Across the Great Barrier by Patricia C. Wrede

Across the Great Barrier by Patricia C. Wrede
339 pages

    Eff is asked to travel past the Barrier Spell and into the unprotected territory of the far west. She finally convinces her mother to let her go. At first, it seems to be no dangerous trip, since they have magic to protect them. But then they see weird things. Wild cats hanging out in unusual places in unusual groups and plants growing in strange places. These may be just a result of teh mirror bugs from the season before, but a frightening and stange discovery tells them otherwise.
    When they stop to camp for the night, Eff and Professor Torgeson find stone statues of animals that are perfectly carved-a little to perfect. Is some unknown creature turning thae animals to stone? Will it be a threat to the settlers, or is it something from a long time ago?



*Book 2 in 'Frontier Magic'*
Previous book: Thirteenth Child

Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede

Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede
344 pages

    Eff is the thirteenth child in her family, so everyone thinks she is unlucky. Her Uncle Earn is especially mean about it. Eff's twin brother, Lan, is the seventh son of a seventh son, so everyone thinks he is lucky.  People want Lan to learn magic, so he can be a powerful magician, but no one lets Eff learn. But when the family moves out west to the frontier, everyone's lives change.
    Eff can learn magic, and no one knows that she is supposed to be unlucky. But Eff still has problems. She feels that everything bad that happens is her fault. When a sudden problem comes up, can Eff realize that she is not destined to fail?



*Book 1 of 'Frontier Magic'*
Next book: Across the Great Barrier

The Limit by Kristen Landon

The Limit by Kristen Landon

291 pages

    In a futuristic world, the government controls how much families spend. If a family goes over the limit of spending, they take their eldest child to a work house until their debt is under control. When Matt's family unexpectedly goes over the limit, Matt is taken. The work house is nothing like Matt expected. He is assigned to the top floor, where the smartest kids are. They have computers, video games and huge televisions in their rooms, in addition to a swimming pool, a gym, and a dance room. With all this cool stuff, no one wants to go back home!

     But then Matt realizes something is really wrong. It is up to him and his new friends to find the information that will save all the kids in the work house. But even if they find the evidence,  will anyone believe them?

Liberty Porter, First Daughter by Julia DeVillers

Liberty Porter, First Daughter by Julia DeVillers
163 pages

    Liberty's dad is about to become the president of the United States. Which means she is about to become the first daughter! Making friends with the staff and security is easy for Liberty, but making friends with Miss Crum? Not so easy. It seems that everything she does is wrong. Can Liberty be a good First Daughter or will it turn out to be a disaster?

Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy

Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy

247 pages

Price: Hardcover-$17.99 U.S./$20.99 Can

    Zulaikha, a young Afghan girl with a cleft lip, wants to be normal. The boys in her town make fun of her calling her 'Donkeyface', her stepmother is nasty to her, and now her younger brother is ignoring her. The only things in life that give Zulaikha joy are her father, who loves her no matter what, and learning to read and write.

    When American soldiers come, they offer Zulaikha a wonderful gift: an operation that can make her mouth normal. She is thrilled to have the chance to finally blend in when she goes out and live a normal life. But when tragedy strikes, Zulaikha learns what is most important: love.

**Note: some material in this book may not be suitable for young children. Recommended age: Thirteen and up.

Exile by Anne Osterlund

Exile by Anne Osterlund
295 pages

Price: Paperback-$8.99 U.S./$10.50 CAN

    Aurelia has survived tons of assassination attempts and is now on an expedition with her best friend, Robert, to see her country and meet her people. But Aurelia is still not safe. One night, her royal guard tries to kill her by burning her tent. She and Robert escape and flees across the country to the frontier.

    But Aurelia is not the only one in danger. Will Aurelia and Robert be safe at Roberts home? Will the king be safe in the castle with an assassin?

How could he think of leaving without telling me? Aurelia tried to say the words aloud to Daria, and they came out, "How could he leave without me?"

    "Do you want to go?"

    "Yes." Well, there it was. The truth.

    "Then go." Daria crossed the room and opened the wardrobe. "Just"-she paused-"don't hurt him, Aurelia."

    Hurt him? Aurelia felt numb. "What do you mean?"

    Her friend returned from the wardrobe with wool stockings and Aurelia's battered riding boots. She did not release them. "You must know."

    Know what? "Daria." Aurelia's tone was threatening.

    "He's in love with you."

    The world stopped. For one long, outrageous moment, Aurelia let herself consider the statement. He had kissed her. Once. And saved her life. More than once.

