Graceling, Kristin Cashore

Graceling

Fantasy, Ages 15+

Two different colored eyes means you have a grace. Some can swim long distances, others can calculate large sums, to dancing. Katsa's grace? Killing. Her uncle the King Randa, uses her as a thug, everyone in the realms knows that when Randa is upset, he sends his killing niece to do the dirty work. 

An adventure of self-discovery and mastery. Especially when Katsa realizes she may have feelings for the prince of another realm.

The first in a series of three, but can be considered a stand-alone novel. 

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Peter and the Starcatchers, Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

Peter and the Starcatchers

Adventure, Ages 10+

Peter is an orphan on his way to serve the king of Rundoon. The ship he is on The Never Land is carrying a secret treasure and a girl. The girl, Molly, knows about the treasure, but thinks it is on her Father's ship. The dreaded pirate Black Stache takes their ship captive, and what is one to do when taken by pirates, but fight back. 

An epically wild adventure that includes shipwrecks and friendships. A treasure from the stars and magic far beyond what you would expect. After all Peter Pan's story can't be like any others!

The first in a series of five.

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Among the Hidden, Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Hidden, Shadow Children series

Dystopian, Ages 12+

Overpopulation has become a problem, the population police only allow two children per family. Luke doesn't exist, not on any records, doesn't have any friends. No one but his family even knows he is alive. He is a shadow child, a third child that isn't allowed to be born. One day he sees a girl in the other house. Jen is a third child as well. 

Jen wants to see the world and Luke has to decide if he wants to experience it too. 

The first in a series of seven. 

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Redwall, Brian Jacques

Redwall

Fantasy, Ages 9+

Redwall Abbey is home to so many woodland creatures. Moles, mice, and squirrels alike. Their peaceful world is challenged when Clony the Rat warlord and his horde of evil creatures. The people of Redwall need a hero, a mouse willing to put aside the peaceful ways and fight. 

An adventure to protect what is loved most, home. 

This series includes 22 books, most can be read alone with rudimentary knowledge of the world. 

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Children of the Lamp, P.B. Kerr

Children of the Lamp, the Akhenaten Adventure

 Adventure, Ages 10+

Philippa and John Gaunt are ordinary twelve year olds. Well that's what they think until their uncle stops by and reveals to the twins that they are descended from a long line of Djinn. With the full powers to grant wishes and travel to far off places.

Of course with good Djinn comes evil Djinn and John and Philippa have to save the Djinn and the world.

The first in a series of five.

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Girl in a Cage, Jane Yolan

Girl in a Cage, Stuart Quartet

Historical Fiction, Ages 14+

Marjorie is a princess her father is Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland. Edward Longshanks, King of England decides to expand his empire, Marjorie is left in a public square unprotected by the elements by nothing but a simple cage. She stays strong knowing she is a princess, whether she is in a cage or a castle. 

A girl's struggle to decide if life is still worth it, and realizing that how you view yourself can't be changed by those around you. 

The second in a series of four, but can be read alone. 

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Uglies, Scott Westerfeld

Uglies

Dystopian, Ages 12+

Tally is about to turn sixteen, then she can have her surgery and be pretty. Being pretty means you get to be in New Pretty Town, and get to have fun all the time. As an ugly all you do is work. Until she meets Shay, Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. When Shay runs off the government comes to Tally. They tell her she can't be pretty unless she brings Shay back. Tally has to make a choice. 

An adventure of self-acceptance, learning, and renewal. 

The first in a series of four. 

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Inkheart, Cornelia Funke

Inkheart

Adventure, Age 12+

What if you had the power to bring things from books? By reading aloud you literally made the pages come to life? Meggie's dad can do just that, but when something comes out, something must go in. Meggie's mother took the place of the villain in the story. Now years later her father's life is in danger, and Meggie must go on an adventure to save him. 

A journey of self-discovery and trust. Dare you to read it Aloud. 

The first in a trilogy. 

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Adventurers Wanted, M.L. Forman

Adventurers Wanted: Slathbog's Gold

Adventure, Age 9+

The sign was small and stuck into a corner of the window, "Adventurers wanted. Apply within". Alex is fed up with his own life and an adventure sounds like a good idea. Alex is quickly swept up in a wild adventure with dwarves, elves, and a quest to get the Dragon's Gold. They must face trolls, wraiths, and a prophecy. Certainly an adventure.

"Alex's adventure takes him to distant and exotic lands where he learns about courage, integrity, honor, and, most importantly, friendship"

The first in a series of six.

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Michael Vey, Richard Paul Evans

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25

Adventure, Age 9+

Michael Vey seems to be a normal boy fourteen year old boy, well except for the Tourette's and maybe the electrical powers. Michael thinks he is unique with these powers until he meets a cheerleader named Taylor who also has powers. Together with their friend Ostin they try to find out how they gained these powers. And they bring the attention of a powerful group on to them. A group that wants to control these powerful teens and through them take over the world. 

An exciting adventure with mysterious powers and learning your family can be more than those that share blood. 

The first in a series of six. 

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Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card

Ender's Game

Science Fiction, Ages 15+

The Bugger's nearly destroyed the world, humans manage to save it. Now they are improving space flight and breeding children to become warriors and generals. Andrew "Ender" Wiggin is a genius, the perfect mix of his siblings. Peter, is cruel and is a constant fear to Ender, and Valentine was considered too soft-hearted to be the general. Ender must learn how to lead, but in doing so he becomes alienated and isolated. Worried about what Xenocide means he is scared to continue, but scared to lose his family he does press forward. 

A story of learning how to deal with tough moral choices and growing up in a difficult situation. 

The first in a series of four.

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City of Bones, Cassandra Clare

City of Bones, The Mortal Instruments series

Thrilling, Romance, Ages 15+

Clary was fifteen when she witnessed her first murder, just hard to be believed when the murderers are teenagers with weird markings....and are invisible to everyone but her. Then the body disappears, was it a boy or something ethereal?  This is Clary's introduction to the world of demons and angels and a power that lies dormant in herself. Within 24 hours she is pulled into the strange boy, Jace's, world. 

A thrilling adventure with intrigue and romance. Mystery and self-discovery. 

The first in a series of six.

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The Looking Glass Wars, Frank Beddor

The Looking Glass Wars

Fairy tale, Adventure, Ages 14+

The myth, Alice was a girl who fell through the looking glass and had a wonderful adventure with no real harm. The Truth, Alyss Heart is the rightful heir to Wonderland until her murderous aunt Redd successfully takes the throne. Running for her life Alyss and Hatter Maddigan escape to our world but are separated, Alyss meets the author Lewis Carroll who offers to document her story. Alyss and Hatter must find each other again in Victorian England and get back to Wonderland for Alyss to take back her rightful place as Queen. 

An adventure that questions fantasy and reality and a coming of age. 

The first in a series of three.

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Ever, Gail Carson Levine

Ever

Fairy Tale, Ages 10+

Kezi is a teenager, and if that isn't hard enough her mother falls gravely ill. Her father prays to the Gods for help, and promises to sacrifice the first person to congratulate him. Unfortunately it is Kezi, but she is granted a few days to live. And during those few days she falls in love with the immortal God Olus, god of the winds. She must go through several trials to become a goddess herself or die. 

A fairy tale love that challenges the ideas of those around them. Kezi faces challenges that help her grow in her confidence as a girl and in her society. 

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