Magic or Madness by Justine Larbalestier

"My head was filled with a hundred confusing thoughts. The legendary cellar had turned out to be an exceptionally well-lit wine cellar, crowded with endless bottles. Sacrificing animals down there would be pretty difficult. There'd barely been room to move. It didn't smell of blood. Nor of antiseptic for getting rid of the scent of blood. It smelled only of dust. "

Here's another Aussie YA author for you! Magic or Madness is the first book in Larbalestier's trilogy about Reason Cansino and her family secrets. Reason's mother brought her up to believe in logic and science and math. She also brought her up to believe that her grandmother is an evil, animal-sacrificing witch. When Reason's mother must be institutionalized for mental illness, Reason is sent to live with that grandmother, where she begins to uncover unbelievable secrets. Soon reason learns that solutions in life, only choices, and she must choose between magic and madness. Larbalestier has written a griping page-turner filled with strong voices and unexpected twists. Thoughtfully, she has also included a glossary of Australian slang so that we can keep up with her. This book is a great ride!

SLJ recommends grades 7 to 10.

Learn more at HCL, Barnes and Noble, and here.

Wabi by Joseph Burchac

"'Young one, do you hearrr meeee?'
I turned my head to listen more closely to that voice. It was a voice I had never heard before. It was...strange. I might have said it was pleasant, but somehow it made me feel uneasy. Yet is was an attractive voice, a voice that made me curious. I knew immediately that I wanted to see the one who had that voice.
'Young one, come hhhhhheeeerrre," it trilled, "into the swaaaammmp. I have something forrrr you.'"

Wabi is an owl. Or is he a human? Joseph Bruchac spins a tale of an owl who becomes a man through the magic of the seven stones and through his own battles against monsters like Mamaskwa, the Toad Woman, and Mojid, the Greedy Eater. Bruchac combines a respect for the natural world, the elements of the heroic journey, and just a dash of love with the style of a Native American storyteller to produce a story that is in turn exciting and mystical. Wabi will appeal to fantasy fans, adventure readers, and nature lovers.

SLJ recommends grades 5 to 8.

Learn more at HCL, Barnes and Noble, and here.

The End by Lemony Snicket

"'The end' is a phrase which refers to the completion of a story, or the final moment of some accomplishment, such as a secret errand, or a great deal of research, and indeed this thirteenth volume marks the completion of my investigation into the Beaudelaire case, which required much research, a great many secret errands, and the accomplishments of a number of my comrades, from a trolley driver to a botanical hybridization expert, with many, many typewriter repairmen in between. But it cannot be said that The End contains the end of the Baudelaires' story, any more than The Bad Beginning contained its beginning."

This is the final, miserable installment in the saga of the unfortunate Baudelaire orphans. Fans, like me, are anxious to find out what becomes of our fearless heroes...and you won't be disappointed. This is a fitting end to a series of bizzare and unfortunated events.

Learn more at HCL, Amazon, and here.

SLJ recommends grades 5-7.

The Beatrice Letters by Lemony Snicket

"The waiter agreed to bring this card with your drink. If you don't want to meet me, rip it in half when you are done with your root beer float, and I will leave and never try to contact you again."

Wait!!! Before you begin The End, peruse the Beatrice Letters. A series of actual correspondence between Mr. Snicket and the elusive Beatrice, this book contains important insights into the case of the Beaudelaire orphans. Not only is the information in the file critically important, but it is also presented in its original format: small calling cards, wrinkled notes, typewritten letters. (You kids do still know what a typewriter is, don't you?)

Learn more at HCL, Amazon, and here.

SLJ recommends grades 5 to 7.

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.

Learn more at HCL, Amazon, and here.

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

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

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)