"This is how it works. Everything is connected. Every choice matters. Every person is vital, and valuable, and worthy of respect." ~ from Deborah Wiles' Revolution
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New and Recently Released!
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| How They Choked: Failures, Flops, and Flaws of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg; illustrated by Kevin O'MalleyNonfiction. The creators of How They Croaked have teamed up again for another gossipy, off-the-wall biography collection -- one which proves that nobody's perfect, not even famous historical figures. Though some of the people profiled here (Benedict Arnold, for instance, or J. Bruce Ismay, owner of the Titanic) are notorious for their failures and others (such as Vincent Van Gogh and Susan B. Anthony) are known for their achievements, all of them get called out for their most embarrassing, disappointing, or even deadly missteps. For further irreverent, illustrated stories from history, try the graphic novel series Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales. |
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| The Hangman's Revolution by Eoin ColferScience Fiction. After her time-travel adventure to Victorian London in The Reluctant Assassin, teen FBI agent Chevie Sevano returns to the present only to find that London has become a police state, controlled by the cruel Boxites. In order to change the miserable present, Chevie returns to the past, reuniting with her street-urchin-turned-assassin sidekick Riley and gang leader Otto Malarkey in order to prevent Colonel Box's rise to power. Fast-paced and overflowing with action, explosions, foul villains, and fouler sewage, The Hangman's Revolution is "a grand yarn told with a wink" (Kirkus Reviews).
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| A Dark Inheritance by Chris D'LaceyFantasy/Science Fiction. If you're a fan of Chris D'Lacey's bestselling Last Dragon Chronicles, rest assured that his new series also involves dragons -- as well as ghosts, UFOs, mad science, and secret societies. Upon discovering that he has the power to change reality through "imagineering," Michael Malone is forced to join a covert agency known as UNICORNE. According to UNICORNE, Michael's missing father might still be alive, but to find him, Michael will have to use his skills for UNICORNE's murky and highly questionable purposes. This twisty, mysterious series opener will leave you breathlessly anticipating the 2nd volume in the UNICORNE Files.
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| The Glass Sentence by S.E. GroveFantasy. Thirteen-year-old Sophia and her uncle Shadrack live in 1890s Boston -- but it's not the 1890s in the rest of the world. During the Great Disruption, different parts of the globe were plunged into different points in time, making Shadrack's profession of magical mapmaker especially valuable. So valuable, in fact, that he's kidnapped by an organization hunting for a legendary map. With the help of some pirates, Sophia ventures through various times and regions in search of her uncle, encountering outlandish (sometimes nightmarish) creatures along the way. Similar to The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson, The Glass Sentence presents a cleverly re-imagined world, complete with geographic quirks and a unique, inventive system of magic.
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| Revolution by Deborah WilesHistorical Fiction. It's the summer of 1964, and Greenwood, Mississippi is being invaded by student civil rights workers -- or at least that's how it seems to 12-year-old Sunny and many other white folks in town. It's not until Sunny meets black baseball phenom Ray that her eyes are opened to the dangerous injustice in her segregated community, and to the urgent need for change. Told through multiple points of view and stuffed with photos, song lyrics, and newspaper clippings, Revolution draws you deep into the life-changing events of Freedom Summer. If you like this "documentary novel," you'll want to check out Countdown, the 1st book in Deborah Wiles' Sixties trilogy. |
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| Avalon High by Meg CabotFiction. Ellie Harrison's parents are medieval scholars, which means that Ellie knows a thing or two about the legend of King Arthur. When she starts 11th grade at a new school, Ellie can't help but notice class president Arthur "Will" Wagner. Will's family is a tangled mess, and his girlfriend, Jennifer, is cheating on him with his best friend, Lance. The similarities to the tragic tales of Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot are obvious -- but if Ellie's namesake, Elaine of Astolat, died from pining over Lancelot, why is Ellie falling for Will? Find out in Avalon High, or (if you prefer graphic novels) pick up the Avalon High: Coronation series. |
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| The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady by Gerald MorrisFantasy. A gigantic, green-clad knight marches into King Arthur's court at Camelot and issues a challenge which results in a perilous quest for Sir Gawain…doesn't sound very funny, does it? Yet this reworking of the classic Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, told in "fresh, modern dialogue" (Booklist) from the perspective of Gawain's squire, Terence, brings out the humor and zest in these timeless characters. Speedy pacing, crackling adventure, and courtly drama round out this 2nd volume in the ten-book Squire's Tale series. Readers looking for another squire's-eye view of Arthurian legend will enjoy Kevin Crossley-Holland's Arthur trilogy. |
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| Here Lies Arthur by Philip ReeveFantasy. You may think you know the story of King Arthur, but unless you've heard it from Gwyna, you only got the "spin." After escaping her burning house (which was set on fire by brutish warlord Arthur himself), Gwyna is taken under the wing of Myrddin, the storyteller (and trickster) who hopes to transform the young Arthur into a great king. Myrddin disguises Gwyna as his servant boy, and she witnesses Arthur's deeds, many of them horrifically violent, which Myrddin molds into heroic legends. Gwyna's version of events and characters makes a gripping and well-told story. |
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| Sword of the Rightful King: A Novel of King Arthur by Jane YolenFantasy. Legend has it that Arthur became king by pulling a sword from a stone. In this version, however, Arthur is already king when the mage Merlinnus creates the sword in the stone (enchanted in Arthur's favor, of course) to convince the people of Arthur's right to rule. Helping Arthur and Merlinnus in their campaign (as well as in their resistance to the witch queen Morguase) is Gawen, a young page with a surprising secret that may change the course of Arthur's future. Rooted in myth, this "intriguingly crafted" (Booklist) story of magic, power, and loyalty is sure to satisfy fans of the once and future king. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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