Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

When Quincie Morris’s parents died, they left her their family legacy, the Italian restaurant Fat Lorenzo’s. Since Quincie was only fourteen, her Uncle Davidson was put in charge of caring for her and the restaurant until she turns 21. Unfortunately she’s still only 17 and a senior in high school but she’s been taking a more active role in the restaurant which has been completely remodeled and redesigned. When it reopens, it will be Sanguini’s: A Very Rare Restaurant, the first vampire themed establishment in Austin and it’s hitting headlines even before the Friday the thirteenth grand opening. You see, the chef has been brutally murdered in the kitchen and the new hire, Henry Johnson, has created a menu to die for. Will Sanguini’s be able to tantalize the taste buds of Austin’s culinary critics? Or will it turn out to be more than Quincie bargained for?

Emily's Review: One for Sorrow by Christopher Barzak

I was at first hesitant to pick this up, perhaps because I had heard it compared to The Lovely Bones. I enjoyed said book but found it toothachey, in spots, so when i read the summary for Barzak's first novel, I decided it was a no-go. Then I found the first chapter online, printed as a short story of a different title--and decided I had to find it immediately.
After that, I waited months.
I am lazy aobut buying books. But now I have it, so all is well.
So, One for Sorrow: boy meets boy, latter boy disappears, girl finds latter boy murdered, first boy meets girl, latter boy haunts first boy, plot and writing becomes increasingly more surreal. It is utterly bizarre, often confusing, and TOTALLY AWESOME. The main character's voice is pitch-perfect teen.
Rating: 4Q, 4P

Jessica's Review: Fugitive Pieces by Ann Michaels

Fugitive Pieces is a fantastic book told by a man who as a Jewish child in Nazi Germany had to listen to his parents be murdered as he hid for his life in a wall. This man is Jakob Beer and at that young age he literally rose from the mud to be saved by Athos Roussos. Athos took Jakob to live with him in Greece where he taught Jakob to love the earth he came from and love the structure of life around him. I believe that the story of the changes and most importantly the influences in his life to be fascinating. He went through times beyond difficult during his life and was the better man for it. I would recommend this book to readers interested in either post-Holocaust or philosophical stories.
Rating: 5Q, 2P

*This title is available through InterLibrary Loan*

Midnighters: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld

Contrary to popular belief, there aren’t 24 hours in the day, there are 25. For most people, the 25th hour is unnoticeable, and passes by in an instant. For a select few, the Midnighters, the 25th hour is an extra hour of the day where you can wander around bathed in blue light while the rest of the world is frozen. The secret hour only seems to occur in Bixby, Oklahoma and not everyone is capable of being a Midnighter. You must have been born exactly at midnight.
I know it sounds like fun, which it could be if there weren’t slithers and darklings lurking, ready to attack. The only protection against a slither or darkling is something made of stainless steel and a thirteen letter word.
Are you ready to discover the Midnighters? Splendiferous!

Discover the rest of the story in Touching Darkness and Blue Noon!

2007-The Year of Harry Potter

Time Magazine named the Person of the Year yesterday. A runner-up to the crown was J.K. Rowling. Here's an interview with her and the answers to the 10 questions about Harry. (Beware of spoilers!!)

Dane's Review: The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind

As I look back at 2007, yes I have regrets, like ever watching the movie Ghostrider and falling in love with Chuck, the TV show that is, but one thing that I don't regret is the ending to the BEST book series every. Harry Potter was "OK" but it pales in comparison to The Sword of Truth novels.

Confessor wrapped up this AWESOME collection and the book itself was spectacular, unreal, a good ending to a great series. The series is12 books long and it's hard to explain. Basically it's fantasy, wizards, magic, and surreal. The world created in these novels is simply fantastic and I recommend reading my review on Wizard's First Rule, the first book in the series. If you like fantasy and need a new series to read, this is it, BUT its for mature teens only.

Rating: 5Q, 4P

Rebecca T's reviews: Keturah and Lord Death AND The Looking Glass Wars

Check out two more reviews that were written by Rebecca T and published in the Casper Journal this summer! (Click on the titles to access her reviews.)

Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

Mary's Review: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

A boy, trying to avoid his ex-girlfriend, asks a nearby girl to be his five-minute girlfriend. Said girl, for reasons of her own, complies. Through various and asundry circumstances, the two end up on a tumultous night out together. One would never know it from his usual fare, but it turns out that Levithan is exceedingly GOOD at writing straight romance. The chemistry between these two people is realistic and exciting. Sadly, the reviewer can't speak for Ms. Cohn on a pro OR con basis. The novel is set up in a first person format, switching between Nick and Norah on a chapter by chapter basis. Though Nick is interesting, and goes through his own changes throughout the narrative, its Norah that's the truly compelling one. Struggling with her background and inhibition in order to keep something potentially wonderful from slipping away. It helps that they are both sympathetic characters, basically good people despite their hang-ups. The novel's short run time (about 160 pages) makes it a few hours' work, and well worth the investment; at least as an afternoon read.
Final Verdict: 3Q, 4P

Zach's Lie by Roland Smith

HEADLINE: Dad in prison for drug trafficking. Family in Witness Protection Program. Is safety possible?

Check out the sequel Jack's Run.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

It was a dark and stormy night, a night that would radically change Meg’s world. A night where she would meet new friends, travel through space and time, and risk her life in an attempt to save those she loves.