Chapter One with HPL
By Houston Library
Chapter One with HPLOct 27, 2020
"Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales" by Soman Chainani; Read by Kristin
Twelve tales, twelve dangerous tales of mystery, magic, and rebellious hearts. Each twists like a spindle to reveal truths full of warning and triumph, truths that free hearts long kept tame, truths that explore life, and death. A prince has a surprising awakening. A beauty fights like a beast. A boy refuses to become prey. A path to happiness is lost, then found again. New York Times bestselling author Soman Chainani respins old stories into fresh fairy tales for a new era and creates a world like no other. These stories know you. They understand you. They reflect you. They are tales for our times. So read on, if you dare. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"The Tiger at Midnight" by Swati Teerdhala; Read by Andleeb
A cat-and-mouse game that can only end in bloodshed.Esha lost everything in the royal coup—and as the legendary rebel known as the Viper, she's made the guilty pay. Now she's been tasked with her most important mission to date: taking down the ruthless General Hotha. Kunal has been a soldier since childhood. His uncle, the general, has ensured that Kunal never strays from the path—even as a part of Kunal longs to join the outside world, which has only been growing more volatile. When Esha and Kunal's paths cross one fated night, an impossible chain of events unfolds. This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Katherin Tegen Books, an imprint of
" A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park; Read by Denise
When the Sudanese civil war reaches his village in 1985, eleven-year-old Salva becomes separated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who, after emigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in Sudan. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library's catalog.
"The May Queen Murders" by Sarah Jude; Read by Maegen
When her beloved cousin goes missing after a May Day celebration, sixteen-year-old Ivy discovers that both her cousin and her hometown in the Missouri Ozarks are as full of secrets as the woods that surround them. This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh; Read by Kristin
A tale based on true events follows the coming-of-age of a girl who is motivated by an act of racism at school to learn about her ancestral heritage and her grandparents' experiences as lost children during the Korean War. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"The Summer I Turned Pretty" by Jenny Han; Read by Denise
Belly spends the summer she turns sixteen at the beach just like every other summer of her life, but this time things are very different. This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"I'll Be The One" by Lyla Lee; Read by Rachel
Skye Shin has heard it all. Fat girls shouldn't dance. Wear bright colors. Shouldn't call attention to themselves. But Skye dreams of joining the glittering world of K-Pop, and to do that, she's about to break all the rules that society, the media, and even her own mother, have set for girls like her. She'll challenge thousands of other performers in an internationally televised competition looking for the next K-pop star, and she'll do it better than anyone else. When Skye nails her audition, she's immediately swept into a whirlwind of countless practices, shocking performances, and the drama that comes with reality TV. What she doesn't count on are the highly fat-phobic beauty standards of the Korean pop entertainment industry, her sudden media fame, and scrutiny, or the sparks that soon fly with her fellow competitor, Henry Cho. But Skye has her sights on becoming the world's first plus-sized K-pop star, and that means winning the competition, without losing herself. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Fake It Till You Break It" by Jenn P. Nguyen; Read by Monique
Mia and Jake have known each other their whole lives. They've endured summer vacations, Sunday brunches, even dentist visits together. Their mothers, who are best friends, are convinced that Mia and Jake would be the perfect couple, even though they can't stand to be in the same room together. After Mia's mom turns away yet another cute boy, Mia and Jake decide they've have had enough. Together, they hatch a plan to get their moms off their backs. Permanently. All they have to do is pretend to date and then stage the worst breakup of all time -- and then they'll be free. The only problem is, maybe Jake and Mia don't hate each other as much as they once thought... This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Swoon, an imprint of Macmillan. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Silver Batal and the Water Dragon Races" by K.D. Halbrook; Read by Jolie
Silver Batal, a young desert-dweller, dreams of becoming a water dragon racer, and when she befriends a rare dragon that can swim and fly, she may just get her chance. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Square Fish, an imprint of Macmillan. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"13 Little Blue Envelopes" by Maureen Johnson; Read by Rachel
