With this in mind we want to create what you think would be the perfect summer reading list. We will compile your entries and from them create the Teenreads.com Ultimate Summer Reading List. Want to weigh in? Think about what book or books, up to three, that you would pick for your school's summer reading list and drop us a note at SummerReading@Teenreads.com. We want to hear your selections --- and why you selected the book(s) that you did.

This month's Teenreads.com update has three interviews along with contests, features and reviews galore.In our interview with Ned Vizzini, author of IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY, we get the inside scoop on writing about (and being) a "smart and geeky guy," and Vizzini reveals some of his favorite responses from readers about the books he's written. In her Author Talk, Lois Lowry chats about the inspiration for her newest title, GOSSAMER, and the character she can identify with most.

We also have an exclusive roundtable discussion with four authors of young adult fiction. Jen Bryant, Simon Cheshire, E. Lockhart and Tanya Lee Stone talk about their childhood literary influences, the state of teen literature today, the advantages and disadvantages of writing from the first person point of view vs. third person, and the feedback they've received from readers.

May's roundup of New in Paperback titles includes THE ANGEL EXPERIMENT, the first book in James Patterson's thrilling and fast-paced fantasy series, Maximum Ride (its sequel, SCHOOL'S OUT - FOREVER is now available in hardcover); THE SEA OF TROLLS, Nancy Farmer's bestselling tale of Vikings and magic; THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY by David Levithan, which is written from the perspectives of 20 different characters who all attend the same high school; and SKINNY-DIPPING, the second Au Pairs novel by Melissa de la Cruz, who explores the lives of three girls from different classes and parts of the world as they spend their summers together in the Hamptons.

In addition to our Cool New Books and New in Paperback roundups, we have reviews of the three novels in theNew York Times bestsellingBartimaeusTrilogy and updates to our Manga and Christian Fiction review sections.

To celebrate the paperback release of YA-YAS IN BLOOM by Rebecca Wells, we have a VERY special contest running right now. To enter, all you have to do is read an excerpt, answer a question and you'll get the chance to receive a paperback copy of YA-YAS IN BLOOM.

We're also previewing two exciting series features that will be posted in June. From Anthony Horowitz, bestselling author of the Alex Rider novels, comes EVIL STAR, the newest addition to hisGatekeepers series. And from Kirsten Miller comes theKiki Strike series --- a fantastical tale that centers on a very unique group of New York girls.

Also thinking ahead....to celebrate the launch of Tokyopop's POP Fiction line in October we will offer one of the four launch POP Fiction titles for giveaway to 20 interested Teenreads.com readers every two weeks from June 14th through the end of July. All we'll ask is that readers provide feedback after they read the book. So be sure to check back in mid-June for this news.

And don't miss out ---The Claudia Ann Seaman Poetry Award entry deadline is June 1st. Whether you write epics or haikus, sonnets or free-verse, this contest is a wonderful opportunity to display your talent (and win a cool $500)

Here's to a great end of the school year. We know that many of you "get sprung" from school this week. May some GREAT summer reading begin!

Carol Fitzgerald(Carol@bookreporter.com)

Want to win a free copy of YA-YAS IN BLOOM? Twenty lucky winners will each receive a paperback copy of YA-YAS IN BLOOM by Rebecca Wells. Interested? To enter, all you have to do is read an excerpt and answer the following question: What are Necie's "Words of Wisdom?" The answer to the above question can be found here.

Send your answer to Contests@teenreads.com with the subject line YA-YAS IN BLOOM by Monday, June 12th. Note that if you are under 13, you will need to have parental consent to supply us with your mailing address.

More about YA-YAS IN BLOOM:
Once again, Rebecca Wells is back to charm us with another offering in the Ya-Ya chronicle. Through all their trials and tribulations --- all the things that make up a satisfying Southern novel --- the Ya-Yas and their children, the Petit Ya-Yas, learn to face adversity with grit, determination and --- most importantly --- a sense of style.

Jen Krieger and Marisa Emralino of Teenreads.com sat down with four authors of young adult fiction who participated in The Teen Voices Author Tour sponsored by Random House Children's Books. Jen Bryant, Simon Cheshire, E. Lockhart and Tanya Lee Stone discussed a wide variety of topics, including their childhood literary influences, the state of teen literature today, the advantages and disadvantages of writing from the first person point of view vs. third person, and the feedback they've received from readers.

