Novel Teen’s Top Ten Christian Teen Books of 2011

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you, “Be of good cheer!” It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

It’s also the time of the year for Team Novel Teen’s Top 10 books of 2011. And this year Team Novel Teen and our Novel Teen staff all pitched in votes to come up with this list. Pretty cool, huh?

So, if you’re looking for some great young adult novels you may have missed, or a fun gift for a loved one, we hope this list will give you some good ideas. Click on the title or picture to view each book on Amazon.com.

And merry Christmas!

Click to view on Amazon.com

10. Song of the Ovulum (Children of the Bard) by Bryan Davis
(A fantasy novel for boys and girls that’s a continuation of Bryan’s Dragon’s in Our Midst series.)

Coming in at number ten this year is Bryan Davis’ new book Song of the Ovulum. We haven’t even gotten a chance to review this book yet, but it got enough votes from the team to make the list, so here is the description of the book:

It has been fifteen years since Billy and Bonnie Bannister helped repel the demonic assault on Heaven. Now they and Ashley Foley sit in a maximum security prison where the authorities conduct experiments on them to learn the secrets of long life. Earlier, the world’s acceptance of dragonkind crumbled, and the Enforcers took the infant twins born to Billy and Bonnie and stole Excalibur, hoping to develop a weapon to battle the dragons that are sure to try to rescue their allies. All the while, a great secret from the past is being revealed to Bonnie through a dream. Joran and Selah, teenaged children of Methuselah, have been trapped in a strange world for centuries, yet still able to manipulate certain events in our world during that time.

The fate of two worlds now rests on the Bannisters’ two teenagers who must use their dragon traits and their innate courage to battle demons, a sorceress, and soldiers in a military compound in order to rescue parents they don’t even know.

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9. Replication by Jill Williamson
(A science fiction/suspense story for male and female readers, akin the James Patterson’s Maximum Ride books, though a little less comic book-like.)

Number nine comes from our own Jill Williamson. Her new book with Zonderkidz, though it deals with the touchy subject of human cloning, will surprise and entertain readers.

Review by J. R. Parker

Martyr, or Jason 3:3, is one of fifty-five clones living in an underground lab in Alaska. The clones are closely supervised and forbidden from entering the outside world because of the “toxic air.” And, well, the guards and locks and cameras. Expiration on their eighteenth birthday is something the Jasons have come to accept. But Martyr wants to see the sky before he dies. And when he steals a card key and makes it past security, the adventure begins.

Abby Goyer, one of the lab scientist’s daughters, is Martyr’s first contact and fiercest defender. Together, she and Martyr attempt to elude those so desperate to get him back, facing down not only their pursuers, but the uncertain allegiance of her father. And the shear outlandishness of Martyr’s story makes finding allies difficult. In their flight, they piece together a trail of clues that could explain more of the secrets buried in Jason Farms and in Martyr’s genetic code. Slowly, Martyr drifts from the embrace of his expiration, toward a new purpose…

The mesmerizing depth of character Williamson’s readers have come to expect is woven deftly into Replication, with extra layers of gripping suspense and twisting mystery. I did not intend to stay up reading this book until the early morning hours, but that was the result. And on a computer screen, no less, making this the first time I’ve ever convinced my eyes to read a novel in its entirety on a backlit surface. They did not complain.

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8. The Final Hour by Andrew Klavan
(An action-adventure series like no other. Boys will eat it up. And some girls will like it too.)

This has been a wonderful four-book series for boys. And this year, all four books are available, so now you can order the whole set!

Review by Jill Williamson

Charlie West is in prison, and not just some juvenile detentions center. He’s in Abingdon State Prison, a high security prison for the vilest offenders. And between the prisoners and the brutal guards, it looks like Charlie might be someone’s next victim.

But his memories are slowly coming back, and Charlie learns that a terrorist strike is coming soon. He has to do something, but what? No one will listen to a convict, all his allys are gone, and time is ticking away. But Charlie can’t give up. Not when lives are at stake.

Loved it! And I closed this book with a smile on my face, because these four novels really felt like one big story, and it was tough to wait for each next one. I loved the way Andrew Klavan told this tale, how he weaved it backwards and forwards with action and memories and mystery. It was very cleverly done. This is a GREAT series for boy readers. So if you love action and adventure novels, or if you’re looking for some books for a young man, look no further. This is the series. I highly recommend all four Homelander books.

 

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7. There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones
(A contemporary novel for girls with the perfect balance of real life, humor, and romance.)

Whenever Jenny B. Jones writes a novel for teens, you can bet we will rave about it. This book is a great read. We adored it.

Review by Jill Williamson

When Finley Sinclair leaves home to study abroad in Ireland, her goal is to follow in her brother Will’s footsteps, using his journal as a guide. She wants to see the places Will saw, feel what he felt when he traveled through Ireland before he died. She’s hoping for closure, and an ending to the song she is composing.

But she meets Hollywood heartthrob Beckett Rush on the airplane—the last thing she needs, another guy who’s full of himself and drawn to trouble. But her lack of interest intrigues Beckett, and he makes her his assistant in exchange for his help as a tour guide in finding all the places in Will’s journal. But the pressure is too much on Finley. Why won’t God help her heal? Isn’t Ireland the place where she should find him?

Ah… very well done. Jenny B. Jones is a wonderful authors. I say it every time I read one of her books, but it’s true. This book hooked me in with its characters and its country (Ireland). It made me want to visit Ireland. It reminded me that everyone was young once, and we all have a past. I loved Finley and Beckett’s characters. But as this was a Jenny B. Jones book, I wasn’t surprised to find that I loved just about every character. This is a wonderful book. Highly recommended for all girl readers, no matter how old you are.

 

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6. The Wishing Pearl by Nicole O’Dell
(A contemporary story that deals with tough life issues in an engaging way. Girl readers will be hooked.)

Number six on the top ten list comes for our own Nicole O’Dell. She has penned the first in a wonderful new series. We can’t wait to read them all!

