by Libba Bray. Delacorte Press, c. 2007. Pbk. 819 pages. ISBN 978-0-440-23777-8
Final book of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy. Gemma struggles with the pressures of preparing for her debut as a young woman in London society while she works to bring order to the growing chaos in the Realms. Alliances are tested and puzzling clues cause Gemma to question who and what to trust--including her own mind.
For those who wish the trilogy wouldn't end, this 800-page plus book may satisfy. Bray leaves it open-ended and it seems possible that she may someday re-visit Gemma Doyle.
by Libba Bray. New York: Dleacorte Press, c. 2005, pbk. 548 pages. ISBN 978-0-385-73341-0
Second book in the Gemma Doyle trilogy. It is near Christmastime and Gemma and her friends are looking forward to time away from Spence Academy. But their time of celebration is clouded by the dangers brought on by Gemma's recent actions in the Realms. Now the magic is loose and many are after its power. It is now up to Gemma to find the Temple and bind the magic to restore order to the Realms. But who can she trust when so many thirst for the power?
This book is a must read for fans of the first book, A Great and Terrible Beauty. Not only is this book full of mystery and fantasy, but Bray also gives the reader an opportunity to ponder racism, classism and the roles of women in Victorian England.
by Libba Bray. New York: Delacorte Press, c. 2009. 480 pages. ISBN 9780385733977
A disappointment to his parents and an embarrassment to his twin sister, lackadaisical Cameron Smith is simply getting by in high school when he gets the news he has a disease that is going to kill him--Creutzfeldt-Jacob or "mad cow" disease.Clues from a punk angel (or a hallucination?) lead Cameron to break out of the hospital with a video game-obsessed dwarf and take them on a quixotic road trip in search of a Dr. X, the cure and possibly a chance to save the world.
by Rebecca Stead. New York: Wendy Lamb Books, c.2009. 199 pages. ISBN 9780385737425
Twelve-year-old New Yorker Miranda is being sent notes that seem to predict the future. Who are they from and does this mean time travel is possible? The mystery unfolds all the while Miranda loses and gains friendships and helps her mother prepare for her appearance on a TV game show.
2010 Newbery Medal Winner, Junior Library Guild Selection
by Jasper Fforde. New York: Viking, c. 2009. 309 pages. ISBN 9780670019632
First of a series. In Chromatacia, the Rulebook must be strictly followed. You must watch out for deadly swans and your spoon should be guarded with your life. What colors you can see decides your position in the social hierarchy of the Colortocarcy. Eddie Russett may be on his way up the social ladder if he turns out to have a high red perception. But will his curiosity in a certain defiant Grey named Jane and his interest in improving queuing get him devoured by a man-eating tree before he can marry into the Oxbloods?
Saltby Maurice Gee. Victoria: Orca Book Publishers, 2009. 252 pages.ISBN 978-1-55469-209-5
Volume One of the Salt trilogy.
Hari and the others of Blood Burrow suffer starvation, enslavement and death under Company.Pearl lives a life of luxury and ease but she is under control of Company and has been promised in marriage to a powerful man.While these two come from different worlds, they are connected in their talent to use their minds to speak to people and animals.Both on the run for different reasons, they are soon united in their quest to save the world from a deadly terror found in Deep Salt.
2008 winner of the New Zealand PostBook Award for Young Adult Fiction
Series:yes, third book of the Faerie series, more of continuation of the first book Tithe
Plot Summary: Pixie changeling Kaye is in love with the king of the Unseelie Court.There is war brewing with his kingdom and the rival Seelie Court.Kaye finds herself in the middle as the possible key to bringing peace and stopping death on the faerie and human side.She also struggles with the desire to tell her human mother that she is not the daughter she gave birth to while her best friend, the human Corny, joins her on this quest.
Subject Headings:coming of age, faeries, supernatural, homosexuality, fantasy, love, first love, betrayal, loyalty, war, urban fantasy
Appeal:exciting addition to the Faerie series; tackles issues facing young adults like first love, homosexuality, identity; fantasy set in modern times and location
If you liked Ironside, you might enjoy:Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones, Charles de Lint’s Little (Grrl) Lost, Herbie Brennan’s Faerie Wars
Title:The City of Ember Author: Jeanne DuPrau Publication date: 2004 Number of pages: 270 Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, grades 4-7 Geographical Setting: fictional city of Ember Time Period: unknown, far into the future Series: yes, first of the Books of Ember
Plot Summary: When you turn 12 in the City of Ember, you are assigned your life job. Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow are not very happy with their luck and decide to trade jobs-Lina gets to be a Messenger, running all through Ember’s streets and Doon will get to explore the underground as a Pipeworker (and get a good look at that generator). The people of Ember have lived just fine for the last 250 years or so. “Daytime” is regulated and there is no sunlight or moonlight but rather the yellowish glow from flood lamps throughout the city. Light bulbs are becoming more precious as it seems the supplies are getting low. Blackouts are happening more frequently and are lasting longer. Beyond the town limits are the pitch-black Unknown Regions. Without “movable light,” venturing here is nearly impossible. That is until Lina and Doon make an exciting and puzzling discovery.
Subject Headings: the future, survival, fantasy, science fiction, dystopia
Appeal: an ALA notable book, movie adaptation in 2008, moral dilemmas dealing with stealing and lying, death of parents due to illness, children with adult responsibilities, children as heroes, often characterized as “science fiction for people who don’t like science fiction,” suspenseful first book of a series, a dystopian view of a future for humanity
If you liked The City of Ember, you might enjoy: Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series. Margaret Peterson Haddix’s The Shadow Children series. Philip Reeve’s The Hungry City Chronicles.
