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The Seventh Most Important Thing
Synopsis: This “luminescent” (Kirkus Reviews) story of anger and art, loss and redemption will appeal to fans of Lisa Graff’s Lost in the Sun and Vince Vawter’s Paperboy.

NOMINATED FOR 16 STATE AWARDS!
AN ALA NOTABLE BOOK
AN ILA TEACHERS CHOICE
A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
 
Arthur T. Owens grabbed a brick and hurled it at the trash picker. Arthur had his reasons, and the brick hit the Junk Man in the arm, not the head. But none of that matters to the judge—he is ready to send Arthur to juvie forever. Amazingly, it’s the Junk Man himself who offers an alternative: 120 hours of community service . . . working for him.
 
Arthur is given a rickety shopping cart and a list of the Seven Most Important Things: glass bottles, foil, cardboard, pieces of wood, lightbulbs, coffee cans, and mirrors. He can’t believe it—is he really supposed to rummage through people’s trash? But it isn’t long before Arthur realizes there’s more to the Junk Man than meets the eye, and the “trash” he’s collecting is being transformed into something more precious than anyone could imagine. . . .
 
Inspired by the work of folk artist James Hampton, Shelley Pearsall has crafted an affecting and redemptive novel about discovering what shines within us all, even when life seems full of darkness.
 
“A moving exploration of how there is often so much more than meets the eye.” —Booklist, starred review
 
“There are so many things to love about this book. Remarkable.” —The Christian Science Monitor
Publication Date: 09/08/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Stand-Off
Sam Bosma, Andrew Smith
Synopsis: Ryan Dean West is back to his boarding school antics in this bitingly funny sequel to Winger, which Publishers Weekly called “alternately hilarious and painful, awkward and enlightening” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

It’s his last year at Pine Mountain, and Ryan Dean should be focused on his future, but instead, he’s haunted by his past. His rugby coach expects him to fill the roles once played by his lost friend, Joey, as the rugby team’s stand-off and new captain. And somehow he’s stuck rooming with twelve-year-old freshman Sam Abernathy, a cooking whiz with extreme claustrophobia and a serious crush on Annie Altman—aka Ryan Dean’s girlfriend, for now, anyway.

Equally distressing, Ryan Dean’s doodles and drawings don’t offer the relief they used to. He’s convinced N.A.T.E. (the Next Accidental Terrible Experience) is lurking around every corner—and then he runs into Joey’s younger brother Nico, who makes Ryan Dean feel paranoid that he’s avoiding him. Will Ryan Dean ever regain his sanity?

From the author of the National Book Award–nominated 100 Sideways Miles, which Kirkus Reviews called “a wickedly witty and offbeat novel,” Stand-Off is filled with hand-drawn infographics and illustrations and delivers the same spot-on teen voice and relatable narrative that legions of readers connected with in Winger.
Publication Date: 09/08/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
The Wielder Diaries: My Crystal
Synopsis: At five, her presence alone could transform lions into human-like beings. At nine, she could manipulate everything inanimate, in turn, creating her surroundings to her liking. She is their Saqui, a precious child with awesome power. Now, if she could only remember. A 12-year-old girl awakens after a long sleep and, mysteriously, has no recollection of her past. Upon the insistence of four, who claim to be her guardians and friends, Kayla begins to read from a bizarre diary, hoping to gain her memories before she loses her kingdom. A journey of self-discovery, wonder and adventure begins when she opens the covers made of crystal.
Publication Date: 09/05/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Dragons & Magic
Linda M. Crate
Synopsis: Syn Seifer has never been one for confrontation or problems despite the faerie's capacity to turn into a dragon, she would much rather fly away from her problems until they go away. Yet this time it isn't an option. Syn must learn to deal with her problems and face reality and its ugly truths or risk losing the friendship of her dear friends Morgan and Byrant. It doesn't help that she has a crush on Morgan d'Ernos whose heart belongs to the corrupt and vile princess Cinder. Yet Syn is the only one that truly knows the evils of this girl’s heart. In order to protect Morgan, however, she hasn't said a word. However, some secrets aren't meant to be kept. Syn Seifer must learn how to be brave or watch as her friends go down in the flames of destruction.
Publication Date: 09/02/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Remarkable Minds: 16 More Pioneering Women in Science and Medicine
Synopsis: Winner:
2015 Foreword Reviews INDIEFAB Book of the Year, Juvenile Nonfiction (Children's)

Full of the inspirational stories girls need for exploring a future in science  


For centuries, women have risen above their traditional roles to pursue a new understanding of the natural world. This book, which grows out of an exhibit at the Grolier Club in New York, introduces the lives, sayings, and dreams of 16 women over four centuries and chronicles their contributions to mathematics, physics, chemistry, astronomy, and medicine. Some of the notable women portrayed in the book include French mathematician Marie-Sophie Germain, known for her work in Elasticity theory, differential geometry, and number theory; Scottish chemist Elizabeth Fulhame, best known for her 1794 work An Essay on Combustion; and Rita Levi-Montalcini, who, with colleague Stanley Cohen, received the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of nerve growth factor. A companion volume to Magnificent Minds by the same author, this book offers inspiration to all girls and young women considering a life in the sciences. 
Publication Date: 09/01/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Nonfiction
Testing the Truth
Shannon Knudsen
Synopsis: "I may be in trouble…but there's more to my story.



