Lone Star 2018
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
Arturo is looking forward to a relaxing summer until Carmen, a cute, funny girl moves into his apartment complex. While he deals with his stomach turning into a deep fryer over her, a smarmy land developer rolls into town and threatens to change everything. Can thirteen-year-old Arturo save his family restaurant? Can he get the girl? Can he make his Abuela proud?...... or is he in for an EPIC FAIL?
Also try these:
- How to Avoid Extinction by Paul Acampora
- Antsy Does Time by Neal Shusterman
- One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t-Lujv36Wc
Last Days on Mars by Kevin Emerson
Earth is gone, burned to a cinder when the sun began going supernova. The human race has fled to Mars, but it’s only a temporary solution. Liam and Phoebe will be on the last starliner to depart Mars...or so Liam thinks. Before this day is over, they will discover that the human race is just one of many in our universe locked in a dangerous struggle for survival.
*Book 2, The Oceans Between the Stars, comes out on February 13, 2018. *
Also try these:
- Black Hole Sun by David Gill
- The Lost Planet by Rachel Searles
- MiNRS by Kevin Sylvester
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwKbIaIRmBw
The Inquisitor's Tale, or The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz
Three children and their holy dog have somehow made an enemy of the King of France. Each has a supernatural gift that makes some people revere them, while others fear them. No one person knows the whole tale, so many storytellers come together to relate the story of these young travelers and their enemies. There will be bloody battles, hungry quicksand, and magical healings on the way to this adventure’s end.
Also try these:
- Midnight Magic by Avi
- A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
- Far Far Away by Tom McNeal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAVxiJr8aJY
Refugee by Alan Gratz
Josef, a Jewish boy in 1930s Nazi Germany, flees the concentration camp. Isabel, a 1994 Cuban girl, tries to escape riots and unrest. Mahmoud’s homeland is torn apart by war in 2015 Syria. All three kids go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers, from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But there is hope of tomorrow--and shocking connections that tie their stories together in the end.
Also try these:
- Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
- Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai
- Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
https://youtu.be/89sO3y75hF8
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
Doreen Green, a.k.a. Squirrel Girl, isn’t your average superhero. Iron Man and the other Avengers don’t take her seriously, but she has the power of squirrels: she’s super strong and can jump really high. Squirrel Girl will have to put her powers to the test when the MicroManager starts threatening her town. But Micro-Manager better watch out--SG’s here to kick butts and eat nuts...and she’s all out of nuts.
*Book 2, 2 Fuzzy, 2 Furious, comes out on February 6, 2018*
Also try these:
- The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl by Ryan North
- Lumberjanes: Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson
- Supergirl at Super Hero High by Lisa Yee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-ynSJuaXiM
The Van Gogh Deception by Deron Hicks
When a tween is discovered in Washington DC's National Gallery without any memory of who he is, a race begins to unravel the greatest mystery of all: his identity. As the stakes rise, the boy must piece together clues of his origins while trying to stop one of the greatest art frauds ever attempted. Check out the QR codes woven throughout to bring the art straight to your phone.
Also try these:
- Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
- Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
- Framed! by James Ponti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBTnZ8IjdMU
Four-Four-Two by Dean Hughes
Yuki Nakahara is an American. But during World War II many Japanese Americans are forced into internment camps. Yuki doesn’t accept this injustice—it’s his country, and he enlists in the army. Yuki and his friend Shig aren’t prepared for the experiences of the “Four-FourTwo,” a segregated regiment made up of Japanese-American soldiers. Before Yuki can return home, he’ll face prejudices, combat, and friendships deeper than he knew possible.
Also try these:
- Dive!: World War II Stories of Sailors & Submarines in the Pacific by Deborah Hopkinson Soldier Boys by Dean Hughes
- Eyes of the Emperor by Graham Salisbury
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNq0IeaxsuA
Warcross by Marie Lu
Emika Chen didn’t mean to glitch into the opening tournament of Warcross and get exposed to the entire world--she just wanted to hack her way into a valuable power-up. Instead of facing jail, she’s invited into the tournament with the top-secret task of stopping the real threat to the game. But as she’s drawn deeper into the world of Warcross, Emika finds it’s not so easy to know who to trust.
*Book 2: no title and no release date. *
Also try these:
- The Eye of Minds by James Dashner
- Insignia by S.J. Kincaid
- Otherworld by Jason Segal and Kirsten Miller
https://youtu.be/Zj_Q44ruIuA
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
Long before she was the Queen of Hearts in Wonderland, Cath wanted to open a bake shop and fall in love. Her mother has other plans for her to marry the king, but when Cath meets Jest, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the king, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship, desperate to live happily ever after--but in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.
Also try these:
- The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
- The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
- Beastly by Alex Flinn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAgClsBT3ZA
Impyrium by Henry Neff
The Faeregine have ruled Impyrium for over 3,000 years--but their magic and power are fading. Hazel, the youngest and most powerful Faeregrine, is happy just to study magic, but the empress has evil plans for her. Hob has been sent to the city to serve the Faeregines--and to spy on them. One wants to protect. The other wants to destroy...but which is which? When Hazel and Hob form a friendship, they may save the realm--or end it forever.
