Vote Now for Teens Top Ten!

It's easy! Vote for your favorite book of 2013:
Vote for Teens Top 10

Read about each book by clicking on 'Teen Top Ten 2013' to the right of this page & scrolling down! Click on a title in the list there to reserve a copy for yourself!

Airman by Eoin Colfer

Check out the new book trailer created by a teen volunteer. Did you read a great book this summer? Talk to Linda about submitting your own book trailer. Earn volunteer time, too!

Check out Airman by Eoin Colfer at the library. Just click here to reserve a copy!

Teen Advisory Board

Earn volunteer time, play games, make & eat snacks--all at our monthly T.A.B. meetings on the first Monday of every month @ 4. On Dec. 3 we will begin planning for 2013--and we will begin making book trailers--so start thinking about some of your favorite books. Not a member yet? Just see any staff member to sign up! 12 & older are welcome!
Check out this book trailer for the new book, Enclave by Ann Aguirre.
Sound like a good book? Reserve a copy for yourself: Enclave.

Teen Top Ten

It's that time of year again! Time to vote for your favorite book of 2011! Books were nominated by teens like you. You can vote here. Click on this link to the American Library Association Site. Click on any of the books to learn more about them in the library catalog. Request them, too. Then click on the 'back' button on your browser to return to this list. Choose from these books:

Beam, Cris. I Am J. 2011 J (Jeni) is a boy and has always identified himself as such, but he was genetically born female. As a teen, J acts like a boy and dresses in baggy clothes to hide his feminine body. He wants to begin testosterone treatments to transfer physically to a man, but his parents and best friend do not accept him as male. J decides to run away and enroll in a school for gay and transgender students, where he is able to begin to find acceptance. More than just a story of a transgender teen, this is the story of how teenagers live and love and cope.

Beaudoin, Sean. You Killed Wesley Payne. 2011. Teenage Dalton Rev is a private eye. He is sent to a high school to find out about the death of Wesley Payne. Was it really a suicide? The school's tight cliques have gone insane and lost control. It’s up to Dalton to sort through a huge mess of betrayal in order to restore the hierarchy.

Black, Holly and Justine Larbalestier. Zombies vs. Unicorns. 2010. Are you Team Unicorn or Team Zombie? In this anthology of twelve fast-paced stories, popular teen authors make strong arguments for both sides in the long and gruesome debate concerning the awesomeness of zombies versus unicorns.

Card, Orson Scott. The Lost Gate. 2011. Danny thought he was a “drekka,” one without magic, until he discovers he has magical powers as a gate mage. The only problem: all the magic families made a pact to kill any person who could make gates to transport themselves. Danny is forced to run from everything and everyone he knows in an attempt to unravel the secrets behind his powers.

Clare, Cassandra. The Clockwork Angel. 2010. In this prequel to the Mortal Instruments series, Tessa Gray travels to England to search for her brother, her only remaining relative. She is captured by the mysterious Dark Sisters and discovers that there is a fantastical world thriving alongside her own. She finds that she must ally with the unknown shadowhunters to save her brother.

Collins, Suzanne. Mockingjay. 2010. The final book in the Hunger Games series finds Katniss Everdeen rescued from the horrific 75th Hunger Games—but not her fellow tribute, Peeta Mallark. Now she must lead a rebellion against the evil capital with the help of District 13, which is not destroyed, but has been quietly sowing the seeds of war for years. As Katniss becomes more entangled in war and revolution, the question of who she can trust becomes ever harder, and she must fight for her life once again.

Condie, Ally. Matched. 2010. In Cassia’s society, most of her choices are made for her, including the person with whom she will spend the rest of her life: her Match. At age 17, Cassia is happily surprised when her Match turns out to be her best friend Xander, but when a glitch occurs and another boy’s face appears on her screen, Cassia can’t help but wonder what would happen if she were able to choose her own Match. Now she must decide between conforming to society and pursuing a life where she can make her own choices.

