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Catopolis
Janet Deaver-Pack, Martin H. Greenberg
Synopsis: Seventeen original stories about the ?city of cats?

Set in a world that exists on the same plane as humans, yet is hidden from us, Catopolis introduces readers to an assortment of cats, ranging from a feline Seer who must take destiny into her own paws to defeat a dictatorial tomcat thug...to a black cat who can call upon the powers of the ?big cats? to wage a war against evil...to a cat who would be king...to the ins and outs of cat politics and the perils of using mice as ballots...to a cat burglar looking for a musical treasure for his ?boss.?
Publication Date: 12/02/08
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Anthology
The Crown of Zeus
Christine Norris
Synopsis: Thirteen-year-old Megan Montgomery's world is falling apart. Her father's promotion means leaving her whole life in New York behind. She finds herself transplanted to a huge house in the English countryside, with no one for company but the distant staff. Her new school only adds to her misery --neither the girls nor the teachers seem to like her. Then Megan meets three girls who actually talk to her instead of about her, and at first she thinks things are getting better. The girls seem more interested in the strange rumors that the house is haunted. Megan invites them to sleep over for the weekend. A discovery of a cryptic poem, a key and a diary written by the builder of the manor--an eccentric archaeologist turns the sleepover into a treasure hunt. Clues lead the girls to believe the Parthenon holds a great secret and suddenly they find themselves sucked into one man's version of Ancient Greece. The only way home is to find an object thought to be mere legend. If they survive that long.
Publication Date: 12/01/08
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Constellation Chronicles
Vincent Lowry
Synopsis: A blinding fireball rips across the night sky and slams into a field in the remote town of Rigel, New Mexico. Glenn Sawyer, a broke and disillusioned 18-year-old, witnesses and investigates the crash, finding a surreal craft and an even stranger monkey-like creature named Paako, who secretly follows him home and stirs trouble. As Glenn captures Paako and attempts to return her to the crash site, he discovers unexpected company, and learns that his remarkable journey -- filled with adventure, evil, and a cast of captivating characters -- has only just begun. Thus starts the first book in Vincent Lowry's unforgettable epic "Constellation Chronicles." Both visionary and gripping, "The Lost Civilization of Aries" will sweep you away to an extraordinary world of mystery, fantasy, and science fiction.
Publication Date: 12/01/08
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
The Crown
Deborah Chester
Synopsis: Falling in love with her kidnapper, Lord Shadrael, a man with no soul, Lea, sister of Emperor Caelen, must find the balance between her light and his darkness when they are forced to escape in the Hidden Ways of the shadow realm. Original.
Publication Date: 11/25/08
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Series
Fish Out of Water
MaryJanice Davidson
Synopsis: Fred the Mermaid has taken the bait and chosen to date Artur, Prince of the Black Sea, over human marine biologist Thomas. And just in time. The existence of the Undersea Folk is no longer a secret, and someone needs to keep them from floundering in the media spotlight. Fred has all the right skills for that job, but has a hard time when her real father surfaces and tries to overthrow Artur’s regime.
Publication Date: 11/25/08
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
New Tricks
John Levitt
Synopsis: Former enforcer Mason would normally be concerned with finding ghosts and vampires stalking the Castro section of San Francisco. Fortunately, Halloween provides the perfect explanation for the abundance of ghouls. But someone is trying to possess his old flame, Sarah. Now, with the help of his magical dog Louie, Mason must uncover the black magician responsible.
Publication Date: 11/25/08
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Adventure
Bakugan: Battle Brawlers
Cartoon Network
Synopsis: THE BATTLE BEGINS!

Dan Kuso and his friends are Bakugan Battle Brawlers, warriors who use the power of their magic cards-and their battling Bakugan guardians—in the ultimate fight against evil. Now Dan has a new Bakugan ally: Drago, an awesome, gigantic dragon from the fire world of Pyrus. Drago's on a quest to save Vestroia…and discover the secret origin of the Bakugan!

Based on the toys and the hit TV show!
Publication Date: 11/25/08
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Series
To Be Mona
Kelly Easton
Synopsis: Sage Priestly is seventeen, and she longs to reinvent herself -- to strip away the fat, the past, the crazy mom, the unpaid bills. She longs to be her own version of the gorgeous and popular Mona Simms.

Sage starts dieting and exercising. She gets blond highlights and throws away all of her black clothes. Bit by bit she transforms herself. This is deeply troubling to her best friend, Vern, who is secretly in love with Sage just the way she is. But the boyfriend Sage wants -- the popular jock Roger -- suddenly notices her. And when they start dating, Sage thinks her life is turning around.

So why isn't Sage happier? Yes, Roger is a little too controlling and pushy, but isn't that what boys are like when you date them? What is it about the image Sage has created that just doesn't fit?

Smart, honest, and tough, Sage is a teen with more going for her than she thinks, but she still has a lot to learn.
Publication Date: 11/25/08
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Trouble in My Way
Michelle Stimpson
Synopsis: IT'S ALL HER MOM'S FAULT.

If she hadn't snooped into Karis's diary, she would never have found out that Karis went to a boy's house without permission. Now Karis is grounded, which means no modem, no iPod...and no cell phone. There's just no way a cute, popular, high-schooler can survive being cut off from the world, so Karis is forced to sneak around behind her mother's back. But the way she's acting makes Karis feel guilty -- even if it is her mom's fault -- and she doesn't like the feeling.

