Please enable JavaScript
All Books | Page 53 | LitPick Book Reviews
All Books
Crash
Lisa McMann
Synopsis: If what you see is what you get, Jules is in serious trouble. The suspenseful first of four books from the New York Times bestselling author of the Wake trilogy.

Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that.

What she can’t handle is the recurring vision that haunts her. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode...and nine body bags in the snow.

The vision is everywhere—on billboards, television screens, windows—and she’s the only one who sees it. And the more she sees it, the more she sees. The vision is giving her clues, and soon Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it’s someone she knows. Someone she has been in love with for as long as she can remember.

In this riveting start to a gripping series from New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann, Jules has to act—and act fast—to keep her vision from becoming reality.
Publication Date: 01/08/13
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Gingersnap
Patricia Reilly Giff
Synopsis: It's 1944, W.W. II is raging. Jayna's big brother Rob is her only family. When Rob is called to duty on a destroyer, Jayna is left in their small town in upstate New York with their cranky landlady. But right before he leaves, Rob tells Jayna a secret: they may have a grandmother in Brooklyn. Rob found a little blue recipe book with her name and an address for a bakery. When Jayna learns that Rob is missing in action, she's devastated. Along with her turtle Theresa, the recipe book, and an encouraging, ghostly voice as her guide, Jayna sets out for Brooklyn in hopes of finding the family she so desperately needs.
Publication Date: 01/08/13
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Timekeeper
Alexandra Monir
Synopsis: Colleen Houck, New York Times bestselling author of the Tiger’s Curse series said, “Timekeeper is a haunting, mysterious dream; a book you don't want to miss!”

This sequel to Timeless combines breathtaking romance with a tale of complex magic in a story that will have every reader believing in the transcendent power of love.

When Philip Walker appears as a new student in Michele Windsor's high school class, she is floored. He is the love she thought she lost forever when they said goodbye during her time travels last century. Overjoyed that they can resume the relationship they had a lifetime ago, Michele eagerly approaches him and discovers the unthinkable: he doesn't remember her. In fact, he doesn't seem to remember anything about the Philip Walker of 1910.

Michele then finds her father's journals, which tell stories of his time-traveling past. As she digs deeper, she learns about his entanglement with a mysterious and powerful organization called the Time Society and his dealings with a vengeful Windsor ancestor. Michele soon finds herself at the center of a rift over 120 years in the making, one whose resolution will have life-or-death consequences.
Publication Date: 01/08/13
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
The Crossing (Blood of the Lamb: Book One)
Synopsis: A compelling dystopian novel; winner of the 2010 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards: Young Adult Fiction.

Maryam refused to play by the Rules, and now they're out to get her blood…

The people of Onewere, a small island in the Pacific, know that they are special-chosen by the great Apostles of the Lamb to survive the deadly Tribulation that consumed the Earth. Now, from their Holy City in the rotting cruise ship Star of the Sea, the Apostles control the population-manipulating texts from the Holy Book to implant themselves as living gods. But what the people of Onewere don't know is this: the white elite will stop at nothing to meet their own blood-thirsty needs…

When Maryam crosses from child to woman, she must leave everything she has ever known and make a Crossing of another kind. But life inside the Holy City is not as she had dreamed, and she is faced with the unthinkable: obey the Apostles and very likely die, or turn her back on every belief she once held dear.

This book is a fast, suspenseful drama underpinned by a powerful and moving story about love and loss.
Publication Date: 01/08/13
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Eternal
H.G. Nadel
Synopsis:

A love story that spans across continents and centuries

Julia Jones is an eighteen-year-old science prodigy with a big secret. After landing a prestigious internship with brilliant but eccentric Dr. Caleb Bertel, she is finally ready to move on from her mother’s death. But after Julia revives Dr. Bertel from a near-fatal electrocution, strange things start to happen.

Without warning, Dr. Bertel disappears. Then Julia receives threatening notes on her car, and someone has her followed. The young police officer assigned to the case, Austin Moore, believes the events are connected and asks her to help him solve the mystery of Bertel’s disappearance. Instantly attracted to him, Julia agrees. Still, she knows that she has seen Austin somewhere before, if only she could put her finger on it.

Will Julia uncover the mystery of Bertel’s disappearance before it’s too late, and does she dare trust Austin with her heart?

Spoiler: Austin and Julia are tragic historical French lovers Abelard and Heloise, reincarnated and given another chance at love.

H. G. Nadel was born in Paris and has spent most of her adult life in the United States. She began her professional career as a SAG/AFTRA agent and later started a successful acting school in Orange County, California. Nadel has written numerous screenplays, but her first love is novel writing. Her expertise in young adult drama has allowed her to write captivating coming-of-age stories in both English and French.

Publication Date: 01/02/13
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Overexposed
Susan J. Korman
Synopsis: "Send me a pic?" Daisy Garcia's not afraid of putting on a show. So when her boyfriend Simon asks Daisy for some sexy pictures, she sends him a couple. After all, he wouldn't show them to anyone, right? But when Daisy and Simon have a bad breakup, Simon forwards the pictures to the phones of everyone at Southside High. How will Daisy handle it when her private life goes public?
Publication Date: 01/01/13
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: For Reluctant Readers
In Too Deep
Norah McClintock
Synopsis:

Robyn should be having the time of her life. She has a great summer job, and it's just a boat ride away from her friend Morgan's lakeside house. But she misses her boyfriend, Nick. Suddenly Nick appears in town—on a dangerous mission. He promised a friend he'd investigate a local suicide. Did Alex Richmond drown himself? Or was he killed because he knew too much? Robyn intends to find out—whether or not Nick wants her help.

