Science Fiction: The Adoration of Jenna Fox

This book begins as a mystery, but readers will quickly find that it becomes a science fiction account of a girl's tragic accident. Jenna wakes up from a year long coma with a complete loss of memory. She can't remember her mother (Claire) her strangely distant grandmother (Lily) or even the events that led up to the accident that nearly cost her her life. Her parents keep her closely protected, and seem to be afraid of Jenna making contacts with the world outside their new house. Slowly, Jenna begins to remember...

Soon Jenna finds that she didn't nearly die...to most people, she did die. Even with the advanced medical techniques available in Jenna's future, no doctor expected her to survive. Could her parents have a good reason for their overprotectiveness, and their secretive behaviour? Is there something terrible that Jenna doesn't know about herself? Jenna is determined to find out.

Science Fiction
Grades 9-12
Click here to check out the Port Moody Public Library's catalogue.

Fiction: Dairy Queen

This is possibly my favourite book of the year, until Breaking Dawn is released.

After her father is injured, 15-year-old D.J. Schwenk takes over the lion's share of work on her family's small Wisconsin dairy farm. Between milking cows, mucking out the barn, and mowing clover, this erstwhile jock takes on training Brian, the rival high school's quarterback. A monster crush and a tryout for her own school's football team ensue.

DJ is a realistic and charming narrator, and the author does a fantastic job of getting her personality across. Shy, tongue-tied, hardworking and honest, DJ is forced to think about what she really wants for her life when her totally unsuitable crush, Brian, tells her that she's like a cow headed unquestioningly down the cattle shoot of life. Over the summer, DJ wrestles with this question while simultaneously juggling a grinding farm chore schedule, an uncommunicative and conflicted family, and a best friend who turns out to be gay. In the end, DJ is able to find her own way, and readers will be won over by her heart of gold. This book is highly recommended for fans of realistic fiction, sports stories, and even romances.

Fiction
Grades 9-12
Click here to check out the Port Moody Public Library's catalogue!

Edward or Jacob? What do you think?

OK, so you probably know that Stephenie Meyer's newest Vampire thriller/romance/all round great book is coming out on August 2, 2008. For Meyer fans, the big question is, what's going to happen with Edward, Bella and Jacob?

At the end of Eclipse, the third book, Bella has made a choice (sort of) between Jacob and Edward. But her choice is by no means final, and everyone is wondering what will happen to the guy she doesn't want choose? Will she end up with Edward forever? Or will Jacob find a way to win her heart after all? I would hate to be in Bella's shoes, because I can't even decide as a reader who I want her to end up with, and I have no idea how the author is going to end the series with all three of them happy (if that's even possible, but I hope it is).

So what do you think? If you've read one or all of the books, who do yo think Bella should choose? Edward, the gorgeous vampire who will love her forever but take away her mortality, or Jacob, the hot tempered werewolf who could give Bella a home and a family who will age with her? Let us know by commenting on this post.

Fiction: A Countess Below Stairs

Author Eva Ibbotson is best known for her enchanting historical fiction, such as Journey to the River Sea and The Star of Kazaan. In A Countess Below Stairs, she turns her pen to an older audience with fabulous results.

Anna is a young Russian countess whose opulent world is turned upside down by the Russian Revolution. She has no choice but to flee for England with her family, losing her homes, wealth and status in the process. Despite her troubles, Anna retains the charming, optimistic nature that endears her to all. In a Cinderella-like plot, Anna takes employment as a housemaid in Rupert Westerholme's mansion. When he returns to his home after fighting in the Great War, he slowly and inevitably falls in love with the lovely Anna, and she with him.

Of course, there is a catch. Rupert is engaged to the grasping, conniving Muriel, a lady of the Nouveau Riche who has her heart set on Rupert's title (and not his heart). Rupert is a true gentleman, and Anna knows that he will never break his word to Muriel by jilting her, regardless of her manipulative and cruel actions.

Will they find their way to true love, despite all that stands against them? Of course! This is, after all, a lovely and romantic fairy tale of a book. But the author's graceful writing and vivid characters will keep you on the edge of your seat right until the final page, even if you can guess the happy ending.

Romantic Fiction

Grades 10-12

Click here to check out the Port Moody Public Library's catalogue.