Her scheming is starting to cause other problems, too. Borrowing a friend's cell phone has turned into a catastrophe that may break up her oldest friendship, and the cutie she met after driver's ed is acting a little scary. Will the faith her mother has taught her be enough to help her find her way through this trouble...and show both the world and herself that she's a stronger, better person than even she ever knew?
Publication Date: 11/18/08
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Faith-based
The Everyday Living of Children and Teens Monologues
Synopsis: To all the fans of the first guide, The Everyday Living of Children and Teens Monologues, Volume II is finally here! Acknowledged for creating an acting guide that placed a direct emphasis on promoting appropriate socialization skills, Ms. Young is back with fifty-two additional acts that address the multifaceted issues that kids of today's generation are faced with.
Publication Date: 11/15/08
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Educational
Hot Girl
Dream Jordan
Synopsis:

It's summertime in Bed-Stuy "Do or Die" Brooklyn, and Kate is feeling down in the dumps. Not only is she tired of her raggedy, tomboy image, but she's also missing her best friend, Felicia, who's away for the summer. Lonely and not exactly getting along with her new foster mother, Lynn, Kate so badly wants to be out and about, twirling pretty, and partying---and maybe catching the attention of her longtime crush, Charles.

Opportunity knocks one hot summer day when fly-girl Naleejah struts her stuff straight up to Kate and takes a seat. Full of smiles, Naleejah tells Kate that she remembers her from school, but Kate can't remember ever having such a fabulous chick trying to befriend her. Kate's suspicion turns to trust once Naleejah gives her a much-needed makeover.

Now a brand-new Kate suddenly has the attention of her dream boy. But is Naleejah checking for him, too? Against Kate's better judgment, she ignores the warning signs, and continues to let Naleejah lead her down a treacherous path. Soon, what seems like a fun and exciting summer ends up being a harsh reality check. Now Kate must decide how to get back on the right track . . . or is it already too late?

Publication Date: 11/11/08
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Adventure
Gankutsuou 1: The Count of Monte Cristo
Yura Ariwara, Mahiro Maeda
Synopsis: “To those who betrayed me, who stole everything from me, I will give death and despair unto death. Your wives and children, your loyal followers, one by one they will fall to my charms.”

While vacationing on the moon, Albert, a young Parisian nobleman, meets the Count of Monte Cristo, a fabulously rich aristocrat from the far reaches of the galaxy. Fascinated by the count’s sophistication and intelligence, Albert is unaware of the older man’s dark purpose: to enact revenge for a terrible act of betrayal committed against him twenty-five years ago. Soon, all of Paris, including Albert’s own mother and father, will feel the terror of the count’s vengeance.

Based on the acclaimed anime, this science fiction version of Alexandre Dumas’s classic The Count of Monte Cristo is the story of a young man’s seduction by evil–and a grown man’s struggle with his past.
Publication Date: 11/11/08
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Science Fiction
Grief Girl
Erin Vincent
Synopsis:

It's just another October day until Erin’s parents are hit by a speeding tow truck. Mom dies instantly. Dad dies one month later, after doctors assure Erin he’s going to make it. Now Erin and her sister are left to raise their baby brother—and each other.
 
This is Erin Vincent’s gripping true story of how one moment tears a family apart and how love and strength come together to rebuild what was lost. Grief Girl will break your heart and then fill you with hope, time and time again.


Publication Date: 11/11/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Milagros
Meg Medina
Synopsis: Milagros de le Torre hasn’t had an easy life: ever since her father sailed away with pirates she’s been teased at school and there’s the constant struggle for her family to make ends meet. Still, Milagros loves her small island in the Caribbean, and she finds comfort in those who recognize her special gifts. But everything changes when marauders destroy Milagros’s island and with it, most of the inhabitants. Milagros manages to escape in a rowboat where she drifts out to sea with no direction, save for the mysterious manta rays that guide her to land. In stunning prose,Meg Medina creates a fantastical world in which a young girl uncovers the true meaning of family, the significance of identity, and, most important, the power of a mother’s love.
Publication Date: 11/11/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Adventure
Kieron Smith, Boy
James Kelman
Synopsis: I had cousins at sea. One was in the Cadets. I was wanting to join. My maw did not want me to but my da said I could if I wanted, it was a good life and ye saved yer money, except if ye were daft and done silly things. He said it to me. I would just have to grow up first. James Kelman’s triumph in Kieron Smith, boy is to bring us completely inside the head of a child and remind us what strange and beautiful things happen in there. Here is the story of a boyhood in a large industrial city during a time of great social change. Kieron grows from age five to early adolescence amid the general trauma of everyday life—the death of a beloved grandparent, the move to a new home. A whole world is brilliantly realized: sectarian football matches; ferryboats on the river; the unfairness of being a younger brother; climbing drainpipes, trees, and roofs; dogs, cats, sex, and ghosts.  This is a powerful, often hilarious, startlingly direct evocation of childhood.
Publication Date: 11/10/08
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
The Way He Lived
Emily Wing Smith
Synopsis:

"It’s a testament to Smith’s skills that although her central character speaks only through other people’s recollections, his identity emerges distinctly by the end of the novel."

―Publishers Weekly, starred review

Winner of the 2009 Utah Book Award (young adult category)

Sometimes being true to yourself means sacrificing everything...

Joel Espen could never be who he really was in the small town of Haven. Still, there was always something different about him. Sixteen years old. Green eyes that could see right into your heart. A selfless need to save people. Even the way he died reflected the way he lived: helping others. But how are you supposed to just go on living like normal after suddenly losing your brother . . . your best friend . . . your first love?

As the six teens who were closest to Joel try to find the meaning behind his death, they begin to realize that tragedy can sometimes set you free―by revealing who you truly are.

Publication Date: 11/08/08
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Adventure

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