Sarah Ockler
In this interview with Teenreads.com's Sarah A. Wood, Sarah Ockler discusses the true stories behind both the title and plot of her debut novel, TWENTY BOY SUMMER, and elaborates on some of its major themes, like friendship, honesty, peer pressure and keeping secrets. She also muses on why it's sometimes easier to trust strangers more than best friends, provides information on an organization near and dear to her heart, and shares details about her upcoming book, FIXING DELILAH HANNAFORD, which is due out next summer.

» Read the interview and the review.

Michael Grant
Michael Grant's latest supernatural sci-fi project, the Gone series, introduces a new world in which everyone over the age of 15 has disappeared, and children and teens must learn to survive and fend for themselves amidst near chaos. In this interview with Teenreads.com’s Chris Shanley-Dillman, Grant talks about why he chose that particular age as the bridge between childhood and adulthood, and gives readers a sneak peak into the world of the FAYZ (Fallout Alley Youth Zone) by explaining his motivation for creating talking animals and characters with superhuman qualities. He also discusses his need to balance the books' entertainment with a sense of realism, provides "advice" to those looking to change themselves for the better, and hints at what is to come in the third installment of the series due out next year.

» Read the interview and reviews of GONE and HUNGER.

Melody Carlson
Melody Carlson is an award-winning Christian author who has penned almost 200 books for both adults and young readers, such as the True Colors and The Carter House Girls series. In this interview with Teenreads.com's Michele Howe, Carlson talks about her most recent book, IT'S A GREEN THING --- the second installment in the Diary of a Teenage Girl: Maya series --- and sheds light on some of the main characters’ thoughts and actions, such as her struggle with faith and her concern for the environment. She also explains why readers are attracted to this confessional format, elaborates on the hopeful message found at the end of the novel, and shares what she has in store for her characters next.

» Read the interview and the review.

Lisa Mantchev
Lisa Mantchev's debut, EYES LIKE STARS, is the first installment in a new YA fantasy series, The Théâtre Illuminata Trilogy. In this interview with Teenreads.com's Alexis Burling, Mantchev discusses what inspired her to stage much of the book's plot in the form of a play and elaborates on the messages she hoped to relay from the characters and dialogue. She also imagines the perfect musical score to accompany the novel's prominent scenes, reveals some of her dream roles, and talks a bit about what readers can look forward to in Acts II and III of the series.

» Read the interview and the review.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler (Fiction)
A debut novel about friendship, first love and grief that will appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen.

For 16-year-olds Anna Reiley and Frankie Perino, their 20 day-long, minimally supervised California vacation will be the "Absolute Best Summer Ever." And according to Frankie, if they meet one boy every day, there's a pretty good chance that Anna will get her first real boyfriend.

Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie --- she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

Written in lyrical, accessible prose, TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone and what it truly means to grieve, and perhaps most importantly, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

» Click here to read a review of TWENTY BOY SUMMER
» Click here to read an excerpt from TWENTY BOY SUMMER
» Click here to read Sarah Ockler’s bio.
» Visit Sarah Ockler’s official website, www.SarahOckler.com.

GONE by Michael Grant (Science Fiction)
Now Available in Paperback
In the blink of an eye. Everyone disappears. GONE.

Except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not a single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. And just as suddenly there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to figure out what’s happened. And no way to get help.

Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents --- unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers --- that grow stronger by the day.

It’s a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your birthday, you will disappear just like everyone else.

HUNGER: A Gone Novel, by Michael Grant (Science Fiction)
It's been three months since everyone under the age of 15 became trapped in the bubble known as the FAYZ.

Three months since all the adults disappeared.

Gone.

Food ran out weeks ago. Everyone is starving, but no one wants to figure out a solution. And each day, more and more kids are evolving, developing supernatural abilities that set them apart from the kids without powers.

Tension rises and chaos is descending upon the town. It's the normal kids against the mutants. Each kid is out for himself, and even the good ones turn murderous. But a larger problem looms. The Darkness, a sinister creature that has lived buried deep in the hills, begins calling to some of the teens in the FAYZ. Calling to them, guiding them, manipulating them.

The Darkness has awakened. And it is hungry.

» Read reviews of GONE and HUNGER.
» Browse inside GONE and HUNGER.
» Click here to read our interview with Michael Grant.
» Click here to read Michael Grant’s bio.

