The Space Between

The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff. Published by Penguin Group, 2011.

Daphne lives in Hell- literally. The daughter of a demon and a fallen angel, she is unsure of her place in the world. She is lonely and bored, doesn’t have much of a relationship with her mother or sisters, but can’t really leave. Her brother Obie is someone she can count on, so she doesn’t know what to do when he says he’s leaving. Daphne knows it’s dangerous, so asks Beelzebub for help but Obie is gone.

Daphne is drawn to Truman, a young man who has been suicidal since the death of his mother. Obie helped him after a hospitalization the previous year. Daphne hopes that Truman can provide some clues as to Obie’s whereabouts. Daphne is warned about new dangers and her sister is murdered. Daphne has special powers but she doesn’t know what they are or even how to use them.

Truman and Daphne find Obie’s baby Raymie (not a typical baby by any means) and they know she is the reason Obie left. Can they save Obie, protect Raymie and still have a chance at love?



Visit author Brenna Yovanoff's website

Brooklyn Burning

Brooklyn Burning by Steven Brezenoff. Published by Learner Publishing Group, 2011

Kid’s life is complicated. He is not getting along with his father at all. He questions many things in his life and is making unsafe choices for himself. When he becomes friendly with a bar owner named Fish, she tries to help him. This is where he meets Felix, a musician Kid likes a lot. Unfortunately, Felix is an addict and not a good influence.

After Kid and his father get into another huge argument, Kid is homeless so Felix takes him to an abandoned warehouse . When Felix dies, Kid sinks into a deep depression and he doesn’t deny the accusations that he started a fire in the warehouse. This has profound ramifications for Kid.

One day, he meets a young woman named Scout and discovers someone who loves music as much as he does. She has am amazing voice and Kid loves going to the basement of Fish’s bar to practice with her. She is mysterious and evasive, which only serves to increase Kid’s longing.

But the police are still coming after Kid, Fish can't help him anymore and he is worried about Scout.

This realistic fiction is recommended for students who like edgier stories.  

Visit author Steven Brezenoff's website

Payback Time

Payback Time by Carl Deuker. Published by Houghton Mifflin Books, 2011.

Daniel True dreams of a college major in journalism. Being a reporter for the school newspaper is going to help him get there. He is disappointed when the new editor changes his assignment from news to sports (he’s nicknamed Mitch after the Michelin Man due to his short, round stature). A major downside for Mitch is that he is going to be hanging out at sporting events and with athletes. He knows he will appear even shorter and fatter in comparison to all the jocks, so he decides to lose weight and start exercising.

Mitch finds himself enjoying the sports writing. He gets to work with Kimi, a talented and driven photographer. He and Kimi are even able to receive a little money and byline credit as stringers for the local newspaper. Football season is kicking off and Mitch notices a new player on the field. His name is Angel and he is very good. Mitch is puzzled that the coach doesn’t use Angel very much. In fact, Angel seems to hate publicity.

After stealing a look at Angel’s student records, the mysteries pile up- attendance, grades and other records have been removed. They can’t find any pictures of him from his previous schools. Soon, Mitch’s continuing investigation is becoming dangerous for everyone.

This realistic fiction is recommended for teens who like mysteries, sports or writing. 


Visit author Carl Deuker's website

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick. Published by Scholastic Press, 2011.

Two stories are interwoven in this beautifully drawn novel. The story of Rose is told in pictures. Ben’s is in words.

It is 1927. Rose lives with her father, but longs for her mother, an actress living in New York. So Rose (who is deaf) undertakes a challenging journey to the city.

Ben is a young man living in rural Minnesota. After his mother died, Ben moves in with his aunt and her family. When Ben discovers some secrets of his mother’s, he decides to try to find out the truth about a mysterious man and a museum by going to New York. Ben is befriended by Jamie, who has a connection to a museum.

The connections between Rose, Ben, the museum and New York converge into a beautiful tale.

Compulsion

Compulsion by Heidi Ayarbe. Published by Harper & Collins, 2011.

Jake is convinced that his family is safe because he follows routines and makes sure that the numbers are good (prime numbers). He constantly adds and subtracts in his head (clock radio, time, date, etc.) and waits or begins his rituals all over again until the numbers work out.

Jake has a lot on his plate. His mother stays in bed most of the day and his father seems overwhelmed. He tries to help his younger sister Kasey, who is very insecure. He is an important member of the soccer team and believes that their success depends on the “magic” numbers also.

Pressure keeps building for Jake. With the most important game of the season (and the last one of his high school career) just a few days away, Jake is trying to hold everything together. His compulsions are incapacitating him. Does Kasey suffer from the same OCD issues? He can’t keep everyone safe.

Take Me to the River

Take Me to the River by Will Hobbs. Published by Harper Collins, 2011.

Dylan can’t wait to go white water rafting with his cousin Rio and Uncle Alan. He has never been to Texas and hasn’t met either of them, so he has been looking forward to this for ages. Attending rafting camp for the last two summers has given him some experience and he knows Rio and Uncle Alan are both very knowledgeable.

When his bus arrives, no one is there to meet him. He receives a message from Rio to hitchhike to their house in Terlingua. He’s uncertain about doing that, but he gets a ride and arrives in town safely. Excitement at meeting his cousin is lessened when he discovers that his uncle has gone to work in Alaska, where he will be for the next few weeks. Rio and Dylan are unwilling to forego their long-awaited adventure. Dylan knows his parents will cancel it when they find out, so he decides not to tell them.

Preparing for their ten day trip goes well. They arrange to have someone pick them up at the end of their trip, then gather their supplies and head out. There is a possibility of some bad weather, but the sky is clear and bright. What can go wrong?

Tons of things go wrong- a hurricane is coming, the river rises to dangerous levels and Dylan and Rio encounter a kidnapper and his victim. Will the boys survive their adventure?

Shelter: a Mickey Bolitar novel.

Shelter: a Mickey Bolitar novel by Harlan Coben. Published by Penguin Group, 2011.

Mickey is not happy that he has to move in with his uncle, but he doesn’t have any other options. His dad died and his mother is in rehab. So, he is moving in with his uncle and starting a new high school. He doesn’t exactly fit in anywhere and things are off to a rocky start. He is gradually developing a few friends (including a hot girl named Ashley) and feeling a tiny bit optimistic.

Then, Ashley disappears. She doesn’t respond to Mickey’s texts and no one seems to know anything about her. Contacting her family goes very badly- her parents act like they don’t even know her and the police are at the house. Further investigation by Mickey brings even more confusing information- everything he knew about her was a lie. Strange people start showing up at Mickey’s house and a bizarre comment from his neighbor has Mickey questioning everything- even his father’s death.

This action-filled mystery has fun, strong characters and will likely be a popular series.