Blast Off! with a Good Book

Stories of outer space can be thrilling, scary, or humorous.  Here are some of my favorite stories set in outer space for kids . . .

Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
While picking up milk for his children's cereal, a father is abducted by aliens and finds himself on a wild adventure through time and space.

The Princess, the Scoundrel and the Farmboy by Alexandra Bracken
Presents an illustrated retelling of the first Star Wars film in which the galaxy's fate lies in the hands of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo.

Larklight by Philip Reeves
In an alternate Victorian England, young Arthur and his sister Myrtle, residents of Larklight, a floating house in one of Her Majesty's outer space territories, uncover a spidery plot to destroy the solar system.

Space Case by Stuart Gibbs
Dashiell Gibson, who lives on Moon Base Alpha, has to solve a murder of one of the moon's most prominent doctors.

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Liam Digby is so unusually tall that people think he should act like an adult, which leads him to compete against adults for a chance to go into space.


More Outer Space Stories --
Akiko on the Planet Smoo by Mark Crilley
Cakes in Space by Philip Reeve & Sarah McIntyre
Enchantress from the Stars by Sylvia Louise Engdahl
Field Guide to Aliens by Johan Olander
The Incredible Space Raiders from Space! by Wesley King
Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow by Nathan Bransford
The Lost Planet by Rachel Searles
Space Race by Sylvia Waugh
Space Taxi: Archie Takes Flight by Wendy Mass & Michael Brawer
Willy Maykit in Space by Greg Trine
Zorgoochi Intergalactic Pizza: Delivery of Doom by Dan Yaccrino


Check out these books on display at the library through December 11, 2015.

Do You Believe in Magic?

Fantasy novels are some of the most popular books for teens.  This week, I'm highlighting some great fantasy stories involving magic . . .

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
Sixteen-year-old Sydelle Mirabil, an unusually talented weaver, must master her mysterious power and join a young wizard in stopping an imminent war in her land.

White Cat by Holly Black
When Cassel Sharpe discovers that his older brothers have used him to carry out their criminal schemes and then stolen his memories, he figures out a way to turn their evil machinations against them.

An Exchange of Gifts by Anne McCaffrey
A runaway princess and a poor young boy try to make a new life for themselves without revealing their pasts or the magical powers they possess.

Impossible: A Novel by Nancy Werlin
When seventeen-year-old Lucy discovers her family is under an ancient curse by an evil Elfin Knight, she realizes to break the curse she must perform three impossible tasks before her daughter is born in order to save them both.

Reckless by Cornelia Funke
Jacob and Will Reckless have looked out for each other ever since their father disappeared, but when Jacob discovers a magical mirror that transports him to a warring world populated by witches, giants, and ogres, he keeps it to himself until Will follows him one day, with dire consequences.


More Magical Books --
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu
The Alchemyst by Michael Scotgt
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
The Art of Wishing by Lindsay Ribar
The Book of Dead Days by Marcus Sedgwick
Breath by Donna Jo Napoli
Firebug by Lish McBride
Garden Princess by Kristin Kladstrup
Girl of Fire and Thorn by Rae Carson
Magic Can Be Murder by Vivian Van Velde
Mistwood by Leah Cypess
Plain Kate by Erin Bow
Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
Shadows by Robin McKinley
Wishing Moon by Michael O. Tunnell
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula LeGuin


Check out these books on display at the Arnold Branch through August 7, 2015.

Don't Make Me Blush: Clean Reads for Teens

Are you looking for some teen books?  How about teen books that don't contain more explicit or graphic language?  Here are some suggestions for "clean" teen reads . . . .

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
Sydelle , an unusually talented weaver, must master her mysterious power and join a young wizard in stopping an imminent war in her land.

Variant by Robison E. Wells
After years in foster homes, Benson applies to the Maxfield Academy in hopes of securing a brighter future, but instead he finds that the school is a prison and no one is what he or she seems.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
In an alternate 1914 Europe, Austrian Prince Alek, on the run from the Clanker Powers who are attempting to take over the globe using mechanical machinery, forms an uneasy alliance with Deryn who, disguised as a boy to join the British Air Service, is learning to fly genetically-engineered beasts.

The Squire's Tale by Gerald Morris
In medieval England, Terence finds his tranquil existence suddenly changed when he becomes the squire of the young Gawain of Orkney and accompanies him on a long quest, proving Gawain's worth as a knight and revealing an important secret about his own true identity.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Through twists and turns of fate, orphaned Mary seeks knowledge of life, love, and especially what lies beyond her walled village and the surrounding forest, where dwell the unconsecrated, aggressive flesh-eating people who were once dead.


More "Clean" Teen Reads --
Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins
Dangerous by Shannon Hale
Far, Far Away by Tom McNeal
Forgotten: A Novel by Cat Patrick
The Golden Day by Ursula Dubosarsky
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Mistwood by Leah Cypess
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
Reckless by Cornelia Funke
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson
Scrambled Eggs at Midnight by Brad Barkley
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
Tamar by Mal Peet
Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Check out these books on display at the Arnold Branch through May 15, 2015.