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Rules To Rock By
Josh Farrar
Synopsis:

You'd never guess it now, but Annabelle Cabrera used to be a rock star. And not like her mom or dad called her a "total rock star" after she won a spelling bee or something. She was a real rock star, the bassist of Egg Mountain, the most popular band in the New York music scene. But when her parents uproot her from Brooklyn and move her to Rhode Island so they can record their own album, Annabelle feels lost. Starting a new band isn't as easy as she'd hoped, the school's rival band is a bunch of bullies, and her parents are so immersed in recording that they're completely neglecting Annabelle and her younger brother. How can Annabelle truly make herself heard?

Publication Date: 07/01/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Conspiracy 365: July
Gabrielle Lord
Synopsis: July is book 7 of a 12 book series. Breaking out of the fishing net is the least of Cal's worries--all kinds of perils await him on deck. He dodges the cops, but becomes indebted to the boat captain. How can he learn more about Piers Ormond's will if he is stuck carting fish to earn back his freedom? Cal may have a chance if he can find his great-aunt Millicent. But with Sligo's thugs hot on his heels, he may not be her only unexpected visitor. A sinister storm is rewing...Should Cal expose another relative to danger? The clock is ticking . Any second could be his last. Callum Ormond has been warned. He has 365 days. The countdown has begun... 12 books. 12 months.
Publication Date: 07/01/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
What Momma Left Me
Renée Watson
Synopsis:

Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson's heart-tugging debut celebrates one girl's gift for finding joy in dark places.

Serenity knows she is good at keeping secrets, and she's got a whole lifetime's worth of them. Her mother is dead, her father is gone, and starting life over at her grandparents' house is strange. Luckily, certain things seem to hold promise: a new friend, a new church, a new school. But when her brother starts making poor choices, and her grandparents believe in a faith that Serenity isn't sure she understands, it is the power of love that will keep her sure of just who she is.

Publication Date: 07/01/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
W.S. From Rear-Ender to Slender Brenda
Synopsis: Using humour, W.S skilfully tackles two very topical issues: bullying and obesity. The main storyline involves two 12 year old girls, Brenda and Katie, who over a period of time, find their circumstances reversed. The bully, Katie, gains weight and becomes known as 'Weighty' Katie, whilst the girl she cruelly nicknamed Brenda 'Rear Ender,' loses weight and is subsequently accepted by her peers and renamed 'Slender' Brenda. By cleverly turning the tables on Katie, the author is able to be very real about the destructive and painful act of bullying. Children are loving a book that is making them laugh and cringe, whilst subtly challenging the way they think and behave. Adults who read W.S with their children are transported back in time, whether they were bullied at school, or simply watched it take place. W.S is a big punchy story in a short book; one you'll struggle to put down once you've picked it up.
Publication Date: 07/01/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Fatal Circle
Linda Robertson
Synopsis: Destiny sucks. . . .

There was a time when Persephone Alcmedi thought her life was hard to manage, what with wondering how to make sure she took adequate care of both her grandmother and her foster daughter, Beverley, whether she’d end up in the unwanted position of high priestess of a coven, and whether her wærewolf lover, Johnny, would resist the groupies who hang around his band Lycanthropia.

But that was before the fairies started demanding that Seph’s frightening, unpredictable ally—the ancient vampire Menessos— be destroyed . . . or the world will suffer. Seph and Menessos are magically bonded, but that’s a secret she dares not reveal to her fellow witches lest they be forced to reject her and forbid her use of magic. And, despite the strain this casts on her relationship with Johnny, as a showdown with the fairies nears, she and Menessos badly need the wærewolves as allies.

Life, death, and love are all on the line, but when destiny is calling, it doesn’t help to turn away. With the individual threads of their fates twisted inextricably together, can Seph, Johnny, and Menessos keep the world safe from fairy vengeance?
Publication Date: 06/29/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Black Dust Mambo
Adrian Phoenix
Synopsis: FIRST IN A NEW SERIES!

“There will be times, girl, when all your magic ain’t going to be enough, times when it will seem to dry up like mud under the noonday sun, or even make matters worse. . . .”

Kallie Rivière, a fiery Cajun hoodoo apprentice with a talent for trouble, finds herself smack-dab in the middle of one of those times her mentor warned her about when she visits New Orleans to attend the Hecatean Alliance’s annual carnival: her hard-bodied conjurer hookup ends up dead in her blood-drenched bed. And he was killed by something that Kallie would never dream of touching—the darkest of dark juju, soul-eating juju—a black dust hex that may have been meant to kill her.

