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HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE by J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling has promised that each of Harry Potter's years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be darker and more difficult than the one before. She has kept her promise in this sixth installment, which is the darkest and most complex of the books yet. But just in case you have any doubt, Harry is proving well up to the tasks at hand --- and his magical world seems more vivid and real than ever. Click here
RAVEN'S GATE: Book One of The Gatekeepers, by Anthony Horowitz (Horror/Fantasy)
From the author of the bestselling Alex Rider novels comes THE GATEKEEPERS, a gripping new series that pits good against evil and past against present in a battle that will determine the course of future civilization. In RAVEN'S GATE, the first riveting book in the series, a troubled young boy finds himself at the heart of a strange and sinister plot hatched by the bizarre inhabitants of a remote English village. Will he uncover the truth in time to put an end to their evil plans and save himself as well? Reviewed by Joni Rendon and excerpted. Read the review here.
MOONLIGHT SECRETS: Book One of Fear Street Nights, by R. L. Stine (Horror/Suspense)
Taking the necklace from the abandoned mansion seemed harmless at the time, but all the strange occurrences that have followed are proving otherwise. R. L. Stine, America's master of horror, returns with a brand-new trilogy that fans of his original Fear Street series are sure to find chilling and heart-stopping. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman. Read more here.
Melissa Lion
Carolyn Juris, who writes book reviews for various publications --- including Teen People, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Washington Post Sunday Source --- interviewed Melissa Lion, author of SWOLLEN and UPSTREAM. Lion talks about the meanings of these two titles, her love for teenagers --- particularly as it relates to literature --- her fascination with mystery novels, and why she has no desire to write books specifically for adults. Read the review here.
Lauren Mechling and Laura Moser
Teenreads.com contributing writer Renee Kirchner interviewed Lauren Mechling and Laura Moser, co-authors of THE RISE AND FALL OF A 10th-GRADE SOCIAL CLIMBER. Lauren and Laura offer insight into some of the characters that populate their debut novel and who they are able to most identify with in the book. They also explain how they met each other, their decision to become novelists, and what their writing routine is like. Read the review here.
June's roundup of cool new books includes THE MINISTER'S DAUGHTER, Julie Hearn's first novel to be published in the United States. It is a dual tale of deception, witchcraft, hypocrisy, and betrayal set during the tumultuous era of the Civil War in England. This month also marks the debut of three exciting series: FEAR STREET NIGHTS, a brand-new trilogy from R. L. Stine that serves as a follow-up to his popular Fear Street series; Francine Pascal's FEARLESS FBI, featuring the much-anticipated return of Gaia Moore; and HOVER CAR RACER, an action-packed series of techno-thrillers by New York Times bestselling author Matthew Reilly. All eight installments of this series were available in 2004 on Reilly's website as a free e-book, which was featured on both Teenreads.com and Kidsreads.com. Click here
THE MINISTER'S DAUGHTER by Julie Hearn (Historical Fiction)
In her first novel to be published in the United States, Julie Hearn spins a darkly complex dual tale of deception, witchcraft, hypocrisy, and betrayal set in seventeenth-century England during the conflicted days of the Civil War. Reviewed by Norah Piehl and excerpted.
UPSTREAM by Melissa Lion (Fiction)
When she starts her senior year, Marty must return to school by herself --- without her beloved boyfriend, Steven. Something happened during the summer that changed things forever. Only Marty knows what really transpired, and it's something she must never, ever tell. Reviewed by Carolyn Juris and excerpted.
THE RISE AND FALL OF A 10th-GRADE SOCIAL CLIMBER by Lauren Mechling and Laura Moser (Fiction)
This coming-of-age novel explores friendships, both old and new. The story is told in Mimi Schulman's honest and sarcastic voice, and the reader feels every social snub and acceptance with the raw emotions of a teenager. Reviewed by Renee Kirchner and excerpted.
