Publisher: Scholastic Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/24/2011
ISBN-13: 9780439895972
ISBN-10: 0439895979

Fiction. If you loved the full-frontal assault of satirical absurdity in Libba Bray's award-winning Going Bovine, brace yourself and hang on for the ride in Beauty Queens. In this hilarious, not-so-slyly feminist story, a plane loaded with Miss Teen Dream contestants crashes on a seemingly deserted island. While awaiting rescue, the pageant hopefuls do their best to survive--and to keep their dance numbers stage-ready. But time passes, help fails to arrive, and signs of mysterious activity on the island surface. And then the shirtless hordes of reality-TV pirates show up. Intrigued? Don't miss this wickedly funny blend of socio-political commentary, no-holds-barred action, and girl power.

Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 04/26/2011
ISBN-13: 9780061962745
ISBN-10: 0061962740

Science Fiction. In the relatively near future, a widespread virus has left everyone over the age of 18 infertile, literally making teen pregnancy a hot commodity (wealthy adults pay teenagers to have babies for them). Sixteen-year-old Melody has been groomed all her life to be the consummate Reproduction Professional, but just as her agent is seeking the ideal match for her to "bump" with, Melody's twin sister (whom she's never met) shows up, determined to talk her out of "pregging for profit." Racy, scandalous, and more than a little thought-provoking, this dystopian read is a good choice for fans of Ally Condie's Matched.

Publisher: Amulet Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/01/2011
ISBN-13: 9780810984172
ISBN-10: 0810984172

Fiction. Over the last several years (since the bad thing that she can't bring herself to talk about happened), Cat has withdrawn completely from her family and friends and done her best to "ignore the whole world." But when her former best friend, openly gay Patrick, is horribly beaten and left for dead--and the local authorities in tiny Black Creek, NC, chalk it up to rowdy out-of-towners--Cat decides to do whatever it takes to learn the truth. A tangled mystery, intense emotion, gritty descriptions of meth addiction, and beautifully drawn, complex relationships make this a "raw, realistic, and compelling" (Kirkus Reviews) read.

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/03/2011
ISBN-13: 9780062024022
ISBN-10: 0062024027

Dystopian SF. In this future, post-apocalyptic Chicago, people have divided themselves into five factions, each named for the virtue that its members devote their lives to cultivating: Candor (honesty), Abnegation (selflessness), Dauntless (bravery), Amity (peacefulness), and Erudite (intelligence). At 16, all citizens choose their permanent factions, and Beatrice Prior has just shocked her family by rejecting Abnegation to become Dauntless. But in order to join the ranks of the bold and brave, she'll first have to survive their brutal initiation...and keep a secret that could cost her life. Combining thrills, action, and violence with heady romance, Divergent is one awesome summer read.

Publisher: Scholastic
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 03/01/2004
ISBN-13: 9780439577427
ISBN-10: 043957742X

Fiction. Lonely, overweight Mike "Moo" Nelson gets away from it all (i.e., the near-ceaseless torment from his classmates) by climbing a particular bridge and watching the traffic stream by. One night, Moo witnesses a murder on the road below that bridge, and as the alleged killer is a major crime boss, the police really want him convicted. Trouble is, the mobster isn't guilty...at least not of this crime. Now, instead of schoolyard taunts, Moo has threats coming at him from both the cops and the mob. Palpable, almost unbearable tension suffuses this dark and disturbing novel, but fans of vividly drawn characters and situations will be spellbound.

Publisher: Tor
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/11/2010
ISBN-13: 9780765322166
ISBN-10: 0765322161

Fiction. In the world of massively-multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), not everyone plays for fun. Children in poor countries "farm" virtual gold under threat of violence, and their cruel bosses (the equivalent of mafia dons) sell the gold to gamers who'll pay to skip to higher levels of game play...but a revolution is brewing. Big Sister Nor, a young gamer in Singapore, is recruiting the best players from all around the globe to do something really, really big--but they'll have to defy corrupt authorities and powerful corporations to pull it off. Both exciting and thought-provoking, For the Win is sure to thrill fans of author Cory Doctorow's previous novel for teens, Little Brother.

Publisher: Walker
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 07/24/2007
ISBN-13: 9780802796608
ISBN-10: 0802796605

Fiction. After Jackson Ford's mother witnesses some shady dealings at the casino where she is a lounge singer, the two of them move to the suburbs to hide out from the mob. Things seem normal (if awfully quiet) in their new home at first, and Jackson makes a couple of new friends...but then the strange phone calls start, making his mom nervous, and a distinctive Mustang starts tailing Jackson everywhere. Although it involves a good bit of adventure and suspense, this novel from Down Under is sure to appeal to music lovers (you'll see why) as well as anyone who, like Jackson, is obsessed with numbers. Fans of interesting characters, friendship stories, and romance will enjoy it, too.

Publisher: Hyperion Paperbacks
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/01/2004
ISBN-13: 9780786815937
ISBN-10: 0786815930

Fiction. Vince Luca is just like any other high school guy...except that his father happens to be the head of a powerful crime organization, uh, in the vending machine business. But Vince doesn't want any part of that; he just wants to live a normal life, graduate, and maybe have a little luck with the ladies--all of which is made a lot harder by his notorious kin. Then Vince meets Kendra and they fall for each other, which only makes everything worse: Kendra's dad, an FBI agent, is determined to bring Vince's dad down. If you enjoy this briskly paced, hilarious-yet-edgy romantic comedy, don't miss its sequel, Son of the Mob: Hollywood Hustle; you might also give Stefan Petrucha's similarly dark and funny Teen, Inc. a try.