"The Defense of Thaddeus A. Ledbetter" by John Gosselink

When Thaddeus lands in in-school-suspension for his part in his own "safety drill" the fun begins. He uses his time in there to write to Mr. Cooper-the middle school principal-stating his defense.
The book is filled with discipline notices, emails to his lawyer uncle, letters to Mr. Cooper, letters from his church's pastor, notes from classmates, word definitions and drawings.
It is a cleverly done book and the appeal is all middle-school. It is exactly how they think and act and it is from their perspective. Some of Thaddeus' ideas are clever and well-thought out.
In fact, his enthusiasm and the way he "annoys" certain teachers can be understood and appreicated by both students and adults.

"Revolution" by Jennifer Donnelly

I really loved this book! The juxtaposition of the present combined with the past made for an intriguing read.
The story begins with Andi and her mom both wallowing in their depression following the death of Andi's brother Truman. They are co-dependent and neither can function in a positive way. Andi is about to be expelled from school and her mother paints pictures of Truman all day. Andi's father (who has left the house) demands that Andi come with him to Paris. He is going there on business and Andi must go with him.

The trip turns out to be the change factor in everything. There, Andi discovers her thesis subject and also a diary that belonged to a young girl living during the French Revolution.

The book is well-written and the story doesn't end neatly with everyone living happily ever after. Andi must come to terms with who she is, the death of her brother, the choices of both her mother and father, and how life is not one big neat package-and it never has been.

"The Scorch Trials" by James Dashner

When Thomas drifts off to sleep after talking to Teresa in The Maze Runner we know we are headed towards a sequel. And what a sequel it is! It starts out with a bang and off we sprint. The book is filled with twists and turns and some of our questions from the first book are answered but many are still left wide-open. We come to learn that there was more than one group involved in this experiment. Thomas and his group are required to leave the safety of where they are and head across a burned out section of the world called the scorch. Along the way they encounter many challenges and face many difficult situations.
As it ends, I would like to say that all my questions were answered. And even though the front of this book says "sequel" I feel as if there is one more book to come. I guess we will just be patient and see what Dashner has it store for us.

"Extraordinary" by Nancy Werlin

Aren't we all extraordinary in one way or another? This book poses that question in a modern version of a faerie tale. Phoebe, a Rothschild, befriends the new student at school. Her name is Mallory and she is unlike any one else that Phoebe has ever met. There is a reason for that-Mallory is a faerie and she has come to collect on a debt made years and years ago by one of Phoebe's ancestors. Coming with Mallory is Ryland-her brother-who treats Phoebe like she has never before been treated by a boy. Another interesting component to this story is Phoebe's childhood friend Benjamin who always knows the truth and is always willing to speak it. Phoebe grows as a person from beginning to end and comes to realize what we all should at some point-that she too is extraordinary and no one can take that knowledge away from her.

"A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park

When Salva's school in Sudan is attacked, he and his classmates run. Salva ends up without any of his family. On his journey to a refuge camp in Ethiopia he finds his uncle. Salva is thrilled to be with family but saddened by the fact he is told everyone is dead because his village has been destroyed. Meanwhile, in a story that is told in future time, Nya must spend her days walking back and forth to the pond to get water for her family's survival. It is a grueling job-but important one. Salva is eventually adopted by a family in Rochester, NY. It is while he is here that he comes to find out his family is alive and well back in Sudan. It is his trip home that makes his heart cry out to the Sudanese people still living there. He then makes it his mission to bring wells and water to the people.

The lost boys of Sudan stories are both heartbreaking and hopeful. Their strength and adversity make for a beautifully told story and one that will stick with readers for a long, long time.

"Lighter Side of Life and Death" by C.K.Kelly Martin

When friends Mason and Kat lose their virginity to one another after drinking a party, the dynamics of their friendship totally changes. They no longer really talk and there is much tension between them. Because he is 16, and unsure of himself, Mason begins an affair with Colette, a much older woman. This only adds to his confusion. The emotions and feelings shown by the two girls and Mason are honest and painful. This book rings true to teenage angst and also shows the pain young men feel too in the midst of confusing relationships.

"The Knife that Killed Me" by Anthony McGowan

When Paul, a nobody, is bullied by Roth to deliver a package for him his life begins a course he cannot change. The dynamics of the characters in this book are wonderful. We learn so much about how Paul thinks and feels and why they knife he is given by Roth is such power to him. The knife, however, also has consequences and ultimately they are much more powerful.
The cover of the book will initially attrack YA readers, but the storyline will keep them intrigued.

"The Gardener" by S.A. Bodeen

When Mason befriends a young girl named Laila, he is totally unaware that she is part of a huge corporation's science project. At the "Greenhouse," instead of growing plants, the scientists there are growing humans. This is to preserve our future. Resources are growing scarce and people are trying to come up with ways to feed our future generations. Like several books that have come out lately, this one tackles our environment and resources. Bodeen does a good job of keeping the pace moving and taking on this issue. It was an enjoyable, quick read and I can see the appeal for teen readers.