Graphic novels you might have missed

Graphic novels can be great fun! Some are even based on movies and stories you may know. If you're a fan of graphic novels and looking for some new reads, here are some to check out from your local library (use the WorldCatalog search box to see if your library has them) or find a copy using the Amazon search box also here on BookBag.


The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, written by F. Scott Fizgerald & adapted by Nunzio DeFilippis & Christina Weir; illustrated by Kevin Cornell (Quirk Books) Classic. Perhaps you've seen the 2008 movie starring Brad Pitt as a man who ages backwards after being born a full-grown, elderly man in Baltimore in 1860. This witty and handsomely illustrated graphic novel sticks closer to the original F. Scott Fitzgerald short story than the somewhat melancholy film does, preserving its satirical humor (among other things). Literature buffs--and anyone who enjoys tales about people who fail to meet society's expectations of them--should thoroughly enjoy this version of the story that Fitzgerald himself declared to be "the funniest thing ever written."

Prince of Persia, created by Jordan Mechner; written by A.B. Sina; illustrated by LeUyen Pham & Alex Puvilland (First Second) Adventure. Based on thePrince of Persia video games and composed by the game's creator, Jordan Mechner, and Iranian author A.B. Sina, this "magnificent and complex" (Booklist) graphic novel illuminates the underlying legend of the games' world. Make no mistake, there's plenty of action, adventure, and mayhem here--but players who appreciate the substantial storylines of the games will be eager to delve deeper into the mythology laid out in the book, which should also please fans of historical fantasies rich with political intrigue, battles, and elemental magic. Both the newPrince of Persia gameThe Forgotten Sands and the movie The Sands of Time (which stars Jake Gyllenhaal) will be released this May, making April a great time to check out the book!

Aya of Yop City, by Marguerite Abouet; illustrated by Clément Oubrerie (Drawn & Quarterly) Fiction. This sequel to Aya plunges readers right back into the "good-humored soap opera" (Booklist) of studious, responsible Aya and her boy-crazy friends, all of whom live in the Ivory Coast of the late 1970s. Aya's friend Adjoua has had her baby...and he looks nothing like her rich, slacker husband, Moussa. Meanwhile, Bintou thinks that she's found the perfect man--but is he too good to be true? Once again vibrantly bringing all of Yop City's characters and their day-to-day drama to life, this 2nd of three graphic novels in the series -- Aya: The Secrets Come Out is next -- will have readers laughing, crying, and sighing as that drama unfolds. (New to the series? Be sure to start with Aya, or you'll be lost.)

Kin, by Holly Black; illustrated by Ted Naifeh (Graphix) Urban Fantasy. Goth-girl Rue Silver ("like kangaroo or like 'you'll rue the day we met, MWA-HA-HA!'") claims that she's not a worrier--but when her mom goes missing, her father is accused of murder, and she begins to see impossible creatures that no one else sees, worrying might be sensible. Rue thinks she's going crazy, but in the course of this darkly compelling graphic novel, the existence of the faerie world and the source of Rue's connection to it are revealed. Fans of Charles de Lint's books (such as Dingo) or of Neil Gaiman's highly imaginative and menacing Neverwhere will be entranced by this first volume in the Good Neighbors series--and will clamor for the second volume, Kith.

Emiko Superstar, by Mariko Tamaki; illustrated by Steve Rolston (Minx) Realistic Fiction. Being a geek never really bothered Emiko...but now her geeky friends are excited about attending a young executives' retreat over the summer, and Emi isn't interested. Then, just when it seems that her summer will be all babysitting, all the time, shy Emi is handed a flyer advertising weekend performance-art "Freak Shows," and she's both intrigued and terrified. After she finally works up the nerve to go to one of the shows, her whole life changes. Check out this slightly angsty, gently funny, and completely engaging read to see how Emi goes from geek to superstar on the road to becoming herself.

Pride of Baghdad, by Brian K. Vaughan; illustrated by Niko Henrichon (DC Comics) Fiction. As American bombs rain down on Iraq in 2003, four lions escape from the Baghdad Zoo--only to struggle for survival in the battered, unfamiliar city. Having relied for so long on their keepers, the lions ponder the benefits of their captivity and the price of their freedom as they wander in search of food and safety. Both a gripping adventure and "a thoughtful allegory about the war in Iraq" (Library Journal), this provocative, expressively illustrated, and occasionally violent graphic novel was inspired by a pride of lions' real-life flight from captivity.

Some fractured fairy-tales, and a visit with Kubla Khan

It's time for some silly fun (and a little exciting history too). Here are some recent books that will make you laugh and one that's just plain fascinating! Find them on BookBag's Amazon and World Catalog search boxes, and enjoy a bit of reading that's just for laughs. Then meet Kubla Khan, who really knew how to throw a party!

There's a Princess in the Palace, by Zoë B. Alley; illustrated by R. W. Alley (Roaring Brook Press) Picture Book. In these slightly fractured fairy tales that are illustrated in comic-book style, Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and two other well-known princesses share a surprising connection. With funny references to modern times (such as Cinderella wishing that chocolate cupcakes were invented because they'd make her feel better), a pair of wisecracking mice who provide commentary on each tale, and lots of wordplay, these fresh takes on the traditional stories will delight fans of strong-minded princesses and "punny" humor.

Cloaked in Red, by Vivian Vande Velde (Marshall Cavendish) Fractured Fairy Tales. Author Vivian Vande Velde has a beef with Little Red Riding Hood: in her opinion, it's "the perfect example of the exact opposite of a good story." Think about it: a girl who can't tell her granny from a member of another species? Parents who name their kid after an article of clothing? Here, Vande Velde offers up eight new takes on the familiar story that are unexpected, funny, and deliciously irreverent. Don't judge Cloaked in Red by its serious-looking cover; it's a light, witty, and quick read.

