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The Bad Mother's Handbook
Synopsis: BAD MOTHER RULE #1: NEVER, EVER, DO WHAT I DID!

For seventeen-year-old Charlotte Cooper, it’s too late. Despite her best efforts to finish school, tune out her angry, slightly hysterical mother, and cope with her loving but dotty grandmother, she is unexpectedly (now that’s an understatement) pregnant. And don’t even mention the jerk who knocked her up.

Charlotte’s mother, Karen, is trying to convince herself that there are worse things than becoming a grandmother at thirty-three. For instance, there’s wanting to kill Charlotte for the mess she’s made of her life. Between struggling to pay the bills and halfheartedly filling out questionnaires on Internet dating sites, Karen uncovers a scandalous family secret involving her own birth, and then falls back into bed with her sexy ex-husband. So much for perfect timing.

In the meantime, Karen’s mother, Nan, is having a wee bit of trouble with names (sometimes her own). But that doesn’t keep her from retaining a few things she’d rather forget. Of course, Nan knows that everything will work out fine for Charlotte and the baby–these things usually do. Now, if only she could put the pieces of her own fragmented memory together, she might have an interesting tale or two to share.

In this wickedly funny, disarmingly moving novel, three generations of mothers learn that it’s the simplest mistakes that can change your life forever. With wit and wisdom, Kate Long proves that there are as many kinds of mothers as there are daughters, but the love that binds them all is what truly matters.


From the Hardcover edition.
Publication Date: 06/27/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Homefront
Doris Gwaltney
Synopsis: When her British uncle and cousin flee London during World War II and come to live in her family's farmhouse in Virginia, Margaret Ann is unhappy with having to share a room and having her life disrupted by a relative she hardly knows, but when Margaret Ann's brother goes off to the Pacific to fight, the cousins bond in ways neither ever expected.
Publication Date: 06/20/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Fablehaven
Brandon Mull
Synopsis: Trespassers will be turned to stone

For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary is one of the last strongholds of true magic. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite . . .

Kendra and her brother, Seth, have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws keep order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken, powerful forces of evil are unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives, to save their family, Fablehaven, and perhaps even the world.
Publication Date: 06/14/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Adventure
Frogs and French Kisses
Sarah Mlynowski
Synopsis: Rachel has finally come to terms with the outrageously unfair fact that her younger sister, Miri, has inherited magical powers from their mom. But now the whole witchcraft thing is spiraling out of control. Mom is a magicaholic, Miri’s on a Save the World kick, and the one teeny tiny love spell that Rachel begged for has gone embarrassingly, horribly wrong.

Suddenly, the fate of everything is in Rachel’s hands.

Her family.

The world.

Senior prom.
Publication Date: 06/13/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Chick Lit
Just for You to Know
Cheryl Harness
Synopsis:

As her family noisily slurps root beers at a drive-in stop, Carmen longs to be invisible -- especially when Clark and Larry shout out the news about Mama. Can it get any worse than this? Carmen imagines she's been kidnapped -- how else did she wind up as one of the Cathcarts. . . . At almost thirteen she's the oldest, with five noisy little brothers, a dreamy mom, and a sometimes reckless dad.

When she's a famous artist, she'll get away from them all!

This wonderfully honest and bighearted first novel mirrors life. Carmen Cathcart becomes a friend as, with a voice that is deeply moving yet often funny, she shares the importance of holding on to your dreams and what it means to be a family.

Publication Date: 06/13/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Cinderella
Barbara Ensor, Barbara Ensor
Synopsis: I know, I know. You’ve heard the story a million times before. Mean stepmother. Lots of sweeping. Fancy ball. You remember. Or do you? Did you remember that Cinderella was such a nice girl—so smart and funny? You probably would’ve liked her. Did you know that “Cinderella” was just a nickname? And that her handsome prince loved Jell-o and was a wonderful dancer?

Readers will delight in following Cinderella through all the usual happenings, presented in a most unusual way. And they’ll finally see what becomes of her after she marries the prince. So maybe you should hear the story one last time. Because it’s actually way different than you might have thought. . . .

Kids who have outgrown picture books and are ready for something longer—but still love illustrated texts—will gravitate toward this Cinderella, which was an IRA-CBC Children's Choice selection. Black-and-white silhouettes of everything from the ugly stepsisters to Cinderella’s slipper (actual size) are intermingled with Cinderella’s letters to her recently deceased mother in this totally original package. And don't miss the companion book to this fairy-tale reboot: Thumbelina, Tiny Runaway Bride.
Publication Date: 06/13/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Archer's Quest
Linda Sue Park
Synopsis: In Dorchester, New York, Kevin is doing his homework when suddenly an arrow comes out of nowhere and pins his baseball cap to the wall. The man who shot the arrow claims he fell off a tiger . . . and wound up in Kevin’s room. It’s not long before Kevin realizes that the man, who calls himself Chu-mong, or Great Archer, is no ordinary burglar, but a traveler from far away in both space and time.

