Love is the Higher Law September 1, 2009

Title: Love is the Higher Law

Author: David Levithan

Summary: In Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, co-author David Levithan created a light-hearted love letter to New York City. In his latest, he tackles the city’s darkest day: September 11, 2001. Three young people each respond to the attacks in different ways: high school junior Claire races to her little brothers side and worries for her mom, her classmate Peter sees the attack first-hand, and college student Jasper sleeps through the whole thing.

As a year goes by, each of the three describe their shifting feelings to the attack as their lives intertwine: Peter and Jasper go on the date they had originally scheduled for that fateful day. Insomniacs Claire and Jasper meet randomly as they both are drawn to Ground Zero. Peter and Claire, formerly just acquaintances, form a deep and lasting friendship. This moving book tells a simple story that neatly evokes the events of 9/11 without ever taking the focus off these three remarkable young people who are just beginning to understand their place in the greater world around them.

Who will like this book?: Mature readers who like nuanced, emotional books. Like all of Levithan’s work, this is a great read for GLBTQ teens.

If you like this, try this: Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Levithan and Rachel Cohn. For more on a teen discovering themselves after 9/11, try Shine Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian

Handle With Care August 25, 2009

Title: Handle With Care

Author: Jodi Picoult

Summary: With the recent movie version of My Sister’s Keeper, everyone has been in the library looking for books by Jodi Picoult. And while readers might want to read the book of the movie, I suggest you try this one, her latest, instead. It is a more mature story with the same gripping medical drama and intense relationships.

Five year-old Willow is a wonderful child – bright, funny, kindhearted and incredibly smart for her age. She was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease: Stumbling could mean a broken leg, coughing could break her ribs. She will need medical care and supervision for her whole life. Her mother Charlotte decides to sue her doctor, who is also her dearest friend, for ‘wrongful death,’ meaning that if Charlotte had known Willow would be born with a debilitating disease sooner in her pregnancy, she might have chosen not to have her. Told in the voices of Charlotte, her best friend, husband, lawyer, and other daughter Amelia, this wrenching story tackles the complex idea of who should decide if a life is worth living.

Who will like this book: Mature readers who enjoy dramatic stories about families and friendship.

If you like this, try this: My Sister’s Keeperby Jodi Picoult. All We Know of Heavenby Jacqueline Mitchard.

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

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

Columbine June 17, 2009

Title: Columbine

Author: Dave Cullen

Summary: On April 20, 1999, two boys entered their high school and proceeded to unleash the most unforgettable school shooting of the modern era. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were troubled outcasts in black trench coats, picked on by jocks and preps, who, after years of listening to angry music and playing violent video games, finally snapped.

Or were they? Actually, none of these accepted facts about the young killers are true. In this absorbing book for mature readers, a reporter who was on the scene that day and followed the story long after the tragedy of school shootings became seemingly commonplace, dispels the myths behind the shooting, its perpetrators, and even its victims. Everyone knows what you mean when you say ‘Columbine,’ but not one of us has ever heard the whole story until now.

Who will like this book?: Mature teen readers interested in crime and detection stories. 

If you like this, try this: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser. A mature fictional work that deals, in part, with Columbine and it’s aftermath, The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian