That's Amore

That's Amore by Janice Thompson, 2014 Revell Publishing

     Several years after her wedding to DJ Neely, Bella is in her husband's hometown to set up a second Club Wed. Shortly before the two relocate with their children Bella discovers that her family will be growing and plans to continue her work in Splendora as long as she can. 

     In Galveston, Bella's sister and her husband have taken the lead in her absence. DJ's business is booming and they turn their eyes back toward Splendora, Texas, and the renovation of Club Wed no. 2. Bubba Neely, DJ's younger brother, and his wife, Bella's best friend, have moved back to his hometown to open a Bar-B-Que joint but face opposition from some town influencers. 

     Neither DJ nor Bubby knows why the mayor opposes both of their enterprises--they'll bring commerce to the small town. As they battle to make a life, even temporarily, in Splendora Bella and her friends struggle with the temptation to give in to wants rather than behaving as her faith prescribes. 

     Halfway through her pregnancy DJ suggests renewing their vows when the chapel at Club Wed is complete. Bella finds the challenges of pregnancy--with twins no less--the frustration caused by Splendora's mayor, the distance from her family, and the minor dramas of small-town life combine to be more than she can handle alone. 

     Bella repeatedly learns she cannot do it all, especially not on her own. This final installment in Bella and DJ's story focuses on faith and family to get through difficult and unexpected times. 

Real Mermaids Don't Sell Sea Shells

Real Mermaids Don't Sell Sea Shells by Helene Boudreau, 2014 Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

     Jade and her friends have, once again, saved mer-kind and it's time for some fun in the sun. Her parents have, thanks to Mr. Charmichael, gotten the official paperwork to get married - for real. To get away from the gossips in their small town they decided to enjoy their new freedom to get married in the Caribbean.
     Jade and her best friend go along to help out with the last minute details of wedding planning - only to find that nothing is going according to plan! Their reservations are taken y famous celebrities, the catering fell through, the venue was taken, and their officiant has vanished. With Cori and Jade's help, the happy couple rush to recreate their dream wedding before their vacation is over and the rest of their guests arrive.
     As they're making plans and the girls explore the island Jade runs across a strange sight: someone dumping a body from the porthole of a passing cruise ship. With everything that's happened in the last couple of months, Cori thinks Jade's mermaid senses are over-reacting. But when their new acquaintance goes missing it doesn't hurt to check things out.
     Jade's parents enjoy their pre-wedding honeymoon while the girls discover there's more to the local scene than the tourists see. With their relationships with the boys back home on questionable ground, Jade and Cori are stoked to meet new friends and possibly solve a mystery or two, because things can't keep from getting fishy for this mermaid and her friends.
     In this new setting, Jade learns to trust her instincts and that different cultures have different rules. The fourth installment in Jade's story takes readers along as once again Jade steps out of her comfort zone and learns it's always best to be yourself. Real Mermaids Don't Sell Sea Shells is intended for middle grade and young teen readers.

Breaking Dawn

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, 2008 Little, Brown & Company

     After their wedding, Bella and Edward Cullen spend their honeymoon on the Brazillian island Carlisle bought Esme. Two weeks in Bella realizes she's carrying her husband's half-vampire child, and the pregnancy is definitely not normal.
     The pregnancy is progressing unnaturally quickly, Bella's life. Jacob Black returns thinking Bella was turned vampire. He begs Bella to save herself and abort the fetus. Bella refuses and when the wolves come calling to prevent the child's birth Jacob breaks from the pack and becomes alpha of his own splinter.
     The half-vampire baby demands that Bella drink blood and she slowly gets better while Jacob's small pack guards the Cullens. The family has no idea when the baby is due, and Carlisle is out when Bella falls inducing labor. Bella nearly dies in labor and Edward changes her into a vampire.
     Jacob fears Bella has died and, blaming the baby, tries to kill Renesmee. Jacob discovers the quickly growing infant is his soulmate when he imprints on her. The Volturi return when Renesmee is thought to be an Immortal Child. The bond between Jacob and Renesmee creates a truce much stronger than the original pact and the werewolves stand by the Cullens against the Volturi.
     In a dramatic conclusion to the series, Bella and Edward have concluded their dancing around each other. The family grows and is challenged as their influence grows. The story is easily accessible to readers of all ages, though New Moon has content inappropriate for younger readers.

