Fiction

James “Hercules” Martino has two weeks to accomplish the twelve tasks given to him by his uncle. The tasks will take him to the far reaches of Baltimore, lead him to an Unattainable Woman, and change the way he sees everything.

Seventeen-year-old Lauren is having visions of girls who have gone missing. And all these girls have just one thing in common --- they are 17 and gone without a trace. As Lauren struggles to shake these waking nightmares, impossible questions demand urgent answers: Why are the girls speaking to Lauren? How can she help them? And . . . is she next? As Lauren searches for clues, everything begins to unravel, and when a brush with death lands her in the hospital, a shocking truth emerges, changing everything.

It's been decades since anyone set foot on the moon. Now three ordinary teenagers, the winners of NASA's unprecedented, worldwide lottery, are about to become the first young people in space --- and change their lives forever.

In these 21 stories from today's top YA authors, you'll find a full prom spectrum - -- with outsiders, insiders, good dates, bad dates, unexpected dates, and a whole lot more. Authors include Libba Bray, Jacqueline Woodson, Ned Vizzini, John Green, Sarah Mylnowski, Melissa de la Cruz, Holly Black, Brent Hartinger, Lisa Sandell, Will Leitch, Leslie Margolis, Cecily von Ziegessar, E. Lockhart, David Levithan and Dan Ehrenhaft.

Eighth grade has come to an end, and Polly, Jo and Ama --- a new generation of sisterhood --- are poised to enter South Bethesda High School. Over summer vacation, the three girls reflect on the day they first met and how their friendships have changed over the years.

Jonas is in a safe-house beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. There, he ponders his newfound faith and his specialized training, believing he can change the world. Over the next 31 hours, he will cleanse himself in preparation for the violence he means to inflict upon the city's crowded subways. Carried by Masha Hamilton's powerful prose, 31 HOURS is a story about the frantic hope of those who can save Jonas and countless others --- if only they can reach him in time.

Lexington Larrabee has never had to work a day in her life. Which is why, on Lexi’s 18th birthday, her ever-absent, tycoon father decides to take a more proactive approach to her wayward life. Every week for the next year, she will have to take on a different low-wage job if she ever wants to receive her beloved trust fund.

On the night of Skye’s 17th birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites --- like fire and ice --- Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye’s life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move --- only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.

In this promising first novel by Dana Reinhardt, Simone's typical teen concerns are put in perspective when her birth mother contacts her, seemingly out of the blue. Simone discovers love, heartbreak, and a family history she never could have imagined.

Scotty compares herself to tofu: no flavor unless you add something. And it’s true that Scotty’s friends, Misha and Falcone, and her brother, Keone, make life delicious. But when a terrible accident occurs, Scotty feels responsible for the loss of someone she hardly knew, and the world goes wrong.

This American comic masterpiece outswifts Swift, whose poem gives the book its title. Set in New Orleans, this humorous classic is filled with unforgettable characters and unbelievable plot twists, shimmering with intelligence, and dazzling in its originality.