Fantasy: Eon Dragoneye Reborn

Twelve year old Eon has been in training for years. His intensive study of Dragon Magic, based on East Asian astrology, involves two kinds of skills; sword work and magical aptitude. He and his master hope that he will be chosen as Dragoneye: an apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune.

But Eon has a dangerous secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen year old girl who has been masquerading as a boy for the chance to become a Dragoneye. Females are forbidden to use the dragon magic; if her ruse is discovered, her death is certain.

When Eon's secret comes to light, she and her allies are plunged into a deadly struggle for power, survival, and the imperial throne. Eon must find the inner power to battle those who want to take her magic... and her life.

This is a top notch high fantasy novel. Those who loved Eragon or inkheart will love this book.

Fantasy

Grades 9-12

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Fantasy: A Curse Dark As Gold

This book is a masterful retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, where a maid bargains with a malicious spirit to save herself and her family from death.

Charlotte Miller is the last hope for the town of Stirwaters. Her father has died suddenly, leaving the mill in the hands of her and her sister, Rosellen. Charlotte is a strong heroine, and she would surely have been able to run the mill if not for the curse.

For generations, the Stirwater mill has carried a dark curse. Small things go wrong, the luck is always bad, and the mill never passes to a son; infant boys always die mysteriously. Charlotte is determined to break the curse, and she will need all of her courage and wits to do so.

This excellent book will appeal to fans of Robin McKinley or Tamora Pierce. It's certain to win awards over the next year or two.

Fantasy

Grades 9-12

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Romance: TheSummer I Turned Pretty

Jenny Han has written a light, sweet romance that's just perfect for summer beach reading. Belly has been going to the beach house her entire life. Her summers have always been one long expanse of sand, surf, family...and Conrad.

Belly has love Conrad forever, but he's always been too busy to pay any attention to her. He's either romping with his brother Jeremiah (Belly's special friend and first kiss) or helping Belly's brother Steven pick on her.

But this summer, Belly's 15 and something's changed. Not only do Jeremiah and Conrad both pay attention to her, but she meets her first boyfriend at the yearly bonfire, and discovers what it's like to grow into herself. There's love, fighting, forgiveness, sadness and the joy of moving on, all packed into this quick read.

Romance

Grades 8-11

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Realistic Fiction: Marcelo and the Real World

Marcelo is unique. He hears music that nobody else can hear; he lives in his own treehouse; he is deeply fascinated by religions, and he already has a job lined up for the summer, caring for the horses at his special school.

Marcelo has an aspergers-like condition that makes it hard for him to make small talk, to read what people are feeling, and to communicate with others. He's not stupid- far from it! Marcelo is just different, and his school helps him make the most of his strengths.

But when Marcelo's dad decides that Marcelo needs to work in the real world for the summer - in his high-powered law firm - Marcelo is forced to agree. The deal is that Marcelo will give it his best shot, and in return, he can attend his special school in the fall, instead of the public high school. Marcelo and his dad both know that the summer will be difficult; Marcelo just wants to survive, and his dad want Marcelo to prove that he can be "normal".

But nobody could have predicted the consequences when Marcelo uncovers scandal, deception and intrigue right in the heart of his father's firm. Marcelo has tough decisions to make, and he has to make them on his own. At it's heart, this is a book about growing up, and taking a stand for what's right. Marcelo, with his crystal clear vision of human contradictions, is the perfect person to narrate this story. Marcello appears initially as flawed, but we come to realize that he, or all the people in the book, understands the nature of morality and goodness.

This book is a great read for anyone, but I particularly recommend it for those who have experience with Aspergers or Autism. A challenging and uplifting book. I loved it.

Realistic Fiction

Grades 10-12

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