*Book 2: No title or date.*
Also try these:
- The Demon King by Cinda Chima
- The Hound of Rowan by Henry Neff
- The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x968zYGyWg
Frogkisser! by Garth Nix
What is she to do? Princess Anya has a wicked stepfather who wants to turn the kingdom evil--and anyone in his way is changed into a frog. Anya and her talking dog escape into the dark forest, where she meets witches, wizards and a boy thief (currently enspelled as a talking newt). Can she make the magic lip gloss that will allow her kiss the frogs and turn them back to humans in time to save the kingdom?
Also try these:
- The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
- The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
- Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQjO5pirJLo
Between Two Skies by Joanne O'Sullivan
Bayou Perdu, a tiny fishing town in Louisiana, is sixteen-year-old Evangeline’s home. She has her friends, her beloved Mamere, and two titles in the fishing rodeo. It's a small life, but it is Evangeline's. Then Hurricane Katrina comes, and everything changes. Amid the chaos, pain, and destruction she finds Tru -- a fellow refugee, a bluesman, and a balm for Evangeline's aching heart.
Also try these:
- Finding Someplace by Denise Patrick
- Zane and the Hurricane: A Story of Katrina by W.R. Philbrick
- Ninth Ward by Jewell Rhodes
Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds
Miles Morales’ spidey-sense has been out of whack. He can’t shake the nightmares or the buzz every day in history class amidst his teacher’s suspicious lectures on the historical “benefits” of slavery. Something’s off, but he has no idea what it might be. After being set up and then suspended, Miles wonders if he’s even cut out to be a superhero. As his scholarship is threatened, Miles uncovers an evil in his school--now all he can do is suit up. Also try these:
- Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo
- Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu
- Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl
The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby
In 1798, the Morningstarr twins arrived in New York City with dazzling designs and technology no one had ever seen before. Then...they disappeared. In the present day, much of their technology remains, along with their unsolved Old World Cipher. When a developer starts plans to demolish the Morningstarr buildings, Tess, Theo, and Jaime must follow the clues around the city and solve the unsolvable cipher, their only chance to save their home.
*Book 2, The Clockwork Ghost, will be out on May 29th, 2018.*
Also try these:
- Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
- The Van Gogh Deception by Deron Hicks
- The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfnI9Jvw4oA
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
In a perfect world with no hunger, no disease, no war, and no death, scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control. Cita and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the "art" of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.
*Book 2, Thunderhead, comes out on January 9, 2018.*
Also try these:
- Flawed by Cecelia Ahern
- Nemesis by Brendan Reichs
- Unwind by Neal Shusterman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQcycxxkBZA
Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Julia is short for her age, but by the end of the summer run of The Wizard of Oz, she'll realize how big she is inside. She can’t sing or dance, but when the director of Oz casts her as a Munchkin, she begins to see herself in a new way. Soon, she doesn't want to fade into the background--and it's a good thing, because her director has more big plans for Julia! Also try these:
- How to Stage a Catastrophe by Rebecca Donnelly
- Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle
- Jack & Louisa, Act I by Andrew Keenan-Bolger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1YfXtJRXFk
Well, That Was Awkward by Rachel Vail
One day, Gracie can't breathe, can't walk, can't anything-- and the reason is tall and weirdly good-looking: A.J. But A.J. likes Gracie's best friend Sienna. Obviously Gracie is happy for Sienna...super happy. She helps Sienna compose the best texts, responding to A.J.'s surprisingly funny and appealing texts. Because Gracie is fine. Always! She's had lots of practice being the sidekick, second-best. It's all good. Well, almost all. She's trying.
Also try these:
- Flawless by Lara Chapman
- The Swap by Megan Shull
- Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcWl8rrygW0
Wild Bird by Wendelin Van Draanen
When Wren is “kidnapped” and sent to a wilderness camp to help her deal with her alcohol and drug addiction, she thinks her parents are just trying to get rid of her. In her fury, she struggles through the first days in the Utah desert, but this could be Wren’s last chance. Also try these:
- Mountain Dog by Margarita Engle
- Alabama Moon by Watt Key
- Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson
Scholarship student Jade has worked hard for everything she has, including a spot on a school trip to Costa Rica. Instead, she’s invited to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for “at-risk” girls. Except really, it’s for black girls. From “bad” neighborhoods. Jade doesn’t think she needs the kind of support her mentors want to provide. Can she get these successful women--and her school’s faculty--to see her for who she really is?
Also try these:
- The Laura Line by Crystal Allen
- All American Boys by Jason Reynolds
- This Side of Home by Renee Watson
Beanstalker and Other Hilariously Scarytales by Kiersten White
Do you think you know all there is to know about fairy tales? Think again! First of all, there's only one step-mother, and you should probably check your sources before you start calling her wicked. Little Red Riding Hood gets way more than she bargained for when she strayed from the path. Cinderella is named for cinders, all right. And "The Princess and the...Pea?" gives a whole new meaning to poor accommodations.
Also try these:
- Coraline by Neil Gaiman
- A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
- Attack of the Vampire Weenies and Other Warped and Creepy Tales by David Lubar