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Cold Comfort, Ill Wind
Lee Passarella
Synopsis: Two Virginia brothers, Townsend and John Tyler Philips, are separated by the great war that breaks the Union apart. While Towns serves as a musician in the 51st Virginia Infantry, John Tyler attends Virginia Military Institute, hoping one day to fight for his country and be reunited with his brave younger brother. Neither could guess they would meet again on a bloody battlefield of that war, or that John Tyler would be injured and again separated from his brother Towns. Now, recovered from his wounds, John Tyler joins General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, defending Petersburg against overwhelming Union forces, while Towns marches with Confederate General Jubal Early to the gates of Washington, then, hounded by the Union Army, back to Virginia, where the Rebels meet a tough new adversary, Union General Philip Sheridan. Confederate victories are soon followed by defeat after defeat, and for young Townsend Philips, a deepening crisis of conscience and will.
Publication Date: 01/17/16
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Going Where It's Dark
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Synopsis:

From the Newbery Award–winning author of Shiloh comes a middle-grade novel that combines adrenaline-fueled adventure with a poignant coming-of-age story.

Buck Anderson’s life seems to be changing completely. His best friend, David, has moved away; his anxious parents are hounding him more than ever; he has reluctantly agreed to fill in for his uncle and do odd jobs for a grumpy old veteran in town; and his twin sister has a new boyfriend and is never around anymore. To top it all off, Buck is bullied by a group of boys at school—mainly because he stutters.

There is one thing that frees Buck from his worries. It is the heart-pounding exhilaration he feels when exploring underground caves in and around his hometown. He used to go caving with David, but he’s determined to continue on his own now. He doesn’t know that more changes are headed his way—changes that just might make him rethink his view of the world and his place in it.
 
Praise for GOING WHERE IT’S DARK
 
“A well-constructed and well-paced story that will be appreciated by anyone who has ever felt out of place or bullied.” —School Library Journal
 
“Buck’s strength is inspirational, and his family’s love and respect are heartwarming.” —Kirkus Reviews

“With characteristic sensitivity, Naylor delivers an engrossing account of a boy’s interior and exterior struggles.” —Publishers Weekly

Publication Date: 01/12/16
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Traveler: The Sequel to Seeker
Arwen Elys Dayton
Synopsis: For readers of Game of Thrones and Marie Lu: Traveler, the sequel to Seeker.
    Quin Kincaid is a Seeker. Her legacy is an honor, an ancient role passed down for generations. But what she learned on her Oath night changed her world forever.
    Quin pledged her life to deception. Her legacy as a Seeker is not noble but savage. Her father, a killer. Her uncle, a liar. Her mother, a casualty. And the boy she once loved is out for vengeance, with her family in his sights.
    Yet Quin is not alone. Shinobu, her oldest companion, might now be the only person she can trust. The only one who wants answers as desperately as she does.
    But the deeper they dig into the past, the darker things become. There are long-vanished Seeker families, shadowy alliances, and something else: a sinister plan begun generations ago, with the power to end the legacy forever.
    The past is close. And it will destroy them all.

Praise for Traveler, book two in the Seeker series:

"An action-packed read with plenty of surprising turns. Readers of Kami Garcia, Tahereh Mafi, and Marie Lu will appreciate [Traveler]."—Booklist

Praise for Seeker, book one in the Seeker series:

“Katniss and Tris would approve.” —TeenVogue.com
 
“This book will not disappoint.” —USAToday.com
 
“Fans of Veronica Roth’s Divergent, Marie Lu’s Legend, and Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games series: your next obsession has arrived.”—School Library Journal
 
“[A] genre-blending sci-fi, fantasy . . . [with] action-packed scenes.”—Booklist
 
“In this powerful beginning to a complex family saga . . . Dayton excels at creating memorable characters.” —Publishers Weekly

“Secrets, danger, and romance meet in this unforgettable epic fantasy.” —Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Beautiful Creatures and author of Unbreakable
 
“A tightly woven, action-packed story of survival and adventure, Seeker is perfect for fans of Game of Thrones.” —Tahereh Mafi, author of the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series
Publication Date: 01/12/16
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Adventure
The Drowning Shark
Will Swanepoel, Stormy Sweitzer
Synopsis: When her mother dies unexpectedly, fifteen-year-old Sierra Rouge travels to South Africa, a country she's never been to, to live with her celebrity chef father, a man she barely knows.
During a boat tour, she learns from local activists that dead sharks are washing up on the shore without their fins.
Sierra decides to take matters into her own hands to find the people responsible. In her efforts to bring down the shark finning operation, the past sneaks up on her and she discovers that there may be more to her mother's death--and life--than she realized.
A fast-paced adventure novel rooted in a real-life environmental challenge, The Drowning Shark is the story of one girl's quest to discover answers, find a new sense of normal, and do good in the world.
∆   ∆   ∆Here's What Amazon Readers Are Saying About The Drowning Shark"An international young adult adventure with a social conscience.""Well-paced Jane-Bondesque environmental spy thriller featuring a young teen girl.""The Drowning Shark is so full of vivid action packed events, all I can say is buckle up and hold on tight for the ride.""This book is a page turner... like one might expect from a young teenage Jane Bond - exotic locations and international villains included.""Sophisticated young adult fiction with a steady pace.""Well written and difficult to put down, there was intrigue and humor incorporated into a plot that educates the reader of pressing and compelling social and environmental issues today."Who the book is for:"A great book to give kids ages 9-14, as an engaging read with an important message.""While targeted to young adults (middle school), the reading level and plot of this book will also appeal to upper elementary students.""Highly recommended for tweens who like spy-novels and aren't squeamish.""The vivid descriptions of the various venues in South Africa, the well-defined characters, and the intelligent writing style, make this an enjoyable read for teenagers and adults alike.""If you love Alex Rider, the Young James Bond or the Cherub series then this book is for you. In fact the refreshing international setting, plucky lead character and tackling of environmental issues made it better than those in my opinion."Sierra Rouge is:"a great, fearless sleuth with a heart for doing what is right, even if it means taking risks.""a very positive, female role model for boys and girls alike.""Nancy Drew for Current Times""spunky, independent, smart, witty, and strong. She sets a good example to others on how they too can make a difference in their own community.""If you are looking for a strong female protagonist, well-traveled and culturally savvy, Sierra is your girl!"The Drowning Shark Addresses Social and Environmental Challenges"What I enjoyed most about this book was the underlying problem of shark finning and the many different reactions to it. There were a vast amount of characters in the story that reacted differently to this problem.""If you're a teacher, this would be a great book to read as a class or book club-especially during Shark Week! It's sure to spark some great conversations between adults and young readers on how we all can help make this planet better.""The storyline forces the reader to think about how we act upon social challenges that are presented to us. Do we dive in and force change or do we sit back and wait for the challenge to work itself out?""Teen reader(s), and in some cases even pre-teens, will readily identify with the desire to stand for something larger than Self -- in this book, a remarkable read about the plight of sharks."
Publication Date: 01/10/16
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Adventure
Fortitude
Carrie Dalby
Synopsis:

Growing up with a Creole best friend, sixteen-year-old Claire O’Farrell held little regard for the Jim Crow laws and the consequences of befriending those of a different color. But once she leaves the haven of her home on Dauphin Island, the reality of racial intolerance can no longer be ignored. Though she’s underage, Claire makes the bold decision to serve alongside Loretta, her best friend, in the “colored camp” hospital tents during the Spanish-American War, but her idealistic attitude and choice of working location immediately puts her in danger. Claire gives her heart to a soldier in the camp, only to find herself caught in the racial violence besieging the area. When the intolerant attitudes and stigma follow her home, she clings to her faith to navigate through her social isolation and find the path she was meant to travel.

Publication Date: 01/05/16
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Surf Shop Sisters
Laura Kennedy
Synopsis: I guess everyone wants something in life. It was easy figuring out what each of my BFFs wanted the beginning of our Junior Year at Coral Cove High. For brainy Sudsy it was to get skinny; for upwardly mobile Tamara to get more stuff, and problem child Maria to be treated like she was older than ten. Who knew that bigger problems lurked in the swampy bayous of Coral Cove, like redheaded Paris Breck, threatening to take me down like a clump of stinky seaweed in the Gulf of Mexico.
Publication Date: 01/04/16
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Series
Tommy Black and the Coat of Invincibility (Book 2)
Synopsis: The second book of the Tommy Black series. Dedicated to reshaping his family's legacy, Tommy Black has spent two years mastering the powerful Staff of Light and freeing the magical creatures in England. While he was focusing on his personal mission, however, Germany had invaded Europe, igniting the flames of world war. Desiring to help, Tommy volunteers to free the magical creatures in Germany to disrupt the Nazi war machine. Joined by his friend, the powerful magician Naomi, and two others, the group soon discover an extraordinary secret that changes everything--Tommy may not be the only Archmage in the world.
Publication Date: 01/03/16
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Series
Gospel Of The Gun
Sean Chandler
Synopsis: Jeremiah Irons, known as Judas among the Disciple Gang, has always ridden the outlaw trail with only a good horse and the inscribed pistols Heaven and Hell at his side. It isn t until he happens upon Lucif R. Shadows and his eleven that he is convinced of the error of his ways. With Jeremiah s addition to the gang, the twelve go to thirteen and the legend of the Disciple Gang begins. Sean Chandler brings the Disciple Gang to vivid life as they bring the worst kind of villainy to fruition, and a new kind of religious zeal upon the frontier. Each man in the gang assumes the name of a Disciple after the crazed Lucif Shadows begins to believe in the stories written about him, and soon after Jeremiah Irons discovers it might have been best to remain on his own. Accused of stealing money from them, the Disciple Gang turns on him in the streets of Tombstone, Arizona Territory. Fighting his way out of the trap laid for him, Jeremiah s travels land him in the town of Wewoka, Indian Territory where he unwittingly finds safety in the guise of a preacher. It is in Wewoka that Jeremiah begins to learn who he really is, and through the friendship of the townspeople, and especially the beautiful Hope West, a purpose for his life. Jeremiah s good fortune only serves to make it that much harder when the Disciple Gang learn of his continued existence. When the Disciple Gang arrives in Wewoka to exact revenge upon him, can Jeremiah forsake his outlaw ways or will he have to pick up the guns that made him a legend?
Publication Date: 12/11/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Pools
S. K. Holder
Synopsis: One day, Lark and her friend Shelley, visit their neighbour, Ms Trowper, to fetch their ball from her garden. Ms Trowper is not her usual cheery self. She has a pool of water in her attic. She is convinced it is a magical hole. She wants Lark and Shelley to see what’s in it. The girls decide Ms Trowper is bonkers and make a hasty retreat.

Later that night, Lark’s mum insists she saw Lark’s brother, Fin, and his ‘sensible’ friend, Mat, disappear through a hole in the garden. It makes no sense. Fin and Mat are on a camping trip and are not due home for days.

Troubled by this strange turn of events, the two friends return to Ms Trowper’s house. They revisit the hole in Ms Trowper’s attic and get sucked through the pool of water into another dimension: Craggthorn, where they are given a very important assignment. If they fail, a powerful spell will bind them to Craggthorn forever.
Publication Date: 12/05/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Mystery
Pyramid Deception
Austin S. Camacho
Synopsis: Private Eye Hannibal Jones takes on the most important client of his life: Cindy Santiago, the woman he loves. Cindy has been betrayed by a close friend and taken in a scam that has left her almost penniless. The swindler has not only taken her money, he has stolen her confidence and robbed her of her will to live. Hannibal's only lead is Irene, the woman who got Cindy's friend involved and wants to run away with him. She may hold the key to Cindy's problem . . . until she is gunned down right in front of Hannibal in a drive by shooting. When Irene's body disappears Hannibal is the top suspect in a plot to help her and her boyfriend escape. Now he needs to clear his name and recover Cindy's money. As more murders follow, Hannibal must unravel the complex scheme before he and Cindy become the next victims.
Publication Date: 12/01/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Mystery
Mary of the Aether
Gemini Judson, Melanie Billings, Jeffrey Aaron Miller
Synopsis: Fourteen-year-old Mary Lanham lives an unremarkable life in an unremarkable small town, until the day a man in a long, gray cloak creeps out of the forest, and a centuries-old mystery begins to unfold. What is the terrible secret Mary’s father is hiding, a secret that has put both of their lives in danger? What is the truth about Mary’s past that has awakened a great evil? And how can she win the heart of the boy she loves when the whole world is falling apart?
Publication Date: 11/23/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
The Ammolite Adventures: Bluestone
C.E. Johnson, C. E. Johnson
Synopsis: Bluestone is the first book in The Ammolite Adventures, a series where fantasy and reality blend seamlessly in a rich tapestry woven from the many colors of magic.Although her training regimen was more suited to a warrior, Emily thought she was a normal teenager being raised by a typical family on Earth until one day everything that defined her past came crashing down. Her godfather sent her on a secretive hunt for clues and each discovery unraveled more of the puzzling otherworldly mysteries of her existence. She ultimately uncovers an astounding secret beyond her imagination, she is a blue mage, and her skills will lead her to a formidable ally, an animal bondsmate. However, instead of joy, the revelation of her magical talents has serious repercussions that include bloodshed and dark danger. As she is backed into a corner by vengeful forces intent on her destruction, Emily finds her budding gifts are the only truth that she can rely on. Thirsting for more knowledge and power, she reaches a precipice. She will have to decide whether to remain on Earth or embark on a perilous journey which involves plunging through a portal where travelers must trade in the modern world for swords and spells. This saga chronicles two planets, two times, brought together by pure passion, epic battles, and an ambitious struggle for supremacy filled with sharp steel and wonderful wizardry
Publication Date: 11/14/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Dangerous Lies
Becca Fitzpatrick
Synopsis: A teen is forced to make a fresh start after witnessing a violent crime—but love and danger find her anyway in this novel from Becca Fitzpatrick, the New York Times bestselling author of the Hush, Hush saga.

Stella Gordon’s life is a lie.

She does not belong in Thunder Basin, Nebraska. As the star witness in a murder trial against a drug dealer, Stella is now in the Witness Protection Program. The small town locals can never know who she really is. Not even Chet Falconer, the one boy who makes her want to reveal her true self. She knows that telling the truth will only bring violence to this safe haven.

Despite how hard Stella tries to stay under the radar, danger is fast-approaching. Criminals have a way of getting rid of witnesses, and Stella may have made the one mistake that could lead the cold-blooded men hunting for her right to her doorstep.
Publication Date: 11/10/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Mystery
Autumn's Kiss
Bella Thorne
Synopsis: Autumn’s Kiss—book two in the AUTUMN FALLS series by FAMOUS IN LOVE star Bella Thorne—is perfect for fans of Girl Online, Liv and Maddie: Cali Style, Descendants, and anyone looking for a sweet, silly, and fun read with just a touch of magic! 
 
Everyone knows how crazy junior year is, but Autumn Falls never imagined it would be so flirty. The wish-granting diary her father left her stopped working, leaving Autumn to decode what’s going on with her and Sean on her own. He seems into her . . . and he also seems into Reenzie. And when JJ steps up and tells Autumn he’s the one she should be with if she wants someone who really cares about her and a pop star makes a major play for her, Autumn is totally confused. Her friends have Big Drama issues going on too, and Autumn wants to be there for them. Then something mind-blowing happens. She’s suddenly given an incredible crazy-fun opportunity: a map that takes her anyplace she wants to go. At first it seems like an amazing gift. But showing up IRL where you’re least expected has life-changing consequences. Is Autumn ready to handle the fallout?
 
Praise for Autumn Falls:
 
“We promise you’re going to love it.”
—Teen Vogue.com
 
“You’ll be obsessed with Autumn Falls. It has basically everything you could ever want.”
—Seventeen.com
 
Publication Date: 11/10/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Series
Collateral Damage
Brent Chartier, Patrick Jones
Synopsis: Tyshawn can't wait to show off his three-pointers. His dad, a former basketball star and a sergeant in the US Army, is finally coming home from overseas. But Ty isn't prepared for how serious his dad's traumatic brain injury is. Neither is his mom. When Ty is left to care for his dad, it's hard to keep up with his own life?and his girlfriend, his coach, and his teachers all take notice. He may not be the injured one, but he needs to figure out how to cope with this new situation?and fast.
Publication Date: 11/01/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Freedom Flight (Support and Defend)
Synopsis: When Paige's mom returns from her final tour of Air Force duty, Paige couldn't be happier for things to go back to normal. But before long, Paige realizes her mom brought something else back with her?an addiction to pain pills. The irritable, medicated, zombie version of her mom isn't the person Paige wanted to come home. She'll try anything to get through to her mom and help her with her painful secret. But can Paige get her mom clean without ruining their relationship and her own ROTC dreams?
Publication Date: 11/01/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction

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