The Secrets We Keep

by Trisha Leaver

Summary:

When Ella wakes up in the hospital, she can barely remember what happened. When everyone starts calling her Maddy, her twin sister's name, she remembers everything and more. Rather than face her own guilt about the accident, Ella decides to just become Maddy-who was always the better, prettier, more popular twin anyway. As the months pass, Ella has to decide whether or not it's better to come clean about being Maddy, or whether she should give up her own dreams to live her sisters forever.

Review:

A good quick read, it's one of several of the same theme that have come out lately. This one is slightly believable, but also not on a lot of levels. Ella ultimately comes clean with few real reprecussions, which is also a little unbelievable. Overall its good for anyone who likes realistic fiction that's not too deep.

Age Level: 8th Grade

Genre: Realistic

Rot and Ruin

by Jonathan Maberry

Summary:

It's been 14 years since First Night, the night the dead came back to life. Now 15, Benny reluctantly agrees to join the 'family business' and become a zombie hunter like his brother Tom. But life in the Rot and Ruin isn't anything like Benny thinks, and he's about to discover that the zombies aren't the only monsters out there. Just because the world ended doesn't mean that the only people left are good.

Review:
A diferent kind of zombie book. Tom addresses the zombies not as 'monsters' but as the people they used to be, which is not something you normally see. It's a good read even for those who don't like the genre.

Age Level: 7th Grade

Genre: Horror

Black Dove, White Raven

by Elizabeth Wein

Summary:
Emilia and Teo's lives changed the instant war came to Ethopia. It was supposed to be a place they could be free, that they and their mothers could live without the genderism or racism that dominated 1930's America. Now Em and Teo find themselves in the middle of the conflict between Ethopia and Italy, and they are about to discover how many things are worth fighting for.

Review:
Another wonderful read by Wein. Em and Teo are wonderful characters, and the opportunities they have are rare for both their genders and race in this time period. A good read for historical fiction lovers.

Age Level: 8th Grade
Genre: Historical Fiction

The Red Queen

by Victoria Aveyard

Summary:
Mare's world is divided by blood. Born a red, she is forever bound to a life of wanting and servitude to the silvers, those with silver blood and supernatural powers. When a chance encounter leads to a job in the palace, she doesn't question it. But when she discovers she has supernatural powers of her own, and discovers this in front of the entire court. Now forced to pretend to be a silver by the king, she is betrothed to the prince and finds herself playing a much more dangerous game than she ever thought possible.

Review:
While this type of theme is being played out in numerous trilogies, The Red Queen is absolutely marvelous. It will find a readership in those who love the semi-dystopian romance with a bit of fantasy thrown in. It's difficult to put down and leaves readers anxiously awaiting the rest of the series.

Genre: Dystopian Fantasy
Age Level: 8th Grade

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender

by Leslye Walton

Summary:
Born with wings, Ava has been kept in her house with her wingless twin brother since she was born. Now 16, Ava just wants to experience the world and perhaps discover more about her family's past in an attempt to figure out why she is the one with wings. In a world where love makes us all fools, Ava is about to find out that while love can be a many splendid thing, it can also be the thing that kills us.

Review:
This was an extremely odd book, but also oddly compelling. The book starts with a history of Ava's family, and their extreme bad luck when it comes to love. The misfortunes of her ancestors are what leads to Ava being born with wings. Ava's innocence to all things evil is quite endearing, but her extreme strength is what is lasting. It's a nice read for those who don't mind suspending belief for a bit, and would be good for those who aren't necessarily into full fledged fantasy but don't mind a sprinkling.

Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 8th Grade

The Carnival at Bray

by Jessie Ann Foley

Summary:
When her mother falls in love, Maggie knows the cycle. It'll be great for a bit, but then the inevitable breakup occurs and after her mother falls apart and puts herself back together, life goes on. But this time her mother has gotten married and moved them from their hometown of Chicago to Bray, Ireland, a little town outside of Dublin. Now, away from everyone she has ever loved, especially her rocker uncle Kevin, Maggie might just learn something about love and loss herself.

