More December New Books!

Homestretch by Paul Volponi

YA VOL

A runaway boy with nothing finds everything he needs, including a family, in the most unlikely of places--at a racetrack.

Devious: An It Girl Novel

by Cecily Von Ziegesar

YA VON

Everyone at elite Waverly Academy actually looks forward to the freezing month of January: it's Jan Plan, four blissful weeks when cool independent projects replace hectic schedules and boring classes. Wild weeknight parties, late-night trips to the crater, and plenty of time to gossip about it all? Yes, please!

Betrayals by Lili St. Crow

YA STC

For her own protection, sixteen-year-old Dru is taken to a secret training facility that feels more like a prison, but she faces great danger there and learns that a traitor who was involved in her mother's death now wants Dru dead.

Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

YA MUR

Other folks have big plans for D.J. Like her coach. College scouts. All the town hoops fans. A certain Red Bend High School junior who?s keen for romance and karaoke. Not to mention Brian Nelson, who she should not be thinking about! Who she is done with, thank you very much. But who keeps showing up anyway.

An Off Year by Claire Zulkey

YA ZUL

Upon arriving at her dorm room, eighteen-year-old Cecily decides to postpone her freshman year of college and return to her Chicago home, where she spends a year pondering what went wrong while forging new relationships with family and friends.

Everwild by Neal Shusterman

YA SHU

Nick, known as the dreaded "Chocolate Ogre," is trying to find all the children in Everlost and release them from the limbo they are in, while Mikey and Allie have joined a band of skinjackers and are putting themselves in danger by visiting the world of the living.

The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire

Various Authors

YA ETE

Falling to ash / by Karen Mahoney -- Shelter Island / by Melissa de la Cruz -- Sword point / by Maria V. Snyder -- The coldest girl in Coldtown / by Holly Black -- Undead is very hot right now / by Sarah Rees Brennan -- Kat / by Kelley Armstrong -- The thirteenth step / by Libba Bray -- All hallows / by Rachel Caine -- Wet teeth / by Cecil Castellucci -- Other boys / by Cassandra Clare -- Passing / by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié -- Ambition / by Lili St. Crow -- All wounds / by Dina James. Blood Ninja by Nick Lake

YA LAK

In the course of a day, Taro's entire life changes: His father is murdered before his eyes, and Taro is taken by a mysterious ninja on a perilous journey toward safety. Someone wants Taro dead, but who -- and why? With his best friend, Hiro, and their ninja guide Shusaku, Taro gets caught in the crossfire of a bitter conflict between rival lords for control of imperial Japan. As Taro trains to become a ninja himself, he's less and less sure that he wants to be one. But when his real identity is revealed, it becomes impossible for Taro to turn his back on his fate.

Killer: Pretty Little Liars #6 by Sara Shepard

YA SHE

Former best friends Emily, Aria, Hanna, and Spencer continue to live in fear as they struggle to keep hidden even more secrets and someone new begins stalking them via their cell phones.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

YA GAR

In a small South Carolina town, where it seems little has changed since the Civil War, sixteen-year-old Ethan is powerfully drawn to Lena, a new classmate with whom he shares a psychic connection and whose family hides a dark secret that may be revealed on her sixteenth birthday.

New YA Books for December!

Crashed
by Robin Wasserman
YA WAS

Living with other "mechs" since her wealthy parents transplanted her brain into a mechanical body to prevent her from dying in a horrible accident, Lia becomes a pawn in a religious leader's movement to outlaw "mech" technology and eradicate machines such as Lia. Sequel to Skinned.

Shadowland
by Alyson Noel
YA NOE

Ever and Damen have traveled through countless past lives—and fought off the world’s darkest enemies—so they could be together forever. But just when their long-awaited destiny is finally within reach, a powerful curse falls upon Damen…one that could destroy everything. Now a single touch of their hands or a soft brush of their lips could mean sudden death—plunging Damen into the Shadowland. Desperate to break the curse and save Damen, Ever immerses herself in magick—and gets help from an unexpected source…a surfer named Jude.

Although she and Jude have only just met, he feels startlingly familiar. Despite her fierce loyalty to Damen, Ever is drawn to Jude, a green-eyed golden boy with magical talents and a mysterious past. She’s always believed Damen to be her soulmate and one true love—and she still believes it to be true. But as Damen pulls away to save them, Ever’s connection with Jude grows stronger—and tests her love for Damen like never before…

Possessions

by Nancy Holder

YA HOL

When Lindsay Cavanaugh transfers to the prestigious Marlwood Academy after recovering from a breakdown at her previous high school, she discovers that there's something strange going on involving a clique and some unsavory activities from the school's little-known past.

