Christopher, Lucy. The Killing Woods. New York: Chicken House, 2013. 978-0-545-461009. 359 p. $17.99. Gr 9-12.
Emily’s father, a former soldier suffering from PTSD, is accused of murder after walking out of the woods clutching the body of a young girl. In the weeks that follow, Emily’s life is turned upside-down when her friends abandon her and her fathers sanity is put into question. As the truth unravels, Emily discovers that a group of teens, including class hunk Damon, were playing ‘The Game’ the night of the murder, which may have had destructive results. Told in dual narratives, Damon and Emily both feel like real teens, and the frightening reality of post-war PTSD is a strong and haunting theme. Christopher writes a fast-paced story, and slowly but methodically unveils the events of the night– you’ll stay up late to find out what really happened.
Realistic, Mystery, Thriller Vicki Schwoebel, Friends’ Central School
Searles, John. Help for the Haunted. New York: William Morrow, 2013. 978-0-06-077963-4. 362 p. $22.99. Gr. 11 and up.
Sylvie Mason has dealt with the mystery surrounding her parents nearly her entire life. After all, her parents have given their lives to helping haunted souls. Then Sylvie’s parents get a midnight call from her older sister to meet at a church and shot are fired as Sylvie waits in the car. As the only eyewitness to her parents’ murder, Sylvie must discover the truth behind her parents’ career, the light in her basement, and the haunted souls her parents have tried to help. An Alex Award winning for 2013, this book will appeal to mature readers with a taste for the spiritual world.
Mystery Nicole Starner, Biglerville HS/Upper Adams MS
McMullan, Kate. Hit the Road, Helen! (Myth-O-Mania, IX). Mankato, MN: Stone Arch, 2013. 978-1-43424990-6. 223 p. $17.99. Gr.5-7.
The ninth entry in the series of fictionalized myths tells the story of Helen of Troy and the Trojan War. Hades narrates this interesting adventure, as he does each title in the series. Students will learn Greek mythology while reading this fast paced and engaging adventure. The major events in the story agree with mythology texts. Roman numerals are used throughout the story, and are defined in a guide that includes Greek names and places mentioned in each story. Discussion questions, writing suggestions, and a brief glossary are included.
Historical, High/Low Michelle Hankin, Sandy Run Middle School
Scarrow, Alex. The Eternal War. (Time Riders). New York: Walker Books, 2013. (c2011). 978-0-8027-3481-5. 421 p. $17.99. Gr. 7-12.
Teens Liam, Maddy and Sal are time travelers responsible for monitoring life in September 2001, in New York City. Their mission is to assure that past history is not altered by other time travelers. They are assisted by Bob and Becks, humanoid computers. When history is altered, the group pinpoints the cause to Abe Lincoln dying before his time. They travel back to 1831 to fix the mistake, and inadvertently bring Lincoln back to 2001. Drastic historical consequences occur throughout the world. The civil war never ended, and by 2001, New York is a devastated battleground. The group faces danger and adventure in this twisted new reality. They overcome multiple obstacles and eventually convince the exhausted American soldiers to cease fire long enough to correct history and restore the accurate timeline. This, the forth book in the Time Riders series, stands on its own. I believe it will inspire students to go back and read the previous three titles. I now have the entire series in my middle school library.
Science Fiction Michelle Hankin, Sandy Run Middle School