Grace Covey and her teenaged daughter Jenny are badly injured in an arson fire, and both lie unconscious in the hospital. Despite outside appearances, both are well aware of what’s going on around them and are taking steps to understand what happened. Grace, suffering from a head injury that leaves her in a coma, and Jenny, badly burned, are both able to leave their damaged bodies. They can speak to each other, hear all the conversations going on around them, and can even hitch rides in cars as police and family members inspect the scene and question those involved. As Grace gets new information and Jenny is able to remember more details about the events around the fire, they realize the danger isn’t over. They are the only Read more…

Alan Bradley is quick! His last Flavia de Luce, A Red Herring Without Mustard, came out in February. Now we have another, this one a perfect addition to upcoming holiday displays. Flavia de Luce is an ideal mystery series for young adults that, in its fourth outing, has yet to flag in quality.   Every entry is as accomplished and entertaining as the last. The first 30 pages of I Am Half-Sick of Shadows are available on Scribd. Jane Ritter, Mill Valley School District, CA   Adult/High School Flavia de Luce, the audacious and precocious 11-year-old sleuth seen in Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (2009), The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag (2010), and A Red Herring Without Mustard (2011, all Delacorte) is back at Read more…

Move over Dan Brown, Simon Toyne has arrived! You have to love a novel where a major plot point hinges on apple seeds found in the stomach of a corpse. Not just apple seeds, but apple seeds inscribed with a message. (How does that work, exactly? Doesn’t it make you curious??)  And not just a message, but a cryptic message. For fans of the action thriller genre, this is going to be a treat. Take a look at the website — a series of book trailers revealing one mystery after another (including footage of the apple seeds, by the way). Sanctus is already an international best seller, scheduled to be published in 60 countries and 12 languages. For all my teasing, I know several teens who will eat this right up. TOYNE, Simon. Read more…

What is it with kids wanting to solve mysteries?  Maybe a warning should be added to the list of tried and true parental instructions: 1. Don’t talk to strangers. 2. Don’t investigate disappearances, burglaries or murders without adult supervision… Of course, this has been a popular device for ages. But this summer alone we have Pigeon English, 7th Sigma… and a new Flavia de Luce novel is on its way. Lesley Kagen’s latest novel picks up one year after the events of Whistling in the Dark (NAL, 2007), in which young Sally barely escaped from a murderer. (For more, see the author’s website.)  However, for all the praise garnered by Whistling in the Dark, Good Graces more than lives up to its predecessor. It also stands Read more…

By Adrian McKinty Danny Lopez is not only the new kid in town but his parents have enrolled him in a really strange school…no speaking among students is allowed even during lunch, both the teachers and students read from a script, and the dress code includes white gloves. How weird is that! On top of having to attend this bizarre school, dealing with the cliques within it, and putting up with his loser stepdad, Danny learns that cats are being killed all over town. He fears for his own cat Jeffrey, and is determined to find the cat killer. He suspects everyone from his neighbor’s father to fellow classmates and therefore trusts no one. As he investigates he is threatened and then someone attempts to end his life. Deviant is a fun Read more…

Adult/High School -– Nora was only 11 in 1990 when she became the last person to see her babysitter alive. Rose left Nora at her house and continued up the road into terrible oblivion. Sixteen years later, Nora finds out from her best friend, Charlotte, that Rose’s bones have finally been found. Pulled back to the small town of her childhood, Nora relives the innocent days before the teen’s disappearance, when Rose, Nora, and Charlotte could spend hours perusing volumes from a Time-Life series on the supernatural. All of the mysterious, hidden elements of the universe seemed revealed in those pages. After Rose vanished, there continued to be an aura of supernatural influences surrounding her absence. Readers discover that Read more…

by Hearn, JulieThis is a deceptively complicated novel that never fails to surprise the reader. At first, Ivy’s story seems simple. She’s a beautiful redhead yet she is making a rapid descent to her death from a drug dependency. When an artist convinces her family to let Ivy pose for him, she is introduced to a whole new world. She struggles to emerge from the fog of her addiction, but will it be in time for her to discover who is trying to kill her? Even if she does survive, is her life worth living? She has no education and a family willing to sell her to the highest bidder. Ivy’s story is a roller coaster of heartache and triumph – a must read for older teens.- reviewed by Julie, South County Regional, Read more…

