Young Adult

Sometime I grab books just because of the titles. David Gershwin’s summer is about to take a turn for the weird. When his dad’s new patient Zelda tells him she’s from outer space and on a quest to take Johnny Depp back to her planet, he knows he should run away screaming. But with one look from her mean, green eyes, David’s hooked, and soon he’s leaping across rooftops, running from police and stealing cars just to stay by her side. He might not be a typical hero, but David’s going to get the girl even if it takes him to the ends of the earth or beyond. Obviously, a fun read.

The story of Barbara Thorson, an acerbic fifth-grader so consumed with fantasy that she doesn't just tell people that she kills giants with an ancient Norse Warhammer – she starts to believe it herself. The reasons for Barbara's troubled behavior are revealed through the course of the book, as she learns to reconcile her fantasy life with the real world. Winner of the 2012 International Manga Award, with incredible illustrations by Ken Niimura.

Corinna is a Folk Keeper. Her job is to keep the mysterious Folk who live beneath the ground at bay. But Corinna has a secret that even she doesn't fully comprehend, until she agrees to serve as Folk Keeper at Marblehaugh Park, a wealthy family's seaside manor. There her hidden powers burst into full force, and Corinna's life changes forever...

When Dora, Elena’s older sister, is diagnosed with depression and has to be admitted to the hospital, Elena can’t seem to make sense of their lives anymore. At school, the only people who acknowledge Elena are Dora’s friends and Jimmy Zenk – who failed at least one grade and wears black every day of the week. And at home, Elena’s parents keep arguing with each other. Elena will do anything to help her sister get better and get their lives back to normal – even when the responsibility becomes too much to bear.

Eddie Corazon is angry. He’s also very smart. But he’s working pretty hard at being a juvenile delinquent. He blows off school, even though he’s a secret reader. He hangs with his cousins, who will always back him up – when they aren’t in jail. Then along comes Lupe, who makes his blood race. She sees something in Eddie he doesn’t even see in himself. A heart, and a mind, and something more: a poet. But in Eddie’s world, it’s a thin line between tragedy and glory. And what goes down is entirely in Eddie’s hands. Great debut novel from the author of My Posse Don’t Do Homework (which became the movie Dangerous Minds).

When their teacher goes missing during an outing, eleven girls grapple with the aftermath in this haunting, exquisitely told psychological mystery. What actually happened in the seaside cave that day? And who can they tell about it? Part gripping thriller, part ethereal tale of innocence lost, this book is a poignant study of fear and friendship, and of what it takes to come of age with courage.

Thirteen-year-old Travis has a secret: he can’t read. But a shrewd teacher and a sassy girl are about to change everything in this witty and deeply moving novel. Mr. McQueen is a rare teacher whose savvy persistence has Travis slowly unlocking a book on the natural world, while Velveeta’s wry banter and colorful scarves belie some hard secrets of her own. With sympathy, humor and disarming honesty, Schmatz captures the moments of trust and connection that make all the difference.

It’s freshman year of college for the winsome threesome of the Internet Girls series, and the first semester is full of surprises. Bubbly Angela dives headfirst into sorority life, but faced with mean girls and hazing, she wonders whether she’s a Greek girl after all. By choosing Santa Cruz, Maddie is finally surrounded by like-minded (i.e., not sorority-type) people, but feels lonelier than ever. And Zoe is keeping up a long-distance relationship with Doug, her high school boyfriend. She thought they’d be together forever, but after a few awful visits – not so much. In the face of all this change, what are the best friends to do? Make the most of every crazy moment, that’s what. You only go to college once, after all.

In 1848 the Crafts made one of the most daring and remarkable escapes in the history of slavery in America. With fair-skinned Ellen in the guise of a white male planter and William posing as her servant, the Crafts traveled by rail and ship―in plain sight and relative luxury―from bondage in Macon, Georgia, to freedom first in Philadelphia, then Boston, and ultimately England. Astounding story!

Offering straightforward advice on fashion, this practical handbook explains how to develop a personal style suited for one's body type and personality, offering helpful tips on how to use fashion to disguise a variety of problems, from large breasts to short legs, with long-term fashion solutions. Original, and great for teens struggling to find their own style.

Are you confounded by commas, addled by apostrophes or queasy about quotation marks? Do you believe a bracket is just a support for a wall shelf, a dash is something you make for the bathroom and a colon and semicolon are large and small intestines? If so, this book is for you. My high schoolers have always enjoyed when I read to them the musings of language humorist Lederer, and this book does not disappoint.

Good book for tweens. Every nation that invades the City gives it a new name. But before long, new invaders arrive and the City changes hands once again. The natives don't let themselves get caught up in the unending wars. To them, their home is the Nameless City, and those who try to name it are forever outsiders. Kaidu is one such outsider. He's a Dao, born and bred – a member of the latest occupying nation. Rat is a native of the Nameless City. At first, she hates Kai for everything he stands for, but his love of his new home may be the one thing that can bring these two unlikely friends together. Let's hope so, because the fate of the Nameless City rests in their hands.

Newbery Honor-winning graphic novel memoir that is perfect for September. Starting at a new school is scary, especially with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece’s class was deaf. Here, she’s different. She’s sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends. Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With the Phonic Ear she can hear her teacher not just in the classroom but anywhere her teacher is in the school: in the hallway, in the teacher’s lounge – in the bathroom! This is power. Maybe even superpower! Cece is on her way to becoming “El Deafo, Listener for All.” But the funny thing about being a superhero is that it’s just another way of feeling different – and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers into finding the thing she wants most, a true friend? Perfect for fans of Wonder.

Another installment of the Horrible Histories series that has transformed many reluctant boy readers into avid readers. In this edition readers can discover all the foul facts about the “terrible Tudors,” including why Henry VIII thought he'd married a horse, all about terrible Tudor torture and which shocking swear words the Tudors used (don’t worry, parents; they’re “PG” by today’s standards). I’ve seen boys actually turn off electronic devices in favor of these books!

Not the typical book I recommend, but I worked with a group of teenage girl reluctant readers that practically memorized this book. A “boldly designed nail-art bible packed with step-by-step instructions to create the hottest trends for your fingertips.” Reid is a twentysomething trendsetter from London who shares twenty-five of her most popular designs, ranging from simple techniques such as newspaper print to the trickier designs like tuxedo nails, leopard print, and more.