Tuesday, August 24, 2010

New Teen Books for August 2010

Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
Teen Historical Fiction

What started out as girls' games became a witch hunt. When Ann Putnam Jr.’s father suggests that a spate of illnesses within the village is the result of witchcraft, Ann grasps her opportunity, and puts in motion a chain of events that will change the lives of the people around her forever. With a troubled past, Mercy Lewis, the beautiful servant in Ann's house, seizes her only chance at safety. Margaret Walcott, Ann's cousin, desperately in love and consumed with fiery jealousy, is torn between staying loyal to her friends and pursuing the life she dreams of with her betrothed.

With new accusations mounting daily against the men and women of the community, the girls will have to decide: Is it too late to tell the truth?

Urchin and the Rage Tide by Margaret McAllister
(Mistmantle Chronicles series)
Teen Fantasy

Under the wise guidance of King Crispin, the animals of Mistmantle have enjoyed a long period of peace and prosperity since the violent Raven War. The tranquility is disrupted when a series of tidal waves threaten to destroy the island. The inhabitants must quickly move to higher grounds to avoid the devastation. But Mossberry, an influential squirrel with delusions of grandeur, sees the impending disaster as an opportunity to rise to power...and his reckless decisions will put many citizens in harm's way. In a race against time, Urchin of the Riding Stars, his page Corr, and the Circle of King Crispin's court must stop Mossberry and usher the animals of Mistmantle to safety. And when a beloved citizen is swept away in the rage tide, the ultimate sacrifice must be made. Deeply moving and packed with adventure, this is a fitting end to the beloved Mistmantle Chronicles.

Legacies by Mercedes Lackey & Rosemary Edghill
(Shadow Grail series)
Teen Fantasy

In the wake of the accident that killed her family, Spirit White is spirited away to Oakhurst Academy, a combination school and orphanage in the middle of Montana. There she learns she is a legacy--not only to the school, which her parents also attended, but to magic. All the students at Oakhurst have magical powers, and although Spirit's hasn't manifested itself yet, the administrators insist she has one.

But something strange is going on at Oakhurst. Students start disappearing under mysterious circumstances, and the school seems to be trying to cover it up. Spirit and her friends must find out what's happening--before one of them becomes the next victim...

Invisible City by M.G. Harris
(Joshua Files series)
Teen Adventure

Joshua's life was pretty average until his archaeologist father was reported dead in a plane crash. Josh's dad had been searching for the Mayan Codex, said to contain key information about the 2012 Mayan prophecy foretelling the end of the world. Was the crash simply a tragic accident, or is there more to his father's death than the authorities are willing to tell him? Sucked into a vortex of intrigue, Josh becomes a target for danger as he learns that his father, grandfather, and Josh himself are the key to solving the mystery of the prophecy. Can Josh find the missing codex in time to save mankind?

Latte Daze by Erynn Mangum
(Maya Davis series)
Teen Inspirational Fiction

When Maya Davis' ex-boyfriend proposes to her roommate, Jen, their apartment becomes Wedding Central. As if that weren't awful enough, Jen's obnoxious mom moves in to help with the planning! Maya's relationships really start to get crazy when her genius brother and sister-in-law announce their pregnancy, and then to top it off there's Jack--could it be love? Who wouldn't need a coffee break!

This fun, lighthearted fiction novel for teens uses strong characters, humor, and quiet faith to promote trust in God.

The Fool's Girl by Celia Rees
Teen Historical Fiction

Young and beautiful Violetta may be of royal blood, but her kingdom is in shambles when she arrives in London on a mysterious mission. Her journey has been long and her adventures many, but it is not until she meets the playwright William Shakespeare that she gets to tell the entire story from beginning to end. Violetta and her comic companion, Feste, have come in search of an ancient holy relic that the evil Malvolio has stolen from their kingdom. But where will their remarkable quest--and their most unusual story--lead? In classic Celia Rees style, it is an engrossing journey, full of political intrigue, danger, and romance.

This wholly original story is spun from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, and includes both folly and suspense that would make the Bard proud.

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman
Teen Fiction

Sixteen-year-old twins Tennyson and Brontë Sternberger aren't the closest of siblings, but Tennyson is concerned when his sister starts dating Brewster "Bruiser" Rawlins, an antisocial delinquent from a dubious family. But as the Sternbergers grow closer to Bruiser, they discover his secret: he takes on the pain and injuries of those he cares about, healing them at his own expense, whether he wants to or not. He can even soothe emotional wounds--his mere presence is enough to save the twins' parents' fragmenting marriage--but the cost to Bruiser may be unbearable. Tennyson and Brontë must face the unintended consequences of their actions when disaster strikes and a lifetime of healing others takes its toll on their new friend.


The Education of Bet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Teen Historical Romance

When Will and Bet were four, tragic circumstances brought them to the same house, to be raised by a wealthy gentleman as brother and sister. Now sixteen, they've both enjoyed a privileged upbringing thus far. But not all is well in their household. Because she's a girl, Bet's world is contained within the walls of their grand home, her education limited to the rudiments of reading, writing, arithmetic, and sewing. Will's world is much larger. He is allowed--"forced, "in his case--to go to school. Neither is happy. So Bet comes up with a plan and persuades Will to give it a try: They'll switch places. She'll go to school as Will. Will can live as he chooses. But once Bet gets to school, she soon realizes living as a boy is going to be much more difficult than she imagined.