Forever Doon

Forever Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon, 2016 Blink

     After fighting their way back to Doon after Addie sent them home Veronica and McKenna are again separated by the Portal. Vee is helping her people survive through Doon's bleak winter - brought on by the weak position Emily-cum-Addie's betrayal has put her in and Jamie's apparent execution.
     Kenna and Duncan have taken nearly a third of Doon's population into the modern world where they've camped in Alloway. The Witch of Doon destroyed the Bridge between worlds and Duncan has made it his mission to restore the Brig o' Doon to return home. The pair is struggling as Duncan fights the feeling of leaving his brother to an unknown fate and Kenna feels like she's his second choice, even after she's given up her whole world.
     In Doon, Veronica leads the remainder of her people as they hide from the witch and search for a way to bring those who have escaped home. The witch eats away at Doon and her people to create an undead army to hold the small kingdom against Vee and the rightful citizens.
     With a third of her people to trapped in the modern world, her best friend and oldest confidant separated from her by the veil protecting Doon, and Jamie, the love of her life, presumably dead Veronica battles her own misgivings. When they discover Jamie is alive Vee and her advisors plan his rescue. Jamie has his own concerns with his release and the abuse he suffered at the hands of Abigail, the witch of Doon.
     The pair work to create a team and guide their people despite the loss of over half of their supporters. When it appears all has been lost Veronica discovers the friendship she shares with McKenna is a calling - just as the relationships the girls have with the McCrae brothers - and she and McKenna can speak across the veil.
     Veronica's faith in her people, in herself, and the Protector grow as she goes through the challenges Addie throws at her and her followers. When it appears Doon may be lost forever Vee calls on her friend and those called to Doon to solve their problems.
     Developing her leadership skills and learning to trust the people around her, Veronica has changed form the insecure young woman into a queen worthy of her kingdom. Readers who enjoyed the first installments of the Doon Series will like this completion of Veronica and McKenna's story. With adventure, conflict and a touch of romance Forever Doon is aimed at teen readers.

Winter

Winter by Marissa Meyer, 2015 Feiwel & Friends

   The plan to kidnap Emperor Kai succeeded; sort of. After rescuing Cress and going back to the Eastern Commonwealth to stop the wedding between Levana and Kai, Cinder and her remaining friends are hiding in space - thanks to Cress's magic with technology.
     Without Scarlet, Wolf pines and the friends struggle to remain positive. Cinder and Kai are on rocky terms since he was forcibly removed from his empire but their relationship gains traction. Cress and Thorne are dancing around one another as the captain slowly regains his sight. And Iko is still in love with her (somewhat worse for the wear) human body. Levana has immediately declared war on the Earthen Union and used her mutated wolf-soldiers to engage the planet in global war.
     Earth is unprepared for the assault after 126 years of world peace. As the Union scrambles to mount a defense Levana plans world domination. The focus has shifted from Earth to Luna as Cinder makes plans to take back the throne as Princess Selene. Her cousin, Princess Winter, has been tortured by her own Lunar Gift for its lack of use. When the people love and show their deep affection for Winter, Levana sees the girl as a threat. The Queen orders Jacin, a guard who has loved Winter since childhood, to kill the girl. Jacin cannot complete his mission and, with Cress, helps Winter and Scarlet escape to the outer domes of Luna's protected population.
     Scarlet and Winter locate Wolf's childhood home and the rest of their ragtag rebellion. With Cress working from Artemisia, Luna's capital, and Cinder gaining support around the moon's isolated outer domes the friends struggle to maintain contact and lead their rebellion. When Cinder is captured and paraded around Kai and Levana's wedding feast it appears they may be finished, but the ever-resourceful Princess Selene manages to become both the leader and the martyr her revolution needs.
     Cinder's transformation from the cyborg mechanic who helped repair Crown-Prince Kai's android into Princess Selene has been long and arduous, but with new friends and the support of her people the shy young woman has become a leader hoping to make the universe a better place. Cinder doesn't want to be a princess: she wants to end her aunt's tyranny and the social conventions which oppress different classes of person. Meyer's tale incorporates classic fairytales, political wargames, and science fiction to push Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White into the future and prepare their stories for young adult readers.

The Agency: Rivals in the City

Rivals in the City by Y.S. Lee, 2015 Candlewick Press

     Mary Quinn and James Easton have developed an understanding after the collapse of the Agency. But Mary is hesitant to allow James control over her life as his spouse. Victorian Englishwomen are their husband’s property and Mary’s radical upbringing leads her to strongly object.

     James hopes to allow Mary time to overcome her qualms. When a villain from their joint past returns, he is concerned not only for Mary’s safety, but also their hoped future together. Mary is asked to return to the all-female Agency for her part in the plot. But to continue protecting the man she loves Mary suggests they remain separate to minimize the chances of retaliation.

     James is hesitant to give Mary any time to make up her mind against him and manages to insinuate himself into her mission. 

     She discovers more than simply one extension of her past during the new case. A mystery from her personal history is answered by a Chinese pugilist who is strikingly familiar.

     She completes her final case for the Agency amidst much danger to both James and Mary herself. Mary faces the danger with more than her characteristic abandon and struggles to reconcile her past with the beliefs inherited from her eccentric education and the hope of a future. Directed at teen readers Rivals in the City concludes the Mary Quinn Mysteries. 

