The 2013-14 Truman Nominees

So the list has been out since sometime in April, if not earlier, but as promised I will give you a quick overview of each of the books prior to giving a more in depth look at each book, along with some of my thoughts.  As always, I will try to be unbiased, as I want you to go into a story without any preconceived judgments.  So without further ado, the 2013-14 Truman Nominees…

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

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Elisa is the younger of two princesses, but she has been marked with a special purpose.  One that leads her on a path of marriage to a king whose kingdom is at war and to the people who need her most. 

Will Elisa be able to find the power and strength within her to help those who need her most?

Cloaked by Alex Flinn

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Johnny is your average teenager working at shoe repair shop after school to help make ends meet at

home, until one day his life changed with the help of magic.

A princess soon pulls Johnny into a rescue mission where he must enlist the help of creatures of all kinds.  Don’t believe him?  You soon will…

The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch

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Stephen and his Dad are scavengers in a world where most have died due to a plague and those who have survived live in small camps in what was left of the United States.  But after an accident leaves his father critically injured, Stephen must join up with a colony to survive, where he soon finds a friend who feels just as out of place as he does.  As he plans the day that he can leave, trouble strikes the colony that could have devastating consequences for everyone.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

 

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Rory’s parents have taken a one-year position at a University in England and have taken her along.  So that she can continue her studies she has applied to and been accepted to a highly prestigious London boarding school.  But learning the new differences between British English and American English and trying to fit in at her new school are the least of her worries.  Not long after arriving in England, a series of gruesome murders begin to take place.  What is unique about these murders is that they follow the pattern of the most notorious killer in London history –Jack the Ripper.  Soon, Rory and her friends are in a race to find the real killer before they become Jack’s next victim.

Silhouette by the Blue by Traci L. Jones

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Serena recently lost her mother and her father is having difficulties coming to grips with the loss of his wife.  This leaves Serena to care for her younger brother, while trying to survive high school.  One day, after trying out for the school play, she earns the lead role in The Wiz.  Now she must navigate a life of taking care of her and her brother, while following her dream before the Blue takes over her whole family…

The Death Catchers by Jennifer Anne Kogler

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On her thirteenth birthday, Lizzy is looking forward to another normal day when suddenly a strange   It is then that her Grandmother Bizzy tells her that she has finally received the family powers to foresee the deaths of those close to her.  Together, will they make it in time to save her friend, and a greater threat that has arrived to their sleepy little town?

message arrives warning her of the death of her best friend in a car accident.

Legend by Marie Lu

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In the former Los Angeles region, which is now the home of the Republic a 15-year-old military prodigy named June prepares to hunt down her brother Metias’ killer, the notorious Day.

Day, a 15-year-old who has been lead to believe that he failed his trials into the military has escaped from a military facility and has secretly helping his family survive the slums where he grew up until one day a chance encounter leaves June’s brother dead and Day on the run.

As the two engage in a dangerous cat and mouse game through the slums of the city, they learn there is more to Metias’ death than the Republic has let on…

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Michael Vey:  The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

Meet Michael Vey, a seemingly ordinary teenager who is anything by ordinary.  Michael is electric,   Soon Michael and his friends discover that there are more kids out there just like Michael and that someone is hunting them down.  It will be up to Michael and his friends to save the others, as well as himself, before its too late.

literally!

Lost in the River of Grass by Ginny Rorby

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Sarah is the new kid in school.  Her mother is a cook in the kitchen and Sarah is on a swimming scholarship.  With the exception of her science teacher, most at her new school have made her feel a little less than welcome.  Mr. _ hopes that by convincing _ to coming along on the science trip to explore the Florida Everglades for a weekend, she will welcome into the group fold.  However, after a terrible start, Sarah decided to take a local boy up on his offer to show her the Everglades first hand, which leads to a series of events where the two are in a fight for their lives.  Will they be able to make it out, alive?

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The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

Three orphaned siblings, Kate, Michael, and Emma have spent most of the last three years in and out of   But their life is not what it seems, as they are being protected from some unimaginable evil. 

orphanages.

Soon they are on a quest through time to change history to set things right…

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The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

Jessica is a runner.  One of the star members of her track team, she is preparing for the regional competition when tragedy strikes her team.  A bus accident leaves one member of her team dead and Jessica a below the knee amputee.  While surgery and recovery are ahead of schedule, how will she cope with the loss of the only dream she has ever known…

Variant by Robison E. Wells

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Benson has grown up in the foster care system.  One day he stumbles upon a chance to finally get away   He applies and is accepted, on scholarship, to a private boarding school in Arizona.  But after he arrives, he realizes that there is more to this school than just an education.  Benson must join a group called the Variants to survive against the other groups in the school and soon finds that he must escape his new school before he gets sent to a place no one ever comes back from, detention…

and make something of himself.





Here they are, time to get reading...March 2014 will be here before you know it...

Next up, my individual reviews...