When seventeen-year-old Ginny receives a packet of mysterious envelopes from her favorite aunt, she leaves New Jersey to criss-cross Europe on a sort of scavenger hunt that transforms her life. This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Death Cloud" by Andy Lane; Read by Monique
In 1868, with his army officer father suddenly posted to India, and his mother mysteriously "unwell," fourteen-year-old Sherlock Holmes is sent to stay with his eccentric uncle and aunt in their vast house in Hampshire, where he uncovers his first murder and a diabolical villain. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Farrar, Straus & Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Serpent & Dove" by Shelvy Mahurin; Read by Monique
Two years ago Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic. Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived by one principle: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. Then a wicked stunt forces the two into holy matrimony. Lou is unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is. A choice must be made... and love makes fools of us all. -- Adapted from jacket. This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Nightingale" by Deva Fagan; Read by Rachel
After twelve-year-old Lark, determined to escape her squalid life, steals a magical sword from the Royal Museum, she reluctantly becomes the next Nightingale, destined to vanquish an ancient evil. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Atheneum, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Dry" by Neal Shusterman & Jarrod Shusterman; Read by Makayla
A lengthy California drought escalates to catastrophic proportions, turning Alyssa's quiet suburban street into a warzone, and she is forced to make impossible choices if she and her brother are to survive. This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of S&S Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society" by Michael Buckly; Read by Jolie
While running a spy network from their elementary school, five unpopular misfits combine their talents and use cutting-edge gadgetry to fight evil around the world. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Autoboyography" by Christina Lauren; Read by Lauren
High school senior Tanner Scott has hidden his bisexuality since his family moved to Utah, but he falls hard for Sebastian, a Mormon mentoring students in a writing seminar Tanner's best friend convinced him to take. This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Published with permission of Simon & Schuster. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Wedgie & Gizmo" by Suzanne Selfors; Read by Gisela
While his human Elliot adjusts to his new home and stepfamily, Gizmo, an evil genius guinea pig, searches for a new evil lair where he can plot to take over the world, but Gizmo is constantly thwarted by Elliot's little stepsister Jasmine (who likes to play dress-up), Abuela (who may or may not like to eat cavies), and Wedgie (a Corgi superhero and Gizmo's nemesis). This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy; Read by Rachel
Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed "Dumplin'" by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked... until Will takes a job at Harpy's, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn't surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back. Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant -- along with several other unlikely candidates -- to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she'll shock the hell out of Clover City -- and maybe herself most of all.
This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Beyond Me" by Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu; Read by Jolie
In the aftermath of a major earthquake, eleven-year-old Maya overcomes her own fear to help others at home and in northeast Japan, where a tsunami caused great damage. Includes author's note about the facts behind the story.
This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Atheneum, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"You Owe Me a Murder" by Eileen Cook; Read by Gregory
Seventeen-year-old Kim gets more than she bargained for when she is set up for murder. Perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying, E. Lockhart, and Gillian Flynn. 17-year-old Kim never expected to plot a murder. But that was before her boyfriend dumped her for another girl. Now, Kim's stuck on a class trip to London with him and his new soulmate and she can't help wishing he was a little bit dead, even if she'd never really do that. But when Kim meets Nicki, a stranger on the plane who's more than willing to listen to Kim's woes, things start to look up. Nicki's got a great sense of humor, and when she jokes about swapping murders, Kim plays along, that is, until Kim's ex-boyfriend mysteriously dies. Blackmailed by Nicki to fulfill her end of the deal, Kim will have to commit a murder or take the fall for one.
This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan; Read by Kendra
Sixth-graders Sara, a Pakistani American, and Elizabeth, a Jewish girl, connect in an after school cooking club and bond over food and their mothers' struggles to become United States citizens.