The Magician of Hoad

by Margaret Mahy

YA MAH
A young farm boy who possesses mysterious powers is chosen by the king to be the court's royal magician.

Liar

by Justine Larbalestier

YA LAR

Compulsive liar Micah promises to tell the truth after revealing that her boyfriend has been murdered.

Hate List

by Jennifer Brown

YA BRO

Sixteen-year-old Valerie, whose boyfriend Nick committed a school shooting at the end of their junior year, struggles to cope with integrating herself back into high school life, unsure herself whether she was a hero or a villain.

Cliquetionary: The Wit and Wisdom of The Clique

by Lisi Harrison

YA HAR

Dying to know the Pretty Committee's juiciest gossip? Curious what people mean when they call you an LBR? (Hint: it's nawt a compliment.) Want tips on how to go from a 6-point-ew to a ten? Ah-bviously! This cute-times-a-million gift book contains a word wheel of Cliquisms, the Clique's best comebacks, favorite expressions, and silliest secrets. 100 Gossip Points if you can guess Massie's first lip-kiss...

It's All Good
by Nikki Carter

YA CAR

It’s almost the middle of Junior Year and sixteen-year-old Gia Stokes is pumped. She finally made co-captain of the Hi-Steppers Dance Squad at school and the squad is on their way to the state’s biggest game, where the Spartans are going to be champions. And one of those champions is Gia’s BFF, Ricky, who might be more than a friend. Could the year get any better? Don't be so quick to judge!

Slendor: A Luxe Novel

by Anna Godbersen
YA GOD

After moving to Baltimore and enrolling in a private school, high school senior Beatrice befriends a quiet loner with a troubled family history.

How to Say Goodbye in Robot

by Natalie Standiford

YA STA

After moving to Baltimore and enrolling in a private school, high school senior Beatrice befriends a quiet loner with a troubled family history.

Never Slow Dance With a Zombie

by E. Van Lowe

YA VAN

When most of their high school classmates turn into flesh-eating zombies, Margot and best friend Sybil see an opportunity to finally become popular and find boyfriends--if they can just stay alive.

Teen Library Council Book Review

Vampire Diaries

by L. J. Smith

Reviewed by Sam Clifton
Ridley High School

These books inspired the hit TV show, Vampire Diaries. Written in third person point of view, this focuses mainly on two teenagers, Elena and Stephan. It is a fantasy version of Romeo and Juliet, where the couple should not be together due to Stephan's problem. He is a vampire. He is from Italy and was born during the Renaissance. This book may sound like Twilight, but it is far from it. Stephan has a brother named Damon, and they hate each other. They both fought over a girl named Katherine many years ago, and Stephan worries it may happen again... This novel has many unexpected twists and is expertly crafted to create a beautiful story of love and deception. I would give this 5 out of 5 stars and would recommend to anyone who can sit still long enough to devour this book. The beginning is a little slow, but it is worth waiting for.

Librarian Book Review!

Into the Wild Nerd Yonder
By Julie Halpern

Highly Reccomended

Fifteen-year-old Jessie always knew that she was a nerd at heart. She always seemed happy enough though to be the friend since grade school of the “wonderful” Bizza and Char, and the sister of a punk rock band member. At the beginning of the girls’ sophomore year, however, things change. Bizza and Char decide to “go punk,” adopting that style of dress and inviting themselves to hang out with Jessie’s brother’s band. When Bizza hooks up with Jessie’s longtime crush, however, it’s the last straw, and Jessie attempts to find herself in a social world without Bizza and Char.
I thought this book was surprisingly quirky and cute. Instead of focusing on what lifestyle is cooler or “normal” the plot centered on Jessie’s growing disillusionment with her friends and her growing friendship with a group of Dungeons and Dragons players.
I’ve never played D and D (although after reading this I might try!) so I’m not sure how really nerdy it is, but Halpern is able to comically make it cool while not putting down the punk lifestyle. This is a great read for teens who are struggling to “find themselves” or figure out where they fit in among all those school cliques.

Check it Out Today!!

New YA Books at the Ridley Library in November!

