Clubbing, By Andi Watson & Josh Howard

By: Andi Watson & Josh Howard

Publisher: Minx Books

Publish Date: July 11, 2007

ISBN: 1401203701

Page #: 176

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Graphic Novels

Age Level: Older Teens

Series Titles: n/a

Subjects: Nightlife, Friendship, Mystery

Reader's Annotation: After getting caught with a fake I.D., Lottie is sent to her grandparents for a summer as punishment.

Synopsis: Lottie is spoiled and wild and lives for the London nightlife. But when she gets caught with a fake ID, her parents send her (as punishment) to her grandparents high-end resort club. Golf, ladies with tea, and the boring elite consume her rebellious spirit. But as a twist, a modern Nancy-Drew murder mystery change Lottie's summer experience into something more wild then her wild nights in London. Perhaps her boring summer punishment may turn out to be one very adventuresome summer! And, as much as she tries to avoid it, she may fall in love in the process.

One of the best parts of Clubbing is the never-ending British slang Lottie uses throughout the book. The back of the book provides a "Lottie's Lexicon" to help the reader decipher her tongue. But beware, you my start saying speaking in "Lottie."

Notes: CLUBBING is written by the Eisner- and Harvey-nominated indie sensation Andi Watson (Geisha, Paris, Skeleton Key) and illustrated by Josh Howard (Dead @ 17), Wizard magazine's pick as the #1 independent book to watch in 2005. 

Stars: 5

Extras: Free Preview Online http://www.dccomics.com/media/excerpts/7503_x.pdf

Author Website: http://www.andiwatson.biz/

Illustrator Website (Warning: Adult/Graphic Images): http://joshhoward.typepad.com/

ghostgirl, By Tonya Hurley

By: Tonya Hurley
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Publish Date: 
ISBN: 0316113573
Page #:  336 pages
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: Older Teen
Series Titles: 

ghostgirl

homecoming (YTBR) Available for pre-order here

Subjects: Popularity & Death

Reader's Annotation: In a story that is about as sweet as death can be, Charlotte Usher meets her maker by choking on a gummy bear. And now that she's dead, she's is hoping she will rest in utter popularity!

Synopsis: Charlotte Usher feels sadly transparent at school, and this is before she dies! Then one day she really is dead. Now that she is truly see-through (and in as cute a way as the cover of this book: because she choked on a gummy bear) she decides she can go about her goals another way. Being in the here after doesn't halt Charlotte from wanting to be the "life" of the party; it just makes her more resourceful about reaching her hopes and dreams. It is true most teens feel everything is life and death in high school, but wait till you meet Charlotte! In this kooky but sweet story, Ms. Hurley makes our life and death experiences with feeling invisible so much more fun to deal with. Have you ever really thought about how far you would go to feel like the life of the party? 

Notes:  "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.And if I should die before I awake, I pray the popular attend my wake." 

Stars: 5 Stars
Awards:
Extras:  R.I.P. - Read In Peace http://www.ghostgirl.com/

NYPL teens talks about ghostgirl: 

A truly Incredible Fan Project:

Dead Is The New Black, By Marlene Perez

By:  Marlene Perez

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Paperbacks; 1 edition 
• Publishing Date: September 1, 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152064087
• Classification: Fiction
  

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal/Mystery 

Age Level: Young Adult

Series Title:

Dead Is The New Black

Dead Is So Last Year

Dead Is a State of Mind

Subjects: Popularity, Death, Mystery, Psychic Abilities, Sisters

Reader's Annotation: The cheerleader in Daisy’s high school (not to mention her ex-best friend) is setting a trend, but instead of her usual sun tanned glow, she is sporting a pale-skinned, kiss of death look, cleavage, and stiletto heals!

Synopsis: In city of Nightshade, the novel’s main characters are the two Giordano sisters who hold a psychic power that tunes them into the other side of things. And when bodies start turning up the sisters start tuning into what could be causing it. Is it a vampire? Is it the cheerleader? With her mother a psychic  (working for the police station), the sisters find themselves trying to figure out what has their mom stumped. Humor abounds in this modern commentary of all things trendy. From cheerleading squads to zombified-trend setting, readers will be confused (in all the right ways) by the plot until the very last page.

Stars: 4

Extras: Marlene Perez is the author of Unexpected Development, which was named the ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. 

Author Website: http://www.marleneperez.com/