NEW GRAPHIC NOVELS IN THE LIBRARY

ZEUS (Olympians #1) by George O'Connor

 George O'Connor is a Greek mythology buff and a classic superhero comics fan, and he's out to remind us how much our pantheon of superheroes (Superman, Batman, the X-Men, etc) owes to mankind's ORIGINAL superheroes: the Greek pantheon. In OLYMPIANS, O'Connor draws from primary documents to reconstruct and retell classic Greek myths. But these stories aren't sedate, scholarly works. They're action-packed, fast-paced, high-drama adventures, with monsters, romance, and not a few huge explosions. O'Connor's vibrant, kinetic art brings ancient tales to undeniable life, in a perfect fusion of super-hero aesthetics and ancient Greek mythology. Volume 1 of OLYMPIANS, ZEUS introduces readers to the ruler of the Olympian Pantheon, telling his story from his boyhood to his ascendance to supreme power.

ATHENA (Olympians #2) by George O'Connor

Step into a world of fearsome battle, cruel treachery, and fierce loyalty. Your guides are the three Fates, eerie figures who weave the tale of life. Their subject today is Athena, warrior goddess. Five astonishing tales of brave Athena's adventures lie ahead . . .

AMAZING GREEK MYTHS OF WONDERS AND BLUNDERS by Michael Townsend

From Hercules' snake assassin slippers to Arachne's wicked weaver rap songs, these are the mythic monsters and Hellenic heroes that have captured Western culture for centuries - but a whole lot more fun. Each story showcases the wondrous and blunderful antics of gods and mortals in bright graphics that rival the super-heroic action of The Lightning Thief, burst with the knock-your-socks-off humor of Jeff Kinney, and still remain unerringly faithful to the original myth. Kids won't be able to resist the bickering sheep, unruly rulers, and undercover details of Amazing Greek Myths - while teachers, librarians, and parents can relish this new way to share moral messages that remain as relevant today as they were a thousand years ago.

BIG NATE IN A CLASS BY HIMSELF by Lincoln Peirce

Supremely confident middle school student Nate Wright manages to make getting detention seem like an achievement.

BRAIN CAMP by Faith Erin Hicks

Neither artistic, dreamy Jenna nor surly, delinquent Lucas expected to find themselves at an invitation-only summer camp that turns problem children into prodigies. And yet, here they both are at Camp Fielding, settling in with all the other losers and misfits who've been shipped off by their parents in a last-ditch effort to produce a child worth bragging about. But strange disappearances, spooky lights in the woods, and a chilling alteration that turns the dimmest, rowdiest campers into docile zombie Einsteins have Jenna and Lucas feeling more than a little suspicious . . . and a lot afraid.

LIFE SUCKS by Jessica Abel

Life sucks for Dave Marshall. The girl he's in love with doesn't know he exists, he hates his job, and ever since his boss turned him into a vampire, he can't go out in daylight without starting to charbroil. Undead life in its uncoolest incarnation yet is on display in this cinematic, supernatural drama told with gallons of humor and hemoglobin. In striking, colorful, B-movie style artwork and light-hearted, intelligent writing by Jessica Abel, Gabe Soria, and Warren Pleece, Dave Marshall's story comes alive - in a vampiric kind of way.

SMILE by Raina Telgemeier

Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth, and what follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there's still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly.

Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth, and what follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there's still more to deal with: a major earthquake
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This coming-of-age true story is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever been in middle school, and especially those who have ever had a bit of their own dental drama.

COWBOYS AND ALIENS by Scott Mitchell Rosenburg

In the Old West, settlers and Native Americans wage a bloody battle for control of the land. But when the Earth is threatened by conquerors from the stars, these sworn enemies must work together to save all humanity.

THE UNWRITTEN Vol. 1: Tommy Taylor and the Bogus Identity by Mike Carey 

Tom Taylor's life was messed up from go. His father created the Tommy Taylor fantasy series, boy-wizard novels with popularity on par with Harry Potter. The problem is Dad modeled the fictional epic so closely to Tom's real life that fans are constantly comparing him to his counterpart, turning him into the lamest variety of Z-level celebrity. In the final novel, it's even implied that the fictional Tommy will crossover into the real world, giving delusional fans more excuses to harass Tom. 

Then, it seems, Tom might actually be a wizard...  

NEXT IN THE SERIES BOOKS NEW TO THE LIBRARY (Part 1)

The series format has been wildly popular in young adult literature for decades. From The Chronicles of Narnia to the Harry Potter stories, series allow us to become familiar with fantastic worlds and compelling characters. Finishing a great series is a little like moving away from a much loved neighbourhood. Of course, the wait between books in a series can be agonizing, but there is that joyous anticipation when the next installment is in your hands!

Well, for many of you the wait is over as several amazing series had sequels published this summer.

SCORPIA RISING (Alex Rider #9 ) by Anthony Horowitz

Nine books and still going strong, this adrenaline pumping installment is perfect for middle school readers who love action.