This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Cinder" by Marissa Meyer; Read by Crystal
As plague ravages the overcrowded Earth, observed by a ruthless lunar people, Cinder, a gifted mechanic and cyborg, becomes involved with handsome Prince Kai and must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect the world in this futuristic take on the Cinderella story.
This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Macmillan. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"The Giver" by Lois Lowry; Read by Holly
Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.
This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library Catalog.
"My Plain Jane" by Cynthia Hand; Read by Karen
You may think you know the story. Penniless orphan Jane Eyre begins a new life as a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she meets one dark, brooding Mr. Rochester--and, Reader, she marries him. Or does she? Prepare for an adventure of Gothic proportions, in which all is not as it seems, a certain gentleman is hiding more than skeletons in his closets, and orphan Jane Eyre, aspiring author Charlotte Bronte, and supernatural investigator Alexander Blackwood are about to be drawn together on the most epic ghost hunt this side of Wuthering Heights.
This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"The Explorer" by Katherine Rundell; Read by Laura
Left stranded in the Amazon jungle when their plane crashes on their way back to England from Manaus, Brazil, four children struggle to survive for days until one of them finds a map that leads them to a ruined city and a secret hidden among the vines.
This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Simon & Schuster. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli; Read by Mary
Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn't play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone's business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he's been emailing, will be compromised. With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon's junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out -- without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met. This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Scary Stories for Young Foxes" by Christian McKay Heidicker; Read by Rebecca
The haunted season has arrived in the Antler Wood. No fox kit is safe. When Mia and Uly are separated from their litters, they discover a dangerous world full of monsters. In order to find a den to call home, they must venture through field and forest, facing unspeakable things that dwell in the darkness: a zombie who hungers for their flesh, a witch who tries to steal their skins, a ghost who hunts them through the snow . . . and other things too scary to mention. Featuring eight interconnected stories and sixteen hauntingly beautiful illustrations, "Scary Stories for Young Foxes" contains the kinds of adventures and thrills you love to listen to beside a campfire in the dark of night. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds; Read by Andleeb
Ali lives in Bed-Stuy, a Brooklyn neighborhood known for guns and drugs, but he and his sister, Jazz, and their neighbors, Needles and Noodles, stay out of trouble until they go to the wrong party, where one gets badly hurt and another leaves with a target on his back. This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Atheneum, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston; Read by Monique
Thirteen-year-old Amari, a poor Black girl from the projects, gets an invitation from her missing brother to join the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs and join in the fight against an evil magician. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Daughters of Jubilation" by Kara Lee Corthron; Read by Kendra
"In the Jim Crow South, white supremacy reigns and tensions are high. But Evalene Deschamps has other things to worry about. She has two little sisters to look after, an overworked single mother, and a longtime crush who is finally making a move. On top of all that, Evvie's magic abilities are growing stronger by the day. Her family calls it jubilation--a gift passed down from generations of black women since the time of slavery. And as Evvie's talents waken, something dark comes loose and threatens to resurface...AND when the demons of Evvie's past finally shake free, she must embrace her mighty lineage, and summon the power that lies within her."-- Publisher's description.
This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Simon & Schuster. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Root Magic" by Eden Royce; Read by Monique
"It's 1963, and things are changing for Jezebel Turner. Her beloved grandmother has just passed away. The local police deputy won't stop harassing her family. With school integration arriving in South Carolina, Jez and her twin brother, Jay, are about to begin the school year with a bunch of new kids. But the biggest change comes when Jez and Jay turn eleven and their uncle, Doc, tells them he's going to train them in rootwork. Jez and Jay have always been fascinated by the African American folk magic that has been the legacy of their family for generations--especially the curious potions and powders Doc and Gran would make for the people on their island. But Jez soon finds out that her family's true power goes far beyond small charms and elixirs... and not a moment too soon"-- Provided by publisher.
This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Walden Pond Press, an imprint of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Legendborn" by Tracy Deonn; Read by Rachel
"To discover the truth behind her mother's mysterious death, a teen girl infiltrates a magical secret society claiming to be the descendants of King Arthur and his knights"-- Provided by publisher.
