Tuesday, December 16, 2014

If You Like....The Hunger Games


Looking for more heart-pounding reads like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins? Try out some of these other books with murky futures, non-stop action, and strong characters you can cheer for! 

GracelingGraceling by Kristin Cashore (2008)
YA FIC CASHORE
In a world where some people are born with extreme skills called Graces, Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying Grace, the Grace of killing, and teams up with another young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king.

The selectionThe Selection by Kiera Cass (2012)
YA FIC CASS
America Singer is living in a caste-divided nation that formed after the war that destroyed the United States. America is chosen to compete in the Selection--a contest to see which girl can win the heart of a prince--but all she really wants is a chance for a future with her secret love, Aspen, who is a caste below her.

The maze runner
The Maze Runner by James Dashner (2009)
YA FIC DASHNER
Grave mercyThomas wakes up with no memory in the middle of a maze and realizes he must work with the community in which he finds himself if he is to escape.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (2012)
YA FIC LAFEVERS
In fifteenth-century Brittany, Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage to the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain. There she learns that the god of Death has blessed her with dangerous gifts---gifts that will make her the perfect assassin.

LegendLegend by Marie Lu (2011)
YA FIC LU
In a dark future when North America has split into two warring nations, fifteen-year-olds Day, a famous criminal, and prodigy June, the brilliant soldier hired to capture him, discover that they have a common enemy.

CinderCinder by Marissa Meyer (2012)
YA FIC MEYER
As plague ravages the overcrowded Earth, Cinder, a gifted mechanic and cyborg, becomes involved with handsome Prince Kai and must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect the world in this futuristic take on the Cinderella story.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (2009)
YA FIC NESS
The knife of never letting goOn an alien world where everyone can hear everyone else’s thoughts, Todd makes a disturbing discovery at a spaceship crash site and is soon on the run from a power-hungry tyrant with his dog and the ship’s mysterious occupant.

1984 by George Orwell (1949)
FIC ORWELL
1984One of the most influential dystopian novels ever written. Winston lives in a desolate, totalitarian society where every move he makes is watched by the Thought Police. Can he find the strength to escape the system and experience love and independence? 

Life as we knew it
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (2006)
YA FIC PFEFFER
When a meteor hits the moon, Miranda must learn to survive the unimaginable. Told in journal entries, this is the heart-pounding story of her struggle to hold on to hope in an increasingly desperate world.

Divergent by Veronica Roth (2011)
YA FIC ROTH
DivergentBeatrice must choose among five factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she does not fit into any one group and that her “perfect” society is not perfect after all.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (2011)
YA FIC STIEFVATER
The Scorpio RacesReturning champion Sean Kendrick competes against Puck Connolly, the first girl ever to ride in the annual Scorpio Races, a dangerous competition involving deadly water horses.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (2005)
YA FIC WESTERFELD
UgliesAll Tally wants is to turn sixteen; on that day she will be transformed into a gorgeous “Pretty” whose only job will be to have a great time. But when her best friend runs away before the transformation, Tally must find her and turn her in….or never become pretty at all.

Other Authors You Might Like:

Jenna Black
Joelle Charbonneau
Cassandra Clare
Ally Condie
Jeanne DuPrau
Nancy Farmer
Lois Lowry
Lauren Oliver
Beth Revis
Neal Shusterman

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

New YA Books - December 2014

Check out some hot new YA reads for cold December days!
No place to fall
No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown
YA FIC BROWN
Sixteen-year-old Amber Vaughn dreams of attending the North Carolina School of the Arts to pursue a dream of becoming a professional singer, but her family is falling apart and she is torn between two boys.
Top ten clues you're clueless 
YA FIC CZUKAS
The day before Christmas, money goes missing from a donation box at GoodFoods Market. Chloe and five of her co-workers try to identify the thief as they are held in the break room until the police arrive.
Princess of thorns 
The Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay
YA FIC JAY
After ten years of exile among fairies who teach her to use her magically-enhanced strength and courage, Sleeping Beauty's daughter Aurora enlists the help of Niklaas, eleventh son of King Eldorio, in the fight to reclaim her throne.

The number 7The Number 7 by Jessica Lidh
YA FIC LIDH
When Louisa moves from North Carolina to her father's childhood home in Pennsylvania, a phone call from beyond the grave brings a buried family secret to life.
Now that you're here 
Now That You’re Here by Amy Nichols
YA FIC NICHOLS
When street smart graffiti artist, Danny, is jolted into a parallel world, only Eevee, an alluring science geek has the know-how to get him home. But as he falls for her, his motivation to leave dwindles. Part 1 of the Duplexity series.

Zodiac by Romina Russell
YA FIC RUSSELL
ZodiacWhen a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens, Rhoma Grace, a student from House Cancer, must convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac against Ophiuchus, the exiled thirteenth Guardian of Zodiac legend.

The perfectionistsThe Perfectionists by Sara Shepard
YA FIC SHEPARD
Forging a friendship based on their mutual hatred of a philandering boy, five girls imagine a perfect way to kill him and must prove their innocence when he is killed in the exact manner they envisioned.

Diamond Boy by Michael Williams
Diamond boyYA FIC WILLIAMS
When Patson's family moves to Marange region of Zimbabwe, he begins working in the mines, searching for blood diamonds, until government soldiers arrive and Patson is forced to journey to South Africa in search of his missing sister and a better life.

YA 155.5 WIL
Psychologist Christopher Willard offers teens proven-effective, mindfulness-based practices to help them cope with anxiety, identify common triggers (such as dating or school performance), learn valuable time-management skills, and feel calmer at home, at school, and with friends.

YA 370.15 SHU
This book provides ten tools to improve executive functioning, described as "mental apps" that will appeal to digital natives. Featuring plenty of examples, practice assignments, and a playful tone, this book can provide an academic boost to any student.
Make up : your guide to beauty, style, and success--online and off

YA 646.72 PHA
The Babysitter's backpack : everything you need to be a safe, smart, and skilled babysitterYouTube sensation Michelle Phan collects her best advice, stories, and lessons into a book her fans have been asking for. It includes her trademark beauty and style tips and tutorials, as well as stories from her life and advice on the topics her fans ask her about most.

The Babysitter’s Backpack by Rebecca Rissman
YA 649.1 RIS
Do you want to get started as a babysitter? Everything you need to know is right here! You'll learn about basic childcare skills, staying safe while babysitting, and starting your own babysitting business.


Teen Holiday Madness Program next Wednesday @ 5:30

Teen Holiday Madness is next Wednesday, December 17 at 5:30 PM!!!

Stop by and make a t-shirt t-bone dog toy to donate to a dog at the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter this holiday season! Bring in a can or bag of wet or dry dog or cat food and be entered to win a prize!

We'll also have some cookie-decorating action, and tons of games.

Can't make the program but still want to make the craft? Stop by the youth services or reference desk and pick up a craft-to-go bag. It's got all the supplies you need to make the t-shirt t-bone!

For more info, email ya@westcaldwell.bccls.org call 973-226-5441.

Open to teens in grades 6-12. See you there!