This particular list features forthcoming titles I would like to read. The majority of the books listed below are young adult fiction and juvenile fiction. If I read and review an advanced copy, I link the title to my review. At the close of every month, I move that month's remaining titles from this list to my backlist of books to read.

November 2009
The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate
Deadly Little Lies by Laurie Faria Stolarz (Sequel to Deadly Little Secrets)
Destiny's Path (Warrior Princess, Book 2) by Frewin Jones
In My Father's Shadow: A Daughter Remembers Orson Welles by Chris Welles Feder
The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger

( Read more... )

Let it be forgotten, as a flower is forgotten,
Forgotten as a fire that once was singing gold.
Let it be forgotten forever and ever-
Time is a kind friend, he will make us old.

If anyone asks, say it was forgotten
Long and long ago-
As a flower, as a fire, as a hushed footfall
In a long forgotten snow.

- Song by Sara Teasdale

View all posts tagged as Poetry Friday at Bildungsroman.

Consult the Poetry Friday roundup schedule at Big A, little a.

Learn more about Poetry Friday.

This time of year, many customers want to get the newest book in popular series for their kids. However, if the latest book in that series was released in the spring or summer, chances are that the kid has already read it and may even own it, if the tween or teen has his or her own pocket change.

Also, I like helping the kids upgrade. I like recommending new authors and series. I like giving them books that will challenge them. I am not saying one should only read classic literature or dire dramas. I like comedies and I often recommend lighthearted tales. I simply want to make sure that the kids are reading things of substance rather than only superficial stories, especially if they are impressionable. It's good to have a balance. I recommmend tales of action, adventure, mystery and fantasy alongside stories which are contemporary, realistic, and dramatic, as well as those which are just plain fun.

Here now are some recommendations for teens based on hot titles and popular series, with the "then" option being a similar title or series which I like better than the "if" option.

If you watch CSI and its spinoffs or knockoffs, then read Body Bags by Christopher Golden, the first of ten murder mysteries involving Jenna Blake, a college freshman who becomes a pathology assistant.

If you read or watch Gossip Girl, then try The Principles of Love by Emily Franklin.

If you like Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld, then try Looking for Alaska by John Green and As Simple as Snow by Gregory Galloway.

If you like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, then try The True Meaning of Cleavage by Mariah Fredericks, which examines the changes two best friends go through during their freshman year of high school, as well as the three In the Cards books by Mariah Fredericks, which revolves around three best friends in middle school.

If you liked the romance in Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, then try Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb.

If you liked the shapeshifting wolves in New Moon by Stephenie Meyer, then try Prowlers by Christopher Golden, the first of four action-packed thrillers.

If you like Cirque du Freak and want something fangtastic for older readers, then try The Gathering Dark by Christopher Golden. By older readers, I mean adults and older teens. These books were published for adults, so they are dark, daring, and definitely not for young kids. Also note that The Gathering Dark is the fourth book in Golden's Shadow Saga. The first book is Of Saints and Shadows.

If you like the Internet Girls (TTYL, etc) books by Lauren Myracle, then try Heart on My Sleeve by Ellen Wittlinger.

If you like All-American Girl by Meg Cabot, then try the Gallagher Girls books by Ally Carter, starting with I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You, and Popular Vote by Micol Ostow.

If you like The Lovely Bones, then try Dead on Town Line by Leslie Connor and A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb.

If you like Perks of Being a Wallflower, then try Losers by Matthue Roth.

If you want additional recommendations, leave a comment below!

Similar booklists: If Then for Middle School and If Then for Elementary School

Want something new, something classic, or something challenging for your middle school students? Here are some recommendations, with the "then" option being a title which I like better than the "if" option.

If you like The Clique by Lisi Harrison, then try The Girls by Amy Goldman Koss.

If you like Eragon by Christopher Paolini, then try The NeverEnding Story by Michael Ende. Then watch the movie The NeverEnding Story. (Note: There have been multiple films and shows made based on TNES. The first film was the best, in my opinion, and the truest to the book.)

