Graphic Novel. Did you know that the first earthling launched into space had four legs, not two, and was "recruited" off the streets of Moscow in 1957? The Space Race between the United States and the former Soviet Union had begun, and the Soviets desperately wanted a quick follow-up to their success with Sputnik--which meant sending a living creature into space. This novel tells the story of Laika, the curly-tailed stray dog who was captured, trained, tested, loved by her handlers--and ultimately sacrificed for scientific and political gain. If you are intrigued by Cold War history or space travel, don't miss this poignant piece of historical fiction...but dog lovers beware: you'll need tissues.

Fantasy. The ancient magic that protects the peaceful valley where Saranja, Maja, and Ribek live is weakening, and the three of them are forced to go on a dangerous quest to locate the Ropemaker--the only person who can restore the valley's crumbling defenses against the cruel rulers of the nearby Empire. This sequel to The Ropemaker unfolds in an unhurried way and rewards patient readers with intricate plotting, well-developed and memorable characters, grand adventure (complete with flying horses, parallel worlds, dragons, and demons)...and even a touch of true love.

Fiction. In The Battle of Jericho, 16-year-old Josh Prescott died in an initiation ritual gone wrong. November Blues picks up the story as Josh's family and friends are grieving his death and trying to move on...but November Nelson, Josh's girlfriend, can't escape her memories of him: she's pregnant with his baby. November has always been her mother's "perfect," college-bound daughter, but she knows that her mom's image of her is about to be shattered, and that her own life is forever changed. Meanwhile, Josh's cousin and best friend Jericho has given up playing the trumpet and hopes that the physical pain he suffers on the football field will blot out his emotional pain. But has Jericho forgotten his promise to stand by November?

Adventure. After their mother is killed in a traffic accident, 15-year-old twins Rich and Jade are surprised when their father--Jack Chance, a man they've never met--shows up at her funeral and takes them to London to live with him. Jade doesn't trust Jack, and neither twin has any intention of going to boarding school as Jack seems to think they should. Soon Rich and Jade find they have more complicated problems when their father is kidnapped at gunpoint and their attempts to rescue him involve them in a dangerous international plot to control the world's oil supply. If you like suspense and non-stop action, Sure Fire is a sure bet.

Short Stories. Australian author Margo Lanagan (who also wrote Black Juice) creates many mythical worlds in this collection of strange, wonderful, and sometimes terrifying tales. From her interpretation of the emotionless gray world of Limbo in "Under Hell, Over Heaven" to her story about a hermit witch woman who takes revenge on her neighbors' crops in "Mouse Maker" to a truly horrifying tale featuring Wee Willie Winkie as a bogeyman, each story weaves weirdness into everyday existence. Fans of horror, fantasy, and folktales will be transfixed by Red Spikes.

Historical Fiction. Fifteen-year-old Melkorka is a 10th-century Irish princess and a self-centered chatterbox who is accustomed to being pampered. While her father, the King, prepares to avenge a Viking attack that disfigured Melkorka's brother, Mel and her younger sister Brigid are sent away for their own safety--but on the way to their refuge, the sisters are captured by Russian slavers. On board their slave ship, Mel's only protection is her refusal to speak, which makes the superstitious captain and crew wary of her. This lavishly (and sometimes brutally) detailed story of strength in adversity is based on an Icelandic legend.

Fiction. High school senior Jack Grammar is smart, funny...and hopeless at the dating game. After he blows his chance at going to the prom with his dream girl, Jack's best friends Natalie and Percy put a personal ad in the school newspaper on his behalf. Responses to the ad flood in, and after his pals narrow the list of potential prom dates down to 24, Jack has only seven days to go out with all of them and make a choice. Meanwhile, a girl with the screen name FancyPants is emailing him dating advice, and Jack thinks he might be falling for Natalie. For a fun romantic comedy from a guy's point of view, pick up 24 Girls in 7 Days.

Fiction. Remy has reasons to be cynical about love: her mother is about to get married--for the fifth time!--and her rambling musician father left before she was born. His only gift to Remy was a hit song he wrote for her containing the prophetic line, "I will let you down." In self-defense, Remy has made herself into a self-proclaimed ice queen who never lets boys get too close...until she meets Dexter. He's nothing like her--he's impulsive, unkempt, and clumsy--and even worse, he's a musician. But if Remy isn't careful, Dexter just might melt her icy heart. If you like sarcastic humor, believable characters, and a dose of realism with your romance, you'll want to stay up late reading This Lullaby.

Short Stories. This collection of ten stories about teenagers in love tells it like it is. In the funny and touching "Mookie in Love," a young man's female family members try to protect him from heartbreak; "Wanted: A Thug" tells about a girl who lusts after her best friend's boyfriend; and the final story, "A Letter to My Daughter," is an absent father's poignant advice to his daughter about boys. Whether they're about good girls sneaking out to meet guys--and finding trouble--or about young women who put up with abuse for fear of losing a boyfriend, all of these stories encourage self-respect without being preachy or prudish.

Fiction. Paul's hometown is a gay utopia. The star quarterback at his high school, a six-foot-five drag queen named Infinite Darlene, is also the homecoming queen; boys in love walk through town holding hands without fear; and the school has ousted the Boy Scouts (who don't allow gays to join) and replaced them with Joy Scouts. When Paul falls hard for Noah, he thinks he's found the love of his life--but then he messes up and has to find a way to make things right and win Noah back. This sweet and funny love story of two young men who don't have to struggle for acceptance will delight fans of Francesca Lia Block's Weetzie Bat, or anyone who dreams of a world where differences are celebrated.