Looking for Alaska by John Green. Dutton, 2005. 221 pages.

John Green's first novel. Printz Award. My first John Green book. It is fiction, not autobiographical, but he really did live in Florida and he really did go to boarding school in Alabama and a student really did die while he was a student there. A very good book.

Emma and the Blue Genie by Cornelia Funke. Random House, 2014, 90 pages.

Clearly drawn from folklore-Arabian Nights style-- a fun and well written story for elementary aged kids-- Genies, Dogs, Girls, Magic, humor, adventure-- what more could you ask for?
I love this new trend in early chapter and early fiction--  new series for younger kids  by great and well established authors with color pictures.

see also: Mo Willems/Diva and Flea
               Kate DiCamillo/ Mercy Watson
               Shannon Hale/ Princess in Black.

The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson. Viking Books for Young Readers. 2014. 391 pages.

PTSD in the family. Daughter and her very messed up Dad. Frightenly realistic.

Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina. Candlewick, 2016. 356 pages.

Summer of 1977, NYC, hot and gritty. Son of Sam is on the loose and Nora is poor and street smart and seventeen. I love the tension of the hot-son of sam- background and I love Meg Medina's female characters. The men do not measure up though. Still, a very strong enjoyable read. Quick one too.

Soundless by Richelle Mead. Razor Bill (Penguin), 2015. 266 Pages.

Hugely popular at Tattered Cover and PLA in Denver. YA distopian romance and adventure. What's not to love? Well written to boot.

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson. Dial Books, 2015. 240 Pages

Recommended by several young patrons-- always a good sign. What's your Roller Derby Name?

Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan. Harper Collins, 2005, 195 pages.

I adored this book. a strong young girl living in Africa loses her family and everything she knows and loves. She is sent off to England to live a lie with strangers- carrying secrets and sorrow. But she is strong and kind and her desire to return to Africa shapes her decisions. A lot more too. loved it. Deserves every accolade it receives.