Scythe is a great dystopian novel that delves into the subject of overpopulation. Because people don't die anymore, society has created the scythe, a group of people to reduce the population to keep a sustaining Earth. But even a group given such a noble task can be corrupted. Enjoy this thought-provoking novel and ponder what you would do if you were given the choice of who should die.
The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice-Book1)
John Flanagan
Fantasy
Young Adult- YA FLANAGAN
The Ruins of Gorlan is the beginning of one of my favorite series, Ranger's Apprentice. Which guild will choose each of the orphans? Will has his mind set on battleschool, as does Horace. Whatever happens will set the orphans to their future endeavors. Flanagan does well in building his characters. Halt, one of my favorite characters ever created by an author, will have you bursting out laughing, though he is a very serious character. Try this one out. You'll find The Ruins of Gorlan and more of the series at the Lois Wagner Memorial Library.
Girl, Stolen
April Henry
Realistic Fiction
Young Adult- YA HENRY
Girl, Stolen leaps into the action in the first chapter and blazes to the climax of the story. Cheyenne, the protagonist, is a smart, resourceful girl who is thrown together with some bad men and must use her wits the save herself from a difficult situation. She is also empathetic, seeing something of value in one of the men. Can she save herself? Should she help the man? There is only one way to find out. Head to Lois Wagner Memorial Library and check it out (YA HENRY).
Hoot
Carl Hiaasen
Realistic Fiction
Young Adult- YA HIAASEN
now located in:
Juvenile- J HIAASEN
What is the value of an owl? Is it worth a plate full of pancakes? In Hoot, kids find themselves asking those very questions. In a world where money is the most important thing in life, our protagonists find that there are more important things in life than money...or pancakes. Now, they have to convince their friends, neighbors, and city. Carl Hiaasen creates characters like no other, They are always multifaceted and dynamic. Most are not all good or all bad which leaves you wondering about the decisions they will make. Hoot exemplifies that. Head to Lois Wagner Memorial Library and check it out (YA HIAASEN)...and when you're done, check out another of Hiaasen's novels. He is that good. ****CAUTION****His adult novels are geared for adults.
All American Boys
Jason Reynolds Brandon Kiely
Realistic Fiction
Young Adult- YA REYNOLDS
All American Boys is a well-written story of family, friends, and racism. It speaks of the "understanding" that people of color cannot be trusted and they are guilty until proved innocent. It is a book about police brutality with assumptions and lack of understanding by the police. But...what if his pants were sagging? Would that image invoke guilt? Rashad's dad's advice for his son for dealing with police officers: 1. Never fight back 2. Never talk back 3. Keep your hands up 4. Keep your mouth shut But what happens if you follow the advice and it doesn't work? Read this novel and find out. Head to Lois Wagner Memorial Library and check it out (YA REYNOLDS)...and when you're done, check out Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes...or another from Jason Reynolds. Good reading!
Children of Blood and Bone (Book 1)
Tomy Adeyemi
Fantasy
Young Adult- YA ADEYEMI
Children of Blood and Bone pits the forces of magic against those of bigotry and hatred. It goes into the influence and power an elder has over a youthful mind, though some incidents can even change that. The bonds of family and friends are seared, leaving behind unbearable carnage. In this fantasy, magic is at its center. Is magic and those who can use it good or evil? Is magic too powerful to chance getting into the wrong hands? Can destroying magic and those who wield it be the answer? Come to the Lois Wagner Memorial Library and see. Travel to the young adult section and look for ADEYEMI.
Revenge of the Witch (Last Apprentice-Book 1)
Joseph Delaney
Horror
Young Adult- YA DELANEY
Revenge of the Witch is the first book in this terrifying series. It begins the epic journey of a spook's apprentice, Thomas Ward, in the learning of protecting his county from the creatures of the dark. But are all creatures of the dark evil and warranting imprisonment or death? Could there be some who follow a code of honor or could overcome their destiny? This series will keep you guessing until the final volume. If you want a tale with blood witches, bone withes, water witches, lamia witches, boggarts, ghasts, ghosts, and the fiend, and the spooks that hold them at bay as best they can, you will enjoy this series. Come to the Lois Wagner Memorial Library and see. Creep to the young adult section and look for DELANEY.
The Looking Glass Wars (Book 1)
Frank Beddor
Fantasy
Young Adult- YA BEDDOR
Looking Glass Wars takes Lewis Carroll's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass and cranks them up a couple notches. Beddor takes the characters and emphasizes their traits, giving some like Redd (Queen of Hearts) an air of evil that surpasses the original. This version made me want to read the originals by Carroll, so I did. Though worth the read, the originals didn't hold me like the Looking Glass Wars. Read them and see. Which did you enjoy more? Come to the Lois Wagner Memorial Library and see. Saunter to the young adult section and look for BEDDOR.
Fablehaven (Book 1)
Brandon Mull
Fantasy
Young Adult- YA MULL
Fablehaven is thefirst in a wonderful series that pits good against evil...or evil against evil...or good against good. The story keeps you guessing which of the well-developed characters are on each side. The realm with fantastic creatures exists. Why can't everyone see them? How are people not harmed by the evil ones? Sanctuaries are a help. Located around the globe are sanctuaries that hold these creatures and give them a place to live away from most humans. Caretakers help keep the sanctuaries in order. But what happens when caretakers have different priorities? Read and find out. Come to the Lois Wagner Memorial Library, hike to the young adult section and look for MULL.
