A Midsummer Night's Scream by R.L. Stine

If you were fan of R.L. Stine's Goosebump series, you are going to love this book.  If you were not a fan of his Goosebump series but love horror and gore you are going to love this book.  Claire's parents own a movie studio and decide to remake a horror movie from the 60's.  The original movie production was shut down when 3 of the 6 cast members were murdered in pretty ghastly was during the filming of the movie.  Claire really wants to be a star and is hoping the movie isn't really cursed like many think it is.  This is a book version of a horror movie with lots of blood and gore so I, of course, loved it.  If you are squeamish you may want to think twice about this book. 

The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die by April Henry

Well, I just loved this book.  I started it on Friday afternoon and finished it on Saturday morning.  I just couldn't put it down.  It was a fast paced thriller!  I loved the author's previous book "Girl, Stolen" that was a Golden Sower last year also.  Cady wakes up in a cabin and remembers NOTHING.  All she knows is that her captors want to kill her and she has to get away.  The bits and pieces that come back to Cady as the story moves forward are enough to keep you reading trying to make sense of what is happening to her.  Why are so many people out to get her and why can't she remember who she is??!! 

Alliance by Mark Frost

This is the 2nd one in the "Paladin Prophecy" series.  You can find my blog about the first one in previous posts.  It takes off right where the first one ends and boy is it exciting.  Will and his friends are determined to find out who is behind the sinister underground society of students that are trying to let evil beings take over the earth. The author does a good job letting readers who didn't read the first one know what's going on, which was helpful because I read the first one a year ago and had trouble remembering what happened.  There are all kinds of twists and turns and surprising discoveries about the school, the secret society and Will's little group of friends. 

No Safety in Numbers by Dayna Lorentz

This book will have you questioning you decision to go to the mall. Good thing I can shop online!!  4 kids take turns relaying what is going on when they get locked down in the mall.  No one will tell them what is going on and then people start getting sick.  Stories like this make me panic.  The thought of being in a confined area and having no idea of when I will be getting out make me go "AACK!"  The story is carried along by all of the different stories going on as well as some escape attempts and rioting.  It is all very exciting.  We also have the sequel: "No Easy Way Out" available in the library.

The Imposter by Gary Blackwood

I enjoyed this quick little read.  Ryan is a 14 year old actor, but has trouble getting jobs.  Then one falls into his lap.  Its no ordinary acting job, however.  A private investigator wants him to impersonate someone that he was paid to find.  Ryan accepts with some unexpected consequences.  It is a quick little read.  I really enjoyed the character of Ryan. 

Variant by Robison Wells

This is a Golden Sower nominee for NEXT year (2014-2015).  What an exciting story.  Benson Fisher has been in foster care almost his entire life.  He is excited to get the opportunity to attend the "prestigious" Maxfield Academy.  But this is no ordinary school...its a trap.  There are no adults here, but the students must follow strict rules, someone is ALWAYS watching.  I liked that Benson continued to "buck" the system.  He was always questioning why the students continued doing what they were expected to do without fighting back.  He is determined to escape his new "home."  This book ends with a cliff hanger, but that is ok, because We now have the 2nd one in the series called "Feedback."  We also have both these books on for the ipod shuffles. 

As Ever, Gordy by Mary Downing Hahn

This is the second (I believe) book about Gordy.  The first one is "Stepping on the Cracks."  I haven't read the first one and I was just fine.  Gordy has been living with his grandma after his abusive dad and doormat mom have left him and his sister June there.  He is doing really well, but then tragedy strikes and he has to return to his hometown to live with his brother.  Everyone in his old town knows him as a trouble maker from a trouble making family and he is not sure he can change their mind.  It never says what year it takes place in, but they talk a lot about people serving in the war so I think it is the late 1940s early 1950s.  You can also tell by the dialogue.  I found it charming.  There is no swearing which is a nice change from some of today's realistic fiction.  If I have time, I do believe I am going to make a point to read "Stepping on the Cracks" to read about Gordy's life before he had to go live with his grandma.