Witch! Dru and Gabe would not have known how this word would touch their lives when their mothers died, leaving them to be passed from family to family. Eventually, the two are sent to live in different households. At first, Dru feels a real sense of belonging with the Putnams. But young Ann’s desperation to please her mother, along with Mistress Putnam’s desire to bring justice to those she feels wronged her, leads the family down a path that can only bring destruction. Dru joins in the hysteria – at first because of her devotion to the Putnams, and later to protect Gabe, her true love. Anna Myers takes a horrifying page from our nation’s history and adds fictional characters to create a compelling story.

Reviewed by Christine B., South County Regional

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Samara Taylor knows that everyone expects her life to be picture perfect—she is the pastor’s daughter, after all. During one particularly scorching August, Sam’s mother gets a DUI and enters rehab, leaving Sam alone with her father who seems to have the right words to comfort everyone but her. Then the sudden disappearance of a 13-year-old member of Sam’s church youth group seems unreal. As the search for Jody extends from hours into days, Sam questions not only her belief in God but also her faith in her father, her mother, and the people she thought she could trust in her community. Sam isn’t expecting a miracle, but she certainly would welcome one.

Reviewed by Amy W., ImaginOn

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Doesn’t everyone need a guardian angel? The only difference for Hunter is that he knows that he has seen Gabriel in a vision when he was in the orphanage. Since then, he has been through several foster homes and had almost forgotten. When his latest foster father dies unexpectedly, Hunter no longer has protection from his foster mom who never wanted a boy child in her home. He has had to use some of the excuses he had written down just in case. He finds that he has the need for prayer. Imagine his surprise when his paryers start coming true. Is this guardian really too good to be true or is this the beginning of a great thing? What would you do in his place?

Reviewed by Linda K., North County Regional

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Nina, 15, writes books about Zadia Bloodstone, heroic crime-fighting vampire. Nina, herself, has been a vampire since 1973 and isn't writing from experience because real vampires are a sickly bunch that wouldn't stand a chance against anyone. Hence, the Reformed Vampire Support Group. When one of the creepier members, Casimir, doesn't answer their calls they look for him, but find only a pile of ash and a sharpened stake. The group blames Nina; her fearless fictional character has no doubt scared someone into hunting and killing all vampires. Nina and Dave, the only one of the group who can drive, set off to find Casimir's murderer. The Reformed Vampire Support Group is a delightfully satirical look at vampires and the risks of coming-of-age.

Reviewed by Vera B., North County Regional

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Jenna has just turned 16 and gotten her drivers license. Her life should be full of excitement and hope for the future. Instead she has to deal with her low grades and an alcoholic father. She does have a job selling shoes after school, which is something she is really good at. She would rather see someone in a pair of quality shoes than the shabby things sold at bargain chain stores. When Mrs. Gladstone, the owner of the store asks Jenna to drive her across the country to visit her other stores will she get more than she bargained for? Along the way Jenna learns some old truths and meets new and old friends. Will this help Jenna in other parts of her life?

Reviewed by Linda K., North County Regional

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How do you tell your best friend that you were, and maybe still are, in love with your other best friend who just happens to be that friend’s older brother? And can you really die of a broken heart? These questions torment Anna when she should be having the best summer ever. Anna and girlfriend Frankie are vacationing in Zanzibar Bay, California--3000 miles from last year’s freak accident that took Matt from them. Even though Anna tries to forget Matt, her first love, by agreeing to play ‘twenty boy summer,’ she just can’t let go. Then she meets Sam. Can Anna move past her feelings of guilt and loss? Ockler’s sensitive and lyrical storytelling, like constant moving ocean waves, reminds us that life and love move on eventually.

Reviewed by Kim W., University City Regional

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Jenna Fox doesn’t remember her life before the accident. She has to refer to a dictionary frequently to understand what people say to her, and she thinks of her friends and family with a cold detachment. Her father tells her that things will go back to normal in time, but Jenna is not sure she will ever feel like herself, whoever that was. As time passes and Jenna learns more about her past, she comes to understand that something is very wrong with what her parents have told her. Both gripping and thought provoking, this story will make you question your own ideas about identity, which can be far more complex than you may imagine.

Reviewed by Meri H., University City Regional

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After Lia Kahn is in a horrible car accident, the only way doctors can save her is to put her brain into the body of a robot. She looks very much like a human but she’ll never age, never die and never feel pain again. At first, her family (except for her sister Zo) is relieved that she’s still able to exist in some way but quickly those feelings change. Gradually, she loses all her friends and even her boyfriend betrays her. She is all alone and has no reason to live, but how can she kill herself? Will Lia eventually find happiness in her new forced life as a robot? What drastic measures can she take to find a way to fit in?

Reviewed by Julie S., South County Regional

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In his last summer before starting college, Dade Hamilton finally starts figuring out how to be himself. He makes new friends, shaves his head, breaks up with his volatile ex-boyfriend, and falls in love with a charming outsider named Alex. But as Dade`s parents` marriage begins to collapse, Dade also begins to understand the sadness of those around him. This pervasive sadness is mercifully balanced by the gentle optimism of the romance between Dade and Alex, and Burd’s wistful, quietly evocative language perfectly captures those moments when the repression of suburban adolescence begins to give way, and the potential for escape finally becomes reality. This moving coming-of-age story will remind readers that there is possibility in the most ordinary places. Highly recommended for older teens.

Reviewed by Rebecca P., Matthews Branch

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Oh, to be a vampire - beautiful, talented, smart, with everything you could ever want and no down sides, right? Wrong. In Revelations, the third Blue Bloods novel, there have been more attacks by the silver bloods and Schuyler has been accused of being one of them because of her mixed blood. She also has to deal with the Forces and Mimi’s increasingly cruel pranks. The one thing Schuyler has to look forward to are her secret meetings with a forbidden someone. Bliss is also dealing with some strange and slightly sinister changes. And did I mention that a large group from the committee takes an urgent and rather secretive trip to Rio de Janeiro, where everything goes down? This is an amazing installment in an awesome series.

Reviewed by Elizabeth, Charlotte, NC

This book review was submitted on-line by a Reader's Club patron.

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