Cremer, Andrea. Nightshade. Penguin/Philomel. 2010. (9780399254826). When Calla, who is a Guardian, saves a boy on her mountain from a bear attack, the consequences are farther reaching than could be imagined, especially when that boy shows up at her school and appears to be a favored companion of her masters, the Keepers.

Fitzpatrick, Becca. Crescendo. Simon & Schuster Children’s. 2010. (9781416989431). In this sequel to Hush, Hush, a few months have passed since Nora’s lab partner Patch, actually a fallen angel, saved her from his murderous vassal Nephil and became her guardian angel. She and Patch are now dating, but she is starting to doubt his love for her. Is he keeping something from her? And is she really safe now?

Grant, Michael. Lies. 2010. Lies continues the story that began in Gone and Hunger. Is death the only answer? Life is getting hard for the under 15s who survived. Food is running out, the beach is burning, and things are getting tense. The situation is getting worse for the survivors and everyone has their own battles to face.

Hawkins, Rachel. Demonglass. 2011. An unbelievable betrayal, an ancient spell, and a love triangle all make Rachel Hawkins’ sequel to Hex Hall impossible to put down. When Sophie goes to her father’s mansion for the summer, she thinks she knows exactly what she wants: to undergo the Removal and get rid of the demon inside of her. But when it turns out that someone else is making demons, she has to question everything and everyone—especially Archer Cross, the boy she can’t get out of her head.

Hakwins, Rachel. Hex Hall. 2010.Sixteen-year-old Sophie is a witch sent to live at Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (witches, faeries, shape-shifters, etc.), after she bungles a spell at prom and attracts too much attention from normal humans. At her new school, Sophie must face the usual teen troubles of mean girls and crushes with the added dimension of magic and learning about her own powers.

Kagawa, Julie. The Iron King. 2010. On the eve of her 16th birthday, Meghan starts seeing dark creatures in the most unusual places and senses that everything is about to change. But she could never have imagined the truth—that she is a princess, the daughter of a mythical faery king. When she finds out her little brother has been kidnapped and replaced by a changeling, Meghan ventures in to the fey world to rescue him.

Lore, Pittacus. I Am Number Four. 2010. Number Four is one of nine aliens that escaped from the planet Lorien just ahead of the evil Mogadorians, a rival alien race bent of their destruction. He’s settling into another new town on Earth, trying to get a handle on his developing powers, when he gets the news: Number Three is dead. If Number Three is dead, that means Number Four is next.

Moore, Peter. Red Moon Rising. 2011. In a world dominated by vampires, half-vamp, half-wulf Danny is used to hiding his true nature. When he experiences strange changes, it appears that his wulf side has become active. In a world where wulves are not treated equally, Danny faces a difficult choice: a dreary future as an inmate once a month or life as an illegal, unregistered wulf.

Nelson, Jandy. The Sky is Everywhere. 2010. After Lennie's sister suddenly dies, she finds herself torn between two boys. One is the new boy in town, and the other is her sister’s ex-boyfriend. While she is genuinely attracted to one, the other really understands her feelings, yet she knows it is wrong. Who will she choose?

Oliver, Lauren. Before I Fall. 2010. Popular, rich, and attractive Sam Kingston never worried about how her behavior affected other people. After dying in a car crash, Sam is forced to relive the last day of her life for seven days. She progressively becomes a better person as she realizes the ripple effect of her actions and uses the second chance to fix her most dire mistakes.

O’Neal, Ellis. The False Princess. 2011. At sixteen, Princess Nalia learns that the king and queen have used her as a false princess to protect their real daughter from an omen of death. Princess Nalia, now Sinda, is sent away from the palace to live with the one relative she has left in a world she does not know. Sinda struggles with her new life and uncovers a secret that may change her country forever. Magic runs through her veins, and theories of corruption in the royal bloodline keep her entangled in the royal family's affairs.

