YA Novels | Book Spotlights

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 5, 2012

ON THE DAY I DIED: Stories from the Grave

By Candace Fleming

“Positively tailor-made for reading—or reading aloud—by flashlight.”

—Kirkus Reviews, starred

The phenomenally versatile, award-winning author Candace Fleming gives teen and older tween readers ten ghost stories sure to send chills up their spines. Set in White Cemetery, an actual graveyard outside Chicago, each story takes place during a different time period from the 1860s to the present, and ends with the narrator’s death. Some teens die heroically, others ironically, but all due to supernatural causes. Readers will meet walking corpses and witness demonic posession, all against the backdrop of Chicago’s rich history–the Great Depression, the World’s Fair, Al Capone and his fellow gangsters.

Schwartz & Wade Books | 978-0-375-86781-1 | July 10, 2012 | $16.99 | Ages 11-14 | 208 pages

JERSEY ANGEL

By Beth Ann Bauman

“One can almost smell salt and sunscreen in the air in this soulful and insightful coming-of-age story.”

—Publishers Weekly, starred

An irresistible story about the real people behind the stereotypes of the Jersey Shore. About friendship and how it matters. About what it means to desire, to love, and to betray. It’s the summer before senior year and the alluring Angel is ready to have fun. She’s not like her best friend, Inggy, who has a steady boyfriend, good grades, and college plans. Angel isn’t sure what she wants to do yet, but she has confidence and experience beyond her years. Still, her summer doesn’t start out as planned. Her good friend Joey doesn’t want to fool around anymore. He wants to be her boyfriend, while Angel doesn’t want to be tied down. As Joey pulls away, and Inggy tours colleges, Angel finds herself spending more time with Inggy’s boyfriend, Cork. With its cast of vivid and memorable characters, this tale from the Jersey shore is sure to make some waves.

Wendy Lamb Books | 978-0-385-74020-3 | May 8, 2012 | $15.99 | Ages 14 and up | 208 pages

THE UNBEARABLE BOOK CLUB FOR UNSINKABLE GIRLS

By Julie Schumacher

“The characters, especially the four girls, sparkle, and even amid drama the narration remains lighthearted enough to appeal beyond bookish readers.”

—Kirkus Reviews, starred

Perfect for both book lovers and book clubbers who are snapping up works about reading, such as Pies & Prejudice and The Jane Austen Book Club, as well as those made weary by self-satisfied bibliophiles and who want some snark, plot, and drama. Adrienne’s mother forces her to join a summer mother-daughter book club. Adrienne joins three other very reluctant teens, to both hilarious and tragic result. This is neither saccharine or overly sincere, but is funny, dark, literary, and sophisticated. Written in essay form, it includes literary terms, glossary, and a thesis statement, all in a way that is subtle and comic.

Delacorte Press | 978-0-385-73773-9 | May 8, 2012 | $16.99 | Ages 12 and up | 240 pages

FLIRTING IN ITALIAN

By Lauren Henderson

Lauren Henderson, bestselling author of Kiss Me Kill Me, follows four girls’ unforgettable summer in the magnificent Italian countryside. Four girls. One magical–and possibly dangerous–Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys!

Delacorte Press | 978-0-385-74135-4 | June 12, 2012 | $17.99 | Ages 12 and up | 336 pages

DIVA

By Jillian Larkin

Lovers. Rivals. Backstabbers. Something wedded this way comes. . . . Joy and tragedy collide in Diva, the riveting conclusion to the Flappers series, set in the dazzling Roaring Twenties.

Delacorte Press | 978-0-385-74041-8 | July 10, 2012 | $17.99 | Ages 12 and up | 320 pages

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