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Gil Marsh
A.C.E. Bauer
Synopsis: Good looking, athletic, and smart, Gill Marsh is the most popular kid at Uruk High School, even though he is only a junior. When Enko, a new kid from Montreal, shows up, Gil is wary. Yet Enko is easy going and matches Gil's athletic prowess without being a threat. Soon, the two become inseparable friends, practicing, studying, and double-dating.

Then suddenly, to everyone's shock, Enko succombs to an aggressive cancer.

When Enko's parents take his body and return to Canada, Gil is unable to even say good bye. He is inconsolable. Determined to find Enko's grave, Gil sneaks away and heads north.

Closely based on the ancient story of Gilgamesh, the Sumerian King from 3000 BC, A. C. E. Bauer has carefully woven the classic elements of myth to follow Gil's quest and explore the grief and growth of a young man.
Publication Date: 02/28/12
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Trail of the Spellmans
Synopsis: The fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling series by Lisa Lutz, featuring the fearless private investigator Izzy Spellman and her quirky, yet endearing, family of sleuths.

For the first time in Spellman history, Isabel Spellman might be the most normal member of her family. Mom has taken on an outrageous assortment of extracurricular activities. Dad has a secret. Her brother and sister are at war, but neither will reveal the source of the conflict. While domestic disturbances abound, there is one source of sanity in the Spellman household: Demetrius Merriweather, employee of the month for eighteen months straight.

Things aren’t any simpler on the business side of Spellman Investigations. First, Rae is hired to follow a girl, only to fake the surveillance reports. Then a socialite has Isabel tail her husband, despite a conspicuous lack of suspicion. A man in a sweater vest hires the Spellmans to follow his sister, who turns out to be the socialite. Izzy won’t stop hunting for the answers—even when they threaten to shatter both the business and the family.

Readers are sure to love the next novel in a “series that keeps getting better and better” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). 
Publication Date: 02/28/12
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Humor
Hush
Eishes Chayil
Synopsis:

Inside the closed community of Borough Park, where most Chassidim live, the rules of life are determined by an ancient script written thousands of years before-and abuse has never been a part of it. But when thirteenyear- old Gittel learns of the abuse her best friend has suffered at the hands of her own family member, the adults in her community try to convince Gittel, and themselves, that nothing happened. Forced to remain silent, Gittel begins to question everything she was raised to believe.




A nuanced exploration of a complex world, one of both humor and depth, understanding and horror, this story illuminates the conflict between yesterday's traditions and today's reality

Publication Date: 02/28/12
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Faith-based
The Secret Journeys of Jack London: The Wild
Greg Ruth, Tim Lebbon, Christopher Golden
Synopsis:

The world knows Jack London as a writer who lived his own real-life adventures. But there are some parts of his life that have remained hidden for many years, things even he couldn’t set down in writing. Terrifying, mysterious, bizarre, and magical—these are the Secret Journeys of Jack London.

Jack, age seventeen, journeys far into the Yukon Territory in search of gold and adventure. But what he finds in the wild reaches of the north freezes his blood: kidnapping and slavery, the murderous nature of desperate men, and, amidst it all, supernatural beasts of the wilderness that prey on the weakness in men’s hearts. Jack’s survival will depend on his ability to quell the demons within himself as much as those without.

Publication Date: 02/28/12
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Paranormal
Golden Blood: Time Spirit Trilogy (Volume 1)
Synopsis: Gemma Hart never knows when her father is going to whisk her back in time. Her toes start tingling and she has a few minutes to find a secret haven where she can disintegrate and appear in another time and place. While "across the line," her training and skills are put to the test as she completes a mission that will change history for the lucky few her father has selected. 

Gemma's parents are adamant that secrecy is paramount to her family's safety. If people knew what they were capable of, they could be "used and abused", as her mother always says. Afraid she might accidentally utter the truth and break the ancient oath of her people, Gemma spends her school days as a loner. Only one thing can throw her sheltered life askew... Harrison Granger.