Son

Son by Lois Lowry, 2012 Houghton Mifflin

     When she goes through her Ceremony of Twelve Claire is given the task of Birthmother. In her community, Birthmother is the task of young women selected to bring new lives into the community. When her first delivery is fraught with complications Claire is moved from the Birthmothers' Dormitory to the Fish Hatchery.
     Something keeps nagging at Claire, despite the good work she is doing for the community. When she takes the moment to stop and visit her Product. The child, like all others, is treated as a commodity, but Claire is attached. Unlike the other women in the community Claire has feelings.
     One night a commotion breaks out, Claire never quite remembers what happened, but a child, Jonas, escapes the community with Claire's son and she finds herself following. She is discovered in the ocean offshore of a fishing village on the edge of a sea she has never seen before. Claire grows and discovers a new world full of colors and animals, emotions and friends. She meets a young man: Fierce Einar who teaches her to climb the massive cliff keeping the people along the shore.
     Claire learns to love the young man and he is instrumental while she can no longer remember her life before the village. When Einar decides Claire is ready, he provides her with the courage and confidence which will lead her to her son. When she reaches the top of the cliff Claire meets the Trademaster who trades for what she most wants in the world: to find her son. He even gives her the first knowledge of his name: Gabriel.
     Gabriel escaped with Jonas at the end of The Giver and the two have aged in a refuge which has made its mark by becoming a shelter for those fleeing misfortune. Gabe has always had a desire and need to look to where he came from. He remembers vague moments of his mother holding him, loving him, but they are simply memories of a feeling Gabe hasn't felt in over ten years.
     The boy is preparing to search for his history when Trademaster returns and it is up to Gabe to save the town and people he loves. Claire has spent the last years watching her son from afar when the danger reappears, she must face the consequences of her choices and send him into danger where he can use his gift to save them all.
     In this evocative conclusion to the Giver quartet the reader follows Claire on her journey from a single sheep following dictates of her community to the individual who is willing to trade her chance at happiness to see her child grow into adulthood. Old characters reappear and the reader is rescued from the dangling cliffhanger. Written for middle school readers and older, there are some mature themes throughout the novel, with something for even adult readers to enjoy.

City of Secrets

City of Secrets by Mary Hoffman, 2008 Bloomsbury

   Matt Wood follows his friends, Nick and Georgia, into an antique store where he finds a book which somehow speaks to him. Matt rarely finds a connection with books as he is dyslexic, but this book is different. When he falls into a stress-induced sleep holding the book, Matt awakens in the scriptorium at the university in Padavia; a city much like Renaissance Padua.
     The man who introduces him to this strange world is Professor Constantin. Constantin explains the Scriptorium to Matt and describes Stravagation. The professor believes Matt is meant to help him print outlawed anatomy manuscripts and disperse them throughout Talia. Nick and Georgia are Stravagante too--they help Matt balance the two parts of his life and to grow with his responsibilities in Talia.
     At the Scriptorium Matt meets Lucien, a fellow classmate who has transferred into Talia and is studying at the university. Luciano's fiancee is Arianna, the Duchessa of Bellezza, and Matt struggles to deal with the rediscovery. Meanwhile, Arianna's enemies and the enemies of the Stravagante, the di Chimici, continue to use social unrest in an attempt to unite Talia and gain both the political power and ability to travel between worlds which is unavailable to them.
     When danger strikes his newfound friends, Matt finds he is the only one who can assist. He finds faith in himself enough to stand up to the di Chimici and risk his life for his beliefs. Matt struggles with his abilities and trying to be like others; early teen readers will relate to his experience in balancing the adventure and the responsibility of growing up.

The Grey King

The Grey King by Susan Cooper, 1975 Margaret K. McElderry Books

     Young Will Stanton has had a nasty illness, when he finally recovers his doctor suggests he take a holiday with family in Wales. Little does the young man know that he is drawn to this ancient place by forces more powerful than the country doctor. While in his fevered delirium Will has forgotten something he meant to keep forever.
     In Wales at his aunt and uncle's farm Will becomes stronger. Under the crags of the Grey King, a local name for the mountain, snippets of a poem return to Will. He meets Bram, a curious boy and the Raven Boy from his poem. With the new friend and ally Will remembers his mission and his place as an Old One in the cosmos.
     The quest set before Will, and inclusive of his new friend, is for a Thing of Power, a magical harp which will help him wake the Sleepers and bring aid to the Light in the upcoming ultimate battle with the Dark. But finding the harp is just the beginning.
     With his returning memories Will attracts the notice of the Lord of Darkness: the Grey King. The Grey King raises his minions to combat Will at each turn. Through the Dark the local sheepherding peoples become violent and oppose the boys and their galavanting. A neighbor to Will's uncle, Pritchard, becomes a nuisance; eventually he creates the greatest hurdle in Will's quest. Will and Bram are persistent, but will they manage to install one more stone in the wall of humanity's defense against the Dark?
     Like the previous installments of the Dark is Rising Sequence, The Grey King is high fantasy mixed with the solid traditions of the local peoples. Will is an outsider who finds his place with the help of another outsider - the albino boy Bram - and fights for the future he believes is right. Readers who enjoyed the Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia will enjoy this young adult fantasy.