The Familiars, by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson; illustrated by Peter Chan and Kei Acedera (Harper) Fantasy. Aldwyn is a resourceful stray cat who ducks inside a magic shop in order to hide from someone who's chasing him. Then Jack, a wizard-in-training, comes into the store to select his familiar (a magical animal companion) and adopts Aldwyn, who plays along despite having no powers. Jack's new cat may be an imposter when it comes to magic, but when Jack and two of his classmates are kidnapped, Aldwyn is determined to help the other students' familiars--Skylar, a bossy blue jay, and Gilbert, a bumbling tree frog--rescue them. Chock full of action, humor, and adventure, The Familiars is a real page-turner.

Kubla Khan: The Emperor of Everything, by Kathleen Krull; illustrated by Robert Byrd (Viking) Nonfiction Picture Book. With clear, thoroughly researched writing that's fun to read and artwork that is colorful, dramatic, and intricately detailed, this biography of Kubla Khan Genghis' grandson, is a fascinating total package. That's fitting, since Kubla Khan himself was quite impressive: he built the imperial city that is now Beijing, fathered 100 children, and was known for throwing lavish birthday parties in his own honor for up to 40,000 guests. If this book about Khan, his massive empire, and its far-reaching effects makes you want to read more about life during his time, check out Geraldine McCaughrean's fictional book The Kite Rider.

Lulu and the Brontosaurus, by Judith Viorst; illustrated by Lane Smith (Atheneum

Books) Fiction. Lulu is a major brat whose parents always give her every single thing she wants--until one year, she asks for a pet brontosaurus for her birthday. When her parents say no (a word that Lulu isn't used to hearing), Lulu throws a screaming fit, but that doesn't change their answer. So, Lulu decides to go into the forest and get a brontosaurus herself! In this silly, sarcastic story, Lulu is in for a big surprise...and readers get to pick their favorite of three different endings.

Graphic novels you might have missed

Graphic novels can be great fun! Some are even based on movies and stories you may know. If you're a fan of graphic novels and looking for some new reads, here are some to check out from your local library (use the WorldCatalog search box to see if your library has them) or find a copy using the Amazon search box also here on BookBag.


The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, written by F. Scott Fizgerald & adapted by Nunzio DeFilippis & Christina Weir; illustrated by Kevin Cornell (Quirk Books) Classic. Perhaps you've seen the 2008 movie starring Brad Pitt as a man who ages backwards after being born a full-grown, elderly man in Baltimore in 1860. This witty and handsomely illustrated graphic novel sticks closer to the original F. Scott Fitzgerald short story than the somewhat melancholy film does, preserving its satirical humor (among other things). Literature buffs--and anyone who enjoys tales about people who fail to meet society's expectations of them--should thoroughly enjoy this version of the story that Fitzgerald himself declared to be "the funniest thing ever written."

Prince of Persia, created by Jordan Mechner; written by A.B. Sina; illustrated by LeUyen Pham & Alex Puvilland (First Second) Adventure. Based on the Prince of Persia video games and composed by the game's creator, Jordan Mechner, and Iranian author A.B. Sina, this "magnificent and complex" (Booklist) graphic novel illuminates the underlying legend of the games' world. Make no mistake, there's plenty of action, adventure, and mayhem here--but players who appreciate the substantial storylines of the games will be eager to delve deeper into the mythology laid out in the book, which should also please fans of historical fantasies rich with political intrigue, battles, and elemental magic. Both the new Prince of Persia gameThe Forgotten Sands and the movie The Sands of Time (which stars Jake Gyllenhaal) will be released this May, making April a great time to check out the book!

Aya of Yop City, by Marguerite Abouet; illustrated by Clément Oubrerie (Drawn & Quarterly) Fiction. This sequel to Aya plunges readers right back into the "good-humored soap opera" (Booklist) of studious, responsible Aya and her boy-crazy friends, all of whom live in the Ivory Coast of the late 1970s. Aya's friend Adjoua has had her baby...and he looks nothing like her rich, slacker husband, Moussa. Meanwhile, Bintou thinks that she's found the perfect man--but is he too good to be true? Once again vibrantly bringing all of Yop City's characters and their day-to-day drama to life, this 2nd of three graphic novels in the series -- Aya: The Secrets Come Out is next -- will have readers laughing, crying, and sighing as that drama unfolds. (New to the series? Be sure to start with Aya, or you'll be lost.)

Kin, by Holly Black; illustrated by Ted Naifeh (Graphix) Urban Fantasy. Goth-girl Rue Silver ("like kangaroo or like 'you'll rue the day we met, MWA-HA-HA!'") claims that she's not a worrier--but when her mom goes missing, her father is accused of murder, and she begins to see impossible creatures that no one else sees, worrying might be sensible. Rue thinks she's going crazy, but in the course of this darkly compelling graphic novel, the existence of the faerie world and the source of Rue's connection to it are revealed. Fans of Charles de Lint's books (such as Dingo) or of Neil Gaiman's highly imaginative and menacing Neverwhere will be entranced by this first volume in the Good Neighbors series--and will clamor for the second volume, Kith.

Emiko Superstar, by Mariko Tamaki; illustrated by Steve Rolston (Minx) Realistic Fiction. Being a geek never really bothered Emiko...but now her geeky friends are excited about attending a young executives' retreat over the summer, and Emi isn't interested. Then, just when it seems that her summer will be all babysitting, all the time, shy Emi is handed a flyer advertising weekend performance-art "Freak Shows," and she's both intrigued and terrified. After she finally works up the nerve to go to one of the shows, her whole life changes. Check out this slightly angsty, gently funny, and completely engaging read to see how Emi goes from geek to superstar on the road to becoming herself.