Harrison never expected to talk to the strange Hart girl, but after a brief encounter he can't stop thinking about her. He begins a campaign to chisel away her icy veneer and is met with unexpected consequences. As he slowly wins this girl over, he enters a surreal world that has him fighting to keep his newfound love and his life.
Publication Date: 02/27/12
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
Black Cow
Magdalena Ball
Synopsis: Freya and James Archer live the high life in a luxury home in Sydney's poshest suburb, with money, matching Jags, two beautiful teenage kids ... and they couldn't be more despondent. James wakes weeping each morning, dreading the pressures of a long and grueling work day ahead, and Freya is struggling with her foundering real estate career. Global recession is biting in Australia, and the Archers are afraid. In a desperate bid for happiness and security they shed the fragile trappings of success and cruise over into the slow lane to take an unmapped turn-off on a country road and live off the land in a remote old farmhouse on the peaceful southern island of Tasmania. But is this an end to their old misery or the beginning of an even greater one?
Publication Date: 02/24/12
Age Level: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Fiction
Return to Finkleton (Volume 2)
Synopsis: When the Finkle children discovered magical secrets in Uncle Harry’s shop, they vowed to keep them safe. Two years later Jack, Lizzy and Robert realized that the perfect weather wasn’t the only secret waiting to be discovered in the mysterious shop. Things aren’t always what they seem to be! There were people who would stop at nothing to acquire land in Finkleton. Of course, there were also those determined to protect the little village from greedy outsiders. Will selfish desires destroy the village of Finkleton? It was only a matter of time before those who cared about Finkleton and those who cared only for themselves would come into conflict. The result of this outcome would likewise depend on a matter of time. Once again Jack, Lizzy and Robert must learn to work together to protect the magical secrets of Finkleton. Come along to Finkleton. A new, magical adventure is about to begin! Age Range 9-12 Childrens / Middle Grade Fiction Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval - April 13, 2012 Readers Favorite - Five Stars Reviewed by Rita V for Readers Favorite March 11, 2012 - 5 Stars! Return To Finkleton is a wonderful mystery book for children aged 9-12. KC Hilton does it again in this magical adventure book for pre-teens! There are 28 action packed and fast flowing chapters that include everything from the magical valley, mysterious visitors, new magical items to discover, and ghosts. I loved every minute of reading this book as if I were a child again. I can easily see this series made into a movie series on the big screen and would be disppointed if it doesn't.
Publication Date: 02/23/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Journey into Darkness
Craig Etchison
Synopsis: Young Adult - ages 15 and up. Samantha is a high school junior who has just begun dating the boy of her dreams when her country is attacked by enemy soldiers. Because she is separated from her family at the outset, she must make a long, dangerous journey in hopes of rendezvousing with her family. Through Sam's eyes, the reader sees the many faces of war, particularly in terms of civilian suffering. She quickly learns that her history books hardly touched the realities of war. Sam also learns that she has far greater resources, resiliency, and perseverance than she ever imagined, including a deep compassion for those who suffer.
Publication Date: 02/23/12
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Return to Finkleton
K.C. Hilton
Synopsis: When the Finkle children discovered magical secrets in Uncle Harry’s shop, they vowed to keep them safe. Two years later Jack, Lizzy and Robert realized that the perfect weather wasn’t the only secret waiting to be discovered in the mysterious shop. Things aren’t always what they seem to be! There were people who would stop at nothing to acquire land in Finkleton. Of course, there were also those determined to protect the little village from greedy outsiders. Will selfish desires destroy the village of Finkleton? It was only a matter of time before those who cared about Finkleton and those who cared only for themselves would come into conflict. The result of this outcome would likewise depend on a matter of time. Once again Jack, Lizzy and Robert must learn to work together to protect the magical secrets of Finkleton. Come along to Finkleton. A new, magical adventure is about to begin! Age Range 9-12 Childrens / Middle Grade Fiction Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval - April 13, 2012 Readers Favorite - Five Stars Reviewed by Rita V for Readers Favorite March 11, 2012 - 5 Stars! Return To Finkleton is a wonderful mystery book for children aged 9-12. KC Hilton does it again in this magical adventure book for pre-teens! There are 28 action packed and fast flowing chapters that include everything from the magical valley, mysterious visitors, new magical items to discover, and ghosts. I loved every minute of reading this book as if I were a child again. I can easily see this series made into a movie series on the big screen and would be disppointed if it doesn't.
Publication Date: 02/23/12
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Life On Hold
Beverly Stowe McClure
Synopsis: A paper found. A secret revealed. A girl's life changed forever. Myra Gibson's life is a lie. For sixteen years her parents have kept their secret, but the adoption paper she discovers while cleaning the summerhouse tells the truth. As the past and present collide, Myra finally stands up for herself and begins a journey she may regret.
Publication Date: 02/21/12
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
My Vacation in Hell
Gene Twaronite
Synopsis: My Vacation in Hell is a young adult dark fantasy. Set in the mid-1960s, it is a first person narrative by a 15-year-old writer named John Boggle. A troubled nerdy misfit and a frequent flyer of his imagination, John is inspired by a book report reading of Dante Alighieri's the Inferno. In the eternity of the five minutes before summer vacation, he embarks on a pilgrimage based upon his own free-wheeling interpretation of the work. Following Dante's lead, John populates his hell with all the people who have wronged him over the years, inventing deliciously cruel punishments for each of them in his teenage version of cosmic retribution. Aided by his best friend Virgil, a trusty guide in this shared imagination, John also struggles to come to terms with the world's many evils. And as he descends further into this realm, he constructs his own hierarchy of evildoers, assigning them to the levels he believes they deserve. But it is the evil perpetrated upon John, a victim of sexual abuse, which poses the most difficult challenge. The deeper he goes, the more he encounters obstacles, some of whom in the guise of colorful demon characters try their best to keep him there. But the worst obstacle of all is his own self-image, forged out of guilt and shame. He will not leave this hell of his own making, Virgil tells him, until he learns how to deal with the evil inflicted upon him and finds the true center of his being. Fortunately, he has other help besides the ever wise Virgil, who it turns out has a few problems of his own to deal with. John needs more than reason to get him through this, and divinely beautiful aid arrives in the form of Beth, an idealized version of his secret love. Rescuing the pair from the evil that threatens to consume them, she will guide John in the last stage of his spiritual odyssey. She shows him that there are even some good places in Hell, just as there is always some good, however slight, that comes from our worst experiences. Though disturbing at times due to its mature theme, My Vacation in Hell delivers a message of hope with a large dose of humor.
Publication Date: 02/18/12
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
On the Bright Side: The Starlings
Synopsis: Gabby is a disgruntled teen angel who has just been assigned to protect her school nemesis and ex-beffie. Problem is her ex-beffie is dating Gabby’s longtime crush. Instead of protecting Angela, Gabby pranks her (since when is sticking toilet paper a shoe a sin?) Soon, Gabby gets out of control and is placed on probation by her SKYAgent, who has anger management issues of his own. Determined to right her wrongs, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to Earth for just one day. Without knowing, she kicks off a series of events and learns what can happen when you hate someone to death.
Publication Date: 02/15/12
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Paranormal
Believe in Me
Judith Dickerman-Nelson
Synopsis: Believe in Me: A Teen Mom's Story traces the emotional journey of Judith, a cheerleader and honors student at a Catholic girls' school in Massachusetts. When her 17-year-old boyfriend, Kevin O'Brien, gives her a diamond ring the summer before her senior year, she feels as if her life is perfect. But her pregnancy changes everything. Kevin's parents don't want him to start a family at such a young age, and Mrs. O'Brien tells Judith to get an abortion. As a Catholic and an adopted child, Judith must look within her own heart and decide what to do.

