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Meant To Be
Lauren Morrill
Synopsis: A girl with it all planned out discovers a romance she never expected in this funny debut about a class trip to London that HelloGiggles.com says you’ll love “if you’re into swoony romances with a little bit of history thrown in.”

This spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love. Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.


***

"Readers of Jennifer E. Smith and Stephanie Perkins will revel in this debate about love ruled by the stars or as a matter of the heart." --Shelf Awareness
 
"Fun, fresh and irresistibly romantic. STB (SURE to be) loved!" --Sarah Mlynowski

“Star-crossed characters, hilarious dialogue, and a perfect London setting. I loved Meant to Be!” –Robin Benway, author of Emmy & Oliver
Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Romance
Road Trip
Jim Paulsen, Gary Paulsen
Synopsis: A summer adventure you'll never forget, from a beloved Newbery Honor winning author!

Dad and Ben haven't been getting along lately, and Dad hopes a road trip to rescue a border collie will help them reconnect. But Ben is on to Dad's scheme, and he's got ideas of his own. Like inviting his buddy, Theo, who's sure to get into fun (and trouble) along the way. And if Dad wants a family road trip, then the family dog, Atticus, should get to come, too. What could go wrong?

But when their truck breaks down, the family trip takes plenty of unexpected turns. Before they know it, they've commandeered an old school bus and joined forces with its cranky mechanic, Gus. Next, they pick up Mia, a waitress escaping a tense situation. Only sharp-eyed Atticus realizes that Theo is on the run from something bad—and someone is following them. 

With alternating chapters from both Ben and his dog, Atticus, this fast-paced book takes readers on an unpredictable ride that's all about family, friendship, and surprises.
Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
The Freedom Maze
Delia Sherman
Synopsis: "Multilayered, compassionate, and thought-provoking." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Thirteen-year-old Sophie isn’t happy about spending the summer of 1960 at her grandmother’s old house in the bayou. Bored and lonely, she can’t resist exploring the house’s maze, or making an impulsive wish for a fantasy-book adventure with herself as the heroine. What she gets instead is a real adventure: a trip back in time to 1860 and the race-haunted world of her family’s Louisiana sugar plantation. Here, President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation is still two years in the future and passage of the Thirteenth Amendment is almost four years away. And here, Sophie is mistaken, by her own ancestors, for a slave.
Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean
Synopsis: From master storyteller David Almond comes a gripping, exquisitely written novel about a hidden-away child who emerges into a broken world.

Billy Dean is a secret child. He has a beautiful young mother and a father who arrives at night carrying the scents of candles and incense and cigarettes. Birds fly to his window. Mice run out from his walls. His world is a carpet, a bed, pictures of the holy island, and a single locked door. His father fills his mind and his dreams with mysterious tales and memories and dreadful warnings. But then his father disappears, and Billy’s mother brings him out into the world at last. He learns the horrifying story of what was saved and what was destroyed on the day he was born, the day the bombers came to Blinkbonny. The kind butcher, Mr. McCaufrey, and the medium, Missus Malone, are waiting for him. He becomes The Angel Child, one who can heal the living, contact the dead, bring comfort to a troubled world. But there is one figure who is beyond healing, who comes looking for Billy himself — and is determined on a kind of reckoning.
Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Fiction
Historical Heartthrobs: 50 Timeless Crushes
Synopsis: This book compiles photos and life stories of fifty of the sexiest men and women from history and asks the essential question: Would you really want to date them? Some are artists, some are scientists, and many are political or military leaders, but all have had a lasting impact on human life - and a sizable impact on their admirers as well. Each entry describes the period in which the heartthrob lived and includes essential stats, hilarious sidebars, and, of course, a “crushability” ranking: a measurement of how crush-worthy these people really are, based on their relative levels of heroism (or villainy).
Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: Any Age
Genre: Historical Nonfiction
The Zombie Rule Book: A Zombie Apocalypse Survival Guide
Synopsis: Rules and tips for surviving the zombie apocalypse. The following information may save your life. This book is designed to fit perfectly in your bug-out bag! If you are prepared for the zombie apocalypse you are prepared for anything! Throughout this book you will learn how to survive in the event of a zombie apocalypse and learn how to be a survivor! Use the following information to your advantage. Think like a survivor - when the zombie apocalypse descends upon us you will be a few steps ahead of the rest. Read, re-read, practice and apply, train hard and always think smart, you are a born survivor. This book of zombie survival rules will be a great asset to anyone preparing themselves for the zombie apocalypse.
Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
The True Adventures of Nicolo Zen
Nicholas Christopher
Synopsis: A richly detailed historical novel from master storyteller Nicholas Christopher that School Library Journal calls “[A] lush tale of music, magic, and intrigue”!
 
