Title: Bog Child

Author: Siobhan Dowd

Summary: Fergus McCann is living in troubled times. At sixteen, he is preparing for his college entrance exams, which he hopes will take him from his small border village in Northern Ireland to Aberdeen for medical school. Life at home has become more and more stressful since his brother was sent to jail for working with the IRA. Fergus takes solace in his early morning runs through the mountains and conversations with his peaceful uncle Tally. It is when cutting turf for fuel one morning with Tally that Fergus makes an incredible discovery: A tiny body buried in the peat bog. Who is the bog child?

This pitch-perfect historical novel addresses not only the political turmoil of Northern Ireland in the 1980s, but also first love, loyalty, sacrifice and forgiveness. It opens a window to a not-so-distant time, and has moments of sparkling humor as well as tragedy. The troubled history of his land are magnified by the story of the bog child, revealed through flashbacks. In the end, Fergus must come to terms with the chaos all around him, decide what he wants his life to be, and discover his place in the world.

Who will like this book?: Anyone looking for a great historical novel, or coming of age story. I truly cannot think of anyone who would not enjoy this unforgettable book.

If you like this, try this: A Swift Pure Cry, also by Dowd. For more on Ireland in the Iron Age, read Hush by Donna Jo Napoli. For older teens looking for information about the hunger strikers, try Nothing But an Unfinished Song by Dennis O’Hearn.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian

Title: Identical

Author: Ellen Hopkins

Summary:Once there was a happy family with a loving Mom and Dad and two perfect identical twin daughters, Kaeleigh and Raeanne. Their perfect home was filled with love and laughter. Then the accident happened. Now only anger, fear, perversion, and self-destruction reside in that perfect house. The loving mom has become a politician who prefers the campaign trail to home. And the loving father, a tough, but respected district-court judge, becomes another man at home.  He’s a lonely man who seeks comfort from the bottle and in controlling his most pliant daughter Kaeleigh with perverse attention.  

While Kaeleigh silently struggles with her father’s abuse and the efforts to maintain her prim outer facade at school; Raeanne loudly bristles at the way her Dad ignores her and plays ‘favorites,’ rebelling against the loneliness by turning to drugs, alcohol, and sex.  Both girls are sprialing toward self-destruction, but it isn’t until the end of the story that everyone discovers the toll keeping such secrets has on a family. 

Who will like this book:  With its’ themes of sexual abuse, drug and alcohol use, cutting, and promiscuity this is definitely a book for mature teen audiences.  That being said, this is a well written book that will take the reader into the minds of its’ troubled characters in a way that few books do.  If you like a gritty, raw, emotional story, this is the book for you.   

If you like this, try this: Anything by Ellen Hopkins, Cut by Patricia McCormick, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Go Ask Alice by Anonymous,  Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Recommended by: Jen, Fairfield Woods Teen Librarian

Title: Ella Enchanted

Author: Gail Carson Levine

Summary: At birth, the fairy Lucinda “gifted” Ella  with obedience. Whenever ordered to do something, Ella can’t help but to comply. At an early age her mother dies and at the funeral she meets Prince Char, her first best friend.  A few years pass before her father starts being courted by the awful Dame Olga, who has two monsters for daughters–Hattie and Olive. To make matters worse, Hattie soon discovers that Ella will do anything she says.  The story follows Ella as she learns to deal with these new step-devils, some ugly–and rather old–suitors, trolls, and of course her curse. Only Lucinda can remove the curse, but the problem is Lucinda never takes back a gift. Can Ella save her life before it all falls apart?

Who will like this book?: If you want a classic fairy tale, this is the book for you. A charming Prince, a witty female lead, evil humans and creatures, and some unexpected magical friends add up to the essentials of this fairy tale. It has more dialogue than action, but it’s fast-paced and hilarious. And apart from the characters and basic plot outline, it’s not anything like the movie.

If you like this, you should try: Anything else by Gail Carson Levine–she has a series of fairy books, as well as The Wish. Other good fairy-tale books are Tithe by Holly Black, Artemis Fowlby Eoin Colfer, almost anything by Dianna Wynne Jone or Shannon Hale, and the Wolf Tower series (Wolf Tower is the name of the first one) by Tanith Lee.

Recommended by: ZZ, resident of Fairfield and avid reader.