Patterson, James. Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel. 2011. In book seven of the Maximum Ride series, the titular character is devastated after a fellow “bird kid” leaves to start his own flock of mutant heroes. Scientists tell her that another “bird kid”, Dylan, is her perfect mate, and that she’s been created to save the world. When the Doomsday Group starts hypnotizing children, Max heads to Paris with her flock to investigate. Unfortunately, Fang and his new flock are investigating as well.

Pearce, Jackson. Sisters Red. 2010. Sisters Rosie and Scarlett March are left as orphans at eleven after their grandmother is killed by a Fenris, a soulless creature that takes the form of a man and can turn into a wolf. Scarlett loses an eye in the attack and decides to devote her life to hunting the Fenris. Eight years later, the sisters have vowed to protect their town from the Fenris. Silas, a young woodsman, returns to town. Rosie knows the Fenris deserve to die, but she's not ready to commit her entire life to hunting them. Can the sisters learn to live with their differences as Rosie and Silas’s friendship blossoms into something more?

Smith, Cynthia Leitich. Blessed. 2011. Quincie, everyone’s favorite teen restaurateur and vampire, is back in this follow-up to Tantalize and Eternal. This time, she has even more on her plate. She just died, became a vampire, said goodbye to her true love/ werewolf boyfriend Kieren, and she has to stop the most powerful and evil vampire in centuries and find a way to save her own soul and the souls of the soon-to-be evil vampires.

Westerfeld, Scott. Behemoth. 2010. This sequel to Leviathan picks up where the last book left off with Alek, the lost Austro-Hungarian prince, and Deryn, a girl disguised as a boy, on the airship Leviathan heading to the Ottoman Empire. Upon arriving, Alek escapes and starts a revolution to overthrow the Sultan and try to stop a war.

White, Kiersten. Paranormalcy. 2010. Normal? Yeah, right! Evie's biggest dream ever was to be normal, but with a faerie ex-boyfriend and a mermaid for a best friend, she might as well just throw the word “normal” right in the trash can. Evie has the unique ability to see through paranormals’ glamours, which has made her a valued asset of the International Paranormal Containment Agency (IPCA). When someone breaks into the Agency headquarters, Evie meets an unusual Paranormal: a boy who can shape-shift into any human. Can Evie save the lives of unarmed Paranormals from something that is after her.

Click on a book to see more about it in our library catalog. Request it, too. The Cedar Lake Branch has a display of these books. Check them out! During October, the Cedar Lake Branch will have its own voting--a Bracketology. Vote each week for your favorite book. Each time you vote, you will be entered into a drawing for a bag full of prizes! Last year the national winner was Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. The Cedar Lake Library winner was Witch and Wizard by James Patterson. Which books will win this year? It's all up to you!

The Votes Are In!

Teens voted all month for their favorite books of 2010. The winner was Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Next was Witch and Wizard by James Patterson. Catching Fire is the 2nd of the fantastic Hunger Games Series. Start with Book 1, The Hunger Games, Then keep on reading, because the third and final book of the series just came out--Mockingjay. If you like action, romance, torture, political and social intrigue, this amazing series if for you! The sequel to Witch and Wizard is coming to your library soon. Watch for Witch and Wizard: Battle for Shadowland.

The Compound by S.A. Bodeen

Imagine being a survivor after a nuclear holocoust. You survived because your father is a billionaire and he built a luxurious compound to save his family in the event of an attack. The attack came. Your father got you and your mother sisters down into the compound--to safety. But where is your twin brother? Your grandmother? Your dog? Your cat? They didn't make it. But you all have everything you need for the next 15 years. Because that's how long you have to stay in the compound. It won't be safe to leave before then. And you can't. There's a huge steel door and only you dad knows the code to open it. But then after 6 years something has gone wrong with the food supply. But that's ok becuase your dad has a contingent plan. Your mom's been having babies. Your dad calls them "the supplements" and they never leave the room with the yellow door. You've never met them. You don't want to because you know what they are for. But then you connect to the Internet. The Internet! There's not supposed to be any Internet anymore! How could there be? And it's what your dad has told you. If your dad has been lying about that, what else is he lying about?