If you like Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, then try Poison by Chris Wooding.

If you like Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, then try Call of the Wild by Jack London.

If you like The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud, then try His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman.

If you like Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko, then try Tru Confessions by Janet Tashjian.

If you like The Gospel According to Larry and the other Larry books by Janet Tashjian, then try Nothing But the Truth by Avi.

If you watched the TV show Life with Derek, then read Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush? by Jerry Spinelli.

If you watched the TV show Phil of the Future, then read I Was a Teenage Popsicle by Bev Katz Rosenbaum.

If you want additional recommendations, leave a comment below.

Similar booklists: If Then for Teens and If Then for Elementary School

Becoming an independent reader is a source of pride for kids. Newly voracious readers will want to read anything they can get their hands on, while others might need more help finding their niche. Some readers might cling to easy reads and need help with (or coaxing!) to tackle more challenging books.

As with my other If Then lists, note that the "then" option is a title which I like even more than the "if" option.

If you like Junie B. Jones, then try Judy Moody by Megan McDonald.

If you like Mary Poppins, then try Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald.

If you like Amelia Bedelia, then try The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren.

If you like Pollyanna, then try Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

If you like The Chronicles of Narnia, then try Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

If you like Pendragon, then try OutCast by Christopher Golden and Thomas E. Sniegoski. (Start with Book One: The Un-Magician.)

If you like A Series of Unfortunate Events, then try The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.

If you like Holes by Louis Sachar, then try Hidden Talents by David Lubar.

If you like The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, then try Four Dolls by Rumer Godden and Behind the Attic Wall by Sylvia Cassedy.

If you like The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, then try Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (re-released as The Secret of NIMH) by Robert C. O'Brien.

If you like Ida B. by Katherine Hannigan, then try So B. It by Sarah Weeks and the two Amalee books by Dar Williams.

If you want additional recommendations, leave a comment below.

Similar booklists: If Then for Teens and If Then for Middle School

Searching for novels to use for a similar-stories unit in class? Want to stick to a certain theme and/or get multiple books for kids of various ages in the same household to share? Make your own boxed sets! Here are some ideas, mostly for readers aged 7 through 14.

Classic Staples (all ages)
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll
Call of the Wild by Jack London
White Fang by Jack London

Collected and Myth Taken (all ageS)
Stock up on mythology, legends, fairy tales and plays!
A book of Greek myths
A book of Egyptian myths
A collection of myths from around the world
A collection of Irish fairy tales
Andrew Lang's Fairy Books
Tales of Mother Goose
Grimm's Fairy Tales
Charles Perrault's fairy tales
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Thomas Malory or William Caxton (also suitable: the version by Roger Lancelyn Green, who has additional books of myths and legends)

Fairy Nice (elementary school)
The Fairy Rebel by Lynne Reid Banks
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
In the Realm of the Never Fairies: The Secret World of Pixie Hollow with text by Monique Peterson and illustrations by The Disney Storybook Artists, designed by Elizabeth Ryazantseva and Megan Krempels
The Trouble with Tink by Kiki Thorpe and Judith H. Clarke (the first book in the line of Disney Fairies chapter books)
The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker
The Fairy Realm series by Emily Rodda
For additional titles, consult my Fairy Nice booklist.

Fantastic Adventures (for ages 8 and up)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll
The NeverEnding Story by Michael Ende
OutCast quartet by Christopher Golden and Thomas E. Sniegoski
The Owlboy series by Thomas E. Sniegoski
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DeTerlizzi
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs
The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring by John Bellairs
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
So You Want to be a Wizard by Diane Duane
His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman
I included many of these books (with reviews!) on my Fantasy Novels for Kids and Teens booklist.

Turn of the Century: The Pride of the Pioneers (for ages 8 and up)
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
All-of-a-Kind Family by Sidney Taylor
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

Grand Jetes: For Young Dancers
The Nutcracker and Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman
Noelle of the Nutcracker by Pamela Jean, illustrated by Jan Brett
Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
Dancing Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
The Sisters Impossible by J.D. Landis
Susie and the Ballet Family by Lee Wyndham
Dancing in Red Shoes Will Kill You by Dorian Cirrone
Grab more titles for dancers from the I am a Dancer booklist.