This book was originally going to be an anthology of short stories written by some of the best mystery writers of today. Instead, it is a murder mystery with each chapter written by one of 26 New York Times best-selling authors, including Jeffrey Deaver, Lisa Scottoline, Sandra Brown, Alexander McCall Smith, Faye Kellerman, and J.A. Jance. What could have been an unsettling read written by less experienced writers turned out to be a seamless, thoroughly enjoyable novel. Although the reader can pick up the flavor of an individual writer’s  style each chapter flows into the next one without a hitch. This book is a real page turner. Description: Ten years ago Rosemary Thomas was convicted and put to death for her dishonest, Read more…

by Cashore, KristenFans of the romance in Twilight by Stephenie Meyer might especially enjoy this story of a young girl, Katsa, graced with the ability to kill and the fellow assassin she meets one night, Po who is also graced. They seem two opposites but are thrown together in order to save a young princess. Through stubborn determination they have an unbelievable adventure that threatens to maim or even kill them at every turn. This is an unstoppable romance, mystery, fantasy story that blends together seven kingdoms and reveals a corrupt king with a horrible plan to end the lives of all who disobey him.- reviewed by Julie, South County Regional, Read more…

by Gray, ClaudiaClaudia Gray has created a mesmerizing world that grabs hold of you and refuses to let go. We meet Bianca just as she and her family begin moving into Evernight Academy. The recent move from her small town home doesn’t sit well with Bianca. Her parents are both new teachers in this somewhat strange boarding school, and Bianca immediately feels that she doesn’t exactly fit in. Fortunately, she meets fellow outcast, Lucas, and the two form an instant bond. But not all at Evernight Academy is what it seems. Something about the other students seems off. Everything you think you know turns out to be wrong in this crazy fun new series! – reviewed by Tiffany, University City Regional, Read more…

by Abrahams, PeterThis is a wonderful mystery for young adult readers. It's about a high school football star named Cody, who becomes caught up in a whirlwind of danger and suspense. After injuring his knee and dropping out of high school, he thinks his life can't get any worse, until his girlfriend mysteriously disappears from her boarding school. With only a poem as a clue to her whereabouts, he begins a desperate and dangerous search for her kidnappers. With lots of twists and turns, it will be hard to put this book down! – reviewed by Amy, Steele Creek Branch, Read more…

by Osterlund, AnneAurelia would like to have a normal life; however that is not the case since she is the crown princess of Tyralt. There have been a few attempts on her life, but she is unaware of the danger. Her father wishes for her to remain in the dark about these events, so he allows the son of a court spy to watch over her. Robert is drawn to Aurelia, but she is determined to be strong and not accept any help. When the assassination attempts become bolder, Aurelia and Robert must work together. As they discover the culprit Aurelia must make a decision that will radically change her life.- reviewed by Angela, Cornelius Branch, Read more…

Helen Grant’s debut, The Vanishing of Katharina Linden was an Alex Award winner last year, and one of our own Best Adult Books 4 Teens 2010. (You can read the blog review here.) Needless to say, there has been a great deal of anticipation for her second novel, which does not (in the least!) disappoint. Both novels were published for the young adult market in the U.K. (but for adults here in the states). They were both nominated for the Carnegie Medal, Britain’s top award for children’s or young adult literature. GRANT, Helen. The Glass Demon: A Novel. 320p. Bantam. 2011. pap. $15. ISBN 978-0-385-34420-3. LC number unavailable.  Adult/High School–Grant’s follow-up to The Vanishing of Katharina Linden (Delacorte, 2010) is a Read more…

By Nova Ren Suma Chloe’s older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can’t be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby’s friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby. But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood. With palpable drama and delicious craft, Nova Ren Suma bursts onto the YA scene with the story that everyone will be talking about. Read more…

Today a review of Jennifer McMahon’s new paperback original. I quite enjoyed her 2007 coming-of-age novel, Promise Not to Tell (Harper), so I was happy to see that this one also has teen potential. Both novels will appeal to teens who enjoy a good, creepy mystery. MCMAHON, Jennifer. Don’t Breathe a Word. 464p. Harper. 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-06-168937-6. LC number unavailable. Adult/High School–Twelve-year-old Lisa wants to meet the King of the Fairies and has been exchanging gifts with him in the woods near her Vermont home. Her subsequent disappearance rocks her small town. Did she cross over to the land of the fairies and become Queen as she wished, or did she meet a more realistic, horrible fate? Fifteen years later, Read more…

Another creepy gothic mystery today. It seems to me that gothic is trending right now. Just within the last couple months we’ve reviewed The Distant Hours, The Girl Who Would Speak for the Dead, and Bent Road. Justin Evans offers forbidden romance, a boarding school setting, murder, ghosts, secrets, and Lord Byron. Harper dubs it “Joe Hill’s Horns meets Donna Tartt’s The Secret History.” There is an audiobook in the works. Evans gushed charmingly on his blog, in a post titled “Voldemort Does My Audio,” when he learned that Christian Coulson would be narrating the recording. Christian Coulson played Tom Riddle in the Harry Potter movies, and evidently Evans is a huge Harry Potter fan. EVANS, Justin. Read more…