reviewed by Linda

Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going

The fat kid in Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going is Troy. He's about to commit suicide by jumping in front of a commuter train at the subway station. Then a skinny kid named Kurt calls up to him from the floor. Kurt is a homeless drug user who is also a great musician and very sick. He wants Troy to be the drummer in his new band. Together, maybe, they can help each other...

reviewed by Linda

Teens Recommend...

These titles were recommended by teens during Teen Read Week. Click on the link to learn more about each book. Request the ones you want & we will send it to your library of choice.

Devil's Kiss by Chadda Sarwat
15-year-old Billi SanGreal has grown up knowing that being a member of the Knights of Templar puts her in danger. If she is to save London from catastrophe, she must make sacrifices greater than she imagined.
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
When Bella moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets alluring Edward, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Called "Freakin' sweet" by our reviewer.
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Lucy discovers her family is under an ancient curse by an evil elfin prince. In order to break the curse, she must perform 3 impossible tasks before her daughter is born in order to save them both. Our reviewer says, "It has major twists in it. This book is about that anything is possible."

Love Rules by Dandi Mackall

Love Rules is about this girl named Mattie and she has two best friends named Jake and Emily. Emily is a deaf girl, but Jake and Mattie can understand her and what she says.
Mattie and Jake are going off to college, and Emily wants something every Monday from them. They think that college is going to be a breeze, but they soon realize that it's going to be tough.
They will find love and they will learn a lot when they are at college.
This book has to be one of the best books I have every read. The plot and story line are so good. The ending of this book has to be the best part. It will touch your heart and make you smile for hours when you finish the book. I recommend this book to everyone.

Reviewed by Karina

Want to see your review on this blog? Want to earn volunteer time by writing reviews? Talk to Linda @ the library.

Vote for Your Favorite Book of '09!

Check out the 2009 Teens’ Top Ten Nominations. You can help decide which book is the best of the year. Most of these books are available @ the library. Ask if you can't find a copy and we'll have one sent to the branch of your choice. Click on a title to find it in the library catalog. Click here to vote!

Cashore, Kristin. Graceling, 2008.
Lady Katsa is born with a Grace (super talent) of killing. Her uncle, the king, makes her his brute squad. When she meets Po, a rival kingdom's Graceling, she becomes more powerful as a woman of justice, self knowledge, and romance.

Cast, Kristin & P.C, Untamed, 2008.
At finishing school for young vampyres, Zoey makes a shocking discovery about the school's leader, but no one will listen to her as her undead friends and 3 boyfriends turn against her. Loyalties are strained, truths are revealed, and an ancient evil is awakened in Cast's 4th House of Night novel.

Clare, Cassandra. City of Ashes, 2008.
The second in the Mortal Instruments trilogy, this volume continues the saga of Clary and her best friend Simon as they struggle to find their place in a magical world parallel to their NYC home. Demon-fighting shadowhunters, vampires, warlocks, werewolves, faeries, and a master villain named Valentine provide a heart-pounding backdroop as Clary uncovers secrets about her past.

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games, 2009
To save her young sister from competing, Katniss Everdeen takes her place in the annual Hunger Games, a televised competition in which only one person, the winner, survives. By turns an adventure, a love story, and a futuristic thriller, this is the first in a planned trilogy.

Fukui , Isamu. Truancy. Tor Teen, 2008.
In the totalitarian society that Tack lives in, a rebel group called the Truancy is fighting for freedom. But Tack vows revenge on the Truancy when someone he loves is killed accidentally during one of their attacks on the government.

