Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks
“Whatever you do – don’t get caught.” That’s the motto of the Axis Institute for World Domination. Computer genius Cadel Piggott is enrolled there by his adoptive parents after several schools are unable to cope with his high I.Q. and anti-social attitude. Gradually Cadel begins to unravel the deceptions and lies that shroud his background… and what he discovers is more appalling than ever could have imagined.
Genius Squad by Catherine Jinks
In Genius Squad, Cadel is recruited to be part of a team of brilliant misfits with the stated purpose of getting evidence against GenoMe, a mysterious company with unknown evil intentions. But, In Cadel’s life, nothing is ever what it seems…
Reviewed by Lisa Smith, Head of Children’s services
The recruit [Mission 1] by Robert Muchamore.
What is CHERUB you ask? CHERUB is a secret division of M15. Its agents are all seventeen and under! They wear skate tees and hemp and look like regular kids. However, they are trained professionals who are sent on missions to spy on terrorists and international drug dealers. CHERUB agents hack into computers, bug entire houses, and many other dangerous tasks. They are no ordinary kids. James is the latest CHERUB recruit. He and his sister have recently been orphaned. James has gotten into much trouble, but he is brilliant in math and CHERUB needs him. He is soon taken into CHERUB and his adventure begins. James begins from tiring and mind breaking 100 day training to first time missions. James’ adventure has just begun. Join James in many of his rigorous adventures in the CHERUB series! This is the start of many.
Review by Jacky Chen –9th grade
Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
After the sudden deaths of her parents and uncle, Princess Benevolence finds herself chaffing under the tutelage of her unsympathetic aunt. Locked in a bleak tower room as punishment for her intractable behavior, Princess Ben discovers an ancient magic – mastery of which just might save her kingdom and solve the mystery of her parents’ deaths. To hear an interview of the author, Catherine Gilbert Murdock, click here (and scroll down to the middle of the page).
Review by Lisa Smith, Head of Youth Services
Teen Inc by Stefan Petrucha
When 14 yr old Jaiden was a newborn, his parents died in an accident caused by a defective product made by NECorp. As part of the settlement, Jaiden will receive a large cash settlement when he is 25. In the meantime, NECorp is his guardian. He lives in an office at company headquaters and is supervised by a series of managers who organize his life. When the legal department totally messes up his first date, he takes off on his bike and learns NECorp might be causing mercury pollution near their factory. With the help of his friend Nate and his – hoped for- girlfriend, Jenny, Jaiden tries to learn the truth about his “parent” and gain some freedom from his corporate “nannies”.
Hot Lunch by Alex Bradley
Sophomore Molly Ollinger has blue hair and a bad attittude! When the bad attitude results in a food fight between Molly and fellow student Cassie, both girls find themsleves in charge of the lunch program at their alternative high school. Will the food produced by student cooks ever be edible? Can two girls who never opened a can of soup before earn rave reviews? Anything is possible…
Escape The Mask by David Ward
“There was fear coming from the Onesies’ cages. With each new outbreak of moaning it blew across my bare skin like a chill wind from the lower caves. I could smell their dust and the waft of drying sweat from such a long journey across the sands…” Excerpt from the first chapter of Escape the Mask by David Ward.
If you like science fiction, fantasy and intense action – this book is for you. It is the beginning of the Grassland Trilogy. Children are slaves, cellmates are family and freedom is complicated. Pick it up at the library today! (Good for ages 11-15.)
Here are some top picks recommended by the Young Adult Council
The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi
The Cute Book, by Aronzo Aranzi
Hurricane Force: In the Path of America’s Deadliest Storms, by Joseph Treaster
Big Snacks, Little Meals: After School, Dinnertime, Anytime, by Rose Dunnington
The Clique Series by Lisi Harrison
Fruits Basket by Natsuiki Takaya
H.I.V.E.: Higher Institute of Villainous Education by Mark Walden
13 yr old Otto Malpense thinks he has his life under perfect control. He effectively runs the orphanage where he lives and when it is threatened, he moves quickly and decisively to remove the threat. How then does he come to be kidnapped and “enrolled” in a school with textbooks titled “Deathtraps: Their Use and Care”, “Effective Threats”, and “Global Domination: What You Need to Know”? Although he is intrigued by the curriculum and curious at how he comes to be chosen for the school , Otto, roommate Wing Fanchu, and two other students plan an escape. The operation does not go as planned and Otto, Wing, Laura, and Shelby find themselves simultaneously saving the school and prevented from leaving -for now.
H.I.V.E.: The Overlord Protocol by Mark Walden
Otto and his friends are six months into their H.I.V.E. training. One of the members of G.L.O.V.E. (Global League of Villainous Enterprises), the organization that operates the H.I.V.E. School, has ambitious plans. Plans that, if carried out, will result in the destruction of H.I.V.E. and catastrophe for civilization. Using their unique talents and specialized training, Otto, Wing, Shelby, and Laura must defeat an impossibly powerful enemy with tremendous resources at his command.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
This book grabs you and doesn’t let you go. 10-year-old Liesel Meminger is growing up in the Germany during the Holocaust. What she sees and experiences will bring tears to your eyes. Her way of escaping the horror that surrounds her is to steal books and read them. They bring comfort to her and her neighbors during bombings. Her family is hiding a Jewish man living in her basement. She grows fond of him and worries about him. She doesn’t want him to be captured and sent to the death camps. What will happen to Liesel and her family? Read this book and find out.
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