Category: YA Novels

young adult novels (for 13+ yo)

Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

Leviathan

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Steampunk and Darwin

leviathan-cover.jpgThe concepts in Leviathan (Simon Pulse, 2009) by Scott Westerfeld are interesting and felt real. I cared about the two main characters from opposing camps in this alternate world. It’s funny, too. And had wonderful illustrations by Keith Thompson. This is another one of those books where I’m waiting not very patiently for the sequel (Behemoth coming out in October 2010).
Okay, you have to watch the book trailer on Scott Westerfeld’s site for Leviathan. The ending of it made me laugh.
This book is an early YA and like The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate deals with issues of evolution, plus both are set in the early 1900s.

Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

the sweetheart of prosper county

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

sweetheart.jpg15-year-old Austin Gray is tired of being stuck on the curb during the No-Jesus Christmas parade when attractive girls like Sundi get to ride on the hood of a truck. And being on the curb is where Dean Ottmer can make fun of her. Since Daddy died at the bridge, Mamma doesn’t let her have a bit of freedom either. What’s a girl without confidence to do? Austin joins the Future Farmers of America and gets a show chicken, which of course provides more material for Dean.
Author Jill S. Alexander has created a whole town of great characters in the sweetheart of prosper county (Feiwel and Friends, 2009). And it’s not just the people, like Dean’s “spit-and-scratch so-called friends” or tuba player Lewis Fortenberry (Elvis), but also the critters. You’ll meet Charles Dickens, Austin’s rooster, and WhizBang, the cat, to name a few.
Read more about Jill and her book that has been receiving nominations for awards at http://www.jillsalexander.com/. Or check out her blog here: http://jillalex.livejournal.com/

Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

The Demon’s Lexicon

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

demon's lexiconLooking for a book with surprising twists and turns? Then read The Demon’s Lexicon (Margaret McElderry, 2009) by Sarah Rees Brennan. In it you’ll meet brothers Nick and Alan, who with their mother are on the run from the magicians who killed the boys’ father. The two end up going on the run with Mae and her brother Jamie who come for help because Jamie’s marked by a demon.
I love it when I read a book that surprises me, where things aren’t what I thought they were, but yet it makes total sense. That’s what did with this story. The next book in this modern fantasy trilogy comes out summer of 2010, and the third book, summer 2011. Sighing since I have to wait…
Sarah Rees Brennan’s definitely another author I’ll be following. Here’s her website and her blog, Sarah Tells Tales.

Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

The Maze Runner

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Please, you are writing a sequel, aren’t you, James?

maze runnerWow, I liked The Maze Runner (Delacorte, 2009) by James Dashner from the first line: “He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air.” Thomas wakes up and doesn’t remember his past, though he remembers facts and how to do ordinary things. He finds himself delivered to the Glade whose only residents are other teen boys. No one explains why he is there and where “there” is. His guide is the previous newbie or Greenbean, and he doesn’t know a lot more than Thomas. Of the different jobs the boys do in their community, Thomas decides he wants to take on the job of maze runner, no matter how dangerous it is.
I enjoyed this book very much am I’m definitely checking out other books by this author. (My husband liked it a lot, too.)
James Dashner has a blog you might want to check out. And at the Random House page for The Maze Runner there’s a game, a video, and news about the book.