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The Beauty of the Moment. Tanaz Bhathena
It's hard being the new girl at school, and especially difficult when you are in a new country and culture. Susan has lived a life of conformity but with all the changes she is now facing she begins to break out of the mould that has been set for her by her parents. This is a story about growing up, making mistakes, forming new relationships and taking chances. A contemporary romance that is an enjoyably pleasant read.
Blood, Water, Paint. Joy McCullough
This is an inspiring story based on the life of seventeenth century artist, Artemisia Gentileschi. Artemisia lives in a world where women have no voice. Her paintings are claimed by her father as his own work and, when she is viciously attacked in her father's studio, she discovers she does not even have a say over her own body. But Artemisia is a determined woman and she finds inner strength from remembering the stories imparted to her by her long dead mother. These stories are about biblical women who stood up for what they believed in and overcame in the face of great adversity. Inspired by the courage of these women, Artemisia decided to confront and fight her attacker through the court system even though it is heavily weighed in favour of men. She does not anticipate the dire consequences of this decision.
We recommend this book for older teen audiences due to some of the content.
Sanctuary. V V James
Four friends go to a party but only three will survive the evening. At first the death of the town's star quarterback appears to be the result of a tragic accident but then accusations of witchcraft surface and spread throughout the community. Sanctuary, once peaceful and tight knit, begins to unravel as sides are taken and suspicion begins to take hold. This story has many twists and turns. Just when you think you have the culprit and motive all sorted, the plot takes the reader in a surprisingly unexpected direction. Sanctuary is a gripping story that will have you hooked from the very first page.
Sing Like No One’s listening. Vanessa Jones
Nettie Delaney has a wonderful voice, but since her mother died she hasn’t been able to sing a note in public. This becomes very awkward when she is accepted into the prestigious Dukes performing arts college. She manages to keep her place there with staff believing she will snap out of it soon. But time keeps ticking by with no improvement. Strangely she finds she can sing when she has no audience – just the accompaniment of a piano in the next door studio. Who is the mystery pianist? Nettie is worried that it is her arch-enemy, Natasha Bridgewell, who has warned her off Fletch, the hottest guy in college.
Slider. Pete Hautman
I got a bit hooked on competitive eating after a binge of watching the strangely addictive Man vs Food on the television, so, I can totally understand David's obsession with the professional speed eaters in this hilarious book which made me hunger for pizza! David can eat an entire sixteen-inch pepperoni pizza in four minutes and thirty-six seconds, and the training he has to undertake to eat more and eat faster makes you wonder why he wants to do this. Luckily he’s always hungry. Part cautionary tale eg. don't click the auto-bid button in online auctions, and, part family comedy/middle child lament, it's a sweet, funny story that I totally enjoyed. David is a good kid with two great friends that help him face the biggest challenge of his stomach's life. His relationship with his younger brother Mal is touching, and, the challenges Mal faces, along with David make you smile and maybe get a little teary. Great read for young folk who need something quick, fun and delicious to read.
This Beats Perfect. Rebecca Denton
Amelie Ayres is a closet school-girl recording-artist with a sizable following online, but she gets stage-struck when she tries to perform in public. This poses a serious drawback to her desired music career. It doesn’t help that her father is a famous music producer and that her mother keeps shifting her to new cities every few years. Amelie has impeccable taste in music and when she gets invited backstage at a concert for the boy band, The Keep, she only goes because she wants to see her father at work – she has no interest at all in the band. However, one of The Keep has an interest in her, and the next day she finds her photo all over Twitter. Now she has the kind of fame that she never in her wildest dreams wanted!
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 10 Life is too short, Squirrel. Ryan North, Derek Charm, Naomi Franquiz
Squirrel Girl, (a.k.a. Doreen Green, Bass-Lass) attends her own funeral! There are many mega-stars there: Bi-Beast, the Walrus, Iron Man... Has the Unbeatable really been beaten? But how is this possible? Who is that in the coffin? Squirrel Girl wonders if it has anything to do with all those Skrulls who have recently surfaced...