Review by Jill Williamson

Olivia Mansfield has everything a girl could want. She lives in a mansion, has a rich stepfather, a mother who spoils her, and a wonderful big brother. But it’s all a mirage. Her stepfather’s abuse, her mother’s indifference, and nightmares of her real father’s death make Olivia’s live something she wants to get away from.

So when her friend introduces Olivia to the party scene, Olivia is only too happy to indulge in this means of escape. But one too many parties and the death of her friend lead Olivia to a girls’ home called Diamond Estates, her last hope at getting her life on track before she loses it.

Talk about your coming of age novel! Wow. This book sucked me in and didn’t let go. And when it was done, I was sad. I wanted to keep reading about Olivia’s life, all the way until she was a grandmother. Alas, the book stopped WAY before then. Ah well, it was worth it. Olivia’s story and her journey to find herself enthralled me. I was rooting for the truth to be revealed every step of the way. This is a wonderful book for young girls. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!

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5. Gravestone by Travis Thrasher
(A Christian thriller for teens that will keep eyes wise, lights on, and pages flying.)

Christian horror for teens? Who knew? But Travis Thrasher has started an amazing new series with his Solitary novels. Creepy, mysterious, and completely addictive. It you, or someone you know, loves a scare, you’ve got to get these books.

Review by Jill Williamson

A recent tragedy has left Chris Buckley numb. He goes to school, gets a job, and tries to make heads or tails of the insane town of Solitary, North Carolina. His investigations in to what happened only leave him with more questions—and more warnings to stay out of it. His mom is convinced a man haunts her in her dreams, and now she is drinking more than ever.

Chris befriends a girl in art class, but he’s afraid that any new friends he makes may end up getting hurt. He searches for sparks of light in his dismal hometown, but everything only seems to lead to more darkness.

Okay. I’m officially hooked now.

This is the first Christian young adult horror series I’ve ever read. David C. Cook is calling this “young adult mystery/suspense,” but it’s horror if I’ve ever read horror. But it’s cool and creepy and entertaining—and you can’t possibly guess what’s going to happen. That’s what I like most, second to Chris Buckley’s voice. If you like your creepy horror stories, pick up this series. But keep in mind: there will be four books. So you’ll have to wait, wait, wait with the rest of us.

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4. The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson
(A medieval, fairy tale romance that will thrill girl readers.)

Some of the most well-known stories of all time are fairytales. We love them once, we love them twice, we’ll always love them. And this retelling of Beauty and the Beast is a sweet read for the romantic heart.

Review by Jill Williamson

For years Annabel’s family shirked their duties and now that Lord Ranulf is moving to town, they must pay for their crimes. Unfortunately, the responsibility falls to Annabel. She must marry the evil bailiff or become Lord Ranulf’s servant. Choosing the lesser of two evils, she packs her bags and begins three years of indentured servitude.

But life with Lord Ranulf is not as horrible as she feared. Though the man has a horrible temper and is scarred and disfigured, he allows Annabel to read from the bible, something she has always dreamed of doing. But when Annabel is attacked and a man gravely injured, everything good hangs in the balance, including Annabel and Lord Ranulf’s futures.

Oooh, I love a good romance novel! And Melanie Dickerson writes very sweet romance novels. But they’re fairytales, and fairytales always include an evil villain and danger. The Merchant’s Daughter did not disappoint. I loved Annabel and Lord Ranulf’s characters. I loved the initial misunderstandings, and I especially loved how it all worked out in the end. If you love fairytale romances, this one is a must read.

 

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3. Monster in the Hallows (Wingfeather Saga, book 3) by Andrew Peterson
(A wonderful fantasy series for girls and boys… and adults too.)

Was there every any doubt that this book would make the list? This series came from a new author and captivated the hearts of readers everywhere. If you haven’t discovered these books yet, what are you waiting for?

Review by Jill Williamson

Janner and his family settle into life in the Green Hollows, but people don’t really accept them, especially the furry Kalmar, whom they think is a Fang. Janner must step up into his role as a Throne Warden to keep Kalmar from getting into a fight that could destroy their entire family. But there are mysteries, betrayals, and dangers lurking. Janner does all he can to watch over and defend his brother, but what he can’t manage to do is convince himself that Kalmar is innocent.

I love Andrew Peterson’s stories. He is a genius. His characters and dialogue are delightful. I cannot wait to see how this series will end. The only thing that felt off about this book was that—through most of it—it felt like its own story, like a standalone novel, separate from the first two books in the series. I enjoyed the book a great deal, and it all tied together nicely in the end, but I missed the overall plot of the series through most of this volume. If you haven’t read Andrew Peterson’s work, start with book one, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. They are fabulous.

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2. From Darkness Won (Blood of Kings, book 3) by Jill Williamson
(Fantasy, adventure, and a bit of romance. Great for boys, girls, and adults, too.)

From our own Jill Williamson… the adventure has ended! Readers have fallen in love with Achan and Vrell. And this is the final tale Achan and Vrell embark on  one last journey, an epic battle, and take the final stand to push back Darkness or perish.

Review by Christian Miles

This is it. The final book of the Blood of Kings trilogy.

Achan and Vrell have come far. They’ve fought Black Knights in Darkness, freed prisoners from icy cells, escaped the wrath of a bloodthirsty usurper… but now they’ve found themselves in the midst of a war. Everything hangs in the balance, and if the Crown Prince cannot take the throne at Armonguard, Darkness will consume all the land.

Our final foray into the land of Er’rets couldn’t have been better. I don’t know how she did it, but somehow Jill Williamson managed to write the perfect last book to her Blood of Kings trilogy, tying off every loose end with flair. From Darkness Won had me up until 3 a.m. reading. It bonded to my hands the moment I picked it up, refusing to be put down until the last page fell. Five stars and a standing ovation are in order, I think.

Very highly recommended.

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1. BONUS!!! Waterfall, Cascade–and–Torrent (All three books in The River of Time Trilogy) by Lisa T. Bergen
(A time travel romance trilogy that girl readers will inhale.)

Another series that came from out of nowhere and captivated readers. The River of Time trilogy from Lisa T. Bergen has melted the hearts of girls everywhere. If you like romance, you owe it to yourself to get hooked on this series.

