First, some of you may have notice that my mother has commented here and then yesterday my step-Dad commented also. This means no more using my favorite cuss word (unless I really really really need to). Almost 40 and still don't want to freak out parents...do we ever out grow that? Onward to literary subjects.....

Harcourt had a beautiful catalog (as always) but there were only two titles that really stood out for me. There are a ton of picture books to be found there though, so if you're looking for those be sure to check it out. (The fall catalog is not online yet, but should be soon.)

The Ever-After Bird by Ann Rinaldi. Rinaldi has written several titles on American history particularly in the Civil War era. This time around she looks at the Underground Railroad from the perspective of a white teenage girl whose father was part of the route. CeCe now lives with her uncle, an ornithologist, who invites her South in search of a rare bird. She learns along the way that he is helping slaves stay on the route and gets a better understanding of what her family believes in and why.

I like the ornithology twist (usually adults do mysterious "business" things in historical novels for teens) and that Rinaldi is looking at the Railroad from a different perspective. Should be unique.

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko. Kirsten and Wlker have lots of problems of their own dealing with family and friend chaos but uncover "a secret that shakes them both to the core". It sounds like they don't start out even really knowing each other, but somehow team up in the wake of discovering that secret. I have no idea what the secret is or how it affects them, but the book is described as "fast paced, marvelously funny and brutally honest" so I'm hoping it's another take at teens surviving school and parents without losing their minds.

From FSG:

Someday This Pain Will Be Useful To You by Peter Cameron. Okay, he really got me with that title which we've all heard a million times (or some variation of it) while growing up. James is a soon-to-be freshman at Brown Univ and wishes he lived in the long ago worlds of Anthony Trollope, or his fav writer, Deton Welch. His parents are self-absorbed, his sister a snooty princess, his shrink not so helpful and his grandmother a D-list (!) celebrity. He also has a crush on a good looking guy at his mom's art gallery. It's all about coming-of-age without losing your mind (comparisons to Catcher of course) but I really like that it deals with a kid who has graduated from high school - and still doesn't have a clue (yea for realism!). Looking forward to this one.

Lenny's Space by Kate Banks. Lenny is 9 and knows a lot but doesn't know how to communicate it to the world. His father is gone, mother busy and nobody likes him at school. The story follows him making a friend with similar qualities and a therapist who is able to break through. Lenny finds acceptance and blossoms. Sounds like a good book to point out to kids in a similar situation.

Kissing the Bee by Kathe Koja. I really enjoyed Koja's unsual The Blue Mirror and this sounds like another surreal twist on a typical high school story. It's senior year, Dana and Avra are best friends and Avra is dating Emil. Dana plans for college and studies bees for her bio project. Avra plans to run away and Emil isn't talking. Dana learns about the hive mentality and that there can only be "one queen bee". Where it goes from that conclusion I have no idea, but sounds like a brainy original take on friendship and teen confusion. Koja is a very unique writer and I'm looking forward to this one.

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis. Anyone acquainted with Sis's work will have an idea of how fantastic this book will be. Love his stories, love his art and love that he is tackling this subject for young readers. Very cool. (And his site is awesome!)

The Corps of the Bare-Boned Plane by Polly Horvath. This is a slight departure for Horvath - a bit more adventure than usual. It involves two cousins living on a private island with their eccentric uncle. The island was once an air force training camp where a flying tragedy occured. The book is told in alternating voices (the two cousins, and I assume uncle and housekeeper) and each of them learn to deal with grief in different ways. It might be a good way to get boys reading about the subject as it includes the airplane angle - more accessible to them then Everything on a Waffle, perhaps.

Junk Collector School by Adam Dahlin, illus by Emma Ackerman. A picture book about collecting junk and becoming a collector. It sounds like a primer on seeing beyond the obvious and learning what you like. The drawings look very quirky and fun and I think this would be a brainier look at "stuff" and why most kids like to hoard all kinds of things (we have rocks, feathers, cars, planes, etc. around here.)

Mini Mia and Her Darling Uncle by Pija Lindenbaum. Mia loves her uncle and wants to keep him as her own. One day she meets his new boyfriend and wants him to go away (back to Scotland!). It's a twist on the "three is a crowd" idea but I love that it has gay characters - that the story is not about them being gay, but just about Mia not wanting to share her uncle. Perfect for any kid dealing with favorite relative issues and will introduce them to further definitions of family. (Be aware that the link is to the Norwegian version of the book - the description is in English but some of the place names, etc. have been changed to Americanize the text - for example her name is now Mini Mia rather than Little Zlatan.)