I’m currently shuttling between (among?) Anna Karenina, William Langewiesche’s The Outlaw Sea, and Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl (on audio). They’re all great and each a relief from the others. Gone Girl is driving me slightly crazy because it involves a fictional children’s book series that was allegedly wildly popular, but descriptions of and quotes from the “Amazing Amy” series make it sound like it would have been out of touch forty years ago, much less today. Maybe this will be explained in the end, because Flynn is an awfully cunning writer and otherwise sharply observant. What are YOU reading?

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Roger Sutton
Editor in Chief

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Under-the-sea reading for kids
In the Sea written by David Elliott, illus. by Holly Meade, Candlewick, 3–6 years.
Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems written by Kate Coombs, illus. by Meilo So, Chronicle, 5–8 years.
Dolphin Baby! written by Nicola Davies, illus. by Grita Grandstom, Candlewick, 5–8 years.
Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire A. Nivola, Foster/Farrar, 5–8 years.

Summer fun for little ones
Traction Man and the Beach Odyssey by Mini Grey, Knopf, 3–6 years.
Summer Days and Nights by Wong Herbert Yee, Ottaviano/Holt, 3–6 years.
The Best Bike Ride Ever by James Proimos, illus. by Johanna Wright, Dial, 4–7 years.
The Shark King [TOON Books] by R. Kikuo Johnson, Toon/Candlewick, 5–8 years.

Great escapes (some quite literal!) for middle-grade summer reading
Tracing Stars by Erin E. Moulton, Philomel, 8–11 years.
Summer in the City written by Marie-Louise Gay and David Homel, illus. by Marie-Louise Gay, Groundwood, 8–11 years.
Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker, Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 8–11 years.
Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage , Dial, 8–11 years.

Beach reads for teens
37 Things I Love (in no particular order) by Kekla Magoon, Holt, 14 years and up.
The Story of Us by Deb Caletti, Simon Pulse, 14 years and up.
Jersey Angel by Beth Ann Bauman, Lamb/Random, 14 years and up.
Seize the Storm by Michael Cadnum, Farrar, 14 years and up.

These titles were featured in the July 2012 issue of Notes from the Horn Book.

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Kekla Magoon’s 37 Things I Love (in no particular order) takes place during the last few days of sophomore year before summer vacation begins for Ellis. Along with typical high school issues—friends, dating, etc.—Ellis faces a more serious challenge: her father has been in a coma for years, and Mom wants to end life-support. What elevates this book above Afterschool Special is Ellis’s way with words as she describes juggling familiar teen concerns with life-and-death decisions. (14 years and up)

In Deb Caletti’s The Story of Us, Cricket’s future with longtime boyfriend Janssen is uncertain. Meanwhile, her mom is getting married, and college looms. Interspersed with a memorable week at a beach house are Cricket’s letters to Janssen in which she recalls the trajectory of their relationship. Authentically imperfect characters, clever dialogue, and observations that ring true will draw readers in. (14 years and up)

Angel, the star of Beth Ann Bauman’s Jersey Angel, is a confident, sexually experienced teen. She knows that her secret summer fling with her best friend’s boyfriend could inflict damage, but she rationalizes that she’s a good person and good people should be allowed to “fall” sometimes. This steamy beach book goes a level deeper as the characters find themselves faced with difficult choices. Angel isn’t sure whether she says or does the right thing—but she admirably tries her best. (14 years and up)

Michael Cadnum’s Seize the Storm chronicles seventeen-year-old Susannah and her family’s yacht voyage to Hawaii during which they sail into a deadly confrontation with professional criminals. Cadnum meticulously describes each character’s personality and motives, embedding them in an expertly constructed web of intrigue. Straightforward, elegant prose helps place the dramatic events into a grander scheme in which fortune, greed, fate, and death thrillingly play out. (14 years and up)

From the July 2012 issue of Notes from the Horn Book. For bibliographic information please click here.