Now Kallie has to use every bit of hoodoo knowledge and bayou-bred mojo she possesses to clear her own name and find the killer—even as that dark sorcerer hunts Kallie and her friends. But Kallie’s search for the truth soon leads her in a direction she never anticipated—back home to Bayou Cyprés Noir, and to Gabrielle LaRue, Kallie’s aunt, protector, and hoodoo mentor . . . who is looking more and more like she just might be the one who wants Kallie dead.
Publication Date: 06/29/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Wireless
Charles Stross
Synopsis: “Stross’s work offers a potent reminder of why short stories used to be the preferred delivery method for science fiction.” – The A.V. Club               

This selection of speculative fiction runs the gamut—from “Palimpsest,” a decidedly nontraditional time-travel novella, to “Dawn on the Farm,” an adventure of hapless secret agent Bob Howard (star of the Laundry novels: The Atrocity Archives, The Jennifer Morgue, and The Fuller Memorandum). Also included are “MAXOS,” a stunning example of the new flash-fiction form; his Locus Award-winning novella, “Missile Gap”; and “Unwirer,” a collaboration with Cory Doctorow. Rounding out the contents are “A Colder War,” “Rogue Farm,” “Trunk and Disorderly,” and “Snowball’s Chance,” four unique, genre-bending tales that could only come from the limitless imagination of one of the twenty-first century’s most daring visionaries, Charles Stross.
Publication Date: 06/29/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Science Fiction
The Dream Maker in the Desert
Synopsis: The Society Volumes, Book I: The Dream Maker in the Desert is a book certain to catch the focus of all who crack its pages. Though its fantastical adventures are targeted at the young adult population, it is sure to become a crossover hit for a wide age range. The author, Marie Krushing, does an amazing job at capturing the teenage angst of a reluctant budding hero. Move over Harry Potter; take a seat, Percy Jackson! Even the captivating Twilight series is no match for Emmet Watts, the loveable protagonist who is bound to capture the hearts of those who lose themselves in the chronicles of his amazing journeys. The Society consists of an elite group of men and women who fight the powers of darkness in order to restore balance between good and evil. Emmet Watts, an awkward 15 year old, does not know it yet, but he is destined to join the next generation of the Society's elite. One fateful night, he is attacked by the Dark Ones - enemies of the Society who use their malevolent powers to tip the scales of Light and Dark. The Society rescues Emmet and he soon joins their crusade. He is all too eager to pursue his new career as a budding superhero. The feat, however, turns out to be harder than he ever imagined when he finds himself pitted against Braeden, a powerful Dark One who has the ability to lock a person within their worst nightmares. And the insane man will stop at nothing to destroy the Society and end Emmet's life. The entrancing tale of Emmet Watts and his battle with Darkness is the stress relief every mind searches for during the hardships of real life. Take a break from everyday problems and let The Dream Maker in the Desert whisk you off into a world of superheroes and villains. You will surely be on the edge of your seat until the outcome of a teenager's war with evil comes to a close. Marie Krushing's debut novel proves her worthy among the plethora of young adult literature now abundant on bookstore shelves everywhere. With a unique understanding of a younger generation, and the ability to make a plotline relatable even to those who are past such a difficult age, The Dream Maker in the Desert is a piece of fantasy fiction you just cannot let pass you by.
Publication Date: 06/26/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Tales From Gundarland: Eight humorous stories
Synopsis: Tales From Gundarland, won a medal in a recent Readers Favorite competition in the scifi/fantasy category. Laughter is contagious. Enjoy some by reading this book It's filled with delightful entertainment. Without commercial interruption! Gundarland is populated by humans, dwarfs, elves and other races; it's the backdrop for unique adventures, brilliant heroes and cunning villains. You'll meet some of Shakespeare's most famous characters, a warrior-cook, vigilantes and beautiful, lusty princesses to mention just a few of the memorable characters in the stories. Here is a list of the stories and a brief synopsis of each. Romeo and Juliet: Romeo, a dwarf miner, and Juliet, the elfin daughter of a rich gem merchant, have a rocky courtship because Juliet's brothers are avowed enemies of Romeo's family. Chasing Dreams: This novella tells the story of twin yuk brothers on their journey from strong-armed thugs to highway robbers to bawdy house owners to politicians. The brothers are plagued and harassed by vigilantes. Boggerts Blue: A warrior-cook seeks to rescue a kidnapped princess. She refuses to be rescued by someone who isn't noble-born. The Big Bang: A wizard has to eliminate a dragon and his minions. On the way to complete his mission, he is tested by a shape-changer and a pair of trolls. The Queen's Hero: This novella is about a young tinker-warrior as he struggles to save his Queen from a pirate admiral trying to overthrow her and become king. The Queen's three beautiful daughters have their own plans for the young hero. Merchant of Venison: A dwarf butcher borrows money to help his best friend and soon regrets it. The dwelf money lender has bloody ideas about the default payments. Inter-Racial Musical Playoffs: A few greedy wizards attempt to fix a musical competition. Tactical Surprise: A general develops unusual tactics to defeat a rebel army.
Publication Date: 06/25/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Short Story
Tales from Gundarland
Hank Quense
Synopsis: Tales From Gundarland, won a medal in a recent Readers Favorite competition in the scifi/fantasy category. Laughter is contagious. Enjoy some by reading this book It's filled with delightful entertainment. Without commercial interruption! Gundarland is populated by humans, dwarfs, elves and other races; it's the backdrop for unique adventures, brilliant heroes and cunning villains. You'll meet some of Shakespeare's most famous characters, a warrior-cook, vigilantes and beautiful, lusty princesses to mention just a few of the memorable characters in the stories. Here is a list of the stories and a brief synopsis of each. Romeo and Juliet: Romeo, a dwarf miner, and Juliet, the elfin daughter of a rich gem merchant, have a rocky courtship because Juliet's brothers are avowed enemies of Romeo's family. Chasing Dreams: This novella tells the story of twin yuk brothers on their journey from strong-armed thugs to highway robbers to bawdy house owners to politicians. The brothers are plagued and harassed by vigilantes. Boggerts Blue: A warrior-cook seeks to rescue a kidnapped princess. She refuses to be rescued by someone who isn't noble-born. The Big Bang: A wizard has to eliminate a dragon and his minions. On the way to complete his mission, he is tested by a shape-changer and a pair of trolls. The Queen's Hero: This novella is about a young tinker-warrior as he struggles to save his Queen from a pirate admiral trying to overthrow her and become king. The Queen's three beautiful daughters have their own plans for the young hero. Merchant of Venison: A dwarf butcher borrows money to help his best friend and soon regrets it. The dwelf money lender has bloody ideas about the default payments. Inter-Racial Musical Playoffs: A few greedy wizards attempt to fix a musical competition. Tactical Surprise: A general develops unusual tactics to defeat a rebel army.
Publication Date: 06/25/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Science Fiction
The Space Between Trees
Katie Williams
Synopsis: Not your everyday coming-of-age novel

