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Code Red, series
Janie Chodosh
Synopsis: After nailing the murderer of her addict mom and proving that her detractors are full of it, seventeen-year-old Faith Flores is back for another kick-ass science mystery. She's proud to be chosen for a summer internship at a research lab in Santa Fe, New Mexico, but once she arrives, complications abound. For one thing, Santa Fe is the birthplace of the father she's never met, and for another, she clashes with a local environmentalist trying to pull the plug on the genetically modified chiles her new boss is engineering. She and violin prodigy, Clem, learn of a new teen drug called liquid gold while discreetly researching the family angle. The chip on Faith's shoulder is still there, but so is her determination to uncover the truth when a girl she meets at a party dies from an overdose of liquid gold.
Publication Date: 02/01/17
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Mystery
Lost and Found Cat
Sue Cornelison, Amy Shrodes, Doug Kuntz
Synopsis: This heartwarming true story of one lost cat's journey to be reunited with his refugee family gently introduces children to a difficult topic and shows how ordinary people can help with compassion and hope.
 
When an Iraqi family is forced to flee their home, they can’t bear to leave their beloved cat, Kunkush, behind. So they carry him with them from Iraq to Greece, keeping their secret passenger hidden away.
 
But during the crowded boat crossing to Greece, his carrier breaks and the frightened cat runs from the chaos, disappearing. After an unsuccessful search, his family has to continue their journey, leaving brokenhearted.
 
A few days later, aid workers in Greece find the lost cat. Knowing how much his family has sacrificed already, they are desperate to reunite them. A worldwide community comes together to spread the word on the Internet and in the news media, and after several months the impossible happens—Kunkush’s family is found, and they finally get their happy ending in their new home.
 
This remarkable true story is told by the real people involved, with the full cooperation of Kunkush’s family.

“Bound to be a hit with cats and kids alike.” —People.com
Publication Date: 01/31/17
Age Level: 5 - 8
Genre: Nonfiction
Stones Don't Speak, second in series Tall King's Country
Synopsis: 1941, Norway. The population tries to cope with the German occupation. After her successful debut concert as a pianist, Ellen Langmo, resists the Nazis who want to use her talent in their endeavor to convince people that Hitler’s ideas are right. At the same time the resistance movements begin to take form and her friends want to involve her. Trying to escape the conflicting and dangerous demands, she flees from Oslo to Stavanger on the West Coast where life is calmer. She is still looking for Friedrich but tries to accept his death when she has a strange encounter.
Publication Date: 01/27/17
Age Level: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Series
Skunks Dance
St John Karp
Synopsis:

Spivey Spillane's grandmammy always said there were only two good reasons to kill a man -- for cheating on a woman, and for serving drinks to a Yankee. She may have had a hand in winning the Revolutionary War, but even she never met the likes of Alabama Sam. Sam robs a bank under Spillane's name, casts him in an obscene one-man play wearing only a pink tutu, and starts a betting pool on how many wieners he has. Despite the indignities Spillane suffers, he chases Sam across Gold-Rush-era California because Sam is the only one who knows the location of a hidden fortune buried somewhere in the hills.

Meanwhile in the present, seventeen-year-olds Amanda and Jet have rekindled an old childhood rivalry. Amanda is obsessed with finding the treasure of her infamous ancestor Spivey Spillane. Jet and Amanda's feud comes to a head over an extended incident involving a broken window, an exploded car, and a charge of sexual assault with a candy Batman. Jet vows that he is going to find to Spillane's gold before Amanda does, but it doesn't take them long to realize that someone may have come this way already -- someone who wants the past to stay buried.

Inspired by the rickety world of 1960s British-made Westerns, SKUNKS DANCE is a tale of revenge, greed, and men in tutus.

Publication Date: 01/24/17
Age Level: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Humor
As Red As Blood
Salla Simukka, Owen Frederick Witesman
Synopsis: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo meets Six of Crows—this international bestseller is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that chills to the bone, and not just because of the icy winter setting.
 
