Vendetta

Vendetta by Catherine Doyle

First in a new series, Vendetta tells a complex story of revenge and love. Sophie has been mourning the loss of her father and learning to accept that her life will never be the same. But things become even more complicated with five brothers move into a house in her neighborhood, bringing with them an air of mystery and danger. Despite her efforts not to, Sophie falls for Nicoli, sending her life down a dangerous path. Nicoli has a secret...and it involves a threat to Sophie's family...one that just might kill Sophie if she gets in the way.

I Am Malala

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai refused to let the Taliban take her education away from her, and she paid a terrible price. Because of her out-spoken opinions about the Taliban's desire to not let girls become educated, an attempt was made on her life in 2012 when she was just 15 years old. Shot in the head at point-blank range, Malala not only survived, but went on to become the youngest winner ever of the Nobel Peace Prize. Told her in her own voice, Malala's story is an inspirational read.

Grandmaster

Grandmaster by David Klass

Daniel Pratzer has been waiting for a chance to show off his chess skills as a member of the high school team. Daniel is surprised with the team invites him and his father to a father-son tournament, until he finds out that his father was one of the most promising chess players ever to play the game. However, the pressures of competition forced him to choose between chess and his sanity. But his father doesn't want Daniel to be disappointed, so he agrees to go up against an old rival for the sake of his son. But Daniel is completely unprepared for the consequences of his father's sacrifice, and he is forced to battle his father's old demons for him.

Yellow Star

Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy

Syvia was only one of 12 children from the Lodz Ghetto in Poland to survive the Holocaust. It took her fifty years to be able to tell her story, having buried her past to move forward with her life. Using free verse poetry, Jennifer Roy tells the remarkable survival story of her aunt in stunning emotional detail.

Lockwood & Co. (Series)

Lockwood & Co. by Jonathan Stroud

In this exciting new series, the detectives at Lockwood and Co. are only called in when the dead come back to haunt the living. For fifty years the country has been suffering from an epidemic of ghosts, and children have been trained by Psychic Investigation Agencies to help destroy them. When Lucy Carlyle finds herself working for Lockwood & Co., she isn't sure she's going to survive it. When a case goes terribly wrong, the agency only has one chance to survive the fallout...take on the Screaming Staircase. The outcome of that case leads to their next adventures in The Whispering Skull and The Hollow Boy.

   

Counting by 7s

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Willow is a genius with a lot of strange obsessions...counting by 7s, diagnosing medical conditions, nature. She has always had trouble dealing with anyone other than her own family. But when her parents are suddenly killed in a car accident, Willow is left all alone with only her counting to comfort her. Despite the circumstances of Willow's life, this book is not a sad read, but rather a great story of one girl's ability to overcome tragedy and find her place in the world.

The President Has Been Shot

The President Has Been Shot by James L. Swanson

On November 22, 1963, regular television programming was interrupted with these words..."The President Has Been Shot." The assassination of John F. Kennedy, Jr. rocked the country. James Swanson artfully tells the story of the assassination, including the details leading up to the event by including extensive background information on Lee Harvey Oswald. If you're looking for a good read about an important historical event, look no further.

Absolutely Almost

Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

Albie has a long list of things he's not good at...school, making friends, sports, or anything. His mother and grandparents are demanding of him, expecting things Albie knows he can't achieve. But then Calista, his new babysitter, comes into his life and shows him all the things he can be good at, and Albie's life is transformed. And when his relationship with Calista is threatened by one kind deed, Albie learns to take charge of his own happiness. Great read for fans of Wonder.

Going Vintage

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

Mallory discovers a list of her grandmother's goals from 1962 just in time to save her from dwelling over the heartbreak of her break-up with her cheating boyfriend. Mallory reverts to a simpler time, refusing to use technology of any kind and trying to "go vintage." But simple is not always as simple as it seems, and old family secrets will surface to challenge Mallory more than going vintage ever could.

