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Hip, young, and fresh, this Chicks with Sticks (Knit two together) novel will appeal to girls in grades six through eight. This novel is designed for both the savvy knitter and the girl who doesn’t know anything about the purl. This novel, second in the Chicks with Sticks series, chronicles four friends who are incredibly different, yet all share a passion for knitting. The question is, Can this year be as great as last year? Or Will boys come between the Chicks? Scottie, Tay, Bella, and Amanda all have different perspectives on love. Tay and Amanda both have boyfriends. Bella has given up on boys. And Scottie would give anything to have a boyfriend. When Scottie bumps into her cute new neighbor in the lobby of her apartment, life takes a twist. The reader gets to know what Scottie is thinking and is able to establish a connection with a girl who just wants her first kiss and her first real boyfriend. Love and friendship, both universal, are the center of this novel—not to mention the knitting that pulls it all together. There are several knitting projects with instructions at the end of the book. 
I recently heard the author read the first chapter of this book aloud and I knew I would have to find the book to finish it! It is a romantic science fiction that girls in grades 6-9 will probably enjoy. Branko is a 6'4" alien who has been sent on a mission to find a female to bring back with him to his home planet. A plague on his planet has killed all the women and they desperately need to find more women so that the planet can be repopulated. He meets Tonia who he believes will make the perfect mate. She is 6' tall and strong. She even saved him one day from drowning at the lake. Tonia and Branko fall in love as she teaches him to swim. She believes he is visiting from Romania for the summer, but when she learns of his real identity and intentions she must make a decision to either go to Branko's planet or stay on Earth. Which will she choose? 
The Michael L. Printz Award is given for excellence in literature written for young adults. The 2007 award was given to American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. 
I enjoyed this historical fiction novel very much. To date it has won 6 awards around the country. The story is based on the author's own ancestors and history in Vermont in 1782, soon after the Revolutionary War has ended. It centers around Daniel, a 13-year-old boy whose father is English and mother is Pequot Indian. He favors his mother in looks and is confused about his identity in a family of mixed blood. A new family moves in next door with a son who is also 13-years old, named Hiram. His family is dealing with the aftermath of a raid by British Tories and Indians where the family house and barn were burned, cattle killed, uncle kidnapped and taken to Canada, and Hiram barely espcaping being taken himself. The Coombs family reacts unfavorably to the family next door that has an Indian mother and two Indian children, even though the neighbors talk highly of them and of the Indian woman's healing abilities. To top it off, an old Indian comes to live with them as well. What they don't know is that Daniel's family also experienced the British and Indian raid, and that Daniel's British father fought with the Patriots, and that the Pequot Indians also fought against the Redcoats. Instant enemies, Daniel calls Hiram a "buffle brain" and Hiram calls Daniel a "dirty Injun". This book alternates between Daniel's and Hiram's viewpoints and deals with prejudices, death and healing. Each character speaks with an appropriate dialect. It is filled with Pequot customs and beliefs. Teens in grades 5-9 will enjoy this. 
This is a lyrical tale of a tiny Korean girl's experiences as an immigrant growing up in America. Thinking at first that the airplane in which the family travels is taking her to heaven, all too soon Young Ju must face the reality that the United States is far from a perfect place. Her parents work night and day to provide for her and her brother, Joon Ho, but material success eludes them. Despite their wish that Young take advantage of being in an American school, they insist that she retain all aspects of Korean culture causing her to create two personas, never allowing the one to know of the other. As years pass, Young's father, an alcoholic, becomes ever more physically and verbally abusive. When he finally returns to Korea, his wife refuses to accompany him. She has found the courage to declare her independence as has Young. This is a beautifully written series of well-crafted vignettes drawn together as a marvelous coming-of-age novel in which teens may see challenges similar to those they face. Available in print or audio format - it is recommended for grades 9 -12. 
