Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

This was a book I couldn't put down! Definitely needs to be in teen libraries.  It's a saga story with despair and hope, a lot of adventure and plenty of fighting and insults and it's just great.  The dialog runs true.  The characters are all strong.  This story is highly unpredictable and awesome.  I can see why the author has won an award on her other works.  This my first time reading anything by the author and give me more!

Enjoy and you'll thank me later.

Stardines: Swim High Across the Sky by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Carin Berger

This is a beautiful book and fun too!

Manfish: A story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne and Eric Puybaret

This is a beautiful book that any library should have.  The elegant images capture the imagination of Jacques Cousteau.  Would love to see this book win an award.

Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

It was alright.  It seems to try and emulate a currently popular PBS series.  I wouldn't add it to my high school library.  It's not bad.... it's just more of a been there, done that... kind of book.

Neverwas by Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed and Larkin Reed

I haven't read the first book but this book gives you enough backstory to catch up.  It's a strange concept.  I got it from the book fair at school.  It's entertaining but could be a challenge for some non-readers.  There's a lot of concepts to sort out.

Poison by Bridget Zinn

I loved, loved, loved this book.  It was fun to read.  I'm sad that the author died so young.
The characters in this book were crafted well.  Dialog was snappy and true.  Put this on your list if you like this kind of genre.

The Iron Trials by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the sequels.  It's a bit like Harry Potter with the concept of a magical school.  Preparing to fight a crazy magician.  It's entertaining.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

This would probably fit best in a college course or an AP science/biology class.  The story is a bit muddied with so many other people's story.  It would be interesting if the author had written one for children/teens and condense the story to just Henrietta Lacks.