Review of book one Waterfall by Stefanie Morris

What do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?

Waterfall combines my two favorite genres, fantasy and historical fiction, with quite a bit of romance thrown in.

Gabi and Lia Betarrini are two American sisters who have spent way too much time kicking around Italian archaeological digs with their parents. Then Gabi and Lia enter an Etruscan tomb and time travel back to 14^th century Italy. If that isn’t bad enough, something goes wrong and the sisters become separated.

This book started a tad slow, but the story hooked me once the action got going. Gabi’s concern for her lost sister makes her a sympathetic heroine. And I really enjoyed reading about medieval Italy.

At first, I was a little annoyed at Gabi’s attraction to a 14^th century knight. Sure he’s hot and looks great in his tunic, tights, and breastplate. But how can they have a future if she plans to go back to the future? Ah, but author Lisa Bergren is not going to leave us wondering. She plans several more books in the series. Now my only problem is waiting for the sequel to resolve Gabi’s romantic dilemma.

So there you have it! We hope you saw something new on this list, something to perk your interest or spark an idea for a gift. From all of us at Novel Teen, Merry Christmas! And we hope that you all get to read many wonderful clean teen fiction titles in 2012!

Three Novel Teen Authors Publish with Zonderkidz

Click on the cover to preorder on Amazon.com.

Three of our Novel Teen authors have new books coming out from Zonderkidz–three months in a row! Congrats, ladies!

First, releasing in November of 2011, is Melanie Dickerson’s second fairy tale romance, The Merchant’s Daughter. Loosely based on Beauty and the Beast, Annabel Chapman is forced to work as an indentured servant at the manor house of Lord Ranulf. The new lord is said to be beastly in appearance and temperament, but Annabel’s greater fear is Bailiff Tom, a perverse man who has made unwelcome advances upon her in the past. As she works closely with Ranulf, she begins to feel safe and protected, but will she realize the calling of her heart before it’s too late?

Then in December, just in time for Christmas, is Jill Williamson’s Replication: The Jason Experiment will release. In this book, Abby Goyer is forced to move to rural Alaska when her father unexpectedly takes a job in a remote laboratory called Jason Farms. Suspicious of her father’s decisions, she investigates and finds more than what she was looking for when a strange boy shows up at her door. Martyr, one of hundreds of identical clones, escaped from the underground lab at the farm with one wish: to see the sky before he fulfills his purpose and “expires” on his eighteenth birthday. Abby helps Martyr see God has a purpose for his life, one that may be different than what the scientists originally planned for him.

And to start off the new year with a bang, in January of 2012, the first of Heather Burch’s Halflings trilogy will release. Here is a bit about Halflings, book one: In the first book of the Halfling Trilogy, Nikki Youngblood discovers she’s the central force of a madman’s plan, and turns to three half-angel boys for protection. With the Halflings, she’s completely safe. Everything except her heart. And Mace’s soul. Falling for him could ensure his eternal ruin.

Family Fiction Magazine 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards

Family Fiction Magazine announced the results of their 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards in their May-June 2011 issue. There are some wonderful authors, books, and movies in this years results. Congrats to everyone who made the list.

And a HUGE congratulations goes out to the young adult authors who made the list, especially our own Melanie Dickerson and Jill Williamson. Melanie came in fourth on the favorite young adult authors list. Jill came in fourth on the favorite speculative fiction authors list. And both Melanie and Jill’s novels made the best book trailer list with The Healer’s Apprentice trailer coming in second and the To Darkness Fled book trailer taking fifth. (Click on the book titles to watch each trailer on YouTube.)

Three of the Family Fiction categories are listed below. Note the other YA authors that are on the lists: Jenny B. Jones, Melanie Carlson, Bryan Davis, Robert Liparulo, Ted Dekker, and Donita K. Paul. If you haven’t read books by these authors, you must check them out. Ask your local library or bookstore if they carry these authors, find them online, or look through Novel Teen’s reviews to see what we had to say. And you can always click on any book cover on our blog to be linked to the novel on Amazon.com.

Thanks to all of you who voted for this year’s awards. And if you haven’t looked into Family Fiction Magazine, we highly recommend it. It’s totally free and is a great source for fiction for the whole family. Check out their website: http://www.familyfiction.com/magazines/

Young Adult Fiction Author
1. Jenny B. Jones
2. Melody Carlson
3. Bryan Davis
4. Melanie Dickerson
5. Robert Liparulo

Speculative Fiction Author
1. Ted Dekker
2. Tim LaHaye & Craig Craig Parshall
3. Bryan Davis
4. Jill Williamson
5. Donita K. Paul

Book Trailer of the Year
1. Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury
2. The Healer’s Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson
3. Immanuel’s Veins by Ted Dekker
4. Lydia’s Charm by Wanda Brunstetter
5. To Darkness Fled by Jill Williamson

Novel Teen’s Top Ten Books of 2010

It’s that time of year again. If you are looking for a book to give to a friend or family member, we hope this list will give you some inspiration. Click on the title or picture to view each book on Amazon.com. Merry Christmas! 

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.com.

1. Asking for Trouble (Book one in the London Confidential series) by Sandra Byrd
(A contemporary series for girls. All four books in the series are now available.)

Review by Jill Williamson:
Savvy Smith and her family recently moved to England to live. Savvy misses her best friend from Seattle. She’s trying to make new friends in London, but it seems no one has room for a new friend in their life, especially a weird American.

An opportunity arises for Savvy to work at the school newspaper. She has always wanted to be a journalist and she hopes this might be a way to make some friends. She applies for the position, but her lack of experience makes her a paperboy instead of columnist. If only she could find a way to prove that she is a good writer. But how?

Sandra Byrd always tells a good story. I love her Friends for a Season books, so I was excited to read her new series. Asking for Trouble did not disappoint. I enjoyed Savvy’s character, how she thought things out and how she struggled to understand all the differences in British culture and language. Sandra did a great job with her British accents and lingo in the other character’s dialogue. It was fun to read. I also liked Savvy’s determination and drive to make her own future, rather than mope about what she didn’t have or try to follow someone else. This was a fun read that made you think and I highly recommend it.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: Contemporary
Part of a Series: London Confidential, book one
Pages: 216
Publisher: Tyndale

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.com.

