TIM, Defender of the Earth! by Sam Enthoven (Razorbill, 2008; 288 pages) This story features TIM (an acronym for Tyrannosaurus: Improved Model), a YA protagonist, genetically engineered for military use in the United Kingdom. Though designed for exceptional size and strength, Tim is called into service very early in his development, in order to combat a plague of nanobots that threaten to destroy London. With an exciting plot, suspenseful action, poignant reflections on the need for companionship, the interesting juxtaposition of a truly old school hero versus technology's modern day dragon, and the complexities of boy/girl, parent/child, and dinosaur/ human relationships, this book is definitely one for readers to sink their teeth into. Find this title in our catalog: TIM: Defender of the Earth Recommended by: Booker T. "Bookzilla" Rex
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The Raven Cycle, Book 1: The Raven Boys; Book 2: The Dream Thieves; Book 3: Blue Lily, Lily Blue; Book 4: The Raven King (2016) by Maggie Stiefvater (Book 1: 2012, Scholastic; 468 pages; Book 2: 2013, Scholastic; 453 pages; Book 3: 2014, Scholastic; 405 pages; Book 4: 2016, Scholastic, 400 pages) The Raven Cycle is a series of four urban fantasy novels (book 4 is scheduled for publication in February, 2016) written by American author Maggie Stiefvater. The series centers around five teenagers from the fictional town of Henrietta, Virginia: Blue Sargent, Richard "Dick" Gansey, Adam Parrish, Ronan Lynch, and Noah Czerny. The teens, interested in the paranormal, are hunting to wake up a sleeping Welsh king by the name of Owain Glyndwr. The book gains its title from the four teen boys in the series, who attend the prestigious private school Aglionby; colloquially, the boys that attend the school are called the "Raven boys." Blue Sargent has always been warned away from the notorious "Raven boys," but when they form a friendship to search for ley lines in Virginia, she finds that they are her best allies. This is one of my favorite young adult series published in the last few years: a supernatural thriller with fantastic writing, great plot, and complex and rich characters, both female and male. The story’s central myth and lots of paranormal elements such as ghosts, spells, palmistry, tarot-card reading, and sorcery are a crucial part of the plot. This series would appeal to lovers of fantasy, romance, action-adventures, and paranormal mysteries. It is an utterly different and creative work of fiction. About the author: Maggie Stiefvater is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the novels Shiver, Linger, Forever, and The Scorpio Races. She is also the author of Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception, and Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie. She lives in Virginia with her husband and their two children. You can visit the author's Web site by clicking here Read more about the characters here and here And there is even a playlist! Find this series in our catalog: The Raven Cycle Recommended by: Maite THE APPRENTICE'S MASTERPIECE -- historical novel elegantly captures the insanity of the Inquisition9/14/2015 The Apprentice's Masterpiece: A Story of Medieval Spain by Melanie Little (2009, Annick Press; 310 pages) Fifteenth-century Spain is one of the most enlightened cultures on record - one in which Jews, Muslims, and Christians coexist within an atmosphere of respect. But then Queen Isabella enacts policies that put an abrupt end to the peace, and violence, mistrust and an intolerable intolerance shadow everyone as the Spanish Inquisition takes shape. Ramon Benveniste, a 15 year old, will have to hide a family secret in this fear-filled atmosphere. Ramon belongs to a family of conversos: Jews converted to Christianity. One day a young man is delivered to the door. Amir wears the robe and red patch of a Muslim. Soon, both Ramon and Amir are caught up in dramatic events they cannot escape. This is a historical fiction book written in an elegant free verse. The theme resonates deeply inside of me, and the story is memorable. The characters capture perfectly well the turbulence of one of the most politically complex and troubling times in human history. We can learn a lot from this book to analyze events happening in our own times. “The brief narrative poems are small gems of insight and emotion …and resonate with contemporary connections.” — VOYA, 06/08 To read more about the book, click here and here. Find this title in our catalog: The Apprentice's Masterpiece Recommended by: Maite |
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March 2018
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