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In Erin E. Moulton’s Tracing Stars, what begins as a typical last day of school for fifth-grader Indie Lee Chickory ends with a high-speed chase through her sleepy coastal town and the disappearance into the sea of her best friend (and pet), a rare golden lobster named The Lobster Monty Cola. Indie enlists the help of oddball new kid Owen, and the two hatch a plan to trap Monty. Moulton’s sensitivity to her characters’ emotions extends this quiet tale’s mood and setting. (8–11 years)

Sixth grade is almost over, and Charlie’s parents haven’t revealed the family’s summer plans yet. What great adventure is in store? Money is tight this year, so in Marie-Louise Gay and David Homel’s Summer in the City (the sequel to Travels with My Family and On the Road Again!), Charlie and his little brother Max will have a “stay-cation” in their hometown of Montreal. The summer begins relatively tamely—walking dogs, camping out in the backyard—but it quickly and humorously escalates. Energy and enthusiasm abound, and Gay’s black-and-white illustrations add visual appeal. (8–11 years)

Sara Pennypacker, acclaimed for her Clementine novels for younger readers, moves into middle-grade territory with Summer of the Gypsy Moths. Stella is living temporarily with her great-aunt Louise on Cape Cod (her mother has taken off—again); so is foster kid Angel. When Louise dies suddenly, the authorities-averse girls decide to hide the death—which means tons of subterfuge. The girls keep it up long enough to figure out what constitutes a home, and a family. Stella and Angel can be both irritating and endearing, and readers will cheer them on to the satisfying ending. (8–11 years)

In Three Times Lucky, Sheila Turnage places her unconventional characters—the inhabitants of Tupelo Landing, North Carolina—within a strong, well-plotted summertime story. Mo LoBeau, twelve, washed up during a hurricane when she was just a baby and was informally adopted by the Colonel and Miss Lana; now the three happily run the town’s popular café. Then a stranger comes to town, investigating a murder, and the book becomes a dandy mystery. Humor sweetens the mix; Mo’s colloquial narration will pull readers in, and the sustained tension will keep them engrossed. (8–11 years)

From the July 2012 issue of Notes from the Horn Book. For bibliographic information please click here.

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The action-figure hero of Traction Man Is Here!, along with his sidekick Scrubbing Brush, hits the beach in Mini Grey’s Traction Man and the Beach Odyssey. Traction Man’s valiant security patrol of the family picnic comes to an abrupt end when a wave whisks the pair away, landing them in the clutches of another young beachgoer. Once again, the duo entertainingly inhabits the world-within-a-world of creative play. (3–6 years)

A young girl celebrates summertime in Wong Herbert Yee’s Summer Days and Nights. During her busy day — which includes chasing butterflies, jumping into a pool, and taking an evening walk — she asks questions about the various insects and animals she encounters. Meticulously layered and blended colored-pencil art captures both the warmth of summer sunshine and the coolness of shade beneath trees. (3–6 years)

In James Proimos and Johanna Wright’s The Best Bike Ride Ever, Bonnie O’Boy is so eager to ride her new bike that she takes off before learning how to stop. She rides over mountains and elephants, through downpours and windstorms, up the Statue of Liberty and down the Grand Canyon. Careful observers will realize that this whole thrilling adventure takes place in the safety of Bonnie’s cluttered backyard. Energy springs off the page; it’s no wonder that Bonnie wants to ride off without training wheels…or even training. (4–7 years)

For primary readers, R. Kikuo Johnson’s graphic novel/beginning reader The Shark King retells the legend of an underwater shape shifter married to a mortal woman who bears their son, Nanaue. Nanaue’s aquatic superpowers make living among mortals a struggle, but eventually he discovers where he belongs. In the illustrations, the characters’ rounded black outlines convey strong energy and emotion, while the panels and spreads feature a lush, colorful Hawaiian setting. (5–8 years)

From the July 2012 issue of Notes from the Horn Book. For bibliographic information please click here.

