The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

A young child barely escapes a vicious murderer and becomes a foster child, of sorts, of the graveyard. He becomes Nobody Owens, Bod for short, and lives a life unlike any other storybook boy. His life in the graveyard may surprise most readers; Gaiman does not paint a bleak, scary life for Bod. On the contrary, he is loved, protected, nurtured, and enriched in many ways. Also, he is not completely unfamiliar with regular life; at one point, he must attend school in the local community, which creates some interesting plot points, as well. As Bod grows, he learns he is still under threat from the murderer that sought him as a toddler. Bod must be brave, strong, and clever to deal with this most nefarious and undeserved enemy.

Gaiman's story is not the usual murder mystery; it is quickly paced without being rushed, and full of interesting characters and unusual situations. Fans of horror and mystery will devour this book. I recommend it to middle school.

Well Witched by Frances HARDINGE

Take your British folktale about a wishing well as background peeking into a story set in modern times. Add in three adolescents who have worked out "the pecking order" and their individual roles in their group just to have imposed gifts from the witch in the well destroy the balance and threaten their world. The kids steal coins from the well and consequently are set the task of granting the wishes which go with the coins by the witch. Thoughtful musings among the characters about wishes and what people really want when they are wishing. Scary fantasy.

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt

1- A shape shifting 1000+ year old snake imprisoned in a clay jar far beneath the earth imagining finding her missing daughter when she is released.2- A bitter, scarred man set out to kill a giant alligator.3- A gentle make-shift family of a chained hound dog and a mama cat and her kittens who live carefully underneath the man’s ramshackle house.Three wildly different stories are artfully woven together like a tapestry to tell a gothic Southern tale about what love can do for the human spirit.This is an animal tale at heart that tugs at your heartstrings. The fantasy elements blend in as though your grandmother was exaggerating one of her favorite tales from long ago.In the beginning the chapters of each character are so short it’s difficult to keep the reader interested. However, as the mystery begins to unravel, the reader begins to imagine how each story could possibly be connected. Patience is a virtue while reading this yarn.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Sixteen year old, Katniss Everdeen lives in Panem, the future North America that is made up of 12 districts ruled by the Capital. Each year on reaping day, two people from each district are picked for The Hunger Games, a televised survival game. When Katniss’ sister, Prim, is picked, Katniss volunteers to go in her place. The games are required viewing for the citizens of Paneam and they watch until there is only ONE survivor. The book is violent, full of drama, and even a little romance. The story will keep readers on the edge of their seats and the ending will cause them to “hunger” for more.

original post by Cherie Wasserman - YA Lit group, Fall 08