Future Stars: For Aspiring Actors (for middle school and high school)
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen by Dyan Sheldon
In the Cards: Fame by Mariah Fredericks (second in a trilogy)
Dramarama by E. Lockhart
The Rule of Three by Megan McDonald (the sequel to The Sisters Club)
Snag additional books from the But I DO Want to Be Famous! booklist.

Fun Times: Cute Comedies (for ages 8 and up)
* Note that each of these titles, with the exception of Sixth Grade Secrets, is the start of a series!
Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary
Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
Everyone Else's Parents Said Yes by Paula Danziger
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
Sixth Grade Secrets by Louis Sachar

Happy Hauntings: Ghostly Friends (ages 7 and up)
A Doll in the Garden by Mary Downing Hahn
The Ghost in the Third Row by Bruce Coville (first in a trilogy)
The Ghost Wore Gray by Bruce Coville (second in a trilogy)
May Bird and the Ever After by Jodi Lynn Anderson (first in a trilogy)

Mysteries, Murder, and Mischief
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (ages 8 and up)
The Body of Evidence series by Christopher Golden (teens and adults; there are ten books in the series, starting wit Body Bags)
Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene (ages 8 and up; many books; #1: The Secret of the Old Clock)
The Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon (ages 8 and up; many books; #1: The Tower Treasure)

Comic Relief and True Belief (ages 12 and up)
Confessions of a Closet Catholic by Sarah Darer Littman
A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life by Dana Reinhardt
Goy Crazy by Melissa Schorr
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
Never Mind the Goldbergs by Matthue Roth

Secrets on the Homefront: World War II (ages 9 and up)
The Diary of Anne Frank
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Classic Inspiration: Love, Loss, and Jane Austen (ages 12 and up)
Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Dashwood Sisters' Secrets of Love by Rosie Rushton
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Austenland by Shannon Hale (for adults)

Communication is Key: The Lives of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller (all ages)
The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
The Miracle Worker by William Gibson
Miss Spitfire by Sarah Miller
Helen Keller by Margaret Davidson, illustrated by Wendy Watson

Newfound Strength (ages 8 and up)
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Reaching for Sun by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
Hugging the Rock by Susan Taylor Brown
So B. It by Sarah Weeks
Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

Don't Believe the Bullies (ages 10 and up)
The Misfits by James Howe
Freak by Marcella Pixley
Leap of Faith by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (teens)

First Crushes (ages 10 and up)
Shug by Jenny Han
Perfect Girl by Mary Hogan
If This is Love, I'll Take Spaghetti by Ellen Conford

Good Grief: Losing a Loved One (teens)
The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson
The Alison Rules by Catherine Clark
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
The Pursuit of Happiness by Tara Altebrando
Say Goodnight, Gracie by Julie Reece Deaver
For more on this and related topics, check out my Tough Issues for Teens booklist.

Art for the Heart (Especially for Teen Girls)
Same Difference by Siobhan Vivian
A Map of the Known World by Lisa Ann Sandell
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
For additional novels with artistic protagonists, view my Portrait of the Artist as a Young Person booklist.

Comedy and Artistry (comedic illustrated novels - not graphic novels, but truly illustrated novels)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney (elementary school)
Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell (middle school)
Pair it with Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf by Jennifer L. Holm and Elicia Castaldi, with additional art by Matthew Holm (elementary and middle school)
So Punk Rock (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother) by Micol Ostow, with art by David Ostow (teens)

Want more ideas? Need additional suggestions? Feel free to ask!

November 2009: 44 books read

Picture Books
Wag by Patrick McDonnell
Hello My Name is Bob by Linas Alsenas

Juvenile Fiction
Girls Acting Catty by Leslie Margolis (sequel to Boys Are Dogs)
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
The Rule of Three by Megan McDonald (sequel to The Sisters Club)
Cinderella Cleaners #1: Change of a Dress by Maya Gold (coming out in April 2010)
After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick (coming out in February 2010; companion to Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie)

Teen Fiction
Riding The Universe by Gaby Triana
Hold Still by Nina LaCour
Reality Check by Jen Calonita (coming out in June 2010)
Sphinx's Princess by Esther Friesner
Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern
Peace, Love & Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle
The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott (coming out in April 2010)
In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth (coming out in February 2010)

Prince of Stories: The Many Worlds of Neil Gaiman
by Hank Wagner, Christopher Golden, and Stephen R. Bisette

Over the past twenty years, Neil Gaiman has developed into the premier fantasist of his generation, achieving that rarest of combinations - unrivaled critical respect and extraordinary commercial success. From the landmark comic book series The Sandman to novels such as the New York Times bestselling American Gods and Anansi Boys, from children's literature like Coraline to screenplays for such films as Beowulf, Gaiman work has garnered him an enthusiastic and fiercely loyal, global following. To comic book fans, he is Zeus in the pantheon of creative gods, having changed that industry forever. For discerning readers, he bridges the vast gap that traditionally divides lovers of "literary" and "genre" fiction. Gaiman is truly a pop culture phenomenon, an artist with a magic touch whose work has won almost universal acclaim.

Now, for the first time ever, Prince of Stories chronicles the history and impact of the complete works of Neil Gaiman in film, fiction, music, comic books, and beyond. Containing hours of exclusive interviews with Gaiman and conversations with his collaborators, as well as wonderful nuggets of his work such as the beginning of an unpublished novel, a rare comic and never-before-seen essay, this is a treasure trove of all things Gaiman. In addition to providing in depth information and commentary on Gaiman's myriad works, the book also includes rare photographs, book covers, artwork, and related trivia and minutiae, making it both an insightful introduction to his work, and a true "must-have" for his ever growing legion of fans.

"Hard to imagine it being better written. This tribute is a tremendous gift to Neil Gaiman fans . . . Well-written, well organized, and fun to peruse, this book can be enjoyed as a cover-to-cover read or a random browse . . . A book you can get lost in, it will appeal to Gaiman fans of all ages . . . Impressive."
- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

My Review
Prince of Stories is the essential, definitive Neil Gaiman bibliography and biography. This book is truly a must-have for all Neil Gaiman fans. It has information on every single project Gaiman has ever touched: every novel, every short story, every comic, every film, every song, every everything is detailed. And by detailed, I mean detailed. Instead of being mere one- or two-paragraph summaries, the entries are packed with character profiles, plot, and publishing info as well as trivia, quotes, and more.

Everything you ever wanted to know about Gaiman's life and writing is contained in this book. The men who collaborated on Prince of Stories - Hank Wagner, Christopher Golden, and Stephen R. Bisette - are published authors as well, and I recommend their novels and comics, too. Their respect and admiration for Gaiman is apparent throughout Prince of Stories, especially in the section which is an in-depth exclusive interview with Gaiman himself.

Publishing Information
Published by St. Martin's Press

560 pages, including 52 halftones throughout plus one 16-page black & white and one 8-page color photo insert

Hardcover released October 28th, 2008
ISBN-10: 0-312-38765-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-38765-5

Paperback released October 29th, 2009
USBN-10:

Here you go, boys! (and parents, and libraries, and teachers, and booksellers...)