A Fistful of Charms

A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison, 2008 Harper Voyager

     Rachel Morgan has just finished dealing with one supernatural problem in the Hollows when another slinks its way into her life. David is a werewolf who agrees to form a pack with Rachel--for insurance purposes only. He also happens to be an insurance adjuster. Rachel is challenged for her place as Alpha female, and she must learn to fight as the weres do to maintain her place.
     But something is happening with the Weres. They've been creating larger and larger packs and the infighting which keeps packs to a manageable level is quelled. When Rachel steps in to investigate, her ex--Nick--rises to the front of the queue.
     Nick is on an island which appears to be the center of the normal pack dynamics breakdown. When Rachel sneaks her way past the militant guards she discovers Nick has, not surprisingly, gotten himself involved with demon artifacts which cause these weres to form a single pack.
     With David's help, and some iffy magick of her own, Rachel wrests the magic away from the weres who hired Nick to retrieve it. Then Rachel must discover a way to protect the artifact and keep its uncertain power from tipping the balance of power in the Hollows.
     Away from Ivy's influence and with a human-sized Jenks, Rachel is a loose cannon. Her already unconventional way of surviving the feuds of the Hollows has begun to chafe by this, her fourth adventure. While she still maintains that her magic practice is morally good vampires, weres, and even demons are knocking on Rachel's door with more and more forceful offers of employment. Rachel Morgan continues to fight back and mature readers who enjoy a strong yet imperfect female lead will enjoy Rachel's sassiness. 

Sir Thursday

Sir Thursday by Garth Nix, 2006 Scholastic Books

     Returning from the Border Sea with Leaf, Arthur doesn't make it through the door. It appears something has been slowly taking over his life on Earth. While Leaf attempts to banish the Nithling creature and allow Arthur back home, he is drafted for his required 100 years into Sir Thursday's Glorious Army of the Architect.
     Dame Primus reveals Mister Monday and Grim Tuesday have been assassinated then Arthur is spirited away to a chessboard-like portion of the House where the Army battles the Piper to possession of the Fourth Key. Mistaken for one of the Piper's children, Arthur has his memory wiped and only begins to recall portions of his life months later.
     On Earth Leaf tries to find the Nithling impersonating Arthur. She discovers the hospital they were taken from to the Border Sea has been infected with a fungoid which allows the creature to read and control the minds and bodies of those infected. The hospital believes the fungus to be a biological weapon and sets up a quarantine.
     When Leaf is infected she manages to call Arthur's friend Suzy Q Turquoise for help, just before she is overtaken. Suzy escapes the House to aid Leaf, and returns to find Arthur. Arthur, with his memory slowly returning, is glad to see Suzy and it is with her aid he manages his final battle for the Will.
     Memory and identity play a significant role in Sir Thursday. Thursday is governed by the sin of wrath and finds wiping the Piper's Children's memories hinders their allegiance to the Piper. Arthur is less and less hesitant to become the Heir as he loses and regains his identity, and fights for justice. Adventure pervades Arthur's fourth foray into the House and he again finds his friends are his greatest asset. Readers of all ages can access the language and content of Sir Thursday.

Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth

Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan, 2008 Hyperion Books

     After The Titan's Curse Percy, Annabeth, and Grover have separated for the new school year. Percy is dragged back into the fight between the Greek Gods and Kronos's army from his high school Freshman Orientation. When two demons disguised as cheerleaders attack Percy the young woman who can see through the mists, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, helps him escape.
     Back at Camp Half-Blood the danger is escalating. Kronos's forces are heckling at the boundary of the camp and the magic keeping the demigods safe begins to buckle. Annabeth, Percy, Grover, and Tyson answer the call of Camp Half-Blood's Oracle and quest into the Labyrinth under the camp.
     Using Princess Ariadne's magic string Percy leads their adventure under camp into Daedalus's maze. The Labyrinth stretches under the United States and the friends encounter old allies and new dangers throughout their journey.
     The dangers mount as the inevitable crash between Olympus and the armies of Kronos nears. Percy and his friends continue to face obstacle after obstacle with the hope they will manage to rescue and protect their world from certain destruction. Like the first three books in the Percy Jackson series young readers will enjoy the mysticism and the adventure of The Battle of the Labyrinth.