2. Final Touch (Rayne Tour, book three) by Brandilyn Collins
(Great for girls who love mystery and suspense. All three books in the trilogy are now available.)

Review by Jill Williamson:
It’s wedding day for Rayne O’Connor and Shaley’s father, Gary Donovon. Shaley couldn’t be happier. She has longed for this day all her life. But minutes before the ceremony begins, Shaley is kidnapped! She tries to do all she can to leave a trail, in hopes that the police will find her, but Shaley’s kidnapper is always one step ahead. Will Shaley’s life as she knows it end forever?

Just when we thought it was happily ever after for the O’Connor family. Here is every mother’s nightmare in book form! Shaley is taken by a man who intends to keep her. This whole thing reminded me of the Elizabeth Smart story. I was terrified for Shaley and thrilled with how wise she was about trying to leave a trail of evidence. This book plugs right along and you won’t be able to put it down until the end. Well done, Brandilyn and Amberly! Highly recommended.

Age Range: 12-16
Genre: suspense
Part of a Series: Book three in the Rayne Tour
Pages: 224
Publisher: Zondervan

Click on the cover to read more reviews of Melanie's book on Amazon.com.

3. The Healer’s Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson
(A medieval, fairy tale romance.)

Review by Jill Williamson:
Rose has begun her training as the healer’s apprentice. She hopes to learn the job well so that someday she can be the healer of Hagenheim Castle and not have to marry any aging bachelors. But the mere sight of blood makes Rose swoon. Still, she is determined to make this life work for herself.

One day, when the master healer is away, Lord Hamlin, heir to Hagenheim Castle, is brought in with a grievous wound. Rose is the only one who can help. As she struggles to do a good job, she cannot help but notice how handsome and kind Lord Hamlin is. But she is a mere peasant, and Lord Hamlin is betrothed to another. Rose must fight against her attraction and focus on becoming a healer. For that is her destiny, is it not?

Melanie Dickerson writes a wonderful fairy tale romance. Her characters are noble and good, yet struggle with doing the right thing and sometimes fail. She paints a realistic medieval world from the beauty of Hagenheim Castle to the laws that governed society then. I was drawn in from page one and read the whole book in one day. If you love medieval stories, fairy tales, and romance, you must read this book. I’m so excited about Melanie Dickerson’s writing. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. Highly recommended.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: Historical romance
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 257
Publisher: Zondervan

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.com.

4. Kestrel’s Midnight Song by J.R. Parker
(Fantasy adventure. Great for boys, girls, and adults, too.)

Review by Jill Williamson:
Slave girl, Robbyn, is nearly burned to death in a fire set by the Marauder King. Drift, a giant, rescues her. Together they set off to warn King Darius that the Marauder King plans to attack the land of Gable. But will they get there in time? And even if they do, will anyone believe the claims of a slave girl and a giant?

Shepherd boy, Micah, embarks on a journey. He must deliver a herd of sheep to the Gable Kingdom Castle. King Darius has requested that the sheep’s wool be sheared for his wardrobe. Many dangers await Micah on this long journey. And little does he know that the fate of the kingdom rests on his shoulders.

Kestrel’s Midnight Song is a solid addition to the fantasy genre. Jacob Parker started this story when he was fifteen years old! This young author writes an imaginative tale, filled with adventure, mystery, and unique characters. The storylines intertwine and keep the reader turning the pages, desperate to see how it will all work out. There are several plot twists that surprised me. I can’t wait to see if there will be a sequel. Highly recommended.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: fantasy
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 256
Publisher: Flaming Pen Press

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.com.

5. Manga (Scenarios for Girls, book three) by Nicole O’Dell
(A contemporary, choose-your-own-ending book. There are four books available in this series so far.)

Review by Jill Williamson:
Molly and her friends want to find a part time job to earn extra cash and a discount on great clothes. But Molly is the only one of her trio that gets hired at Manga, the coolest clothing store ever. At first everything is going great. Molly is really good at her job and quickly gets more responsibility. But some girls at school try to bully her into giving her special deals and then her best friends ask her to do something she knows is wrong. What will Molly do?

You decide.

That’s right. This is a Choose Your Own Scenario book, where you read all about Molly’s life and then choose what she will do next. Then the book has two alternate endings, one for each choice Molly could make.

What an awesome idea for a series of books! And the author handled this in such a wonderful way. Whether Molly chose to break the law or stand against her friends, she was still Molly. There were consequences to both choices, and some consequences were harder to live through than others, but this wasn’t preachy. This was honest. So even in the ending where Molly chose to break the law, there was still redemption, and it was neat to read how she dealt with such humbling circumstances.

So I highly recommend this series to all girls. It’s a fun story to read for entertainment and a neat opportunity to see two sides of one choice.

Age Range: 8 and up
Genre: Contemporary
Part of a Series: Scenarios for Girls, book three
Pages: 190
Publisher: Barbour

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.com.

6. Secrets Under the Midnight Sun by Elisa Maria Crites
(A historical story that deals with complex family issues.)

Review by Jill Williamson:
It’s 1967 in Fairbanks, Alaska. Twelve-year-old Fredricka O’Reilly has a secret that she doesn’t want anyone to know about. Her brother is gone off in the Air Force, so the only one she can turn to his her mother. But if she tells her mother the truth, it could rip her family apart. What’s a girl to do?

This is a story about a girl who just wants to enjoy life. Her daddy makes that hard, especially when he cuts her off from her best friends. For the most part, the story is lighthearted, filled with the fun things in Freddie’s life. Freddie’s hopes and dreams are heartwarming and I yearned that she would have the freedom she craved. Having been to Fairbanks , Alaska , I also enjoyed the history of the town and the visits to AlaskaLand. In the end, I wanted to read more about Freddie to see what she would do next.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: historical/contemporary
Part of a Series: no
Pages: 108
Publisher: Westbow Press (A Division of Thomas Nelson)

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.com.