When Kai Tamura sneaks into Ms. Opal's classroom for a look at an upcoming exam, he discovers that he's not the only one breaking rules. Ms. Opal is changing answers on her students' standardized tests and Kai snaps some photos to prove it.



Kai doesn't decide to bust Ms. Opal right away. He was trying to cheat too, after all. But a classroom conflict forces Kai to put Ms. Opal's actions out in the open. Soon Kai has a new problem: people don't believe him. Forget about a lousy exam score Kai's suspension from school will really hurt his record, unless he can prove his photos are legit.



[List of series titles]
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Publication Date: 09/01/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
A Cut Too Far
Herman Brown
Synopsis: School has never been fun for Chace. Because of his huge jaw and crooked teeth, he rarely gets through a day of classes without bullies like Ivan taunting him. Things worsen when Chace's mom starts dating an Iranian man and Ivan's harassment takes a racist turn. Chace has had enough and decides to retaliate. But when Chace's Internet threats backfire, the result is a suspension from school. Now Chace will have to explain to his mom how his attempt to defend her made him look like the bad guy. And he'll have to figure out how to deal with a struggle that he can't seem to win.
Publication Date: 09/01/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Series
Over the Tracks
Heather Duffy-Stone
Synopsis: For most of Lucy's life, it's just been her and her mom, and Lucy's been okay with that. But when a serious illness strikes Lucy's mother, Lucy has to grow up faster than she expected. As the illness gets worse and money gets tighter, even a school trip?which Lucy hoped would give her a break from home?seems out of reach. Out of frustration and desperation, Lucy starts selling her mom's medical marijuana. But she's not exactly an experienced dealer. And when Lucy gets busted, she has some serious explaining to do?to school authorities, to the police, and to her mom.
Publication Date: 09/01/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Series
Paper Hearts
Meg Wiviott
Synopsis: Amid the brutality of Auschwitz during the Holocaust, a forbidden gift helps two teenage girls find hope, friendship, and the will to live in this novel in verse that’s based on a true story.

An act of defiance.
A statement of hope.
A crime punishable by death.

Making a birthday card in Auschwitz was all of those things. But that is what Zlatka did, in 1944, for her best friend, Fania. She stole and bartered for paper and scissors, secretly creating an origami heart. Then she passed it to every girl at the work tables to sign with their hopes and wishes for happiness, for love, and most of all—for freedom.

Fania knew what that heart meant, for herself and all the other girls. And she kept it hidden, through the bitter days in the camp and through the death marches. She kept it always.

This novel is based on the true story of Fania and Zlatka, the story of the bond that helped them both to hope for the best in the face of the worst. Their heart is one of the few objects created in Auschwitz, and can be seen today in the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre.
Publication Date: 09/01/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Poetry
Everything Everything
Nicola Yoon
Synopsis: The instant #1 New York Times bestseller--now a major motion picture starring Amandla Stenberg as Maddy and Nick Robinson as Olly. 

Risk everything . . . for love.

What if you couldn’t touch anything in the outside world? Never breathe in the fresh air, feel the sun warm your face . . . or kiss the boy next door? In Everything, Everything, Maddy is a girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world, and Olly is the boy who moves in next door . . . and becomes the greatest risk she’s ever taken. 

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.
 
But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He's tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.
 
Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

Everything, Everything will make you laugh, cry, and feel everything in between. It's an innovative,  inspiring, and heartbreakingly romantic debut novel that unfolds via vignettes, diary entries, illustrations, and more. 

The movie is available on digital now!

everythingeverythingfilm on Instagram
@everythingfilm on Twitter
@everythingeverythingmovie on Facebook
everythingeverythingmovie.com

And don’t miss Nicola Yoon's The Sun Is Also A Star, the #1 New York Times bestseller in which two teens are brought together just when it seems like the universe is sending them in opposite directions.
Publication Date: 09/01/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
A 52-Hertz Whale
Bill Sommer, Natalie Haney Tilghman
Synopsis: Fourteen-year-old James is worried that the young humpback whale he tracks online has separated from its pod, so he emails Darren, the twentysomething would-be filmmaker who once volunteered in James's special education program. Of course, Darren is useless on the subject of whales, but he's got nothing but time, given that the only girl he could ever love dumped him.

