The Girl is Murder

By Kathryn Miller Haines
(YA F Hain)
342 pages 2011 Mystery Fiction

New York City, 1942. Fifteen-year-old Iris has just moved from a swanky uptown neighborhood to the Lower East Side after her mother’s death and her wounded father’s return from the war. Now she has to attend public school, make all new friends, and deal with her detective father, who forbids her to assist with his cases even though he can’t get around very well with a missing leg. But Iris can’t resist doing her own detective work when a boy from her school ends up missing. Soon she’s lying to her father and her new friends, staying out late at dance clubs, and doing what she can to solve the case. Will her snooping get her into more trouble than it’s worth? (Grades 7 & up)

Reviewed by Teen Librarian Shelly P.

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Anna and the French Kiss

By Stephanie Perkins
(YA F Perk)
372 pages 2010 Chick Lit

Anna is devastated when her father sends her to a boarding school in Paris for senior year, forcing her to leave her friends, home, and would-be boyfriend. However, it isn’t long before the magic of the city and new friends, including the alluring St. Clair, have her opening her eyes to new ways of life. But Paris comes with complications - as Anna’s friendship with St. Clair grows, so does her desire for more. St. Clair is beautiful and completely unavailable, but he seems to be interested in more than friendship too. Why then, won’t he make a move? Romance and hilarity ensue. (Grades 9 & up)

Reviewed by Teen Librarian Sara H.

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Storm Runners

By Roland Smith
(YA F Smit)
143 pages 2011 Adventure

Chase, 13, is on his fourth school this year and his temporary home is a farm for circus animals. His first day turns into possibly his last as a category 4 hurricane bears down on St. Pete. Had the principal heeded his warning, then he and two companions would not be fighting for their lives after their bus is hit by raging waters. Their only hope is to trek to the farm through gator country. When they approach the farm they find animal barns destroyed, rising water and a dangerous leopard on the loose. Being the son of a storm chaser has its own hazards. (Grades 6 & up)

Reviewed by Teen Librarian Elaine D.

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Uncommon Criminals

By Ally Carter
(YA F Cart)
298 pages 2011 Mystery

Fifteen-year-old Kat and her talented crew must work together to find and steal the "Cleopatra Emerald" from an unscrupulous dealer and return it to its rightful owner, while a former love of her Uncle Eddie tries to get the gem for herself. Did we mention that the emerald hasn’t been seen in 30 years or that it’s cursed? Definitely not your typical five-finger discount. As Kat travels the world chasing the Cleopatra, she begins to wonder if she’s in over her head. A smart, fun read. Sequel to Heist Society. (Grades 6 & up)

Reviewed by Teen Librarian Kay G.

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Hot Pick from TAB - Plague

By Michael Grant
(YA F Gran)
512 pages 2011 Science Fiction

If you have read the books in the Gone series I believe that you will enjoy this book as long as you understand the confusing inferences. Most of the characters in this book are nearly identical. They are all power-hungry and overwhelmed by the multiple plagues. The plot carries the series on well, yet it does feature a lot of main characters’ deaths. Upon finishing this book, you realize that you can’t wait for the sequel, Fear, to be released. The kids of Perdido Beach have fought disappearance, starvation, deception, illness, and now, desperation. (Grades 6 & up)

Reviewed by TAB member Andrew C.

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