TooLateStillGreat

--- With visions of vampires, werewolves, Frankenstein, black cats, and mummies dancing in your head, how can you sleep at night? O’Meara has devised a properly gruesome combination of the supernatural and the true science facts behind them. Read with baited breath about vampires and real people who have porphyria or Mike the Headless Chicken who lived for 18 months! Freaky facts side bars keep the tone moderately frightening. Jeremy Kaposy’s illustrations will send a chill or two up your spine. These fascinating facts will be great conversation starters. Reluctant readers may find this book is a perfect late night read! **Jeannie Bellavance**
 * ’Meara, Stephen James. //Are You Afraid? The Science behind the Scary Stuff//.** **Toronto****: Kids Can Press 2009. 9781554532940. 78 p. $17.95. Gr. 5-8.**

First of all there will be a sequel! World War I is about to breakout, but it is not the world we know. In this alternate history the Germans and the Austrians known as Clankers, create massive steam powered war machines that use legs (8 sometimes more) to cross the terrain. Conversely the English (Darwinists) have fabricated all sorts of animals as their mode of transportation and destruction. Aleksander (Hapsburg) has been orphaned by assassination. He is spirited away to Switzerland for safety. In the meantime a Scottish girl, Deryn, joins the British Air Service passing as Dylan. Meeting in a disaster, Alek and Deryn struggle to overcome the differences in their cultures and to resolve the conflicts. The entrenched powers-that-be seemingly thwarts these attempts but it is not over yet. Westerfeld and illustrator Keith Thompson create an H. G. Wells/Jules Verne world that will have readers enthralled.
 * Westerfeld, Scott. //Leviathan.//** **New York** **Simon and Schuster (Simon Pulse), 2009. 978-1-4169-7173-3. 440 p. $19.99 Gr. 7+.**
 * Alternate history; science fiction; genetic engineering** **Jean****nie** **Bellavance**

Amy is in her 75th day of rehab for alcohol addiction, journaling to her best friend, Julia. Julia and Amy were in a car accident. Julia died and Amy survived. Amy is so lost without Julia and she blames herself for Julia’s death. She recounts their friendship, boys, drinking, and drugs. Amy’s parents are very supportive but Amy has always felt left out of their intense, loving relationship. Amy is a cranky, moody, insecure teen. She hates her height, her hair and herself. It was Julia who made her feel loved, supported, and fun. Now that Julia is gone, Amy is seeing Laurie, a shrink, who clicks her pen too often and wants Amy to talk about Julia. Amy has returned to school anddeals daily with the mean “friends,” stares and snide remarks. What she finds through 152 days of journaling is a way to heal herself, accept herself, and move on without her best friend. **BJ Neary** [|**Picture**]
 * Scott, Elizabeth. //Love You Hate You Miss You.// New York: Harper Teen, 2009. **** 978-0-06-112283-5. 276p. $16.99 Gr. 9-12 **
 * Fiction – Death, Best friends **


 * De La Pena, Matt. //We Were Here.// New York: Delacotre Press, 2009. 978-0-385-73667-1. 359p. $17.99. Gr. 9-12. **We find Miguel serving a one year sentence in a juvenile detention center, but we don’t know why he is there. We only know that something terrible has happened in his life. His mother cannot even look at him. At the detention center he meets 2 boys, one who is planning an escape and wants Miquel and Rondell to go with him. They boys think if they escape to Mexico they can start their lives over again. You have to read this to see what the boys go through while they are on the run and how they are trying to survive. **Fiction Jill Toye**


 * Dowd, Siobhan. //Solace of the Road.// New York: David Fickling Books, 2009. 978-0-375-84971-8. 263p. $17.99. Gr. 9-12. **This is the story of 14-year old Holly Hogan who is living in a home in England for teenage children who are troubled. She finds a blond wig and her “new” home and changes herself into Solace, who is an older, cooler version of herself. Solace gets herself into some scary situations on her way to trying to find her mom. Solace is under the impression that her mom has left for Ireland. This is a quick read and you can feel Holly’s angst**. Fiction Jill Toye**

Beginning with a clear, succinct overview of the events leading up to World War I, Jim Murphy sets the stage for a moving portrayal of the stunning and spontaneous ceasefire that took place in the trenches on December 25, 1914. //Truce// poignantly tells how troops from both sides defied their commanders to observe a peaceful Christmas. By incorporating soldiers’ words and historic photos into a highly readable text, Murphy has created a tribute to this triumph of peace in the face of war. Highly recommended. Ro Becker
 * Murphy, Jim. //Truce//. New York: Scholastic, 2009. 978-0-545-13049-3. 116 p. $19.99. Gr. 6-10. **

Wyatt Reeves has been on the road with his mysterious uncle since he was twelve and a half. His uncle is a travelling salesman, selling anything he can. As Wyatt grows in size his uncle sees the possibility of making money from having Wyatt fight. After six years of fighting, Wyatt has had enough. This compelling story of an unconventional life will keep your patrons attention. **Realistic Fiction** Toni Vahlsing
 * Oaks, J. Adams, //Why I Fight: A Novel.// New York: Atheneum, 2009.978-1-4169-1177-7 $16.99. Grades 7-10.**

**// The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider’s Guide to Careers in Fashion. //** ** New York **** : Razorbill, 2009. 978-1-59514-261-0. 276p. $24.95. Gr. 8-12. **   This vivid and visually appealing book is an excellent pick for students researching careers or fashion in general. Provided within are biographical features on designers, editors, stylists, models, beauticians, and photographers. There is no shortage of photography throughout the book and the fashions are nothing less than eye-catching. A must purchase for high schools! Karen Hornberger