This beautifully written coming-of-age story will appeal to students of women's studies as well as teenagers and their parents and grandparents.

"Believe in Me is the honest and courageous story of 16-year-old Judith's transformation into a responsible young woman. Highly recommended reading for teens, parents, and educators."
--Joyce Allan, R.N., author of Because I Love You
Publication Date: 02/15/12
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
Mr. and Mrs. Bunny - Detectives Extraordinaire!
Sophie Blackall, Polly Horvath
Synopsis: From National Book Award winner Polly Horvath comes a hopping mad mystery that's perfect for Easter baskets everywhere!

In this hilarious chapter book mystery, meet a girl whose parents have been kidnapped by disreputable foxes, and a pair of detectives that also happen to be bunnies! When Madeline gets home from school one afternoon to discover that her parents have gone missing, she sets off to find them. So begins a once-in-a-lifetime adventure involving a cast of unforgettable characters. There's Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, who drive a smart car, wear fedoras, and hate marmots; the Marmot, who loves garlic bread and is a brilliant translator; and many others. Translated from the Rabbit by Newbery Honor-winning author Polly Horvath, and beautifully illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Sophie Blackall, here is a book that kids will both laugh over and love.

"National Book Award-winner Polly Horvath's latest, a rabbity romp complete with whimsical illustrations and a quirky cast of characters, has both the look and feel of a classic children's book," raves The Washington Post.
Publication Date: 02/14/12
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Scandalous!
Hallie Fryd
Synopsis: Do you love a good scandal? This book includes 50 juicy pop culture, political, and entertainment-related scandals complete with photos, event synopses, and a look at why it went down in history and how it continues to influence us today. Other features include famous quotes and a section on where the players are now.

Teens will get the dish on:

Milli Vanilli’s lip-syncing

the Clinton-Lewinsky affair

the Biggie and Tupac murders

the Kent State shooting

the OJ Simpson Murder trial

Patty Hearst’s kidnapping

And more!

Publication Date: 02/14/12
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Nonfiction
Someone Else's Life
Katie Dale
Synopsis: When 17-year-old Rosie's mother, Trudie, dies from Huntington's Disease, her pain is intensified by the knowledge that she has a fifty percent chance of inheriting the crippling disease herself. Only when Rosie tells her mother's best friend, "Aunt Sarah," that she is going to test for the disease does Sarah, a midwife, reveal that Trudie wasn't her real mother after all. Rosie was swapped at birth with a sickly baby who was destined to die.
Devastated, Rosie decides to trace her real mother, joining her ex-boyfriend on his gap year travels, to find her birth mother in California. But all does not go as planned. As Rosie discovers yet more of her family's deeply buried secrets and lies, she is left with an agonizing decision of her own, one which will be the most heart breaking and far-reaching of all.
Publication Date: 02/14/12
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction

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