Review:
Set in 1993, this book is a great illustration of both teenage life then and now. It was remarkable to me how little the book felt like it was set 20 years ago, before cell phones or the internet. The author does a great job of focusing on the characters and the interplay between them. Kurt Cobain might not be on too many teenage radars these days, but the book does a great job of illustrating just how important he was to many. Maggie's uncle's drug abuse is barely talked about, and his fairly horrid death is talked about briefly. It's suitable for slightly mature teens, and will mostly likely find it's main audience in older teens or adults.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade

The Tyrant's Daughter

by J.C. Carleson

Summary:
When her father is killed in a coup, Laila flees to the United States with her mother and brother. As she struggles with daily life in the States, Laila begins to discover the truth about her father's regime. While her mother schemes and plots for them to have her younger brother inherit the country's rule so they can return to the country, Laila is left trying to figure out what her path is. Does she have to return to a county where she will have no real rights again? Should she stay in America even though life here isn't as easy as they might have thought? What is true in a world where everything she was told was a lie? An interesting read about a girl from a sheltered past coming to terms with truths she was never told.

Review:
This book mildly frustrated me. There were times when I wanted to yell at Laila that family loyalty should only go so far. The mother's plots to return to their country and put her young son 'in charge' and have a family member as regent angered me, mainly because you can see this kind of scheming today and in our recent past. The human rights atrocities that were touched on were equally frustrating as you watched the mother ignoring them to try and continue to live the life she wanted. It's a good read that gives some insight as to what it would be like to grow up in that environment.

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade

Don't Look Back

by Jennifer Armentrout

Summary:
If Sam could remember that night, or anything from her life before that night, maybe she could help them find Cassie. If the person she is discovering she was, the mean girl who was both loved and hated alongside Queen Bee Cassie, was anything like the person she thinks she should have been maybe things would make sense. But nothing is adding up. As Sam tries to remember what happened, threatening notes begin to appear warning her off the case. But nothing is adding up, and Sam is left to wonder, can she not remember because she killed Cassie herself?

Review:
A thriller which will keep you guessing until the very end, Don't Look Back is a fantastic read for anyone who likes suspense fiction. Sam is a very realistic character, and you struggle along with her wishing she could just remember what happened. The book builds to a big reveal, with a little romance on the side (though her love interest just might end up being the killer himself...).

Genre: Mystery
Age Level: 8th Grade

We Were Liars

by E. Lockhart

Summary:
If Cadence could remember her 15th summer, maybe things would make more sense. If she could remember, maybe her cousins would stop acting so odd. Maybe her aunts and mother would be ok. She had hoped spending the summer with everyone on their island would make things better. But remembering might just be worse than anything she could imagine. Maybe it's better to remain a liar.

Review:
I had read a lot of really positive reviews about We Were Liars, and as a result wasn't too optimistic about it being as good as everyone said. However I found myself pleasantly surprised by the title, and unable to put it down once I started. Lockhart has created a title with a shocking twist at the end. A great read for teens who like realistic mysteries, and who don't mind a tragic tale.

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade

Torn Away

by Jennifer Brown

Summary:
When Jersey hears the tornado alarm go off, she's not too worried. They go off all the time, and 99.99% of the time nothing happens. But she goes down into the cellar anyway, cause she doesn't want her mom to yell at her if she found out she hadn't. This time is not a false alarm. As the tornado recedes and leaves her town devastated, Jersey has lost everything and everyone she loves. Now, sent to live with relatives she's never met, Jersey will have to discover that there are some things you keep even when you thought you'd lost everything.

Review:
Author Jennifer Brown is known for her brilliantly written and poignant books, and this title definitely fits the bill. Jersey is a very empathetic character, and her struggles as she tries to move forward are heartbreaking. The relationships between the characters are believable. I thought the storyline with her stepfather to be extremely realistic and as such very difficult to read. The lack of sex or alcohol or drugs make this a safe bet for even younger teens.

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 7th Grade

Expiration Day

by William Campbell Powell

Summary:
Tania has always believed she was rare. One of the few human children in a world where most are actually robots. But when that turns out to be a lie, she finds herself at the center of a debate about what it truly means to be human. And she only has until her 18th birthday to prove she has a right to exist.