Young Unicorns

The Young Unicorns by Madeleine L'Engle, 1968 Farrar, Straus & Giroux

     After their cross-country vacation the Austin family settles into New York for a year in the big city. Dr. Austin has been asked to assist in the creation and perfection of a micro-beam laser. While he is working on the project his children meet a variety of people: Emily is a blind musical prodigy, her companion is Josiah "Dave" Davidson who helps Emily get around; Emily's music teacher Mr. Theo, Cannon Tallis working at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, and several unsavory characters from Dave's past with a gang, the Alphabats.
     The friendship with Emily and Dave leads to a mystery involving a Genie, the local bishop, and Dave's former gang. Cannon Tallis works to protect the Austin children from the grimy underworld they discover, and the connection to their father.
     While Dr. Austin's laser has several medical and technical benefits, the mystery which enthralls John, Vicky, Suzy, and Rob Austin reveals forces willing to use it for unknown nefarious purposes. Along with the Austins and their friends, Cannon Tallis works to unearth the forces roiling around the small-town family in the big city.
     The Young Unicorns is a change of scene for the Austin family and links to other stories in L'Engle's universe, while focusing on the story from Dave's point of view. Cannon Tallis is recently returned from the events of The Arm of the Starfish and the Austins are returning from their adventures in The Moon by Night. Written for middle school readers, The Young Unicorns holds interest for readers of all ages.

A Conspiracy of Kings

A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner, 2010 Eos

     Sophos has been exiled to his father's island property to learn how to be king. His uncle gives up on the scholar and marries to get an heir. Meanwhile Sounis is still at war with both Attolia and his barons. When Sophos is kidnapped and believes his family murdered the young man is forced to harden into a warrior.
     While Sounis is at war with his rebelling barons, his nephew is hidden on the conspiracy leader's estate serving as a slave: building rock walls to create terraces across the landscape, mending tools, and any other work the weather allows. As summer transitions into fall the king's armies begin to falter and Sophos's father visits his slavemaster.
     At first Sophos hopes to catch his father's eye and be freed, but when his father doesn't recognize him, Sophos realizes he must escape. In the midst of his plannings he discovers the baron plans to kill the king's brother; if his plan to escape will succeed, Sophos finds he must save his father from certain death. Sophos's father is glad to see his so alive, and eagerly agrees to the plans which will allow him to survive the conspiracy leader's trap.
     Once they escape Sophos discovers his uncle has died and he is Sounis. The new king is hesitant of his path, but certain he must speak to his old friend Eugenides who has become king of Attolia. Traveling in secret to evade his rebellion, Sophos makes his way through Eddis to Attolia. The Gen he discovers there is distant and removed from their previous association, more concerned with the well-being of his country than maintaining his friendship. Sophos doesn't know how to deal with this apparent loss of his closest friend, but through conversation with Eddis and Attolia (Helen and Irene) he discovers Attolis is acting in the best interests of the entire peninsula, while Gen wants to assist his friend as best he can.
     After much conversation and debate Sophos manages a treaty with Attolis which will cement his role as Sounis. Attolis will send a select group of troops to set down the rebellion, and it is up to the new Sounis to use his tools properly. But when the Mede Empire invades, all bets are off and Sounis prepares to fight to the last.
     Throughout the political maneuvering and struggle to live, Sophos hopes for a romance with the Queen of Eddis and manages to rekindle the friendship he once had with Gen, and through him a friendly respect for Irene, Queen Attolia. He grows into his role as king as he fights to become Sounis and the change from the Sophos of The Thief is remarkable. Readers of all ages can enjoy the vivid characters and sharp contrasts of A Conspiracy of Kings, though some political dealings are better appreciated by older readers.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling, 2000 Bloomsbury

     Harry goes to visit Ron at the Burrow in the summer after his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry, Ron, and Hermione travel to the World Quidditch Cup where all hell breaks loose. Death Eaters are more and more brash about their performances and the Dark Mark in the sky throws everything into confusion--Death Eaters attack wizards and witches and are not repelled by the Ministry of Magic.
     Back at school the Ministry has decided to revive the age-old tradition of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. A student from each of the three magical schools in Europe will participate in a three-tiered tournament for the honor of housing the Tri-Wizard Cup. Representatives from Beauxbaton Acadamy and Durmstrang Institute travel to Hogwarts hoping to be chosen.  With such a public distraction the Death Eaters and Voldemort's followers gain traction and progress toward bringing the Dark Lord back.
     Though the competitors must be of age--seventeen--fourteen-year-old Harry's name somehow makes it into the Goblet of Fire and Harry becomes the fourth contestant. Throughout the three challenges Harry is both aided and challenged by the people around him and his competitors. Not only are the adults around him taking sides, but his friendships seem to be cracking under the pressures of a competition Harry never wanted.
     Facing dragons, mer-folk, and a deadly maze all lead up to one of the most difficult experiences of Harry's life. He loses friends, gains enemies, and witnesses the rebirth of the most dangerous and terrifying wizard his world has ever known. Yet he persists and helps to unearth treachery in the most impregnable stronghold in the wizarding world: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
     Public opinion has never seemed to impact Harry's life, but when he transforms into the youngest competitor in the Tri-Wizard Tournament he is no longer just the Boy Who Lived--he becomes the hero and golden boy. Life has progressively gotten darker for Harry and his friends since they met their first year at Hogwarts yet they stick together and rely on each other for their strengths. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a story aimed at a teen audience, but one that has entertained readers of all ages since its publication.

