Countdown

Flashback: You're in the Cuban Missile Crisis, and just as you get off the playground, the air raid alarm rings. You huddle up against the wall, hands over your neck, and pray. Then your plastic headband comes off. You just might be Franny, the narrator of  this half photos-half text book; where Franny takes you through friendship, fear and family troubles. All with a bit of humor.

 Read this book. Read it now. Why are you still reading? GO. GET THE BOOK. Why the heck are you still reading? GET THE FRIGGIN' BOOK! 

The Daughters Break the Rules

In this stunning sequel to The Daughters, we now follow Carina, another daughter as she struggles for her dad's attention, copes with being financially cut off from her millionaire father, and seeing how the quality of life doesn't go up with the number on the price tag. I strongly recommend this novel, even though it is more of a romance-ish/drama-ish kind of book. 

Powerless

When Daniel moves into his boring little town, the last thing he suspects is that they're superheroes. But Ta-Da! They are. And though everything seems okay, one by one, they're all losing their powers. Who's taking them? Or is it meant to be? Find out in this novel that has a little bit of action, humor, and maybe even romance.

1001 Cranes

When Angel is shipped off to be with her grandparents for the summer, she's the opposite of thrilled. And it doesn't make it better that at home, her family is falling apart. But when she meets a guy and falls into a sort of routine things change. But not for long...

Belly Up

A humorous novel told from the point of view of twelve-year-old Teddy, who lives at the theme-park-slash-zoo FunJungle. When a beloved mascot is killed, almost everyone is a suspect, but with bad press like, in the words of Pete, the media representer, "vultures", the future of the zoo is becoming uncertain. Will Teddy find the culprit? And while you scramble to get the book, here's a quote to think about (from the book, of course). "Mickey Mouse is just a rat in suspenders."

Girls Acting Catty

A striking sequel to Boys Are Dogs, you follow Annabelle as she settles into her new life, only to have it disrupted (once again) by her mom's wedding, getting a bra, and the gossipy girls at school, who are hard confusing with friendship. Not to mention her new step-brother visits. In this hilarious pre-teen novel by Leslie Margolis, you will never want to stop reading.

The Séance

A thrilling travel back in time, Iain Lawrence keeps you hooked until you're done. Rewind to the Roaring Twenties, where Scooter is the son of a medium who gets a bit more than he bargained for when he goes to see Houdini. Nothing like one twist after another to keep you going. But who killed all of these people? Is Scooter next? Find out when you read. 

Magazine Recommendation: Muse

This magazine is educational but fun. (No, really.)  It covers all sorts of topics, from foods to bionics. Find out more and subscribe at www.cricketmag.com. 

The Daughters

This Joanna Philbin book is probably now one of my favorites. It has everything from romance to leaking financial secrets. It follows Hudson, Carina, and Lizzie as they try and do their own thing despite superstar parents. Mix in an old love who returns and BAM! You've got yourself a good read. No, make that a beautifully awesome read. Yes, that's it. 

Boys Are Dogs

In this hooking novel, Annabell is moving to her mom's boyfriend's house, and she is getting bribe after bribe. A dog? At least it comes with a manual. But when school starts, it's got boys in it. Not like her all-girls school at all. But she's armed with her training manual that has another use than dog-training. Boy-training. Read on to hear the results of her new guide.

Perfect

A strikingly down-to-earth novel about challenging an eating disorder, Isabelle Lee is 13 and makes herself vomit after binging on junk food. Ever since her father's death two years ago, nothing has ever been the same. Her mom's depressed and barely does anything but mope, cry, and work. Isabelle's sister April, makes everything worse, in Isabelle's eyes, by revealing her sister's habit, Isabelle winds up in Group. Everything looks drab and dreary when all of the sudden Miss Popular Ashley walks in. The results are for you to find out. This book hooked me and will get you reading just as fast.

Sphinx's Princess

An outstanding mix of fact, fiction, and wonder, Esther Friesner's Sphinx's Princess captures your attention with a bold plot and details to match. Join Nefertiti as she journeys to her aunt's palace, just to get one awful  surprise after another, courtesy of her aunt, Queen Tiye. History, romance, and adventure collide and form a beautiful mix that is this lovely book.

The Girl Who Could Fly

Piper, the girl who could fly, has been able to do it all her life, just has tamed it. When she demonstrates, I.N.S.A.N.E, an institute for kids with powers like hers, tracks her down and enrolls her. But what's behind all of the loveliness of the institute? Something dark, cruel, and just horrifying. Read to find out!

I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be your Class President

This book, despite it's long title, ends all too soon. It is a book for anyone, with the ability to make the most serious person laugh out loud (and even cry, you laugh so much). Follow the "mastermind" Oliver into the series of events that leads up to... no, I'm not going to tell you. Read the book. 

Little Darlings

Another Jacqueline Wilson hit, Little Darlings follows two girls who live opposite lives, but one day meet. Listen as Sunset and Destiny tell an excerpt of their lives, and how they meet, what transpires, and the events that come with each step. This book will have the book-hater indulged, loving every bit.

Schooled

A realistic fiction novel about when hippie-from-commune meets real world. When Capricorn has to go to a real school, live in a real foster home and do real things like SGA, things get interesting. He, and other characters tell the stories through their point of views in a way that will hook you on the book and salivate for more. No, really, it's a good book.

The Lost Hero

The single greatest Percy Jackson spin-off by Rick Riordan himself! Not only does he weave Greek and Roman history with action (and a bit of romance!) into a beautiful fabric of a page turner, but he has most of the characters from his #1 series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians! Only downside: you need to finish the Percy Jackson series if you don't want the series' end to be revealed.

Nobody's Prize

The daring sequel to Nobody's Princess picks up right were the first book left off. Join Helen and her new friend, Milo, as they set off to find the legendary Golden Fleece with Jason and Helen's brothers, Castor and Polydeuces. An excellent read if you liked the first book.

Candyfloss

One of many extraordinary novels for the tween reader by Jacqueline Wilson, this page-turning, drama-ish book follows Flossie and her big decision: Stay with her dad or move with her mom and step-dad to Sydney, Australia? Find out what she chooses and what follows that choice by reading the lovely novel. 

Nobody's Princess

A great book by a great author, Esther Friesner hooks you from page one. About Helen of Sparta, the woman destined to be Helen of Troy, who wants more than what is decided for her, this enticing novel about her first round of exploits entices even the pickiest reader.