommended by:ZZ, Fairfield resident and avid reader

The Last Olympian May 6, 2009

Title: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 5: The Last Olympian

Author: Rick Riordan

Summary: In the final installment of this outstanding series, Percy and company must defend the island of Manhattan from the evil Kronos and the monster Typhon. The Last Olympian has the usual plot twists and turns, but the stakes are incredibly high: If Percy, Annabeth, Grover and the other demigods from Camp Half Blood lose the battle, civilization as they (and we) know it will unravel as the evil Titans take control.

If you haven’t read Percy yet, by gods, what are you waiting for! Begin with The Lightning Thief before the movie hits theatres.

Who will like this book?: Everybody! A great adventure series for guys and girls who don’t love to read, mythology buffs and everyone in between. This is also an outstanding series for teens and parents to share.

If you like this, try this: The Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix. The Mark of Solomon series by Elizabeth E. Wein. And it looks like there will be another Camp Half Blood series, featuring new campers, so keep an eye out for that as well.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian