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Crazy Beautiful
Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Synopsis:

In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldn’t outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself.

Then he meets Aurora. The hooks don’t scare her. They don’t keep her away. In fact, they don’t make any difference at all to her.

But to Lucius, they mean everything. They remind him of the beast he is inside. Perhaps Aurora is his Beauty, destined to set his soul free from its suffering.

Or maybe she’s just a girl who needs love just like he does.

Publication Date: 09/07/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Night Hoops
Carl Deuker
Synopsis:

Nick Abbott and Trent Dawson have nothing in common but basketball. Or so it seems. But as the basketball season progresses, their lives become unexpectedly intertwined. In this story of an unlikely bond, award-winning author Carl Deuker explores that dark and confusing place between loneliness and friendship, between faithfulness and betrayal. Filled with gripping game play, the novel will leave readers wondering how much they themselves would reach out to a kid like Trent.

Publication Date: 09/07/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
The Napoleon of Notting Hill
G. K. Chesterton
Synopsis: The Napoleon of Notting Hill is a novel written by G. K. Chesterton in 1904, set in a nearly-unchanged London in 1984. Though the novel deals with the future, it concentrates not on technology nor on totalitarian government but on a government where no one cares what happens, comparable to Fahrenheit 451 in that respect.
Publication Date: 09/06/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Intelligent Design
Denise Little
Synopsis: These ten original stories explore one of the most heatedly debated topics today. From a tale that examines whether life on Earth is an out-of-control science project, to one which reveals which species will inherit the planet, to a portrait of a scientist determined to discover the truth about God, the stories in this anthology tackle the big questions in ways that range from startling to satirical?and are always entertaining.
Publication Date: 09/01/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Anthology
Chanda's Wars
Allan Stratton
Synopsis:

"Wherever you are . . . I'm coming to get you. I'm going to bring you home."

Chanda has been dreaming of civil war, lost children, and rivers of blood. Suddenly the dream is real. Rebel soldiers brutally attack her family's village and kidnap her brother and sister. Risking their lives, Chanda and a troubled young tracker must pursue the rebels through the unforgiving bush to save her family.

Publication Date: 09/01/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Adventure
Purple Heart
Patricia McCormick
Synopsis:

When Private Matt Duffy wakes up in an army hospital in Iraq, he's honored with a Purple Heart. But he doesn't feel like a hero.

There's a memory that haunts him: an image of a young Iraqi boy as a bullet hits his chest. Matt can't shake the feeling that he was somehow involved in his death. But because of a head injury he sustained just moments after the boy was shot, Matt can't quite put all the pieces together.

Eventually Matt is sent back into combat with his squad—Justin, Wolf, and Charlene—the soldiers who have become his family during his time in Iraq. He just wants to go back to being the soldier he once was. But he sees potential threats everywhere and lives in fear of not being able to pull the trigger when the time comes. In combat there is no black-and-white, and Matt soon discovers that the notion of who is guilty is very complicated indeed.

National Book Award Finalist Patricia McCormick has written a visceral and compelling portrait of life in a war zone, where loyalty is valued above all, and death is terrifyingly commonplace.

Publication Date: 09/01/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Werewolf Dreams
M. M. Anderson
Synopsis: Seamus Sullivan never asked to be turned into a werewolf. He also never thought about embarking on a career as a New City police officer. However, Seamus s life detours onto an unexpected path when his childhood dream of becoming middleweight boxing champion of the world is abruptly dashed by the jaws of a frothing lupus, stationed to guard the gates of darkness, deep beneath the bowels of Midtown Gardens Park. One chomp to the heart and seventeen-year-old Seamus is forever ushered into the weird and wacky world of the undead. No training or manual provided. Fast forward the clock five years. With the assistance of his boss and self-appointed police sergeant guardian, Officer Seamus Sullivan is doing OK in his odd earthly afterlife, as long as he controls his Irish temper and adheres to lunar calendar work scheduling full moon days off , blue moon vacation time, and peaceful park duty. But OK becomes a KO when Seamus finally meets and falls paws over heels for the mysterious phantom woman who s been appearing at his werewolf kills. Happily ever after? If only undead were that simple add to the macabre mayhem a cast of unforgettable characters: Claudia the feisty, bright and beautiful teenage Cuban clairvoyant, Claudia's baseball Bomber brother, a moldy reporter, a vengeful mama, a questionable priest, a zombie mayor, a gaggle of ghosts, a president s son, and a Confucius groupie. Put them all together and what do you get? You get WEREWOLF DREAMS, a farcely funny journey to the Darkside and back.
Publication Date: 09/01/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Adventure
City of Fire
Laurence Yep
Synopsis:

Two-time Newbery Honor Award-winning author Laurence Yep kicks off an action-packed new fantasy trilogy

Sure to appeal to fans of Rick Riordan and Eoin Colfer, this action-packed tale takes readers on an unforgettable journey through an alternate version of our world in 1941—a world filled with magical beings such as dragons in human form, tiny “lap griffins,” reincarnations of legendary Chinese warriors, Japanese folk creatures, and goddesses in disguise.

When her older sister dies trying to prevent the theft of one of her people’s great treasures, twelve-year-old Scirye sets out to avenge her and recover the precious item. Helping her are Bayang, a dragon disguised as a Pinkerton agent; Leech, a boy with powers he has not yet discovered; and Leech’s loyal companion Koko, who has a secret of his own. All have a grudge against the thieves who stole the treasure: the evil dragon Badik and the mysterious Mr. Roland.

Scirye and her companions pursue the thieves to Houlani, a new Hawaiian island being created by magic. There, they befriend Pele, the volatile and mercurial goddess of volcanoes. But even with Pele on their side, they may not be able to stop Mr. Roland from gaining what he seeks: the Five Lost Treasures of Emperor Yu. Together, the treasures will give him the power to alter the very fabric of the universe.

Publication Date: 09/01/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Series
Night Runner
Max Turner
Synopsis:

For Zack Thomson, living in the Nicholls Ward isn't so bad. After his parents died, he developed strange and severe allergies, and the mental institution was the only place where he could be properly looked after. As strange as it was, it was home. He could watch as much television as he wanted; his best friend Charlie visited him often enough; and Nurse Ophelia--the prettiest no-nonsense nurse ever--sometimes took him bowling. Of course, that didn't mean he had it easy. His allergies restricted his diet to strawberry smoothies, and being the only kid at the hospital could get lonely. But it never once crossed Zack's mind to leave...until the night someone crashed through the front doors and told him to run. Now he's on a race for answers--about his past, his parents, and his strange sickness--even as every step takes him closer to the darkest of truths.

Publication Date: 09/01/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Recipe For Disaster
Maureen Fergus
Synopsis: Francie's life was almost perfect before the new girl showed up. She had her own business as a weekend baker whose scones almost caused stampedes, a best friend named Holly and a deeply fulfilling crush on Tate Jarvis. She dreamed about the day she'd be famous and have her own baking show. But the new girl at school, Darlene, thinks Francie's obsession with baking is weird, she acts like Holly is her best friend, and she's somehow managed to steal Tate's attention away. Suddenly, everything is unravelling. Unable to stay focused, Francie's pastry-filled dreams are starting to slide. Then Francie gets a chance to meet the sexy celebrity baker Lorenzo LaRue, whose toned pectorals inspire Francie as much as the baking tips she picks up from his TV show. Francie is sure that if Lorenzo could only see how passionate she is about baking, he would help launch her career, and possibly marry her when she reaches legal age. It won't be easy - but Francie is starting to understand that although trying won't guarantee success, quitting will guarantee failure. Young readers will gobble up this hilarious exploration of a girl's recipes for friendship, dating, fame and coconut-drop cookies.
Publication Date: 09/01/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Episodes
Blaze Ginsberg
Synopsis: EPISODES is a memoir like no other. Debut writer, Blaze Ginsberg, offers a unique perspective on his life as a highly-functioning autistic 21 year old. Inspired by the format of the Internet Movie Database, Blaze organizes his life events as a collection of episodes. Some episodes are still running, some are in syndication, and some have sadly come to an end. With an innovative style and approach that is all its own, EPISODES reinvents the traditional memoir; and it will inspire young readers to see the world as they've never seen it before.
Publication Date: 09/01/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Nonfiction
Secrets of a Christmas Box
Gabriel Hordos, Justin Gerard, Golriz Fanai, Judy Reveal, Steven Hornby
Synopsis: Enter the magical festive world of the Christmas 'Tree-Dwellers', as Larry, a Christmas snowman, wakes up after the long sleep in the Christmas box, to find his brother is missing.
Desperate to find him before Christmas, Larry, along with his girlfriend Debbie, a newcomer Splint, and Larry's companion Tinsel, break the laws of the 'Tree-Elders' and escape down the tree and away into the house, to look for clues.
Away from the safety of the tree and in an unfamiliar world, the Dwellers stumble upon a dark and sinister secret that threatens their entire world. Can Larry and the group make it back to the tree in time to warn the others, and finally uncover the truth behind the 'Secrets of a Christmas Box'?
Publication Date: 09/01/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Mystery
Flight of the Renshai
Mickey Zucker Reichert
Synopsis: Return to a world of "magical battles galore" (VOYA) with Mickey Zucker Reichert's newest Renshai novel.

