Gathering Storm

General Young Adult Fiction

G/A Bridges, Robin. The Gathering Storm (The Katerina Trilogy #1). Delacorte Press, 2012. 400p. 978-0-385-74022-7. 17.99.

Katerina Alexandrovna is a 16-year-old Russian princess with a dark secret; she is a necromancer. While Katerina is embarrassed by her “curse,” others who become aware of her abilities have darker motives that involve her “gift.” The safety of the Russian throne is in her hands. The nineteenth century, St. Petersburg, Russia setting adds a fresh twist to the current paranormal trend. Even though there are too many characters to keep track of in this first book of a new trilogy, it will still enthrall paranormal fans and possibly attract fans of historical fiction too. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve

How To Save A Life

General Young Adult Fiction

VG/A Zarr, Sara. How To Save A Life. Little, Brown, 2011. 352p. 978-0316036061. 17.99.

When Jill’s dad dies in a car accident, her life is changed forever. Not only does she distance herself from her friends and boyfriend, but now her mom wants to adopt a baby. Her mom meets pregnant teen Mandy online and agrees to privately adopt her baby. Mandy isn’t completely honest about the details and insists on staying with them for the final month of her pregnancy. It’s not that Mandy is a bad person, but she’s trying to escape her life too. Jill is obviously suspicious of Mandy when she arrives. Told in the alternating viewpoints of Jill and Mandy, this book tells the story of two girls looking for and finding the meaning of family and starting over. Although a bit of a departure from Sara Zarr’s other books, her fans will not be disappointed and she is sure to gain some new ones too. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve

Stick

High School Fiction

VG/M Smith, Andrew. Stick. Feiwel & Friends, 2011. 304p. 978-0312613419. 17.99.

Stick McClellan is often bullied at school because he was born with only one ear. His older brother, Bosten, has always protected Stick even if it meant he would get in trouble. Both boys though are victims of their abusive parents. Things go from bad to worse when their parents find out that Bosten is gay. Bosten leaves home and Stick goes soon after to look for him. This moving, well-written story is about the relationship between the brothers and their struggle to survive. Gritty realistic fiction at it’s best. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve

Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition

General Young Adult Non-Fiction

VG/A Blumenthal, Karen. Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition. Roaring Book Press, 2011. 154p. 978-1-59643-449-3. 18.99.

This interesting book covers the history of Prohibition in the United States, from the time it was conceived until it was repealed. In what was ideally meant to help curb crime and strengthen the nation, the Eighteenth Amendment actually created a period of lawlessness, where gangsters and bootleggers prevailed. There aren’t many books that focus on this particular time period, especially for younger readers, and this one is a great start. It includes lots of archival photographs, a handy glossary and an extensive bibliography. It may require book talking to get it into the hands of teens, but the subject matter and style of writing should appeal to them (and adults too). Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve

Hourglass

General Young Adult Fiction

F/A McEntire, Myra. Hourglass. Egmont, 2011. 408p. 978-1-60684-144-0. 17.99.

High school senior, Emerson Cole, can see dead people. Her brother hires handsome Michael Weaver, a consultant from Hourglass, to help Emerson overcome her issues. Michael can relate to her because he also sees dead people, although he explains that they are time ripples. Emerson and Michael have major chemistry, but she is a client so they cannot be together. The Hourglass organization is in turmoil though because their founder was recently murdered. Michael hatches a plan that involves him and Emerson traveling back in time to save the founder, but everything does not go as planned. Teens who like paranormal fiction will probably enjoy this book, but the twists and turns were confusing and sometimes pointless. None of the characters were particularly interesting or memorable either. The sequel comes out in 2012, but this reviewer won’t be reading it. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve

Americus

Young Adult Graphic Novel

G/A Reed, MK. Americus. First Second, 2011. 215p. 978-1-59643-601-5. 14.99.

Middle schoolers and best friends, Neil and Danny, live in the conservative and religious town of Americus, Oklahoma. When Danny gets caught reading book eight of the popular Adventures of Apathea Ravenchilde series, his mom goes on a rampage. Danny is grounded and then sent away to military school after announcing that he is gay. His mom pitches a fit at the public library where Danny checked out the book and starts a campaign to ban books at the library that she believes are corrupting children. Neil misses his friend, but gains confidence when he starts working at the library and helping the library fight against censorship. This graphic novel would be a great discussion starter on the topic of book challenges and censorship for all ages. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve

Cinder

Young Adult Fiction

VG/A Meyer, Marissa. Cinder. Feiwel & Friends, 2012. 400p. 978-0312641894. 17.99.

In this sci-fi retelling of Cinderella, Linh Cinder is a teenage cyborg living with her adopted family in New Beijing. With the threat of the Letumosis virus spreading and the arrival of the evil Lunar queen, life has been exceedingly difficult. When Cinder is commissioned to fix the Prince’s android she receives a personal invitation to the ball from him, but she knows that if he found out she was a cyborg he would never like her. But being cyborg isn’t Cinder’s only secret. Although the book ends with a cliff hanger (two sequels are expected) and Cinder’s secret is pretty predictable, the story is original and fast paced. This book would appeal to sci-fi, dystopian fans as well as romance/fairy tale addicts. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve