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Lia has a lot of issues: with her parents, with friends, with herself. She deals with them by starving and cutting herself. Although she has been through inpatient therapy and promises to be better, her world comes crashing down once again when her former best friend is found dead in a hotel. Lia did not know that Cassie tried to call her (33 times) the night that she died, and that knowledge crushes Lia. She stops eating and starts cutting herself again in a desperate attempt to gain some control over her life and make her problems disappear. But, everything quickly spirals out of control. Laurie Halse Anderson tells the story from Lia’s perspective, confronting the topics of anorexia and “cutting” in this gripping novel.

Reviewed by Christine B., South County Regional

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North! Or Be Eaten follows the Igiby family where On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness left off. Things have gotten worse for the Igiby family and they must leave Glipwood and head for the Ice Praries where a resistance army has gathered to fight Gnag and the Fangs. But, on their way Janner and Tink get separated not only from their family, but also from each other. Both boys must escape from horrific situations and try to find their family in the Ice Praries. Full of page-turning adventures, daring fighting, and surprising revelations we see the Igiby children start to grow into their roles as Annieran royalty. A wonderful sequel that leaves the reader longing for more.

Reviewed by Jessica B., Mint Hill Branch

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"Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." These words have been thrown at Louise for as long as she can remember. She was Esau, forever in the shadow of her sister Caroline; second place to her delicate, beautiful, talented, younger twin sister. Caroline stole everything from her; her family, friends, even her name. So Louise began to learn the ways of the water, going to places Caroline could not. Women were not supposed to love the water. The men were to love the water, but respect its power. Without a chance to escape and the shadow of her sister always over her, Louise fought back. She loved the water, hated the island. But when the chance came to leave, could she do it?

Reviewed by Elizabeth S., Charlotte, NC

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Billy is a normal kid - single child, gifted artist, fun loving. But some weird stuff has been happening to him lately. Namely his breath is hot enough to set off a sprinkler system at school. His parents decide that they've kept the secret for to long and finally tell him the truth. His father was once a dragon, then changed by Merlin into a man to protect themselves against the knights who still hunt them. Billy soon meets a girl named Bonny who has a much more noticeable mark of her dragon heritage. She has wings. When Lord Devin makes himself known and the hunt begins again, will the dragons and their children make it out alive?

Reviewed by Elizabeth S., Charlotte, NC

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Micah is the girl who cried wolf. A self-confessed liar, she loves the thrill of control that comes with making someone else believe in her version of the world. When Micah’s secret boyfriend is murdered, however, she pledges to tell the truth. But when the truth is so shocking, will anyone believe her? Liar is an absorbing and complex story, written in a deceptively simple style. The suspense builds steadily as Micah’s version of events twists and unravels, and the ending will make readers question not only the truth of Micah’s tale, but also their own willingness to believe.

Reviewed by Rebecca P., Matthews Branch

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