Sabriel

Nix, Garth. Sabriel. New York: Harper Collins, 1995.
ISBN: 9780061474354 pbk.
$9.99

Reader’s Annotation:
A young girl finds out what it truly means to harness her command over the dead when she uses her powers to save her father.

Booktalk:
Death is scary. Dead people are creepy. But what is even scarier and creepier is when dead people do not stay dead. Welcome to Sabriel’s world. Sabriel exists in a world where the boundaries between life and death are not clear cut. The dead walk the Earth, the living walk among the dead. The boundary between life and death is policed only by an Abhorsen.

Sabriel’s dad is such an Abhorsen. He controls the dead with a set of special bells capable of imprisoning roving spirits and sending them to the underworld. When the bells show up at Sabriel’s school she knows her time has come. She must become the new Abhorsen. But what can a young girl with little training accomplish against the dark forces that have destroyed an experienced Abhorsen?

With every step Sabriel comes closer to death. She comes closer to the evil that claimed her father’s life. It is only by embracing her destiny that she will defeat her enemy. She must become Abhorsen and leave Sabriel behind.

Awards:
Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review
Winner of the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel
ALA Booklist Starred Review

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The Blue Girl

de Lint, Charles. The Blue Girl. New York: Penguin Group, 2004.
ISBN: 0142405450 pbk.
$7.99

Reader’s Annotation:
Seventeen year old Imogene moves to a new school district, yet in this new place she rediscovers a link to an old and not so imaginary friend.

Booktalk:
Who exactly is The Blue Girl? Imogene doesn’t start as the blue girl. Imogene starts as an ordinary girl. Granted Imogene’s a little more hardcore than your average teenage girl, but she’s still fairly normal. Well if you consider a normal girl to be a thrift shop wearing, tattoo sporting, gang member, with a quirky side.

Imogene just moved to new town and she’s determined to make a best friend. She’s willing to do anything even appear normal, well as normal as she can. Little does Imogene know that she’s about to get what she asked for in spades. Imogene makes one normal friend Maxine, a quiet studious girl that embraces Imogene’s quirky side. However, Imogene also acquires a few more friends that are slightly more unusual.

Imogene befriends a teenage ghost that haunts her school along with a couple of malicious fairies. She also reacquaints herself with her old imaginary friend, Pellie. Little does Imogene know that her exposure to the magical world is about to get complicated and a whole lot scarier. Questions lie everywhere, but the biggest question becomes why is Imogene The Blue Girl?

Awards/Reviews:
Winner of the World Fantasy Award
VOYA reviewed December 1, 2004
Booklist reviewed February 15, 2004
School Library Journal reviewed November 1, 2004

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Twilight

Meyer, Stephanie. Twilight. New York: Hatchette Book Group, 2005.
ISBN: 0316015849 pbk.
498 pp.
$10.00

Reader’s Annotation:
Twilight is the story of a young girl that finds herself in love with a mysterious boy that is definitely more than human.

Booktalk:
Bella Swan is a seventeen year old from Arizona who has moved to Forks, Washington. She likes the sun and the heat. She loves her mom and step-dad. So why does she like Forks? Forks is the rainiest darkest place Bella has ever seen, far away from her mom and all she’s ever known. Well like all teenage girls it might have something to do with a boy.

Edward Cullen is a seventeen year old boy from Forks, Washington. He likes the rain and the clouds. He’s comfortable living in Forks. So why has Forks suddenly become the place he simultaneously needs to be, but can’t stand to be? Well like all teenage boys it might have something to do with a girl.

This is a love story. This is the best kind of love story, the forbidden kind. Bella and Edward aren’t supposed to be, but what happens when they discover that they are meant to be? What happens when you discover that you are “unconditionally and irrevocably in love” with someone whose optimal lighting condition is Twilight?

Awards:
New York Times Editor’s Choice
Teen People “Hot List” pick
Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year
ALA "Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults"
ALA "Top Ten Books for Reluctant Readers"

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