Raven Boys

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The Raven Boys 
by Maggie Stiefvater


From the publisher:

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them-not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can't entirely explain. He has it all-family money, good looks, devoted friends-but he's looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we've never been before.

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Easily the strangest book trailer I've seen...but the author made it...so, enjoy!

Arielle's thoughts: There's a lot going on in this book. Psychics,  old English history, domestic violence, a love triangle, mysticism, and so on and so forth. If you liked Stiefvater's Shiver series you'll probably enjoy The Raven Boys. Beware, there are huge gaps to be filled and the author's obvious hope is that you'll be so enthralled that you'll read the next book in the series.  

Stiefvater, Maggie. The Raven Boys. Scholastic Press, 2012. Print. ISBN: 978-0545424929 Hardcover. U.S. $18.99

Waiting On Wednesday!

I am so excited for Reached, the final book in the 

Matched Trilogy by Ally Condie!

Watch the trailer!

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Check these books out @ Ericson Library...and call or stop in to join the waiting list for REACHED!

Available November 13!!!!!

Across the Great Barrier

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Across the Great Barrier
by Patricia Wrede

Second in the Frontier Magic series

Wrede, Patricia C. Across the Great Barrier. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc., 2011. Print. ISBN: 9780545033466 Pages: 339 Paperback. U.S. $9.99

Click here to see if this book is available at Ericson Library

Click here to see if this book is available at Ames Library

Harry Potter meets Laura Ingalls Wilder. 

Arielle's Recommendation: Harry Potter meets Laura Ingalls Wilder, that's the way I like to describe this action-filled, innovative series. Eff is back for a second adventure in Across the Great Barrier. The first book, The Thirteenth Child, saw her struggles growing up as a supposedly dangerous and unlucky thirteenth child. (Thus the title, eh?) This book follows her post-upperschooling exploits as she harnesses her magical powers, discovers her passion, and (of course) saves the day. This is a must have for public and school libraries. Recommend this book to 5th grade to adult readers that enjoy magic, historical fiction, and quick reads. Excellent choice for middle school readers and those that don't like adult language or situations as the book is plenty satisfying without any iffy words or scenes.

Meet Patricia Wrede!

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Don't miss the other books in the series:

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American Born Chinese

Yang, Gene Luen. American Born Chinese. 2006. New York, NY: Square Fish, 2010. Print. ISBN: 9780312384487 Pages: 240 Paperback US $8.99

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Awards!

Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award

National Book Award Finalist

Booklist Top Ten Graphic Novel for Youth

NPR Holiday Pick

Publishers Weekly Comics Week Best Comic of the Year

The Reuben Award for Best Comic Book

The Chinese American Librarians Association 2006/2007 Best Book Award

Eisner Awards 2007- Best Graphic Album- New

Time Magazine Top Ten Comic of the Year

Amazon.com Best Graphic Novel /Comic of the Year

Annotation: Beautiful, captivating illustrations, folklore, and humor bring to life three very different stories that merge to tell one complete tale about the Chinese-American experience.

The Graphic Format:

Three different stories are told in American Born Chinese. First, the story of the Monkey King; pulled from happiness by greed and brought to ruin by his own, unwise decisions. Next is the story of Jin Wang, the son of Chinese immigrants who is trying his best to fit in with his classmates. The final story is that of Danny, a teenager who is mortified and embarrassed when his out-of-control, Chinese cousin comes to visit every year. 

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All three stories are told through bright, entertaining illustrations. When the stories converge at the very end you’ll be shocked at how they tell the single story of one Chinese-American kid’s experience.

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Praise for American Born Chinese!