Classics
White Fang by Jack London
Call of the Wild by Jack London
The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Realistic Drama and/or Comedy (alphabetical by author)
Nothing but the Truth by Avi
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (and subsequent books)
13 by Jason Robert Brown and Dan Elish (inspired by the musical 13, also written by Brown and Elish)
The Henry Huggins books by Beverly Cleary
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (sequel: Strider)
The Matthew Martin books by Paula Danziger (start with Everyone Else's Parents Said Yes)
Totally Joe by James Howe (sequel to The Misfits)
Kimchi & Calamari by Rose Kent
Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
- Companion: After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick
Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (HIGHLY recommended)
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
The Trouble with Mark Hopper by Elissa Brent Weissman
The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin

Historical Fiction
The Floating Circus by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan (graphic novel)

Fantasy
The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt by John Bellairs (and subsequent books)
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
The Brimstone Network series by Tom Sniegoski
OutCast series by Christopher Golden and Thomas E. Sniegoski
The Owlboy series by Tom Sniegoski, illustrated by Eric Powell

I'm also going to mention the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by cartoonist Jeff Kinney because it is a big hit with boys, especially those who like comics. I was over the moon when I got a reluctant reader to check the first book out and he couldn't put it down!

Related Booklist: Male Protagonists in Teen Fiction, Middle School Must-Haves

December Duo

This month, we're spotlighting two books at readergirlz: Trickster's Choice and Trickster's Queen by Tamora Pierce.

Alianne, sole daughter of Alanna the Lioness, does not want to become a knight like her mother. She's more like her father, George, "the king of thieves." After a fight with her mother, Alianne attempts to run away but is kidnapped and sent to the Copper Isles to toil as a slave for an exiled royal family. Alone in a foreign land, Aly will need both her father's wit and her mother's courage to navigate a royal court rife with political intrigue and murderous conspiracy.

Aly's adventure continues in Trickster's Queen, when she must keep the potential teenage queen and her younger siblings safe. But Aly, who is usually adept at anticipating danger and changes, is in for a few nasty surprises.

To learn more about the author and her stories, check out the December 2009 issue of readergirlz as well as our roundtable discussion of the Trickster books.

Want to join our book group? Pick up the books at your local library or bookstore, read 'em, and then join our discussions at the readergirlz blog. We'll be talking about the book all month long, and we always welcome new readers to our book group.

Download this month's bookmark.

Download our winter books poster.

Join the readergirlz

readergirlz is an online book group that's open to everyone - the only requirement is a love of reading! Every month, we discuss a different book, ranging from historical fiction to contemporary fiction, from fantasy to comedy to drama to comedy. All of our spotlighted books celebrate gutsy girls, and we hope they inspire readers to become active not only in book groups but also in their communities. Every issue of readergirlz features additional information about the books we're discussing, exclusive author interviews, playlists, outreach programs related to the book of the month, and other recommended reads.

Browse through our archive and discover our previous book club picks.

postergirlz picks
Recommended by postergirlz, the readergirlz advisory council:

Fiction
His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman
Sphinx's Princess by Esther Friesner
The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix
Flora Segunda and Flora's Dare by Ysabeau S. Wilce
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede

Non-Fiction
Teens Cook: How to Cook What You Want to Eat by Meghan & Jill Carle with Judi Carle



rgz LIVE!

Tamora Pierce will be chatting live at the readergirlz blog on Wednesday, December 16th. The chat will begin at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST and last for about an hour.

Author-in-Residence

Our first Author-in-Residence at rgz, Beth Kephart, has spent the fall with us. She's wrapping up her visit with a very cool writing contest. Check it out!

Learn more about Beth Kephart and our author-in-residence position.

Read, Reflect and Reach Out

Since 1961, Amnesty International has made a world-wide effort to stop the abuse of human rights. In their own words, Amnesty International is "a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all. Our supporters are outraged by human rights abuses but inspired by hope for a better world - so we work to improve human rights through campaigning and international solidarity."

Want to start up a chapter of Amnest International at your school? Check out the Student Center at the Amnesty International website, where you may register your AI student group and receive an activist toolkit for your group.

For more information, visit amnesty.org

Recent readergirlz Reads

Last month's featured book: Sweetgrass Basket by Marlene Carvell

Get ready for our upcoming book discussions and featured authors!

January: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

February: Copper Sun by Sharon Draper

March: The Uglies books by Scott Westerfeld

Visit the readergirlz archive.

readergirlz on the web

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Meet the readergirlz divas and the postergirlz advisory council
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