Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn



 I just finished a young teen ghost story by Mary Downing Hahn. A concerned parent came to me with this book inquiring on how appropriate this read would be for a ten year old. While I would not recommend this title for younger readers, an 8th grader who is thrilled by reading horror/ghost stories may enjoy it. Ali is a quiet responsible thirteen year old who's mother suffers from depression and worry. Her mystery begins when she finds an old ripped photo. The picture clearly shows her mother, her Aunt Dulcie, and the arm of a person who has purposely been cut out of the photo. Ali finds herself back at her mother's hometown cottage where secrets and rumors still lie. She soon discovers that her young cousin is talking to a spooky girl who knows her mother's secret and why so many people fear the water nearby. Who is this mystery girl? Is it possible that she is the young girl in her mother's photo. Ali must be strong and help unravel a ghostly secret that has haunted the family for years. It takes a family friend, voices from the water, a spoiled stranger, and her Aunt Dulcie to piece together Ali's mystery. Can she uncover the past and stay alive?

Gidget by Frederick Kohner

I ran across the perfect beach read that many young adults and adults will enjoy; especially if you are a fan of the Sally Field sitcom Gidget. Gidget takes us back to when we were fifteen or sixteen and longed to fill our summer days with trips to the beach. She learns to surf much to her father's dismay and begans a friendship with the beach bums in Malibu. It is here she finds her first summer love Moondoggie and learns all about how to deal with the feelings of first love. Along the way she becomes one of the few females to learn how to surf and "fit in," with the guys who know the waves best. This is a great read for teens who appreciate the 1960s surf era or anyone who loved the Gidget series.

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

Set in the Australian Outback, Christopher tells a haunting tale of a young teen who is captured by a stranger named Ty at an airport. She writes a disturbing letter to her captor and the audience about her horrific kidnapping. The tale is unlike other story as Ty begs for her attention and kindness as Gemma plans her unlikely escape day in and day out. This is a story you will not want to put down.

Nantucket Red by Leila Howland

Hello summer readers! I have continued Leila Howland's series and completed the 2nd book as the days of summer go on. Cricket returns to Nantucket to earn some cash for her fall tuition at Brown University. She soon learns that her "time off" with Zack quickly turns into a full blown break-up. Zack begins dating one of her "frenemies" and Cricket is salting her wounds. She tries to piece together her broken friendship with his sister Jules while meeting a very handsome ( and older) surfer by the name of Ben. The second book in the series is also full of surprises and intense emotion. The ending seemed a little rushed but it still left me hoping that the author while write a third book. Nantucket Ivory maybe?

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

Summer Reading Program has me tied up with so many things, however I always find time for a great beach read. As I enjoy my new children's position in Hermosa Beach... I was handed this great book at a Young Adult Services Meet and Greet!
Author Leila Howland opens up her series with a great story about young love, friendship and grief in Nantucket. As Cricket prepares her summer vacation on the island with her best friend Jules a death occurs in Jules' family. Her beloved mother passes away leaving Cricket wanting to console her friend, while Jules wishes to escape. Cricket travels on her own to Nantucket anyway only to find that her bestie wishes to mourn alone. Cricket starts a new job, tries to find her way with new friends, and falls in love with the one person she least expected. A great read written with a lot of lyricism and feeling. The perfect summer escape read for teens in grades 9-12 who enjoy a little romance and friendship.

Saranormal- Ghost Town by Phoebe Rivers

Hello fellow readers! In honor of Halloween, one of my favorite holidays, I wanted to read something spooky. I ran across a great middle school read about a young girl who has the ability to see and speak with ghosts. It reminds me of Ghostwhisperer... the show with Jennifer Love Hewitt that appeared on TV a few years ago. In this first book, Sara Collins has just moved to the Jersey area and is learning how to cope with her new psychic abilities and balance everyday life. The ghosts and voices are everywhere... even in her own home. With the help of new friends and a fabulous caring father... can she make it through her special abilities and the ghosts who haunt her? Read up fellow friends, this is a very promising series.

