Friday, August 10, 2012

Best Book Bets - 7/24/12 Young Adult Midsummer Update

Young Adult Midsummer Sleepers
(sure bets not already picked) 
There are book you gotta read
and THEN there’s books you wanna read. Here are some of the latter.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. Wow! What a start. Eh? This is the tale of August Pullman who was born with a facial deformity. If he thought life was hard then he better be prepared for the fifth grade! This is an easy read that will hook you from the start. Humor, tragedy, and everything in between, you will be rooting for August in his fight to just be normal. Bullying themes are there but not heavy handed. This book has such a following that the author is now finishing writing an adult literature version of this book. Again, wow!


Of Poseidon  by Anna Banks
Talk about a summer vacation to write a report about! How about being Emma, strolling the beach, minding her own beeswax when she stumbles into the arms of a nautical prince. I know, happens every day, right? Now what if you, in this case Emma, discovers that she can communicate with sea life AND that is just what the aforementioned prince needs to save his kingdom? This novel has it all. It is told in Emma’s and Prince Galen’s point of view, is plum full of action (can somebody say sharks!), enough romance to make Sebastian the crab blush and a humorous take on all the proceedings. Plus it has one cool cover that will look oh-so-stylish peeking out of your beach bag.
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
I know, I know, when you hear the word dragons you think of the Eragon series or St. George in battle. Well his isn’t your parent’s or your brother’s dragon realm. Hartman weaves a brilliant tale of a land where dragons can fold themselves into human shape and are deeply entrenched in the politics of the world. Our title character is a forbidden half breed of dragon and human. Despite her horrible secret she may be the only thing that can keep the age old peace and restore harmony to her world (yes, that was a musical reference). A fantastic tale of someone discovering their self-worth and everyone’s potential , their  ability to make a mark on the world.
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The Selection by Kiera Glass
O.K., bear with me, the main character is America Singer, consider her a Katness lite, who finds herself in a competition, not of her choosing, to win the heart of a prince. Think Hunger Games meets the Bachelorette. This is also a meditation on mass media and an emerging caste system that will connect with the reader. She loves another but the Prince is more than opulence and privilege and America is torn between her hatred of the world of the haves and have nots and the affections she thought she never could feel for another. Action, passion, a handsome prince… Disney would be proud!
                              
Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
We love it here when a local author hits the mark, pun intended. Gaughen’s reimagining of the tale of Robin Hood from a woman’s perspective is an inspired choice. Taking the lead from A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Scarlet poses as a boy amongst the band of merry men while she alludes the retaliation of a truly evil Duke. Hood and his henchmen, finally on to her ruse, let her join in the fight against the rulers of Nottingham. Bravery and a passion that should never be shared fuel her in this fresh take on a swashbuckling classic.

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