A visit to the local museum confirms that there was a king named Chu-mong in ancient Korea who was legendary for many accomplishments, including exceptional skill with bow and arrow. Kevin knows little about his own Korean heritage, but he understands that unless Archer returns to his people and his throne, history will be changed forever. And he’s determined to help Archer go back, no matter what it takes.

Award-winning novelist Linda Sue Park has created a funny and suspenseful adventure, incorporating intriguing bits of Korean history and lore, that will captivate even reluctant readers and will add to her audience of devoted fans. Author’s note.
Publication Date: 06/12/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Adventure
The Rise of Lubchenko
Michael Simmons
Synopsis: Slacker Evan Macalister receives an anonymous call warning him that his father's partner, Jim Richmond, has smuggled live smallpox virus into Europe and is planning to sell it to a terrorist group--and kill Evan's father to cover his tracks--so with his best friend Ruben and new girlfriend Erika in tow, Evan jets off to Europe to save the day. By the author of Finding Lubchenko.
Publication Date: 06/08/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Ranger's Apprentice: The Burning Bridge
Synopsis: The international bestselling series with over 5 million copies sold in the U.S. alone!

Bracing for a final clash with the evil warlord Morgarath, the Rangers rally the kingdom’s allies, and Will is chosen, along with his friend Horace, as special envoys to nearby Celtica. But the simple mission soon takes an unsettling turn – the Celticans have disappeared, their town abandoned. The scheming hand of Morgarath, it seems, has been far from idle. He has found a way to bring his legions over the once impassible eastern mountains and is planning to ambush the king’s army in a rout. Now with help many miles away, Will and Horace are the only ones standing in the way of the dark lord’s plans.They have shown great skill and courage in their training, but how will they fare in the face of true evil?

Perfect for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, T.H. White’s The Sword in the Stone, Christopher Paolini’s Eragon series, and George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire series.


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Publication Date: 06/08/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Adventure
Fat Camp
Deborah Blumenthal
Synopsis: At a summer camp for overweight teenagers, high school student Cam Phillips finds support from her cabin mates and love from a fellow camper as she battles her weight and her perceptions of food and exercise. By the author of Fat Chance. Original. 35,000 first printing.
Publication Date: 06/06/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Jennifer Scales and the Messenger of Light
Anthony Alongi, MaryJanice Davidson
Synopsis: Fifteen-year-old Jennifer Scales learns yet another secret of her family's past, and must help to track down and stop a murderous half-weredragon, half-werachnid.
Publication Date: 06/06/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Crystal Doors
Rebecca Moesta, Kevin J Anderson
Synopsis: Two fourteen-year-old cousins are accidentally transported to the island of Elantya, site of ancient magic, vicious creatures, and fierce battles produced by a territorial feud with the sea-dwelling merlons, conflict between the bright and dark sages, and the cousins' own mysterious roots. 40,000 first printing.
Publication Date: 06/06/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Breathe
Cliff McNish
Synopsis: When he and his mother move into an farmhouse in the English countryside, twelve-year-old Jack discovers he can communicate with ghosts and establishes a relationship with a spirit that threatens to destroy both his mother and himself.
Publication Date: 06/06/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Secrets of My Hollywood Life
Synopsis: What if... Your picture was taped inside teenage boys' lockers across America, your closets were bursting with never-worn designer clothing, and the tabloids constantly asked whether you were losing your "good girl" status?

It's a glamorous life, but sixteen-year-old Kaitlin Burke, costar of one of the hottest shows on TV, is exhausted from the pressures of fame. Then she hits on an outrageously daring solution, one that has to remain top secret or it will jeopardize everything she's ever worked for.
Publication Date: 06/06/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Adventure
Firegirl
Tony Abbott
Synopsis: "...there is..." Mrs. Tracy was saying quietly, "there is something we need to know about Jessica..."

From this moment on, life is never quite the same for Tom and his seventh-grade classmates. They learn that Jessica has been in a fire and was badly burned, and will be attending St. Catherine's while getting medical treatments. Despite her horrifying appearance and the fear she evokes in him and most of the class, Tom slowly develops a tentative friendship with Jessica that changes his life.

Tony Abbott is the author of over 35 books for young readers, including the extremely popular The Secrets of Droon series. In Firegirl he has written a powerful book that will show readers that even the smallest of gestures can have a profound impact on someone's life.
Publication Date: 06/06/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Behind the Eyes
Francisco Stork
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Hector is the hope of his family, but when he seeks revenge after his brother's gang-related death and is sent to a San Antonio reform school, it takes an odd assortment of characters to help him see that hope is still alive.
Publication Date: 06/01/06
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction

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