Looking for something to read after the City of Ember?

First Light by Rebecca Stead would be a great book to read if you enjoyed Jeanne DuPrau's City of Ember and it's sequels. First Light tells two stories that eventually connect in unexpected ways.

The story of Peter tells how his family temporarily moves to Greenland so his father can study glaciers and global warming. Peter bonds with one of the sled dogs, explores Greenland, and makes a new friend. The story of Thea tells of another world with no sun, dogs, and too many secrets. When Thea finds a map to the surface the two stories begin to connect.

The choices Peter and Thea make may save or destroy their worlds. Try out this 2009-2010 Truman Nominee, it fits well into the Science Fiction/Fantasy genre, with realism added by the discussion of global warming.

What do Zen and basketball have in common?

Not alot unless you are San Lee a new student at a new school in a new town. San spends a lot of time thinking about identity, and more specificly what his should be in his new school. Suprisingly it's not San who chooses his identity at this new school. Instead his fellow students ranging from Jocks, Skaters, Preps and Goth assign him the role of Zen Master based on his answer's in Social Studies. San willingly accepts his assigned role and does all he can to convince the students he is in fact a Zen Master. He convinces the school's not so great basketball team that he can help improve their game with Zen. Unfortunately his version of Zen comes mostly from the Tao of Pooh. Eventually the fact that San is faking is going to come out, but you won't be sorry you took a look at this Jordan Sonnenblick book.

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.

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?