Hidden: A Child's Story of the Holocaust

Hidden: A Child's Story of the Holocaust by Loic Dauvillier

Told in graphic novel format, Dounia tells her granddaughter about her life as a young Jewish girl in Paris. Hidden from the Nazi's by friends and neighbors who risked everything for her, Dounia adjusts to the loss of her parents to the concentration camps and the pressures of staying "hidden." A beautifully illustrated and narrated story of surviving the Holocaust.

Percy Jackson's Greek Gods

Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan

Narrated with Percy Jackson's signature brand of storytelling, the Greek gods have never been so alive, or dissed. Percy takes the reader through the origins of the Big Twelve,  from the Underworld to Olympus and everything in between. Funny, sarcastic, and full of detailed illustrations, these stories are worth their weight...and it's a pretty big book!

Sure Signs of Crazy

Sure Signs of Crazy by Karen Harrington

Sarah Nelson is not your typical middle school girl. Her best friend is a plant, she writes letters to a fictional lawyer, and her mother left when she was two. Sarah and her father move...a lot. But this summer, Sarah is about to discover the Big Secret her father has been hiding from her. And once she discovers the truth, her life will never be the same again.

My Friend the Enemy

My Friend the Enemy by Dan Smith

The war is far away from Peter in rural Britain, until a German plane crashes in the woods. When Peter goes to explore the site, he is surprised to find the German pilot injured but alive. Peter decides to try to help the young airman, and must now keep a secret from everyone he knows. What happens when the airman is discovered helps Peter understand the true meaning of friendship, even if that friend is supposed to be the enemy.

Nigthmares!

Nightmares! by Jason Segel

Charlie Laird can't sleep. His new step-mother is a witch who has forced his father to move into her purple mansion...and Charlie can't sleep at all. When he does sleep, his dreams turn into nightmares, and when those nightmares become daytime reality, Charlie is going to need all the help he can get to survive his worst nightmares.

Foul Trouble

Foul Trouble by John Feinstein

As the number one high school basketball star in the country, Terrell Jamerson is assured of a scholarship with a top program. As Terrell's best friend, Danny Wilcox has his own scholarship offers, but he worries about all the people trying to get close to Terrell just because he's a star. When Terrell gets caught up in a scandal, will Danny be able to save his friend's reputation and future?

How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True

How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by Sarah Strohmeyer

Landing a summer internship at the Fairyland Kingdom theme park seems like a dream come true. But once they arrive, Zoe is assigned to be an assistant to "The Queen" who runs Fairyland. And the Queen is beyond demanding, keeping Zoe running day and night. To make things worse, the competition for top intern is fierce. When Zoe meets the prince of her dreams, will she be able to keep everything together? If you like a funny romance, this read is for you.

Brown Girl Dreaming

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Told in a series of poems, Jacqueline Woodson offers a glimpse into life growing up as a Brown Girl Dreaming in both South Carolina and New York during the Civil Rights movement. With turmoil all around her in both her family life and as an African American girl, Jacqueline still manages to develop her love of writing and storytelling.

Every Day After

Every Day After by Laura Golden

Lizzie's life is far from perfect. Her father has left, the Depression is hitting her small town hard, her mother is so sad she can't even speak, and Lizzie is terrified she will be sent to an orphanage. Even with all that is going on, Lizzie is still trying to live up to her father's expectations that she be the best at everything. But with her best friend and arch enemy growing closer and her grades dropping, Lizzie isn't sure which way to turn. When help comes from an unexpected source, Lizzie may just be able to fix it all.

The School for Good and Evil

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

One of each...good and evil. That is who is taken every time the Storyteller comes in the night. And Sophie and Agatha are next. Whisked away to the School for Good and Evil, Sophie and Agatha enter into training to become fairy tale heroes and villains. But when Sophie is put into the School for Evil, and Agatha is selected to be a princess, Sophie is sure a mistake has been made. As the girls fight to survive their classes and preserve their friendship, something darker is stirring in the Endless Woods. Will they survive The School for Good and Evil? The story continues in A World Without Princes and The Last Ever After.

My Brother Sam Is Dead

My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln and Christopher Collier

Tim Meeker doesn't know what to do when his brother Sam enlists to join the American Revolution. Sam's father doesn't approve; he supports the British. Tim knows, as the war progresses, that he will have to make some choices of his own. But when Sam is accused of a crime and his life hangs in the balance, Tim discovers that family is more important than politics.