Fukui , Isamu. Truancy: Origins. Tor Teen, 2009.
Umasi and Zen, adopted and raised in a life of privilege, are horrified to discover that their father is behind the restrictive policies of their city. One brother will be driven to rebellion.

Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book, 2008.
When a toddler wanders away from his home just before an assassin slays his family, he ends up in a graveyard. Named Nobody Owens, the ghosts and other denizens of the cemetery adopt him and teach him important skills he will need to survive, as the assassin. part of a group of killers, continues to hunt him.

Green, John. Paper Towns, 2008.
When they were little, Margo Roth Spiegelman was Q's best friend. Now, a month before high school graduation, she disappears after taking Q on a night of pranks involving dead fish and a depilatory, sending him on a quest to find her.

Harris, Joanne. Runemarks, 2008.
Maddie is shunned by the town because of the mysterious rune mark on her hand. This same rune mark will shatter her dull existence as it propels her into the center of a war between the new controlling religious government and Norse gods of old.

Hopkins, Ellen. Identical, 2008.
Identical teenage twins, Raeanne and Kaeleigh, respond in totally opposite ways to the abuse and abandonment from their parents. One twin finds bulimia and cutting eases the pain and helps her to maintain her passivity, while the other, more rebellious twin sinks into the world of drugs and sex.

Lockhart, E. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, 2008.
When Frankie's boyfriend joins a secret society that she isn't supposed to know anything about, she surprises everyone--including herself--by trying to beat them and become the biggest prankster of them all.

Marriott, Zo. Daughter of the Flames, 2009.
Zira bears scars from the battle that left her orphaned and in the care of the Ruan people. When a tryant king threatens her home, Zira seeks help from an unlikely romantic interest and uncovers the truth about her past.

McMann, Lisa. Wake, 2008.
Going to sleep isn't a big deal for most of us, but for Janie, falling asleep means getting sucked into other people's dreams. The supernatural ability she's always considered a nuisance quickly becomes a nightmare when she blunders into a dream and witnesses a murder.

Meyer, Stephenie. Breaking Dawn, 2008.
In this, the fourth and final installment of the Twilight Saga, Bella's new life as the wife of vampire Edward Cullen is wrought with unexpected obstacles, difficult decisions, and potentially overwhelming outcomes.

Moran, Katy. Bloodline, 2009.
In the brutal world of Dark Age Britain, Essa fights for his life, his identity and the lives of those he loves. Paolini and Tolkien fans will be drawn in.

Ness, Patrick. The Knife of Never Letting Go, 2008.
Dangerous secrets can even be hidden in a world where all men and animals hear each others' thoughts. Because all women died shortly after he was born, Todd Hewitt is the last boy left in his town. When he learns a dangerous secret, he runs for his life with his dog and finds something even more surprising: a girl!

Noel, Alyson. Evermore, 2009.
Her life ripped apart by a tragic accident that killed her family, Ever struggles with her newfound ability to hear people's thoughts. Enter Damen, the new boy who seems the perfect distraction--except he doesn't eat or drink, and soon Ever discovers a supernatural new world of which she is now part.

Palmer, Robin. Geek Charming, 2009.
Dylan's middle name is "crisis." It seems to follow her wherever she goes. First she catches her boyfriend staring at another girl. Then her beautiful designer bag takes a swim in a fountain. However, along with crisis comes opportunity, and Dylan's Beverly Hills world is about to be turned upside down.

Pierce, Tamora. Melting Stones, 2008.
All life, all plant and animal, on the Battle Islands is mysteriously dying. Stone mage Evvy responds to the islander's call for help. They need her magic to solve the mystery. Accompanied by her friend and mentor, Luvo, she uncovers the deep secret revealed by the stones and the volcano. Will it be it be in time to rescue the children?

Scott, Elizabeth. Living Dead Girl, 2008.
Alice was kidnapped when she was young and is forced to pretend to be a little girl to please Ray. She could never escape and wishes for death. Soon her wish will be true, as she has become too old and now she must find Ray a replacement for her.


