Spy Goddess: To Hawaii, with Love

by Michael Spradlin

Fifteen-year-old Rachel returns in this sequel as Spy Goddess for another fast-paced face-off against evil. As a reincarnated Goddess of Light, she must reach an ancient artifact before villain Simon Blankenship snaps it up and releases Mithras, the Goddess of the Underworld. Set in Hawaii and filled with fast paced action, this is a great book for anyone who enjoys spy fiction or action-adventure stories.

-- Philip S., Student

Liar

by Justine Larbalestier

Micah is a bi-racial 17 year old attending a progressive private high school in New York City. She is a bit of an outsider in her senior class and is known as a habitual liar. When her oh-so-secret boyfriend Zach mysteriously dies, she becomes one of the main suspects. Narrating her own story, Micah slowly begins to reveal truths about herself, her family, and the true relationship with Zach. Readers will be tempted to fly through this novel, though the wise will be wary of Micah's tale and read carefully for subtle slip-ups and foreshadowing. The chilling story that she spins will have readers’ hearts racing as in three sections she goes from "Telling the Truth," to "Telling the True Truth," to "Telling the Actual Real Truth," uncovering previous lies and revealing bizarre occurrences in the process. Nothing is as it seems.

-- Hollie Hawkins, Faculty

Meridian: Flying Solo

by Barbara Kesel (Author), Steve McNiven & Joshua Middleton (Illustrators)

This graphic novel tells the story of Sephie, the only daughter of the Minister of Meridian. When her loving father dies she inherits a sigil imbued with the power to create, and soon finds herself in a battle for power against her wicked Uncle Ilahn. Kidnapped to the world of Calador, Sephie’s journey home to Meridian puts her in the path of many people good and bad that help her grow up and counter Ilahn’s plans to take over her world.

-- Philip, S., Student

The Help

by Kathryn Stockett

This historical fiction novel focuses on the fascinating and complex relationships between vastly different members of a southern community in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college, and to the dislike of her mother, without a ring on her finger. Anxious to become a writer, she begins collecting stories from the black women on whom the country club set relies and mistrusts. Enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, perhaps the most outspoken maid in town, Skeeter delves deeper into the racial divides that palpitate throughout the community. With point of views and characterizations from each set of society, this book communicates with truth and honesty the highly charged atmosphere and feelings prominent in the pre-civil rights movement of the late '60's.

-- Martha Riley, Faculty

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.' So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. For more than 50 years England has been overrun by zombies, prompting families like the Bennets to send their daughters away to China for training in the art of deadly combat. Between scenes of zombie killings, Austen's plot can still be found along with all of its love and intrigue but now with more action! Added to the familiar plot turns that bring Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy together is the fact that both are highly skilled killers, gleefully slaying zombies on the way to their happy ending. This is an exciting update to the classic love story that is sure to bring the reader laughs, dry heaving, and tears of joy!

-- Hollie Hawkins, Faculty

Cairo: A Graphic Novel

by G. Willow Wilson

With beautiful drawings and details that bring the story to life, this graphic novel set in modern day Cairo, Egypt but with a fantastical-magical twist. Bringing together a host of interesting and diverse characters, the plot thickens as they navigate the city's streets and spiritual underworld to find a stolen hookah with a smooth talking genie inside. Sought by a wrathful gangster-magician, the hookah (and genie) become the catalyst for describing the true troubles, fates, and adventures that are found every day in Cairo.

--Chris, G., Student

Evernight

by Claudia Gray

Sixteen year-old Bianca has just been transferred to begin attending a new elite boarding school where her parents will now be professors. Feeling like an outsider, she meets rebel hottie Lucas Ross. As their relationship heats up, they try to uncover the truth behind the school's rich, beautiful, and gifted student body and faculty. What they don't know is that they both hold a dark personal secret that could threaten to rip apart their world forever. The intense and suspenseful ending will leave readers dying for the sequel! Filled with action, romance, and mystery, this book is sure to be a favorite of Twilight, Blue Bloods, and Vampire Academy fans.

-- Leah, S., Student

Open

by Andre Agassi

A real page turner! Open is the autobiography of tennis great Andre Agassi. In it, he reveals the ups and downs in both his professional and personal life. With open candor, humor, and humility, Agassi describes in detail the struggles of being a young super-star facing drug addiction, unhealthy relationships, depression, and a devastating loosing streak. But through perseverance, hard work, and the love of his family, coach, and wife he makes a triumphant return to the top. At once both funny and sad, this book is proof that Andre Agassi has had one of the most interesting lives and careers in sports history.

--Jason Gould, Faculty

The Recipe Club

by Andrea Israel & Nancy Garfinkel

The Recipe Club is about two women who write letters to each other from childhood to adulthood. In each letter they include a recipe, therefore calling themselves "The Recipe Club!" The book is a story of friendship and families and explores the love, drama, secrets, and lies that go along with those complex relationships. You will enjoy seeing how the two womens' lives develop, reading about their different personalities, and discovering where their paths take them in life. Included is an index of all the book's recipes which are surprisingly fun and delicious to make! A very easy read that would make an excellent selection for any book club.

-- Shari Weisz, Faculty