Hold Me Closer Necromancer by Lish McBride

A girl is decapitated. A young man in imprisoned and beaten senseless. A hot werewolf girl is autopsied while alive.

I haven’t read such a funny book in a long, long time!

The most powerful necromancer in the Seattle area is very put out that a young upstart may take over his region. But Sam, the young upstart, hasn’t a clue as to his powers or why this freak is after him. But the werewolf girl is hot. Brooke still talks and harasses him even though her head is in a bowling bag. It could be worse. Bingo.

Laugh when you read this sick book. It is okay. I give permission.

ENDERS’ Rating: *****

Lish’s Funny Website

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after by Kristen Harmel

Lacey is sure that if she had not dawdled with makeup for the weekly “breakfast with Dad” on Saturday mornings, that he would be alive today. Everyone but Lacey knows that she is overcompensating for her guilt by trying to solve her brothers’, mother’s and other people’s problems. The idea of starting a group for grieving teens who are ostracized by others seems a great way to create something positive from her pain. But Mom still works later than ever, Tanner thinks he cannot have fun as Dad is not. Logan resorts to being a party animal. Dealing with grief is harder than Lacey even realizes. The group presents a surprise. So many books deal with grief, but this is the first I have seen with a “fixer” as a main character.

ENDERS’ Rating: *****

Kristen’s Blog

Heart to heart by Lurlene McDaniel

Confession time: this is my first Lurlene McDaniel novel, though her books are extremely popular at my high school library. She started writing novels about youth facing challenges after her son was diagnosed with type one diabetes.

Elowyn and Kassey are such good friends that Elowyn gives Kassey an extra set of keys to her new car, a gift for her sixteenth birthday.

A young teen named Arabeth never leaves her home. She quietly waits for a donor heart so that she can live. Little does she know that Elowyn will become her closest friend also, with the donation of her heart after an accident in her new car. Everything gets surreal as Kassey, then Elowyn’s parents begin visiting Arabeth, as well as Elowyn’s boyfriend Wyatt. Awkward situations need to be dealt with as their lives become tangled together. I can see what my teen readers like about McDaniel’s books, if they are as intuitive and uncomfortable as this one.

ENDERS’ Rating: ****

Lurlene’s Website

Freak Magnet by Andrew Auseon

In the midst of dystopia, vampire and violence stories emerges a refreshing story that definitely is my “feel good” novel of the year thus far.

Charlie is the freak. Gloria is the freak magnet. So both of them think! One day at a coffee shop Charlie spots the most glorious creature to grace the earth. You guessed it: Gloria. In his over-the-top, freakish way, he hits on her despite the warnings of his best buddy. Gloria disses him and heads off in her totally black persona way. Fate interweaves their lives and they continue to intersect. Gloria hates to admit it, but Charlie is hot, but still a freak. But her admissions to his endearing personality continue during their lucky encounters. This he said/she said format digs into her blackness, his love and fear for his family, and their growing affection. Charlie’s antics at his job with his quirky co-workers are laugh-out-loud funny. Gloria’s de-icing reveals the loss that she has felt the last year. This is a book that reminds us that love is in the world, if we only trust it.

ENDERS’ Rating: *****

Andrew’s Website

before i fall by Lauren Oliver

Think warped and disturbing twist on the movie Ground Hog’s Day, and you have a clue about before i fall. Samantha Kingston seems to have it all. She and her group of friends flaunt it to all, and give grief to a few. Yep, these are mean girls of privilege, looks, guys, and fashion. Sam is just a little nervous about her first time with her crush-worthy boyfriend that night, after the party at Kent’s house. (Of course, sans parents). Her BFFs Lindsay, Elody and Ally come to the party with their own booze, and leave pretty well sloshed. Suddenly there is a flash of white, Lindsay veers the monster SUV into a tree, Sam dies.

Then, Sam awakes to relive the last day of her life. Seven chances. Seven days. What will she do with them?

ENDERS’ Rating: Like Jay Asher says, a page turner!

Lauren Oliver’s Blog

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Brava to BF! In her quest to delve into romantic stories involving dark sides she has concocted a deliciously wicked story with Jekel Loves Hyde. The story is gripping from “I buried my father the day after my seventeenth birthday.” That is in the prologue…do not gloss over it by looking for chapter one. Jill discovers that her father’s death, her not so delightfully alliterative last name, captivating Tristin Hyde, and a science competition sporting a hefty scholarship are all going to complicate her already sorrowful life. Fans of Jessica Guide may mourn the lack of a sequel of that novel, but not for long. Fantaskey’s sense of suspense, shared first person narrations, and episodic tension make a page-turning read that is sure to keep YA readers begging for more.

ENDERS” Rating: Better have mutliple copies in my library!

Beth Fantaskey’s Website

DIARY OF A WITNESS by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Ernie tries to keep a low profile, a challenge since his large size marks him “fair game” to taunts and tricks of high school jocks. The new guy, Will, his Jack Sprat, defends Ernie. The bullying escalates. Luckily, the boys have more in common than the school terrorizing. They are fishermen: Ernie is into freshwater trout, and Will is into open ocean. The boys decide to introduce each other to their style of fishing, Will’s first. Will’s father launches Ernie, Will and Sam, Will’s ornery little brother, into the brink alone while he scurries to the closest bar. Catching “THE ling” quickly escalates into a horrible accident that changes Will forever. For a short time the jocks avoid the boys, but then Ernie is brutally attacked and Will plots revenge for his friend. Ernie’s Uncle Max, a writer and Ernie’s guru, tells him that he needs to follow his gut feelings, to act rather than wait. Will Ernie act soon enough?

ENDERS’ Rating: Heavy topic in a quick and compelling package!

CRH’s Website

If I Stay by Gale Forman

I used to have a book display of titles with the ratings of 1-5 Kleenix. This is worth, oh, six.

It was love at first sight when Mia saw her first cello. Her passion for her music leads her to a climatic choice between her art, her family and her soul mate. I dare not say more, but Mia has to leave someone or something behind, no matter what she chooses. Sniff!

ENDERS Rating: 6 Kleenix

Gayle Formans Website

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

In a surprisingly impulsive move, Auden chooses to spend her summer before college with her father, his new wife and new baby. She walks in on a depressed and sleep-deprived mother, a yowling baby, and a self-absorbed father who needs his nine hours of sleep a night and solitary confinement writing his next best seller. With the help of Eli, a loner and former bike competitor, she goes on a quest in the middle of nights to experience some typical kid stuff: sneaking into a club, bowling, hot dog parties, but not bikes: too scary. She watches shop girls all perform a 9 PM dance around the shop to whatever tune is played. She makes social blunders one after another, and that is her charm. Loved it! Dessen hits another homer, which would make another good movie.

ENDERS Rating: Do I love Sarah Dessen novels, or what!
Sarah Dessen’s Website

The House of Dance by Beth Kephart

What would you do for a person you love who is dying?

Rosie’s mom only has time for her affair with her married boss, while she and Rosie are mere strangers in the same house. She suggests to Rosie to visit her ill father on a daily basis. Granddad puts Rosie in charge of his piles: to toss or “In Trust.” Discovering a feather her Granddad reminisces how that particular feather came from a dancing dress of his wife, who loved to push back the furniture and dance for him. So Rosie bundled newspapers, tossed garbage and created a huge In Trust pile. Walking home she passed The House of Dance studio, and before long she made the decision to take lessons with the money that her dad sends. And for what reason?

ENDERS Rating: Touching, tender story of what is important

Beth Kephart’s Blog