Publication Date: 01/01/13
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Mystery
Full Impact
Suzanne Weyn
Synopsis: It's a full-contact sport. Norval and Arnie are two of the stars on the Southside High football team. They're best friends off the field, too, and they're both hoping to play college ball some day. But Arnie has been acting weird lately. And Norval isn't the only one who has noticed. When Coach Green asks Norval to watch Arnie for signs of a concussion, it sounds like spying. But is betraying Arnie the best way for Norval to help his friend?
Publication Date: 01/01/13
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Out of Sync
Amanda Humann
Synopsis: Since they were six-year-olds, Madison and Dayton have had soccer sync. Maddie doesn't have to see her best friend on the field to know where she'll be. Her passes to Dayton are perfect, as if the two of them can read each other's mind. Together, they're a scoring machine.

There's only one problem: lately, Dayton seems more interested in partying than playing soccer. And Dayton's change of heart couldn't have come at a worse time. Now that she and Maddie are sophomores, they have to really focus--or they'll have no chance of making it to a Division I college team. Can Maddie get through to her best friend? Or will the scoring machine break down?
Publication Date: 01/01/13
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: For Reluctant Readers
Under Pressure
Emma Carlson Berne
Synopsis: Elise comes from a long line of college athletes. More than anything else, she wants to wear the University of North Carolina uniform and play for the college where her parents went. It's a lot of pressure, but if she works hard, she just might make it. At least that's what Elise thinks before she notices that some of her teammates are outplaying her. And a UNC scout is visiting in a few weeks.

That's where the pills come in. Taking "performance supplements" makes Elise feel great, and soon she's playing like a powerhouse. But will it last? And can she keep her secret without getting caught?
Publication Date: 01/01/13
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: For Reluctant Readers
Off Side
M. G. Higgins
Synopsis: Between finishing late school projects and looking after her brothers and sister, Faith Patel barely has time to play soccer. And when she's at practice, surrounded by girls who can afford to play in club leagues, she doesn't even feel like part of the team. So when Coach Berg starts to give Faith extra attention, she feels...really special.

It might be crazy, but suddenly Faith has a crush on her coach. Can she keep her head in the game? The situation gets worse after Faith's frenemy Caitlyn decides that Faith's getting special treatment. Will Caitlyn tell the rest of the team and make Faith into a total outcast?
Publication Date: 01/01/13
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Men and Women of the Bible: Need-to-Know Scriptures
Synopsis:

Get more from your personal Bible time by understanding the meaning and story behind many of the 2,000 names (and some 3,400 individuals) in scripture! This paperback reference provides a wealth of information on biblical names, through easy-to-read biographies and shorthand facts. Every Bible name is included, and for each more prominent person, this book provides the number of references and the number of individuals (broken out by men and women) who had that name. In many cases, meanings are provided for names of Hebrew origin, as well as the first, last, and key references for further reading. Men and Women of the Bible is perfect for personal Bible study, Sunday school or small group preparation, pleasure reading. . .even as a baby book!

 

 

Publication Date: 01/01/13
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Faith-based
Change of Heart
Norah McClintock
Synopsis: "Robbie," my dad said. "You told me yourself how Billy has been behaving. And you know the case against him he had a grudge against the victim, he was found with the weapon, he was at the scene. Motive, method, opportunity."

Robyn's best friend Billy has been a mess ever since her other best friend Morgan dumped him. To make matters worse, Morgan started dating hockey star Sean Sloane right afterward. Billy is a vegetarian and an animal rights activist--he wouldn't hurt a fly. But when Sean winds up dead on the ice, Billy becomes the prime suspect. Can Robyn prove her friend's innocence?
Publication Date: 01/01/13
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Mystery
William and the Lost Spirit
Matthieu Bonhomme, Gwen De Bonneval
Synopsis: William knows his father is dead. Everyone knows it . . . everyone except William's sister, who hears him calling to her. Despite William's warnings, she disappears in the night to find their father. To rescue his sister, William must travel through dangerous forests swarming with bandits. But human foes are the least of his problems. His quest will take him beyond the world he knows and into far-off lands--where monsters are real, the dead can speak, and lies become truths. With an enchanted goat as his guide, William follows a strange path that may lead to his sister . . . and perhaps his father as well.
Publication Date: 01/01/13
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Manga/Graphic Novel
The Sin Eater's Confession (Carolrhoda Ya)
Synopsis: People in Merit, Wisconsin, always said Jimmy was . . . you know. But people said all sorts of stupid stuff. Nobody really knew anything. Nobody really knew Jimmy.

I guess you could say I knew Jimmy as well as anyone (which was not very well). I knew what scared him. And I knew he had dreams even if I didn't understand them. Even if he nearly ruined my life to pursue them.

Jimmy's dead now, and I definitely know that better than anyone. I know about blood and bone and how bodies decompose. I know about shadows and stones and hatchets. I know what a last cry for help sounds like. I know what blood looks like on my own hands.

What I don't know is if I can trust my own eyes. I don't know who threw the stone. Who swung the hatchet? Who are the shadows? What do the living owe the dead?
Publication Date: 05/02/25
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
A Long, Long Sleep
Anna Sheehan
Synopsis: It should have been a short suspended-animation sleep. But this time Rose wakes up to find her past is long gone— and her future full of peril.

Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for sixty-two years when she is woken by a kiss. Locked away in the chemically induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten subbasement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew. Now, her parents and her first love are long gone, and Rose— hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire— is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat. Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existence, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes— or be left without any future at all.
Publication Date: 05/02/25
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Science Fiction

Pages



RECENT BOOK REVIEWS