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"You Are Here" Reading List: Asia


You Are Here logoWe’re continuing to head east in this week’s installment of our “You Are Here” reading lists. These books span the massive continent of Asia, including India, China, and Japan.

 

Teens, don’t forget… You still have nearly two weeks to submit your five reviews for the Summer Reading Celebration in order to pick up your free book. We still have drawings left at all SJPL locations for two $50 bookstore giftcards. We also encourage those of you with the time and imagination to submit a video review for a chance to win a NOOK Color! Check these awesome book trailers out for some inspiration if you want to get cinematic, but remember, it can be as simple as you in front of the camera talking about a book you enjoyed.

 

 

Chain Mail : Addicted to You by Hiroshi Ishizaki

The boundaries between reality and fantasy become blurred when four disillusioned Tokyo teenagers, who have never met, collaborate to write an online fictional story--a psychological thriller told from four points of view.

 

Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet coverKoyal Dark, Mango Sweet by Kashmira Sheth

Growing up with her family in Mumbai, India, sixteen-year-old Jeeta disagrees with much of her mother's traditional advice about how to live her life and tries to be more modern and independent.

 

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya by Nagaru Tanigawa

On the first day at a Japanese high school, an irrepressible girl announces her lack of interest in "ordinary humans" and proceeds to form a club dedicated to finding aliens, time travelers, and other forms of supernatural life, with the intention of having fun with them.

 

Subway Girl by P.J. Converse

In Hong Kong, Chan Tze Man, called Simon Chan, leaves high school because he cannot master English, but when he befriends Amy, a Chinese American who knows little Chinese, their unlikely bond gives hope to both.

 

Swimming in the Monsoon Sea by Shyam Selvadurai

The setting is Sri Lanka, 1980, and it is the season of monsoons. Life for Amrith seems rather uneventful and orderly, but things change in a hurry when his male cousin arrives from Canada.

 

Wandering Warrior by Da Chen

Eleven-year-old Luka, destined to become the future emperor of China, is trained in the ways of the kung fu wandering warriors by the wise monk Atami.



"You Are Here" Reading List: Europe


You Are Here logoWe’re boarding our first international flight in this week’s installment of our "You Are Here" summer reading lists. Pack your beret, lederhosen, or wacky royal wedding hat…Next stop: Europe! We’re exploring England, France, Italy, Germany, and more in this week’s list of recommended reads, which contain a mix of sci-fi, romance, mystery, and historical fiction.

 

Teens, don’t forget to keep writing those book reviews! Last week we gave out the AMC Gold Experience movie packs to lucky winners at all SJPL locations in our first bi-weekly Summer Reading Celebration raffle. Don’t worry though, there’s still time to read and write reviews before July 31 in order to win upcoming prizes, or you can finish up that video review for a chance to score the Nook Color!

 

You Are Here: Europe

 

Anna and the French Kiss coverAnna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

When Anna's romance-novelist father sends her to an elite American boarding school in Paris for her senior year of high school, she reluctantly goes, and meets an amazing boy who becomes her best friend, in spite of the fact that they both want something more.

 

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

When sixteen-year-old orphan Tessa Fell's older brother suddenly vanishes, her search for him leads her into Victorian-era London's dangerous supernatural underworld, and when she discovers that she herself is a Downworlder, she must learn to trust the demon-killing Shadowhunters if she ever wants to learn to control her powers and find her brother.

 

Heist Society by Ally Carter

A group of teenagers uses their combined talents to re-steal several priceless paintings and save fifteen-year-old Kat Bishop's father, himself an international art thief, from a vengeful collector. The new sequel is out now: Uncommon Criminals.

 

Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? by Eleanor Updale

In Victorian London, after his life is saved by a young physician, a thief utilizes the knowledge he gains in prison and from the scientific lectures he attends as the physician's case study exhibit to create a new, highly successful, double life for himself.

 

Num8ers coverNum8ers by Rachel Ward

Fifteen-year-old British teen Jem knows when she looks at someone the exact date they will die, so she avoids relationships and tries to keep out of the way, but when she meets a boy named Spider and they plan a day out together, they become more involved than either of them had planned.

 

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

When seventeen-year-old Ginny receives a packet of mysterious envelopes from her favorite aunt, she leaves New Jersey to criss-cross Europe on a sort of scavenger hunt that transforms her life. Check out the new sequel: The Last Little Blue Envelope.



"You Are Here" Reading List: East Coast


You Are Here sloganWe hit the road in last week's installment of our "You Are Here" summer reading lists. It was a long drive, but we've finally arrived at the Atlantic. These books below take place along the East Coast. Get your passport ready, because next week we're crossing the pond.

 

Also, don't forget to enter your five book reviews online to score your free book and to get entered into our gift card raffles. If you create a video review, you'll also be entered to win a Nook Color. Keep up the great reading!

 

You Are Here: East Coast

 

The Daughters by Joanna Philbin

In New York City, three fourteen-year-old best friends who are all daughters of celebrities watch out for each other as they try to strike a balance between ordinary high school events, such as finding a date for the homecoming dance, and family functions like walking the red carpet with their famous parents.

 

Delirium coverDelirium by Lauren Oliver

In this dystopian sci-fi tale, Lena looks forward to receiving the government-mandated cure that prevents the delirium of love and leads to a safe, predictable, and happy life in her hometown of Portland, Maine, until ninety-five days before her eighteenth birthday and her treatment, when she falls in love.

 

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

It's the night of Nick, Norah and NYC. Their chance meeting turns into a crusade to find a legendary rock band's secret show, which somehow ends up as a first date, and ultimately becomes a night that will change their lives forever.

 

Summer of the Geek by Piper Banks

Fifteen-year-old Miranda's summer job in Florida as au pair to a ten-year-old piano prodigy proves to be as challenging as keeping out of her stepmother's way, passing her driving test, and holding her boyfriend's interest when his former girlfriend returns.

 

Surface Tension coverSurface Tension: A Novel in Four Summers by Brent Runyon

During the summer vacations of his thirteenth through his sixteenth year at the family's lake cottage in upstate New York, Luke realizes that although some things stay the same over the years that many more change.

 

Tell Us We're Home by Marina Budhos

Three immigrant girls from different parts of the world meet and become close friends in a small New Jersey town where their mothers have found domestic work, but their relationships are tested when one girl's mother is accused of stealing a precious heirloom.

 

Vampire High by Douglas Rees

When his family moves from California to New Sodom, Massachusetts, and Cody enters Vlad Dracul Magnet School, many things seem strange, from the dark-haired, pale-skinned, supernaturally strong students to Charon, the wolf who guides him around campus onthe first day.



"You Are Here" Reading List: American Road Trips


You Are Here sloganYesterday was the first official day of summer, (as if you couldn't tell by the heat, right?) . I hope you all have signed up for the Summer Reading Celebration by now! As I promised last week in my first installment of my "You Are Here" reading lists for the summer, I'm back for another adventure. This week we are hitting the open road before we arrive at our next destination. This list is all about road trips across these great fifty states of ours. Some of them are wild, some are fun, and some are a bit sad, depending on your mood. So grab your convenience store snacks, put together an awesome playlist, round up your friends, and let's go!

 

You Are Here: American Road Trips

 

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

After the death of her father, Amy sets out with Roger on a carefully planned road trip from California to Connecticut, but they wind up taking many detours, forcing Amy to face her worst fears and come to terms with her grief and guilt. Like a scrapbook, there are photos, receipts, drawings, and playlists throughout the novel, which enhance the story.

 

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Colin Singleton always falls for girls named Katherine--and he's been dumped by a Katherine 19 times, to be exact. Letting expectations go and allowing love are at the heart of his hilarious quest to find his missing piece and avenge dumpees everywhere.

 

As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins

A teenaged boy encounters one comedic calamity after another when his train strands him in the middle of nowhere. Meanwhile, his parents, grandfather, and even the family dogs encounter adventures of their own as they all try to make their way back home.

 

Hit the Road by Caroline Cooney

Brit has had her driver's license only 11 days when her parents drop her off to stay at her grandmother's house for two weeks while they go on vacation. Little do they know Brit is headed for a three-state road trip with Nannie to pick up her college roommates and bring them to their alma mater for their 65th--and most likely final--reunion.

 

Night Road by A.M. Jenkins

Turns out vampires can take road trips, too. Battling his own memories and fears, Cole, an extraordinarily conscientious vampire, and his friend, impulsive Sandor, spend a few months on the road, trying to train a young man who recently joined their ranks.

 

Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer

Hired by Madeline Gladstone, the president of a shoe company, to help her prevent a corporate takeover, 16-year-old Jenna Boller embarks on an eye-opening adventure that teaches both of them the rules of the road--and the rules of life.



"You Are Here" Reading List: Bay Area


"You Are Here" teen summer reading sloganThe Summer Reading Celebration begins tomorrow, June 18th, and in honor of this year’s theme for teens, I’ve put together some fun reading lists of recommended reads for teens that will take you around the world. I will be sharing these lists with you throughout the summer, with each list containing a set of books featuring a new location. Since all of travels start at home, I’m kicking it off with a set of books that take place right here in the Bay Area. Read and enjoy, and don’t forget to sign up for the Summer Reading Celebration!

 

You Are Here: Bay Area, California

 

The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

While working at summer jobs in San Francisco, twins Sophie and Josh find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists.

 

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

This graphic novel features three intertwining stories about Chinese Americans, including Jin Wang, a boy raised in San Francisco's Chinatown who moves with his family to the suburbs.

 

Estrella’s Quinceañera by Malín Alegría

San Jose teen Estrella is turning 15, and her mother and aunt are planning a gaudy, traditional quinceañera for her, even though it is the last thing she wants.

 

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

After being wrongly imprisoned by the Department of Homeland Security in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco, seventeen-year-old Marcus must use his computer hacking skills to set things right in this action-packed techno-thriller.

 

The Wild Girls by Pat Murphy

 When thirteen-year-old Joan moves to the Bay Area in 1972, she becomes friends with Sarah, who shares her passion for creative writing, and after winning a writing contest together, they are recruited for an exclusive summer writing class that gives them new insights into themselves and others.

 

Wish: A Novel by Alexandra Bullen

After her vivacious twin sister dies, a shy teenage girl moves with her parents to San Francisco, where she meets a magical seamstress who grants her one wish.