Prejudice against the Renshai is growing rapidly, fueled by their old enemies in the Northlands, who have convinced a faction in Erythane that the Renshai lands were stolen from them, forcing the King to banish the Renshai from the Westlands.

Shunned by Westerners and hunted by Northmen, the Renshai will face many trials before rallying together against a common enemy determined to destroy them once and for all.

Publication Date: 09/01/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
The Storm Witch
Violette Malan
Synopsis: The new fantasy adventure featuring Dhulyn and Parno.

Mercenary Partners Dhulyn Wolfshead and Parno Lionsmane have returned to their Mercenary House to clear themselves of accusations of kidnapping and murder. But before they can resolve these charges, old friends are taken hostage by the Long Ocean Nomads, and they are forced to come to the rescue. And as they set sail, Dhulyn is convinced they are journeying to Parno?s death, which she has foreseen in numerous visions of a drowning at sea.
Publication Date: 09/01/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
The Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots
Synopsis:

In this dramatic, compelling fictional memoir Carolly Erickson lets the courageous, spirited Mary Queen of Scots tell her own story—and the result is a novel readers will long remember.

Born Queen of Scotland, married as a young girl to the invalid young King of France, Mary took the reins of the unruly kingdom of Scotland as a young widow and fought to keep her throne. A second marriage to her handsome but dissolute cousin Lord Darnley ended in murder and scandal, while a third marriage to the dashing, commanding Lord Bothwell, the love of her life, gave her joy but widened the scandal and surrounded her with enduring ill repute.

Unable to rise above the violence and disorder that swirled around her, Mary plucked up her courage and escaped to England—only to find herself a prisoner of her ruthless, merciless cousin Queen Elizabeth.

Here, in her own riveting account, is the enchanting woman whose name still evokes excitement and compassion—and whose death under the headsman’s axe still draws forth our sorrow.

In The Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots, Carolly Erickson provides another in her series of mesmerizing historical entertainments, and takes readers deep into the life and heart of the sixteenth century’s most fascinating woman.

Publication Date: 09/01/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Amelia Earhart
Lori Van Pelt
Synopsis:

A exciting new biography of America's first lady of flight.

As a tomboy growing up in Kansas, Amelia Earhart delighted in trying new and risky things, once even building a roller-coaster in her grandparents' backyard. In her 20s she fell in love with flight while watching an aerobatics exhibition and grew even more enthralled when she took her first airplane ride.

At age 24 she earned her pilot's wings and 1928 took part in the transatlantic "Friendship" flight. Her willowy build, wholesome smile, and tousled blonde hair invited comparison to the celebrated pilot Charles Lindbergh, and "Lady Lindy" charmed the public with her unassuming manner.

Lori Van Pelt's Amelia Earhart: The Sky's No Limit takes readers through Earhart's career triumphs and tragedies. It explorers not only her accomplishments in the field of flight, but also her struggles in the male-dominated world of aviation.

Named to the New York Public Library's Best Books for the Teen Age 2006

Publication Date: 09/01/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Nonfiction

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