This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Margaraet K. McElderry, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Planet Tad" by Tim Carvell; Read by Leona
"Twelve-year-old Tad navigates a year filled with girl problems, school antics, and the worst summer job in history, all told in the form of hilarious, illustrated blog entries"-- Provided by publisher.
This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"A Few Red Drops" by Claire Hartfield; Read by Kay
"On a hot day in July 1919, five black youths went swimming in Lake Michigan, unintentionally floating close to the "white" beach. An angry white man began throwing stones at the boys, striking and killing one. Racial conflict on the beach erupted into days of urban violence that shook the city of Chicago to its foundations. This mesmerizing narrative draws on contemporary accounts as it traces the roots of the explosion that had been building for decades in race relations, politics, business, and clashes of culture."
This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Clarion, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"A Box of Bones" by Marina Cohen; read by Monique
After receiving a wooden puzzle box at a town festival, twelve-year-old Kallie figures out how to open the box and finds that her fate seems to be connected to a young bone carver from another time. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Square Fish, an imprint of Macmillan.
Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"For Darkness Shows the Stars" by Diana Peterfreund; Read by Rebecca
"Elliot North fights to save her family's land and her own heart in this post-apocalyptic reimaging of Jane Austen's PERSUASION"-- Provided by publisher. This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams" by Jenny Lundquist; Read by Kendra
Told from three viewpoints, Audrey, Grace, and Harlow come together at their annual town carnival to heal and reconnect after a tragedy. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Aladdin Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Dear Life, You Suck" by Scott Blagden; Read by Cyrano
Irreverent, foul-mouthed, seventeen-year-old Cricket Cherpin, living under the watchful eye of Mother Mary at a Catholic boys' home in Maine, has such bleak prospects he is considering suicide when Wynona Bidaban steps into his world. This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of HMH Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Fairy Tale Reform School: Flunked" by Jen Calonita; Read by Monique
When petty thief Gilly, who lives with five younger brothers and sisters in a run-down boot, gets caught stealing, she is sentenced to three months at Fairy Tale Reform School, where all of the teachers are former villains, including the Big Bad Wolf, the Evil Queen, and Cinderella's Wicked Stepmother. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Famous in a Small Town" by Emma Mills; Read by Kendra
For Sophie, small-town life has never felt small. With her four best friends, she can weather any storm. But when Sophie's beloved Acadia High School marching band is selected to march in the upcoming Rose Parade, it's her job to get them all the way to LA. Her plan? To persuade country singer Megan Pleasant, their Midwestern town's only claim to fame, to come back to Acadia to headline a fundraising festival. The only problem is that Megan has very publicly sworn never to return. What ensues is a journey filled with long-kept secrets, hidden heartbreaks, and revelations that could change everything along with a possible fifth best friend: a new guy with a magnetic smile and secrets of his own. This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Macmillan. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos; Read by Crystal
In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack Gantos spends the summer of 1962 grounded for various offenses until he is assigned to help an elderly neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly dead, molten wax, twisted promises, Girl Scout cookies, underage driving, lessons from history, typewriting, and countless bloody noses. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Macmillan. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Girl, Serpent, Thorn" by Melissa Bashardoust; Read by Rachel
Soraya, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch, has lived eighteen years in the shadows but as her twin brother's wedding approaches, she faces choices with unimaginable consequences. This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Flatiron, an imprint of Macmillan. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Orbiting Jupiter" by Gary D. Schmidt; Read by Leona
"Jack, 12, tells the gripping story of Joseph, 14, who joins his family as a foster child. Damaged in prison, Joseph wants nothing more than to find his baby daughter, Jupiter, whom he has never seen. When Joseph has begun to believe he'll have a future, he is confronted by demons from his past that force a tragic sacrifice"-- Provided by publisher. This title is intended for tweens however it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Love & Gelato" by Jenna Evans Welch; Read by Kristin