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David Elliott and Holly Meade’s In the Sea combines poetry and art to create memorable portraits of twenty different ocean creatures, including an octopus, golden starfish, moray eel, and blue whale. The tone of Elliott’s very short poems varies nicely, from lightly humorous to evocative and majestic, and Meade’s full-spread woodcut and watercolor illustrations are at once striking and simple. (3–6 years)

The creatures and allure of the sea are captured in Kate Coombs’s twenty-three poems and Meilo So’s splendid illustrations for Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems. Some of Coombs’s poems are comical while others are thoughtful. The ocean itself is the star of So’s beautiful art, whether in translucent underwater greens, intense blue against a dazzling white horizon, or simply as splashes of color and light. (5–8 years)

Dolphin Baby! is a lively story with scientific details about the developmental milestones in the first six months of a dolphin’s life. While Nicola Davies’s main narrative concentrates on one particular dolphin as he matures, smaller text on each spread provides more general information about the species. Brita Granström’s illustrations, set at various depths in the ocean, feature broad brushstrokes of every watery hue. (5–8 years)

Claire A. Nivola’s picture book biography Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle focuses on Earle’s intimate knowledge of the creatures she has spent over half a century observing. Accompanying the informative text are Nivola’s exquisitely detailed watercolor illustrations that are perfect for depicting the natural world. An author’s note explains why we all need to get involved in efforts to curtail the threats of overfishing, climate change, oil spills, and other pollutants. (5–8 years)

From the July 2012 issue of Notes from the Horn Book. For bibliographic information please click here.

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What books are you saving for your poolside lounging this summer? Let us know in the comments!

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Need suggestions for beach reading or books to bring to summer camp? We’ve hand-picked some new favorites, all published within the last year, that are ideal for the season. Download a free PDF version of the list, perfect for sharing with teachers, parents, and of course, kids.

Picture books (Fiction and Nonfiction)

Suggested grade level listed with each entry.

No Dogs Allowed! written by Linda Ashman; illus. by Kristin Sorra (Sterling)
Faced with a restaurant’s “NO DOGS ALLOWED” sign, a boy and his dog sit at a fountain. Soon there’s a crowd of people with pets enjoying the hospitality of a nearby lemonade and ice cream stand. Grade level: K–3. 40 pages.

Z Is for Moose written by Kelly Bingham; illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky (Greenwillow)
In this funny and inventive ABC book, Moose jumps for joy in anticipation of his moment in the spotlight. When we finally get to M, though, it turns out to be for…Mouse, resulting in a major meltdown. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Coral Reefs written and illus. by Jason Chin (Porter/Flash Point/Roaring Brook)  
Alongside a straightforward description of tropical coral ecosystems, fantastical illustrations show a girl enjoying an adventure when the contents of this very book come to life. Grade level: K–3. 40 pages.

Neville written by Norton Juster; illus. by G. Brian Karas (Schwartz & Wade/Random) 
A lonely boy stands outside yelling “Neville!” Soon every kid in the neighborhood is calling for Neville, though no one knows who he is—not even the reader, who finds out on the satisfying last page. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

I Want My Hat Back written and illus. by Jon Klassen (Candlewick)
In this subversive, hilarious tale, a bear has lost his red hat. After he questions his fellow woodland critters to no avail, a sudden recollection leads the bear back to the thief. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot written by Margaret McNamara; illus. by Mark Fearing (Schwartz & Wade/Random)  
A mama alien sends her children to find a planet of their own, warning them to watch out for the Big Bad Robot. Robotic onomatopoeia and a space setting will make this take on a classic tale a read-aloud hit. Grade level: K–3. 40 pages.

Stars written by Mary Lyn Ray; illus. by Marla Frazee (Beach Lane/Simon)  
Beginning and ending with stars in the sky, this quiet narrative muses about star shapes in nature and around the home. Expressive illustrations offer a spot-on portrayal of imaginative play. Grade level: K–3. 40 pages.

The Camping Trip That Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and Our National Parks written by Barb Rosenstock; illus. by Mordicai Gerstein (Dial)
After reading John Muir’s book advocating for forests, the president asked Muir to take him camping. By the time they reached Yosemite, Roosevelt was persuaded to create our national parks system. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

A Stick Is an Excellent Thing: Poems Celebrating Outdoor Play written by Marilyn Singer; illus. by LeUyen Pham (Clarion)
Eighteen poems celebrate outdoor play, featuring different styles of poetry and moving from morning to dusk. The illustrations show a multicultural group of children enjoying the exciting day. Grade level: K–3. 40 pages.

