Elemental series

 

 

Elementals series by Brigid Kemmerer

Storm (Book1) - 2011

Blurb....'Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—the ones she doesn’t want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

When Hunter, the mysterious new kid in town, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all…' - website

 

Spark (Book 2) - 2012

Blurb ... 'Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally. Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can't. Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he's not doing it. And no one seems to believe him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Because Layne has a few secrets of her own' - website
 

Speak

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - 1999


Blurb ....
Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now her old friends won’t talk to her, and people she doesn’t even know hate her from a distance. The safest place to be is alone, inside her own head. But even that’s not safe. Because there’s something she’s trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she let it in, would blow her carefully constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have to speak the truth. This extraordinary first novel has captured the imaginations of teenagers and adults across the country.


















Visit Laurie's site: http://madwomanintheforest.com/

Thirteen reasons why

Thirteen reasons why by Jay Asher - 2007

Blurb ....
Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

This is a classic edge of your seat story and just when you think you know what's going on BAM, along comes another scene that leaves you shaking your head. This story takes you on a journey of sorrow, doubt, anger, revenge, heartache and more sorrow yet it leaves you with a little ray of sunshine. This is so powerful on many levels that I would love to see it being introduced as a Year 10 novel. A must read for all.

Visit Jay's site: http://www.thirteenreasonswhy.com/book.php

Whisper

Whisper by Chrissie Keighery - 2011

Blurb ....
I'm always trying to figure out what's really going on. Always having to fill in the gaps, but never getting all the details. It's like trying to do a jigsaw when I don't even know what the picture is, and I'm missing one of the vital middle pieces.

How do you know if your friends are talking about you behind your back or if a boy likes you? They could act innocent, but you'd know from the rumours. You'd hear the whispers. But what if you couldn't hear those whispers anymore? What if everything you took for granted was gone? Being a teenager is hard enough.

Immediately there is a connection between Demi and the reader. Your heart feels for her. Her story starts with her journey on the tram to her new school, the start of her new life. Demi is now deaf and her new world is closed off, she is frustrated, angry and lonely. Demi lets you see glimpses of her old life and how she is coming to terms that nothing will ever be the same again. Can she still follow her dreams? Will she ever find friends who just 'get' her and will she find someone who just loves her? Hmmm no spoiling here, you will just have to read it for yourself. You won't be disappointed. I loved it.


Visit Chrissie's site: http://www.chrissieperry.com/Whisper.html

Unlocked

Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave - 2011

Blurb ....
Andy is the janitor's son, an outcast, a nobody. Then the rumor starts-that Blake has a gun in his locker. In a moment of misguided hopefulness, Andy steals the keys from his dad and opens up Blake's locker, hoping that finding the gun will change his own status. But the gun isn't there and Andy remains an outcast. When an unlikely friendship develops between the two loners, Blake shares most of his secrets with Andy, including the gun. But there's one secret that worries Andy more than anything-the date circled on Blake's calendar. Does Blake have something planned? Something that Andy can prevent? In a fascinating look at how teens deal with the now constant threat of school violence, debut author Ryan G. Van Cleave provides a unique, emotional perspective on how it feels to be the one who can prevent a tragedy.


This verse novel is set in a junior high school in America.  It is based around 2 boys and how they deal with their 'social status'. One boy Andy is on the 'outer' and desperately wants to belong.  Blake however has purposely distanced himself from his peers since the death of his father in Iraq. Then one day the rumour starts. Does Blake have a gun in his locker?? And if the answer is yes, why does he?? Is Andy brave enough to find out?? This contemporary story is powerful and even though it is a quick read Andy and Blake will stay with you for days to come.

Visit Ryan's site: http://www.ryangvancleave.com/

Graffiti moon

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - 2010

Honour Award of The Children's Book Council of Australia, YA 2011

Blurb ....
Lucy is in love with Shadow, a mysterious graffiti artist.
Ed thought he was in love with Lucy, until she broke his nose.
Dylan loves Daisy, but throwing eggs at her probably wasn't the best way to show it. Jazz and Leo are slowly encircling each other.
An intense and exhilarating 24 hours in the lives of four teenagers on the verge: of adulthood, of HSC, of finding out just who they are, and who they want to be.

For me this story took a bit to warm up, however, once it did it was on a roll. It's aimed at 17 to 18 year olds by the use of its contemporary language and subject matter with the ups and downs of relationships. I really liked this story.

Cath Crowley takes you on a journey looking through the eyes of it two main characters, Lucy and Ed. So each chapter is seen through Lucy's eye's then the next through Ed's. The story begins on the last day of Year 12 and the events that unfold throughout the night and finishes the next morning. Basically, Lucy wants to meet the elusive Shadow, a graffiti artist whose work really speaks to Lucy, and spends her night trying to find him. Ed however, is doing his best making sure she doesn't. I'm not going to spoil the story and tell you what happens, you will just have to read it to find out!!

Visit Cath's site: http://cathcrowley.com.au/