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I know angst is cool and all, but boy, I really love me a happy ending. I love when the kooky, wonderful heroine gets the nice, groovy boy. I love when mean kids get their comeuppance. I love a little bit of magical realism and a gay best friend. I love... oh heck. I loved this book.

Cat Girl's Day Out is a new novel by Kimberly Pauley, author of Sucks to Be Me, and Still Sucks to Be Me.


To read my full review, click here.

Eleven year old Moses Thomas lives a decent life in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1898 with his parents and his slightly crazy grandmother, Boo Nanny.  He's looking forward to a summer spent fishing, crabbing and sharing secrets with his best friend, Tommy and even though he's felt the sting of racism in the past, what's about to take place in his town is the stuff of nightmares.  

Crow tells the story of the events leading up to the often ignored Wilmington Massacre that left a community devastated and set our country back decades.

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In this final chapter of the Galahad series, the epic journey of 251 teenagers sent into space to save mankind comes to it's end.  They don't go gently into that dark wormhole though, especially now that Council leader Triana has returned from her mysterious trip and brought something or someone back with her.  Life aboard the Galahad is once again thrust into chaos as the crew is faced with new challenges and a decision that could alter the course of their entire mission.

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All games in life require strategy and involve some sort of risk.  Each player must make their next move based on the information at hand but what if they don't have all the pieces to the puzzle?  Who do you trust?  Well, then it becomes a game of chance.

For Alex, Glenn and Thomas, what began as an afternoon of relaxation, including a childish game of Rock, Paper, Scissors ends in death and sets in motion a real life game of Truth or Dare.

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Everyone knows the story The Wizard of Oz.  But what if Toto told his part of the story?  In Toto's Tale, Dorothy's faithful little terrier does just that.  Follow Toto as he stands up to flying monkeys, battles a wicked witch, and uses his wits to help Dorothy get back to Kansas. 

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Who wouldn't love to know what the future might hold?  Erin Channing is someone who doesn't really believe in things that can't be explained by reason.  When her favorite Aunt Kiki(aka Aunt Kooky) dies, she leaves Erin a pink crystal ball with a set of weird instructions.  Erin and her best friends decide to try it out.  What happens next is sure to keep you wanting to read more.  The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball is one of those books that's a fun change from the current darker paranormal out there now.

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Callie Smith has lived in twelve different places in the last eight years.  She's learned it's best not to get close to anyone as she'll probably just pack up again.  One thing that helps her is her song journal where she writes down songs that reflect her life.  At her latest stop she finds herself in Andreas Bay, California.  Also friends start to creep into her life including a cute boy with a secret.  Callie is used to secrets.  Her own mother has kept an important one from her.  All Callie wants is to settle down and find love.  Songs For A Teenage Nomad  is a lyric tale of relationships and  finding yourself.

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What is worse than having a friend decide to move on?  Add to that a former friend that decides to make your life miserable?  Madison is fed up with the attics of her former BF Cassidy.  Then she visits Combing Attractions and decides to follow the advice, given to someone else, of writing the names down of her former friends and burning them.  What happens next puts a whole different twist on be careful what you wish for.  Meanicures is a light fun read.

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Teen psychic sleuth Daisy Giordano is back on a case.  This time it involves a string of mysterious letters that seem to be blackmailing those who have paranormal abilities.  Daisy is determined to find out who's behind this.  But her overprotective father is watching her every move and doesn't approve of her relationship with her boyfriend, Ryan.  Add to that a new guidance counselor who is determined to also separate Daisy and Ryan.  Plus, a sinister celebrity chef Circe Sivertongue who has secrets of her own.  Dead is Just a Rumor continues Daisy Giordano's adventures with a sassy, upbeat heroine that is sure to make you smile.

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On a cold day in 1874, Jack is born with a frozen heart.  His mother leaves him with Dr. Madeleine--the town's midwife, doctor, and protector of orphans.  She saves Jack by putting a cuckoo-clock heart in his tiny body.  Later, when he's older, she warns him never to fall in love or be angry.  But at age ten he sees Miss Acacia, a street performer, and falls in love.  He ignores Dr. Madeleine's warnings and begs to attend the local school in hopes of meeting Miss Acacia.  Instead he encounters the school bully.  He ends up leaving Edinburg searching for Miss Acacia.  His journey takes him to Paris and then Andalusia.  The Boy With The Cuckoo-Clock Heart is a bittersweet love story told with an unique twist.

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Seventeen-year-old Stacy Black hates her life. She also suffers from depression. One day, after she walks into a window, she decides she needs some help so she admits herself into a mental hospital. What happens next is told with blunt honesty. How I Made It To Eighteen is at times Girl, Interrupted with it's raw and frank descriptions of a girl who 'loses' it but wants to find her way back.