IT’S A GREEN THING: Diary of a Teenage Girl: Maya, Book 2 by Melody Carlson (Fiction)
With her mother in jail for drug possession and her pop-star father away on his comeback tour, 16-year-old Maya Stark’s new life with her uncle Allen and cousin Kim is coming together. Summer vacation is just beginning and things are finally starting to look up. But that doesn’t mean life is about to get any easier. Maya is still devoted to living Green, and her uncle offers her a Green column in his newspaper. But can Maya balance her newfound faith with her save-the-planet convictions?

» Click here to read more about IT’S A GREEN THING.
» Click here to read a review of IT’S A GREEN THING.
» Click here to read an excerpt from IT’S A GREEN THING.
» Click here to read our interview with Melody Carlson.
» Click here to read Melody Carlson’s bio.

Our latest Books into Movies feature spotlights two highly anticipated films based on Teenreads.com faves. Already in theaters is My Sister's Keeper, starring Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin. Based on Jodi Picoult's emotional roller coaster of a novel, this guaranteed tear-jerker follows an 11-year-old girl as she seeks emancipation from her parents, who have been using her to keep her older, cancer-stricken sister alive. And in case you hadn't already marked your calendars and begun your countdown, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince hits the big screen on July 15th. The sixth installment of the epic good-vs.-evil saga promises plenty of magic, mystery, heart-pounding adventure and hair-raising suspense, not to mention some long-sought answers to dark secrets, raging teenage hormones and a jaw-dropping, gasp-worthy ending.

» Click here for more details about these films.

Cathy Brigg
Artist Cathy Brigg is probably best known for her literary "alter-ego" Cathy Vickers, the protagonist of the hugely successful CATHY'S BOOK and CATHY'S KEY, along with the newly released CATHY'S RING. In this interview with Teenreads.com's Sally M. Tibbetts, Brigg likens her role as illustrator to that of an actor's, and sheds light on how she and fellow collaborators Jordan Weisman and Sean Stewart work together to create "Cathy's Universe." She also explains why they chose to incorporate modern, everyday technology into their unique method of storytelling, discusses how the books' interactive components have evolved with each installment, and shares details about her artistic background and interests.

» Read the interview and the review.

Lauren Myracle
Lauren Myracle --- author of more than 15 bestselling and critically acclaimed titles, including ELEVEN, TWELVE and THIRTEEN --- recently published her latest novel, PEACE, LOVE, AND BABY DUCKS. In this interview with Teenreads.com's Norah Piehl, Myracle discusses some of the real-life experiences from her teen years that inspired many elements of this latest book, and explores the similarities in personality between herself and her main character, Carly. She also creates a playlist of her favorite '60s music to correspond with the story, talks a bit about collaborating with fellow YA authors E. Lockhart and Sarah Mlynowski for last year's HOW TO BE BAD, and shares her excitement over being able to interact with her readers through the blog on her website.

» Read the interview and the review.

Susane Colasanti
Former high school science teacher Susane Colasanti is the author of YA romances WHEN IT HAPPENS and TAKE ME THERE. In this interview with Teenreads.com's Kristi Olson, Colasanti explains the significance of her latest book's title, WAITING FOR YOU, and shares real-life experiences in the classroom that inspired some of her books' characters and scenes. She also discusses how she incorporates her taste in music and movies into her writing, muses on the pros and cons of referencing pop culture in novels, and talks about upcoming projects, including her next book, SOMETHING LIKE FATE.

» Read the interview and the review.

Sheba Karim
Sheba Karim's debut novel, SKUNK GIRL, follows a 16-year-old Pakistani Muslim girl and her struggles to live a "normal" teenage life while attempting to reconcile two very different cultures. In this interview with Teenreads.com's Alexis Burling, Karim sheds light on some of these differences, and challenges Pakistani women face in both their home countries and in the U.S. She also compares writing novels with short stories, explains why she chose to give up her law career to become an author, and shares details about the book she's currently working on.

» Read the interview and the review.

PEACE, LOVE, AND BABY DUCKS by Lauren Myracle (Fiction)
Growing up in a world of wealth and pastel-tinted entitlement, 15-year-old Carly has always relied on the constancy --- and authenticity --- of her sister, Anna. But when 14-year-old Anna turns plastic-perfect-pretty over the course of a single summer, everything starts to change. And there are boys involved, complicating things as boys always do. With warmth, insight and an unparalleled gift for finding humor even in stormy situations, beloved author Lauren Myracle dives into the tumultuous waters of sisterhood and shows that even very different sisters can learn to help each other stay afloat.