Pride of Baghdad, by Brian K. Vaughan; illustrated by Niko Henrichon (DC Comics) Fiction. As American bombs rain down on Iraq in 2003, four lions escape from the Baghdad Zoo--only to struggle for survival in the battered, unfamiliar city. Having relied for so long on their keepers, the lions ponder the benefits of their captivity and the price of their freedom as they wander in search of food and safety. Both a gripping adventure and "a thoughtful allegory about the war in Iraq" (Library Journal), this provocative, expressively illustrated, and occasionally violent graphic novel was inspired by a pride of lions' real-life flight from captivity.

New mystery and fantasy for YA readers

Lots of books for readers of all ages are published by writers who use the self-publishing tools available everywhere, as well as the small publishers who use the internet to spread the word and don't depend on bookstore shelf-space to get attention. Here's just a short selection of new novels that are filled with action, adventure and fantasy available by self-publishers (and in book form, too). Look for them using the Amazon and World Catalog search boxes here on BookBag!


The Lake, by William Crawford (BookSurge Publishing) The Lake is a novel that is part science fiction, part environmental commentary. A group of people threatened by a truly curious natural disaster confront the vulnerability of their lives. After Southern California's Lake Crowley is split at its foundation by an earthquake, the water becomes an elixir -- and a truth serum. As desperate people migrate to its shores to drink from its waters, pandemonium besets Los Angeles and a group of public servants, including the California governor and American president, will be forced to intercede between human nature and Mother Nature.

Shamra Divided: Book Two of the Sharma Chronicles, by Barry Hoffman (Edge Books) In Book One of the series, Curse of the Shamra, author Barry Hoffman introduced Dara, a young Shamra girl who defies the oppressive rules of her society and leads a ragtag resistance in the hopes of defeating their conquerors. Although she is criticized for being outspoken, "different", and wild, she never gives in to the pressure to conform. Shamra Divided continues Dara's adventures, as she sets off to faraway lands to learn more about her heritage, why she was the one who was meant to lead her people to freedom, and what future challenges are in store for her that she must mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepare for.

The Prophet of the Pentacle, by Marilyn Privratsky (Outskirts Press) In this first work of her epic fantasy trilogy, The Chronicles of Farro, Rafar the Elder, the Osarian Knight's Prophet of War, must find away to stop Lord Jarden, the ancient evil one who has suddenly and accidentally been unleashed back into the world and is now bent on destroying it. A great battle had been fought in ancient times between the ruthless Lord Jarden and the powerful sphinx Berecynthia. She defeated this evil one, but was mortally wounded before vanquishing him altogether. Five ages pass before a royal advisor investigating the mysterious and lonely Ice Isle inadvertently sets free the ancient evil one and becomes his host. Only the sacred alliance of prophets called the Osarian Knights can now save the mystical realm of Andora from turning into a desolate wasteland of burnt ash, its innocent population annihilated by Lord Jarden's perverse genocide.


Mara's Flowery Arrows, by Siam's Unnamed (CreateSpace) Does a mysterious manuscript, discovered by chance in the library of a Burmese monastery, contain the oldest thriller story of Southeast Asian literature? In the far east of the Indochina peninsula during the Ninth Century A.D., Prince Asaka fights against the intrigues of the Khmer Court. A prince of the Court, son of the King, is found assassinated: why would somebody want to accuse a poor slave unjustly of such an important crime? Our hero is also involved in the crime (as owner of the slave, as well as more directly). He manages to extract himself and to identify the true culprit, thanks to the help of two friends: one, a wise old Hindu, reminds us of the figure of the western investigator who is part Sherlock Holmes and part Perry Mason.

Fortuna by Michael Stevens (Oceanview Publishing) Jason Lind, a brilliant but bored Stanford computer science major is longing for escape from his mundane existence. Jason signs up to play Fortuna, an online role-playing game set in Renaissance Florence. From the first, fateful mouse click, Jason tumbles into the vibrant, lush, and anonymous world of Fortuna. Swept up in this highly complex, highly addictive game of fame, fortune, and power, Jason quickly transitions from casual gamer to compulsive player. Soon tangled up in a steamy, virtual love triangle, Jason becomes obsessed with breaking Fortuna’s code of anonymity. But Fortuna is anything but fun and games, and when a sizeable debt incurred in the game spills over into reality, Jason is forced to leverage the legacy of his father, a high-tech legend killed in a car accident years before, to pay off the debt. What starts as a great escape may only leave Jason trapped, as the game that transported him deep into the past exposes a shocking present-day reality. In the world of Fortuna, it’s not how you play the game -- it’s if you survive.

Graphic novels you might have missed

Graphic novels can be great fun! Some are even based on movies and stories you may know. If you're a fan of graphic novels and looking for some new reads, here are some to check out from your local library (use the WorldCatalog search box to see if your library has them) or find a copy using the Amazon search box also here on BookBag.


The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, written by F. Scott Fizgerald & adapted by Nunzio DeFilippis & Christina Weir; illustrated by Kevin Cornell (Quirk Books) Classic. Perhaps you've seen the 2008 movie starring Brad Pitt as a man who ages backwards after being born a full-grown, elderly man in Baltimore in 1860. This witty and handsomely illustrated graphic novel sticks closer to the original F. Scott Fitzgerald short story than the somewhat melancholy film does, preserving its satirical humor (among other things). Literature buffs--and anyone who enjoys tales about people who fail to meet society's expectations of them--should thoroughly enjoy this version of the story that Fitzgerald himself declared to be "the funniest thing ever written."