Predictably, this thread of emails leads to a lot of bizarre stuff, including a yeti suit, drug smuggling, a graveyard, damaged echolocation, choke holds, emergency dentistry...and maybe ends with something like understanding. See, the thing that binds people together most is their fear that nothing binds them together at all.
Publication Date: 09/01/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Environment
Island Treasures
Edel Rodriguez, Antonio Martorell, Alma Flor Ada
Synopsis: The author of My Name Is María Isabel offers an inspiring look at her childhood in Cuba in this collection that includes Where the Flame Trees Bloom, Under the Royal Palms, five new stories, and more.

These true autobiographical tales from renowned Hispanic author and educator Alma Flor Ada are filled with family love and traditions, secrets and deep friendships, and a gorgeous, moving picture of the island of Cuba, where Alma Flor grew up. Told through the eyes of a child, a whole world comes to life in these pages: the blind great-grandmother who never went to school but whose wisdom and generosity overflowed to those around her; the hired hand Samoné, whose love for music overcame all difficulties; the beloved dance teacher who helped sustain young Alma Flor through a miserable year in school; her dear and daring Uncle Medardo, who bravely flew airplanes; and more.

Heartwarming, poignant, and often humorous, this wonderful collection encourages readers to discover the stories in their own lives—and to celebrate the joys and struggles we all share, no matter where or when we grew up. Featuring the classic and award-winning books Where the Flame Trees Bloom and Under the Royal Palms, Island Treasures also includes a new collection, Days at La Quinta Simoni, many new family photographs, and a Spanish-to-English glossary.
Publication Date: 08/25/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Humor
Somewhere There Is Still A Sun
Michael Gruenbaum, Todd Hasak-Lowy
Synopsis: Resilience shines throughout Michael Gruenbaum’s “riveting memoir” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) about his time in the Terezin concentration camp during the Holocaust, in this National Jewish Book award finalist and Parents Choice Gold medal award winning title, an ideal companion to the bestselling Boy on the Wooden Box.

Michael “Misha” Gruenbaum enjoyed a carefree childhood playing games and taking walks through Prague with his beloved father. All of that changed forever when the Nazis invaded Prague. The Gruenbaum family was forced to move into the Jewish Ghetto in Prague. Then, after a devastating loss, Michael, his mother and sister were deported to the Terezin concentration camp.

At Terezin, Misha roomed with forty other boys who became like brothers to him. Life in Terezin was a bizarre, surreal balance—some days were filled with friendship and soccer matches, while others brought mortal terror as the boys waited to hear the names on each new list of who was being sent “to the East.”

Those trains were going to Auschwitz. When the day came that his family’s name appeared on a transport list, their survival called for a miracle—one that tied Michael’s fate to a carefully sewn teddy bear, and to his mother’s unshakeable determination to keep her children safe.

Collaborating with acclaimed author Todd Hasak-Lowy, Michael Gruenbaum shares his inspiring story of hope in an unforgettable memoir that recreates his experiences with stunning immediacy. Michael’s story, and the many original documents and photos included alongside it, offer an essential contribution to Holocaust literature.
Publication Date: 08/25/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Historical Nonfiction
Vampire Ascension: The Vampires of Athens, Book Three
Synopsis: When seventeen-year-old Gertie leaves New York to study abroad in Athens, she learns that vampires and demigods are real and unwittingly becomes a catalyst to an uprising led by Dionysus, lord of the vampires. In this final installment, Gertie, Jeno, and Hector struggle to bring a peaceful resolution to the war in Athens, but any success they make comes at great cost. How many more people must die for freedom and justice? The teens quickly learn that nothing is fair in love and war. Sometimes even love requires a terrible price.
Publication Date: 08/19/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Series
The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Synopsis: The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne
Publication Date: 08/12/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
The Salvation of Gabriel Adam
Synopsis: Embattled by an uncertain future, Gabriel Adam is now slowly succumbing to the powerful ring that he credits with stopping the demon sent to Earth to start the second war between the light and dark realms. As his health fails, his feelings grow for his archangel friend Micah. With the inevitability of his future ever nearer, he wonders if time is left to rekindle what they once shared.

But a darkness is growing in Istanbul. Lilith has used her alluring beauty to manipulate Simon Magus, the new Turkish president, into giving her great power. Wanting only to reunite with her one true love, she seeks to find seven ancient vials and pierce the veil that separates the dimensions, unleashing hell upon the Earth.
Publication Date: 08/11/15
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Series

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