» Click here to read a review of PEACE, LOVE, AND BABY DUCKS.
» Click here to read our interview with Lauren Myracle.
» Click here to read Lauren Myracle’s bio.
» Visit Lauren Myracle’s official website, www.laurenmyracle.com.
» Read Lauren Myracle’s blog at http://laurenellen.livejournal.com

WAITING FOR YOU by Susane Colasanti (Romance)
At the beginning of her sophomore year, Marisa is ready for a fresh start and, more importantly, a boyfriend. So when the handsome and popular Derek asks her out, Marisa thinks her long wait for happiness is over. But several bumps in the road --- including her parents’ unexpected separation, a fight with her best friend, and a shocking disappointment in her relationship with Derek --- test Marisa’s ability to maintain her new outlook. Only the anonymous DJ, whose underground podcasts have the school’s ear, seems to understand what Marisa is going through. But she has no idea who he is --- or does she?

» Click here to read a review of WAITING FOR YOU
» Click here to read our interview with Susane Colasanti.
» Click here to read Susane Colasanti’s bio.
» Visit Susane Colasanti’s official website, www.susanecolasanti.com.
» Read Susane Colasanti’s blog at http://windowlight.livejournal.com.
» Learn more about Susane Colasanti and gain access to a sampler of WAITING FOR YOU, TAKE ME THERE and WHEN IT HAPPENS at http://www.scribd.com/doc/13828116/Susane-Colasanti-Sampler.

SKUNK GIRL by Sheba Karim (Fiction)
If Nina Khan were to rate herself on the unofficial Pakistani prestige point system --- the one she’s sure all the aunties and uncles use to determine the most attractive marriage prospects for their children --- her scoring might go something like this:

+2 points for getting excellent grades
–3 points for failing to live up to expectations set by genius older sister
+4 points for dutifully obeying parents and never, ever going to parties, no matter how antisocial that makes her seem to everyone at Deer Hook High
–1 point for harboring secret jealousy of her best friends, who are allowed to date like normal teenagers
+2 points for never drinking an alcoholic beverage
–10 points for obsessing about Asher Richelli, who talks to Nina like she’s not a freak at all, even though he knows that she has a disturbing line of hair running down her back.

In this wryly funny debut novel, the smart, sassy and utterly lovable Nina Khan tackles friends, family and love, and learns that it’s possible to embrace two very different cultures --- even if things can get a little bit, well, hairy.

» Click here to read a review of SKUNK GIRL.
» Click here to read an excerpt from SKUNK GIRL.
» Click here to read our interview with Sheba Karim.
» Click here to read Sheba Karim’s bio.

One of our goals each month is to inspire you to read --- and to keep reading. We have found that required reading lists for school --- especially summer reading lists --- are not exactly inspiring. Thus we have created what we think is the Ultimate Teen Reading List --- more than 300 titles that we believe are perfect choices for reading and discussing. Our dream is that schools will use this list to help them make their own for summer reading or, even better, suggest that students just read what they want from this list.

June’s roundup of Cool New Books includes ALONG FOR THE RIDE, in which Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect; TWENTY BOY SUMMER, a compelling debut novel from Sarah Ockler about friendship, first love and letting go; KILLER, the sixth installment in Sara Shepard’s Pretty Little Liars series that finds Aria, Hanna, Spencer and Emily stumbling over a deadly new secret after a shocking discovery at the end of WICKED; JUST ANOTHER HERO, the stunning conclusion to Sharon M. Draper’s two-time Coretta Scott King Honor-winning trilogy (following THE BATTLE OF JERICHO and NOVEMBER BLUES); and PRISM by the mother-daughter writing team of Faye and Aliza Kellerman, a paranormal suspense novel in which three teens become trapped in a parallel universe where “survival of the fittest” takes on a deadly meaning. » Click here

June’s roundup of New in Paperback titles includes BLACK RABBIT SUMMER by Kevin Brooks, a compelling mystery and a profound exploration of the many subtle influences that can change --- and end --- relationships; WICKED, Sara Shepard’s fifth Pretty Little Liars book that finds the secrets only getting darker and the scandals juicier; BELIEVING, the thrilling second installment in Wendy Corsi Staub’s paranormal suspense series set in the mysterious town of Lily Dale; THE BOXER AND THE SPY, Robert B. Parker’s thought-provoking novel about a teen boy who investigates the apparent suicide of a high school student; and THE YEAR MY SISTER GOT LUCKY by Aimee Friedman, a humorous yet heartrending story of two sisters and the year they learn about life, love and 4H skills. » Click here

ALONG FOR THE RIDE by Sarah Dessen (Fiction)
When Auden accepts her new stepmother's invitation to visit, she amazes herself by accepting. Little does she know that this is the summer that will help her answer a few huge questions, such as "Can people really change?" and "Is there such a thing as a second chance?", as well as "Will I ever actually sleep at night?" In fact, Auden’s visit will transform her life. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon and excerpted.

