More New Fiction for November 2008
Anderson, Laurie Halse. Chains: Seeds of America. YA/ AND
After being sold to a cruel couple in New York City, a slave named Isabel spies for the rebels during the Revolutionary War.
Anderson, M.T. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing. Traitor to the Nation. Volume 2. The Kingdom on the Waves. YA/ AND
After escaping a death sentence in the summer of 1775, Octavian and his tutor find shelter but no safe harbor in British-occupied Boston and, persuaded by Lord Dunmore's proclamation offering freedom to slaves who join his counterrevolutionary Royal Ethiopian Regiment, Octavian and his friends soon find themselves engaged in naval raids on the Virginia coastline as the Revolutionary War breaks out in full force. When he and his tutor escape to British-occupied Boston, Octavian learns of Lord Dunmore's proclamation offering freedom to slaves who join the counterrevolutionary forces. Ultimately, this astonishing narrative escalates to a startling, deeply satisfying climax, while reexamining our national origins in a singularly provocative light.
Goldman, Steven. Two Parties, One Tux, and a Very Short Film About the Grapes of Wrath. YA/ GOL
Mitch, a shy and awkward high school junior, negotiates the difficult social situations he encounters, both with girls and with his best friend David, after David reveals to him that he is gay.
Green, John. Paper Towns. YA/GRE
One month before graduating from his Central Florida high school, Quentin "Q" Jacobsen basks in the predictable boringness of his life until the beautiful and exciting Margo Roth Spiegelman, Q's neighbor and classmate, takes him on a midnight adventure and then mysteriously disappears.
Hogan, Mary. Pretty Face. YA/HOG
When an overweight high school student from Santa Monica spends the summer in Italy, she learns to relish life and understand the true meaning of beauty.
Link, Kelly. Pretty Monsters. YA/ LIN
Weirdly wonderful and a touch macabre, the nine short stories take readers into worlds with elements of reality but also supply a fantastic twist.
Ness, Patrick. The Knife of Never Letting Go. YA/ NES
Pursued by power-hungry Prentiss and mad minister Aaron, young Todd and Viola set out across New World searching for answers about his colony's true past and seeking a way to warn the ship bringing hopeful settlers from Old World.
Reeve, Philip. Here Lies Arthur. YA/ REE
When her village is attacked and burned, Gwyna seeks protection from the bard Myrddin, who uses Gwyna in his plan to transform young Arthur into the heroic King Arthur.
Ryan, Amy Kathleen. Vibes. YA/ RYA
Kristi, a sophomore in an alternative high school, is aware that nearly everyone dislikes her--even those obsessed by her large breasts--but begins to doubt her psychic insights after learning long-held family secrets and some classmates' true feelings.
Schumacher, Julie. Black box. YA/ SCH
When her sixteen-year-old sister is hospitalized for depression and her parents want to keep it a secret, fourteen-year-old Elena tries to cope with her own anxiety and feelings of guilt that she is determined to conceal from outsiders.
Mustashrik. Manga Shakespeare: Julius Caesar. YA/ 822.33/ SHA
Retells, in comic book format, Shakespeare's play about political intrigue, personal betrayal, and the aftermath of a brutal assassination.
