Galley Review: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

When a plane crash strands thirteen teen beauty contestants on a mysterious island, they struggle to survive, to get along with one another, to combat the island's other diabolical occupants, and to learn their dance numbers in case they are rescued in time for the competition.

What SL teens are saying about this book...

"Since the whole book was based upon the girls being stuck on the island, the whole adventure was compelling.  It was like a roller coaster."--Tiffany A.

"The stereotype of girls in pageants not knowing anything other than how to smile and walk is put to the test when they are stuck on an island to fight for their lives."--Charlene S.

Galley Review: Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith

When her boyfriend Zan leaves high school in Utah a year early to attend Pitzer College, a broken-hearted Joy and Zan's best friend Noah take off on a road trip to California seeking "closure."

What SL teens are saying about this book...

"I was not disappointed with anything.  The book was wonderful."--Erika W.

"I really hope there is a sequel to this book."--Julia L.

Galley Review: Department 19 by Will Hill

After watching his father's brutal murder, sixteen-year-old Jamie Carpenter joins Department 19, a secret government agency, where he learns of the existence of vampires and the history that ties him to the team destined to stop them.

What SL teens are saying about this book...

"This book shows a cool awesome side of vampires vs. humans, not a girly side.  I was disappointed it finished.  I wanted to keep reading.  Please write the next one soon."--Chris L.

"Best vampire fighter book ever!"

Galley Review: Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

Seventeen-year-old Kendall, who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, lives with her parents on a potato farm in a tiny community in Montana, where two teenagers go missing within months of each other, with no explanation.

What SL teens are saying about this book...

"The pace was fast and the story was really creepy up to the end of the novel.  I liked the character development.  I read it in one night because it was so chilling."--Sonia R.

"It's a mystery, and the author didn't make it obvious what happened until the end.  Which is awesome."--Victoria M.

Galley Review: Boyfriends with Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez

When Lance begins to date Sergio, who is bisexual, he is not sure that it will work out, and when his best friend Allie, who has a boyfriend, meets Sergio's lesbian friend, she has unexpected feelings which she struggles to understand..

What SL teens are saying about the book...

"This is the first book I've read about homosexuality and a teen trying to figure out their sexual orientation and I loved it!  I think that this book could help other teens with this issue."--Victoria M.

"It's about teens who want to know about what they want in life and who they want to be with."--Allison P.

Galley Review: Blank Confession by Pete Hautman

Shayne Blank is the new kid in town--but that doesn't stop him from getting into a lot of trouble very quickly. The other kids don't understand him. He's not afraid of anything. He seems too smart. And his background doesn't add up. But when he walks into the police department to confess to a murder, it quickly becomes apparent that nothing is as it seems. There's more to Shayne--and his story--than meets the eye. As the details begin to fill in, the only thing that becomes clear is that nothing about Shayne's story is clear at all.

What SL teens are saying about the book...

"I loved how the author didn't tell you who Shayne killed in the beginning, it made it more interesting.  It would make either a great movie or a great CSI episode!"--Victoria M.

"I don't usually but I finished this book in two days."--Chris L.

"You should make a sequel."--Leilani D.

Galley Review: Notes from the Blender by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin

Declan loves death metal--particularly from Finland.  And video games--violent ones.  And internet porn--any kind, really.  He goes to school with Neilly Foster and spends most of his classroom time wondering what it might be like to know her, to talk to her, maybe even to graze against her sweater in the hallway.  Neilly is an accomplished gymnast, naturally beautiful, and a constant presence at all the best parties (to which Declan is never invited).  She's the queen of cool, the princess of poker face, and her rule is uncontested-- or it was until today, when she's dumped by her boyfriend, betrayed by her former BFF Lulu, and then informed she's getting a new brother--of the freaky fellow classmate variety.  Declan's dad is marrying Neilly's mom.  Soon.  Which means they'll be moving in together.

What SL teens are saying about the book...

"This book shows what happens when two people who would normally never say anything to each other get forced to do everything together."--Chris L.

"I love the cussing and the fact that there were a lot of bands I liked mentioned."--Andriana M.