Em Watts is in trouble. Everyone is mad at her. It doesn't help that she's now living in the body of top model Niki Howard. When the real Niki shows up and reveals the truth behind Stark Enterprises, Em turns to Christopher. But will he forgive her for turning away from him? Runaway is the third book in Meg Cabot's Airhead series. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Violet finds murdered bodies by the echoes they leave. If that's not big enough to deal with, then she develops a huge crush on her childhood friend Jay. Just when she's starting to deal with these emotions, a serial killer comes to her small town. The Body Finder combines elements of The Sixth Sense with Twilight, sure to appeal to paranormal fans who are looking for more than the typical haunting tale. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Everyone knows about the series Twilight. I'm a huge fan of Jacob. But do you know about the creator of this mega saga? Stephenie Meyer shares something with me--we're both alumuni of BYU. The Unauthorized Biography of The Creator of The Twilight Saga shows you who Meyer is, what was the basis of her Twilight series, and also gives readers a glimpse of her strong Mormon faith. This nonfiction book will appeal to those who love the Twilight series and those who want to know a little more about the woman behind this mega hit.

The year is 1966. Dean Kohler dreams of making it big with his rock band. Then he gets his draft notice around the same time he receives a national record deal. Dean ships out and finds himself in Qui Nhon, Vietnam serving as a military policeman. Though he sees death and horror, he counts himself lucky that he's not fighting in the front lines. Then his captain orders him to form a rock band. For this musician, these words would help him bring some escape from the terrors of the war. Rock'N'Roll Soldier is one of those books that will haunt you with intense images of war. But it will also show you the power of music and camaraderie during a difficult time. Read more of my review at YABC.

Darina is heartbroken over the sudden death of her boyfriend Phoenix. His dead is the fourth in their small community. Then one day Phoenix appears to her. He tells her he needs her help in helping him right the wrong of his death. With him are the other three who also died tragically. Beautiful Dead is one of those addictive tales that keeps you reading until the very end. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Genna wants out of her tough Brooklyn neighborhood where she feels judged by the color of her skin. Then one day she finds herself transported back to 1863 Brooklyn which is even more frightening than the future. Here she's at first mistaken for a slave. She finds that her street smarts are no match in a world where even a mistaken look can land you in jail or even worse--dead. A Wish After Midnight is an engrossing time traveling tale that is sure to generate discussions. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Size 12 is the average size for American women. But you wouldn't know that with what what the fashion magazines tell us or by the celebs who have dramatic surgery just to get to size 4 or less. Now there's finally a book with a character who isn't obsessed with her weight and is humorous as well. Vintage Veronica is about fifteen year old Veronica who loves working in a consigment store and finds gems among the discards. Along the way she learns who her true friends are in this gem of a story. Read more of my review at YA Books Central

Sonia Rodiguez wants to be the first in her family to graduate from high school and then go on to college. Her father supports her dreams while others in her familia feel she's full of herself and is going against her Mexican culture. The Secret Story of Sonia Rodriguez gives readers a strong character who fights against the odds of achieving her dreams. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Here's another winning Egmont book! Can you tell I love their books? It's been thirty years since the Elisha plague has wiped out 97% of the male population. Now women are in positions of leadership and power. Kellan is one of the few males in this world. He feels isolated and misses his outcast father. Then rumors circulate that Elisha might reappear. Kellan sets out to find his father to warn him but along the way he stumbles on something even worse. Epitaph Road is one of those stories that keeps you on the edge of your seat, while you follow Kellan on the path to finding his father and the truths he discovers in his so-called perfect society. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Just when Camelia starts to get close to Ben, he decides to leave town. He also leaves more questions than answers about his past. Many in town think he's responsible for his former girlfriend's death. Though Camelia doubts the rumors, he still leaves.

Then one day he comes back. Camelia tries to get close to him, but he pushes her away. Adam, a new guy at her after school job starts to show interest in Camelia, who decides maybe it's time to forget Ben. But Ben seems to refuse to let her go. Also Camelia starts getting threatening letters, warning her she might be the next victim. Deadly Little Lies continues the Ben and Camelia saga where lies could be deadly to all those involved. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

When Thomas wakes he finds himself in a strange lift and an even stranger world that for some odd reason feels familar. Once in the Glade, he finds other boys, who don't remember where they came from either. Huge stone walls enclose them at night, where a deadly creature stalks those who don't get back in time. Everything has been the same for the past two or so years. That is until Thomas appears. The Maze Runner is sure to appeal to fans of The Hunger Game with characters and an unique setting that keep you reading. Will Thomas solve the mystery of the maze? Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Billi's life consists of battling ghuls and fallen angels. She's the youngest and only female member of the Knights Templar. Her life has been much been cloistered until an old friend pops back into her life. Add to that a cute new guy who seems to total understand her. Devil's Kiss is an action packed fantasy that takes the reader on a fast paced adventure where not is all that it seems. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.