Prince of Persia, created by Jordan Mechner; written by A.B. Sina; illustrated by LeUyen Pham & Alex Puvilland (First Second) Adventure. Based on the Prince of Persia video games and composed by the game's creator, Jordan Mechner, and Iranian author A.B. Sina, this "magnificent and complex" (Booklist) graphic novel illuminates the underlying legend of the games' world. Make no mistake, there's plenty of action, adventure, and mayhem here--but players who appreciate the substantial storylines of the games will be eager to delve deeper into the mythology laid out in the book, which should also please fans of historical fantasies rich with political intrigue, battles, and elemental magic. Both the new Prince of Persia game The Forgotten Sands and the movie The Sands of Time (which stars Jake Gyllenhaal) will be released this May, making April a great time to check out the book!

Aya of Yop City, by Marguerite Abouet; illustrated by Clément Oubrerie (Drawn & Quarterly) Fiction. This sequel to Aya plunges readers right back into the "good-humored soap opera" (Booklist) of studious, responsible Aya and her boy-crazy friends, all of whom live in the Ivory Coast of the late 1970s. Aya's friend Adjoua has had her baby...and he looks nothing like her rich, slacker husband, Moussa. Meanwhile, Bintou thinks that she's found the perfect man--but is he too good to be true? Once again vibrantly bringing all of Yop City's characters and their day-to-day drama to life, this 2nd of three graphic novels in the series -- Aya: The Secrets Come Out is next -- will have readers laughing, crying, and sighing as that drama unfolds. (New to the series? Be sure to start with Aya, or you'll be lost.)

Kin, by Holly Black; illustrated by Ted Naifeh (Graphix) Urban Fantasy. Goth-girl Rue Silver ("like kangaroo or like 'you'll rue the day we met, MWA-HA-HA!'") claims that she's not a worrier--but when her mom goes missing, her father is accused of murder, and she begins to see impossible creatures that no one else sees, worrying might be sensible. Rue thinks she's going crazy, but in the course of this darkly compelling graphic novel, the existence of the faerie world and the source of Rue's connection to it are revealed. Fans of Charles de Lint's books (such as Dingo) or of Neil Gaiman's highly imaginative and menacing Neverwhere will be entranced by this first volume in the Good Neighbors series--and will clamor for the second volume, Kith.

Emiko Superstar, by Mariko Tamaki; illustrated by Steve Rolston (Minx) Realistic Fiction. Being a geek never really bothered Emiko...but now her geeky friends are excited about attending a young executives' retreat over the summer, and Emi isn't interested. Then, just when it seems that her summer will be all babysitting, all the time, shy Emi is handed a flyer advertising weekend performance-art "Freak Shows," and she's both intrigued and terrified. After she finally works up the nerve to go to one of the shows, her whole life changes. Check out this slightly angsty, gently funny, and completely engaging read to see how Emi goes from geek to superstar on the road to becoming herself.

Pride of Baghdad, by Brian K. Vaughan; illustrated by Niko Henrichon (DC Comics) Fiction. As American bombs rain down on Iraq in 2003, four lions escape from the Baghdad Zoo--only to struggle for survival in the battered, unfamiliar city. Having relied for so long on their keepers, the lions ponder the benefits of their captivity and the price of their freedom as they wander in search of food and safety. Both a gripping adventure and "a thoughtful allegory about the war in Iraq" (Library Journal), this provocative, expressively illustrated, and occasionally violent graphic novel was inspired by a pride of lions' real-life flight from captivity.

Escape with brand-new adventure stories for March

Here are stories to help you get away from it all! Travel back to the wild west, cross through France on a wild adventure, get tangled up in a spy caper with a clairvoyant pooch ... check out these chances to escape the winter blues by using the WorldCatalog and Amazon search boxes here on BookBag.

Calamity Jack, by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale; illustrated by Nathan Hale (Bloomsbury) Graphic Novel. In the authors' Wild-West retelling of the Rapunzel story, Rapunzel's Revenge, Jack (of beanstalk fame) helped the braid-whipping heroine in her quest to save her mother. This equally witty and exciting continuation of their story goes back to Jack's humble beginnings in the American city of Shyport, where the young scalawag gets into a heap of trouble and leaves town after tussling with the power-hungry giant Blunderboar. He later returns with Rapunzel, intent on freeing his own mother--and the entire city--from the giant's stranglehold. Fans of steampunk or humorous fantasy will love this "gleeful mix of fairy tale, adventure and romance" (Kirkus Reviews) which features bold, expressive artwork that brings the rambunctious story to life.

The Crimson Cap, by Ellen Howar (Holiday House) Historical Fiction. It's 1687, and 11-year-old Pierre Talon lives in a squalid French settlement in the New World with his mother and siblings. When famous explorer La Salle invites him to join an expedition to find the Mississippi River, Pierre accepts and departs with nothing more than the clothes on his back, a few hard biscuits, and the crimson cap that belonged to his father. The expedition party soon meets with trouble, and most of its members (including La Salle) are killed ... but Pierre is taken by the Hasinai Indians. This fast-paced and moving tale of Pierre's life with the Hasinai is based on a true story and will fascinate history buffs and adventure fans alike.


The Death-Defying Pepper Roux, by Geraldine McCaughrean (Harper) Adventure. Because his devout (and jealous) aunt was told so in a dream, everyone in Pepper Roux's family, including him, is convinced that he's going to die on the day that he turns 14. So when Pepper wakes up and finds himself both 14 and alive, he high-tails it out of town believing that the grim reaper must be on his heels. This rollicking and hilarious story follows Pepper's adventures -- at sea, wrangling horses, posing as a journalist, and more -- all across early-20th-century France, and it's sure to charm anyone who likes plenty of action and fascinating characters.

