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Chasing Romeo
A.J. Byrd
Synopsis:

Best Friends Forever—that's Anjenai, Kierra and Tyler. Growing up together in an Atlanta housing project, the girls have always been there for each other. But high school is a whole new world, and the drama is just beginning….

Anjenai, Kierra and Tyler believe their bond is strong enough to survive anything. Anything—except maybe Romeo Blackwell, the finest guy and a star athlete in their new high school. What starts out as a small fan club soon becomes a huge competition. And to win, Anjenai, Kierra and Tyler will have to be down for whatever.

Things start to get seriously crazy. And with all the drama, can the girls' friendship survive when Romeo finally makes his choice?

Publication Date: 03/31/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
The Circle of Friends: Book 1
Synopsis: Driven by Olympic dreams! To the outside world, Lori Anders has it all. The only child of affluent parents, she is a gifted swimmer with Olympic dreams. Armed with a winning attitude and genuine spirit, Lori appears destined for success. Yet despite her certainty in the pool, something inhibits Lori from achieving her full potential. Her focus on swimming has left little time for relationships. Lacking in confidence, Lori's light has few opportunities to shine. When an altercation with the school bullies brings her to the attention of the star quarterback, Lori finds herself in a unique position. Jason's affections renew her hope and force the shy swimmer out of her comfort zone. But, will it be enough to achieve her lifelong dream? Described as "encouragement personified", Wolfe's five-book Southern-based series portrays love and friendship overcoming all obstacles.
Publication Date: 03/31/09
Age Level: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Series
The Night Watchman
J. L. Manning
Synopsis: This story takes place in any city where there is street crime, street racing, and underground fighting. There is a young man that was in a car accident as a child and was left with physical limitations. Over these years a speech impairment and self-doubt because of how people now saw him left him lonely. A technology that he found did help him gain abilities that he never had and he wanted to use these abilities to help out his city. The abilities that he gained improved and the side effects gave him abilities that he was learning to take advantage of. He started to investigate a criminal that he had found that got him involved in some tight spots. He gained the most unlikely of friends that got him involved with underground activities. His confidence grew, but when the time comes will he do the right thing?
Publication Date: 03/30/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Adventure
In The Courts of the Sun
Brian D'Amato
Synopsis: A tale inspired by near-future apocalypse prophecies finds math prodigy and Maya descendant Jed DeLanda invited by his former mentor, Taro, to travel back in time into another person's life more than thirteen centuries earlier to learn about a "sacrifice game" that has been described in a newly discovered Mayan codex.
Publication Date: 03/26/09
Age Level: Adult
Genre: Fiction
Jane Eyre
Charlotte Bronte
Synopsis: Jane Eyre is the story of a small, plain-faced, intelligent, and passionate English orphan. Jane is abused by her aunt and cousin and then attends a harsh charity school. Through it all she remains strong and determinedly refuses to allow a cruel world to crush her independence or her strength of will. A masterful story of a woman's quest for freedom and love. Jane Eyre is partly autobiographical, and Charlotte Brontë filled it with social criticism and sinister Gothic elements. A must read for anyone wishing to celebrate the indomitable strength of will or encourage it in their growing children.
Publication Date: 03/26/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Horse Diaries: Elska
Ruth Sanderson, Catherine Hapka
Synopsis: Iceland, circa AD 1000

Elska is a silver dapple Icelandic filly. She spends summers frisking about the countryside and winters in the farmyard, where the girl human Amma takes special care of her. But when a powerful neighbor notices Elska, her contented life suddenly changes. Here is Elska’s story . . . in her own words.


From the Hardcover edition.
Publication Date: 03/24/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Gakuen Prince 1
Jun Yuzuki
Synopsis: Boy craxy

Joshi High is an elite school that most girls in Japan only dream of attending. Then one day everything changes–the all-girl school goes coed. There’s just one catch: The girls outnumber the boys. So begins a wild, no-holds-barred competition for the boys of the school. Which smart and independent-minded girl will rise above the fray?

Includes special extras after the story!
Publication Date: 03/24/09
Age Level: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Series
Samurai 7
Akira Kurosawa, Mizutaka Suhou
Synopsis: Honor Against Thieves

Threatened by plundering cyborg bandits, an innocent village defies its inhuman enemies with the help of mortal men born to do battle and bound to die for honor: humanity’s champions, the seven samurai. This thrilling manga is based on the classic film by Akira Kurosawa.

Includes special extras after the story!
Publication Date: 03/24/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Manga/Graphic Novel
Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet
Synopsis: Fourth-grader Calvin lives near the beach in Oahu with his mom and little sister. Mom says: “You’re the man of the house.” But Calvin’s not great at being the man of the house, or taking care of his responsibilities. He’s too busy having fun with his pals, and avoiding Tito, the bully.

