THE BOOKS OF MAGIC #1: The Invitation
Carla Jablonski
created by Neil Gaiman and John Bolton
HarperEos
ISBN: 0064473791
Ages 12-up
240 pages

In 1990, Neil Gaiman, the New York Times bestselling author of CORALINE, and artist John Bolton created a series of comic books called THE BOOKS OF MAGIC, starring a boy named Timothy Hunter, who is destined to be the greatest magician of his time. Now these adventures are available in novel form, thanks to talented author Carla Jablonski.

In this first book, we are introduced to Tim Hunter, who used to believe in magic when he was younger. But none of this mumbo jumbo is actually real, is it? When four mysterious strangers appear offering to show him the true power of magic, Tim is catapulted on a perilous journey through time and the realms of magic.

THE BOOKS OF MAGIC #2: Bindings
Carla Jablonski
created by Neil Gaiman and John Bolton
HarperEos
ISBN: 0064473805
Ages 12-up
240 pages

An enigmatic man named Tamlin has decided that Tim is the key to saving the dying world of Faerie. But exactly how Tim is supposed to do that --- and who Tamlin really is --- remains to be seen.

HarperEos is giving readers the opportunity to win the first two books in this series by entering THE BOOKS OF MAGIC sweepstakes. Click here for more information.

DEATH AND THE ARROW
Chris Priestly
Knopf
ISBN: 0375824669
Ages 12-up
176 pages

Fifteen-year-old Tom Marlowe and the rest of London is fascinated by a string of murders. People are being killed with arrows shot from above, and each victim has a "Death and Arrow" card with him. But then Tom's friend Will, a young pickpocket, is found murdered. Now who would want to kill him? To avenge his friend's death, Tom sets out with Dr. Harker, a family friend and retired adventurer, to discover who is behind these seemingly unsolvable murders.

DEEP
Susanna Vance
Delacorte
ISBN: 0385730578
Ages 12-up
272 pages

Nothing really bad has ever happened to Birdie --- and she hates it! She needs some drama, angst and torment --- something that will provide material for the amazing book she wants to write. When her parents take a yearlong sabbatical to the Caribbean, she finally gets her wish.

Morgan is a child of the sea. Raised by nomadic Norwegian parents who encouraged her to chart her own course, and filled with sorrow after the water claims her older sister, she attempts to create a new life for herself in the warm waters of the tropics. But before she can do that, she needs papers that will keep the Coast Guard away. There's only one person she knows who can help her: Tricky Nicky. Sure, Morgan knows his ethics are questionable, but what she doesn't know is that he's a maniacal killer!

DESTINATION UNEXPECTED: Short Stories
edited by Donald R. Gallo
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 0763617644
Ages 12-up
240 pages

Darius climbs on a bus to a part of town he has never seen. Mick goes for a short walk on a dark golf course with a sister he barely knows. Jared rides his bike day after day to the same destination, ultimately reaching a very different one. Whether they're leaving the country or just walking around the block, whether traveling to Europe, Cape Cod, summer camp, the racetrack, or the local diner, the characters in these stories experience things that change the way they look at the world --- and themselves.

These ten tales of intriguing teenage journeys have been contributed by ten outstanding authors, including Newbery Award winner Richard Peck, National Book Award winner Kimberly Willis Holt, and Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner Graham Salisbury.

FRICTION
E.R. Frank
Atheneum
ISBN: 068985384X
Ages 12-up
208 pages

Simon is the coolest teacher around --- all of Alex's classmates know this is true. Then a new kid arrives at Forest Alternative named Stacy, a girl with secrets, gleaming hair and a tongue ring. She immediately thinks Simon is a "total babe."

What Stacy says later about Alex and Simon is not true but looks as if it could be. Alex herself begins to wonder what's real and what's not. After all, she does love Simon. Everyone else though is totally convinced that what Stacy is telling them is true. Did Simon do what Stacy claims? When Alex makes a surprise visit to Stacy's house, she finds the answer to one terrible question, only to discover another that is far worse.

GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case
Chris Crowe
Phyllis Fogelman Books
ISBN: 0803728042
Ages 12-up
128 pages

Emmett Till, a fourteen-year-old black teenager from Chicago, was visiting family in a small town in Mississippi during the summer of 1955. Likely showing off to friends, Emmett allegedly whistled at a white woman. Three days later, his brutally beaten body was found floating in the Tallahatchie River. The extreme violence of the crime outraged both white and black Americans, and they were further outraged at the speedy trial of the white murderers.