Smith, Cynthia Leitich. Eternal, 2009.
Zachary, a guardian angel, has, against all rules, fallen in love with his charge. When he sees Miranda sleeping in the shadow of death, his attempt to save her hurls her into life as a vampire princess and exiles him from heaven.

Smith, Sherri L. Flygirl, 2009.
Because she wants to fly and to support her soldier brother, 18-year-old Ida May Jones passes for white amidst obstacles of race and gender and joins the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II.

Weingarten, Lynn. Wherever Nina Lies, 2009.
Two years after 16-year-old Ellie's older sister, Nina, disappeared, Ellie pieces together clues to her whereabouts and heads out on a road trip that leads to murder and mystery with her hot new boyfriend, Sean.

Werlin, Nancy. Impossible, 2008.
This gentle story details young teen Lucy's rape and subsequent pregnancy, with an amazingly supportive cast of a faithful boyfriend and loving parents. A fairy tale set in the present, with flashes of realism and romance.

Yee, Lisa. Absolutely Maybe, 2009.
Maybe (short for Maybelline, her mother's favorite mascara) leaves home and heads to California on a mission to find her biological father, and avoid her mother's planned wedding number seven.

List and annotations are from the ALA website. Read more there and vote!

New @ the library: If the Witness Lied

If the Witness Lied by Caroline Cooney will keep you guessing to the end. A 3 year old Tris did an unspeakable thing, but is he really guilty of murder? The family is falling apart. Now orphaned, Tris's two sisters find other places to live and that leaves oldest brother Jack to protect his youngest brother. Aunt Cheryl moves in to help out, but is she really helping? Besides Tris, she was the only witness to the accident--or was it?
Reviewed by Linda
Check out this new book @ the library!

Book Review: The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Movies and pictures are marvelous inventions. I think that both are aspects of education that are severely overlooked. I previously posted a review of the graphic novel Robot Dreams by Sara Varnon in which I mention how reading pictures is an important skill that is often times forgotten after learning how to read written words.

In The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick perfectly combines the use of images and words to tell stories in a way graphic novels typically do not. He uses 158 different pictures interspersed between pages of literature. The reader of the novel is required to read the words written by Selznick, but also to read the pictures.

The pictures often times present an unclear image and with each turn of the page the perspective provided in the image is enlarged. For example, the story opens with the moon, then the night sky, then the night sky over Paris, then the sun rising over a small part of Paris, then a train station, then the entrance of the train station, then the crowded inside of the train station, and lastly a close up of Hugo Cabret, the stories protagonist. This is a effect that makes reading the book seem like watching a movie.

In fact, film is an important aspect of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which makes the film like quality of his illustrations that much more poignant. Selznick draws upon real life movies and people in this novel to tell his work of fiction. He even uses the famous filmmaker Georges Melies as a major character and incorporates his films as part of the plot.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret was awarded the 2008 Caldecot Medal which is an award for illustrations in children's literature. While this was awarded a medal for children's literature, this book is perfect for use in high school classrooms to teach many important aspects of literature and film, as well as reinforce skills in reading images.

Reviewed by Mike

Book Review: Robot Dreams by Sara Varnon

Reading Comics
"No wonder grownups don't read comics: they don't know how." -Hollis Rudiger

The quote above comes from an article I read while working on a project for an English course. A common misconception about comic books is that they are for children because they use pictures as a primary method to tell the story. Unfortunately once we are taught how to read words, reading pictures is often times a skill that is thrown away. When reading comics do not focus solely on the words, but also read the pictures.