“Gene Luen Yang has created that rare article: a youthful tale with something new to say about American youth.”—New York Times Book Review

“. . . brilliantly written and designed, sophisticated and wise.”—The Miami Herald

“. . . one of the most powerful and entertaining works of literature to be published this year . . .”—The San Francisco Chronicle

“Yang accomplishes the remarkable feat of practicing what he preaches with this book: accept who you are and you'll already have reached out to others.”—Publishers Weekly

“Kids fighting an uphill battle to convince parents and teachers of the literary merit of graphic novels will do well to share this title.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Video from youtube.com

Arielle's Recommendation: Recommend this excellent graphic novel to the struggling reader, comic book fan, or adventurous type that enjoys a good plot twist. Best for grades 8 and up.

The Kill Order

Dashner, James. The Kill Order. New York, NY: Delecorte Press, 2012. Print. ISBN: 9780385742887 Pages: 329 Hardbound US $17.99

Awards: None yet!

Annotation: Thomas and his friends from the Maze Runner Trilogy have completed their adventure. The Kill Order goes back thirteen years to explore what led to the “exposure, infection, pandemic, and extinction.” Meet Mark, Trina, Alec and their comrades as they struggle to survive in the post-apocalyptic United States where the elements have become the least of their worries.

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Open end and wrap back to the title:
The Kill Order
by James Dashner

   The Kill Order was given but very few heard it over the cries from the victims and survivors of the devastating solar flares. Mark and Trina barely escaped the vicious heat before the water levels began to rise and they were forced to race against the waves for their lives. As if the scorched earth weren’t enough, a violent virus is attaching the survivors and rage, lunacy, and death is spreading wildly. Convinced that there is something bigger in play Mark and his friends set off to find answers. What was The Kill Order? Who gave it and most importantly, why?

Check out this awesome book trailer!

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Click here to see if this item is available at Ericson Pubilc Library!
Click here to see if this item is available at Ames Public Library!


Arielle's Recommendation: It isn't really necessary to have read the first three books to enjoy The Kill Order. It really does work as a stand-alone novel. For fans of The Maze Runner: I didn't think that the prequel really answered all of my burning questions. I'm hoping for an additional prequel novel, but I'm not going to hold my breath because it sounds like James Dashner is moving on to new story lines. The Kill Order definitely belongs in school and public libraries where The Maze Runner was popular. Recommend this book to teens in 7th grade and older that like adventure, science fiction and thrillers! 

Don't miss the Maze Runner Trilogy...awesome!

visit the official Maze Runner Series website for games, 

book info, videos, and news! 

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The Maze Runner Movie is in production! 
Look for it some time in 2013!
Check out The Maze Runner's IMDb page! 
So excitied!

The Frenzy

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Block, Francesca Lia. The Frenzy. 2010. New York, NY: Harper Teen. Print. ISBN: 9780061926662 258 pages Hardbound US $16.99

Awards: None yet!

Annotation: Liv is a normal teenage girl, she has boy problems, parent problems, and school problems. When she discovers that she's been a paranormal creature her problems become suddenly more pressing.

The Frenzy

by Francesca Lia Block

The terrible but wonderful thing that happened when Liv was thirteen was mysterious, terrifying, and unexplainable; it was Liv’s first experience with The Frenzy. 

“I swept my rough tongue gingerly over my arm. But it wasn’t an arm anymore. The hair tickled my mouth. I wasn’t entirely myself and yet I wasn’t all that different. I wished there was a mirror so I could see, but part of me didn’t want to.”

    Liv is dealing with the typical problems of life. She pretends to be her best friend’s girl so his parents don’t catch on that he likes boys. She’s hiding her own boyfriend, Cory, because she doesn’t think her parents will approve of him. Oh, and, when there’s a full moon The Frenzy takes over and she has an uncontrollable urge to rip off her clothes and go running savagely in the woods. Things are spinning out of control for Liv and her story will keep you riveted until the very last page.

Check out Francesca Lia Block reading the first chapter!