Many Waters

Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle, 1986 Ferrar, Straus & Giroux

   Dennys and Sandy Murry are the somewhat normal twin brothers of Meg and Charles Wallace Murry. When they disturb something in their mother's lab and are swept away from New England's winter into, what they assume to be, an alien world. The twins encounter humans, much shorter than the two teens, a miniature mammoth, unicorns that are both there and not quite there at the same time, and a water prospector named Japheth.
     Japheth offers to take Sandy and Dennys to the nearest oasis, but on the journey both boys get heatstroke, and the unicorn Dennys rides runs off. Sandy remains with Japheth and his grandfather Lamech.
     Dennys reappears, but is thrown into the garbage pile at the oasis. Even worse off, he is taken to the tent of the patriarch who he discovers is Lamech's son and Japheth's father, Noah.
     The twins realize they've been transported into Biblical times, to the time of Noah, just before the great flood. The improbable creatures that tend to the boys, the pelican, scarab beetle, and lion are merely the animal hosts of seraphim who are unusually aware of the science of modern Earth. Their counterparts, the nephilim are distrustful of the twins and their presence in Noah's world and try to discover the purpose behind their visit.
     Sandy and Dennys live at the oasis for about a year, becoming more independent of each other, and learning the complexity of the world around them and the complexity of themselves both as a twin brothers, and as individuals. When the time comes for the great flood, the boys are left behind, yet they still help build the Ark and leave their mark on Noah's family.
     Many Waters is the story of how Sandy and Dennys forge their own identities separate from the unit that everyone else views them as. Their travel through the Biblical world mirrors the journey made by their sister and brother in the previous three novels of the series and informs each boy's transformation. The ties to Bible stories are woven through out L'Engle's tale in an obvious, yet understated manner that stimulates thought. Readers both young and old can follow the evolution of Dennys and Sandy as they face adversity, find and lose love, and stick to their values, despite danger and drama. An ideal audience would be early teens facing the challenges of high school.