A Whole Nother Story, by Gerry Swallow writing as Cuthbert Soup; illustrated by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins (Bloomsbury) Humorous Adventure. Inventor Ethan Cheeseman is working on a time machine, and as a result, he and his three "smart, polite, and relatively odor-free children" are on the run from the CIA, several corporate agents, and a couple of international super-spies. With help from their clairvoyant dog and various colorful characters they meet along the way, the Cheesemans manage to stay one step ahead of their pursuers...for a while. Madcap misadventures, groan-worthy jokes, and irrelevant asides and unsolicited advice from the narrator make this hilarious romp a great pick for fans of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events books.

I So Don't Do Spooky, by Barrie Summy (Delacorte Press) Mystery. Despite her reluctance, 13-year-old Sherry Holmes Baldwin (from I So Don't Do Mysteries) has another case to crack. Sherry's mom, a ghost, is trying to figure out who is stalking Sherry's stepmom, and she needs help. If Sherry can find the stalker and her mom can win first place at the Ghostlympics, the two of them will be granted five minutes of "Real Time" together, which means that Sherry's got to "get involved in a creepy, freaky mystery." But she so doesn't do spooky. This funny, clever novel does a great job of blending the everyday with the supernatural and also works in a touch of romance. Fans of Michele Jaffe's Bad Kitty graphic-novel mysteries should be well pleased.

New teen fiction for March

Spring is almost here, but there is still some winter weather ahead -- here are some suggestions to keep you warm until the last snow melts! Look for these here on BookBag using the World Catalog and Amazon search boxes.

Freefall, by Ariela Anhalt (Harcourt) Fiction. Three students at the prestigious Briar Academy boarding school climbed the hill to the cliffs that night, but only two came back alive: Luke Prescott and his best friend, big-man-on-campus Hayden Applegate. Luke isn't really sure whether obnoxious new student Russell fell off the cliff or Hayden pushed him off, but he's going to have to get his story straight before he's called to testify in Hayden's trial. What to read next If you liked the complex characters and riveting psychological suspense of Blake Nelson's Paranoid Park.

Sweet, Hereafter, by Angela Johnson (Simon & Schuster) Fiction. In this conclusion to the emotionally involving trilogy that began with Heaven and continued in The First Part Last, Shoogy Maple (Marly's friend from Heaven) is at the center of the story. Shoogy has left her parents' home and moved into a cabin in the woods with Curtis, a young soldier who's back from a tour of duty in Iraq and not at all eager to return there. Curtis and Shoogy each have secrets, but while they deal with their private demons, they might also be falling in love. You might want to start with the first book, Heaven, to get the most out of the trilogy.

Freaks and Revelations: A Novel, by Davida Wills Hurwin (Little, Brown) Fiction. When 13-year-old Jason tells his mom that he's gay, she kicks him out of the house (it's the late 1970s), but he manages to survive by turning tricks on the streets of San Francisco. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, angry young punk-rocker Doug is hanging out with skinheads and developing a taste for fistfights. Then Jason moves to L.A., where his and Doug's violent meeting will change both of their lives forever. Based on the real-life experiences of Matthew Boger and Timothy Zaal, this tragic and powerful story ends on a hopeful note but should nonetheless enthrall fans of similarly gritty tales such as Jessica Blank's Almost Home or Adam Rapp's Punkzilla.

How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation, by Simone Elkeles (Flux) Fiction. Spoiled-rotten American drama queen Amy Nelson-Barak is the last person you'd expect to find on a bus heading toward an Israeli military boot camp, especially when participation in the training is completely voluntary. But because her boyfriend Avi serves in the Israel Defense Force and is going to be stationed at the very same military base where the summer volunteer program is being held, Amy signed up in hopes of surprising him with a visit. Too bad that Avi will be her team's equivalent of a drill sergeant and is thus forbidden from socializing with her. Meg Cabot fans are sure to appreciate Amy's uniquely funny narration and romantic misadventures, regardless of whether they start with this third book in the series or the first, How to Ruin a Summer Vacation.

The World is Mine, by Lyah Beth LeFlore; illustrated by DL Warfield (Simon Pulse) Fiction. Blue Reynolds is on a mission to be the world's next music-business mogul ("Diddy unlocked the door, and I'm gonna kick it in! It's time for somebody else to reign," he says). Blue's dad expects him to go to law school -- and Blue might -- but first, he and his friend Collin want to take a shot at their own dreams. And while he's working on becoming the hottest party promoter in the D.C. area, Blue's setting another plan in motion: to win the affections of "fly and sassy" Jade Taylor. There is lots of drama among the characters of this first installment in the Come Up series.

After Ever After, by Jordan Sonnenblick (Scholastic Press) Fiction. In Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie, Jeffrey Alper's big brother, Steven, stayed strong for him during Jeffrey's treatment for leukemia. Now, in After Ever After, Jeffrey is in eighth grade and in remission--but the side effects of his treatments gobeyond physical and learning challenges; for much of his life now, he's felt like "Jeffrey Alper, Official Town Cause." Worst of all, Steven has taken off to Africa to join a drum circle and "find himself," so Jeffrey has to handle the stresses of school, friends, his physical condition, and maybe even his first girlfriend by himself. If you like novels that are emotionally intense and yet very funny, don't miss After Ever After.