Although the two white men were tried and acquitted by an all-white jury, they later bragged publicly about the crime. This was a defining moment for black leaders and ordinary citizens, including such activists as Rosa Parks. In clearly written language and vividly detailed prose, Chris Crowe investigates the events leading up to the crime and its aftermath, as well as the dramatic court trial --- and explains how this all served as the catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement.

KEEPER OF THE NIGHT
Kimberly Willis Holt
Henry Holt & Company
ISBN: 0805063617
Ages 12-up
320 pages

Isabel's mother died peacefully. At least that's what Isabel likes to think since no one will talk about the truth. But the truth has a way of revealing itself at night. Ta`Ta sleeps curled up on the floor right where Mama's body was found. Olivia wets her bed and awakens repeatedly from nightmares, and Frank starts carving his anger into the bedroom wall. It's up to Isabel to help her family get beyond the pain and loss --- to be the keeper of the night. But who will be there for Isabel to help her through to the other side?

LEGACY (Wicked Series)
Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Simon Pulse
ISBN: 0743426983
Ages 16-up
336 pages

The Deveraux warlocks have learned how to plunge their enemies into a nightmare realm of the Dreamtime, an ordeal that usually drives the victim insane. To save her loved ones, Holly Cathers, the strongest Cathers witch alive, must enter the Nightmare Dreamtime and do battle with the demons and forces of darkness Michael Deveraux has enslaved to fight for him.

LUCAS
Kevin Brooks
The Chicken House
ISBN: 0439456983
Ages 12-up
432 pages

Caitlin lives on a windswept island; she is caught between girlhood and maturity, and feels completely isolated from the rest of the world. But on one unforgettable summer day, Lucas enters her life. He is the perfect embodiment of freedom, honesty and directness --- and Caitlin feels deeply drawn to him.

But then Lucas is shockingly accused of a crime he did not commit and is being hunted down. Caitlin knows she must make a choice --- and break old allegiances in order to do what she knows in her heart is right.

MIST AND STONE (Charmed Series)
Diana Gallagher
Simon Pulse
ISBN: 0689857896
Ages 12-up
224 pages

Phoebe receives a premonition shrouded in fog. Some research uncovers that an opaque vision is one not yet set in stone, and so the girls find themselves in a race against the clock to prevent the dangerous vision from coming true.

ONE SHOT
Susan Glick
Henry Holt & Company
ISBN: 0805068449
Ages 12-up
224 pages

Lorrie Taylor is looking forward to a relaxing summer with Sarah, her best friend since childhood. Unfortunately, Sarah is working at the riding stables and has little time to spend lounging by the pool. The stable manager, Thomas, seems interested in Lorrie, but even his welcome attention doesn't make up for the fact that she feels lost in her own hometown.

Then Lorrie lands a job with renowned photographer Molly Price, who has become a recluse. She isn't the easiest person to get along with, but her photographs touch Lorrie deeply. With Molly's encouragement, Lorrie begins to shoot and print her own pictures. As her abilities develop, Lorrie begins to realize that technical skill is not enough. Her search for that one perfect shot proves much more difficult than she ever imagined --- and much more rewarding.

SHOCK (Fearless Series #27)
Francine Pascal
Simon Pulse
ISBN: 0689857640
Ages 16-up
224 pages

When Sam disappeared, Gaia Moore thought the pain would kill her. But now that he's back, Gaia is thinking she had it wrong. Because the pain isn't going to kill her. Sam is!

SHOPAHOLIC
Judy Waite
Atheneum
ISBN: 0689851383
Ages 12-up
224 pages

For 14-year-old Taylor, life at home hasn't been the same since her sister died in a tragic accident. Her mother is depressed and Taylor is forced to manage the house on her own, which means she doesn't have much time to spend with her friends. So when she meets the glamorous Kat, who seems to understand how she feels, Taylor is willing to do anything to be friends with her. But Kat loves to go shopping and if Taylor wants to be her friend, she'll have to come up with money to keep Kat happy --- even if that means going against everything Taylor knows is right.

STORIED CITY: A Children's Book Guide to New York City
Leonard S. Marcus
Dutton Books
ISBN: 0525469249
Ages 12-up
144 pages

In this handy-size book, renowned critic, historian, and New Yorker Leonard S. Marcus has created and narrated twenty walking tours of New York City based on children's literature. Illustrated with maps, photographs and book art, the tours can be followed from start to finish or shortened to suit a reader's particular interests.

Together they feature over one hundred places and spaces by which New York has lit the imaginations of such writers and artists as E. B. White, Maurice Sendak, Judy Blume, Faith Ringgold, Madeleine L'Engle, and many more. Along the way, Marcus discusses more than two hundred of the best books about New York City that has ever been written for young people. This book is a must-read and a definite keeper!