Chernobyl's Wild Kingdom

Chernobyl's Wild Kingdom by Rebecca L. Johnson

Even though the radiation from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear explosion made the entire area radioactive, scientists have found the plants and animals to be surviving and thriving. Explore the disaster and it's after effects with the extremely interesting read.

The Darkest Path

The Darkest Path by Jeff Hirsch

The Glorious Path -- a militant religious group -- is waging war with what's left of the US government. Callum Roe and his younger brother were forced to convert to the Path years before, but when Cal wants to save a stray dog from becoming an attack dog, he is forced to kill a commander and run for his life. On his flight to freedom, Cal's loyalties and fighting abilities will be tested as he tries to break ties with the Path and save himself, his brother, and his dog from the fanatical Path leader.

Revenge of the Flower Girls

Revenge of the Flower Girls by Jennifer Zigler

The Brewster triplets...Dawn, Darby, and Delaney...are stuck planning their big sister Lily's wedding instead of doing all of their normal fun summer activities. To make matters worse, the triplets are not fond of the man their sister is marrying. Burton is not nearly as much fun and Lily's old boyfriend Alex. The triplets can't stand to see Lily with someone so completely wrong for her, and will stop at nothing to stop the wedding.

Diary of Dorkius Maximus (series)

Diary of Dorkius Maximus by Tim Collins

Growing up in Ancient Rome is hard enough. But it's even harder when you're trying to be a hero. But heroism doesn't come naturally to Dorkius Maximus. Told in the style of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dorkius's adventures in the Ancient world is a fun way to learn about the history of the world.

  

The Young Elites

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

A survivor of the Blood Fever, Adelina Amouteru has been marked for life, both physically and emotionally. Her father believes she is an abomination, ruining the family's good name. But there are those who believe that some survivors, the Young Elites posses mysterious powers, and that Adelina might be one of them. Teren Santoro's job as the leader of the Inquisition Axis is to find the Young Elites and destroy them. Enzo Valenciano runs the Dagger Society of Young Elites, and they want Adelina to strengthen their powers. But as Adelina's powers reveal themselves, Adelina wonders if there is anyone she can trust, even herself.

The story of the Young Elites continues in The Rose Society.

Shutter

Shutter by Courtney Alameda

Micheline has a dangerous gift...she can see the auras of the undead. As part of her family's legacy, Micheline has trained to destroy monsters, both with weapons and with her camera lens. When a ghost hunt goes wrong and her friends are infected with a curse called a soulchain. If Micheline is going to save her friends, she must go up against her own father to face and destroy the most powerful entity she's ever faced or die trying.

Atlantia

Atlantia by Ally Condie

Rio is tired of her life in the underwater city of Atlantia. But when her twin sister Bay chooses life above, Rio is stranded Below. Tired of keeping her siren voice a secret, Rio forms a plan to change the way her world is governed. Plunged into a mystery surrounding her mother's death, the more Rio listens to the voices of the past, the more dangerous her life becomes.

Meaning of Maggie

The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern

The motto of Maggie Mayfield's family is "pull yourself up by your bootstraps." And Maggie is determined to do just that. Something is going on with her Dad...his legs are falling asleep and Maggie is determined to find out what the problem is and fix it. Maggie also is navigating the changing shape of her school and family relationships. Maggie's story is told through her journal, and her voice is funny and true.

The Day Before

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Amber just wants one day before her whole world is turned upside down. Escaping to the beach for one last time, Amber meets Cade. The attraction is instantaneous, and Amber soon realizes that Cade is hiding something, too. Told in free verse, The Day Before is the story of two people making the most of every minute they have.

Never Say Die

Never Say Die by Will Hobbs

When Nick Thrasher confronts a new species of bear in the wilds of Canada while hunting caribou, he has no idea how it will change his life. Upon his return from the hunting trip, he discovers his half-brother who he has never met will be coming to track the caribou for a science magazine article on climate change. Ryan wants Nick to come on his trip and act as his guide, but Nick is reluctant to leave his dying grandfather. Disaster strikes when their raft capsizes early in the trip and leads to another confrontation with he half grizzly, half polar bear (grolar bear). Nick has to use all of his wilderness experience to get himself and his brother out of danger.

