The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz

This is a must for any library, public, school or personal.  It's breaming with history and courage and paints a life of a different time then our students are acquainted with.  This story is written with charm and honesty.  The characters are endearing.  Enjoy!

Off the Page by Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer

I have really enjoyed the two mother and daughter collaborative authoring writing.  This book is perfectly fine for any high school as well as public library.  The characters are endearing and the story plot is fun to follow.  The ending is a little predictable but who doesn't want a little happily ever after.  It's a good story.  Enjoy.

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

This book is awesome and I had thought I had blogged it already.  Well, now I'm blogging it.  I read it years ago and just finished the sequel.  I also just came back from Europe and loved the concept of both books as Ginny goes to Europe and suddenly her world gets a little bigger.  It's perfect for any high school as well as public library.  Enjoy,  an excellent read.  If I had a teen daughter, I'd encourage her to read this book.

Scarlet by Stephen Lawhead

This is a great series that is the retelling of English history and the legend of Robin Hood as we now know it.  Great details.  It's a saga.  There are good guys and bad guys.  It's a layered story and not for the reluctant reader.  If you enjoy Game of Thrones and the Star Wars saga then this is the story for you.  I would say it's for serious readers who can handle layers.  I enjoy it but thinking about my high school students, I would say just a small percentage of population would be in to the book.  I would say it would fit better with readers who enjoy history  and historical fiction.  It's perfect for public libraries.  Enjoy.

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

This and the first book should be in every high school library!  It's about adventure and breaking away from what you know.  It's about art and travel and meeting people and handling situations that may be beyond you.  It's a solid story with characters and plot that feel real.  Enjoy!

Shadowland: The Mediator by Meg Cabot

Years ago I read the last book in the series and wanted to read the whole series.  I'm from the Carmel area so I love when the author references places I know.  The writing is entertaining.  The story line is entertaining.  It's not high reading but it's fun to read.  The story is easy and fine for any library.

The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas

This isn't an easy read, it's for the serious reader who enjoys fantasy and romance.  It's a good story but there are lots of layers to it.  It's not for everyone thought.   Perfect for public libraries.

The Spiritglass Charade: A stoker & Holmes Novel by Colleen Gleason

I'm looking forward to more in the series.  It's steam punk genre that is fun to read.  A good mystery with our two sleuths,  Mina Holmes, niece of Sherlock Holmes & Miss Stoker, sister of Bram Stoker and comes from a long line of killing vampires.  Lots of surprises to keep the story fresh.  Enjoy.

The Spiritglass Charade: A stoker & Holmes Novel by Colleen Gleason

This is a fun steam punk mystery.  It's solid.  Steam punk is a story set in Victorian times and is part fantasy and technology that wouldn't be normally found in the actual times.  Vampires and other supernatural beings are often found in the story.  This is fine for any library.  But steam punk is not for everyone, there needs to be a suspension of beliefs of regular story lines.

The Siren by Kiera Cass

Pretty cover, girl in pretty dress with dynamic background.  While the cover is attractive, the story seems weak.  It's okay, even thought the girls are murdering people on ships in the ocean by their songs, creating ship wrecks.  I'm not wild about it.  The Ocean is a character that talks to the sirens.  I would say save your time and money on this one.  Not impressed.

Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer

This is a popular book with the boys at my high school.  Especially non-readers.

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

Told in two perspectives, Bartimaeus, an ancient Djinni and Nathaniel.  Together they uncover a plot to take over the magic power.    The story is well told and the characters are solid.  Jonathan Stroud knows how to tell a story.  I look forward to book 2 and 3.  Fine for any school and public library.  Enjoy.

Queen of Babble: Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot is an entertaining writer for adults and for young adult.  This series is more for adults and is highly entertaining.  You just have to love the characters, dialogue, and situations.  It's a fun read, enjoy.  Think Sex and the City meets Friends.  

The Crystal City by Orson Scott Card

This is a great series.  It's not for reluctant readers, but more for avid readers who enjoy Lord of the Rings and sagas similar to this because there are lots of layers to it.  It's fine for any library.

Heartfire by Orson Scott Card

It's a fantasy story of an alternate history of the United States.  Not for reluctant readers.  It's a solid series with lots of layers.  Worth having in the public library.  Enjoy.

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

It's pretty solid.  Maybe for older high school students.  Lots' of romantic moments. Some are pretty hot. But also plotting to overtake the evil bad leader.  Secrets are revealed.  It's pretty solid writing.  Story is a little much but it's fine.  Enjoy.

Queen of Babble: In the Big City by Meg Cabot

Think Sex and the City, plus Friends and enjoy this series.  I really like Lizzie and her passion for vintage clothes.  She's a sweet person.    It's summer time and it's fun to read some books that are bubble gum for the brain.  Enjoy.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

It's a great story with orphans, and danger and who do you trust moments.  It's also questioning who you really love and who you are really attracted to. Simon and Basil finally face how they really feel. While they are figuring out how Basil's mother really died.  It's a great story, solid characters, written well.  I liked the book a lot.

Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot

This isn't YA but Adult.  Some content makes it that way.  It's summer time and I'm on vacation and I love reading Meg Cabot because she infuses humor and adventure and great character development.  I was highly entertained.  You just have to fall in love with Lizzie, who sure talks a lot and spills lots of beans.  It's a good read but not for a high school library. Enjoy.

Fracture Me by Tehereh Mafi

It's a novella that gives the reader Adam's side of the story of what happens after a major battle.  actually it's rather one sided and a blood bath.  We see Adam's struggle with trying to save his brother when he has to pick between two people who he loves.  It's solid.  Good novella.