Lumikki Andersson has made it a rule to stay out of things that do not involve her. She knows all too well that trouble comes to those who stick their nose where it doesn’t belong. But Lumikki’s rule is put to the test when she uncovers thousands of washed Euro notes hung to dry in her school’s darkroom and three of her classmates with blood on their hands. Literally. 
 
A web of lies and deception now has Lumikki on the run from those determined to get the money back—no matter the cost. At the center of the chaos: Polar Bear, the mythical drug lord who has managed to remain anonymous despite his lavish parties and notorious reputation. If Lumikki hopes to make it out alive, she’ll have to uncover the entire operation.
 
Even the cold Finnish winter can’t hide a culprit determined to stain the streets red.
 
“Fans of Nesbø and Larsson won’t be disappointed.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred
 
“This cold, delicate snowflake of a tale sparkles with icy magic.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred
Publication Date: 01/17/17
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Adventure
Starr Fall
Kim Briggs
Synopsis: On the run from the Organization, Starr never planned on falling in love.Starr Bishop's the complete package. A perfect smile, brains to match, and a winning attitude. Boys want to date her and girls want to be her. She's the type of girl you want to hate, if only she wasn't so damn likable. But don't worry, she's not interested in your boyfriend. Boys are one complication she can live without.When the Organization decides she's not only the model student but the ideal assassin, Starr'll need a lot more than high test scores and extracurricular involvement to get herself out of that commitment.Dark, moody, and dead sexy Christian Evergood is the last person she'd expect--or even want-- to come to her rescue. From opposite ends of Webster High's social hierarchy, their lives collide in one electrifying moment. Christian isn't the Goth loner he pretends to be, he's a part Cherokee, All-American boy who wants to be a hero, Starr's hero. Christian makes Starr forget that the Organization is after her, but nothing will stop the Organization from collecting their top recruit.By the way, the spot for junior class president just became available. What People Are Saying About Starr Fall... "I was swept up in Kim Briggs' whirlwind of secrets, swoon, and adventure from page one. Beautifully writing combined with a smart, driven protagonist made this a book I couldn't put down."--Isabel Bandeira, Author of Bookishly Ever After (Jan 2016) and Dramatically Ever After (June 2017) As the opener in what promises to be a thrilling series, Starr Fall hits the ground running and hits the water swimming. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough as Starr went from a super-achieving but otherwise pretty normal high school junior to a girl on the run from a shady, powerful government (maybe) agency and a deep, dark conspiracy we only see in glimpses. And why has the weird kid from school suddenly become her ultra-hot sidekick, with a connection between them that literally gives off sparks? He's a lot more than he seems. Every answer raises another question as the reader ricochets between the threat level outside the remote cabin and the heat level inside it. Briggs knows how to crank up both kinds of tension, in the best possible way. Book two can't come soon enough for this reader! - Liz Coley, author of the award winning, internationally best-selling Pretty Girl-13
Publication Date: 01/17/17
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Series
Magical Eyes: Dawn of the Sand
Jessica D'Agostini
Synopsis: A fantasy coming of age adventure with a female protagonist. 

A MYSTICAL WHITE EAGLE, A CHARMED BOOK, AND A GIRL WITH SPECIAL POWERS... 

In a world where sorcery is feared, Princess Martina conceals her paranormal powers, especially when her brother is against her. Finding a true friend in the peasant boy Enzo, her secret seems safe. But when tragedy strikes the royal palace, Martina's careful world is torn to pieces. Brother and sister find themselves on an epic magical quest to save the kingdom from war and famine, vicious mythical beasts, and a tyrannical king. But Prince Drago has secrets of his own, and a heart of wickedness that no amount of good magic can brighten. 

Dark days cloud Brightalia, and only one last hope remains before total devastation. Can Martina be a hero and defeat the evil that lurks throughout her land? Or are the days of her beloved kingdom over forever?
Publication Date: 01/09/17
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Batgirl at Super Hero High
Synopsis: Get your cape on with the DC Super Hero Girls™— the unprecedented new Super Hero universe especially for girls! Readers of all ages can fly high with the all-new adventures of Wonder Woman™, Supergirl™, Batgirl™, and some of the world’s most iconic female super heroes as high schoolers!
 
