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Conspiracy 365: November
Gabrielle Lord
Synopsis: With the deadline quickly approaching, enemies closing in, and answers finally imminent, Cal, still struggling to stay alive, may be the only person who can save a friend.
Publication Date: 11/01/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Blood Prophecy
Stefan Petrucha
Synopsis: Man and monster are in his blood. . . His name is Jeremiah Fall. A soldier of fortune, he has been fighting his own war for 150 years--ever since the beast in him was born. Desperate to restore his lost humanity, Fall crosses the sands of Egypt, discovers a lost city off the coast of France, and finally arrives at the birthplace of all mankind. Shunning daylight and feeding only when he must, he battles the monster who transformed him forever. He can share his deepest secret with no one . . . not even the beautiful woman he starts to love, the only human who grasps the mysteries of an ebony stone as old as creation itself. Across the world, across time, Fall seeks the stone's secret. But has he found a cure for himself or unleashed a final curse on all mankind?
Publication Date: 11/01/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Sweet Treats and Secret Crushes
Synopsis: When a blizzard threatens to ruin Valentine’s Day, three seventh-grade friends make and distribute fortune cookies to their lonely neighbors—and confront the secrets they’ve been keeping from one another.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />


 


Confident Kate doesn’t notice much but the latest gossip, and shy Georgia can’t say out loud what’s always on her mind. They’re joined by observant, careful Olivia, whose epic, single-minded crush on PBJ (real name: Phillip Becker-Jacobs) is starting to frustrate the other two. Using fortune cookies that mysteriously always seem to speak directly to the person who opens them, the three girls try to work together to bring some love to their building, while reminding each other why they’re such good friends to begin with.


With all the right ingredients to appeal to tween girls, this is an irresistible confection from an emerging talent.


"The trio’s romantic ups and downs tie the story together… an affectionate, insightful ode to friendship. An enjoyable, sure-to-be popular read." –Booklist
Publication Date: 11/01/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
The Prisoner of Zenda
Anthony Hope
Synopsis: Rudolf Rassendyll is the hero of Anthony Hope's fantastic novel, The Prisoner of Zenda. After leaving his lofty life in London, Rassendyll discovers adventure in Ruritania, where he happens to bear a remarkable resemblance to the local king, Rudolf Elphberg. However, on the eve of his coronation, Elphberg is abducted and Rassendyll is called upon to pose as a political decoy. Along the way, Rassendyll finds courage, love, and duty as he negotiates the many twisting plots of Elphberg's abductors.
Publication Date: 10/27/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Ginger High
Melissa Burmester
Synopsis: Ginger High is no ordinary school. It is a school for students with special powers. Many years ago people came to Earth from the Kingdom of Animist, a parallel universe. Two long time friends, Matthias and Amanta, attended the school and then returned home to Animist. The school has had many unexplained deaths. Daisy Fisher attends the school after her old school burns down. Matthias and Amanta are called back to the school to help solve the mysteries. What are powers? And what is with this crazy school? Welcome to Ginger High.
Publication Date: 10/27/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Mystery
Pull
B. A. Binns
Synopsis: High school senior David Albacore is dealing with major upheaval after his father murders his mom. In the terrible aftermath, he changes his name and moves to a tough new inner-city Chicago high school with his younger sister Barney, when they and their now silent younger sister, Linda, move in with their aunt. David blames himself for not saving their mom that night; after being injured in a basketball game in which he was the star, David was given strong painkillers, which caused him to sleep through the shooting. Barney, who found their mom's body, is fragile after a hospital stay and is barely able to cope. With their mother gone and their father in jail, David tries to take care of his sisters as they grieve and adjust to a different kind of life. When he's forced to join the basketball team or be expelled after getting in too many fights, it cuts into his after-school construction job that he takes to help his aunt support his family. Then David begins falling for Yolanda, the hottest girl in school and Perry, the school player and bully's girlfriend. They flirt and spar, but going after this fashion loving Mighty Mite spells big trouble for David. And as he ponders trying for a basketball scholarship or keeping the construction job he loves, Aunt Edie's stroke eliminates most of David's options. He can keep his family together by working construction full time, or follow his mom's dream of college, which would probably send Barney into foster care. Teen readers will hold their breath as David weighs his options about the kind of life he wants to live.
Publication Date: 10/27/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Chrysalis
L. Bowens
Synopsis: Seventeen year old Malia's never known a life that didn't involve missions to infiltrate the worlds of Demons and Therians. As a Sundowner, human shapeshifter, she's never had much of a life to call her own and with a Sundowner's life expectancy of twenty-one looming over her there isn't one much to look forward to either. Then she meets Aidan, who seems to know more about her than he should. His dark and unnerving stare blind all thought of reasoning from her mind. The illusion of a possible life other than the one's she's living is all too enticing. Yet, in a world where Demons use the art of illusion to prey on their victims Malia can't help but wonder is Aidan her sanctuary or her enemy.
Publication Date: 10/27/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
The Properties of Water
Hannah Roberts McKinnon
Synopsis:

When Lace's older sister, Marni, falls victim to a summer swimming accident, it paralyzes Lace in time. For Lace, there is only a before--can there be an after? But as the summer surges on, she learns that she must return to the water, the very thing that tore her family apart. This beautifully crafted novel explores the boundaries of family and friendship, the greatest griefs that knock us down, and the smallest kindnesses that guide us to safe harbors.

Publication Date: 10/26/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Mystery
The Fledgling Handbook 101
Kim Doner, P. C. Cast
Synopsis:

Merry meet, fledgling. Welcome to a new life, a new world, and a new you. Welcome to the House of Night!

This might seem like a scary time, Fledgling, but never fear! As you start your journey through the ancient halls of the House of Night, this indispensable handbook will aid you in your transition from human to fledgling. Within these pages you will find invaluable information about the history of vampyres. You will also come to a better understanding of your body's transformation, as well as read words of hope from great vampyres of the past and learn essential foundations of rituals and lore. Now, Fledgling, read on. A new life awaits you; your path to that magickal future begins here!

Publication Date: 10/26/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Wild @ Heart
Andria Cheng, Natsumi Ando
Synopsis: LOVE SAFARI
 
Chino wants what every teen girl wants: to fall in love! But when it finally happens, it’s not exactly what she expected. Her father, a great explorer, brings home his latest find: Hyo, a boy who was raised in the jungle. Hyo is completely uncivilized, but he’s also supercute—and completely wild at heart. Can Chino really be falling for wild child Hyo?

This special collection features volumes 1, 2, and 3 of Wild @ Heart—the complete series!
 
Includes special extras after the story!
Publication Date: 10/26/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
Arisa
Andria Cheng, Natsumi Ando
Synopsis:  
Tsubasa thinks that her pretty and popular twin sister, Arisa, has the perfect life. Everyone at school loves Arisa—unlike the hot-tempered Tsubasa, whose nickname is “the Demon Princess.” But when Arisa attempts suicide, Tsubasa learns that her seemingly perfect sister has been keeping some dark secrets. Now Tsubasa is going undercover at school—disguised as Arisa—in search of the truth. But will Arisa’s secrets shatter Tsubasa’s life, too?
 
Includes special extras after the story!
Publication Date: 10/26/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Blood Heat
Maria Lima
Synopsis: Texas is heating up. . . .The summer heat wave that’s hit Rio Seco, Texas, has even the vampires complaining, but now that Keira—the Kelly Heir—is home from Vancouver, the weather isn’t the only thing too hot to handle. Keira should be setting up her court and planning the big reception at which she and her consort, vampire ruler Adam Walker, will receive the magical leaders from the local area, but pomp and circumstance just aren’t Keira’s thing, especially not with trouble smoldering in her domain. A werewolf couple has mysteriously gone missing from a local pack, and when Keira is asked by their leader to investigate, she finds that some dissatisfied neighbors may have been taking, well, strong action against the wer community—action that could be repeated and could involve Keira and those she loves. With the reception looming and danger fast blazing out of control, the pressure is on Keira to keep Texas safe for supernaturals. Sometimes, it’s just not that great to be Heir. . . .
Publication Date: 10/26/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Highborn
Yvonne Navarro
Synopsis: EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE. BRYNNA MALAK MIGHT BE THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE.