A Good Knight’s Rest written by Shelley Moore Thomas; illus. by Jennifer Plecas (Dutton)
The good knight badly needs a vacation—but since he allows three demanding young dragon friends to come along, he doesn’t get much rest and relaxation. Grade level: Preschool. 32 pages.

Press Here written and illus. by Hervé Tullet (Handprint/Chronicle)
This interactive book invites the reader to press, tilt, blow, and clap to “transform” colored dots from page to page. Satisfying patterns alternate with surprises to keep the activity fresh. Grade level: Preschool. 64 pages.

Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team written by Audrey Vernick; illus. by Steven Salerno (Clarion)
The Acerra family from Long Branch, New Jersey, was the longest-playing all-sibling baseball team in the mid-twentieth-century. This story of a real American family whose bond was the game is vividly brought to life. Grade level: 1–3. 40 pages.

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? written and illus. by Mo Willems (Hyperion)
The Duckling asks politely for a cookie and gets one, setting the Pigeon off on one of his trademark tirades. His rant comes to a screeching halt when the Duckling generously offers him the cookie. Grade level: Preschool. 40 pages.

Secrets of the Garden: Food Chains and the Food Web in Our Backyard written by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld; illus. by Priscilla Lamont (Knopf) 
Alice and her family have a plot of land upon which they grow edible plants, raise chickens, and enjoy their interactions with the variety of living things in their backyard ecosystem. Grade level: K–3. 40 pages.

Early Readers and Younger Fiction

Suggested grade level listed with each entry.

Ivy + Bean: No News Is Good News [Ivy + Bean] written by Annie Barrows; illus. by Sophie Blackall (Chronicle)
Ivy and Bean start a neighborhood newspaper, selling subscriptions to afford the fancy cheese they’ve been coveting. Their attempts to find newsworthy stories have hilarious results. Grade level: 2–4. 127 pages.

Cork & Fuzz: The Swimming Lesson [Viking Easy-to-Read series] written by Dori Chaconas; illus. by Lisa McCue (Viking)
Cork (a muskrat) realizes Fuzz (a possum) has never visited his home—Fuzz can’t swim. After some on-the-ground lessons, the possum falls into the water and, following a moment of panic, swims. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Friends: Snake and Lizard written by Joy Cowley; illus. by Gavin Bishop (Gecko)
Snake and Lizard, roommates and business partners, bicker constantly, but the outcomes are fair, reasonable, and often delightfully ironic. Grade level: 2–4. 126 pages.

Benjamin Bear in “Fuzzy Thinking” written and illus. by Philippe Coudray, trans. by Leigh Stein (Candlewick/TOON)
Twenty-seven single-page cartoon stories for emerging readers featuring Benjamin Bear and friends. The book is original, imaginative, and deep-down funny. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

The Dunderheads Behind Bars by Paul Fleischman; illus. by David Roberts (Candlewick)
When the “Dunderhead” kids sign up to be extras in a movie over summer vacation, they discover their erstwhile teacher Miss Breakbone and her police-chief brother are there, too. Grade level: K–3. 48 pages.

Sadie and Ratz written by Sonya Hartnett, illus. by Ann James (Candlewick)
Sadie and Ratz are the pair of hands that belong to Hannah—and get her into trouble, especially with her little brother. This tale of temper and self-control is an original take on sibling rivalry. Grade level: K–3. 60 pages.

Grin and Bear It written and illus. by Leo Landry (Charlesbridge)
“Bear had a dream…to make his friends laugh.” But poor Bear has stage fright, and his debut flops. A hummingbird named Emmy partners with Bear to save the day. Grade level: K–3. 48 pages.

Invisible Inkling written by Emily Jenkins, illus. by Harry Bliss (Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins)
Fourth-grader Hank Wolowitz’s imaginary friend is an invisible, cranky, almost-extinct “bandapat” named Inkling. Inkling’s attempts to help Hank with a school bully go hilariously wrong. Grade level: 2–4. 156 pages.