Z by Therese Anne Fowler

I just finished a great book that may interest older teens who have tried the Flapper series by Jillian Larkin. I was inspired after watching DiCaprio in the movie Gatsby to read something on the 20s and ran across a PlayAway at work titled Z! A PlayAway by the way is just a fancy audio book.
Z, is the story of Zelda Fitzgerald... the wife of author F.Scott Fitzgerald as told from her point of view. She meets Scott at a fancy country club party in Alabama and waits for his proposal. Her story is full of love, struggle, suffering, and her strong desire to stay independent (and sometimes co-dependent) all while loving a very passionate yet frivolous man.I enjoyed the love affair between the two who struggled to live in marriage full of turmoil and passion. Zelda's voice rings clear throughout the book and I learned a great deal about what it was like for women in the 20's. Readers will want to watch Midnight in Paris and dress up like a flapper for Halloween.

Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton

Hello readers! I thought I would throw in one last summer read for the season, even though we are far past Labor Day weekend which always marks the last hurrah of summer. . . Anna meets Will during one of her usual summers spent in her hometown of Dunne Island, Georgia. They instantly fall in love and begin a sweet romance. It was refreshing to read about teens who are not struggling emotionally, refuse to play games with one another, and simply enjoy eachother's company. At first I thought this book was a little too "sweet and wholesome" for my liking, but Anna and Will go through the realistic struggles of a true young teen couple and they make fun beach memories along the way with the help of their family and friends. Complete with ice cream dates, sandcastle contests, and bike rides with friends.... this book will surely take you back to your first summer romance or one that you would love to have in the future. The couple must decide on which path their future will unfold as Will plans to head back to New York with his family. Do they make plans for the future, or simply live in the present and enjoy a special summer together?

Wonder by R.J Palacio

This book is definitely a true gem. I think that everyone can get a little something out of Wonder. It is one of those rare reads that can change your direction and your perspective. The central character is a boy named August who has a facial deformity that he was born with. He has been home-schooled all his life, and is finally going to attend a public middle school at the age of ten. He is scared, anxious, and worried about what is to come. However, Augie is no ordinary boy... he has more courage than the other kids around him and wins the heart of many along his journey. His new adventure is not easy. The book will have you crying, laughing, and feeling a lump in your throat all in the same chapter. This is a must read for all. The author truly captures the essence of middle school, identity, and courage.

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Ruby is a seventeen year old girl who has been living alone after being deserted by her abusive mother. Her older sister Cora, who left the trio years ago to attend college brings her into her beautiful new loving home along with her husband Jaime. Suddenly life is different for Ruby. She attends a rich new school, lives in a beautiful home, and has people who love and care for her. Transformation and forgetting the past however is not so easy. Ruby finally learns to let go and allow others to help her build her life back up. She builds a friendship/relationship with her handsome neighbor Nate. Nate however, ends up needing her just as much as she needs him. In Dessen's heartwarming tale, readers will cheer for Ruby to let go of the past and let love in. The tale also reminds me of how strong sisterhood is and the love that I have for my own siblings.

Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz

I came across this inviting book on my very own bookshelf. It is one of those rare bookfair finds from my days at East Whittier Middle School that was overlooked and left on the shelf. This is the first book in De La Cruz's series. Fans of Gossip Girl would probably adore this book as it meshes together the fashion, heirarchy, and scenery of New York City and all its glam! Naturally there is a twist... the elite high school characters who attend Duchesne (a prestigious NYC private school) are also vampires! We are introduced to Schuyler an outcast who soon discovers she is a Blue Blood and is pushed into a circle of New York City's elite high school circle. It includes: Mimi, who is the head of the group in many ways and dislikes anyone pushing into her social circle; Bliss, a Texan girl who was thrust into New York's elite and has her own secrets as well; and Jack... Mimi's handsome brother who falls for Schuyler despite his sister's jealous rage. Soon the characters discover that there is something preying on all of them, and their lives are in danger. Its a mystery as to who is lurking on the Blue Bloods and what can be done to protect them. De La Cruz's writing lures you into their world. I know this book has been out for a bit, but it's a must read series! I will definitely be reading the second book in the series!