One innovative book I am really excited about is Patrick Carman's latest work, SKELETON CREEK, the first installment of a new suspense series that tells its tale in two parts: Ryan shares his journals within the text of the book, while his filmmaker friend Sarah tells her side of the story through videos that readers can watch by visiting her website, www.skeletoncreekisreal.com. This interactive method of storytelling makes readers feel as though they are a part of the story, investigating the mysteries of Skeleton Creek right alongside both Ryan and Sarah. Check out a behind-the-scenes interview with the author, as well as an excerpt of this groundbreaking two-book series and our review.

ENVY, the third installment in Anna Godbersen's Luxe series, delivers new romance, scandal and intrigue in the lavish Gilded Age New York. To learn more about the gossip girls of the 19th century, be sure to check out our review and an excerpt. A unique and inspiring tale, MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD by Francisco X. Stork takes us on the poignant journey of a teen boy with an autistic disability as he transitions from a somewhat sheltered life to one in which he is forced to face the "real world." To browse through this standout novel, click here and look at our review. If you're still bummed about the groundhog's prediction, you can always read about other people's adventures in warm weather. In SAME DIFFERENCE, Emily decides to take art classes in the city in her quest for a new and exciting change this summer but is struggling to find her identity, caught between a suburb where everyone tries to fit in and a city where everyone wants to be unique. To get a head start on Siobhan Vivian's summer story, read a review and an excerpt, along with our interview.

February marks the birthday of Abraham Lincoln (February 12th), whose presidential career was sadly cut short when he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln scholar James Swanson recently published CHASING LINCOLN'S KILLER, a fast-paced thriller describing the Union's epic hunt to track down the man who killed one of the country's most revered presidents. Read a passage, check out our review, and watch a video where Swanson talks about the book.

WICKED, the fifth entry in Sara Shepard's Pretty Little Liars series, has the girls from Rosewood High intertwined in bigger scandals and even darker secrets. Find out more about Sarah, the mastermind behind this addictive, bestselling series, in our author interview; then take a peek inside the book and check out our review!

Also, I hope you didn't miss TALES FROM OUTER SUBURBIA, the imaginative collection of short stories and illustrations by New York Times bestselling author Shaun Tan. (Remember his amazing graphic novel, THE ARRIVAL?) And be sure to take a look at ABSOLUTELY MAYBE by Lisa Yee, as Maybelline (named after her pageant queen mother's favorite mascara), aka "Maybe," sets off on a trip to Cali with her two best friends in search of her father. Get the scoop behind the book in our interview with the author.

You let your voices be heard and we are thrilled to announce the finalists for the Children's Book Council's 2009 Teen Choice Book Award. The five books that were chosen most frequently by our readers as their favorites of 2008 are AIRHEAD by Meg Cabot, BREAKING DAWN by Stephenie Meyer, THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins, LOCK AND KEY by Sarah Dessen and PAPER TOWNS by John Green. Many thanks to the over 2,200 of you who helped to pick this shortlist! Shortly we will let you know where you can go vote for these titles. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 12th during Children's Book Week.

Congratulations to Teresa from Severn, MD for winning the Sarah Dessen "Lock and Key" contest! We are awarding her the complete Sarah Dessen library, including Dessen's most recent addition, LOCK AND KEY, along with a very cool "lock and key" necklace. Completing the collection are her books JUST LISTEN, THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER, THIS LULLABY, DREAMLAND, KEEPING THE MOON, SOMEONE LIKE YOU and THAT SUMMER. Dessen's upcoming title, ALONG FOR THE RIDE, debuts in June. Keep up with all the latest buzz on the new book at Teenreads.com and www.sarahdessen.com.

Looking for the next contest? Enter the Claudia Ann Seaman Awards for Young Writers! Formerly the Claudia Ann Seaman Poetry Award, this contest is open to all high school students across the country. Each participant may submit a total of three poems, essays or stories on any subject, as long as their fiction and creative nonfiction submission does not exceed 2,500 words. The deadline for entering this annual contest is June 1, 2009. To find out more about the contest, click here. Get those creative juices flowing and send in your entries!