Review:
A poignant book about what it means to be human, Expiration Day is a good read to hand to teens who like science fiction. Tania is very relatable as explores what she is and what that means for her life. Though a robot, she is extremely human, making her struggles growing up very similar to those we all undergo. The book wraps up pretty neatly, with a twist at the end that makes the difficult choices leading up to it ok. Good for younger teens as well as slightly older ones, it would be a little simple for older teens to really appreciate.

Genre: Science Fiction
Age Level: 7th Grade

Nearly Gone

by Elle Cosimano

Summary:
Nearly just wants to keep her head down until the end of the school year. She's one of the top 3 contenders for a huge chemistry scholarship that is her ticket out of town and into college. But when the students she tutors start turning up dead, she finds herself the prime suspect in the police investigation. When she discovers an ad in the personal section that promises more attacks, she realizes that it's up to her to figure out who's behind the killings before she becomes the final victim.

Review:
There's not too many books that glorify girls who love math and chemistry, but this one does a great job of making up for that! Nearly is a great character. She's incredibly smart and knows it, and is using those smarts to get a better life for herself. The premise of the book is good, and the twists and turns in the plot keep you guessing who's behind it all until the very end. There are references to drugs and alcohol, and an entire plotline about a drug dealer. And there's a little romance mixed in for Nearly as well. It's a great read about a strong female character, but one that will appeal to both boys and girls.

Genre: Mystery
Age Level: 9th Grade

Rule of Three

by Eric Walters

Summary:
When the power goes off in school, Adam is just happy it means early dismissal. But when no ones car starts and cell phones stop working, he realizes that things might be a bit more serious than he thought. In a world run by computers, what do we do when they all stop working? Adam and his family are about to find out in this gripping dystopian novel about what happens when the things we depend on suddenly are gone.

Review:
While there are some issues with the book, mainly that the female characters are relegated to the sidelines, this book should have broad appeal to teens of both genders. Though only 16, Dan becomes central to his neighborhoods survival. He is a likable character whose moral quandary's are very relatable. The destruction of all computers is an interesting concept, especially since so much of our everyday essentials (water, plumbing, electricity) have computer components which make it work. If all of that was to shut down society would be paralyzed. It's a good, fast paced read for those who like dystopian or adventure novels.

Genre: Dystopian
Age Level: 8th Grade

No Place

by Todd Strasser

Summary:
Imagine if your family lost everything, despite trying everything to keep it. How would you feel if you were suddenly homeless. Would you keep going to school? Would you be able to face your friends? Would you even be able to tell them? Would they care enough to help you and not just judge your family? Dan has always been taught that as long as you work hard in school and go to college everything will work out. But when both his parents lose their jobs, and can't find new ones, he learns that that privileged dream isn't quite what he was told.

Review:
The recession of the past few years have had enormous consequences on many. But for those fortunate enough to have done well, it's easy to forget those who have lost everything. Many families who never had cause to worry about homelessness no do. Those whose parents aren't able to find any work, kids who pick up odd jobs so that they can buy dinner for their families. Strasser's book tackles a tough subject that is hidden to many kids, either because they are not exposed to it or because anyone they know who is in that situation keeps it hidden. It's a powerful and realistic read about how precarious our situations can be. A small amount of violence keeps in pace with the novel, definitely a good read for teens of all ages.

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age level: 8th Grade

Picture Perfect

by Elaine Marie Alphin

Summary:
Imagine waking up in a closet to discover mud on your boots and your best friend missing. But you can't remember anything about how you got there or what happened. What if this wasn't the first time you had missed time? What would you believe? A thriller about the things the mind does to protect itself, this book will keep you guessing about who did what until the very end.

Review:
Picture Perfect is not only about Ian's best friend going missing, but about the power of perception. Tough topics like child abuse are covered, in particular verbal abuse which leaves fewer outside scars on it's victims. The book wraps up a little too nicely, but it's a good mystery which addresses some tough topics without being heavy handed.  Good to give to fans of 17 & Gone or Pretty Girl-13.

Genre: Mystery
Age Level: 9th Grade

The Impossible Knife of Memory

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Summary:
Hayley and her father moved back to his hometown to start over after spending the last five years on the road. But as she starts to settle into a normal life, her father's struggles with PTSD from his time in Iraq start to take over their lives. Though Hayley tries to keep his condition from her teachers and friends, she'll have to realize that sometimes you can't save the ones you love by yourself. A haunting look at PTSD, the book is a stark reminder that sometimes the worst scars we carry aren't ones you can see.