Very excited to hear that Steve Hamilton won the 2011 Edgar Award for Best Novel last night.   I reviewed The Lock Artist here last year, and it was a popular booktalk in my library this spring. The story has all kinds of teen appeal. It even won an Alex Award. Hamilton was up against some stiff competition, including Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter and Faithful Place. I wrote about the nominations when they were announced in January. The full list of winners can be found on the Read more…

You may have noticed that I am reading and reviewing the work of more than my share of debut authors this year. This is partly because I was asked to publish an interview with a debut author every other month in the SLJ Teen newsletter, in conjunction with a review on this blog. In case you missed them — so far we have published interviews with Téa Obreht (author of The Tiger’s Wife) and Conor Grennan (author of Little Princes). The next interview will appear in the June 15th newsletter. Now for Touch. I cannot lie, I completely fell under the spell of Alexi Zentner’s debut novel. It is difficult to be objective when a novel impresses to such an extent, and I won’t guarantee that Touch has wide teen appeal. But Read more…

by Ford, John C.Christopher Newell had planned to spend his last summer before college working in the astronomy department at Northwestern Michigan University. But when does life ever go exactly as planned? Instead Christopher takes a part-time job at the local morgue and stumbles onto a mystery. When his boss and the sheriff start acting funny about the latest body on the autopsy table, Christopher becomes more than a little curious. He soon has more questions than answers. As events start to unravel bigger than Christopher ever expected, he realizes he can’t go to the police because they’re involved in the cover-up. This fast-paced mystery will keep you turning pages, wondering who can you trust until the very end.- reviewed by Read more…

by Charlie Price Eyewitness to two killings, fourteen-year-old Gabriel James relates the shocking story behind the murders in a police interrogation interspersed with flashbacks. Step by step, this Montana teenager traces his discovery of a link between a troubled classmate’s disturbing home life and an outbreak of local crime. In the process, however, Gabriel becomes increasingly confused about his own culpability for the explosive events that have unfolded. Read more…

By Jacquelyn Mitchard Meredith and Mallory Brynn are identical twins, exact mirror images of each other. Friends and family can tell them apart by their personalities: Meredith is outgoing, bubbly, and a cheerleader, while Mallory is more of a loner, serious, and a soccer player. Being twins is something unique in itself, but a few added phenomena even set the Brynn girls apart from other twins. For one, they don’t even share the same birth year. That’s because one was born just before midnight on New Year’s Eve, and the other arrived just after midnight on New Year’s Day. The other unique characteristic they share is their psychic abilities. Mally sees visions of the future, while Merry sees visions of the past. Merry and Mally are Read more…

Jeri Westerson Cast out of English court life for treasonous acts against the king and disbarred from his home, wealth, and the woman he was to marry, Crispin has become known as the Tracker—one who will help you find justice for a fee. In this second book about him, a slow-witted scullion girl summons him to help her with the body of a French courier who lies dead in her room. She claims that she killed him, but Crispin is certain she didn’t and is determined to discover the murderer, even though he knows that neither she nor her sister can pay him. In the midst of his search, he uncovers a plot to assassinate the king. Are the two incidents connected? Desperate to return to court and to regain his status as a knight, Crispin Read more…

By Elizabeth Chandler Secrets taken to the grave don’t always stay buried. And sometimes you can get TWO stories in a book for the price of ONE! In No Time to Die, Jenny is devastated by the recent death of her sister, Liza. Looking for a sense of closure, she secretly signs up for the drama camp where Liza died. Jenny knows that someone here holds the key to what really happened to Liza that night, but if she doesn’t find out the truth soon, she may become the next victim. In The Deep End of Fear, Kate has tried to bury the horrible memories associated with the Westbrook estate. After her best friend Ashley drowned on the estate, Kate vowed never to return. But now, twelve years later, she is drawn back to the house and that fatal Read more…

By Peter Abrahams Sixteen yr old Cody has hit hard times. His girlfriend is sent away to a private school, he gets injured during a game and can’t play football, his grades are a mess, and he’s in trouble at work. When he think things can’t get worse, his girlfriend turns up missing from her school; it’s all over the news, and the authorities aren’t finding any leads. Cody decides to go look for her himself, and discovers that things are not always as they appear. If you are looking for a well-written page turner, Peter Abrahams delivers with Reality Check (Laura Geringer Books) – it’s a twisty, exciting read! – Reviewed by S. Read more…

by William Sleater Ken is heartbroken when his best friend, Roger dies in a car accident. Ken can’t get past the fear that he could die too. He flounders in life, worrying his friends and parents until he sees an ad in the paper claiming to help a person be invulnerable to pain and death. He visits the witch, who offers to protect his soul for 50 dollars. Ken thinks he has found the answer to his problems. “In order to be safe from death, you have to experience death first.” (page 2) These are the last words Ken hears before undergoing the woman’s strange ritual. When he awakes, Ken finds he is invincible, but quickly realizes his invincibility comes with a hideous price. A heart pounding mystery with twists that keep you Read more…