Wither by Lauren DeStefano

In this near future, men die at age 25 and women die even younger, at age 20.  Because of this, men have become polygamists to help perpetuate the human race while scientists work tirelessly for a cure.  To facilitate these marriages, pretty girls are kidnapped off the streets and shipped to their future husbands.  Such is the case for 16 year old Rhine.  She is stolen off the New York City streets and sent to Florida to marry a man she has never met.  But Rhine is no shrinking violet, she is determined to escape to get back to New York and her brother.

A Handmaid's Tale for teens would be my best description of Wither which would most likely not help promote it to teens and would most likely scare away parents. So, in selling it, I would say for teens (or adults) who liked Condie's Matched, Roth's Divergent, or, of course, Hunger Games since it is one more to add to the ever growing list of YA dystopian literature.  That being said, this story was very interesting with the author deftly handling some tricky subject matter for teenagers.  Wither is the first book in a planned trilogy and I plan to continue on with this series.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

As a librarian that is supposed to be knowledgeable about YA literature, I am embarrassed to admit that it took me this long to read The Book Thief.  I was scared of it.  Scared that it would be too sad.  But, I finally gathered up my courage and checked out the audiobook.

Narrated by Death, the story of a young German girl named Liesel growing up during World War II was, as I feared, quite sad.  However, it was, as I had heard and assumed, also, a beautiful story with wonderful characters, an interesting story telling style (in which you basically know who is going to die quite early on in the story), and a setting in a time period that will always, to me, be both heartbreaking and immensely interesting.  If you haven't read this, just get yourself together and enjoy the ride.  The audiobook is highly recommended - the narrator does a fantastic job and also, when you listen, you don't have to fuss over the pronunciation of the German words.

The Golem's Eye by Jonathan Stroud



My theory on why I never wanted to read these is the covers - I hate them. But, as my last post also mentions, I am ever so glad I started them.

About a 2 1/2 years later after the end of Book 1, The Golem's Eye picks up with Nathaniel (or John Mandrake as his magician's name) is working for the government and is apprentice to a new and highly respected magician. He quickly realizes, however, that no one can be trusted once things start going wrong and all his fellow magicians are quick to put the blame at his feet. His only ally? His old "friend" Bartimaeus of whom he summons and gets an earful (seeing as they ended the first book with a promise of parting for good). An evil magician has created a Golem and Nathaniel needs Bartimaeus's help in finding the culprit.
Once again, Nathaniel isn't very like able (even though you see some potential shine through occasionally) but Bartimaeus is hilariously snarky. I am anxiously awaiting book 3!

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud



When the Prequel to the Bartimaeus Trilogy, The Ring of Solomon, won the School Library Journal Battle of the Books this past year I knew I had put it off for long enough - I needed to read this series. I decided to try audio since it's set in london and that means the narrator would be British and would, automatically, be a better narrator than most audiobooks (sorry Americans, but we all know a British accent is the best) and Book 1, The Amulet of Samarkand, did not disappoint!
Nathaniel is a young wizard apprentice who is smarter than he is given credit for and much more driven than his underwhelming master. Nathaniel's bad experience with a powerful wizard brings out his spiteful side as he calls up djinni Bartimaeus to help him steal the Amulet of Samarkand. All does not go as planned...
Bartimaeus is a wonderful character and overshadows any flaws that appear in the story (like how unlikeable Nathaniel is).
Recommend to fans of Angie Sage, Eoin Colfer, Rowling, etc.

Chime by Franny Billingsley



I read this because of the National Book Award issues between this and the accidental (and poorly handled) nomination of Lauren Myracle's "Shine." (I'll be reading Shine quite soon...) Briony is living with a secret - she is a witch. A witch living in a time where witches are hated and hanged. She believes she is evil - that she caused her sister's personality quirks through creating an injury as a child and causing her stepmother's illness before she passed away. Briony does not allow herself to live a normal teenage life until Eldric comes to town and seems to automatically lighten the mood, opens up a world of true living to Briony, and introduces her to some hard truths.
It took me a minute to get into it, but once it started rolling, I really enjoyed the book. I've never really read anything quite like this so I'm not sure of true read-a-likes, but I would try to pass it on to fans of Kristin Cashore and Megan Whalen Turner perhaps?

Crossed by Ally Condie



In this sequel to Matched, we find Ky fighting and Cassia farming in different areas of the Outer Provinces.  Ky is just trying to survive while Cassia is biding her time to escape and look for Ky.  Cassia and Ky both make runs for it (both with a new friend in tow) and eventually meet up.  But are Ky's and Cassia's plans the same?  And what is the secret about Xander that only Ky knows?  An excellent follow up to the original story - it keeps you one the edge of your seat just like the first and will make you anxiously await the third installment!  Give to fans of, of course, Matched.  But introduce the series to fans of any dystopian literature.  (It's like a less violent premised Hunger Games.)

Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Caitlin's best and only friend, Ingrid, has just committed suicide. How does Caitlin deal with such a loss? How can she not blame herself for not seeing the signs? How can she read the diary that Ingrid hid in Caitlin's bedroom the night before she died? How does life go on?

Both sad and uplifting, this story gives a personal and realistic view of the struggles of both mental illness and the loss of a friend to suicide. A Gateway Award nominee this book is more for older teens - grade 8 and up. Heavy, but will definitely keep their interest. Give to fans of 13 Reasons Why, Hate List, and/or If I Stay.