In a future dystopian world, the totalitarian country of Ludania is ruled by a ruthless, violent queen who is near death. She has no female heir, no other daughter to murder, no young body to inhabit. And a rebellion is stirring, despite the strict caste system dividing the classes by language. To speak or exhibit understanding of a language outside of one's class is illegal, punishable by death. Seventeen-year old Charlaina has this ability; she can understand all languages. To her, this is a curse. But to the rebellion, this is a gift, a means to freedom and the end of the monarchy. Charlaina is caught between what is right and what is safe. Once she meets Max, her choices become more dangerous. He knows her secret.

Reviewed by Kim W., University City Regional

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I really loved this book. I am not normally a fan of dystopian fiction, but this was awesome. The Pledge is not what you expect in a really good way. I eagerly look forward to the sequel.
-Jessica, Charlotte, NC

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Gretchen spends her nights alone fighting monsters now that her mentor has disappeared. Grace desperately wants to fit in at her new school, but her first day is a nightmare. Greer`s charmed life is almost perfect. Unfortunately, her very rich parents are always too busy for her. Once the three girls meet, their lives change drastically. Descendants of Medusa, they are actually triplets who must fulfill their destiny and protect the world from monsters. But someone is after them. Who could want them dead? Grace, Gretchen and Greer are all very unique individuals who must learn to become sisters while also saving the world! Childs’ action-packed paranormal romance is filled with surprises and a cool twist on the Medusa story too. A must-read!

Reviewed by Carrie M., Myers Park Branch

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`We hid the princess away...And we replaced her with another baby, a false princess. You.` With these words, Princess Nalia`s world implodes on her seventeenth birthday. Now known as Sinda, the former princess believes she has lost everything--but has she really? No longer spellbound, her innate magical ability develops and the possibility of true love emerges. Born a commoner, raised a princess, Sinda must find a way to reconcile her upbringing with her new life. Searching for a new place to belong turns into a dangerous quest when she uncovers a conspiracy stretching back decades. Will Sinda be able to save her kingdom?

Reviewed by Chelsea G., Morrison Regional

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Kat is not in the family business but not truly out of it either. She is still a thief, but now she has a higher purpose. She is returning items to their rightful owners. When she is approached by an elderly woman with a sob story about the infamous Cleopatra Emerald, it could be deadly. For this job, she will need her crew or at least some of them. There are only 2 problems. The first one is that family members have been forbidden to steal the Emerald. The second one is that the jewel is cursed. Tragedy has befallen everyone who has ever touched the Emerald. Can they pull it off and get the Emerald to its rightful owner, or will they be caught?

Reviewed by Linda K., North County Regional

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Anna Oliphant, a high school senior from Atlanta, has a potential boyfriend, a best friend, and a job at a movie theater. Her father is sending her to the School of America in Paris for her senior year. She speaks no French and feels abandoned. Anna shares her life as if she is confiding in you. You learn about her friends at her new school, her emails from home, and her movie review blog. Etienne St. Clair, a senior, shows her Paris and its movie theaters. When she goes home on break, she sees her family and friends have moved on. Etienne and Anna become best friends, but will it be more? Join Anna and her friends on their journey. It is worth the trip.

Reviewed by Megan M., Main Library

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Anderson successfully takes the reader inside the mind of seventeen year old Tyler as he struggles with an overbearing father and consequences for his recent actions. Much like her main character Melanie, in her 1999 novel Speak, Tyler is an average kid with normal problems at home and school until one particular event causes all aspects of his life to change. First person perspective allows the reader access to Tyler`s thoughts, feelings and emotions as he deals with bullying, false accusations, and family dysfunction. Although the journey is rough, Tyler comes through emotionally and physically stronger with repaired relationships.

Reviewed by Janet G., Independence Regional

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Atlanta`s identical twins Sydney and Lauren couldn’t be more opposite. Lauren, the fashionista of the two is all about the material things in life and is often referred to as her mother’s mini. Sydney is the more down to earth twin who is ambitious and wants to make something out of herself. The differences between them are what cause most of the drama in this book. Lauren is taken aback when she meets a guy whom she thinks is completely beneath her and falls head over hills for him. Meanwhile Sydney is trying to salvage her relationship with her black Ken. Caught completely off guard by the real identity of their stepfather, who is no different than their hardcore thug father, they are forced to look at life in an entirely new light.

Reviewed by Candy H., Beatties Ford Road Branch

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In this sequel to Airheads, Emerson is settling into supermodel Nikki Howard’s life, sort of. Because of her work schedule, she misses lots of classes. She hates posing for the pictures everyone wants to take, but she needs to keep up the charade to keep her family safe. The amnesia story is believable enough for most of Nikki’s friends, until Nikki’s brother arrives at her door and tells her that their mother is missing. The problem is Nikki’s brother does not believe she is Nikki, or the amnesia story, so now he thinks his sister is missing as well. Emerson feels like she has to help him; he is her family, kind of. How can Emerson help without angering her all-powerful employer, and her real family?

Reviewed by Linda K., North County Regional

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Lizzie, Hudson and Carina have been friends since they were little. They have one major thing in common, they all have famous parents. Lizzie Summers is tired of her supermodel mother, Katia, making her stand for pictures. Doesn’t her mother know that she isn’t pretty and the photographers don’t want her picture? That is until a couple of journalists ask her what it feels like to have the hottest mom in the world. She forgets the rules for a moment and tells them what is really on her mind. Oops! When the video they took goes viral, things change. Lizzie is approached by a photographer who thinks she is the new face of pretty. Can Lizzie’s friends help her navigate the often dangerous media world?

Reviewed by Linda K., North County Regional

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Monica McKayhan is one of my favorite young adult authors. In the new series Premiere High based in New York, Marisol is the memorable main character who has to balance a jealous bff, a dramatic teenage love and two very involved parents. Her father, Papa, stands behind her and urges her to follow her dreams of becoming a famous hip-hop dancer, but her mother, Mama, is a little more reluctant and wants her to follow traditional dance styles. Marisol decides to follow her own path, and from there her life takes a variety of twists and turns learning along the way that she can still accomplish her dreams, but it will take time and dedication as well as hard work and perseverance.

Reviewed by Candy H., Beatties Ford Road Branch

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