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Teen Scene December 2013
"That's the thing about destiny: It can't be predicted, and it's usually pretty odd."
~ from Jasper Fforde's The Last Dragonslayer
New and Recently Released!
All the Truth That's in Me - by Julie Berry
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 09/26/2013
Share All the Truth That ISBN-13: 9780670786152
ISBN-10: 0670786152
Historical Mystery. Four years ago, two girls vanished from the small, isolated colony of Roswell Station. Only one returned alive. Now, Judith aches with the knowledge of what happened to her and her friend Lottie during their disappearance, but since her captor cut out her tongue, she's unable to tell anyone. Who would believe her, anyway? The truth would shock her neighbors, and potentially ruin her childhood friend and longtime love, Lucas. Set in an unnamed place and time with an American Colonial feel, Judith's haunting struggle to reclaim her voice is just as gripping as the gradually unfolding mystery in this "tale of uncommon elegance, power and originality" (Kirkus Reviews).
Just One Year - by Gayle Forman
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/10/2013
Share Just One Year ISBN-13: 9780525425922
ISBN-10: 0525425926
Fiction. After walking away from a life-changing 24-hour romance in Paris, young actor Willem spends a year traveling the world in search of the girl he can't forget. Finding her (especially when he doesn't even know her real name) won't be easy, and Willem's journey -- which includes Mexico, India, and the Netherlands -- will lead him to more truths about himself, his family, and his future than he ever expected. With plenty of twists, near misses, and meant-to-be moments, this follow up to Just One Day is sure to satisfy Gayle Forman's fans, who might also enjoy the star-crossed love story in Jennifer E. Smith's The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.
Unbreakable - by Kami Garcia
Publisher: Little Brown
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/01/2013
Share Unbreakable ISBN-13: 9780316210171
ISBN-10: 031621017X
Paranormal Thriller. While searching for her cat in a graveyard, Kennedy is attacked by a vengeful spirit, and is saved only by the timely appearance of twin demon hunters Lukas and Jared. As if Kennedy weren't bewildered enough, the brothers then tell her that she, like them, is part of a Legion of paranormally talented teens tasked with taking down a powerful demon. Oozing with eerie atmosphere and loaded with breathless, bloodcurdling action -- not to mention an angsty love triangle -- this series starter from the co-author of Beautiful Creatures will please fans of the TV show Supernatural, as well as readers who enjoyed The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan.
Picture Me Gone - by Meg Rosoff
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/03/2013
Share Picture Me Gone ISBN-13: 9780399257650
ISBN-10: 0399257659
Fiction. When her father's friend Matthew suddenly disappears, Mila accompanies her father to upstate New York in search of the missing man. Wise beyond her 12 years, Mila's razor-sharp observation skills and strong emotional insight allow her to see things that no one else can see. As the clues and revelations surrounding Matthew start to come together, Mila's understanding of the feelings, motives, and actions of adults -- including those of her own father -- is challenged and ultimately transformed. Sophisticated readers will savor the intimate writing style and complex characters in this in this deep, witty, and suspenseful coming-of-age story.
Blackout - by Robison Wells
Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/01/2013
Share Blackout ISBN-13: 9780062026125
ISBN-10: 0062026127
Science Fiction. The U.S. Army hadn't been invited to Jack and Aubrey's homecoming dance, but they show up anyway. They're rounding up students who've been infected with a strange new virus that gives them superhuman abilities -- abilities like Jack's mind-reading, or Aubrey's invisibility. Since the attacks sweeping the nation are being carried out by super-powered young terrorists infected with the very same virus, the military needs an equally super-powered counter-terrorism team. But with all the teens quarantined together, it's hard to tell who's trustworthy and who's not. For more edge-of-your-seat action and paranormal paranoia, check out The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken.
Here There Be Dragons
One of the most famous dragons in literature will come to life on the big screen this December in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. If you can't get enough of dragons (and you're tired of re-reading Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle or Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern), check out the fiery, reptilian fantasies on this list.
Dragon's Keep - by Janet Lee Carey
Publisher: Magic Carpet Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/01/2008
Share Dragon ISBN-13: 9780152064013
ISBN-10: 015206401X
Fantasy. Long ago, it was prophesied that Princess Rosalind would "end war with a wave of her hand" and restore glory to her dragon-infested home of Wilde Island.  But Rosalind isn't sure how she's supposed to achieve her destiny when her hands are constantly hidden to conceal the dragon's talon that grows in place of her left ring finger. It isn't until she's kidnapped by the formidable dragon, Lord Faul, and taken to live with his family that Rosalind discovers the surprising secret behind her dragon claw, and rekindles her hope of fulfilling the prophecy after all.
The Last Dragonslayer - by Jasper Fforde
Publisher: Harcourt
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/02/2012
Share The Last Dragonslayer ISBN-13: 9780547738475
ISBN-10: 0547738471
Fantasy. In his whimsical YA debut, the bestselling author of the Thursday Next series introduces 16-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange. Jennifer runs Kazam, a combination boarding house and employment agency for sorcerers in a world where magic is fading away. But when magicians all over the Ununited Kingdoms start having visions about the death of the world's last dragon, Jennifer learns that she has a much greater responsibility than finding suitable jobs for washed-up wizards: she is the Last Dragonslayer. Often silly but also highly entertaining, this 1st in a planned series is a good bet for fans of Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching books.
Eon: Dragoneye Reborn - by Alison Goodman
Publisher: Viking
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 12/26/2008
Share Eon%3a Dragoneye Reborn ISBN-13: 9780670062270
ISBN-10: 0670062278
Fantasy. In the fascinating, Chinese- and Japanese-inspired world created in this book, supernatural "energy dragons" control all of Earth's energies. Young men compete for the honor of being apprenticed to one of the Dragoneyes, powerful men who communicate and bargain with the dragons on behalf of the people. Sixteen-year-old Eon has been training hard, but, due to an old injury and the fact that "he" is really a girl in disguise, is the least likely to be chosen. This spellbinding story of adventure, honor, and political intrigue features a strong heroine and a wonderfully complex plot that will keep readers guessing to the very end.
Seraphina - by Rachel Hartman
Publisher: Random House
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 07/10/2012
Share Seraphina ISBN-13: 9780375966569
ISBN-10: 0375966560
Fantasy. Just before the 40th anniversary of the peace treaty between humans and dragons in Goredd, the human Prince Rufus is murdered. Suspicion immediately falls on the dragons (who are able to take human form), forcing court musician Seraphina to be more careful than ever about concealing her half-human, half-dragon heritage.  But when Prince Lucian Kiggs asks for her help investigating the murder, Seraphina find it increasingly difficult to hide her family history…or her inconvenient feelings for Kiggs. With its rich world-building and refreshingly prickly heroine, fantasy fans will love this unique take on dragon mythology, and eagerly await the next volume in the series.
Dragonhaven - by Robin McKinley
Publisher: Firebird
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/29/2009
Share Dragonhaven ISBN-13: 9780142414941
ISBN-10: 0142414948
Fantasy.  If you think you've seen it all when it comes to dragon fantasy, Dragonhaven will make you think again. Fourteen-year-old Jake lives with his parents in Smokehill National Park, a protected dragon habitat in Wyoming. He knows that it's illegal to interfere with the endangered, fire-breathing predators, either to harm or to help them. But when Jake stumbles across an orphaned dragonlet, he can't stop himself from rescuing her, even though it may have shattering consequences for dragons and humans alike. If you take on this unusual but "quietly magnificent" (Kirkus Reviews) book, you'll be captivated by its passionate characters and highly detailed alternate universe.
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