As always, you can enter our monthly Grab Bag of Books contest for your chance to score yourself some new reads and a Teenreads.com tote bag. And for more ideas on what books to include on your next-to-read list, check out the titles in our Cool New Books and New in Paperback features, along with our reviews --- which now include both manga and graphic novel titles.

Happy reading!

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD by Francisco X. Stork (Fiction)
Marcelo Sandoval hears music that nobody else can hear --- part of an autism-like condition that no doctor has been able to identify. But his father has never fully believed in the music or Marcelo’s differences, and he challenges Marcelo to work in the mailroom of his law firm for the summer…to join the “real world.”
 
There Marcelo meets Jasmine, his beautiful and surprising co-worker, and Wendell, the son of another partner in the firm. He learns about competition and jealousy, anger and desire. But it’s a picture he finds in a file --- a picture of a girl with half a face --- that truly connects him with the real world: its suffering, its injustice and what he can do to fight.
 
Reminiscent of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME in the intensity and purity of its voice, this extraordinary novel is a love story, legal drama and a celebration of the music each of us hears inside.

-Click here to read an excerpt from MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD.
-Click here to read Francisco X. Stork’s bio.

CHASING LINCOLN’S KILLER by James Swanson (History)
“This story is true. All the characters are real and were alive during the great manhunt of April 1865. Their words are authentic and come from original sources: letters, manuscripts, trial transcripts, newspapers, government reports, pamphlets, books, and other documents. What happened in Washington, D.C., that spring, and in the swamps and rivers, forests and fields of Maryland and Virginia during the next twelve days, is far too incredible to have been made up.”

CHASING LINCOLN'S KILLER is a fast-paced thriller about the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth: a wild 12-day chase through the streets of Washington, D.C., across the swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of Virginia. 

-Click here to read an excerpt from CHASING LINCOLN'S KILLER.
-Click here to watch James Swanson talk about CHASING LINCOLN'S KILLER.
-Click here to read James Swanson’s bio.

In this interview with Teenreads.com's Kristi Olson, Lisa Yee --- author of several middle-grade novels, including MILLICENT MIN, GIRL GENIUS, STANFORD WONG FLUNKS BIG-TIME and SO TOTALLY EMILY EBERS --- discusses her first book for young adults, ABSOLUTELY MAYBE, and explains why she chose to aim this latest work toward a slightly older audience. She also imagines a conversation between two of her protagonists, recalls her own attempts at teen rebellion and shares details about a few projects she's currently working on.

ABSOLUTELY MAYBE by Lisa Yee (Fiction)
Meet Maybelline “Maybe” Chestnut. She may be named for her mother’s favorite brand of mascara, but she has a mind --- and a hair color --- all her own.

Meet her mother, Chessy --- that is, Chessamay Chestnut Abajian Wing Marshall Wing Sinclair Alvarez and soon-to-be Himmler. The one man she didn’t marry? Maybe’s father.

Meet Ted and Hollywood, aka Maybe’s best friends. When Chessy chooses her latest scuzzball fiancé over her daughter, the trio sets out to find Maybe’s dad in California.

Where they meet Los Angeles: city of swimming pools, movie stars, and a whole lot of surprises, including an aging screen goddess, a famous photographer, three makeovers, a Rolls-Royce, and a taco truck.  Hollywood makes a film; Ted makes his fortune. But the biggest surprise may be Maybe herself, as a charm-school dropout becomes a drop-dead charmer in Lisa Yee’s terrific new novel. 

Teenreads.com is offering 10 readers the chance to win a copy of ABSOLUTELY MAYBE. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, March 26th.

-Click here for all the contest details.
-Click here to read an excerpt from ABSOLUTELY MAYBE.
-Click here to read our interview with Lisa Yee.
-Click here to read Lisa Yee's bio.

February’s roundup of Cool New Books includes SKELETON CREEK, a groundbreaking interactive ghost story courtesy of bestselling author Patrick Carman that plays out on both the written page and in special videos that can be viewed online at www.skeletoncreekisreal.com; P.S. I LOATHE YOU, the 10th installment in Lisi Harrison’s bestselling Clique series that deals with the fallout from the events that unfolded in the Clique Summer Collection; THE FETCH, a supernatural love story set in imperial Russia from A CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT author Laura Whitcomb; PROJECT SWEET LIFE, Brent Hartinger’s novel about three teens who are determined to trick everyone into believing they really do have summer jobs; and DOPE SICK by Walter Dean Myers, the compelling story of a young man who would do anything to change the last 24 hours after being pursued by cops and getting dope sick from his latest high.