Brynna is a fallen angel trying to earn redemption. She’s escaped from Hell in search of a new life on Earth, but Lucifer’s deadliest hunters are hot on her trail. Police Detective Eran Redmond is after her for a different reason: he needs Brynna to help him find a serial killer who is terrifying Chicago . . . and the trail leads them right to Hellspawned demons of the most dangerous kind. She’s also got a very human problem: dealing with a stubborn, attractive cop who makes her long for everything she knows she can’t have.

Staying alive long enough to earn a shot at Heaven will mean breaking some major rules in the mortal world, as she learns just how complicated and wonderful being human can be. With so much stacked against her, even Brynna has to wonder if she’s crazy. But she’s not giving in without a fight.

Not a chance in Hell. . . .
Publication Date: 10/26/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
A Good Horse
Jane Smiley
Synopsis: When eighth grader Abby Lovitt looks out at those pure-gold rolling hills, she knows there’s no place she’d rather be than her family’s ranch—even with all the hard work of tending to nine horses. But some chores are no work at all, like grooming young Jack. At eight months, his rough foal coat has shed out, leaving a smooth, rich silk, like chocolate. As for Black George, such a good horse, it turns out he’s a natural jumper. When he and Abby clear four feet easy as pie, heads start to turn at the ring—buyers’ heads—and Abby knows Daddy won’t turn down a good offer.

Then a letter arrives from a private investigator, and suddenly Abby stands to lose not one horse but two. The letter states that Jack’s mare may have been sold to the Lovitts as stolen goods. A mystery unfolds, more surprising than Abby could ever expect. Will she lose her beloved Jack to his rightful owners?

Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley raises horses of her own, and her affection and expertise shine through in this inviting horse novel for young readers, set in 1960s California horse country and featuring characters from The Georges and the Jewels.
Publication Date: 10/26/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
The Haunting of Charles Dickens
Greg Ruth, Lewis Buzbee
Synopsis:

Meg Pickel's older brother, Orion, has disappeared. One night, she steals out to look for him, and makes two surprising discoveries: She stumbles upon a séance that she suspects involves Orion, and she meets the author Charles Dickens, also unable to sleep, and roaming the London streets. He is a customer of Meg's father, who owns a print shop, and a family friend. Mr. Dickens fears that the children of London aren't safe, and is trying to solve the mystery of so many disappearances. If he can, then perhaps he'll be able to write once again.

With stunning black-and-white illustrations by Greg Ruth, here is a literary mystery that celebrates the power of books, and brings to life one of the world's best-loved authors.

Publication Date: 10/26/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Nancy and Plum
Jeanne Birdsall, Mary GrandPre, Betty MacDonald
Synopsis: It was Christmas Eve. Big snowflakes fluttered slowly through the air like white feathers
and made all of Heavenly Valley smooth and white and quiet and beautiful.

So begins the story of two orphaned sisters at Mrs. Monday’s Boarding School. But nothing is heavenly for Nancy and Pamela (aka Plum): their parents died in a tragic accident years ago, they’re constantly punished by the cruel Mrs. Monday, and they’re all alone for the holidays.

Luckily, Nancy and Plum have each other, and though their prospects may be bleak, they’re determined to change their lot for the better. If their plan works, the spirited sisters will never spend Christmas at the cold, dark boarding school again. But what will they find on the other side of Mrs. Monday’s gate?

Adventure, warmth, unforgettable characters, and unexpected kindness abound in this classic story by Betty MacDonald, which was originally published in 1952. With illustrations by the acclaimed Mary GrandPré and an introduction by Jeanne Birdsall, National Book Award–winning author of The Penderwicks, this edition introduces the spunky, beloved heroines to a new generation of fans.
Publication Date: 10/26/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction

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