Kids' Next List: Teens

"This teen novel follows high school runner David as he comes to grips with his attraction to other guys. His confusion pulls him between old friendships and a new relationship that's exciting but lacking honesty and respect. David's dilemma is note-perfect, and Bantle's writing will appeal to readers of Brian Malloy's The Year of Ice, Bill Konigsberg's Out of the Pocket, and Brent Hartinger's Geography Club." --Mark David Bradshaw, Watermark Books, Wichita, KS

"Good-looking Josh Geller is a great dresser and full of charm, all qualities learned since early childhood accompanying his mother around the world before she retired as a famous model in deference to her husband, a successful businessman, who sees Josh as a failure in high school. When he's shipped off for his senior year, Josh is given a crash course in self-worth and character building by his gay, cross-dressing uncle, Aunt Pete, and he learns that being popular is only the tip of the iceberg in gaining self-confidence and establishing supportive and trusting friendships." --Jack Blanchard, Fairy Godmother, Washington, DC

"There's nothing romantic or dashing about vampires in Catherine Jinks' The Reformed Vampire Support Group. Imagine being 15 -- forever -- and living with your aging mother. Nina envisions boredom, nausea, and attending support group meetings until the end of time. But when one of their number is killed, this puny band of guinea pig-suckers (don't ask) has to solve the mystery of their attacker or die (for good). Clever, thrilling, and, yes, very funny." --Rosemary Pugliese, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC

"Set in the sumptuous Elizabethan court, A Sweet Disorder tells the story of Miranda, who must learn how to navigate the back-stabbing politics of court and avoid the machinations of her guardian. As complex as some of the gowns Queen Elizabeth wore, this novel has a thread of romance and layers upon layers of description, plot, intrigue, and humor -- all woven together in a perfect confection." --Liesl Freudenstein, The Boulder Book Store, Boulder, CO

"Anna and Frankie are looking for a summer fling in California -- but they are still grieving for Matt, who was Frankie's brother and Anna's secret boyfriend. As Anna tries to shoulder Frankie's grief, and her own, the secret of her romance with Matt threatens to destroy their friendship. This book has all the things you want in YA fiction: a secret, a romance, a friendship, and great writing." --Jake Hallman, A Great Good Place for Books, Oakland, CA