THE AU PAIRS #2: SKINNY-DIPPING by Melissa de la Cruz (Fiction)
Your favorite bikini-clad au pairs --- Mara, Eliza and Jacqui --- are back for another season of skinny-dipping in Georgica Pond, tanning on Main Beach, and (of course) babysitting for the Perry kids. The girls think they're ready for another summer of outrageous fun, but a lot of things have changed since last year. Reviewed by Amy Alessio and excerpted.
THE RIDDLES OF EPSILON by Christine Morton-Shaw (Mystery/Thriller)
In Christine Morton-Shaw's spectacular thriller, a young girl becomes involved in a mysterious battle between good and evil, in which she is confronted with a series of riddles that she must unlock in order to save her mother from a dark and ancient threat. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman and excerpted.
GUYS WRITE FOR GUYS READ: Boys' Favorite Authors Write About Being Boys, edited by Jon Scieszka (Teen Anthology)
This is a fast-paced, high energy collection of short works --- stories, essays, columns, cartoons, anecdotes and artwork --- by today's most popular writers and illustrators. Among the contributors: Brian Jacques, Jerry Spinelli, Chris Crutcher, and Neil Gaiman. Reviewed by Carlie Webber and excerpted.
THE CLOUD CHAMBER by Joyce Maynard (Fiction)
A confused yet determined fourteen-year-old Montana boy hopes that winning the science fair will give him the opportunity to see his father, who is being kept in a hospital far away from his family. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.
THE NAMING: The First Book of Pellinor, by Alison Croggon (Fantasy/Adventure)
Sixteen-year-old Maerad thought she was going to live the rest of her life as a slave, until one day a mysterious traveler appears with the news that she has a Gift that hangs in the Balance between the Light and the Dark. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.
BILLY THE KID by Theodore Taylor (Historical Fiction/Western)
Theodore Taylor masterfully blends fact and fiction in this tale of real-life legend Billy the Kid, which imagines William H. Bonney's fate had his life of crime taken a very different turn. Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts
THE DATING GAME #2: BREAKING UP IS REALLY, REALLY HARD TO DO by Natalie Standiford (Fiction)
Natalie Standiford's second installment in her Dating Game series --- starring Holly, Lina and Madison --- is another example of fine realistic fiction, with a healthy dose of humor thrown in for good measure. Reviewed by Melissa A. Palmer.
SOPHIE PITT-TURNBULL DISCOVERS AMERICA by Dyan Sheldon (Fiction)
Sixteen-year-old Sophie Pitt-Turnbull is devastated when her mother announces that they won't be taking their usual summer vacation to France. But then a miracle of sorts occurs, and Sophie is off to New York for the next few months. Unfortunately, her trip is not at all what she expected it to be. Reviewed by Kristi Olson.
WEEDS IN BLOOM: Autobiography of an Ordinary Man, by Robert Newton Peck (Autobiography)
With over 65 books published, including A DAY NO PIGS WOULD DIE, Robert Newton Peck has enjoyed an illustrious writing career. Now, in this unique autobiography, Peck tells his story through the people in his life. Reviewed by Alexis Burling.
YOUR NAME IN PRINT: A Teen's Guide to Publishing for Fun, Profit and Academic Success, by Timothy Harper and Elizabeth Harper (Reference)
With advice on how to write newspaper and magazine features, blogs, music and movie reviews, novels and short stories, the father-daughter team of Timothy and Elizabeth Harper shows that it's possible for anyone who writes well to get published. Reviewed by W. Terry Whalin.
A GATHERING OF SHADES by David Stahler Jr. (Fiction)
Sixteen-year-old Aidan's grandmother feeds ghosts. Her nightly ritual keeps the local lost souls lingering, caught between life and death. When Aidan stumbles upon this knowledge in the wake of his own father's passing, the revelation shakes him to the core. Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts.
RUNNER by Carl Deuker (Thriller/Action & Adventure)
Chance Taylor is presented with a golden opportunity to make enough money to support himself and his father, but he has reservations about the nature of his work, which is a complete mystery to him. Reviewed by Carlie Webber.