Magicians in charge of the government. Djinni and demons at the beck and call of the most powerful wizards. And a growing band of resistance who seek to end the stranglehold on the common people by the magicians in power. Welcome to London as portrayed in the mind of Jonathan Stroud, author of The Bartimaeus Trilogy.

Forget what you think you know about the laws of magic-use; Stroud's universe rewrites the rules and sends readers on a breathtaking journey with a teenage magician bent on earning the respect of his peers, a young commoner determined to restore balance in the world, and an ageless djinn who just wants to be left alone. Filled with vendettas, intrigue and action, The Bartimaeus Trilogy has something to offer every reader.

THE GATEKEEPERS Series by Anthony Horowitz (Horror/Fantasy)
From Anthony Horowitz, bestselling author of the Alex Rider novels, comes a thrilling new series, The Gatekeepers --- a chilling tale of world-changing secrets, terrifying truths, and a full-power fight between good and evil. In book one, RAVEN'S GATE, a troubled teen finds himself at the heart of a strange and sinister plot abetted by the bizarre inhabitants of a remote English village.

On June 1st, Teenreads.com will be posting a review of EVIL STAR, the second book in The Gatekeepers series, in addition to an excerpt, an interview with Anthony Horowitz, and a special contest from Scholastic where 15 lucky readers will win a free copy of the book. Stay tuned for more details!

KIKI STRIKE Series by Kirsten Miller
(Action & Adventure)
TheKiki Strike adventures follow the Irregulars as they protect New York City and its secret underground world, doing battle along the way with Manhattan's gangsters, rodents, diamond merchants, society figures, and assorted forces of evil. Some of the Irregulars --- Kiki, Ananka, Oona, DeeDee, Luz and Betty --- will have to come to terms with deadly secrets from their own pasts, and each of the girls will find her unusual skills and her friendships put to the ultimate test.

On June 1st, Teenreads.com will be posting a review of INSIDE THE SHADOW CITY, the first book in theKiki Strike series, in addition to an excerpt, an interview with Kirsten Miller, and more!

The buzz has been deafening and the anticipation has been killer, but the wait is over ---The Da Vinci Code is now in theaters! Here at Teenreads.com we're looking forward to seeing how the movie measures up to the book, and we can imagine you are too. It has a great cast --- including Tom Hanks, Ian McKellen and Audrey Tautou --- and a story that's bound to keep you on the edge of your seat. So bring your friends and family, grab an extra-large popcorn (with a running time of over 2 hours, you'll need the sustenance), sit back and enjoy the ride.

May's roundup of Cool New Books includes ONLY IN YOUR DREAMS, the ninthGossip Girl novel, in which Cecily von Ziegesar's characters are trying to enjoy their last summer before heading off to college; GOSSAMER, a contemporary fantasy from two-time Newbery winner Lois Lowry that examines where our dreams and nightmares come from; JUMPING THE SCRATCH by Sarah Weeks, about an 11-year-old boy who has a secret that he's trying desperately to forget; and SPECIALS, the final book in Scott Westerfeld's riveting and highly acclaimedUglies trilogy.

IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY by Ned Vizzini (Fiction)
Like many smart, ambitious New York City teenagers, Craig Gilner seeks entry into Manhattan's most prestigious school. With single-minded determination, he works night and day to ace the entrance exam and gets in. That's when everything starts to unravel. Reviewed by Carlie Webber.

-Click here to read an interview with Ned Vizzini.
-Click here to read an excerpt from IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY.

GOSSAMER by Lois Lowry (Fantasy)
In Lois Lowry's haunting story that tiptoes between reality and imagination, two people --- a lonely, sensitive woman and a damaged, angry boy --- face their own histories and discover what they can be to one another, renewed by the strength that comes from a tiny, caring creature they will never see. Reviewed by Alexis Burling and excerpted.

-Click here to read an interview with Lois Lowry.
-Click here to read an excerpt from GOSSAMER.
 
ONLY IN YOUR DREAMS: A Gossip Girl Novel, #9 by Cecily von Ziegesar (Fiction)
In Cecily von Ziegesar's ninth Gossip Girl novel, her beloved characters are spending their last summer together before college. Blair is off to London with her English Lord boyfriend, Serena is about to become a movie star, Nate is headed to the Hamptons, and Dan and Vanessa are rekindling their love. Reviewed by Amy Alessio and excerpted.

-Click here to read an excerpt from ONLY IN YOUR DREAMS.