Review:
Anderson's book is an extremely powerful read about something that has affected so many people who've served, and how it has affected their families. Hayley is a great character, albeit sometimes a little older than her years (and sometimes extremely juvenile). The ending wraps up a little too nicely, but it's nice to imagine that things could be fixed. Overall it is a good read for anyone who likes realistic fiction, though the many references to excessive drinking and drugs make it a better read for older teens.

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10th Grade

When Audrey met Alice

by Rebecca Behrens

Summary:
It's not all bad being the President's daughter, there's a kitchen with everything you could want, you get movies before they come out in theaters, books sent to you before they're published. But you've also always got to act perfect, support your mom, and do great in school. And having friends over? Don't even think about it without them passing security protocols. Audrey just wants a little more excitement. in her life. When she discovers Alice Roosevelt's diary hidden in her room, she gets more than a few ideas from Alice for how to make her White House experience a little more fun.

Review:
When Audrey Met Alice is a fun read sure to appeal to younger teen girls. Audrey is a great heroine, relateable even as the President's daughter- because how many 13 year old girls haven't felt trapped by their age and parents expectations. Alice Roosevelt is a great figure for girls to learn about, and the book should inspire many readers to learn more about her.

Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 7th Grade

The Tyrant's Daughter

by J.C. Carleson

Summary:
When the news talks about dictators on the other side of the world, it's easy to forget that they and their families are real people. It's hard to feel sympathy for them when their regimes fall, because we've heard the stories about how many people have died because of them. But what if you were the daughter of a dictator? Sheltered from the outside world, unaware of what was happening in  your own country. And then you had to flee to America after a hostile takeover. And are now thrust into a world completely different than your own. Startlingly realistic, the Tyrant's daughter is difficult to separate from real life happenings.

Review:
This is a completely fascinating look at not only the consequences of a dictatorship, but also at the intricacies of modern political power-mongering. The many layers of intrigue played by the CIA, the royal family, and current despot in Laila's home country are scarily realistic in their nature. Laila herself is a teenager struggling to adjust to life in a country so completely opposite from her own. She is a strong girl who takes on the challenge by observing and imitating those she sees. In the book we see her grow from a girl who was completely sheltered to one who faces the difficult decisions and acts. It's a great modern read to give to any teen with an interest in the world. It probably has more interest for older teens because of it's many references to today's political landscape.

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10th Grade

Something Real

by Heather Demetrios

Summary:
Chloe Baker has finally managed to fit in. No one knows her as one of the infamous Bakers Dozen, a reality show that followed her family since she was born. Instead she's a normal teenager, with friends and a crush! Then she finds her nice normal world crashing down around her as Bakers Dozen prepares to return to TV. With cameras following her and her family 24/7, it's impossible to go back to her nice normal life. And now America is sitting in the front seat watching everything about her family implode.

Review:
This book is an amazingly written cautionary tale about the price of fame, particularly for those who don't choose it. With so many reality shows that feature parents and their children, the book really strikes a cord (and makes it even harder to condone watching shows with children who didn't sign up for the life). Chloe is a relateable character that teens will cheer for as she fights for her privacy. Definitely a good contemporary read for slightly older teens.

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade

The Midnight Dress

by Karen Foxlee

Summary:
Rose is used to travelling with her father; it's not a perfect existence, but she's at least got a system for dealing with it. When they arrive in their latest town, she finds that she's ready for things to change. She doesn't want to keep leaving every time her father runs out of work and goes on a drinking binge. She's made friends and is going to the Harvest Festival. But as she makes her dress for the Festival, with the help of an old lady named Edie, the past and present are set on a collision course which someone won't survive.

Review:
I really enjoyed The Midnight Dress. It's a mystery which keeps you guessing until the end. Rose is an interesting character, as is her utterly romantic friend Pearl. The book moves swiftly, keeping the reader engaged until the end. The book takes place in Australia, but you can't really tell too many differences. All in all it's a good read for anyone who likes mysteries.

Genre: Mystery
Age Level: 9th Grade