Foretelling by Alice Hoffman

Rain is a child of sorrow, unwanted daughter of the Amazon Queen. Raised by the high priestess, Deborah, her aunt Cybelle the beekeeper, and her cousins Artesia and Artella the archers, Rain learns all of the secrets of her people and will be expected to use them someday as the queen of these warrior women. But strong as she is, she questions the absence of mercy, peace, and men in her tribe. When it come time for her to lead, will she follow the path set before her or her own instincts.


Hoffman spins a terse, dreamlike tale of a mythical people who may be either our past or our future.

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Subjects: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Amazons (mythical tribe), gender issues, parental approval, rape

(SLJ recommends this for for grades 6 & up.)

River Between Us by Richard Peck

At the dawn of the Civil War, a Mississippi steamboat brings a pair of strangers to Grand Tower Illinois--the mysterious and seductive Delphine Duval and her companion Calinda. They quickly become a controversial fixture in the Pruitt household. When Noah Pruitt can no longer resist the lure of battle, Mama sends her daughter, Tilly, and Delphine to bring him home. Secrets are revealed and tragedy falls.

Tilly's story, in itself, is a unique female perspective of the American Civil War and rural life. Delphine's secret adds an additional layer dealing with a little discussed aspect of American life. Tilly's entire recollection is bookended by a future visit to Grand Tower by the Pruitt grandchildren. What the oldest boy discovers about his family tree and his reaction to it provide a final layer for the reader to ponder. Peck's novel gets off to a slow start but quickly gains steam with the Delphine's arrival, coming, in time, to a thoughtful end.

A discussable bookclub choice.

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Subjects: Young Adult Fiction, Historical Fiction, Civil War, African Americans, Illinois, New Orleans, Death, Grandparents

(SLJ recommends this book for grades 7 & up)

Where I Want to Be by Adele Griffin

In the last days of her high school career Jane is hit by a car and killed. All her life she had been unable to discern reality from illusion, becoming trapped in a confusing world of her own creation. Her younger, prettier, more likeable sister, Lily left behind and suffering survivor's guilt falls in love for the first time and finally begins to heal. Their story unfolds in alternating first-person chapters, culminating in a mildly supernatural confrontation.

The Lily portions of the book will appeal to chick-lit fans, while Jane's perspective is considerably darker and weirder.

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Subjects: Young Adult Fiction, Sibling Rivalry, Death, Ghosts, First Love, Grandparents

(SLJ recommends this book for grades 7 & up.)

Cat People by Michael Korda and Margaret Korda

What can I say? I laughed. I cried. It was better than "Cats"?

Michael and Margaret Korda celebrate the lives of Irving, Queenie, Chutney and many, many other cats. Each episode is an unusual adventure proving that, contrary to my husband's belief, each cat is a totally different and inherently lovable character. The occasional line drawings provide further insight into each cat and are a lively addition to the heartfelt text.

This is a charming, quiet, cat read especially when accompanied by tea, afghans, and kleenex.

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Subjects: Non-fiction, Cats

Minister's Daughter by Julie Hearn

Set in 1645 England, Nell is the village midwife's granddaughter. Grace and Patience are the daughters of the local puritan minister who is dedicated to wiping out the old ways...ways which Nell, her grandmother, and the villagers continue to practice. When Grace gets herself into trouble, witchcraft becomes the scapegoat, and it doesn't take much to guess who will be targeted.

Told from the perspectives of Nell, Patience, the piskies, and a third person narrator, the reader experiences the events of the story from several points of view. A heavy 17th century atmosphere is brightened with fantastical elements like faeries and piskies, while a silly fantasy is given weight by rich descriptions of life in the 17th century. In addition, this tale is filled with strong women forced into situations that test their strength--for the better and worse. Though parts of Hearn's tale feel contrived, overall it is an engrossing read filled with important questions about the nature of evil, respect for life and nature, and reaping what you sow.

This is an utterly discussable book that would make a great bookclub selection.

*A note on the audio book: Heather O'Neill, the reader adds even more life to an absorbing novel. Each character voice is subtly different, defining the different points of view from which the story is told and adding even more interest to already colorful characters without distracting from Hearn's written text.

Learn more at HCL, Amazon, and here .

Subjects: Young Adult Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Witches, England, Sibling Rivalry, Bookclub

(SLJ recommends this book for grades 7 & up)