The One Where the Kid Nearly Jumps to His Death and Lands in California

The One Where the Kid Nearly Jumps to His Death and Lands in California by Mary Hershey is a great story about a 13 year old boy Alastair Hudson who is spending his summer in the last place he would ever want to, in California with his dad. To be more precise in his dad's new wife's huge house right on the beach. Alastair has hated his dad since an accident 5 years ago left him without one of his legs and his dad left home.

When Alastair arrives in California he gets a crush on a teen soap star, learns to swim in the ocean, and trys to torment his dad as much as possible. In the end Alastair and his dad have to face what happened 5 years ago and try to move on. This a great story with dark humor and real life appeal. Be sure to check out this 2009-2010 Truman Nominee.

Into the Wild

Did you ever wonder where your favorite fairy tale characters went once you stopped reading about them or outgrew them? They are still in the wild. Sarah Beth Durst's book, "Into the Wild" tells the story of Julie an average teenager. She just happens to keep the Wild under her bed. Why? Well Julie's mom is Rapunzel and she's the caretaker for the wild. Rapunzel and many of the other characters in classic fairty tales escaped about 500 years ago and live in our world. Unfortunately they won't be out for long. Someone makes a wish and everyone ends up going into the wild. This is a great adventure story especially if you love a good fairy tale.

Eigth Grade Bites

So says the title of the first of The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series by Heather Brewer. One of the 2009-2010 Truman nominees, Eighth Grade Bites won't replace Twilight as a teen favorite but it might join the list. Vlad lives the life of every other average eighth grader except his snacks aren't cookies, they're slightly heated packs of raw meat or juice boxes filled with Type O+ (Vlad's favorite). The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod is a new take on the teenage vampire tale and a good one. Vlad is just starting to figure out there is more to being a vampire than his "snacks" and controlling his best friend's mind. The second installment in the series, Ninth Grade Slays, is already available at the Carver Library so you won't have to wait long and coming soon is the third installment Tenth Grade Bleeds. Update: If you like freebies from your favorite authors check out Heather Brewer's website http://www.heatherbrewer.com/. Under Minion Bling you can get some cool stuff like buttons with the Vampire Smiley face sent to you for free or under Contests you can enter to win T-shirts and Hoodies like Vlad wears on the covers.

Carpe Diem

Vassar Spore has plans and goals, she's not into living in the moment at all. When a relative blackmails her equally goal orientated parents into sending her on a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia, Vassar has no idea how her life will change. All her plans and goals for the summer and her senior year seem to be in jeopardy. Will Vassar survive the trip and still be valedictorian or will she learn to live in the moment? Carpe Diem by Autumn Cornwell is a 2009-2010 Truman Nominee. Check out this adventure/romance/coming of age story. After all you want to know what makes up an Asian Cowboy right?