Earwig and the Witch written by Diana Wynne Jones; illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky (Greenwillow)
Orphan Earwig, adopted by an unpleasant witch, teams up with the witch’s familiar, a talking cat. Plentiful line illustrations add to the humor. Grade level: 2–4. 120 pages.

I Don’t Believe It, Archie! written by Andrew Norriss, illus. by Hannah Shaw (Fickling/Random)
Ordinary Archie always seems to be in the middle of outrageous happenings (told in seven connected short stories). This British import is an easy read, but also complicated enough to engage mystery fans. Grade level: 2–4. 124 pages.

Hooey Higgins and the Shark written by Steve Voake, illus. by Emma Dodson (Candlewick) In this over-the-top screwball comedy, Hooey and his friend, Twig, try to capture a shark. Their methods involve ketchup, a cricket stick, and a bathtub. Grade level: 2–4. 104 pages.

Intermediate Fiction and Nonfiction

Suggested grade level for each entry: 4–6

Fake Mustache: Or, How Jodie O’Rodeo and Her Wonder Horse (and Some Nerdy Kid) Saved the U.S. Presidential Election from a Mad Genius Criminal Mastermind written by Tom Angleberger; illus. by Jen Wang (Amulet/Abrams)  
Lenny knows his friend Casper is behind a spree of bank robberies—the robber was wearing Casper’s (fake) handlebar mustache. As Casper’s criminal ambitions grow, the slapstick and jokes amp up accordingly. 201 pages.

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by by Jeanne Birdsall (Knopf)
In their third book, the Penderwick sisters—Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty—face their first-ever summer separation. Easing the sting is the company of friend Jeffrey. 296 pages.

Citizen Scientists: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery from Your Own Backyard by Loree Griffin Burns; photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz (Holt)
Four remarkable scientific projects enlist regular people in data collection to better understand ecological issues. Detailed accounts of the projects are followed by ways to get involved. 80 pages.

Remarkable by Lizzie K. Foley (Dial)
Everyone in the town of Remarkable is brilliant and talented, except for Jane. Ingeniously naughty twins get themselves kicked out of the School for the Remarkably Gifted and join Jane at the public school. 329 pages.

Summer in the City written by Marie-Louise Gay and David Homel; illus. by Marie-Louise Gay (Groundwood)
Instead of taking a summer trip, brothers Charlie and Max must make their own fun at home in Montreal. Each chapter relates adventures that inevitably turn into misadventures. 151 pages.

The Midnight Zoo written by Sonya Hartnett; illus. by Andrea Offermann (Candlewick)
Three Romany siblings are overlooked when German soldiers round up the rest of their community. The children end up in an abandoned zoo still inhabited by ten animals—who begin to talk. 217 pages.

With a Name like Love by Tess Hilmo (Ferguson/Farrar) 
Thirteen-year-old Ollie, daughter of a traveling preacher, befriends Jimmy. He needs her help: his mother has confessed to murdering her abusive husband, but Jimmy claims she’s innocent. 250 pages.

Mr. and Mrs. Bunny—Detectives Extraordinaire! written by Polly Horvath; illus. by Sophie Blackall (Schwartz & Wade/Random)
Madeline’s parents have been kidnapped. Capable Madeline engages the services of a couple of (rabbit) detectives—leading to an absurd and breakneck bunny noir plot. 248 pages.

The Fairy Ring: or, Elsie and Frances Fool the World by Mary Losure (Candlewick)
In WWI England, two young cousins produced photographs many believed proved the existence of fairies. Primary sources and the photographs themselves enhance this narrative of a famous hoax. 180 pages.

The Cabinet of Earths by Anne Nesbet (Harper/HarperCollins)
In Paris with her family for a year, Maya meets an elderly relative who is keeper of the mysterious Cabinet of Earths. Maya finds herself in a life-or-death struggle when she becomes the next Keeper. 260 pages.