THE DIARY OF PELLY D by L. J. Adlington (Fiction)
This thought-provoking first novel reminds readers of the continuing arbitrary and brutal nature of discrimination, and challenges them to think about ethics, personal freedom, the role of government, and genetic engineering. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.
CLAIMING GEORGIA TATE by Gigi Amateau (Fiction)
A custody battle between her father and grandparents leaves twelve-year-old Georgia Tate Jamison sad and confused. Adding to the confusion is a secret that best friend Ginger finally lets spills about Georgia Tate's mother, whom Georgia Tate thought had died. Reviewed by Hannah Gomez.
DEAD ON TOWN LINE by Leslie Connor (Mystery/Free Verse)
In this mystery relayed in free verse, the teenaged narrator, Cassie Devlin, is dead. But she continues to share her story, including the puzzling fact that Cassie isn't quite finished with what she needs to do --- and that she's not alone. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.
GIRLS DINNER CLUB by Jessie Elliot (Fiction)
Three friends gather to prepare food, eat, and dish about boys, parents, school, and life. In the process, they cook up support for one another, sharing side dishes of happiness, sorrow, and humor along with the prawns and tiramisu. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.
DUSK by Susan Gates (Science Fiction)
When a government laboratory burns down, a girl with unusual abilities escapes to live a life in a ghost town where "survival of the fittest" takes on a whole new meaning. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.
GIRLS FOR BREAKFAST by David Yoo (Fiction)
Nick Park loves girls. But he can never get a date, and he has convinced himself that this is solely based on the fact that he's the only Korean American teenager in the white suburb of Renfield, Connecticut. Reviewed by Amy Alessio.
Carmen, Bridget, Lena and Tibby have arrived in theaters --- along with their pair of magical jeans of course! June 1st marked the big screen release of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, the highly anticipated film based on the bestselling novel by Ann Brashares. To celebrate, Random House has published three Sisterhood-related titles that fans will treasure. Click here to learn more about the movie and these wonderful tie-in books.
Natasha Friend
In this interview Natasha Friend, author of PERFECT, talks about her personal experiences with eating disorders --- which is central to the storyline of her debut novel --- and explains what she hopes young people will learn from reading this important, true-to-life story. She also discusses certain aspects of the writing process, offers advice to aspiring authors, and gives us a sneak peak at her second novel. Read the review here.
Chris Crutcher
Teenreads.com contributing writer Amy Alessio interviewed award-winning author Chris Crutcher, a family therapist whose books take an unflinching look at some of the realities for today's young adults. Over the years Crutcher's books have been challenged across the country and a few have been banned. In 2004 WHALE TALK was removed from a school district's required reading list in South Carolina and was banned from an Alabama school in March 2005. Crutcher's latest novel, THE SLEDDING HILL, focuses on a boy and his fight to make his own decisions about what he can read and write. Read the review here.
Brent Hartinger
Teenreads.com contributing writer Carlie Webber interviews Brent Hartinger, author of THE ORDER OF THE POISON OAK, the sequel to his 2003 bestseller GEOGRAPHY CLUB. Hartinger, who frequently meets with students at their schools, describes readers' reactions to these two books and points out the similarities between himself and some of his characters. He offers valuable advice to aspiring writers and talks about the safer sex project in which he and two other authors are currently engaged. Read the review here.
NEW BOOK CLUB GUIDES
Trying to find new ideas for your Book Club?
Check out our recent addition:
LIFE OF PI by Yann Martel
ME & EMMA by Elizabeth Flock
A NORTHERN LIGHT by Jennifer Donnelly
SISSY! by Tom Mach
VANISHING ACTS by Jodi Picoult
May: What book did you most recently purchase or take out from the library?
April: What book is on your nightstand right now?
March: What book that you enjoyed would you want to donate to your library or media center?
February: Name a book that a librarian told you about that you really enjoyed.
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