    But the idea that he could be in love with her did not-could not be true. "That's nonsense." She had tried to let Robert know she wanted to spend time alone with him on the way to Sterling. And he had rejected her. He was still rejecting her.

    Daria habded her the stockings. "Honestly, Aurelia. There's nothing wrong with being in love."

    Aurelia was not at all certain of that.

                                                                                               ~Exile by Anne Osterlund

*Book 2*
Previous book: Aurelia

Sovay by Celia Rees

Sovay by Celia Rees

404 pages
Price: Hardcover-$16.99 U.S.
         Paperback-$8.99 U.S.

    Sovay Middleton is not like most girls living in 1794. Instead of sitting for portraits and going to tea parties, she would rather dress as a highwayman and rob coaches. Sovay's father has been gone for a long time and no word from her brother, Hugh, has come in a while. Sovay sets out to find her family, but instead find more trouble than she can handle.

    Her search takes her from England to France, where the people are revolting against the aristocrats. Accused of being an English spy, Sovay is caught in a web of lies and deceit. Will she and her friends have what it takes to survive the French Revolution?

    She stationed herself at the crossroads, adjusted the black eye-mask and green kerchief and loosened her weapons.

    The horses slowed as they toiled up the long hill, but as soon as they reached the summit, the driver cracked his whip, ready to make a speedy descent. Sovay rode out and the horses shied but showed no signs of stopping.

        'Stand and deliver!' she shouted.

Would you read this book? Why or why not? If you have read it, what did you think of it? Please share you opinion.

Unsinkable by Gordon Korman

Unsinkable by Gordon Korman

170 pages

    Paddy is a stowaway on the Titanic, hiding from a gangster that killed his best friend. Sophie and her mother have been arrested for starting a fight about women's rights in London. They are being sent back to their home in America. Juliana is embarrassed by her rich father who gambles and doesn't care about important things. Alfie is under-age to be working as a crew member, but he wanted to sail with his father.

    The four kids meet, but are wary of each other. But when someone is after them, will they be able to team up? Will their friendship only end in disaster?

**Book 1 in the Titanic Trilogy**

Next book: Collision Course

Would you read this book? Why or why not? If you have read it, what did you think of it? Please share you opinion.

Aurelia by Anne Osterlund

Aurelia by Anne Osterlund
246 pages

Price: Paperback-$8.99 U.S.

    Crown Princess Aurelia of Tyralt is tired of people telling her what to do; she wants to make her own decisions. When assassination plots are attempted on Aurelia's life, Robert comes to help. Robert is the son of the king's former spy and Aurelia's friend. After a close call at the carnival, in which he and Aurelia are almost killed, Robert quickly takes takes action to save his friend's life. But Aurelia is convinced that she does not need to be saved.

    As the mystery thickens, Robert realizes that the assassin may not be who they expect it to be. He sets the trap, but will things go as planned?

Aurelia beamed with anticipation and graced Robert with a smile.

    At that moment he knew he was in trouble.

    "Yes, tomorrow night is Carnival, the Night of the Masks. We're old enough to go out in disguise now," Aurelia said. "You must wait for me before you go." She frowned. "It's no fun alone."

    A trace of sadness in her voice made Robert promise despite misgivings. "All right, it's not like I can refuse the order of the princess."

    Her voice fried him to ash. "It's not an order, Robert, but even if it was, I expect my friends to have enough courage to refuse an invitation."

    Nothing had lengthened her temper over the last four years. He resorted to humor, the only defence available, and swept her a mocking bow. "I'll be your lifelong friend then, since I won't put up with being pushed around.

    "Really?" Her eyes danced. She splayed  her hands against his chest and pushed, hard.

    Robert held his footing without giving ground. "Yes, and thank you for the invitation." He encircled her waist with his hands and twirled  her toward her anxiously waiting friends. His mind spun as he looked down at her laughing face. He could not imagine why someone was trying to kill her.

                                                                                   ~Aurelia by Anne Osterlund

**Book 1**

Next book: Exile

Would you read this book? Why or why not? If you have read it, what did you think of it? Please share you opinion.

Upcoming Releases for 2011

August:

23-Torn by Margaret Peterson Haddix

30-The Medusa Plot by Gordon Korman

September:

2-Diviner by Bryan Davis

October:

4-The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

11-Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

November:

8-Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

15-The Always War by Magaret Peterson Haddix

December:

6-A King's Ransom by Jude Watson

If I am missing any, please let me know so I can add them.