Articles tagged "Ya"

He's Just Not That Into Books: Something Strange

Sometimes I think teen ladies have it made when it comes to fast-paced, page-turning, character-driven novels with a twist of the otherworldly. Bookshelves groan with kick-a** teen heroines vanquishing evil and saving the world (and to be clear, I am NOT complaining!).

But let's take a look at some of kick-a** heroes dealing with the paranormal day-to-day.

INFINITY
Sherrilyn Kenyon

The author of the Dark-Hunter Novels has turned her attention to the streetwise 14-year-old, Nick Gautier. When Nick is approached by a mysterious warrior and sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters he learns of the immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity. During his heroic escapades Nick skirts death, destruction, and suspension in order to help save the world. INFINITY is the first in this series, followed by INVINCIBLE.

TEMPEST
Julie Cross

Jackson Meyer has something in common with Nick Gautier, his world is not what it seems. But in Jackson's case, he's the anomaly. Having recently discovered he can travel through time, Jackson is testing the limits of his power when men arrive to recruit him. In his resistance, his girlfriend is shot. Now Jackson must save the girl and take down the bad guys. Typical hero business.

ENDER'S GAME
Orson Scott Card

After those two titles, you hit 'em with a classic page-turner and they're hooked for life.

Well, that's it for our week of recommendations for the ever elusive teen male reluctant reader. Check them all out here (or under the tag "Just Not That Into Books") and let us know what we left off!

Reviews and Publicity

Two Stars for Caroline Bock's LIE

Both Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews have seen fit to add a star to their reviews of Caroline Bock's LIE. LIE is the story of seventeen-year-old Skylar Thompson and her role in a small town hate crime. Her boyfriend stands accused of brutally assaulting two young El Salvadoran immigrants from a neighboring town, and she’s the prime witness.

Kirkus Reviews calls LIE, "unusual and important," and says, "This effective, character-driven, episodic story examines the consequences of a hate crime on the teens involved in it. [...] Realistic and devastatingly insightful, this novel can serve as a springboard to classroom and family discussions."

[UPDATE] Kirkus Reviews added LIE to their list of New and Notable Books for Teens for August.

Publishers Weekly says, "Avoiding preachiness, Bock handles the novel's multiple viewpoints exceptionally well, rotating among the painfully believable voices of high school students and adults. Her characters may keep the truth inside, but their story reads like a confessional."

Reviews and Publicity

Nominees Posted for YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults

We're thrilled to report that two of our favorite Young Adult titles have been nominated for YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults for 2012. Congratulations to Carol Lynch Williams (MILES FROM ORDINARY) and M.J. Putney (DARK MIRROR)!

YALSA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee presents fiction titles published for young adults in the past 16 months that are recommended reading for ages 12 to 18.

The final BFYA list will be announced at the American Library Association’s Midwinter Conference.

Deep Thoughts

Top YA Picks for Winter 2011!

Spring is just around the corner so here's one last look at some of our favorite YA Winter titles!

Miles from Ordinary
Carol Lynch Williams

It's the first day of summer and Lacey has a new job at the library. Her mom, who seems so much better these days, has a new job, too. But hope of a normal life is too much to ask for as memories of the past rush in and Lacey's day turns from a new beginning to a desperate scramble to stay afloat.

Born at Midnight
C. C. Hunter

Welcome to Shadow Falls: a camp for vampires, shapeshifters, witches, and Kylie Galen. Shadow Falls is a place for teens to learn skills that will help them harness their supernatural powers, but Kylie has enough trouble balancing the affections of Derek the half-fae and Lucas the werewolf.

Reviews and Publicity

The Teen It List!

Coming from our School Library Journal ad? Below you'll find the titles that were featured!

Infinite Days: Life's hard at 16. Especially when you've been a vampire for 600 years.

Night Star: What's more deadly? Bitter rivals, or jealous friends?

End of Days: It's hard doin good when you're always thirsty for blood!

The Teen's Guide to World Domination: Let Josh help you take over the world! *Muah hah hah!*

Griffin has FOUR Teens' Top Ten nominated titles!

Conference Info

Ben's SLJ Day of Dialog Powerpoint

Did you get a chance to see me on the School Library Journal Day of Dialog panel? If so, thanks for attending! It was an honor, and pretty thrilling (if a bit nerve wracking)!

If you found the presentation useful, you might like to view my presentations slides, which contain the details of the titles I discussed.

Once again, thanks for attending!

Deep Thoughts

A New Breed of Teen Vampire Novel

Lenah Beaudonte is, in many ways, your average teen: the new girl at Wickham Boarding School, she struggles to fit in enough to survive and stand out enough to catch the eye of the golden-boy lacrosse captain. But Lenah also just happens to be a recovering five-hundred-year-old vampire queen. After centuries of terrorizing Europe, Lenah is able to realize the dream all vampires have -- to be human again. After performing a dangerous ritual to restore her humanity, Lenah entered a century-long hibernation, leaving behind the wicked coven she ruled over and the eternal love who has helped grant her deep-seated wish.

Free Stuff

Fulfilling your teens paranormal needs!

Find out about our favorite forthcoming teen titles!

Infinity: At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. Until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.

Reviews and Publicity