Title: Peter and the Starcatchers

Author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

Summary: Peter and his group of fellow orphans are on the ship Never Land headed towards becoming slaves to an evil King who wants his hands on more than just some orphan boys. On the journey, he meets Molly, an unusual girl, who eventually confides in him the importance of a trunk stashed away on board. Soon enough the notorious pirate Captain Stache comes looking for the trunk, endangering Molly’s father in the process, as well as everyone on the Never Land.  The story takes off as Peter discovers what mysteries are within the trunk–and just how far Stache is willing to go to get his hands on it.  From two different writers, the pieces come together in a new telling of how the famous Neverland came to be along with its hero Peter Pan.

Who will like this book?: Obviously if you’re into Peter Pan (or love Disney themes), this is the book to read. It’s readable for children and anyone who’s ever imagined something extraordinary will find enjoyment in reading this.

If you like this, you should try: The second and third books in the series–Peter and the Secret of Rundoon and Peter and the Shadow Thieves - as well as Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean and Scott M. Fischer and Capt. Hook: The Adventures of a Notorious Youth by J. V. Hart and Brett Helquist.

Recommended by: ZZ, resident of Fairfield and avid reader.

Title: The Ghosts of Kerfol

Author: Deborah Noyes

Summary: Just in time for Halloween, this elegant collection of gothic stories based on a classic will chill you to the bone. In Edith Wharton’s original story, Kerfol, a cruel lord falls to his death and his much-younger bride is put on trial for murder. But she insists her abusive husband was killed by dogs - or the ghosts of the many dogs the man killed in order to keep his wife from having any hint of affection in her life. Author Deborah Noyes builds on this tale with five short stories about the haunted mansion, and the ghostly spirits who inhabit it.

As the book progresses, we meet a young maid who was a witness to the original horrors of Kerfol, a young nobleman who has survived the French Revolution, a young American heiress, a couple on the rocks, and a deaf Irish gardener. Each has their own experience with the ghosts of Kerfol, and not all of them survive their hauntings.

Who will like this book?: Fans of ghost stories and short fiction with dark twists and turns.

If you like this, you should try: Noyes is also a terrific editor: Check out Gothic: Ten Original Dark Tales and The Restless Dead: Ten Original Stories of the Supernatural. If you loved the elegant writing of this book, try a classic by Edith Wharton, particularly my favorite, The House of Mirth.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian

Title: xxxHolic

Author: Clamp

Summary: Kimihiro Watanuki has always been able to see spirits. When one day he is drawn to a mysterious shop, he meets the “Space-Time” Witch Yuuko. He is “given” a job there and finds out that Yuuko is willing to do deeds in return for something of equal value.  Not everyone can see the shop, and not everyone always gets what they want…as they are more twisted than they think. To add to the mystery, there’s Doumeki, who has been able to kill evil spirits, but cannot see them, and Himawari–Watanuki’s crush–who isn’t as innocent as she seems.

Who will like this book?: People into spirit/sci-fi stories and a little bit of mystery. It’s just as good as the other Clamp titles and if you read Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles, it’s cool to see how these two link up, those it’s not necessary to read both to understand. It’s actually very funny and can be a light read at times.  It’s also a long series, so the plot develops more slowly, and some of the chapters may seem like fillers or mini-stories, but they’re all related. There’s also a lot about the Japanese culture, so if you’re into that, it’d be good to read the pages of culture explanations at the end.

If you like this, you should try: Anything by Clamp -Tsubasa, x/1999, legal drug, magical knights, etc. Also Tokyo Mew Mew, E.S., Dorothy of Oz, and D.N. Angel.

Recommended by: ZZ, resident of Fairfield and avid reader

Title: The Summoning

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Summary: Chloe could see ghosts since she was a little kid. Now she’s 15, living with her Aunt and being raised by her absent father and housemaid. When she sees a ghost in school and fights with a teacher, she’s sent to the Lyle House–an institute for teens with ‘mental illnesses’. But Chloe quickly realizes that there’s nothing mentally ill about these kids. But when you’re forced to take ‘medicine’ everyday, blocked from outside contact, and staying in the room next to the girl who hates your guts, it’s just better to go with the flow.  Or at least, Chloe though. As her stay gets longer and her ‘condition’ worsens, she finds herself making new allies in unlikely places in order to find out the secret behind the Lyle house.