Trouble Magnet is the first book in a new series for younger readers full of all the fun of growing up in Hawaii. It introduces a wonderful multicultural cast of characters, including Mr. Purdy, who calls his fourth-grade class Boot Camp; Uncle Scoop, who runs the lunch wagon at the beach; Ledward, Mom’s 6'7" boyfriend; and gorgeous, intimidating, 15-year-old Stella-from-Texas, who arrives to be the live-in babysitter—and to step all over Calvin’s turf.
Publication Date: 03/24/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Series
Stepping Up
Mark Fink
Synopsis: Ernie Dolan, 14, is plagued by the curse of the average. Nothing about him stands out-except his stutter. Only best friend Mike Rivers sees him at his best. Then, at a competitive basketball camp, Mike excels while Ernie is-average. When Ernie blunders in a pickup game, Rick Craig, obnoxious camp hotshot, nicknames him "Choke." This sets the tone for Ernie's first week. But he soon finds three new allies: bunkmate Albert Mann, a goofy genius and practical joker; Coach Petrovich, a 6'8" Russian who mangles the English language; and camp director Tim Sanders, the mentor every kid needs. Soon, Ernie and Mike are on the outs, as Mike hangs with Craig and the jocks. But things change dramatically as Ernie morphs from outcast to hero, risking his life to save three campmates from near tragedy. Ernie's funny, heartwarming story unfolds against the backdrop of exciting, authentic basketball action, while touching on typical teen issues of friendship and the near-deadly consequences of peer pressure.
Publication Date: 03/24/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Negima!? Neo 1
Takuya Fujiyama, Ken Akamatsu
Synopsis: Boy Wizard!

Negi Springfield is ten years old . . . and a powerful wizard! This boy wizard is the greatest prodigy ever to graduate from his magic school in England. After graduation, however, Negi’s given an unusual assignment: teach English at an all-girl school in Japan. Now Negi has to find a way to deal with his thirty-one totally gorgeous–and completely overaffectionate–students . . . without using magic! Based on the Negima! anime, this is a fresh take on the beloved Negima! story.

Includes special extras after the story!
Publication Date: 03/24/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Running For My Life
Ann Gonzalez
Synopsis: Running for My Life is the powerful story of Andrea McKane, a fourteenyear- old who struggles to cope with her mother's schizophrenia. She must face the heartbreaking fact that her mother, with whom she once laughed and played, has vanished into her disease, possibly forever. The book accurately portrays the difficulties a teen faces when dealing with the illness, the abuse and absence of a parent with mental illness. Running for My Life shows the effects of mental illness on a family, and a teenager's attempts to manage the changes that have shaken her life.With courage, strength, and the loving support of her friends, her father, and her therapist, Andrea finds salvation through running. Running for My Life represents a heartwarming, encouraging breakthrough effort in portraying the challenges teens confront when they have to protect themselves from a guardian.
Publication Date: 03/24/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
The Masters
Alicia Alex
Synopsis: Welcome to the world of a whole new race of Vampires, The Master Vampires! Join Amadio, Aura and their Master Seti and many others as they live out their lives together through the passing ages. Fall in love with Amadio and Aura who prove that true love for Vampire kind is more than just a fairytale. Laugh along with the playfulness of these lovable Vampires. Shake in fear as they are forced into circumstances to end their eternal love and sometimes even their lives. It's Vampires as you've never seen them before. Welcome the Master Vampires, Masters of the Vampire race.
Publication Date: 03/21/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Wintergirls
Laurie Halse Anderson
Synopsis: “Dead girl walking,” the boys say in the halls.
“Tell us your secret,” the girls whisper, one toilet to another.
I am that girl.
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the skinniest. But what comes after size zero and size double-zero? When Cassie succumbs to the demons within, Lia feels she is being haunted by her friend’s restless spirit.

In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the multiple-award-winning Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia’s descent into the powerful vortex of anorexia, and her painful path toward recovery.

Publication Date: 03/19/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
The King's Rose
Alisa Libby
Synopsis: Life in the court of King Henry VIII is a complex game. When fifteen-year-old Catherine Howard catches the king?s eye, she quickly transforms from pawn to queen. But even luxury beyond imagination loses its luster as young Catherine finds her life?and her heart?threatened by the needs of an aging king and a family hungry for power. Will their agendas deliver Catherine to the same fate as her infamous cousin, Anne Boleyn?sacrificed at the altar of family ambition?

Engaging historical fiction with a throbbing YA heartbeat, this thrilling novel will draw readers into the intrigues and dangers of the Tudor court.

Publication Date: 03/19/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
L.A. Summer
Sheryl Mallory-Johnson
Synopsis: Summer heats up for three teenaged girls in Los Angeles, a city known for itscrime and glamour.
Publication Date: 03/17/09
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Chick Lit

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