Secrets at Sea written by Richard Peck; illus. by Kelly Murphy (Dial)
The rodent world meets Upstairs, Downstairs in this comedy of manners. When the (human) Cranston family decides to take an ocean voyage to Europe, their (mouse) neighbors tag along. 241 pages.

Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker (Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins)
Stella is stuck with Great Aunt Louise on Cape Cod, where she works tending vacation cottages. When Louise dies suddenly, Stella and new friend Angel cover it up, taking over management of the cottages. 273 pages.

Sidekicks written and illus. by Dan Santat (Levine/Scholastic)
In this graphic novel, superhero Captain Amazing holds auditions for a new sidekick; his pets hope to win the role. Meanwhile, Captain Amazing’s nemesis has stolen a belt that jeopardizes the entire city. 218 pages.

Far from Shore: Chronicles of an Open Ocean Voyage written and illus. by Sophie Webb (Houghton)
This journal combines scientific information, field-guide-like illustrations, and a detailed account of experiences onboard a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship studying dolphin populations. 80 pages.

First Girl Scout: The Life of Juliette Gordon Low by Ginger Wadsworth (Clarion)
In 1912, Low founded the Girl Scouts—a pioneering organization designed to help empower girls of all races and ethnicities. Information is provided about the organization and its continued success after Low’s death. 209 pages.

Nerd Camp by Elissa Brent Weissman (Atheneum)
Ten-year-old Gabe is excited to go to the Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment (a.k.a. “Nerd Camp”) but he worries what his new, cool stepbrother Zack will think. 261 pages.

Middle School Fiction and Nonfiction

Suggested grade level for each entry: 6–8

City of Orphans by Avi (Jackson/Atheneum)
In 1893 New York, thirteen-year-old newsie Maks must find a way to free his wrongly imprisoned sister. A detective, a lawyer, and orphan Willa help him uncover the truth in this fast-paced mystery. 355 pages.

Superman Versus the Ku Klux Klan: The True Story of How the Iconic Superhero Battled the Men of Hate by Rick Bowers (National Geographic)
In 1946, the producers of the Superman radio show deployed their character’s popularity in a campaign against bigotry. Bower traces the creation and history of the superhero as well as the rise, fall, and resurgence of the K.K.K. 160 pages.

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos (Farrar)
In 1962, Jack’s summer job typing obituaries keeps him busy as the elderly citizens of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, drop like flies. Gothic comedy meets richly layered semi-autobiographical tale. 341 pages.

The Obsidian Blade [Klaatu Diskos series] by Pete Hautman (Candlewick)
Created as an entertainment in a distant future, diskos are windows to points in human history. Tucker enters one of these portals to look for his missing parents, beginning a dangerous journey through the millennia. 311 pages.

Chomp by Carl Hiaasen (Knopf)
Wahoo’s father Mickey is a well-known animal wrangler. He allows the TV show Expedition Survival! to film on the family’s Everglades property, but must come to the rescue of the bumbling star. 294 pages.

Bloodline Rising by Katy Moran (Candlewick)
In this companion novel to Bloodline, master thief Cai is waylaid by his rivals and sold into slavery. Taken from Constantinople to Britain, Cai becomes mired in complex loyalties. 336 pages.

Withering Tights by Louise Rennison (HarperTeen/HarperCollins)  
Fourteen-year-old Brit Tallulah is attending a performing arts summer school. Her madcap adventures, literary musings, and hilariously naïve inner monologues are all highly entertaining. 275 pages.

Goliath [Leviathan Trilogy] written by Scott Westerfeld; illus. by Keith Thompson (Simon Pulse/Simon)  
In this steampunk trilogy ender, airship Leviathan picks up inventor Nikola Tesla. Alek believes reuniting Tesla with his electrical weapon Goliath can stop World War I. 545 pages.

High School Fiction and Nonfiction

Suggested grade level for each entry:  8 and up

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler (Razorbill/Penguin)  
In 1996, something called “Facebook” pops up when Emma loads an AOL disk into her computer. Using Facebook, Emma and friend Josh learn about their lives fifteen years into the future. 359 pages.

Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different by Karen Blumenthal (Feiwel)
A journalistic narrative engagingly relates the life of the Apple co-founder who later went on to leave an indelible mark on three additional fields: movies, music, and cell phones. 312 pages.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray (Scholastic)
Teen beauty pageant contestants crash-land en route to their competition. They use their “can-do” Miss Teen Dream spirit to survive on what they assume is a deserted island (actually home to a government conspiracy). 396 pages.

The Story of Us by Deb Caletti (Simon Pulse)
Anxious seventeen-year-old Cricket spends a memorable week at a beach house (with a plethora of family and soon-to-be family, friends, and dogs) before her mother gets married. 390 pages.

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (Dial)
Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is queen of Monsea. Feeling disconnected from her people, Bitterblue sneaks out to observe city life; a friendship with thieves makes her reevaluate everything she’s been told. 549 pages.

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe (Hyperion)
Kaelyn’s island community is hit by a mysterious virus. While Kae’s microbiologist father frantically works to diagnose the illness, normally shy Kae takes on a leadership role. 311 pages.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Dutton)
Hazel is controlling her stage four cancer; Augustus lost a leg to osteosarcoma but now seems okay. Sexy romance and a meditation on life and death deepen this acerbic comedy. 321 pages.

Why We Broke Up written by Daniel Handler; illus. by Maira Kalman (Little, Brown)  
In addition to her extensive break-up letter, Min is planning to drop on Ed’s doorstep a box of tokens of their relationship. The imagistic stories of each object provide insight into the couple’s flawed love. 355 pages.

The Name of the Star [Shades of London series] by Maureen Johnson (Putnam)
At boarding school in London, American Rory learns of nearby Jack the Ripper copycat murders. She falls in with an undercover group investigating a paranormal explanation. 370 pages.

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour (Dutton)
Colby and Bev had planned to do a summer tour with their band, then take a gap year together in Europe. When Bev reveals she will be attending college in the fall, Colby struggles with feelings of betrayal over the course of their wild road trip. 310 pages.

Legend by Marie Lu (Putnam)
Day is wanted by the totalitarian Republic; June is one of the Republic’s brightest prodigies with her own grudge against him. But when their paths cross, June is attracted to Day’s selflessness and courage. A perfect Hunger Games read-alike. 301 pages.

This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein by Kenneth Oppel (Simon)
When sixteen-year-old Konrad Frankenstein contracts a mysterious illness, his twin Victor searches for a cure through alchemy. Secrecy, deception, and a love triangle complicate the quest. 298 pages.

There Is No Dog by Meg Rosoff (Putnam)
The god assigned to supervise planet Earth is a lazy, self-centered teenage boy named Bob. When Bob falls for mortal Lucy, the situation on Earth goes from bad to worse. 271 pages.

Past Perfect by Leila Sales (Simon Pulse/Simon)
Chelsea works as a living history interpreter at Colonial Essex Village. This summer she traitorously falls for a Civil War interpreter at a rival reenactment park. 306 pages.

I’ll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan (Little, Brown)  
When Sam’s mentally unstable father learns Sam and his brother are becoming close with Emily and her family, he takes off with the boys. After their dramatic car accident in the woods, the story shifts from romance to survival. 392 pages.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (Scholastic)
Puck intends to ride her mare in the annual Scorpio Races—alongside murderous water horses. Sean, a stable hand who understands the water horses better than anyone else on the island, is also desperate to win. 409 pages.

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor (Little, Brown)
Karou lives with part-human, part-animal chimaera in Prague. When she meets a deadly angel in Marrakech, she’s powerfully drawn to him. 422 pages.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (Hyperion)
During World War II, Queenie, a spy captured by the SS, bargains to write what she knows about the British war effort in order to postpone her execution. Her report tells the story of Maddie, the pilot who dropped her over France, then crashed. 337 pages.

The Isle of Blood [The Monstrumologist] by Rick Yancey (Simon)
This third (and darkest) adventure takes monstrumologist Pellinore Warthrop and his apprentice Will Henry to the Socotra, the Isle of Blood. Along the way they dodge spies, befriend literary icons, and test the boundaries of their complex relationship. 538 pages.

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