HEAT by Mike Lupica (Fiction)
Michael Arroyo can throw some serious heat, and he dreams of pitching in the Little League World Series. But Michael --- newly orphaned after his father led the family's escape from Cuba --- must deal with the reality of his day-to-day life and can only rely on his older brother. Reviewed by Renee Kirchner.

-Click here to read an excerpt from HEAT.

JUMPING THE SCRATCH by Sarah Weeks (Fiction)
After his cat dies, his father leaves, and his aunt has an accident that causes her memory to develop a skip, Jamie Reardon hopes that his life will be back to normal soon. Unfortunately there's one more bad thing in store for Jamie --- something he'd give anything to be able to forget. Reviewed by Kristi Olson.

CHEW ON THIS: Everything You Don't Want to Know About Fast Food by Eric Schlosser & Charles Wilson (Nonfiction)
From theNew York Times bestselling author Eric Schlosser comes a compulsively readable young adult version of FAST FOOD NATION, the book that branded him the legendary critic of the fast food industry. Schlosser and his trusty sidekick Charles Wilson take on the fast food chains --- this time, in language that teens can understand and identify with. Reviewed by Alexis Burling.

ACCIDENTS OF NATURE by Harriet McBryde Johnson (Fiction)
Seventeen-year-old Jean has cerebral palsy, but she's always believed she's just the same as everyone else. She's never known another disabled person before she arrives at Camp Courage. As Jean joins this community, she comes to question her old beliefs and look at the world in a new light. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.

GENDER BLENDER by Blake Nelson (Fiction)
Inspired by the movie version of the Mary Rodgers classic, FREAKY FRIDAY, Blake Nelson takes the body switching fiasco to the next level in GENDER BLENDER. What could be worse than switching bodies with your mother? How about switching bodies with your enemy? Reviewed by Kristi Olson.

BLUE BLOODS by Melissa de la Cruz (Fantasy/Horror)
A loner by nature, Schuyler Van Alen finds her life thrown into turmoil when she turns 15. Suddenly she is allergic to the sun, craves raw food, and if she cuts herself, her blood is blue. Schuyler has no idea what is happening to her. As more and more curious things happen, she must confront her family and friends to discover the truth behind her blue blood. Reviewed by Amy Alessio.

LISTENING AT THE GATE by Betsy James (Fantasy)
In this sequel to Betsy James's previous books, LONG NIGHT DANCE and DARK HEART, Kat returns to her childhood home and is thrust into an epic war that turns everything she thought she knew upside down. This is a powerful saga about family, love and knowledge. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.

FLY ON THE WALL: How One Girl Saw Everything by E. Lockhart (Fiction)
At the Manhattan School for Art and Music, where everyone is "different" and "special," Gretchen Yee feels ordinary. One day, Gretchen wishes she could be a fly on the wall in the boys' locker room --- just to learn more about guys. FLY ON THE WALL is the story of how that wish comes true. Reviewed by Kristi Olson.

PIECES OF GEORGIA by Jen Bryant (Fiction)
Georgia McCoy is an artist like her late mother, but her dad looks away whenever he sees her with a sketchbook. A few days after her 13th birthday, Georgia receives an unexpected gift --- a strange, formal letter, all typed up and signed anonymous. It is at this point that things begin to change. Reviewed by Renee Kirchner.

STAY WITH ME by Garret Freymann-Weyr (Fiction)
Sixteen-year-old Leila must come to terms with her place in the world when her 34-year-old sister commits suicide. Leila can't understand why Rebecca would kill herself, or why she didn't say goodbye. Using the same tools she has used to help cope with her dyslexia, she tries to unravel the mystery of her sister's death. Reviewed by Sarah A. Wood.

THE LOVE CURSE OF THE RUMBAUGHS by Jack Gantos (Fiction)
On an unseasonably warm Easter Sunday, a young girl named Ivy discovers a chilling secret in the basement of the Rumbaugh pharmacy across the street from the hotel where she lives with her mother. The discovery reveals a disturbing side to the eccentric lives of family friends Abner and Adolph Rumbaugh. Reviewed by Carlie Webber.

The following reviews are courtesy of the graphic novel review website for teens No Flying No Tights:

ANTIQUE BAKERY by Fumi Yoshinaga (Digital Manga Publishing, 2005)
With a priceless antique tea cup in hand, you can enjoy world-class pastries (described in mouth-watering detail) at the Antique Bakery. You may also get a glimpse of the eclectic, entertaining staff. Reviewed by Robin Brenner.