Who will like this book?: With the undead and magic themed books starting to take control of the bestseller lists, this is a nice mystery story that takes a different path. It’s a more laid-back read, but you can’t be squeamish about dying things or blood or be too paranoid. It’s also a bit harsh on people who are schizophrenic, pyromaniacs, or have other such ‘mental’ illnesses. Vampires are mentioned only twice.

If you like this, you should try: The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyers, the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson, Deep Secret by Dianna Wynne Jones, and the Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix.

Recommended by: ZZ, resident of Fairfield and avid reader.

Title: Saving Juliet

Author: Suzanne Selfors

Summary: Mimi Wallingford is sick of Shakespeare theater, and even more sick of being recognized solely by the prestige of her last name.  Unlike her ancestors, Mimi has an extreme case of stage fright whenever she’s about to go on. In her current play of Romeo and Juliet, she’s stuck with superstar Troy Summers playing Romeo: He seems to do all he can to put her down.  Right before her final performance as Juliet, she is transported by magic to Shakespeare’s Verona. There she meets Juliet Capulet as well as the entire ‘cast’ of the play that she’s rehearsed for.

But the play Mimi thought she knew takes an unexpected twist when Romeo and Juliet don’t meet at the dance and Juliet is engaged to marry the Paris within a week’s time! Though Mimi’s regarded as a ‘relative Capulet,’ Benvolio’s got his eyes on her, Tybalt’s out for her neck, Lady Capulet wants her dead, and is that a superstar actor/Romeo sneaking along the streets? It’s going to take more than just some good acting for Mimi to save Juliet and find her way back home.

Who will like this book?: Anyone into the historical fiction genre, or the story of Romeo and Juliet.  It’s aimed more at a female audience with plenty of romance and faults of love, but it’s got plenty of action scenes. It’s an interesting twist on the original tale without the havoc of trying to understand what the words mean.

If you like this, you should try: The Shakespeare Stealerseries by Gary Blackwood. Some other time travel books are Lost in Time by Hans Magnus Enzensberger and The Door to Time by Ulysses Moore. For those who are into the classics, thenA Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain is definitely along the right path.

Recommended by: ZZ, resident of Fairfield and avid reader.

Title: Hunter X Hunter

Author: Yoshihiro Togashi

Summary: In order to find out about his father, Gon must first get a Hunter’s license, which requires going through various difficult trials. Thousands of applicants try out and only two or three make it per year. On the way, Gon meets up with Killua, the youngest son of a famous family of assassins, Kurapica, whois the last of his clan, and Leorio, a smart businessman. Together they face the trials, tricky competitors, and mortal danger. But the Hunters Test is only the beginning of the long journey the group must endure to find what they are looking for.

Who will like this book?: It’s aimed at males, but can be enjoyed by anybody. You have to enjoy a good fighting story with a fantasy touch.

If you like this, try this: Bleach, Naruto, D.Gray-man, Fullmetal Alchemist, and other Shonen-style manga. This is rated Older Teen (16+)

Recommended by: ZZ, resident of Fairfield and avid reader

Title: Whale Talk

Author: Chris Crutcher

Summary:  Chris Crutcher is one of those unique writers who manages to get his work challenged almost as often as he receives literary awards and lands on best book lists.   Whale Talk  is perhaps one of his most controversial and one of his best.  It’s told from the point of view of T.J. Jones, a black, Japanese, white high school senior born to a hippie, drug-using mom and adopted as a toddler by a loving white couple.  While T.J. may be the narrator, this is not just his story.  It’s also the story of a group of misfit teens who are inspired to achieve something of their own, a little mixed race girl struggling against a brutal home life, a good man who spends every day trying to make up for a 20+ year old horrible accident, and the racism and prejudice that tie their lives together. 

Who will like this book: While the basic plot of this story centers around T.J. assembling and leading a rag-tag swim team populated with the biggest school misfits, this isn’t just a book for sports fiction fans.  This book delves into topics of child abuse, racism, and bullying with a raw honesty that is heartbreaking at times. 

If you like this, try this:Any other books by Chris Crutcher, Speakby Laurie Halse Anderson, Tangerine by Edward Bloor

Recommended by: Jen, Branch Teen Librarian