Nicolò Zen is all alone in 1700s Venice, save for his clarinet, which a mysterious magician had enchanted, allowing its first player to perform expertly. Soon Nicolò is a famous virtuoso, wealthy beyond his dreams, but he can’t stop wondering if he earned the success himself—or what might happen if the spell were removed. And throughout it all, he continues to think about the girl he met in Venice, what she might be doing and if she’s safe from harm. 

With a guest appearance by composer Vivaldi, and brimming with fascinating period details, this is a compelling coming-of-age story full of universal themes and a love story that will conjure memories of Romeo and Juliet, perfect for teens who love stories set in other times, and a magician who dresses all in white and can be in two places at once. . . .
Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Historical Nonfiction
Flame - A Sky Chasers Novel
Amy Kathleen Ryan
Synopsis:

In the thrilling conclusion to Amy Kathleen Ryan's Sky Chasers series, Waverly, Kieran, and Seth struggle to survive on-board the New Horizon―and take down their enemies before it's too late
Waverly and the other members of the Empyrean have been scattered, and their home ship destroyed. Their mission to rescue their parents didn't go as planned, and now they're at an even greater disadvantage: trapped with their enemies on the New Horizon, trying to find a way to survive. Kieran has been pulled under Anne Mather's wing, but is she really trying to make peace, or just using Kieran to build her own power? Meanwhile, Waverly is taken in by a mysterious old man who wants to help her bring Anne Mather down―but the more Waverly cooperates with him, the more dangerous her position is, and the more at odds with Kieran she becomes.

Seth's situation is even worse. After setting out from the Empyrean on his own, with only a vague strategy to guide him, he is a fugitive aboard the New Horizon. He's doing what he can to challenge the power of Anne Mather, but he's badly hurt, and getting sicker. All the while, unknown to him, the terrorist Jacob is making plans of his own.

Will Seth ever see Waverly again? Will his health hold out long enough to help her topple their enemies? And will Waverly find a way to unite with her friends before they all fall? Nothing is sure and every moment is a risk in Flame, the explosive finale of the Sky Chasers series.

Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
A Breath of Frost
Alyxandra Harvey
Synopsis: In 1814, three cousins-Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope-discover their secret family lineage of witchcraft when a binding spell is broken, allowing their individual magical powers to manifest. Now, beyond the manicured gardens and ballrooms of Regency London, an alluring underworld available only to those with power is revealed to the cousins. By claiming their power, the three cousins have accidentally opened the gates to the underworld. Now ghouls, hellhounds-and most terrifying of all, the spirits of dark witches known as the Greymalkin Sisters-are hunting and killing young debutante witches for their powers. And, somehow, Emma is connected to the murders…because she keeps finding the bodies. Can the cousins seal the gates before another witch is killed…or even worse, before their new gifts are stripped away?
Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Series
Vic: Mongol
Jerry Gill
Synopsis: Vic: Mongol, is the 2nd book in the series The Incredible Adventures of Vic ChallengerOn the second trip of her quest to find her soul mate, the reincarnated cave girl visits Outer Mongolia. En-route, she and friend Lin Li save the life of a young lady detective and become embroiled in a murder case which leaves port with them. In Mongolia, they learn to play shagai games with their guide’s 5-year-olds and consistently lose They do some hunting and decide maral steak is the bee's knees. Unfortunately, the trip is not all fun and games. They must deal with hordes of olgoi-khorkhoi, Chinese Red Beards, White Russians, hungry wolves, a lost species of human, sub-zero weather and a wind storm. One lesson learned: not everyone who first looks like a bad guy is a bad guy. Fast-paced and unpredictable, action adventure in the tradition of the adventure pulps of the early 20th Century. If you like Doc Savage, The Avenger (Dick Benson), Nancy Drew, or Tarzan or any other novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs you will love Vic Challlenger.What reviewers think of the series:"Vic Challenger personifies every sword or ax wielding heroine ever drawn by any heroic fantasy artist.""the female answer to Indiana Jones""Great Campy Multi-Genre Book""I have recommended the Vic Challenger books to my wife and to all of my children""Any of these novels would make a really good movie.""if you like Clive Cussler or James Rollins, these are definitely the books for you."“The Incredible Adventures of Vic Challenger” series is inspired by writers like Edgar Rice Burroughs, H. Rider Haggard, Jules Verne, Arthur Conan Doyle and H. G. Wells; and by characters like Nancy Drew, Lara Croft, Alan Quatermain, Doc Savage and his cousin Patricia Savage, and Dick Benson and his assistant Nellie Gray. The writing style has been compared to Burroughs and is also reminiscent of early action driven horror novels by Graham Masterton,The series is set in the 1920’s and considerable research adds to the “realism” You will find yourself effortlessly learning bits of history, some of which may amaze you. Vic’s travels are woven into the history of the time, you may be asking yourself “Is this real?”What do you get when you cross an Edgar Rice Burroughs novel with a Nancy Drew novel? Pink-cloche-coffee-bacon-hot pepper loving Vic Challenger. The New Queen of Action Adventure Pulp!
Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Science Fiction
Winter Sky
Patricia Reilly Giff
Synopsis:

Sirens! A scary sound, especially to Siria, whose brave pop is a firefighter. Siria loves everyone at Pop's city firehouse. She also loves to study the stars. Her mother named her after the brightest start in the winter sky.   
   When Siria hears sirens, she sneaks out to chase the trucks, to bring Pop and the other firefighters luck. She'd be in big trouble if she ever got caught. Good thing her best friend, Douglas, is always by her side.
   As Christmas approaches, Siria suspects that someone in the neighborhood is setting fires. She has to find out who's doing it. When clues point to a surprising suspect, she realizes that solving this mystery will take all kinds of courage.
   Patricia Reilly Giff, the author of many beloved and award-winning books, is at her best in this action-packed story. In Winter Sky, friends, family, and a very special dog help Siria see how brave she really is.


Nominated to the Arkansas Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award

Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Mystery
Dog Diaries: Togo
Tim Jessell, Kate Klimo
Synopsis: Small, feisty Siberian husky Togo—the overlooked sled-dog hero of the 1925 serum run to Nome—sets the record straight in Dog Diaries #4!

When a diptheria epidemic breaks out in isolated Nome, Alaska, in January 1925, the only way to get life-saving serum to the town is by using dog-sled relay teams. Twenty teams participate, and the dog who inevitably gets credit for saving the town is Balto, lead dog on the final team which delivered the serum. But few people have ever heard of 12-year-old Togo and his musher Leonard Seppala, who carried the serum for almost double the length of any other team, and twice violated warnings to avoid perilous Norton Sound and instead ran straight over the frozen ice! With realistic black-and-white illustrations by Tim Jessell—plus an appendix with information about Siberian huskies, sled dogs, mushers, and more—Togo's tale is perfect for middle-grade readers who love a spunky underdog!
Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: 5 - 8
Genre: Fiction
Enders
Lissa Price
Synopsis: The riveting conclusion to the international bestselling sci-fi thriller STARTERS! Would you rent out your body to the elderly so they could be young again?