Steelheart (Book 1)
Brandon Sanderson
Science Fiction-Dystopian
Young Adult- SANDERS
Steelheart is book one of the Reckoners trilogy. In true Sanderson style, he populates his novel with characters that are good and bad...and flawed. With all the his novels, a snarkiness is evident that makes the characters all the more real. This series includes the Epics, people with special abilities like Super Heroes, who the people are awed. Problem is, the Epics are not all that interested in helping humans and wish to rule over them. Unfortunately, nobody wishes to fight the epics...except for the Reckoners. The biggest disappointment is it is only a trilogy. Come to the Lois Wagner Memorial Library, hike to the young adult section and look for SANDERS.
Tunnels (Book 1)
Roderick Gordon Brian Williams
Science Fiction
Young Adult- GORDON
Tunnels is the first book in the series. It is about two societies living on the planet, one above ground and one below ground. Most living above ground know nothing about the societies that exist below. But those below know about the people living above ground. Do the below grounders want to remain below? Will the above grounders learn about those living under them? What problems can arise when they meet? Read Tunnels and find out. If you want well created villains, this series is a must for you to read. Enjoy. Come to the Lois Wagner Memorial Library, dig to the young adult section and look for GORDON.
Silverfin (Book 1)
Charlie Higson
Fiction
Young Adult- HIGSON
Silverfin is the first book in the Young James Bond series. The series has great action and adventure. Higson is a great storyteller and has created a story that tells about James Bond as a teen. Those who like Bond will like these. It has all the fun of Bond with none of the carousing. Come to the Lois Wagner Memorial Library, dig to the young adult section and look for HIGSON.
The Book Thief
Markus Zusak
Historical Fiction
Young Adult: ZUSAK
The Book Thief is a tale set during World War II that focuses on the western front. It tells of people who aid the Jews despite the danger, from the Nazi soldiers. Our protagonist, Liesel, develops a love of books and will steal them if necessary...like from a Nazi book burning pile. Join Liesel and her family in these dangerous times as there is always hope when good people do the right thing. Come to the Lois Wagner Memorial Library, dig to the young adult section and look for ZUSAK.
Lock and Key: The Initiation (Book 1)
Ridley Pearson
Mystery
Young Adult- PEARSON
Lock and Key is a great take on Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty when they were in high school. How did Holmes develop his ability to observe and make sense of the world? How did his relationship with Moriarty begin? In this telling, the focus is on James, his sister, Moira, and Sherlock as they traverse their school, Baskerville. Will the three work together to solve the mystery of a death and secret societies, or will it pull them apart. Come to the Lois Wagner Memorial Library, dig to the young adult section and look for PEARSON.
Scorpio Races
Maggie Stiefvater
Fantasy
Young Adult- STIEFVAT
The Scorpio Races delves into a myth or folklore you may not have heard about, carnivorous horses and a race upon their backs by those courageous enough to risk death. Stiefvater creates compelling characters you will want to win...or lose. Read this book and you may never look at horses the same way again. Come to the Lois Wagner Memorial Library, dig to the young adult section and look for STIEFVAT.
The Alchemyst (Book 1)
Michael Scott
Fantasy
Young Adult- SCOTT
The Alchemyst delves into the life, but not death, of Nicholas Flamel. He is though to be the alchemyst that found the cure for death...and he wants to protect that secret. If placed in the wrong hands, the world may be changed forever. Like many good fantasy novels, a prophecy foretells the coming of those who can save the world. Come to the Lois Wagner Memorial Library, dig to the young adult fantasy section and look for YA SCOTT.
The Girl From Shadow Springs
Ellie Cypher
Fantasy
Young Adult- CYPHER
The Girl From Shadow Springs is a tale of two sisters living in an inhospitable place, trying to survive on their own. The appearance of someone from the south sets their world askew. Battling people of the north, the weather, and a witch, will they survive?
Come to the Lois Wagner Memorial Library, dig to the young adult fantasy section and look for YA CYPHER.
The Friday Society
Adrienne Kress
Mystery
Young Adult- KRESS
The Friday Society is a steampunk mystery that brings three young women of differing cultures and means together to solve crimes in their city, including the murders of other young women. Will they find the murderer before he or she finds them? Come to the Lois Wagner Memorial Library and snag this novel in the Young Adult Mystery section, YA KRESS, to find out.
Leviathan
Scott Westerfeld
Science Fiction
Young Adult- WESTERF
Leviathan is the first novel of a steampunk trilogy that is a historical fiction focused on events of the first World War. It takes that history and creates some alternatives to the way things occurred with a splash of science advancements. Follow Alek and Deryn as they navigate the challenges of a world in war. Come to the Lois Wagner Memorial Library and snag this novel in the Young Adult Science Fiction section, YA WESTERF (BOOK 1), to find out.
Fire Keeper's Daughter
Angeline Boulley
Realistic Fiction/ mystery
Young Adult- BOULLEY
Fire Keeper's Daughter is a tale set in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. For those who have visited that gorgeous area, you will be able to picture where things are happening. Add the fact that the greatest card game, euchre, is mentioned twice and it is already a worthy read. Unexpectedly for me, the tale involved a mystery element which was a pleasant surprise. You'll learn some about some tribes in the area. Big book worth your time to read. Find it in the young adult fiction section, YA BOULLEY.