Teenreads.com Reviews:

PROJECT SWEET LIFE by Brent Hartinger (Fiction)
A 15-year-old and his two friends explore a multitude of ways not to have to take summer jobs during their “last summer of freedom.” Throughout their search, they encounter many adventures and develop their friendship. PROJECT SWEET LIFE also touches on the treatment of the Chinese community in Tacoma, Washington, during the 1800s. Reviewed by Dan Waxman.

-Click here to read an excerpt from PROJECT SWEET LIFE.

SCAT by Carl Hiaasen (Mystery)
Mrs. Bunny Starch, the most feared biology teacher ever, was last seen during a field trip to Black Vine Swamp. The school’s headmaster and the police seem to have accepted the sketchy, unsigned note explaining that her absence is due to a “family emergency.” There’s no real evidence of foul play. But still, Nick and Marta don’t buy it. Something weird is definitely going on. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

-Click here to read an excerpt from SCAT.

HEROES OF THE VALLEY by Jonathan Stroud (Fantasy/Action & Adventure)
Fourteen-year-old Halli Sveinsson longs for adventure. However, thanks to his ancestors, the Valley lands are now peaceful and safe, and the horrid monsters called Trows are forbidden to enter. But when Halli pulls a prank that leads to the digging up of old grudges, war returns to the Valley. Does Halli have it in him to be a hero, like the ancestor he so admires? Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.

AMIRI & ODETTE: A Love Story written by Walter Dean Myers and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe (Fiction)
Walter Dean Myers, the author of more than 80 acclaimed books for young people, offers his unique take on Swan Lake in AMIRI & ODETTE, bringing Tchaikovsky's famous ballet to a gritty urban environment, with a love story every bit as powerful as the original. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

THE FETCH by Laura Whitcomb (Supernatural Romance)
For more than 300 years, Calder has been a Fetch --- an escort for the dead. As a Fetch, Calder is entrusted with a key to escort souls through Death’s Door. But during one earthly trip, he falls in love with a beautiful woman and changes the course of history. Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt.

WARRIOR PRINCESS by Frewin Jones (Historical Fantasy)
Fifteen-year-old Branwen is the princess of a once peaceful village, now being attacked by the Saxon enemy. To keep her safe, Branwen’s parents decide to ship her off to another village for an arranged marriage. However, on her journey, Branwen encounters one of the Shinning Ones. From the Shinning One, Branwen learns that she must decide whether or not to follow her destiny and become a warrior. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.

TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT ME by Randa Abdel-Fattah (Fiction)
Jamie doesn't want to be seen as a stereotypical Muslim girl, so she does everything possible to hide that part of herself. But when the cutest boy in school asks her out and her friends start to wonder about Jamie's life outside the classroom, her secrets threaten to explode. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

THE ANATOMY OF WINGS by Karen Foxlee (Fiction)
Ten-year-old Jennifer Day lives in a small mining town full of secrets. Trying to make sense of the sudden death of her teenage sister, Beth, she looks to the adult world around her for answers. As she recounts the final months of Beth’s life, Jennifer sifts through the lies and the truth, but what she finds are mysteries, miracles and more questions. Reviewed by Alexis Burling.

BONES OF FAERIE by Janni Lee Simner (Fantasy)
The war between humanity and Faerie devastated both sides. Or so 15-year-old Liza has been told. Nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since, and Liza’s world bears the scars of its encounter with magic. Trees move with sinister intention, and the town Liza calls home is surrounded by a forest that threatens to harm all those who wander into it. Then Liza discovers she has the Faerie ability to see --- into the past, into the future --- and she has no choice but to flee her town. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.

