2011+July

Clay Jensen finds a package with cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker who has committed suicide two weeks earlier. There are 13 reasons she decided to end her life and the tapes are to be sent to each of the thirteen, one at a time. Written as her voice and then Clay's responses, this is also a mystery of sorts as we piece together what has happened along with Clay. Excellent writing. And so challenging. Not as depressing as I thought it might be. (not as sad as Wintergirls for me), but still a difficult emotional read. Sexual scenes that might be too much for sixth graders, but the whole issue is recognizing needs. I would recommend this for any mature reader. YA  **Uncommon Criminals** by Ally Carter Carter has the teen girl action hero genre wrapped up. After stealing art works from the Henley (think Louvre), Kat and her friends and family are quietly returning stolen pieces from WWII when she is asked to rescue The Cleopatra Emerald by a grandmotherly figure who drops the name Visily Romany. With more twists than the famed Labyrinth, this con job is sweet and full of gadgets, and deceptions. Reminds me a little of a teenage Human Target. Excellent. YA for mild r omance? **Everfound** by Neal Shusterman " In the limbo that is Everlost, Mary, Nick, Allie, and others face the decisions that will determine whether that place and the Earth itself will continue to exist, as well as where their own futures lie. " (Titlewave) third of the Skinjacker Trilogy, this is a complicated storyline of competing powers. Mary Hightower wants to end the real world so that Everlost can continue in eternal peace. King Yax of the City of Souls is the Unremembering King who wishes to rule Everlost. And our heroes, Allie and Nick are trying to save humanity without losing their own. Lots of metaphysical talk that somehow makes sense. This is a well-written, satisfying story with great characters and plenty of emotion. YA for difficulty and some violence.
 * Th1irteen R3asons Why** by Jay Asher

**Smokin' Seventeen** by Janet Evanovich Oh, Stephanie Plum…how can life get so complicated? The dilemma of Morelli vs Ranger has heated up partly due to the evil eye by Morelli's grandmother who puts the vordo on her. Plus an old high school football star who can cook is wooing her. Hmm, sex or food--which is more important?? Then there are three people trying to kill her including a crazy woman who tries to run her over. And of course the usual FTAs she and Lulu are apprehending: a vampire senior citizen and a large and usually naked thug. Very, very funny with a touch of crazy stress. Adult. **Middle School the Worst Years of my Life** by James Patterson When Rafe Kane enters middle school, he teams up with his best friend, "Leo the Silent," to create a game to make school more fun by trying to break every rule in the school's code of conduct. (Titlewave) I loved this book. It's funny and yet has serious topics (Who exactly is Leo? Why does Mom allow Bear to mooch at their house?) And the drawings are woven in expertly. Lots of discussion ideas here. OK for 5th graders. Excellent. **Nerds, National Espionage, Rescue and Defense Society.** Book One by Michael Buckley (of the Sisters Grimm series) Dragged through this. CCBA nominee. I found the characters rather mean-spirited. The action by the end was good. Jackson Jones was popular until he got braces (really?) Then he doesn't fit into the NERDS either. But of course he ends up rescuing the world and the pretty 11 year old. Bleh. 4th+ **Tiger's Curse** by Colleen Houck A quest and a romance. Based in India and centered on a prince from 600 years ago who has been cursed to live as a white tiger. Kelsey Hayes becomes his caretaker in a small circus and becomes his curse-breaker. The story line is good and the romance is pretty hot (hence YA). Not as good as Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. By Grace Lin. First in a series. **Blank Confession** by Pete Hautman Shayne Blank walks into a police station and states that he has killed someone. Between the interrogation and Mikey's narrative we get an idea of what has happened in the two weeks or so since Shayne has started school. Short but strong story about friendship, bullies, and meth. Excellent. YA

**Plague** by Michael Grant "A Gone Novel" Gaaaagh! How long will this series go on???? I dragged through this because I just couldn't not know what happens next, even while I hated everything that happened next. It's like driving by a car wreck--you can't help looking and slowing down. It's so depressing and gory. This time it’s a flu that makes kids literally cough their lungs out. (yes, gross!!) And then there is the army of 6 foot metallic ants that hatch from out of people's insides (like wasp eggs where the larvae eat their way out). And the undead Drake and Brittney. The theology gets even messier. Ick Ick Ick. And yes I will read the next one. Aaaargh. YA duh.

**Fakie** by Tony Varrato

Alex Miller and his mother have hit the road multiple times. In Virgina Beach he decides his persona will be skateboarder. He is really liking this place until his past catches up with him. Lots of action, tension, and actual violence. So YA for gun violence. Compare with Fake ID by Sorrells. This is a quick read.

**Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-so-Fabulous Life** by Rachel Renee Russell Nikki Maxwell has started a new middle school, private and full of creeps, especially MacKenzie who is the stereotypical (literally) mean girl. Not deep. Knockoff of Wimpy Kid but for girls. Cute and not bad. CCBA nominee. Meh.

**Skellig** by David Almond This must be a classic and I just missed it. '98. Michael has a baby sister who has been born too early and has life-threatening issues. They have just moved into a house in need of care, and Michael goes into the dilapidated garage to discover someone. Skellig is different. Fortunately it has a good ending. I did like this, except for all of the evolution is just true stuff. The homeschooled Mina is a terrific character.

**Theodore Boone: the Abduction** by John Grisham This was a smoother read (better plot?) than the first. Theo is involved when a good friend, April, disappears in the middle of the night. Seemed very realistic, including the use of Facebook to solve the mystery. OK. 4th+

**Scorpia Rising: Alex Rider, the Final Mission** by Anthony Horowitz Wow. This was a great ending to a great series. Lots of death-defying and some not defying scenes. A few great gadgets and a serious surprise about Smithers. Alex is being used. But of course he surprises everyone with amazing escapes. This one turns more serious though and the awfulness of using a teenager as a spy finally becomes obvious. Most of this one takes place in Egypt and the evil enemies are particularly heartless this time. Including Alex's perfect double, Julius Grief. This one doesn't make the British out to be heroes, or even Alex for that matter. Probably best for middleschoolers.

**Twice Told: Original stories inspired by original art**. Drawings by Scott Hunt Excellent collection of YA authors (just about anybody who is anybody) who were sent a picture and asked to write a story. So two stories per picture. Amazingly unique. YA for one story about child molestation. Some long, some short. Very Good.

**Dewey, the Library Cat** by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter. Meh. The title says it all. The story is sweet, but the writing is mundane. Not bad, not great.

**Avielle of Rhia** by Dia Calhoun

Silverskinned and with silver hair, Princess Avielle is obviously of Dredonian heritage. In fact she looks like her grandmother who cast an evil spell that drove away all birds from Rhia. Avi is constantly funning from her own heritage, until one night when her entire family is killed by the Brethren of the Black Cloaks. The plot is good and builds to a great final scene, and the characters are complex enough to draw in the reader. The whole racism theme is a little heavy handed, but would be good for discussion. Not a quick read, but worth it. YA for violence.

**I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916** by Lauren Tarshis

Very quick read based on the true accounts of shark attacks in New Jersey up a fresh water stream. This is nicely done as a story about a boy who is living with his uncle while his parents try to make it in California. Full characters and simple but satisfying plot. I recommend this. 3+