Someone is after Starters like Callie and Michael—teens with chips in their brains. They want to experiment on anyone left over from Prime Destinations—Starters who can be controlled and manipulated. With the body bank destroyed, Callie no longer has to rent herself out to creepy Enders. But Enders can still get inside her mind and make her do things she doesn't want to do. Like hurt someone she loves. Having the chip removed could save her life—but it could also silence the voice in her head that might belong to her father. Callie has flashes of her ex-renter Helena's memories, too . . . and the Old Man is back, filling her with fear. Who is real and who is masquerading in a teen body?

No one is ever who they appear to be, not even the Old Man. Determined to find out who he really is and grasping at the hope of a normal life for herself and her younger brother, Callie is ready to fight for the truth. Even if it kills her.

Praise for ENDERS:

“Adrenaline-fueled . . .  Fans of Starters will gobble this up.”—Booklist
 
“Delightfully disturbing.”—Kirkus Reviews

"A thrilling post-apocalyptic story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish." --Children's Literature  

Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Science Fiction
Being Sloane Jacobs
Lauren Morrill
Synopsis: Switching places with someone else has never been more fun than in this novel about following your dreams and finding your heart from the author of Meant to Be that Huntley Fitzpatrick, author of My Life Next Door, calls “unforgettable” and “full of twists and romance.”

Meet Sloane Emily Jacobs: a seriously stressed-out figure skater who choked during junior nationals. 

Now meet Sloane Devon Jacobs, a spunky ice hockey player who's been suspended from her team for too many aggressive hip checks.

The two girls are on their way to skating camps in Montreal when a luggage mix-up causes them to meet. Pretty soon, the Sloanes realize that this is the opportunity they’ve been waiting for: the chance to escape their lives and switch places for the summer. But it didn't occur to Sloane E. that she might meet a hockey hottie; and Sloane D. never expected to run into a familiar (and very good-looking) face from home. It's not long before the Sloanes discover that convincing people you're someone else might be more difficult than being yourself. 

***

"A twist on the identity-swap that's both cozily familiar and fresh . . . . sweetly uplifting." --Publishers Weekly 

"Enjoyable." --Kirkus Reviews

“Sweet and satisfying.” --Booklist

“Super cute, super hilarious and a totally fun read. I’m a big fan of the “two people switch places and fool everyone around them” plot line (see: The Parent Trap), and Being Sloane Jacobs pulled it off awesomely.” –HelloGiggles.com 
Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Romance
Heroes for All Times
Sal Murdocca, Mary Pope Osborne, Natalie Pope Boyce
Synopsis: The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system! Getting the facts behind the fiction has never looked better. Track the facts with Jack and Annie!!

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #23: High Time for Heroes, they had lots of questions. How did Florence Nightingale change nursing? Who helped women get the vote? What was Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, dream? How did Gandhi change the world? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts behind six amazing people who have changed history. Includes Florence Nightingale, Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi, Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, and John Muir. Filled with up-to-date information, photos, illustrations, and fun tidbits from Jack and Annie, the Magic Tree House Fact Trackers are the perfect way for kids to find out more about the topics they discovered in their favorite Magic Tree House adventures. And teachers can use Fact Trackers alongside their Magic Tree House fiction companions to meet common core text pairing needs.

Did you know that there’s a Magic Tree House book for every kid?

Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books
Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader
Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure
Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures

Have more fun with Jack and Annie at MagicTreeHouse.com!
Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: 5 - 8
Genre: Historical Nonfiction
High Time for Heroes (Heroes for all Times)
Sal Murdocca, Mary Pope Osborne
Synopsis: Jack and Annie are on a mission for Merlin the magician! This time, the magic tree house whisks them off to Thebes, Egypt, to find Florence Nightingale, a world-famous nurse. But when they find her, the Florence Nightingale they meet is not a famous nurse at all—she’s not even a regular nurse! Have they found the right person? Or did Merlin make a mistake? An easy mission turns dangerous when Jack and Annie try to solve the mystery!

Did you know that there’s a Magic Tree House book for every kid?

Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books
Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader
Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure
Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures

Have more fun with Jack and Annie at MagicTreeHouse.com!
Publication Date: 01/07/14
Age Level: 5 - 8
Genre: Fiction

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