THE DEVIL'S PAINTBOX by Victoria McKernan (Historical Fiction)
It's 1865. When Jefferson J. Jackson offers to let orphans Aiden and Maddy Lynch join his wagon train, which is heading over the rugged Oregon Trail, they have no other option. They are literally starving to death on their family's barren Kansas farm. Their journey, filled with joys and sorrows, mirrors Aiden's own journey into adulthood. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

BEAUTIFUL AMERICANS by Lucy Silag (Fiction)
What better place to live out all your fantasies of adventure, romance and more foreign fun than in the City of Love? Lucy Silag's debut novel brings a group of high schoolers to Paris for a prestigious study abroad program. But these students do far more than just practice their French. Reviewed by Sarah Hannah Gómez.
 
SECRET KEEPER by Mitali Perkins (Fiction)
In 1974, 16-year-old Asha has to move in with her relatives in Calcutta, India, while her father goes to America to look for a job. Asha not only misses him dreadfully, but she must also endure strict cultural rules, disapproving relatives, dying dreams and loneliness. Her only sources of light are her sister, her journal and the guy next door who chats with her across the rooftop. But when the situation becomes even more desperate, Asha makes some decisions that will forever change all of their lives. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.

CYBELE’S SECRET by Juliet Marillier (Historical Fantasy)
For Paula, accompanying her merchant father on a trading voyage to Istanbul is a dream come true. They have come to this city of trade on a special mission to purchase a most rare artifact --- a gift from the ancient goddess, Cybele, to her followers. It’s the only remnant of a lost, pagan cult. But no sooner have they arrived when it becomes clear they may be playing at a dangerous game. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.

-Click here to read our Teenreads.com reviews.


Graphic Novel Reviews:

THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA, Volume 1: The Death of the Dream written by Ed Brubaker and illustrated by Steve Epting and Mike Perkins
HYPERACTIVE written by Scott Christian Sava and illustrated by Joseph Bergin III
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES: ENEMY RISING written by Jim Shooter and illustrated by Francis Manapul Livesay
THE STUFF OF LIFE: A Graphic Guide to Genetics and DNA written by Mark Schultz and illustrated by Zander Cannon and Kevin Cannon

 
Manga Reviews:

BLEACH, Volume 25 by Tite Kubo
GANTZ, Volume 1 by Hiroya Oku
RAL & GRAD, Volume 1 written by Tsuneo Takano and illustrated by Takeshi Obata
VENUS IN LOVE, Volume 4 by Yuki Nakaji

-Click here to read all our graphic novel and manga reviews.

 
Recent Bookreporter.com Titles Perfect for Teens:

THE YANKEE YEARS by Joe Torre and Tom Verducci (Sports)
The former manager of the New York Yankees --- and one of its most successful --- teams up with Sports Illustrated’s senior baseball writer for this unique and somewhat baffling presentation. Although Joe Torre gets top billing as the nominative author, the reader will get the impression that Tom Verducci is telling the story, since the narrative is written in the third person. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan.
 
THE BLACK GIRL NEXT DOOR: A Memoir by Jennifer Baszile (Memoir)
The civil rights movement of the 1960s may have afforded legal equality to African Americans, but that doesn't mean attitudes instantly changed. Jennifer Baszile, now a history professor at Yale, records her childhood in 1970s and ’80s suburbia as one of the only black girls around. Reviewed by Sarah Hannah Gómez.
 
MILES FROM NOWHERE by Nami Mun (Fiction)
Joon is a Korean immigrant living in the Bronx of the 1980s. Her parents have crumbled under the weight of her father’s infidelity; he has left the family, and mental illness has rendered her mother nearly catatonic. So Joon, at the age of 13, decides she would be better off on her own, a choice that commences a harrowing and often tragic journey that exposes the painful difficulties of a life lived on the margins. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
 
HEROES AMONG US: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Choices by John Quiñones (Memoir)
HEROES AMONG US reminds us all of the courage and dignity it takes to stand up for oneself and those around us. By chronicling such bravery, veteran journalist John Quiñones captures America's can-do spirit and shows that through the slightest good deed, each one of us harbors a hero within. Reviewed by Carole Turner.

-Click here to read the Bookreporter.com titles perfect for teens.

Poll:

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Name up to five authors you would like to see participate in an author event online.

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