Untamed

Untamed by Kristin and P.C. Cast, 2008 St. Martin's

     Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird's friends have lost all faith in her, but she has determined to talk to them, to renew and strengthen their relationship. Aphrodite reappears re-Marked and joins the friends at lunch, but before a confrontation can ensue the famous archer fledgling  James Stark arrives. Zoey meets Aphrodite and Stevie Rae after lunch and learns that Stevie Rae is much as she was before her death; the only difference is an aversion to sunlight. The two also reveal that Aphrodite's mark is fake, she is human but retains her visions.
     When she goes to speak with them, Erin, Shaunee, Damien, and Damien's boyfriend (and a new member of their group) Jack, tell Zoey they felt betrayed when she shared Stevie Rae with Aphrodite rather than her friends. When she explains they make up and cast a circle to find out why everything has happened. Nyx explains Stevie Rae and Aphrodite, then warns the group that Dark events have been set in motion.
     The friends, the "nerd herd" rushes to a Council meeting where they find Shekinah, the High Priestess of all vampyres, has arrived to revoke Neferet's declaration of war on humans. Erik has returned to take over Professor Nolan's position as drama teacher, to Zoey's dismay. On her return to the dorm, Zoey sees Stark practicing with his bow and learns his gift is that he never misses a target, but his body rejects the Change and he dies in her arms.
     Zoey and her friends visit a local cat shelter, run by the nuns of the Benedictine Abbey, as a community activity for the Dark Sons and Daughters. The leader, Sister Mary Angela, startles Zoey with the difference between her beliefs and those of her stepfather. On the way back to the House of Night they encounter Heath, Zoey's ex-boyfriend, he says he's given up loving her because it hurt too much. Back at the House of Night Zoey is late for drama with Professor Erik Night, her former boyfriend. He casts her as Desdemona to his Othello, giving her a chance to explain her feelings, but storms off as the bell rings.
     After class Zoey is met by Darius, a Sons of Erebus (Nyx's consort) Warrior, and taken to Aphrodite. She has been having visions of Sylvia Redbird, Zoey's grandmother, and gives Zoey a poem. Sylvia and Zoey work out that the poem is an ancient Cherokee prophecy predicting the rise of Kalona, a fallen angel. Sylvia warns Zoey and her friends of Raven Mockers: half-human, half-raven offspring of Kalona and human women he violated, and Zoey requests that she come to the House of Night for protection.
     On her way to a Council meeting Zoey is attacked by a Raven Mocker and escapes Aphrodite's vision of her death by calling Damien who sends Air to her rescue. She overhears a conversation between Shekinah and Neferet; Neferet blames all the troubles she's faced on Zoey. After Neferet has gone, Zoey explains about the cat shelter and asks for a place for her grandmother. She then finds Erik and explains the situation  he encountered that caused him to break up with her.
     Sylvia Redbird arrives and stays in Stevie Rae and Zoey's room, they discuss what to do about the evil that is coming, but halfway through discover a Raven Mocker listening at the window. Shekinah asks Zoey to perform a cleansing ritual, and comes to tell her Sylvia has been in a car crash. Zoey and friends rush to the hospital and fearing the Raven Mockers caused Sylvia's accident ask to have Sister Mary Angela guard her.
     Zoey performs the ritual and tries to introduce the red fledglings, but Neferet brings undead Stark and tries to frame Zoey. Stark shoots Stevie Rae, nearly killing her, and her blood brings to life Kalona. Neferet kills Shekinah and the 'nerd herd' escapes to the underground tunnels where the red fledglings stayed. The dangerous headmistress is revealed as the evil witch who brings Kalona back from his imprisonment in the earth, heralding a new era at the Tulsa House of Night.
     The friends have found each other again, but have lost their safe haven with their escape from Neferet's dark handhold over the school. Stevie Rae's rediscovery of humanity and near death take their toll on Zoey's growing leadership; she begins to question who she has become, but turns to Nyx and her loving guidance. Zoey is still trying to figure out where her life is going and how to deal with the gifts she has been blessed with. The challenge Neferet poses is devastating, yet she is a believable character as she struggles with the problems rising from Shekinah's death and her friends' banishment. Like the rest of the series, Untamed is directed toward older school-aged readers.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis, 1952 Geoffrey Bles

     Edmund and Lucy have traveled to Narnia twice before, but when they and their cruel cousin Eustace Scrubb are drawn through a photograph at their aunt's home it is Eustace's first trip into the fantastical world. They find themselves on a ship, the Dawn Treader, with King Caspian X, whom they had helped regain his throne. Caspian has left Narnia in the capable hands of the dwarf Trumpkin and is sailing to the Eastern edge of the world searching for the Noble Lords. Lords Revilian, Bern, Argoz, Mavramorn, Octesian, Restimar, and Rhoop were sent away by Caspian's Uncle Miraz after his father's death.
     Reepicheep, however, joined the voyage in search of Aslan's land beyond the end of the world. Reepicheep is a Mouse, a talking mouse with a vindictive edge and the sword to back it up.
     Caspian, Reepicheep, and the children decide to explore one of the smaller Lone Islands (some of Narnia's tribute states), but before they get very far they are captured by slave dealers. Before they can be loaded onto the slave-ship a well dressed man buys Caspian. He reveals himself to be Lord Bern and Caspian reveals his own identity--together they work to get Edmund, Lucy, Eustance, and Reepicheep back. Caspian goes to the governor and finds him lacking; he requires the previous 150 years' unpaid tribute and abolishes slavery. When the governor cannot fulfill his obligations, Caspian replaces him with Lord Bern.
     The Dawn Treader and her passengers move beyond the Lone Islands. When a two-week storm empties their stores, tempers become short. The crew spots an island and go ashore to replenish their supplies. Eustace goes into the mountains to avoid work and becomes lost, he falls into a valley where he discovers a dragon. The dragon keels over and dies, to Eustace's relief, and a rainstorm drives Eustace into his treasure-filled cave. Eustace fills his pockets with gold and slips an arm-ring up his arm, then falls alseep. When he wakes he is a dragon. Eustace discovers he can fly and goes to the ship for help, startling the Dawn Treader's crew. Caspian recognizes the arm-ring as Lord Octesian's and the group accepts Eustance-the-dragon rather than fighting him. Aslan himself comes to help change the repentant Eustace back into a boy and the Dawn Treader departs Dragon Island.
     Eustace begins to become a more friendly as his changed attitude is noticed and praised. They encounter another Lord turned to gold in a pool, Reepicheep names the island Deathwater Island and they move on. The next landing is the island of the Dufflepods. Caspian, Lucy, Eustace, Reepicheep, and Edmund go ashore and Lucy discovers a race of creatures turned invisible when they refused to do work for a magician. They need Lucy to read the spell to make them visible again because it was one of their young girls who made them invisible. Lucy makes them visible, and Aslan brings her to meet the magician: a star fallen from the sky, who shows her the creatures she made visible again--one legged creatures bouncing around the yard. Coriakin, the star, repairs damage done to the Dawn Treader and makes a magical map of the lands Caspian has already explored. Coriakin also shares that seven years before a ship with the Lords Revilian, Argoz, Mavramorn, and Rhoop had continued beyond his island, naming the golden lord as Restimar.
     After some time, the Dawn Treader encounters a misty shape of an island. As the ship drew closer the skies became dark as if by magic. A mysterious man appears and reveals the island is a land where dreams come true, even the nightmares. He identifies himself as Lord Rhoop, and when the crew looks back to where the island was, it has vanished.
     The Narnians continue beyond the site of the vanished island and find another land, when Caspian, Reepicheep, Lucy, Edmund, and Eustace go ashore they find a table laden with foods of all sorts. At the table are three men in an enchanted sleep, the group assumes it was a result of eating the food, but a young woman appears and says it was a quarrel in which one of them touched the knife Aslan used at the Stone Table that caused their deep sleep. When Caspian asked how to remove the enchantment the young woman's father appeared. The woman and her father sang the dawn, and the old man introduced himself as Ramandu, another former star. He explained the group must sail to the end of the world and leave a member of their party there: Reepicheep is delighted.
     The Dawn Treader and her passengers continue on toward the much-larger sun. When Reepicheep dives overboard to battle a mer-king he discovers the sea is sweet rather than salty. He takes it to mean they are near to Aslan's land: Reepicheep's ultimate goal. They sail through miles and miles of lilies, and Aslan appears to Caspian telling him to send Lucy, Edmund, Eustace, and Reepicheep on, but to return home to Narnia. The children and Rat continue on and run aground before a giant wave, and Reepicheep continues over the ever moving wave never to be seen again.
     The children encounter Aslan and learn Lucy and Edmund are growing too old to return. When Lucy asks if Eustace will return, Aslan says it is not hers to know. They are transported back to the room in England, and Caspian returns to Narnia with Ramandu's daughter where they marry and have many sons who become kings.
     The journey shows how Narnia changes Eustace. Lucy and Edmund have already been changed by the land, becoming more confident and assured. Caspian has grown and changed since their last journey to Narnia. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was aimed toward eight-year-olds, but the reach stretches to readers of all ages. 

