Birthmarked

Birthmarked
by Caragh M. O'Brien

From Goodreads:
"In the future, in a world baked dry by the harsh sun, there are those who live inside the walled Enclave and those, like sixteen-year-old Gaia Stone, who live outside. Following in her mother’s footsteps Gaia has become a midwife, delivering babies in the world outside the wall and handing a quota over to be "advanced" into the privileged society of the Enclave. Gaia has always believed this is her duty, until the night her mother and father are arrested by the very people they so loyally serve.
Now Gaia is forced to question everything she has been taught, but her choice is simple: enter the world of the Enclave to rescue her parents, or die trying.
A stunning adventure brought to life by a memorable heroine, this dystopian debut will have readers racing all the way to the dramatic finish."

This is the first book in a trilogy and was a very enjoyable dystopian novel.  The plot was very original, and the main character was inspiring, loyal and brave.   It was at times heartbreaking, nail-biting, and inspiring.

There is no bad language in this novel.  Themes that might be of concern are childbirth and intense action/escape sequences.

Suggested ages:
Publishers Weekly - Ages 12 +
School Library Journal - Grades 7 +

H.I.V.E.: The Higher Institute of Villainous Education

H.I.V.E.: The Higher 
Institute of Villainous
Education
by Mark Walden

From Goodreads:
"Otto Malpense may only be thirteen years old, but so far he has managed to run the orphanage where he lives, and he has come up with a plan clever enough to trick the most powerful man in the country. He is the perfect candidate to become the world's next supervillain.
That is why he ends up at H.I.V.E., handpicked to become a member of the incoming class. The students have been kidnapped and brought to a secluded island inside a seemingly active volcano, where the school has resided for decades. All the kids are elite; they are the most athletic, the most technically advanced, and the smartest in the country. Inside the cavernous marble rooms, floodlit hangars, and steel doors, the students are enrolled in Villainy Studies and Stealth and Evasion 101. But what Otto soon comes to realize is that this is a six-year program, and leaving is not an option.
With the help of his new friends: an athletic martial-arts expert; a world-famous, beautiful diamond thief; and a spunky computer genius -- the only other people who seem to want to leave -- can Otto achieve what has never been done before and break out of H.I.V.E.?"

This is the first book in a series that is very obviously based on Harry Potter, but in quite an original way. A Hogwarts for bad guys. It was fun to make all the comparisons with HP - a teacher in the form of a cat, a student who messes up in all classes but excels with plants... It wasn't nearly as good as Harry Potter, but the concept was very interesting, and I think middle school students will really like it.

It has been a while since I read this one, but I don't remember any bad language.  The students at H.I.V.E. are not very good role models, but I think through the series they will become better.

Suggested ages:
Publishers Weekly - Ages 10-14
School Library Journal - Grades 5-8

So Close To You

So Close To You
by Rachel Carter

From the publisher:
"Lydia Bentley has heard stories about the Montauk Project all her life: stories about the strange things that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and the people who've disappeared over the years. Stories about people like her own great-grandfather.

When Lydia stumbles into a portal that transports her to a dangerous and strange new reality, she discovers that all the stories she's ever heard about the Montauk Project are true, and that she's in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history.

Alongside a darkly mysterious boy she is wary to trust, Lydia begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the Project. But the truths behind these secrets force her to question all her choices--and if Lydia chooses wrong, she might not save her family but destroy them . . . and herself."

The premise for this book sounded interesting, and I think it could have been really good. But the whole thing felt slightly forced.  40's references were thrown in your face through the middle section.  In the time travel element, the main character kept acting like she had never learned about WWII and made so many stupid mistakes it was annoying.  Teenagers might feel completely different about it, though.

1 use of *g-d*, and one use of smart*a*.  One passionate kiss.  A small storyline of children who are imprisoned and tortured.

Suggested ages:
Booklist - Grades 8-11
Kirkus Reviews - Ages 12 +

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy

The Penderwicks
by Jeanne Birdsall
 

From the publisher:
"This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel. Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel's sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. But the best discovery of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel's owner, who quickly proves to be the perfect companion for their adventures. The icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is not as pleased with the Penderwicks as Jeffrey is, though, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. Which, of course, they willwon't they? One thing's for sure: it will be a summer the Penderwicks will never forget. Deliciously nostalgic and quaintly witty, this is a story as breezy and carefree as a summer day."

This was my kind of children's book. No fantasy, no death-defying action, just a sweet story of goodness. It was set in modern times, but it had a really old-fashioned feel about it. Kind of like an easier to read Little Women. This is a family who loves each other and stands up for each other. It is very uplifting and fun. The rest of the series is just as good.  No bad language, no sexual situations, no violence.  Suggested ages: Publishers Weekly - Ages 8-12 School Library Journal - Grades 4-6 *Mrs. Duke says - Don't stop at grade 6 or age 12 - this is a beautiful book for everyone.*

Chime

Chime
by Franny Billingsley
 

From the publisher:
"Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment. Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know."

Like The Dark Hand, the magic of this book reaches out and grabs you in.  The writing is so beautiful that when I finished I got a little teary; not because it was sad, but because the experience was over.  This is not a book to read all in one sitting.  It needs to be savored and absorbed.  There is humor, tragedy, mystical intrigue and romance.  I will be thinking about this book for a long time to come, and I will definitely be reading the author's other books. Thank you, Franny Billingsley, at a time when I was so sick of YA lit that I never wanted to read anymore, you stepped in and saved me.

No bad language, no sexual references.

Suggested ages:
Publisher's Weekly - Ages 12 +
School Library Journal - Grades 7 +

Legend

Legend
by Marie Lu

From the publisher:
"What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths--until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills."

This was a really quick, exciting read.  I had heard that this was supposed to be a "post-apocalyptic Les Miserables", but I didn't really see the connection.  I cared about the characters and was enthralled by the world-building.  It left a lot of un-answered questions, so be prepared for your kids to be clamoring for the sequel. 

A few bad words, some kissing and violence.  Nothing graphic.

Suggested ages:
Booklist - Grades 7-12
Publishers Weekly - Ages 12 +

Drink, Slay, Love

Drink, Slay, Love
by Sarah Beth Durst
 

From the publisher:
"Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire . . . fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil . . . until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops.
Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don't exist), and they're shocked she survived. They're even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl's family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King's feast as the entres.
The only problem? Pearl's starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends - especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache - to be slaughtered? Then again, she's definitely dead if she lets down her family. What's a sunlight-loving vamp to do?"

A very unusual twist on the regular YA vampire book. A very spunky heroine and wonderful supporting players.  It's like the anti-Twilight.  Fun, fun, fun.

It's been a while since I read this one, so I'm not positive about how much language and sexual references, but I don't remember being offended by anything, just entertained. 
Ratedreads.com rates it as "Mild for sexual inferences, mild language, and some violence".

Suggested ages:
Booklist - Grades 7-10
Publisher's Weekly - Ages 14 +
*Mrs. Duke says - If you let your kids read Twilight, they could read this.  If you are not sure about Twilight-esque books for younger teens, then steer clear of this one for a few years.*