msjamgochian'sinfinitebooklist

This companion book to The Forest of Hands and Teeth was almost as good as the original and just as exciting. The story is told from the point of view of Mary's daughter, Gabry, and it takes place roughly 20 years later than TFOHAT. Carrie Ryan uses the same spare prose to create suspense and horrific scenes. The Dead-Tossed Waves refers to a seething sea of Mudo (referred to as The Unconsecrated in TFOHAT) and a classic zombie-trapped-in-cars-on-the-bridge scene is turned even darker when Ryan unforgettably details a car full of hungry little Mudo children. In addition to the gore, I also liked Gabry's transformation from a girl who looks back to the things she could/should have done in the past to the things she hopes/desires to do in the future. She moves from conditional to subjunctive smoothly and believably. Lots of smoldering romance between Gabry and the two boys who love her will keep readers turning the pages as well. Click here for the book trailer and Ryan's we

Blacklands is an engaging thriller set in Exmoor, a deceptively quiet town in England, where eight children were murdered by serial killer Arnold Avery eighteen years ago. Most of the victims' bodies were discovered buried on the moor, but one boy's body was never found, and his fragmented family can't get past the event. Twelve year-old Steven's goal in life is to set things straight and find his dead Uncle Billy's body, thus restoring his family. Steven finds out where Avery is being held and writes him a letter, which marks the beginning of a cat-and-mouse game between the boy and the killer. Click here for the Independent review . Grade 9+

Eisner award-winning Canadian graphic novelist Hope Larson is an amazingly talented girl. Her new book, Mercury , has all the things I liked about her other book, Chiggers : elegant panels that delicately portray her characters, a bit of magical realism, and a demonstrable understanding of what it means to be a teenage girl. Here is Ms. Larson talking about Mercury: Grade 6+

Nayir, a devout Palestinian living in Saudi Arabia, has been hired by a wealthy Saudi family to find their sixteen year-old daughter, Nouf, who has gone missing. The body is found quickly but the mystery isn't solved so easily. As the story unfolds Nayir finds himself caught in between friends, family, and faith. Nayir is a likable and unique detective and Ferraris fills the story with details on Saudi Arabian culture that only an insider could know. A fascinating glimpse into a world largely kept under wraps (no pun intended). Alex Award Winner 2009. Click here for Ms. Ferraris' website and here for a book trailer.

Sarah Ockler has written a perfect novel about friendship, secrets, loss, summer love, and growing up. Anna, Frankie, and Frankie's big brother Matt are best friends. The night of her fifteenth birthday, Anna and Matt become something more. Their blooming relationship is cut short when a car crash ends Matt's young life. Anna is left holding a sad secret she never intended to keep, and instead of nursing her own wounds, she acts as caretaker for Frankie. The girls agree to have a 'twenty boy summer' while vacationing with Frankie's parents in the beach town of Zanzibar Bay, but things don't turn out as planned. A sweet story with achingly real depictions of first love and the complexity of deep friendship. Nominated for the Teen's Top 10 2010. Give this one to fans of Sarah Dessen and Gayle Forman . Click here to hear Sarah talk about the book. Grade 9+

If you only read a few books this year, make The Attack one of them. Yasmina Khadra is actually a former Algerian army officer, Mohammed Moulessehoul. Click here for the NY Times book review.

J'adore Gavalda; je l'ai decouverte quand je prenais un cour de literature francaise et maintenant je lis chaque roman qu'elle ecrit. Son methode de jouer avec les mots et de reveler ses caracteres me plaire beaucoup. L'Echappe belle est une histoire de freres et soeurs, un soir inoubliable, et la douce-amer tristesse de grandir. Cliquez ici pour un critique de livre .

The hype that surrounded this book may have set me up for disappointment; although it was an interesting read I had a hard time getting through the last 100 pages. Click here for audio/visual extras on the book from Skloot's website.

It's finally here and well worth the wait. Click here for a full review .

Pete Rock talking about My Abandonment. Twelve-year old Caroline and her father are living off the grid in Oregon; they reside in a forest park, going in to town every two weeks for supplies and living a quiet existence. All is well until an urban jogger discovers them and reports in to the police. Caroline and her father are whisked away - her father is given a job and they have a place to live - but his paranoia increases and they flee their new life. What ensues is terrifying. You will root for Caroline as she tries to see the good in her father even as he puts her life at risk. The final chapter left me speechless and inspired, and I keep thinking of the last few lines: "He is beyond the reach of snow and sunlight. He stays close to me, following where I cannot see but can only sense him in that darkness below. In the soles of my bare feet I can feel him say my name." Don't miss it. Alex Award, 2010. Grade 8+

Cello-shredding Mia has a wonderful life: a sweet rock star boyfriend who loves her for her, a punk rock mom and dad who support her in all that she does, a cute little brother, a best friend who makes her laugh, and an acceptance letter to Juillard in her pocket. Then, one snowy Oregon morning, it all changes, and all she's left with is a choice. A gorgeous portrait of love, family, and friendship. Don't miss the book trailers on Gayle Forman's website . Nominated for the Teen's Top 10 of 2010; SLJ, Booklist, and Kirkus star reviewed. Grade 7+

Daelyn has been bullied for as long as she can remember: teased for being overweight, tormented by boys at school, made fun of in cyber space, ignored by adults, sent to fat camp by her well-meaning parents. When she finds "Through The Light," a website for suicide 'completers,' she signs up and the 15-day countdown begins. She's sitting on HER bench, waiting for her mom to pick her up, when Santana shows up. He's strange, funny, and determined to get to know Daelyn, who is less than amused. This is a quick read and a solid study of what goes through a young person's mind once they have made the decision to commit suicide. Daelyn reveals herself and her self-hatred slowly through flashbacks and posts on the TTL website, and Peters doesn't offer a tidy ending. This title is an excellent choice for book groups. Discussion guide included. Nominated for the Teen's Top 10 2010. Click here for the official book trailer . Grade 7+