THE SORCERESS: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, Book 3 by Michael Scott (Fantasy)
Everyone believes it now. Josh and Sophie Newman are the twins of the prophecies. With Paris in ruins behind them, the Alchemyst Nicholas Flamel leads them to London, where he hopes to get them trained in Water Magic. While clear across the globe, the Sorceress Perenelle Flamel fights for her life against the best the Dark Elders can bring to destroy her. Reviewed by Jonathan Stephens and excerpted.

IF I STAY by Gayle Forman (Fiction)
Seventeen-year-old Mia had everything to live for --- a loving family, a beloved boyfriend, and her brilliant cello playing (and, very possibly, an acceptance to Juilliard). But everything changes during a tragic car accident. Now Mia hovers near the hospital bed where her physical body lies in a coma, weighing her options. Should she die, or should she stay? Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

CHASING THE BEAR: A Young Spenser Novel, by Robert B. Parker (Fiction)
For almost 40 years, Robert B. Parker’s private investigator Spenser has been solving cases and selling millions of books worldwide. Now, for the first time, see how it all began as the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master sheds light on Spenser’s formative years spent with his father and two uncles out West. Reviewed by Amy Alessio.

DESTROY ALL CARS by Blake Nelson (Fiction)
Seventeen-year-old James Hoff knows the only way to save the world is by destroying all cars. His ex-girlfriend, Sadie Kinnell, would rather use more peaceful tactics to save the environment. Told in essays and journal entries, James attempts to explain his disdain toward oil companies and his feelings toward Sadie. Reviewed by Benjamin Boche.

WOLF ISLAND: The Demonata, Book 8 by Darren Shan (Horror/Supernatural)
As the mysterious Shadow builds an army of demons in the eighth book of Darren Shan’s Demonata series, Grubbs Grady and his team search desperately for answers. But when they follow up a new lead, it takes them to an old, unexpected foe --- the Lambs. Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts.

TOUCH by Francine Prose (Fiction)
Maisie Willard never thought it was strange that her three best friends were boys. Maisie, Kevin, Chris and Shakes were the four musketeers since preschool. Their friendship seemed unbreakable. So how can something that happened on the back of a school bus change everything? Reviewed by Kristi Olson.

BREATHLESS by Lurlene McDaniel (Fiction)
Travis Morrison is a high school champion diver complete with best friend, girlfriend, adoring little sister and a bright future. When his leg is amputated from bone cancer, each person takes a turn telling the story of what happens when people are faced with extreme circumstances and impossible decisions. Reviewed by Benjamin Boche.

THE REAL REAL by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (Fiction)
The senior class of Hampton High can't contain their excitement about their school being the new recruiting grounds for XTV, a major network that is filming a reality TV show starring a few lucky teens. Jesse O'Rourke is shocked to be chosen as a star and euphoric about getting the $40,000 college scholarship that comes with the deal. With her life turned upside down, Jesse will have to decide what the real is and the real real. Reviewed by Melanie Smith.

THE SINGING: The Fourth Book of Pellinor, by Alison Croggon (Fantasy/Action & Adventure)
In an increasingly battle-ravaged land, Maerad, Cadvan and Hem desperately search for one another as they make their separate journeys. The Black Army is advancing north, and even as Maerad faces a mighty confrontation with the Landrost to save Innail, all of the Seven Kingdoms are threatened with bitter and devastating defeat. Yet in Maerad and Hem lives the secret to the mysterious Singing, and legend holds that if they release the music of Elidhu together, they have the power to defeat the Nameless One. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.

THE TWILIGHT PRISONER by Katherine Marsh (Fantasy)
Jack tries hard to fit in at his new school --- and tries even harder to win the affections of his classmate and friend, Cora. In an effort to impress her, Jack leads Cora to the entrance of the underworld and makes a terrible mistake. Soon they have crossed the threshold, and there may be no getting back. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY by Jenny Han (Fiction)
In Jenny Han’s second novel, everything changes --- sometimes not for the better --- during Belly’s usually predictable summer vacation. Jealousy, sexuality and loyalties collide when family friends don’t seem quite so brotherly anymore. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

SPROUT by Dale Peck (Fiction)
Sprout Bradford has a secret. He’ll tell you he’s gay. He’ll tell you about his dad’s drinking and his mother’s death. The green fingerprints everywhere tell you when he last dyed his hair. But neither the reader nor Sprout are prepared for what happens when Sprout suddenly finds he has had a more profound effect on the lives around him than he ever thought possible. Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin.