7. So Over It (Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt, book three) by Stephanie Morrill
(A contemporary story for girls. All three books in the trilogy are available.)

Review:
After all the drama that went down at the end of her senior year, Skylar is ready to move on. She jumps at the chance to visit her grandparents in Hawaii. She only plans to stay a few weeks, but perhaps Hawaii would be a good place for a fresh start, where she won’t run into her old friends everywhere she goes. But will she be strong enough to be who God is calling her to be?

Whew! I am thrilled with how everything came together in this third and final installment of the Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series. There is still some drama going on in Skylar’s life, even though she tried to get away from it. But she’s finally learning that no one is perfect and that true forgiveness is an awesome, freeing experience. I loved how everything came together, and certain characters matured and were able to do the right thing, even when they wanted to do the selfish thing. I’m being vague because I don’t want to spoil it. J

This is a great series for teen girls. There is romance drama, friend drama, and what do to with my life drama, but it’s fun, realistic, and entertaining. You won’t be able to put them down until you’ve read all three. I highly recommend!

Age Range: 12-16
Genre: contemporary
Part of a Series: Book three in the Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series
Pages: 262
Publisher: Revell

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.com

8. So Over My Head (A Charmed Life, book three) by Jenny B. Jones
(A hysterical contemporary mystery story for girls. All three books in the trilogy are available.)

Review by Gretchen Hoffman:
What’s better than a circus with clowns, a unicycle ballet (a skill I’ve been meaning to take up), and a bearded lady? Aside from a good waxing (for the bearded lady, of course), nothing! Ms. Jenny B. Jones writes yet another knee-slapping, laugh out loud, hysterical book that is a must, must, must read!

Our favorite accidental detective, Bella Kirkwood, finds herself in over her head when she stumbles across the dead body of the Fritz Family Carnival’s fat (and also bearded) lady. Although another carnival member is arrested, Bella doubts his culpability, and decides to find the real murderer. Even though Bella doubts this man’s guilt, there are a few things she doesn’t doubt. For one, she’s certain Luke’s ex-girlfriend’s is interested in nothing other than stealing Luke back. Bella also knows her dad’s fiancée is up to no good. All she needs now is to prove it!

Expect nothing short of crazy schemes, a ride on a Ferris wheel, a creeper, and an undercover operation for Bella to bring a murderer to justice, figure out what to do with Luke’s ex, and stop her dad’s wedding. All in a day’s work, right? Bella’s friends and family are a whole cast of characters, and I love Ruthie (a kooky, crack-up), her stepbrother Budge (who works at the Weiner Palace—that alone is hilarious), her step-dad’s crazy wrestler friends, and a 13-year-old trapeze artist. If you’ve read books one and two, book three is a requirement. And if you have yet to pick up a book by Ms. Jones, definitely check this series out!

Age Range: 12-16
Genre: Contemporary
Part of a Series: A Charmed Life, book 3
Pages: 326
Publisher: Thomas Nelson|

Click on the cover to view on Amazon.com.

9. To Darkness Fled (Book two in the Blood of Kings trilogy) by Jill Williamson
(Fantasy, adventure, and a bit of romance for all ages. Books one and two in the trilogy are available.)

Review by Christian Miles:
The second installment of the Blood of Kings series will thrill, surprise, and delight readers just as much as the first. With stellar craftsmanship, the author continues to thrust her characters into a myriad of plot-driven obstacles that will have readers biting their nails late into the night.

The story picks up right where By Darkness Hid left off, with Achan, Vrell, and the Kingsguard knights fleeing into Darkness to escape the wrath of their former prince. They head north toward Ice Island in the hopes that they can free the wrongly accused men imprisoned there. Vrell continues to masquerade as a boy, but she knows it’s only a matter of time before she’ll either have to reveal her true identity, or abandon the party of questers. Achan, who has only ever known the life of a Stray, wrestles with the decor and responsibilities that come with his newfound authority. As they flee across Er’rets, their bloodvoicing talents and swordcraft excel, but in a world of ever-growing Darkness, how can two teens stay in the Light?

This is the best novel I’ve read since By Darkness Hid came out, and I’m a fairly voracious reader. I’d recommend it to anyone I know, young or old, male or female, fantasy lover or not. It’s just that good.

“Williamson pens an action-packed, imaginative second installment in the Blood of Kings trilogy. All the familiar epic elements and emotions are freshly rendered, with Vrell and Achan especially memorable. The pace gallops along, leaving readers hungry for the concluding book.” -Publishers Weekly

Age Range: 14 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Part of a Series: Book 2 in the Blood of Kings trilogy
Pages: 681
Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Click on the cover to view on Amazon.com.

10. To Save a Life by Jim and Rachel Britts
(A contemporary story based on the feature film.)

Review by Jill Williamson:
Jake and Roger were once best friends. They did everything together. Roger even stepped in front of a car to save Jake. But when they got to high school, and Jake got better at basketball, things started to change. Jake started hanging out with the popular crowd. Before he knew it, he didn’t have time for Roger at all.

And now Roger is dead. None of Jake’s new friends even know that he and Roger were once friends. They don’t understand what this loss means. Jake wonders what’s the point of it all? And if he had done things in his life differently, could he have saved Roger?

As Jake searches for answers and tries to find meaning in life, his friends just don’t get it. But Jake can’t go back, even if it costs him his reputation.

I’d wanted to see this movie, but it never came to a theater near me, not that any theater is near me…So I bought the book to tide me over. I’m totally glad I did. This book was powerful. It threw me into Jake’s life, the life most every guy wishes he had: star athlete with a full ride scholarship to play for his dream school, the perfect girlfriend, fun best friends, and popularity. Then tragedy strikes and Jake starts to ask important questions. And he won’t give up until he finds the answer.

This book gets into faith in an honest and ugly way. Sometimes that’s what we need to see. There are a lot of “Christians” out there making Christians look bad, loving themselves more than they love others. This book shows one guy struggling to do it the right way, no matter what anyone thinks. What an inspiring story. Now I want to see the movie more than ever! I highly recommend this to all high school and college students.

