"The Vespertine" by Saundra Mitchell

Amelia van den Broek is sent to Baltimore in the summer of 1889 to find a marriage prospect. She lives with her older brother August and his wife and August literally wants Amelia off his responsbility list.
As Amelia and her cousin, Zora Stewart, enjoy the parties of the season, Amelia finds that she has an amazing gift-she has visions of the future that seemingly only occur at sunset.
Combine those visions, with Amelia's forbidden romance with Nathaniel-an artist- and the book moves quickly and satisfactorily along.
The insight into Victorian middle class is incredibly interesting and moving. Amelia's gift (or curse) as she learns to think of it allows the two cousins to be invited into homes that they would normally not even be welcome in to.
The writing is crisp and clear. The story is both gothic and romantic. A welcome change from the typical gothic, Victorian romance.

"Okay For Now" by Gary D. Schmidt

Doug Switeck is one heckuva storyteller! But those who have read "Wednesday Wars" will already know that.

In this story, the Switeck family is moving due to his father's new job. They move to a small town and things don't always go well for them there. The father is gone all the time either working or hanging out with Ernie-a very questionable character.

The older brother is still in Vietnam and Doug's other brother is always being questioned by the police for one thing or another.

This book was wonderful! It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me think, it made appreciate all the people in our world that make us who we are.

It made me think about our Vietnam vets and how they are treated. It made me think about friendship, love, and death and dying. It left me with hope.

If you don't read any other book this year, please don't miss this one. Gary Schmidt has created a cast of characters and a story that will stick with you long after you close the last page of the book.