Book Review: Robot Dreams
Robot Dreams is a perfect comic to start for readers who are new to the genre, however it is filled with such detail that it is a treat for experienced comic readers. Sara Varnon tells a bittersweet story of a dog and a robot who become best friends, but unfortunately a trip to the beach separates the two (as robots and water do not mix). Through the use of pictures alone, Varnon tells the story of the year the robot and the dog are separated(the reader is given words only through the different months, sound effects, and other subtle details). The dog tries to make new friends with a family of ducks, anteaters, a snowman, and a penguin. All of these friendships do not last for one reason or another (usually humorous). All the while the robot who is trapped in his rust covered body at the beach dreams of his old friend and making new friends.

This is a wonderful book filled with great pictures, a well thought out story, and valuable lessons in friendship that is appropriate for all ages. It is often times happy and silly, but there is a nostalgic or melancholic tone to the tale. Varnon incorporates into her story several books, movies, and comics from real life as set dressing (many of which can be found in Lake County Public Libraries).

Works to Look For in Robot Dreams

• Castle in the Sky* (film)



• Charlie Brown* (Peanuts comics and films)



• Rotten Ralph* by Jack Gantos (children's book)



• Project Telstar (comics anthology)



• Doctor Desoto* by William Steig (Newberry Award winning children's book)



• Spaniel Rage by Vanessa Davis (comics anthology)



• The Rabbi's Cat* by Joann Sfar (graphic novel)



• The Clouds Above (graphic novel)

*Can be found at the Library

-Written by Mike Dodaro

New @ the Library

New @ the Library
Check out The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman--you know him from Sandman and other graphic novels--and Coraline. The Graveyard Book just won the coveted Newbery Award for best children's book of 2008. But don't let the word 'children' fool you. This one is for teens, too. A toddler wanders out of the house just as the mysterious and lethal man we only know as Jack is methodically going through the house and murdering the entire family. Jack knows he has missed the baby and follows him into the graveyard. But the baby has already been awarded the protection of the graveyard and Jack can't find him. The baby is 'adapted' by Mr. & Mrs. Owens, who never had children while they were living. He also has a guardian--the only one in the graveyard who can come and go and can bring the baby food. He is not a ghost--but he certainly isn't human, either. And so the baby, called Nobody, or Bod, Owens grows up in the graveyard amid ghosts from ancient to not so ancient times as well as ghouls and other creatures of the night. But Jack and members of his order are determined to kill the child--they must before he reaches adulthood. And when Jack discovers where Bod is living....

In Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley, Charlotte is determined to not let being dead keep her going to the senior dance with the boy of her dreams. In life she was invisible to almost everybody--death isn't much different. She has to cooperate with the other dead kids so they can all 'move on', but she can't let go of life until she fulfills her dream. She had a plan for her senior year and, until death came along, it was working--sort of. Whoever thought that a gummy bear could change things--well, choking on one....reviewed by Linda Johnsen

In Gone by Michael Grant students are sitting in class at school when it seems that all the teachers suddenly disappear. Slowly they begin to realize that it's not just the teachers that are gone. Everyone over the age of 14 has vanished. Now the town is up for grabs as some kids try to run things, others try to steal all they can, and still others really want to help. Sadly almost no one wants to take care of the babies and toddlers left behind, but one does. Then a gang of 'enforcers' kills one of the kids and the others realize that no one is safe. Where are the adults and older kids? Are they all dead? What is happening and why? And even worse, as these kids age--and they all will turn 14 some day--they will vanish too.Reviewed by Linda Johnsen

Wondering about a future world where you may never really die? Or at least parts of you may never die. You might want to try Unwind by Neal Schusterman. Connor is 15 and gets into trouble a lot. Risa is an orphan in an orphanage that wants to cut costs. Lev's family is very religious and has been planning his fate since his birth. They are all scheduled to be 'unwound'. They won't technically die--they will live on because all of their body parts and organs will be harvested for use in other bodies. This is their story of their rebellion against what the adults in their lives have decided for them. It's not easy to escape, and some of them don't. The law, the government and their own families are against them. And, be warned, there is a grisly scene that details the actual unwinding process, step by step. You won't be able to put this one down.