Rosario + Vampire by

Tsukune has failed every high school exam.  Only one school will let him in without a passing exam.

What kind of school would accept him as a student?
Monster High!

Turns out everyone at the school is a monster -- including students and teachers.

On the first day, Tsukune meets Moka, a beautiful student who turns out to be a vampire.  Now they must somehow keep their friendship while trying to keep Tsukune's human-ness a secret and fending off everyone jealous of him being friends with Moka.



This manga series would be great for those who like friendship stories or stories with supernatural creatures.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Katsa is a Gracelign -- someone gifted with an amazing gift that is signaled by her two different colored eyes.  She has what is considered the most dangerous of the graces -- the gift of killing.  Her uncle, King Randa, uses her as his enforcer and bully to keep his subjects in line.  Until the day she refuses to harm someone.  Now she's left everything she knows to work with Po, a neighboring country's prince, who is searching for why his grandfather was kidnapped.

This is the first book in the Graceling Realms series.  It is a wonderful fantasy novel featuring one of the strongest female characters written for teens.  Katsa is sure of her abilities, knows her mind, and isn't afraid to be stronger than everybody else.  The villain of the book is truly evil in a way that seems completely invincible.  Yet the ending is realistic and completely believable.  This is great series for both teen girls and boys as well as adult readers of fantasy.

Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce

Alanna has always dreamed of being a knight and going on adventures, but she is a girl.  When her father decrees that she will go to the convent to learn to be a lady and her twin brother Thom will go to the castle to become a knight she hatches a plan -- they switch places.  Alanna is determined to hide her identity long enough to become a knight.  But it's difficult always being on guard and hiding your true identity from your friends.  Plus, there's Duke Roger who seems to be out to get her for some reason . . .

The Song of the Lioness Quartet was one of the first female empowered fantasy series for teens.  It's a wonderful story of a girl who shows that she can do anything a boy can and often can do it better.

Alanna: The First Adventure shares the story of Alanna as a page training to be a knight.
In the Hand of the Goddess tells of her years as a squire and her showdown with Duke Roger.
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man tells of her adventures after winning her shield and revealing her true identity.
The Lioness Rampant closes the series with the story of her quest for the Dominion Jewel.

Freakling by Lana Krumwiede

Taemon's family is slowly imploding . . .

His mother is overprotective and refuses to let her sons leave the family.
His father is speaking out against the religious leaders.
His brother is falsely being groomed as the True Son, the prophesied leader of the new age.
And Taemon must hid the fact that he has lost his psi so he doesn't get exiled to live with the Powerless.


Freakling is the first book in the Psi Chronicles by Lana Krumwiede.  It is a great introduction to a new dystopian world.  Where there have been books in the past where everything is done with magic or psychic abilities, this book takes it even further.  It is fascinating to see Taemon learn how to use his hands to accomplish tasks like eating and dressing.

Beauty Pop by Kiyoko Arai

Kiri Koshiba goes unnoticed in her beauty-obsessed high school.  The boys in the "Scissors Project", pick lucky girls to get makeovers from otusider, ugly ducklings into beautiful, popular swans.  What nobody knows is that Kiri is a truly gift hairstylist that helps those who the "Scissors Project" refuses to help.  What will happen when Kiri's secret is exposed?

This manga series takes a unique idea of a bunch of boys obsessed with giving makeovers.  This is a story line that I don't think I have ever seen come out of the United States.  I found the story to be light, fluffy, and fun to read.