After the death of her slave-trader father, sixteen-year-old Nancy is sent to Jamaica by her brothers who (unknown to her) have arranged a marriage for her, designed to restore the family's lost fortune. Upon arrival at her inherited sugar plantaion, Nancy becomes friends with two female slaves and also learns to her dismay just how inhumane slavery is. In order to escape marriage to the Brazilian, Bartholome, Nancy and the young slave, Minerva, escape to a pirate vessel. Thereafter the pair face many adventures - battling rival pirates, enduring storms at sea, and dealing with envious shipmates. Through it all Nancy remains true to the young naval officer whom she promised to marry before leaving England, yet suspecting (correctly) that all the while she is being pursued by the sadistic Brazilian. Young women in grades 9 - 12 will likely read of Nancy's lack of control over her life and identify strongly with her take-charge attitude in regard to her destiny. Available in print or in audio. 
The location of the first submarine to sink an enemy ship had been a mystery since the last year of the Civil War. In 1864, the sub (named the H.L.Hunley after its designer) was able to sneak up on and sink the Housatonic in Charleston harbor. Southern partisans were elated at this feat since its success might mean the defeat of the Union blockade which was slowly strangling the Confederacy. But the Hunley never returned to port - for decades the search for its wreckage continued sporadically. Finally in 1995, divers in the employ of author Clive Cussler discovered the remains. Then began the fascinating and painstakingly slow procedure of carefully raising and then cautiously dismembering an historic treasure. This was an engrossing tale of cooperative effort by archaeologists, geneologists and forensic anthropologists - all dedicated to solving the mystery of what happened to the Hunley and its crew members over 100 years ago. Well-documented and richly illustrated with sketches and photographs, this book will be of particular interest to those who enjoy learning about the Civil War, naval history, or who find archaeological methods fascinating. 
Will Davis skillfully writes his debut novel in the voice of Jarold Jones (a.k.a. Jaz). Jaz relates the drama of being sixteen, the drama of living in the not so perfect household, and the drama of coming out. Jaz tells his story in a stream-of-consciousness manner. Jaz tells it how it is, which in fact, is quite hilarious. His comments, in sometimes the most inappropriate times, bring an air of comic relief to the drama of the story. Jaz gets bullied at school, the most popular girl in school has it for him, and his best friend Al (Alice) and he have the horrible luck of running into their teacher at the gay bar. Running away with Al may be the worst idea ever, but self discovery emerges from this half-baked plan. Davis uses Jaz to put life into perspective and illustrate the trials and tribunes of being a gay teenager. Teens in grades 9-12 will fall in love with Jaz and his style regardless of their sexuality. Language, sexuality, drug abuse, and subject matter, all encompassed in this novel, make Jaz’s story appropriate for the more mature crowd. Look for this book in April 2007! 
"Ready or Not?" is quite the question in this sequel to "All-American Girl." In this novel, we again meet up with Samantha Madison, who saved the president's life in the previous story. Sam is now dating the presiden't son, and he would like her to go away with him for Thanksgiving weekend to Camp David. Sam is rather apprehensive about this invitation, as she thinks that implies that David (her boyfriend) would like to have sex with her. Throughout this novel, Sam is constantly thinking "Should I or Shouldn't I?" She has all kinds of questions, ideas, and some helpful hints from her sister. Sam is also in the spotlight, especially when she refuses to accept all of the President's "Return to Family," plan. She blurts out to the whole country that she has had sex with the President's son, even though it it not true (yet). This is a good novel, humorous, and pretty well written. It might be offensive to some, as there is so much talk about sex, but it is, after all, a fictional story. Some may not like the ending, as Sam does not make the wisest decision, but that might be for another sequel. This reader enjoyed Sam's musings, and especially her "Top 10," lists. I would recommend this book for grades 9 and up. This would be a good book for class discussions of family values, safe sex, and the possibility of abstinence, for those teenagers who want to wait and are not ready for sex and all of its implications. 
