Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor. Published by Penguin Group, 2011.

Sunny is almost used to being different. She lives in Nigeria but was born in New York. She looks West African but is an albino with blonde hair, white skin and hazel eyes. She is athletic but can’t go outside to play sports because of her skin. Her classmates and even her brothers make fun of her.

Now, Sunny is learning things about herself that explain some of these contradictions. She has magical abilities and is a “free agent”. Although she is powerful, she hasn’t been educated in the use of magic. She has to quickly learn (she is only twelve years old, but she is behind) shape-shifting, dimensional travel and spell casting.

The tricky thing is, she has to do all this while keeping it a secret from her family and classmates. She now has magical schoolwork to do in addition to her regular work. She has to practice her new skills and she goes with her friends on trips (some of which are pretty dangerous).

This is all very exciting until Sunny and her friends are asked to find a serial killer. A serial killer who has already passed the highest level tests which have increased his power. A serial killer the adult authorities haven’t been able to kill. A magical, powerful killer who may threaten all of their existence!

Recommended for grades 9 and up. 

Visit Nnedi Okorafor's website.

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle. Published by Harper Teen, 2011.

Laurel is busy studying and chatting with her friend on the phone when there is a knock on the front door. She is nervous answering the door because she is home alone. Her family went out for ice cream with the neighbors. She is completely unprepared for the person in her doorway- a police officer. He tells her the devastating news that her entire family was killed in a car accident.

David lives next door and he is the son of the man at the wheel during the accident. David’s mother was killed and his father is in a coma. David and Laurel aren’t friends, but the accident draws them together as they both try to cope with changing relationships with friends, trying to figure out how to continue with their lives, survivor’s guilt and this terrible loss.

An unexpected friendship (and maybe something more) develops between Laurel and Joe, a fellow high school student who works in the family garden. He lost his father to cancer and can relate to Laurel. She is able to talk to him about her confusion and uncertainty and know he can understand. When their relationship begins to become romantic, they both have mixed feelings.

Laurel has well-meaning friends who try to help her and ask her how she is doing, but she doesn’t know what to say. She is glad her grandmother moved in with her, allowing Laurel to finish her school year, but then what? Laurel gets a job at a veterinary office and revels in the anonymity of no one knowing her or anything about her family tragedy. David is struggling even more because he has no family at all to help him. He suddenly goes off on a trip across the country, leaving Laurel to care for his dog.

Laurel and David both have to figure out how to get on with their lives in the aftermath of this tragedy.

Teens who are Sarah Dessen and Laurene McDaniels fans reading and those who are interested in reading about grief will be drawn to this book.  Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Visit Jennifer Castle's website

All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin

All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin. Published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2011.

New York. 2083. Crime. Food rationing. Banned foods. Power grid problems.

Anya is trying to keep her family together. Her grandmother is very ill, so Anya takes care of her. Her mother and father were killed in mob hits (making Anya the unwilling future mob boss) and her older brother suffered brain damage. He thinks he can help Anya but he doesn’t understand the ramifications of his actions and becomes involved in violent situations. She doesn’t want to be involved with the family but keeps getting pulled back into the business.

Her family has several business ventures- all illegal. Mainly, they produce, import and sell contraband- chocolate and caffeine. Her ex-boyfriend eats some of the family black market chocolate and almost dies. Anya doesn’t know if it was an accident or deliberate but she suspects a setup.

The last thing she needs or wants is romance. Anya meets the son of the district attorney and they start flirting. A crime family involved with a law and order family? Anya is determined not to fall in love. Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Now, Anya and her family are being investigated by the district attorney (yes, her boyfriend’s father). She must prove her innocence and clear her family name. She also has to keep herself and her family out of trouble. Who has the time for romance? She does!

This dystopian fiction is recommended for grades 8 and up.

Visit Gabrielle Zevin's website