Age Range: 14 and up
Genre: contemporary fiction
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 315
Publisher: Outreach

The 2010 Clives Staples Award Winner is…

The votes and in and counted. Rebecca LuElla Miller, chairman of the Clive Staples Award, announced the finalists and the winner this morning.

According to Rebecca, “The leading novel finished with 33% of the first place votes, 12% of the second place votes, and 5% of the third place votes, meaning that this book received votes on 50% of the ballots. The nearest other nomination received votes on 38% of the ballots.” Click here to read her full post.

And here are the top five. Click on the title to view the Novel Teen review of the book.

Number 5: Lunatic by Ted Dekker and Kaci Hill (Thomas Nelson). This is the fifth book in the Lost Books series.

Number 4: By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson (Marcher Lord Press).

Number 3: Curse of the Spider King by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper (Thomas Nelson).

Number 2: Vanishing Sculptor by Donita K Paul (WaterBrook/Multnomah).

Number 1: The 2010 Clive Staples Readers’ Choice Winner is Bones of Makaidos by Bryan Davis (AMG Publishers), book four in the Oracles of Fire series.

Congrats to you, Bryan!

Novel Teen has not reviewed Bones of Makaidos, but you can read what others are saying on Amazon.com by clicking on this link. And click here to read our interview with author Bryan Davis.

We also have not reviewed Ted Dekker’s Lunatic here on Novel Teen. But you can click here to read about Lunatic on Amazon.com. We did review the first book in the series, Chosen, here.

Isn’t it wonderful that ALL FIVE FINALISTS are novels written for teens? Congrats to all the nominees, finalists, and to Bryan. And thanks to them for writing such wonderful clean books for teens to read.

What do you guys think about the results?

READ UP SO YOU CAN VOTE FOR THE CLIVE STAPLES AWARD

Hey, all you science fiction and fantasy lovers! The Clive Staples Award is coming soon! The nominations are in. And voting will begin in July. This is a reader’s choice award, which means that you, the readers, must vote to see who will win. In case you didn’t know, Clive Staples Lewis is also known as C.S. Lewis, so this award is a pretty big honor.

You can only vote if you’ve read at least two of the nominated titles. The hope is to prevent the award going to the author with the most fans.

Here is the list of nominated titles. I’m so excited to see a few teen novels on this list! If you’ve read more than one of the nominated titles, you’ll be able to vote when the polls open. If not, make sure you read at least two of the following books before July so that you can take part in this reader’s choice award. We need as many votes as possible to make the Clive Staples Award a success.

Thanks so much! Happy reading!

And the nominees are: *drumroll* (Click on the title to read Novel Teen’s review of each title.)

A Star Curiously Singing, Kerry Nietz, Marcher Lord Press

Blaggard’s Moon, George Bryan Polivka, Harvest House

By Darkness Hid, Jill Williamson, Marcher Lord Press

Curse of the Spider King, Wayne Batson and Christopher Hopper, Thomas Nelson Publishing

The Enclave, Karen Hancock, Bethany House

Eternity Falls, Kirk Outerbridge, Marcher Lord Press

Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter, RJ Anderson, HarperCollins

The Firstborn, Conlan Brown, Realms

Hunter Brown and the Consuming Fire, Christopher and Allen Miller, Warner Press

Lost Mission, Athol Dickson, Howard Books

Lunatic, Ted Dekker and Kaci Hill, Thomas Nelson

North! Or Be Eaten, Andrew Peterson, Waterbrook Press

Offworld, Robin Parrish, Bethany House

Starfire, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, Marcher Lord Press

Vanishing Sculptor, Donita K Paul, WaterBrook Press

The Word Reclaimed, Steve Rzasa, Marcher Lord Press

Have you read any of these books? If so–just for fun–which ones do you like best? (This is not your vote. Voting will start in July.)

Novel Teen Book Review’s Top Ten Books of 2009

In celebration of great books and the gift-giving season, we decided to make Novel Teen Book Review’s Top Ten Books of 2009, a list to help you with your shopping, if you’re looking for the perfect book for that voracious reader in your life. You can click on the title or picture to view each book on Amazon.com. Congrats to all the authors on our list, and Merry Christmas!

Always Watching (Rayne Tour, book 1) by Brandilyn and Amberly Collins
(Great for girls who love mystery and suspense.)

As her mother’s concert wraps up, Shaley O’Connor gathers her things backstage to head off to the airport to pick up her best friend. Shaley is so excited that Brittany’s mother granted her permission to come on the tour for a few days. As fun as the band and crew are to hang out with, Shaley misses her home and friends. Brittany’s visit will be just the thing she needs.

But before Shaely makes it to the limo, she stumbles upon the dead body of her friend Tom. Everything falls apart. Shaley struggles to understand secrets she never knew about Tom while the paparazzi watches her every move, hoping to snap a picture of the mourning teen. Brittany’s mom threatens to send her home, and Shaley gets a few mysterious, anonymous gifts.

If the killer is a member of the band or crew, he’s still out there, and, as the messages in Shaley’s gifts say, he’s always watching.

Brandilyn Collins is a master of the murder mystery. She crafts a story that makes it nearly impossible to guess who the murderer might be. How exciting to have her storytelling in the young adult genre. Brandilyn and her daughter cowrite this series and create a smart and realistic character in Shaley. I’m looking forward to Rayne Tour, book 2 to discover more about Shaley and her past. Recommended.

If you’re thinking about this book as a gift, be sure to get book two, Last Breath. Click on the title for Novel Teen’s review.

Age Range: 12-16
Genre: Suspense
Part of a Series: Rayne Tour, book 1
Pages: 215
Publisher: Zondervan
Released: 2009
4 Stars

North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson
(Fantasy adventure. Great for boys, girls, and adults, too.)

This story starts out where the first book left off: in Peet the Sock Man’s tree house. Janner, Tink, Leeli, Podo, and Nia are about to set off for the Ice Prairies, but they don’t get going soon enough and end up on the run from the Fangs of Dang. It’s a long, long journey to the Ice Prairies, and the Igby children are waylaid by some pretty horrifying setbacks. Will all in their party survive the trip? Will they get caught before they make it?