Some realistic fiction for teen readers

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, one out of every ten teens suffers from serious mental and emotional disorders that significantly impact their lives. In the novels listed below, selected by the Athens (GA) Regional Library, characters deal with a variety of mental illnesses -- their own or those of their loved ones -- conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or schizophrenia. The website of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), offers more information; for copies of these books, use the World Catalog and Amazon search boxes here on BookBag.

Kissing Doorknobs, by Terry Spencer Hesser (Bantam Doubleday Dell Books) Realistic Fiction. The last thing in the world that Tara Sullivan wants is to "think the same thought over and over and over again, especially a thought as uninteresting and stupid as Step on a crack, break your mother's back." But ever since she heard that rhyme as an 11-year-old, she has felt compelled to count every crack in every sidewalk, and her thoughts are plagued with worry that only the repetition of bizarre rituals (such as kissing her fingers and touching the doorknob 33 times before she exits the house) relieves. Kissing Doorknobs shows, frankly and with wry humor,what life is like for those who are afflicted with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Get Well Soon, by Julie Halpern (Feiwel and Friends) Realistic Fiction. Anna Bloom has skipped so many days of school due to panic attacks and depression that her parents have committed her to a mental institution. Instructed to keep track of her thoughts and feelings in a journal, Anna instead writes (but never mails) honest and snarkily funny letters to her best friend, Tracy. At first, her letters are filled with complaints about Lakeland's "booger green and vomit brown" decor, her fellow patients, and a therapist who seems obsessed with Anna's weight. But after a while, Anna starts to feel better about herself and begins to make friends...including one who might possibly be more-than-a-friend. For some slightly grittier tales of life in what Anna calls "the loony bin," check out Susanna Kaysen's memoir Girl, Interrupted or Ellen Hopkins' Impulse.

Wild Roses, by Deb Caletti (Simon & Schuster) Fiction. "Supposedly there's an actual, researched link between extreme creativity and mental illness, and I believe it because I've seen it with my own eyes." So says 17-year-old Cassie Morgan, whose stepfather, the famous violinist Dino Cavalli, is brilliant -- but also tends to be depressed, paranoid, and delusional. Dino's erratic behavior is getting worse as the date of his big comeback concert approaches, and when love-struck Cassie begins seeing one of his violin students (despite Dino forbidding her to do so), things quickly come to a boiling point.

It's Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini (Miramax Books/Hyperion Books) Realistic Fiction. After working diligently to gain acceptance into New York City's prestigious Executive Pre-Professional High School, Craig Gilner buckles under the pressure once he's there. His strategy for dealing with his ensuing depression -- smoking pot and avoiding studying -- only makes things worse, and Craig finds himself dialing the number of a suicide hotline. He checks himself into a psychiatric hospital, where he unexpectedly finds friendship, humor, wisdom, and a possible romance among his quirky fellow patients. While depression is realistically, vividly, and respectfully portrayed in this ultimately hopeful novel, it's actually more than just "kind of" a funny story -- at points, it's hilarious.

Breathless, by Jessica Warman (Walker) Realistic Fiction. For Olympic-hopeful swimmer Katie Kitrell, sometimes the water is the only place where she feels at home. Her father is distant; her mother, an artist, has a problem with alcohol; and even though she is very close to her schizophrenic brother, Will, his behavior has recently become dangerous. When Katie's father sends her off to an elite boarding school, she's surprised by how quickly the in-crowd accepts her .. .and she tells her new friends that her brother is dead to avoid dealing with the truth. If you like Breathless' complex relationships, you might also want to read Ann Dee Ellis'Everything is Fine or Adele Griffin's Where I Want to Be.

Lowboy, by John Wray (Farrar Straus and Giroux) Fiction. Sixteen-year-old paranoid schizophrenic Will Heller believes that the world is facing imminent destruction via global warming -- and that he's the only one who can prevent it. Off his meds, Will rides the Manhattan subway system in a desperate search for his ex-girlfriend, who's a crucial component of his plan. Narrating in addition to the brilliant if delusional teen are the two adults searching for him--his troubled mother, Violet, and a missing-persons detective named Ali Lateef. For their own reasons, none of the three is a particularly reliable narrator, but together they create a story that is dark, suspenseful, and gives readers a vivid picture of the unique way that Will's mind works.

YA reading with an edge

Older teen readers looking for edgier writing than popular wizard and vampire sagas might be interested in these new books and series, reviewed by Cory Doctorow at the Boing Boing website. There are still doses of mystery, fantasy and otherworldly beings here, along with adult themes. There's lots more -- this is just a small sample of recently featured books. You can locate these titles using the World Catalog / Amazon search boxes here on BookBag.

Boneshaker, by Cherie Priest (Tor Books) is the story of the Wilkes/Blue family, a storied Seattle clan whose three generations unmade and remade the city through a series of scientific and martial adventures that are recounted with great relish and verve. First, there's Leviticus Blue, an arrogant mad scientist who developed a great tunnelling machine (part of a Russian-sponsored competition to improve Alaskan gold-mining) and undermined the city of Seattle, releasing the Blight, a poisonous gas that causes the dead to rise, and to hunger for the flesh of the living. ... Then there's Briar Wilkes, the widow of Leviticus and the daughter of Maynard, who is scraping by in the Outskirts, trying to outrun her reputation but unable to, and unable to escape Seattle because of the great Civil War that is eating America with martial trains and dirigibles and great armies.

And that's where the action kicks off, with son and mother chasing one another through the Blighted city of Seattle, avoiding the zombies, befriending the Chinese laborers who run the great machines that suck clean air from beyond the wall into the sealed tunnels beneath the city, trying to escape the clutches of the evil Dr. Minnericht, the self-appointed king of Seattle (who may or may not be Leviticus Blue), befriending rogue zeppelin pilots, armored giants, and steam-powered cyborg barmaids. It's full of buckle and has swash to spare, and the characters are likable and the prose is fun. This is a hoot from start to finish, pure mad adventure.

(Re)cycler (Random House) is the sequel to Lauren McLaughlin's fantastic debut YA novel, Cycler, a sf story about Jill McTeague, a high-school senior who turns into a boy for four days every month. Like Cycler, (Re)cycler is a smart, sensitive story about gender, sex and sexuality, leavened with a lot of wit and sass.

(Re)cycler picks up where Cycler left off, with Jill and her two best friends leaving small town Massachusetts for parts elsewhere. Jill lands in Brooklyn with her pal Ramie (who is also dating her male alter-ego, Jack) and commences to come of age in a setting that is frightening, dangerous, exciting and exotic.

Both Jack and Jill's voices are carried off fantastically in this story, coming across as confused but confident, and both characters grow in ways that are unexpected and extremely satisfying.

The writer Scott Westerfeld has two careers -- on the one hand, he writes science fiction for adults, and on the other, he writes wonderful young adult genre novels (see previous reviews of Scott's Peeps, a science-fictional take on vampirism and So Yesterday, a mystery novel about a cool-hunter -- and see the review below of his earlier, knockout horror trilogy, Midnighters). Both Uglies and its sequel, Pretties, fall into the latter category.

Uglies and Pretties (Simon Pulse books) are the story of a dystopian world where children are raised by the state and subjected to mandatory cosmetic surgery at 16, wherein they are rendered physically "perfect" on the basis that symmetrical, statistically average people with giant eyes are charismatic, convincing, and are afforded advantages by their peers; in the twisted logic of the Westerfeld's state, imposing this surgery on all creates an egalitarian basis for society. No one is heeded merely because she is beautiful; no idea is disregarded because it originates with someone who is ugly.

The novels tell the story of Tally Youngblood, a 16-year-old small-time rebel who becomes embroiled in a scheme to avoid the surgery, leading to her exile and eventual encounters with outsiders, secret police, and the gradual, sinister unravelling of the dark secret of the compassionate society.

Westerfeld's older Midnighters trilogy of The Secret Hour, Touching Darkness, and Blue Noon (HarperTeen) is about a small group of misfit teens in a conservative town who all share the ability to inhabit the secret hour between 12 midnight and 12:01 AM, a secret hour when time stands still for everyone but them, when the light turns blue, when they gain special powers -- the power to run tirelessly and leap buildings, even to fly.

This is pure wish-fulfillment for the kids, who are picked-on losers in their straight-laced school, harassed by the law and stuck in bad home situations. But it turns out that the secret hour is also inhabited by Cthuluesque Old Ones -- ancient monsters trapped forever in the darkness of the secret hour. And these ancient ones must escape.

The trilogy tells the story of the kids' defense of the town that rejects them, and of the ancient, wicked secrets there. If Lovecraft had a sense of plot and character, he could have written these.

Now the final volume, Blue Moon, has come into print, and it ties the story up nicely. If you're looking for three books to give to a kid in your life (or looking for a romp of your own), these would be a great choice.

Liar, by Justine Larbalestier (Bloomsbury USA): Micah -- the unreliable narrator of this tale -- is a compulsive liar from a fraught background. Poor and biracial, she attends a posh New York alternative school through a scholarship. Her mother is a runaway, her father is from a reclusive back-woods family of illiterate survivalists, and so it's no surprise that Micah's identity is a little messed up. But Micah isn't just confused: she's deliberately confusing, a compulsive liar who fools everyone around her over and over (she is mistaken for a boy on her first day of school and so she undertakes to live as a boy, lasting days before she is found out).

But Micah's lies start to unravel when the boy she is secretly dating -- he is publicly involved with the most popular girl in school -- is murdered. As the school panics and the social order turns upside down, as Micah grieves, she is also found out, scapegoated, and suspected.

That's the setup. So far, it's your basic YA fare: complicated relationships, complicated identity, fraught situation. But Micah's circumstances grow progressively odder, as Larbalestier twists and turns the story in ways that are decidedly science fictional (or possibly fantastic) and that make this into one of the most original, oddest, and ultimately satisfying YA books I've had the pleasure of reading.

Some series books for teen readers

Fans of series books like getting to know the people, places, and situations that authors create over the course of many books. Check out one or more of the series-starters listed below, and you'll have plenty of reading to keep you busy for a while. Look for these books and other series here on BookBag using the WorldCatalog and Amazon search boxes.

The Robe of Skulls, by Vivian French (Candlewick Press) Fantasy. When she realizes that she has no treasure left with which to purchase a stunning new gown decorated with skulls, evil sorceress Lady Lamorna lets loose with a blood-curdling scream heard by everyone in the village of Fracture...everyone, that is, but young Gracie Gillypot. Locked in her stepfather's cellar "for being cheerful," Gracie barely hears a peep--but it won't be long before she's called on to help rescue the kingdom's princes, whom Lady Lamorna has turned into frogs. At once silly and exciting, this suspenseful, slap-dash adventure is the 1st in the Tales from the Five Kingdoms series; The Bag of Bones is next.

The Diamond of Drury Lane: A Cat Royal Adventure, by Julia Golding (Roaring Brook Press) Historical Adventure. Abandoned at the Drury Lane Theatre as a baby and taken in by its owner, Mr. Sheridan, young Catherine (aka Cat) has literally grown up backstage. When she learns that Mr. Sheridan has a diamond hidden somewhere in the theater, Cat determines to do everything she can--which may not be enough--to protect it. Vividly set in late-18th-century London, this thrilling and colorful tale is the 1st of four stories that feature Cat, followed by Cat Among the Pigeons and Den of Thieves.