Here's a list of the great new books available at the Ridley library! List is updated monthly as of November 2009. Check them out or reserve them today by clicking on the link.

DupliKate by Cherry Cheva

When she wakes up one morning to find her double in her room, seventeen-year-old Kate, already at wit's end with college applications, finals, and extracurricular activities, decides to put her to work.

Rapture of the Deep by L.A. Meyer

In 1806, star-crossed lovers Jacky Faber and Jaimy Fletcher are kidnapped by British Naval Intelligence and forced to embark on yet another daring mission--this time to search for sunken Spanish gold off the Florida coast.

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

High school sophomore Nora has always been very cautious in her relationships, but when Patch, who has a dark side she can sense, enrolls at her school, she is mysteriously and strongly drawn to him, despite warnings from her best friend, the school counselor, and her own instincts.

Legacy by Tom Sniegoski

Eighteen-year-old Lucas is reluctant to take on his father's superhero mantle, but changes his mind as he comes face-to-face with evil after his mother is killed.

Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor

Three short stories about kissing, featuring elements of the supernatural.

Charmed and Dangerous by Lisi Harrison

Four betas and their alpha--Massie Block, Alicia Rivera, Dylan Marvil, Kristen Gregory, and Claire Lyons--"clique" at the New Year's Yves party.

Fade Out by Rachael Caine

Without the evil vampire Bishop ruling over the town of Morganville, the resident vampires have made major concessions to the human population. With their newfound freedoms, Claire Danvers and her friends are almost starting to feel comfortable again... Now Claire can actually concentrate on her studies, and her friend Eve joins the local theatre company. But when one of Eve's castmates goes missing after starting work on a short documentary, Eve suspects the worst. Claire and Eve soon realize that this film project, whose subject is the vampires themselves, is a whole lot bigger-and way more dangerous-than anyone suspected.

How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation by Simone Elkeles

Yes, it’s me—Amy Nelson-Barak. I’ve volunteered for ten days of military training in Israel with my friends. The Sababa brochure said it would be a “fun” summer experience. Okay, so I didn’t sign up to prove I’m not a princess…I did it to surprise my hot Israeli boyfriend stationed at the same base.

Tempted by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Zoey Redbird, High Priestess-in-training, finds herself juggling three guys--one of which is so into protecting her that he can sense her emotions. Meanwhile the dark force lurking in the tunnels under the Tulsa Depot is spreading, and only Zoey has the power to stop the evil immortal Kalona who is behind it. Will Zoey have the courage to chance losing her life, her heart, and her soul.

The Pale Assassin by Patricia Elliot

In early 1790s' Paris, as the Revolution gains momentum, young and sheltered Eugenie de Boncoeur finds it difficult to tell friend from foe as she and the royalist brother she relies on become the focus of "le Fantome," the sinister spymaster with a long-held grudge against their family.

Librarian's Review

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.

(Grades 9+)Scholastic, August 2009

Ever since Grace survived a horrific attack as a little girl, a wolf in the woods behind her house has visited her. This particular wolf appears every winter and has the most amazing yellow eyes. When a boy in her class is attacked, Grace's wolf appears to her... as a human boy named Sam. And Grace knows somehow that she loves him and is meant to be with him. But she also knows that she's going to lose him. For as the temperature drops, Sam's days as a human are drawing to a close. And to be together, Grace and Sam have to be willing to risk everything.

This is a beautifully written story. There were many passages that I re-read many times because the imagery was so intense. The characterization was well done and there wasn’t one person in the story who I wished would have been left out. Both Grace and Sam narrate the story with chapters switching back and forth between their points of view. Each chapter title is the name of the person relating the events, plus the temperature since it is such a pivotal part of the story.
It was interesting to read Stiefvater’s take on werewolf folklore and I was pretty satisfied with the way that she fit in common lore with some spins of her own. The story is a little slow at first, but once it gets going you won’t want to put it down. I would definitely recommend it to Twilight fans or paranormal romance lovers! The next installment, Linger, comes out in 2010. I’m totally looking forward to it!

Let me know what you think!!

Welcome!

Ridley Teens Unite! Here's where you can talk about anything that you'd like! Is there a book you just read that you think everyone else should know about? What about a great new video game or CD?

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Check out all of our great programs at www.ridleylibrary.org! You'll have a great time at the library! (Yes, the LIBRARY!)