Below the subways of New York City is a maze of long-forgotten tunnels connecting the rooms where the Downsiders live, whose motto is “Fear the Topside, or be Crushed by its Embrace”. The Topsiders, on the other hand, have no idea of the Downside or its inhabitants existence. So when Lindsay spots a young boy watching her from a gap separating the two brownstones her dad is remodeling, she is completely unprepared for the amazingly beautiful and complex world she is shown underground. The Brass Junction, for example, is inlaid with old subway tokens on the walls and ceiling. The Great Grotto of Light is dazzling with “countless crystals and bits of shiny metal, like a giant chandelier”, which turn out to be lost earrings, many of them diamond. They dress in bits of clothing the Topsiders have discarded and reuse virtually everything that the Topside has thrown away. But Lindsay questions the accepted history of the Downsiders which states, “We have always been here! We will always be here!” and her discoveries concerning their origin threaten the Downside civilization. Can her Downside friend Talon reconcile this newly discovered information with his own history and lead his people through the Great Shaft Disaster or will they be discovered by the Topside? This is a very fast-paced and interesting science fiction that could easily make the reader into a believer of Downsiders. Both a make and female protagonist will make this book appealing to both sexes. The characters and events could believably exist. You may find yourself checking sewer grates for the Downsiders watching you. Good for middle school readers. 
A Government decree allows each family only two children. For Luke, who has two older brothers, this has meant twelve years of hiding inside his parents' house, living in the attic, and staying away from the windows for fear of the Population Police. But a stray glimpse through an air vent reveals a child hiding in the house across the way. This is a discovery that could lead Luke to freedom - can he take that chance?" From the same author of Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey and Running Out of Time, this book shares the fear and secrecy a family experiences due to the current totalitarian governmental decrees of population control. Reminiscent of the hiding of Anne Frank and of the KGB of the U.S.S.R. in various aspects, the irrationality of governmental decisions made was infuriating, and that the Government Officials broke the very laws imposed on the general population gave this book a frightening, yet very possible setting. A thought provoking book with an unexpected ending that is sure to keep its audience on the edge of its seat. Recommended for teens in grades 6 - 10. 
This book takes place on the days between Christmas and New Year's Eve, which are known as the dead days. It takes place sometime in the late 18th century in an old unnamed city that is decaying; when science is beginning to be studied, but much superstition is still present. It centers around a magician named Valerian who uses this superstition to his advantage; using new technology in his act that allows him to present a spectacular sight on stage. His assistant, "Boy", has been with him for years and has an unknown background. "Willow" is the assistant for a singer also at the theater. Amid murders and cold, dark nights, the reader learns that Valerian has only a few days remaining, those during the dead days, to discover a book that will reveal to him how to save his soul from Demons with whom he made a deal 15 years prior. This book moves fast and is very mysterious. It reminded me of the Lemony Snicket books in parts because Valerian and Boy did not tend to have the best luck and I found some humor in that. There is a sequel to this book called The Dark Flight Down which is currently on order. Teens grade 6 and up who enjoy dark adventures will like this book. 
This is a fictionalized story surrounding a real strike that happened in Massachusetts in 1912. Immigrant workers striked against mill owners over a cut in hours and pay, following legislation that cut the hours of women and children from 56 hours a week to 54. Because of this, men's hours were also cut by the mill owners because their salaries were higher and more profits could be made by cutting them back. Salaries were already so low that the workers could barely afford to live in the mill supplied housing. In order to make ends meet, everyone in a family that was able to work did, including children 14 and up, and those that had their birth certificates falsified so that they could work, too. This story is told from the point of view of 12-year-old Rosa, whose Italian family worked at the mill. Her father had previously died in a mill accident, so Rosa's mother and sister worked in the mill to make ends meet. Rosa was trying to attend school. The story also follows a local boy who also works at the mill and suffers the effects of working there. After the strike begins and the local police, as well as the militia, are called to help control the crowds of people striking, families begin to send their children to New York City and Vermont to wait out the strike in safety. Rosa is sent along with 34 other children to stay in an Italian community in Vermont. This is a very readable account of this event, well known for its historic significance to Union workers and for the slogan "Bread and Roses, too" which showed that the workers needed food to eat, but also some nicer things as well. This will appeal to teens grades 6 and up. I liked how it describes how difficult life was to those people working in the mills. I also liked seeing how the solidarity of the people allowed them to achieve their goal when everyone seemed to be on the other side of the struggle. This is the latest book written by the same author who wrote Jacob I Haved Loved, The Great Gilly Hopkins, and Bridge to Terabithia. 
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