Scorpia has dogged Alex Rider for most of his life. They killed his parents, they did their best to con Alex into turning traitor, and they just keep coming back with more power. Now the world's most dangerous terrorist organization is playing with fire in the world's most combustible land: the Middle East. No one knows Scorpia like Alex. And no one knows how best to get t...moScorpia has dogged Alex Rider for most of his life. They killed his parents, they did their best to con Alex into turning traitor, and they just keep coming back with more power. Now the world's most dangerous terrorist organization is playing with fire in the world's most combustible land: the Middle East. No one knows Scorpia like Alex. And no one knows how best to get to Alex like Scorpia. Until now.

The chases have never been more intense, the fights more treacherous, or the risks so perilous to mankind. And this time, Alex won't get away.

THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC  (Aramov #1) by Robert Muchamore

Those of you who thought the Cherub series was at an end will be thrilled to know that Muchamore can't quite let the storyline go, so he's created a new series that links to Cherub. This spy-thriller will likely fly out of the library as fast as his other books, so hurry down to get a copy!

Ryan's been waiting for a mission since he passed CHERUB basic training eight months earlier.

Ethan is his target. A privileged California boy, who likes computers and chess. He makes easy prey for school bullies, but his grandma's running a billion dollar crime syndicate in distant Kyrgyzstan.

Ryan expects to enjoy the California lifestyle in a routine operation. But he's in for a nasty shock, as his mission turns into one of the biggest in CHERUB's history.

DARKE (Septimus Heap #6) by Angie Gage

Middle school readers and others will love this magical series.

In the sixth book of the Magykal series, Alther Mella has been Banished, a Darke Domaine engulfs the Castle, and a Darke dragon is on the loose. Septimus must use all of his skills to save the Castle and the Wizard Tower from destruction: He must enter the Darke. But he cannot do this alone. With the help of Jenna, Alther Mella, Marcellus Pye, and his estranged brother, Simon Heap, Septimus and Marcia Overstrand, the Extraordinary Wizard, battle the spreading Darkenesse. Will Septimus succeed in protecting his Magykal world?

WARLOCK (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #5) by Michael Scott

Alcatraz:
Although their ally Dr. John Dee has been declared utlaga, Machiavelli and Billy the Kid will follow the plans the Elders have laid before them: they will loose the monsters of Alcatraz on the city of San Francisco, thereby triggering the end of the humani race.

Danu Talis:

The Shadowrealm that Scatty and Joan of Arc have entered is far more dangerous than they could ever have imagined. And they haven’t landed here by chance-the warriors were called for a reason. So were Saint-Germain, Palamededs, and Shakespeare. The group was summoned because they must travel back in time to Danu Talis and destroy it. For the island of Danu Talis, known in humani myth as the lost city of Atlantis, must fall if the modern world is to exist.

San Francisco:

The end is finally near. Josh Newman has chosen a side, and he will not stand with his sister, Sophie, or with the Alchemyst, Nicholas Flamel. He will fight alongside Dee and the mysterious Virginia Dare. Unless Sophie can find her twin before the battle begins, all is lost – forever.

In the fifth installment of this bestselling series, the twins of prophesy have been divided, and the end is finally beginning.

THE LAST LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPE (Little Blue Envelopes #2) by Maureen Johnson

 This short series falls into the Social Issues genre of fiction. If you like Sarah Dessen and Alyson Noel, then you should give Maureen Johnson a read.

When Ginny Blackstone received thirteen little blue envelopes last summer she recognized them for what they were: a wild adventure laid out by her Aunt Peg–Ginny’s wildly interesting relative who could never do anything the simple, mundane way.

The envelopes led Ginny to England and on an adventure across Europe. Along the way Ginny learned a lot about her aunt and even more about herself. Until her adventure was cut short when the last little blue envelope was stolen. Even without that final piece, without that bit of closure, Ginny knows following the rules in the envelopes was the most exciting thing she has ever done. Too bad she can’t explain any of that in 1000 words for her college application essay.

Then an inscrutable English boy offers Ginny the last little blue envelope. For a price. She doesn’t much like Oliver. She definitely doesn’t trust him. And she knows he has his own agenda. But she also knows she has to accept his offer. It’s what Aunt Peg would do and, now, it’s what Ginny needs to do.

This last piece of Ginny’s adventure has no rules. It will lead her back to familiar sites and old friends. It will test Ginny’s mettle, and maybe even her sanity when it comes to dealing with Oliver. This trip will be the stuff of a great college application (and a great story).

PLAGUE (Gone #4) by Michael Grant

A world with no adults? Sounds great, right? Not so much. This thrilling dystopian series has a twist for every turn  - it will keep you at the edge of your seat.

THE POWER OF SIX (Lorien Legacies #2) by Pittacus Lore

The first book, I am Number Four, was the publishing phenomenon of last year. It was such an immediate success that the movie was released in less than a year. Now, we're in for another electrifying installment of the war between young aliens with amazing superpowers and ruthless monsters who are determined to take over the earth.

I’ve seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he’s a mystery. But to me . . . he’s one of us.

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We’re hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we’ll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I’ve been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed.

           I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.

           And I'm ready to fight.

There is also a novella, Six's Legacy, available to download from most on-line booksellers.

Check the Pittacus Lore website for more details.