PUNKZILLA by Adam Rapp (Fiction)
For a runaway boy who goes by the name "Punkzilla," kicking a meth habit and a life of petty crime in Portland, Oregon, is a prelude to a mission: reconnecting with his older brother, a gay man dying of cancer in Memphis. Against a backdrop of seedy motels, dicey bus stations and hitched rides, the desperate 14-year-old meets a colorful, sometimes dangerous cast of characters. And in letters to his sibling, he catalogs them all. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.

A KISS IN TIME by Alex Flinn (Fiction)
A long time ago, in a European kingdom named Euphrasia, a witch places a curse on a princess, where by the young royal shall prick her finger on a spindle and sleep until a prince awakens her with a kiss. Three hundred years later in the present day, a teenager from America wanders into the kingdom and awakens the princess. But will two teens from such vastly different backgrounds be able to find their happily ever after? Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.

Graphic Novel Reviews:

I KILL GIANTS written by Joe Kelly and illustrated by JM Ken Nimura
Barbara is a far-from-average little fifth grader. Aside from her interesting choice in headgear, she likes to train to kill giants. But when she's not protecting the world from impending doom, she's dealing with some very heavy stuff in this sweet and incredibly moving tale. Reviewed by John Hogan.

THE AMAZING REMARKABLE MONSIEUR LEOTARD by Eddie Campbell and Dan Best
Eddie Campbell and Dan Best team up for a rollicking story that's as fun as a day under the big top --- a three-ring gallery of humor and adventure. The creators delve into history in a wonderfully inventive way. Reviewed by John Hogan.

BEANWORLD Book 1: WAHOOLAZUMA! by Larry Marder
Beanworld is strange, but ultimately it is one of the more rewarding and unique comics experiences you'll encounter. It wouldn't be a stretch to suggest this as a required text at many educational levels. Reviewed by Brian P. Rubin.

Manga Reviews:

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION: THE MANGA, Volume 1
Tokyopop brings you “Star Trek: The Next Generation” in a way you've never seen before with STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION: THE MANGA, a collection of four stories by different authors and artists set in the popular sci-fi universe. Reviewed by Courtney Kraft.

VENUS CAPRICCIO, Volume 1 by Mai Nishikata
Best friends Takami and Akira have been playing the piano together since childhood. After Takami gets dumped by yet another boyfriend, she looks to Akira for help. But he tells her something she wasn’t ever expecting to hear. Could it be that the perfect guy has been by Takami’s side this whole time? Reviewed by Courtney Kraft.

CRAZY FOR THE STORM: A Memoir of Survival, by Norman Ollestad (Memoir)
February 1979: 11 year-old Norman Ollestad is the lone survivor of a harrowing plane crash that kills his magnetic, adrenaline-addicted father, a man who stopped at nothing to mold his son into a fearless surfer and ski champion. Set amid the uninhibited beach culture of Malibu and Mexico, this story of an extraordinary father-son bond has also been hailed by Susan Cheever as “a heart-stopping adventure” that asks “what it means to lead a life without limits.” Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

THE LEGEND OF SIGURD & GUDRÚN written by J. R. R. Tolkien and edited by Christopher Tolkien (Fantasy/Poetry)
J. R. R. Tolkien once commented that the northern lands of Sigurd and the Völsungs were "pre-eminently desirable" for his escapist fantasies as a youth. In time he wrote his own variation, after careful study, but it was lost to time. Now, his son Christopher has unearthed and dusted off those long-forgotten epic poems and given them their proper place in the pantheon of the Tolkien legendarium. Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard.

THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE by Alan Bradley (Mystery)
It is the summer of 1950 --- and a series of inexplicable events has struck Buckshaw, the decaying English mansion that 11-year-old Flavia de Luce’s family calls home. A dead bird is found on the doorstep, a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak. Hours later, Flavia finds a man lying in the cucumber patch and watches him as he takes his dying breath. For Flavia, an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. Reviewed by Roz Shea.

Thinking about starting a Book Club? Trying to find new ideas for your Club? Wondering what the heck a Book Club is? Never fear, Teenreads has all the answers to your Book Club questions, and some guides to help you lead a good discussion with your friends. Book Clubs are easy to start and lot of fun, so if you love books, this is for you!

» Click here for more

• May: Name three books that probably won't be on your school's summer reading list, but you wish were.
  
  
• April: Name the last three books you read that you just couldn't stop talking about.
  
  
• March: What is the longest book you've ever read?
  
  
• Click here for more past questions of the month.
  
  

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