16 year old Miranda is a studious high-school student who is excited to start her summer internship at the Natural History Museum in NYC. Unfortunately, her grandmother dies and Miranda must change her plans. Instead of working in the museum, Miranda spends the first weeks of the summer cleaning out her grandmother’s old house on an island off the South Carolina coast. Miranda quickly realizes that her quirky, studious, personality doesn’t combine well with the Southern belles of her grandmother's town. The alienation she feels towards her island peers and the boredom of house cleaning is wonderfully interrupted by the attentions a strikingly handsome local teenager. This young man shares Miranda's love of science and pursues her with intensity. At this point in the story, the many parallels between the bestselling Twilight and Friedman’s Sea Change emerge. Book stars a plain, female protagonist who is newly popular with boys upon her arrival to a small town? Yes. A handsome local boy who others warn her about? Yes. Local boy who may or may not be human? Yes. However, don't overlook the unique qualities of this book, it is romantic and magical and Miranda is a great character worth knowing. Try this book when you need a break from vampires. Eleanor G.
Jamie, known as “Punkzilla” to his friends, is a 14 year old who has run away from home and found himself living on the streets and in halfway homes in the Pacific Northwest. The story is told through a series of letters written between Jamie and his older brother as Jamie travels across the country to be with his brother who is dying of cancer. Through Jamie’s letters, the reader embarks on a memorable journey across America in this heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful story. Justin K.
Eon joins the ranks of 12 eager young men trying for a chance to become an apprentice to a Dragoneye, a Lord who uses a dragon's powerful energy to control the elements. However, if people find out that Eon is really Eona- a mere girl, it will mean certain death for her and her teacher. However, Eon doesn't get chosen by that year's Rat Dragon. The Mirror Dragon which has been missing in action for 500 years chooses Eon in a spectacular way. This book casually challenges gender identity and gender roles in a way that do not dominate or drown the story. Fans of the Eragon series will want to snatch up this dragon themed tale! Sky K.
Anne Greene wakes up in the dark, unable to move or sense anything around her. Is she asleep, awake, alive, or dead? The last moment she can remember was standing on a platform with a noose around her neck. The year is 1650 and the reality is that Anne is lying immobile on a table, ready to be dissected for medical research. As she recalls her story in this dark, still state, a young medical student notices a flicker in her eye. What follows is the bringing back of Anne Greene in this miraculous story based on true events. Kristen W.
