City of Orphans

By Avi
(YA F Avi)
350 pages 2011 Historical Fiction

Thirteen-year-old Maks and his immigrant family live in bustling, crowded New York City in 1893. The family is hoping for a better life in America, but times are hard. Maks’ job hawking newspapers is threatened by a gang called the Plug Uglies who harass him at every turn. His sister, Emma, who works at the fancy Waldorf Hotel, has been arrested for stealing; his father is about to lose his job, and his other sister has been stricken with “wasting disease.” The only bright spot is Willa, a street orphan who rescues Maks from the Plug Uglies. Together Maks and Willa will try to prove Emma’s innocence, solve the problem of the gangs, and keep the family together. An exciting adventure. (Grades 6 & up)

Reviewed by Teen Librarian Kay G.

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Bluefish

By Pat Schmatz
(YA F Schm) CV Only
226 pages 2011 Realistic Fiction

Dreading the first day in his new school as an eighth-grader, Travis is surprised after Velvetta plops herself down at this lunch table. She pushes him for personal information and he can’t help but wonder why she chose him. And so begins their rocky relationship. Velvetta has a no-homework rule and hides her intelligence behind colorful scarves while delivering attitude to everyone. Travis has a no-homework rule for a different reason. Both catch the eye of Mr. McQueen, a really cool teacher who brings stories alive when he reads aloud to the class. How did he stumble upon their secrets they’ve kept from everyone else? (Grades 6 & up)

Reviewed by Teen Librarian Elaine D.

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Variant

By Robison Wells
(YA F Well)
376 pages 2011 Science Fiction

Benson is a foster kid looking for a better life. He thinks he's found it when he applies and is accepted to Maxfield Academy, a boarding school. But when he arrives at the school he finds no adults, only teens who have spilt up into three factions in order to survive. His first instinct is to try to escape, which is impossible since the school is surrounded by fences and his every move is tracked, but he doesn't give up. He becomes even more determined when he stumbles on the school's secret. Unsure who he can trust, Benson formulates a plan that will either rescue or kill them all. (Grades 6 & up)

Reviewed by Teen Librarian Shelly P.

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Tempest

By Julie Cross
(YA F Cros)
339 pages 2012 Science Fiction

College student Jackson has a peculiar gift – he can jump back in time. When Jackson’s girlfriend Holly is shot by men who are after him, he accidentally jumps two years into the past and gets stuck there. While he tries to find a way to get back to present day and alter the course of the future, Jackson must pretend to be 17 again. He meets the Holly from the past, falling more in love with her, but also begins unraveling mysterious secrets about his father, a sinister group called Enemies of Time, and his time-traveling powers. Suspenseful, romantic, and action-packed, you’ll be itching for the sequel! (Grades 9 & up)

*Come see the author in person on March 8 from 7 - 8 PM at the Centerville Library!

Reviewed by Teen Librarian Sara H.

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Hot Pick from TAB - The Hunger Games

By Suzanne Collins
(YA F Coll)
374 pages 2008 Science Fiction

When Katniss Everdeen volunteers as tribute to the Hunger Games for her sister and with other tribute Peeta Mellark, things start to get crazy. Katniss is now on the verge of life, because the only way to win the Hunger Games is to be the last one living. This is a great book and I recommend it to any reader because it just makes you hungry for more. (Grades 7 & up)
Reviewed by TAB member Anita A.

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