Mister Monday, by Garth Nix (Scholastic). Fantasy. After nearly dying from an asthma attack on his first day at his new school, Arthur Penhaligon comes to with a strange key that looks like the minute-hand of a clock in his hand. It isn't long before minions of the mysterious Mister Monday come after him to retrieve the key, and people in the town are struck by a bizarre sleeping sickness. When Arthur notices a strange new house in his neighborhood that no one else seems able to see, he realizes that he must venture inside to stop the weird--and dangerous--things that are happening. Mister Monday is the 1st of six novels (so far) in the magical, complex, and exciting Keys to the Kingdom series; watch for the conclusion, Lord Sunday, this spring.

Adam Canfield of the Slash, by Michael Winerip (Candlewick Press) Fiction. Adam Canfield is already sorry that he agreed to be co-editor of his school's newspaper, The Slash. He's made for courting danger while digging up the truth--not for supervising over-eager third-grade cub reporters. But there is something strange going on at Harris Elementary/Middle School, and it's up to Adam, his co-editor Jennifer, and the rest of the newspaper's staff to bring the story to light. Packed with suspense and tongue-in-cheek humor, this 1st of three books about Adam and company will please fans of detective stories and thrillers (as well as those interested in the pursuit of truth and justice!).

Great first lines

A book's opening lines should hook the reader into wanting to read more. Here are some recent books for teens with some terrific first lines that should make you want to ask, "what happens next?" Find copies here on BookBag using the WorldCatalog and Amazon search boxes.

Absolutely, Positively Not, by David LaRochelle (Arthur A. Levine Books) Fiction. "Everybody has at least one ugly secret, and mine is as ugly as they come. I square dance. With my mother." Not only does 16-year-old Steven DeNarski square dance, he likes it. He also likes looking at the International Male catalog that he's kept secreted under his mattress for more than a year, but despite this fact, he has decided to prove to himself and the world that he is absolutely, positively not gay. This hilarious story is a fun read for anyone, of any persuasion, who likes comic misadventures and characters who struggle to be true to themselves.

The White Darkness: A Novel, by Geraldine McCaughrean (HarperTempest) Adventure. "I have been in love with Titus Oates for quite a while now--which is ridiculous, since he's been dead for ninety years." Titus Oates was an Antarctic explorer, and Symone has always been fascinated by Antarctica--so she's thrilled when her "Uncle" Victor asks her to accompany him on a trip there. When members of their expedition group begin falling ill and the plane meant to fly them home explodes, it becomes clear that something has gone seriously wrong. As the situation deteriorates, Sym's Antarctic adventure becomes a nightmarish struggle to survive in some of the harshest terrain on the planet, and she begins to question Victor's trustworthiness.

The Knife of Never Letting Go, by Patrick Ness (Candlewick Press) Science Fiction. "The first thing you find out when yer dog learns to talk is that dogs don't got nothing much to say. About anything." Todd Hewitt is the very last boy in Prentisstown, a dismal human settlement on an alien planet where the thoughts of men and animals are constantly audible (no one, in fact, can keep from hearing them). Todd does his best to stay out of trouble and tune out the maddening, ever-present Noise, but after he makes a startling discovery, he's forced to flee with only his loyal but none-too-bright dog, Manchee. Featuring a fascinating world, breathless suspense, and touches of horror, this 1st book in the Chaos Walking trilogy will keep you riveted and leave you desperate to read the next installment, The Ask and the Answer.

The Death Collector, by Justin Richards (Bloomsbury) Horror/Mystery. "Four days after his own funeral, Albert Wilkes came home for tea." This unexpected reappearance is but one symptom of the monstrous evil that a madman has unleashed on the streets of Victorian London, and three courageous teens--Eddie, a street urchin; George, a clockmaker; and Elizabeth, a budding actress--are determined to thwart his sinister plan. With a scrap from a secret diary, they hope to solve the mystery of some missing dinosaur eggs, a reanimated corpse, and the fire-breathing creature that's roaming Londontown at night. If you like author Justin Richards' Invisible Detective mystery series and don't mind a bit of gore, you'll love this twisty ride.

Haters, by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez (Little, Brown) Fiction. "You know it's bad news when your dad comes back to Taos from a two-week business trip to Los Angeles wearing designer sunglasses and a velour Juicy men's tracksuit." When Pasquala Rumalda Quintana de Archuleta (Paski)'s geeky-but-loveable single dad sells the film rights for one of his cartoons, the two of them move from New Mexico to L.A. Money and looks are all that seem to matter at Paski's new school, and while Paski is beautiful, in comparison to her wealthy classmates she's underprivileged. But she has some special talents to help her deal with her version of the movie Mean Girls: she's a skilled mountain-biker and has inherited her family's gift of visions. If you like your realistic fiction with a hint of magic and your female characters sassy, don't miss Haters.

The Kayla Chronicles: A Novel, by Sherri Winston (Little, Brown) Fiction. "Stankalicious!" Kayla Dean, 14-year-old feminist, shy girl, budding investigative reporter, and word-coiner (see the previous sentence for an example) is being pressured by her best friend, Rosalie, into auditioning for Royal Palm Academy's Lady Lions dance team. Rosalie's politics are toward the strident end of the feminism scale, and she's out to prove that the ultra-hot Lady Lions only choose dancers who are more generously endowed than A-cup Kayla is. But what if Kayla actually makes the team and likes being a booty-shaking Lady Lion? Can she be empowered even if she wants to wear really cute shoes? This smart, funny story about friendship and girl power is chock-full o' funktaciousness (defined in the book's "Lexicon of Kayla-isms").