Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz (reviewed by Adam Sayre)

Would you venture into an abandoned mental hospital? At night? This is the premise of author Laurie Stolarz's book Project 17. Main character Derik LaPointe joins up with Liza, Mimi, Greta, Chet, and Tony to make an amateur movie for a contest. The group ventures to Danvers State Medical Hospital, in the middle of the night. With an appearance of the number 17 in a surprising number of places the kids find out a little more than they bargined for, about Danvers and themselves.
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Project 17 was the last book selection of our Teen Book Group. Our group discussion involved a live, online chat with the fantastic (and cool and kind!) author, Laurie Faria Stolarz, who answered all our questions about the book and how she wrote it! Want to make sure you get to participate in the next book group and author chat? Ask for more info at the youth services desk about how you can join the next conversation.

Super-special-extra thanks to Adam for not just the review but also for being part of the book group!

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The Highwayman's Footsteps by Nicola Morgan (reviewed by Lauren Tencate)

Inspired by a poem (The Highwayman), The Highway Man's Footsteps is full of adventure, friendship, and emotional conflicts. It begins with Will, a young rich boy running away from home because his family doesn't appreciate him. Unfortunately, he has to steal some money, which causes the militia to come after him. Seeking refuge, he rushes into a shack only to find himself a gunpoint by a young highway man, Bess. She is sick so Will cures her. They decide that chances of survival are better if they stick together. Together, they have many adventures, bonding them closer.

Nicola Morgan does an excellent job of portraying characters feelings such as Will's feelings when an old lady betrays him. Morgan also makes the book interesting, bringing in new characters at every turn and combining sorrow and happiness.
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Woo, Lauren for submitting that review!

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Amber and Ashes by Margaret Weis (reviewed by Adam Sayre)

Well, Dragonlance fans; she's back! Margaret Weis returns to the world of Krynn for another trilogy. After Thaksis death, Mina has no where to turn. That is until she is discovered by Chemosh, the god of death. The two, strangely, fall in love, and Mina becomes Chemosh's High Priestess. Together they try to thwart the gods.

As well as expanding the life of Mina, the book introduces a new character, Rhys, an ex-monk of Majere. He works wth Zeboim, the goddess of the sea, to stop Chemosh and Mina.

With a Death Knight and plenty of action, Margaret Weis again produces a smashing hit.
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Yay for Adam's amazing review!

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Larklight by Philip Reeve (reviewed by Vikki Lee)

Larklight is an amazing book with a twist in practically every chapter. You won't expect anything. Some of the characters and creatures I could never have thought of in a million years. It's one of the best books I've ever read. In the last chapters the story totally changes when an important character is brought into everything at just the right time! It's an action packed adventure in outer space during the 1800s!
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Thanks, Vikki for this awesome review, our very first, w00t! :)

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