Wish You Were Dead by Todd Strasser YP FIC STRASSER

An anonymous blogger called Str-S-d wishes Lucy Cunningham, the most popular student in school was dead. The next day Lucy disappears and the small affluent town is thrown into a panic. Madison is a teen girl at the center of the mystery. Lucy was once her best friend and soon Madison receives notes warning her she is in danger. Could it be Madison’s long time cyber stalker or the new boy Tyler, that Madison can’t help being drawn to? And when more of Lucy’s friends appear on Str-S-d’s blog and then disappear will she be able to solve the mystery and save her friends?

Wish You Were Dead is a white knuckle thriller that grabs you (and poor Lucy) from the very first chapter and hooks you in until the last page. The author ends chapters with the kidnapper’s point of view. These sections are super creepy and scary without giving away who the villain is. There are plenty of great plot twists and I was kept guessing until the very end. Everything plays out like a really fun and scary horror movie, which means there are times you’ll want to yell at the characters, “What are you doing!? Don’t go in there!” But that’s what makes scary books fun. Best of all, Todd Strasser will be writing two more books in this series, so there are plenty more scares to come!

The War at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks YP FIC HICKS

The War at Ellsmere is a graphic novel by Faith Erin Hicks about a thirteen year old overachiever named Juniper on a scholarship trying to fit in at the ultra exclusive Ellsmere Boarding School. Juniper quickly makes new friends with her roommate Cassie nicknamed ‘Orphan’ because of her almost always absent parents. Unfortunately, she just as quickly makes an arch enemy of Emily, the most popular (and ruthless) girl in school. When Emily declares war on Juniper she needs all her smarts, the help of her friend, and maybe even a mythical beast.

This book is really excellently illustrated in a unique style that mixes the influence of Japanese manga and American pop art. Juniper is a strong and likeable female protagonist. This is a funny and touching read for all ages and either sex.

Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri YP FIC NAYERI

Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri is a modern retelling of the Faustian bargain (selling your soul). In it five children from all over the world disappear in the same night. The only thing they have in common is a desire to change their lives at any cost. They all return five years later with a beautiful and mysterious governess, Madame Viceroy and have strange gifts. They can steal, lie, cheat, and manipulate almost like magic. Soon they are the most powerful and popular kids in their exclusive high school, but Madame Viceroy find ways to turn the five against each other and they have to make new bargains to increase their powers. Will they sell their souls to rule the school?

This is a fun and exciting read that has a strong cast and some very surprising twists. It seems to drag a bit in the middle but picks up nicely for the end. the ending leave it open enough for a sequel and I think this could become a hot new series so jump in now and be the start of the trend.

Glee

During the summer months it’s easy to spend more time outside because the sun is up past 8pm and the television is usually chalk-full of reruns. However, over the past couple of years TV stations have begun to premiere new series, such as the widely successful Mad Men two seasons ago. With “American Idol”, “Gossip Girl”, “90210”, and many other teen-driven shows going on hiatus, you may be wondering what to watch on those summer evenings when you feel like staying indoors. Tonight on Fox after Chris Ryan and Adam Lambert duke it out for the “American Idol” Season 8 crown, Glee will premiere in all of its much-hyped glory.

Glee, created by Ryan Murphy (“Nip/Tuck” and “Popular”), may be television’s answer to the “High School Musical” phenomenon. The show follows an enthusiastic high school teacher, Mr. Schuester, as he tries to organize a rag-a-muffin group of students into a high-performance singing super-ensemble. (We’re talking more than just jazz hands, people.) Members of the glee club are social outcasts ridiculed by the popular crowd and hide within the solace of the group to avoid being picked on by their fellow students. Mr. Schuester’s dream to compete at the national singing competition ruffles feathers, especially after he convinces the football quarterback to join the glee club. The students, along with Schuester, struggle in the face of adversity to achieve their dreams and put the glee club back on top.

The cast is full of talented faces, including several up-and-coming Broadway elite. Mr. Schuester is played by Matthew Morrison from “Hairspray,” and a few cast members from the Tony Award-winning musical, “Spring Awakening” play glee club members. Jane Lynch, from “Best in Show” and “Role Models,” provides comic relief as Coach Sue Sylvester. Other familiar faces from “Kyle X/Y,” “Nip/Tuck,” and “Ugly Betty” should provide a talented, comedic cast.

If you enjoy Glee, you should check out this Glee-like material available at Moore Memorial Public Library:
Books
Ball Don’t Lie by Matt de la Pena
Can’t Stop the Shine by Joyce Davis
Choir Boy by Charlie Anders
Diamond (The Divas Series) by Victoria Christopher Murray
High School Musical: the essential guide by Catherine Saunders
I Love you, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn
Rebound by Bob Krech
Sleeping Freshman Never Lie by David Lubar
Street Love by Walter Dean Myers
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga

DVDs
Hairspray
High School Musical
High School Musical 2
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Mad Hot Ballroom
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
The Cheetah Girls: one world
Save the Last Dance
Save the Last Dance 2
Step up
Step Up 2: the streets
Stomp the Yard