After her mother dies, Lina travels to Italy where she discovers her mother's journal and sets off on an adventure to unearth her mother's secrets.- Provided by publisher. This title is intended for teens and may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Simon & Schuster. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"School of the Dead" by Avi; Read by Kay
For most of Tony Gilbert's life, he has thought of his uncle as "Weird Uncle Charlie." That is, until Uncle Charlie moves in with Tony and his family. Uncle Charlie is still odd, of course--talking about spirits and other supernatural stuff--but he and Tony become fast friends, and Tony ends up having a lot of fun with Uncle Charlie. When Uncle Charlie dies suddenly, Tony is devastated. Then he starts seeing Uncle Charlie everywhere! It doesn't help that Tony switched schools--it was Uncle Charlie's dying wish that Tony attend the Penda School, where Uncle Charlie himself went as a kid. The Penda School is eerie enough without his uncle's ghost making it worse. On top of that, rumors have been circulating about a student who went missing shortly before Tony arrived. Could that somehow be related to Uncle Charlie's ghost? This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Ex-mas" by Kate Brian; Read by Kendra
Two Exes. One holiday adventure. Merry Ex-Mas? Seventeen-year-old Lila Beckwith's parents just left for vacation, and Lila's all set to throw the holiday party of the season. But when her Christmas-obsessed little brother, Cooper, discovers that global warming is melting the North Pole, he and his best friend, Tyler, take off on a runaway mission to save Santa. Lila has to get Cooper safely home before her parents get back on Christmas Eve. But the only person who can help her is Tyler's older brother, Beau -- a.k.a. Lila's musician, anti-everything ex-boyfriend.. This title is intended for teens, however, it may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Simon & Schuster. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"When Zachary Beaver Came to Town" by Kimberly Willis Holt; Read by Crystal
During the summer of 1971 in a small Texas town, thirteen-year-old Toby and his best friend Cal meet the star of a sideshow act, 600-pound Zachary, the fattest boy in the world. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of Square Fish, an imprint of Macmillan. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Of Fire and Stars" by Audrey Coulthurst; Read by Lauren
Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile kingdoms. But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire--a dangerous gift for the future queen of a land where magic is forbidden. Now Denna has to learn the ways of her new kingdom while trying to hide her growing magic. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria's formidable warhorses before her coronation--and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess Amaranthine, sister of her betrothed. When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two work together, they discover there is more to one another than they thought--and soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more. But with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly. Forced to choose between their duty and their hearts, Mare and Denna must find a way to save their kingdoms--and each other.
This title is intended for teens and may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"The Spindlers" by Lauren Oliver; Read by Laura
Accompanied by an eccentric, human-sized rat, Liza embarks on a perilous quest through an underground realm to save her brother Patrick, whose soul has been stolen by the evilest of creatures--the spider-like spindlers. This title is intended for tweens and is suitable for most audiences. Recorded with permission of HarperCollins. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.
"Our Wayward Fate" by Gloria Chao, Read by Monique
Seventeen-year-old Ali is simultaneously swept up in a whirlwind romance and down a rabbit hole of family secrets when another Taiwanese family moves into tiny, predominantly-white, Plainhart, Indiana. The only Asian person at her school in Plainhart, Indiana, Ali Chu ignores the clueless racism from her classmates and teachers. When Chase Yu's family arrives in town, Ali tries to ignore the 'they belong together' whispers, but they develop a friendship rooted in competitive martial arts, joking in two languages, and, most importantly, pushing back against the discrimination they face. When Ali's mom forces her to end the friendship, she uncovers secrets about her family and Chase that force her to question everything she thought she knew about life, love, and her unknowable future. -- adapted from jacket. This title is intended for teens and may contain language or themes that some readers may find offensive. Recorded with permission of Simon & Schuster. Click here to see this title in the Houston Public Library catalog.