Historical Fiction. After being held captive, educated, and experimented upon by a cadre of radical philosophers in The Pox Party (the 1st volume of his life story), teenaged slave Octavian Nothing has escaped the Novanglian College of Lucidity at last. Hoping to gain his emancipation by joining the Royal Ethiopian Regiment, Octavian fights against the Patriots in the American Revolution--and commits the stories of his fellow African soldiers to paper so that "none of this shall pass from remembrance." Like its predecessor The Pox Party, Kingdom on the Waves is written in 18th-century language that can be challenging--but the potentially startling new perspective on American history that the story provides is more than worth the effort.

A girl who has been brought up in near isolation is thrown into a twisted web of family secrets and religious fundamentalism when her mother dies and she goes to live with relatives she never knew she had.

After a devastating tsunami destroys all that they have ever known, Mau, an island boy, and Daphne, an aristocratic English girl, together with a small band of refugees, set about rebuilding their community and all the things that are important in their lives.

Fiction. Kendra Williamson has spent most of her 14 years sketching plans for the house she dreams of sharing with her absent mother, Renée--that is, once Renée is finally done with college (and grad school, and her PhD program). Meanwhile, Kendra lives with her exceptionally strict grandmother, hangs out with her boy-crazy best friend and aunt, Adonna, and works on the set she designed for the school play. She also has a little crush on the guy Adonna likes...but she never expects him to pay attention to her. This realistic novel features memorable characters and a heartbreaking--but ultimately hopeful--story of family, relationships, and friends.

Short Stories. Forget what you know--or think you know--when you open this book; trust us, you'll be better off not trying to pigeonhole it into a category like "horror," "fantasy," or "science fiction." Do you like being surprised by what you read? Want to get a few laughs from a ghost story? Are you skeptical of reality and a fan of all things quirky, clever, and surreal? If so, this collection of short stories by author Kelly Link is your ticket to literary bliss (and, by the way, Pretty Monsters is a must-read for all you Neil Gaiman devotees out there).

Historical Fiction. Evicted from their 1850 home on the Scottish Isle of Barra by British landlords, close sisters Jeannie and Sarah are separated when Jeannie sets sail to Canada with her parents and younger siblings, but Sarah stays behind with their grandmother. The night before her family leaves, Sarah plaits her hair and Jeannie's into a single braid; while Jeannie sleeps, Sarah cuts the braid off and leaves half of it in Jeannie's pocket. Alternating between the two sisters' voices, this beautifully written novel-in-verse weaves their separate dreams and struggles together and will captivate readers who enjoy stories of hardship, romance, and enduring family bonds.

Fiction. Since their father died suddenly a year ago (of a heart attack, while sitting in his prized 1967 Pontiac Firebird), the Gold sisters have done the best they could to cope. Brooks, the oldest, has quit the softball team--which used to be her entire life--and started running with a wild crowd. Responsible May works even harder at school than usual but is crumbling on the inside; youngest sister Palmer is glued to the TV. The sisters seem as though they're spinning farther and farther apart...until they find the key to their dad's Firebird, and to their own healing. By turns emotionally intense and laugh-out-loud funny, this story about family ties is a great choice for fans of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Fiction. Sisters Keeba and Teesha (Aisha and Raven's friends from Spellbound and fellow residents of Brooklyn's Hillbrook Houses project) have just graduated from high school and have no plans for the future. Their friends are starting promising careers, but Teeba and Keesha's greatest talents are throwing awesome parties and their skill at braiding hair. When a friend suggests that they open a salon to capitalize on what they do best, the sisters are excited. But running a business nearly always involves unexpected obstacles, and the girls' shop TeeKee's Tresses is no exception. Winning characters and a vibrantly drawn community make Twists and Turns a great read.

Chick Lit/Fantasy. Fourteen-year-old Rachel wants to be on the A-list. She wants her life to be "like a soda ad, with lots of laughing, jumping, and high-fiving." Is that so wrong? And is it wrong that, when she learns her little sister Miri has magical powers, she wants to use them to get what she wants? What Rachel doesn't understand is that witches' spells have consequences--but she'll soon find out, after she persuades Miri to help her be popular, learn how to dance, and try to stop their father's impending remarriage. This 1st of four books in the hilarious Magic in Manhattan series (Parties & Potions published in December 2008) blends fantasy and everyday high-school drama with flair.