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Praise for The Frenzy

“A passionate, dreamy, brief paranormal, with a breath-of-fresh-air monstrous heroine and enjoyably surreal set dressing.” (Kirkus )

“Block puts her own spin on werewolves in this romantic thriller.” (The Horn Book )

“A true original…[Block] has created something psychologically complex, erotically charged, and unusually poignant.” (Booklist (starred review) )

“I love the lush, melancholy world of this novel, and its heroine, with her century of secrets.” (Claudia Gray, New York Times bestselling author of Evernight )

“Will be gobbled like candy by teen readers.” (The Horn Book )

“With her characteristic flair and seductive prose, Block makes this tangled story of betrayal and love a standout. Sensuous and heartbreaking, sure to both satisfy and challenge fans of the supernatural romance.” (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books )

The Silver Kiss

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Klause, Annette Curtis. The Silver Kiss. 1990. New York: Delacorte Press, 2009. Print. ISBN: 9780375857829 Paperback. Pages: 256 U.S. $8.99

Awards: Locus Poll Award Best First Novel 1991

Annotation: A love story like no other, The Silver Kiss brings together Zoe, overwhelmed by grief and anger, and Simon, undead and thirsting for human blood, revenge and understanding.

Wrap back to the title:
The Silver Kissby Annette Curtis Klause

Zoe’s mother has been in and out of the hospital and this time it seems like the cancer will be keeping her confined for good. Besides the understandable grief and sorrow, Zoe is struggling with some less recognizable emotions. She’s hurt that her father is shutting her out; she’s angry that her best friend seems more concerned with shopping and boys; and she’s not sure how she feels that her mother won’t talk to her about her impending death. To make matters worse, there is a killer hiding in her small town. When it seems like Zoe has no one to turn to she meets beautiful, mysterious, Simon and he seems to understand her pain and rage. When Simon reveals his supernatural nature Zoe rethinks her decision to trust him. Together, however, Zoe and Simon make peace with their pain, accept death as a natural part of life, and bring justice to the mysterious murderer. Stronger together, with their love to bind them, Zoe and Simon discover the power of, The Silver Kiss.

Also in this version are the short stories The Summer of Love and The Christmas Cat.

"Strangely persuasive...at once a grisly and graphic tale of monstrous death and a sweet and compelling story of love."

--Entertainment Weekly

*"A well-drawn, powerful, and seductive novel." 

--School Library Journal, starred

*"Both sensuous and suspenseful."

--Booklist, starred

"Move over, Anne Rice."

--Publishers Weekly

Click here to see if this book is available at Ericson Public Library
Click here to see if this book is available at Ames Public Library

Teen Review: The Ruins of Gorlan

Flanagan, John. The Ruins of Gorlan. New York: Philomel Books, 2008. Print. 
ISBN: 9780756968984 Hardcover U.S. $17.25

GUEST TEEN REVIEWER!!!!
Kimberly M. Reviews:
The Ranger's Apprentice
Book 1: The Ruins of Gorlan
           The Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan is the first book in the Ranger's Apprentice series. It is the story of how a boy named Will comes to find his place in the Kingdom of Araluen. 
           Orphaned as a baby, Will was taken on as a ward of the castle Redmont. All he knows about his parents is that his mother died in childbirth and his father dies a hero in battle. As is tradition, on Choosing Day, each ward gets to become an apprentice to one of the castle's trademasters. Although fifteen-year-old Will desperately wants to be accepted into Battleschool, he is rejected. But the Ranger Halt gives Baron Arold a slip of paper that will determine Will's fate. The night of Choosing Day, Will seals his fate by climbing into the beacon's office and is caught by the ranger. Will has shown that he possesses the skills required to become an apprentice ranger.
         Will starts his training under the grim ranger Halt, where he learns many of the ranger skills. He proves his courage during a wild boar hunt by saving his wardmate Horace, a Battleschool apprentice, and he is soon on his way to completing his first assessment when the Ranger Corps gets news of war.
           In this thrilling adventure, Will's courage, skill, and ingenuity are tested. But will he hold up under the pressure?