BLEACH by Tite Kubo (VIZ Media, 2004)
Ichigo isn't really looking to become a soul reaper --- seeing ghosts is problem enough --- but when hollows, or evil spirits, attack his family, he takes on the job to save them. Reviewed by Robin Brenner.

DEATH NOTE by Tsugumi Ohba (VIZ Media, 2005)
If you had the power to kill at will, would you? How would you decide who lived and who deserved death? Reviewed by Robin Brenner.

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST by Hiromu Arakawa (VIZ Media, 2005)
Alchemy starts with a basic principle: equivalent exchange. If you want something, you have to give up something else of equal value. Judging value, of course, is the sticky part of that equation. Reviewed by Robin Brenner.

LIFE by Keiko Suenobu (Tokyopop, 2006)
Ayumu and her best friend Shii-chan are right in the middle of the dreaded high school entrance exams. Then the unthinkable happens: when Ayumu gets into the high school of her choice and Shii-chan doesn't, their friendship shatters. Reviewed by Robin Brenner.

NANA by Ai Yazawa (VIZ Media, 2005)
Two girls named Nana meet on a train heading to Tokyo --- one nursing a broken heart and aiming to make it as a punk rock musician, while the other is rejoining her boyfriend and embraces life in the big city. Reviewed by Robin Brenner.

ONE PIECE by Eiichiro Oda (VIZ Media, 2003)
Having been asked to protect his idol pirate captain's straw hat, Luffy has spent his entire life determined to become the king of pirates. Never mind that he can't navigate, has neither a ship nor a crew, or any skill as a thief or fighter. Reviewed by Robin Brenner.

-Click here to read our Manga reviews.

SAVANNAH BREEZE by Mary Kay Andrews (Fiction)
In this eagerly awaited sequel to SAVANNAH BLUES, Southern belle BeBe Loudermilk loses all her worldly possessions thanks to a brief but disastrous relationship with the gorgeous Reddy, an "investment counselor" who turns out to be a con man. All that's left is a ramshackle 1950s motor court on Tybee Island --- an eccentric beach town that calls itself a drinking village with a fishing problem. Reviewed by Roberta O'Hara.

-Click here to read an excerpt from SAVANNAH BREEZE.

THE HIGHEST TIDE by Jim Lynch (Fiction)
Jim Lynch's mesmerizing, allegorical, and beautifully wrought debut novel is about one boy's fascination with the sea during the summer that will change his life, and the lives around him. Reviewed by Joni Rendon and excerpted.

-Click here to read an excerpt from THE HIGHEST TIDE. 

CAGE OF STARS by Jacquelyn Mitchard (Fiction)
Twelve-year-old Veronica Swan's idyllic life in a close-knit Mormon community is shattered when her two younger sisters are brutally murdered. Although her parents find the strength to forgive the deranged killer, Veronica cannot do the same. Years later, she sets out alone to avenge her sisters' deaths, dropping her identity and severing ties in the process. Reviewed by Marge Fletcher.

-Click here to read an excerpt from CAGE OF STARS.
-Click here to see the Reading Group Guide for CAGE OF STARS.

THE GIRLS by Lori Lansens (Fiction)
In her second novel, Lori Lansens offers a compelling character study of Rose and Ruby Darlen --- sisters, best friends, confidantes, and conjoined twins. When Rose, the bookish sister, sets out to write her autobiography, it inevitably becomes the story of her short but extraordinary life with Ruby, the beautiful one. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

CLEMENTE: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero by David Maraniss (Biography)
On New Year's Eve 1972, following 18 magnificent seasons in the major leagues, Roberto Clemente died a hero's death, killed in a plane crash as he attempted to deliver food and medical supplies to Nicaragua after a devastating earthquake. David Maraniss now brings the great baseball player brilliantly back to life in this first-rate biography. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.

Which do you prefer reading for pleasure?
 
Books written specifically for teens
Books geared more toward adults
I do not have a preference.
Not sure

Approximately what percentage of the books you read for pleasure is geared more toward adults than teens?

Less than 25%
25%
50%
75%
More than 75% 
Not sure

Name up to five of your favorite books that would be considered adult titles.

This contest period, one lucky teen reader will be randomly chosen to win a copy of IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY by Ned Vizzini. (Click on the link below for the official rules.) To automatically enter to win, e-mail us your recommendations and book ratings.