This story was supposed to be about Eviehow she hasn't made a friend in years, how she tends to stretch the truth (especially about her so-called relationship with college drop-out Jonah Luks), and how she finally comes into her own once she learns to just be herselfbut it isn't. Because when her classmate Elizabeth "Zabet" McCabe's murdered body is found in the woods, everything changesand Evie's life is never the same again.
Publication Date: 06/23/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Mystery
Tuesday's Child
Carolyn Gibbs
Synopsis: no description
Publication Date: 06/22/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Shooting Kabul
N. H. Senzai
Synopsis: Fadi never imagined he'd start middle school in Fremont, California, thousands of miles away from home in Kabul.  But, here he was, half a world apart from his missing six year old sister who'd been lost because of him, as they'd fled Afghanistan. Adjusting to life in the United States isn't easy for Fadi's family and as the events of September 11th unfold, the prospects of locating Mariam in a war torn Afghanistan seem slim -- impossible. Desperate, Fadi tries every hare-brained scheme he can think of to find her. When a photography competition with a grand prize trip to India is announced, Fadi sees his chance to return to Afghanistan and find his sister.  But can one photo really bring Mariam home?
Based in part on Ms. Senzai's husband's experience fleeing Soviet controlled Afghanistan in 1979, Shooting Kabul is a powerful story of hope, love, and perseverance.
Publication Date: 06/22/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Historical Fiction
13 To Life
Shannon Delany
Synopsis:

Everything about Jessie Gillmansen's life changed when her mother died. Now even her hometown of Junction is changing. Mysterious dark things are happening. All Jessie wants is to avoid more change. But showing a hot new guy around Junction High, she's about to discover a whole new type of change. Pietr Rusakova is more than good looks and a fascinating accent―he's a guy with a dangerous secret. And his very existence is sure to bring big trouble to Jessie's small town. It seems change is the one thing Jessie can't avoid…

Publication Date: 06/22/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Sunshine Picklelime
Christian Slade, Pamela Ferguson
Synopsis: Pamela Ferguson's debut children's novel is a treat to read, a light-hearted tale of magical realism that moves between joy and sorrow to find meaning in the roller-coaster experiences of life.

PJ Picklelime lives in a village very close to you. Meadows are knee-deep in wildflowers in early springtime. Summers are hot and dreamy when golden peaches the size of melons hang from the trees. Snow drifts like powdered sugar down the mountainside in winter.

Life in PJ Picklelime's village is always a little out of the ordinary . . . just like PJ herself. There's the day Lemon Pie, a yellow warbler, came to live in her bushy crop of black hair and the morning when PJ cut her hair to help mop up an oil spill. There's the afternoon she made sweet, memory-filled lemonade that drew people from blocks away, and the night she chatted with owls in a barn full of honey. But PJ's spring is not all roses and rainbows, and after Lemon Pie flies away, PJ's parents split up, and a friend dies unexpectedly, PJ turns to her neighbors, with their philosophies from all over the world, for help in understanding. Can PJ find a way to recover her sunshine?
Publication Date: 06/22/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Nonfiction
Blood Feud
Alyxandra Harvey
Synopsis: It's been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she's made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That's if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks. The clans are gathering for Helena's royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha's reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte€”a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself€”the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles€”told from both Logan's and Isabeau's perspectives€”has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that
Publication Date: 06/22/10
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction

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