Oh, I likes me this book a way bunch! It makes me wanna talk like Podo, which I probably don’t do as well as the old coot, but still I give it me best shot.

I liked this one better than the first, which is such a great thing. The characters were even better this time. I love the parallels with Janner and Peet. Two Throne Wardens struggling to do what they must even when it is nearly impossible. Andrew Peterson’s style is funny and clever while telling a dangerous tale of woe. That’s what makes his writing so unique. He’s a wonderful writer and storyteller. I highly recommend this series. I cannot wait for book three. And I love the illustrations in the book. The Snickbuzzard with the belly button, especially.

If you’re thinking about this book as a gift, be sure to get book one to go with it. On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson came out last year and is fabulous. Click on the title for my review.

Age Range: 8-12
Genre: Fantasy
Part of a Series: book two in The Wingfeather Saga
Pages: 323
Publisher: Waterbrook
Released: 2009
5 Stars

Touched by a Vampire by Beth Felker Jones
(A non fiction book for Christian fans of Twilight.)

As half the world has read the Twilight Saga, including myself, I was very excited to find a book that talks about some of the stuff that makes Twilight so appealing and why. If you love God and the Twilight Saga, I encourage you to pick up this book. Read it yourself. Do a little book club with your friends. Ask your youth pastor to do a group at church. Or ask your mom to read it with you. When something becomes as popular as Twilight, it’s a good idea to step back and ask yourself why. You want to be able to think for yourself and know what you like or dislike about it and not just follow mob mentality on the issues.

Beth Felker Jones explains in this book why Twilight hooks girls so desperately. She talks about love, sex, marriage, purpose, family, and desire in relationship to Twilight and the Bible in a way that gets you thinking about what God has to say on these subjects. Many Christians have applauded this series for the premarital abstinence between Bella and Edward. But does Twilight’s redemptive qualities outshine its darkness? This book is written for fans, parents, teachers, and youth workers. Use this book to take a closer look inside Twilight and see what you find.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: Non Fiction
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 180
Publisher: Multnomah
Released: 2009
5 Stars

The Firstborn by Conlan Brown
(Action adventure. Great for boys and dads. Compare it to: Clive Cussler, James Bond)

The Firstborn starts out with a rescue mission. Devin Bathurst is having visions of a kidnapped woman. He uses this sight to try and rescue her before she is killed. The scenes volley back and forth between Devin, the woman, and the kidnappers. Then we discover that the woman, Hannah, has a similar gift. She can see where a man has been, his past deeds. This leads us to the clever premise of the Firstborn, descendants of those who were raised from the dead when Christ died on the cross. The Firstborn fall into three orders: Prima, Ora, and Domani. Those that can see the past, present, and future.

But the Firstborn has grown paranoid over the years, each order fearing the other, and one man is trying to take over. Can Devin manage to follow God’s will or his own to fight against what lies ahead?

I thought this premise was brilliant. It’s like, what if there were Christian mobsters? How would they act? What choices might they make? The story is fast-paced, action-packed, and gripping. The writing style was a bit jolting at first. Brown uses sentence fragments a lot and jumps from one point of view to another. But once it got going, I was hooked. I really liked Brown’s characters, especially the play between Devin and John. If you’re looking for a new suspense read, look no further. I’m excited to see what Conlan Brown comes up with next.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: Suspense
Part of a Series: I hope so!
Pages: 311
Publisher: Realms (A Strang Company)
Released: 2009
4 Stars

Me, Just Different by Stephanie Morrill
(A contemporary book for girls. Compare it to: Meg Cabot, Sarah Dessen.)

When Eli rescues eighteen-year-old Skylar from a bad situation at a summer party, she is so relieved that she agrees to start dating him. But she is also making some life changes. No more parties, and she’s going to start going to church. But her friends and family aren’t making that an easy thing to do. Eli is always jealous and won’t come to church with her, her little sister has a secret that Skylar is forced to keep, and her parents’ marriage is falling apart. The last thing she needs is for Connor, the guy down the street, to start butting his nose in where it doesn’t belong.

This was an engrossing read. Stephanie Morrill writes a story as addicting as any TV teen drama. I got sucked into Skylar’s circle of friends, with all their issues and cattiness, and was rooting for Skylar to ditch the wrong people and stick with the right ones. I loved how the whole story came together. It’s a sweet teen romance that doesn’t skimp on the backstabbing girlfriends and clueless boys. I liked it a great deal. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Highly recommended.

Age Range: 14 and up
Genre: Contemporary
Part of a Series: The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt, book one
Pages: 245
Publisher: Revell (a division of Baker Publishing Group)
Released: 2009
4.5 Stars

By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson
(Fantasy adventure for boys, girls, and adults. Compare to Eragon, Lord of the Rings.)

This book really surprised me. I am a person who loves to read. I read everything I can get my hands on. From romance to science fiction, there really isn’t a book I won’t pick up. So I think I know a good book when I read one, and this is a good book. From the first chapter I was interested and entertained, and the end was fabulous! Now there are times when most avid readers find themselves becoming bored, and feeling the need to skim some of the slower parts. I find myself doing this at least a handful of times per book. In this book though, I wasn’t bored. The story really kept me entertained all the way through, and that is a rarity indeed.
I think this author is going to be huge one day. I can see movies in her future. Hey, if Twilight can be a movie, so can By Darkness Hid. So I look forward to her next book with anticipation, and want to commend her for a truly wonderful first work of fiction!

Review by B. Britton

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Part of a Series: Book one in the Blood of Kings series
Pages: 480
Publisher: Marcher Lord Press
Released: 2009
5 Stars

Blaggard’s Moon by George Bryan Polivka
(A pirate fantasy adventure. Great for older boys, girls, and adults who love pirate stories.)