Afterlife

Afterlife by Claudia Gray, 2011 Harper Collins

     Bianca has died. Her new status as a Wraith is confusing and the draw to leave her life is a constant pull, but Lucas has died too. When Lucas' worst nightmare comes true, Bianca is the only thing keeping him from losing control and the animosity between vampires and wraiths isn't going to keep them apart.
     But Lucas' bloodthirst is stronger than either of them could have anticipated. The only place to go is Evernight Academy, risking the perils that stalk those hallways. Lucas, Bianca, and their friends discovered, in a previous story, that Mrs. Bethany allowed specific humans to enter the school because they had lived haunted lives, and the wraiths followed them to Evernight only to be trapped by Mrs. Bethany.
     Bianca and Lucas carve out a corner of the school where they could meet with friends and plan a way to make the academy safe for Bianca to roam. They conquered the challenge of the traps, and worked toward understanding why Mrs. Bethany drew the wraiths to Evernight. While the vampires try to control Lucas' bloodthirst, Bianca tries to understand Christopher--the wraith who seems to lead the others--and the power he wields.
     After many challenges to their relationship and their very existences, Lucas and Bianca help to break down barriers between the vampires and wraiths, as well as the undead and humans. All while maintaining their relationship and fighting for each other. In the final segment of the Evernight series, Lucas and Bianca are finally able to be together without the prejudices of their world trying to separate them. The story is accessible and concludes the series with the push that began Evernight.

The Mystery at Lilac Inn

The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene, 1961 Grosset & Dunlap

     In her fourth adventure, Nancy visits her friend Emily and Emily's Aunt Hazel at an inn and resort owned by Emily and her fiance, Dick. The Lilac Inn is being haunted by a woman with dark hair and a flowing gown, driving away employees and causing strife throughout the resort.
     Nancy is called home to investigate a break-in at her home. She discovers that someone has been wearing her 'distinctive clothing' and using her identity to charge large purchases to her account. When she returns to the Lilac Inn, Nancy witnesses the theft of Emily's jewels and encounters her own apparition.
     With a twist involving Dick's friend John, Nancy displays a willingness to explore into new and different hobbies in the course of the case. After a close encounter with drowning and a cold war spy ring, Nancy captures her impostor, solves both cases and returns home safely.
     The elements that create Nancy Drew come together in this book: her disguises, uncommon skills, traditional values, and a system of deductive reasoning that carries her through to the end of each case. The writing is accessible and the ink and pen drawings allow an image of Nancy's era.