Batgirl has always hidden in the shadows—but does she have what it takes to stand in the spotlight at Super Hero High?
 
Barbara Gordon has always been an off-the-charts, just-forget-about-the-test super-genius and tech whiz, and then she gets the offer of a lifetime when Supergirl recognizes that Barbara’s talents make her an ideal candidate for Super Hero High. Donning the cape and cowl, Barbara Gordon becomes Batgirl, ready to train at the most elite school on the planet, next to some of the most powerful teenagers in the galaxy. She’s always had the heart of a hero . . . but now she’ll have to prove that she can be one. Good thing she loves a challenge!
 
Award-winning author Lisa Yee brings mystery, thrills, and laughs to this groundbreaking series that follows DC Comics most iconic female Super Heroes and Super-Villains. Move over Batman™ and Superman™—the DC Super Hero Girls are ready to save the day and have fun doing it!
 
 
Praise for DC Super Hero Girls:
“Sure to have wide appeal, this book is a solid option to balance collections saturated with male superheroes.” - School Library Journal
Publication Date: 01/03/17
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Write to Influence!
Carla D. Bass
Synopsis: Write to Influence!

Personnel Appraisals, Resumes, Awards, Grants, Scholarships, Internships, Reports, Bid Proposals, Web Pages, Marketing, and More

Powerful writing can change your life!

You may be the best candidate for a competitive opportunity–hands down–but if the competition is better at telling a story, you lose. Powerful writing correlates directly to success, personal and professional.

Opportunity knocking? Choose Write to Influence! when powerful writing is paramount to your goals. With this book you will:

Write to win–Make every word count and every second of the reader's time play to your advantage Achieve your goals through persuasive communication in legal and many other applications Write a resume that stands out ... for the right reasons. Uncomfortable with self-promotion? No problem–twelve tips make job hunting less daunting Compose performance reviews–clear, powerful, compelling–for military and civilian writing Persuade the reader–Tips on strategic thinking will help you assemble hard-hitting facts to make your case Refine your presentation skills. Write and deliver a corporate speech? Learn to give a spot-on power point briefing Maximize your internet promotion–leverage powerful words to do just that Craft professional email–polished, succinct, and effective communication Make the grade (pun intended) with academic essays for high school thru graduate school degrees, e.g., an MBA Improve business writing skills–Avoid the ten most common errors with this correspondence how-to guide

Attention employers! Write to Influence! is perfect for your employees! Have you read a paragraph in a report again and again ... unable to understand it? Bureaucratic, textual muck is time consuming, frustrating, counterproductive, and the bane of today's business products.

Accurate, clear, and concise writing is the lifeblood for effective operations ... in private business, corporations, NGOs, government agencies and the military, in particular.

Early Reviews:

"Write to Influence! is a gem ... Anyone interested in not just adequate but powerful, super-charged writing will appreciate this clear discussion of how to produce effective, attention-grabbing pieces in all kinds of business and real-world scenarios ... where standout writing means the difference between success and failure. " –D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

"Write to Influence! is an essential guide for anyone seeking to improve their writing skills and inform or influence others with the written word. I write daily and constantly seek ways to improve my writing skills. Write to Influence will be on my desk to help me on that journey." –Mark Amtower, Managing Partner, Amtower & Company

"Rating – 5 stars. This book is fantastic! It is spot-on for persuasive writing. This should be the textbook for a class required of all incoming college freshman, and a high school class, a class for all military officers, and a refresher at most companies ... I don't know of anyone who would not benefit from this book!" –NetGalley Reviewer

Publication Date: 01/03/17
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Nonfiction
Loretta's Pet Caterpillar
Lois J Wickstrom, Francie Mion
Synopsis:
Publication Date: 01/01/17
Age Level: 5 - 8
Genre: Series
#8 Life, Loss, and Lemonade
Laurie Friedman, Natasha Shaloshvili
Synopsis: As freshman year winds down, April has a lot to look forward to, including getting her driving permit and spending the summer with her quirky almost-boyfriend, Leo. But she also knows her grandmother, Gaga, doesn't have much time left. On top of that, her closest friend, Sophie, is moving away. April struggles to make sense of everything. Does it matter if you stay positive while losing a loved one to cancer? What do you do when you're caught between friends keeping secrets? How do you know whether an important decision is the right one? Most importantly, what would Gaga say to do when life hands you lemons?
Publication Date: 01/01/17
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Humor
Lowly
Laura Angaroni
Synopsis:

I'm Lola, and I thought this year would be different. Just for once, I wanted to be a glass-half-full kind of girl for. It's 1981, and nice girls don't curse. But the Demented Duo has been harassing me since middle school--cutting down my looks, my Christianity, my virginity. How am I supposed to control my anger when everyone at Sunset High School seems like they're out to get me? They'll embarrass me about anything.

And Then George strides in, and like magic, everything is better.

If only it lasted.

How will I ever clean up my mess and make amends? Can anyone still love me?

"Identity. Belonging. Significance. Lowly gives us a deep glance into the world of adolescence and bullying with grit and grace."

-Dr. JJ Jones, D. Min.

Family Discipleship Pastor

Fellowship Nashville, Franklin Campus

"We really love Lowly. Laura expressed the feelings of a your girl so remarkably, along with some wonderful humor and a beautiful life lesson on forgiveness. We give Lowly a BIG thumbs-up."

-Russ and Linda Murphy

Russ Murphy Ministries

Russ is an award-winning inspirational singer-songwriter and author of Not Alone: Finding the Love of Your Life

Bio

Raised in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, Laura Angaroni (BS, Economics, Baylor University) is proud to be from what some consider the wrong side of the tracks. She and her husband, Craig, live in Houston, Texas, where Laura writes, coaches her two teens, and after four years of high school ministry is taking a break to chase preschoolers around the church nursery.

Publication Date: 12/29/16
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Civilianized: A Young Veteran's Memoir
Synopsis: After twelve months of military service in Iraq, Michael Anthony stepped off a plane, seemingly happy to be home--or at least back on US soil. He was twenty-one years old, a bit of a nerd, and carrying a pack of cigarettes that he thought would be his last. Two weeks later, Michael was stoned on Vicodin, drinking way too much, and picking a fight with a very large Hell's Angel. At his wit's end, he came to an agreement with himself: If things didn't improve in three months, he was going to kill himself. Civilianized is a memoir chronicling Michael's search for meaning in a suddenly destabilized world.
Publication Date: 12/27/16
Age Level: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Nonfiction
Curse of the Coloring Book: A Novel Inspired by a True Story
Synopsis: When Herald Lloyd, an attorney and family man, learns he’s been cursed with a catastrophic legal-malpractice lawsuit, his recurring Vietnam War flashbacks flood his consciousness, and he medicates his post-traumatic stress with alcohol. He was reckless to quit college to join the Army. Mocking the war, he bought a GI Joe Coloring Book and half-gallon of whiskey, for a drunken send-off with his fraternity brothers. Vietnam hurls Herald into becoming a decorated combat platoon leader, commanding stressed oddballs and misfits like Dogman, who walks point and only barks to communicate. Now he must fight again, this time to save his client, law practice, and family. Was the coloring book cursed?
Publication Date: 12/20/16
Age Level: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Fiction
20
Vatsal Surti
Synopsis: "it's really hitting me where I live. Prose poetry about what it feels like to be young and have the whole world caught inside your throat." - Lena Dunham "spare, beautiful prose poetry" - Bustle The story of a young model and an introspective writer, "20" is a book about loneliness, love, hopes and dreams. One night as she is driving back home from a show, she almost runs over someone. She holds her breath, and through the fog they see each other for the first time. Love begins to form in the space between them, in precognitions and thoughts, lights and intimacies. Seasons change. They come to know more things about each other. Life wraps them in its embrace like a haze, in a vacant space bigger than their eyes can see.
Publication Date: 12/18/16
Age Level: Adult
Genre: Fiction
Jezebel and the Star Monster
Synopsis: A dark fairy tale for adults and young adults calling for struggle and hope among dispiriting times.
Publication Date: 12/17/16
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy

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