The story opens with a man named Delaney sitting on a post in the middle of a jungle lake that is infested with piranah and horrible mermonkeys. As Delaney ponders how he came to be in such a predicament, the reader drifts with his memory and into a wonderful adventure. We come to know the story of a girl named Jenta who was low born but brought up as a lady. We learn of a young man named Damrick who stands up to defend the common folk from pirates by forming the Hell’s Gatemen. As Damrick and his men take to the seas, we meet many pirates such as Sharkbit Sutter, Conch Imbry, Dancer Clang, Skeel Baris, and Belisar the Whale. All of these ingreedients combine to form a very interesting and extremely entertaining adventure.

This book was engaging. It took a few chapters to get me into the author’s style, though. It was interesting to experience a story through one man’s memory of another man’s tale, but it worked very well with this pirate novel. Polivka’s characters were dynamic. I could see them and hear them. I could relate to how they got to where they were in life and why they did the things they did. I really liked one of the themes of how the love and encouragement and prayer of one person can change another’s life. I’ll be thinking of this one for a while.

This book not only had wonderful characters, the plot was smart and I couldn’t guess how the author was going to pull all his story threads together. That in itself makes it so satisfying in the end, though it’s not the happiest of tales. I highly recommend this one to just about everyone.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: Fantasy
Part of a Series: no
Pages: 373
Publisher: Harvest House
Released: 2009
5 Stars

So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones
(A hysterical contemporary story of girls.)

Bella Kirkwood’s mother is getting remarried, whether Bella likes it or not. But that’s not the worst thing that could happen to this Manhattan girl. Bella’s new stepfather lives in Truman, Oklahoma, and, since Bella’s dad is going through a selfish phase, she has no choice to move from her fast-paced uptown life to Cow Town, USA.

Bella start out okay, but a harsh venting session about small town life on her old Ask Miss Hillard blog gets the wrong kind of attention: the Truman kind. She quickly becomes a social outcast in Truman and must start over if she is going to survive at all. She joins the school paper. While sitting in a dumpster on the lowest assignment ever, she overhears something more rotten than the banana peel stuck to her arm: a real story!

This could be Bella’s chance to move from social outcast to acceptable human being. She chases the story of a lifetime, despite the fact that her super hot—but extremely bossy and annoying—editor tells her it’s too dangerous. But as usual, Bella gets more than she bargained for.

Having absolutely loved the Katie Parker books, I was not at all surprised that Jenny B. Jones’ new series would have me laughing out loud. Jones has a knack for wonderfully sarcastic characters and books you can’t put down. Her characters are true to life in the best ways. I highly recommend this new series and am anxiously awaiting Bella’s next adventure.

If you’re thinking about this book as a gift, be sure to get book two, also, which is just as hysterical. I’m So Sure by Jenny B. Jones came out just a few months ago and is hysterical. Click on the title for Novel Teen’s review.

Age Range: 12-16
Genre: Contemporary
Part of a Series: A Charmed Life, book one
Pages: 326
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: 2009
5 Stars

City of the Dead by T. L. Higley
(An awesome historical mystery. Great for older boys, girls, and adults who love books that read like movies.)

Hemiunu, architect for the Great Pyramid of Giza, struggles to stay on schedule and in the good graces of his cousin, Pharaoh of Egypt. When a sadistic killer is taking the lives of Hemiunu’s closest friends, he does all he can to discover who the killer is and to keep a dark secret from coming to light.

Wish I’d read this one a long time ago! What a great story. T.L. Higley completely sucked me into ancient Egypt and her character Hemiunu. He was a deep and interesting character to follow. I liked how she wrote her book in his first person point of view. It made it easy to connect with him.

The storyworld was intriguing as was the relationships she built between the royal members of Pharaoh’s court. Murder, love, betrayal. My heart ached for these people as they lived in their strange belief system and I love where she went with it. Plus, it was a good who-done-it. Another book I couldn’t put down. I am glad there are seven wonders of the ancient world and hope I get to read every book in this series.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Part of a Series: A Seventh Wonders Novel
Pages: 380
Publisher: B&H Books
Released: 2009
5 Stars

Taking Tuscany by Renée Riva
(A 1970s coming-of-age book that will make you laugh out loud. Compare to Anne of Green Gables.)

A few years have gone by since Saving Sailor. A few tortuous years where poor A.J. Degulio has been forced to live in Tuscany, a half a world away from her beloved dog, Sailor, her friend Danny, and the beauty of Indian Island, Idaho. Sigh! Sure, one might think that living in Italy would be wonderful. Not A.J. In Italy, she is a blond, Yankee Barbie doll, the punch line of every joke at school. To make matters worse, her family is crazy, as usual.

Love, love, love Renée Riva. It’s rare that a book makes me laugh out loud. During this one, my husband kept shooting me weird looks, wondering if I was loosing my mind. Nope. Just reading Taking Tuscany and loving it! The whole time I’m reading it, I’m dying that I don’t have Heading Home waiting on my bedside table. Ug! Renée, please don’t make us wait too long for book three. I need to read the real-life-fiction version of Moon over Milan.

If you’re thinking about this book as a gift, be sure to get book one, Saving Sailor. Click on the title for Novel Teen’s review.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: Historical fiction
Part of a Series: Sequel to Saving Sailor
Pages: 266
Publisher: David C. Cook
Released: 2009
5 Stars

FictionFinder.com

At the OCW conference last summer, I had breakfast with Randy Ingermanson one day and he started telling me about FictionFinder.com, a new project the ACFW board is working on. The point? Most bookstore employees don’t read Christian fiction and don’t have a clue how to help a customer find books. The plan is to promote the FictionFinder.com website to bookstores and libraries across the country so that readers can find books in the store using this new website.

The way it works is this. Set up a reader account, put in your fave books, and the system will be able to recommend other books for you based on what you like. Here is the FictionFinder.com plea in a nutshell. Please consider helping this awesome project.

FictionFinder.com is a new website to help spread the word about Christian fiction. It was started by ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) as a tool bookstores can use to help readers find new books. Right now, they need the help of readers!

To make the tool really useful, we need readers to add reviews and other input. Please take a few minutes, create a reader account, and enter a short review for your ten favorite books. Keep in mind, the review can only be about two sentences long.

Thanks!