The Summer I Saved the World...in 65 Days by Michele Weber Hurwitz

Nina's having a lost summer. Her parents are working all the time, her brother is too busy for her, and her best friend is busy  with things that don't interest Nina. But then Nina comes up with a plan to do one good thing for someone in her neighborhood each day of summer. Nina has no idea what surprises and secrets she will discover as she tries to save the world in 65 days.

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales (Series

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales by Nathan Hale (series)

These graphic novelizations of American historical events put a fun spin on true facts. From the tragic story of the Donner Party, to the trenches of World War I, to the Civil War battleship Ironclad, and the daring acts of Nathan Hale and Harriet Tubman, be sure to check out the whole series.

 

 

Afterworlds

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Darcy Patel's novel, about a girl, Lizzie, who manages to escape a terrorist attack by transporting herself into the Afterworld, is finally being published. Told in alternating chapters, Afterworlds tells Darcy's story of becoming a writer in New York while also telling Lizzie's story as Darcy has written it. A novel about a novel within the novel makes for an interesting read.

Mortal Danger

Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre

Tired of being tortured by the beautiful people, Edie Kramer makes a pact with Kian, a magical being. Now she has the beauty and the power to make the bullies pay, but she can't get Kian out of her mind. When bad things start to happen, Edie begins to wonder what price was paid for her new-found powers and reaches out to Kian, only to discover a darkness she never imagined could exist.

Myth-O-Mania (Series)

Myth-O-Mania by Kate McMullan

This series of humorous re-tellings of the Greek myths begins with Have a Hot Time, Hades, as Hades and his siblings are being swallowed by their father Cronus so that he wouldn't be overthrown by one of them. Hades account of growing up inside his father's belly makes for a fun read. Follow up with

Phone Home, Persephone

Say Cheese, Medusa!

Nice Shot Cupid!

Stop That Bull, Theseus!

Keep a Lid on It, Pandora!

Get to Work, Hercules!

Go for the Gold, Atalanta!

Anybody Shining

Anybody Shining by Francis O'Roarke Dowell

All Arie Mae wants is one true friend. Frustrated with the lack of prospects for friendship in the mountains of North Carolina, Arie begins writing to a cousin in she's never met, in hopes of striking up a friendship, but those letters go unanswered. When a group of song catchers come to town, Arie Mae finds the makings of a friend in a boy from the group. But when Arie Mae ignores the adults' warnings to not tire out her new friend and takes him ghost hunting, things go horribly wrong and Arie Mae must struggle to save her one true friend.

Surrounded by Sharks

Surrounded by Sharks by Michael Northrop

Davey is tired of waiting for his family to wake up while on vacation, so he decides to go exploring on his own. Despite the "No Swimming" sign, Davey can't resist the ocean. But as the tide pulls him out to sea, his vacation turns into a nightmare, as he finds himself Surrounded by Sharks. Can Davey manage to survive long enough to be rescued with the sharks circling and time running out?

Catch a Falling Star

Catch a Falling Star by Kim Culbertson

Carter Moon loves her life in quiet Little, California. That all changes when Adam Jakes, a former child star, comes to town to make a movie. All of a sudden, Carter's world is turned upside down, and she finds herself pretending to be Adam's girlfriend to boost his public image. While she has no love for the public bad-boy Adam seems to be, when she discovers the boy underneath, she wonders what it might be like to catch a falling star as the lines between what is real and what is fake begin to blur. Carter struggles to figure out what she wants from Adam, and from life, while searching for her happy ending.

Rain Reign

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

Rose's obsession with homonyms is just one of the symptoms of her Asperger's syndrome. In fact, when her father brought her home a dog, she even gave her a name with a homonym, Rain. The world is difficult enough for Rose to navigate, but when Rain goes missing during a storm, she has to leave the safety of her home and routines to find Rain. What happens next, no one could predict, and Rose learns that loss comes in all forms.