We're moving! (Announcing "Teens at the Library," our new teen site)

We have a new teen website! Check it out at teens.fresnolibrary.org, or by clicking on the "Teens" tab on www.fresnolibrary.org If you usually get to the teen site by typing this URL into a browser, please note that we will no longer be updating things here. 

The Teen Reviews section has moved to teens.fresnolibrary.org, and we've moved the Free Fridays giveaway there as well. We think you'll enjoy the new site. There, you'll find a wide array of teen/YA booklists; a directory of general information and crisis resources for teens; information about volunteer and leadership opportunities at the Library, and more! Ever wanted to learn a bit more about FCPL's teen librarians, or to email them a question? You can now do both of those things on the site! It's also mobile-friendly. 

We'd like to thank the Woodward and Clovis teen councils, for their input in the early stages of the design process, and Riley C., for designing such a great logo for the new site! (Riley's was selected as the winning design in our teen logo design contest a few months ago).

The Novice

The Novice

By: Taran Matharu
Reviewed By: Ddraig G.

Rating: It was amazing!

In this first book in the first series of this upcoming star writer, Tara Matharu, venture into a strange new world, similar to Eragon, as a war between orcs and humans unfolds. Follow Fletcher as he embarks on a trip to learn how to control the power of demon summoning. This is the first book of the summoner trilogy.
 
I would recommend this to: Teens, Preteens, and Young Adults

The Eye of the North

The Eye of the North

By: Sinead O'Hart
Reviewed By: Tano A.

Rating: I really liked it.

When Emmeline's mom and dad disappear she finds that she is heading for a safe house where allies have pledged to protect her but she finds some one who is going to Greenland. He wants to summon a mythical creature from the ice, but someone evil wants to do it, too.
 
I would recommend this to: Teens who are into adventure.

Michael Vey: Storm of Lightning

Michael Vey: Storm of Lightning

By: Richard Paul Evans
Reviewed By: Ddraig G.

Rating: It was amazing!

The fourth book in the series, it serves as a cool down of sorts. Although there is a tad less action than in the previous installations of the series, this book does more than enough in satisfying the needs and wants of the reader. Storm of Lightning serves as more of a relief book, in the sense of tying up loose ends and resolving hanging questions, as well as bringing more suspense to the table with new perspective entwined in the vast mixture. This is an excellent book for grounded sci-fi fans and I definitely recommend it.
 
I would recommend this to: Teens, Preteens, and Young Adults

The Summer I Found You

The Summer I Found You

By: Jolene Perry
Reviewed By: Carina A.
Rating: It was alright...

If you're into cliche romance then you'll really like this book, but unfortunately it wasn't my type. This book is about Kate, who has just broken up with her boyfriend and struggles with diabetes and finds Aiden, who has come home from the military due to an accident that has changed his life. Together they unravel their insecurities and fall in love.
 
I would recommend this to: Teens 13 and over and those who suffer from diabetes or are into military type stuff.

Dorothy Must Die

Dorothy Must Die

By: Danielle Paige
Reviewed By: Citlalli V.
Rating: I really liked it.

We all know the story of Dorothy. A tornado transports her from Kansas to OZ; she wants to go back home and continues on this long journey to find a way to get home. She goes home and decides she wants to come back, and everything is happily ever after, right? Dorothy Must Die is a complete and exciting twist from the original story. I really liked this book and the story doesn't stop here. It is spread out between 5 books, all of which are amazing. I highly recommend them to anyone. This book was an amazing mix between the original OZ and a new/ more modern OZ. It does have some parts which may not be suitable for extremely young children, so I recommend this book for anyone of 13 years of age or older.

I would recommend this to: People who know the original Wizard of OZ story (13+).

Family Tree

Family Tree

By: Susan Wiggs
Reviewed By: Citlalli V.
Rating: I really liked it.

Perfect life, big house, successful spouse, following your dreams... 

We all have dreamed of this, but what happens when you get your perfect life...only to lose it? 

This book will take you on a journey through the ups and downs of a perfect life. The first time I read this book I didn't like it, but then read it again and I really liked it. It has a slow start, but it picks up speed and really gets you in all the right places. I recommend this book to young adults.

I would recommend this to: Young adults.

Fairest

Fairest

By: Gail Carson Levine
Reviewed By: Amanda S.
Rating: It was amazing!

A beautiful book about true beauty. I'm a singer, and not terribly attractive, so I could really relate to the main character, Aza. To be honest I think it would make a better musical than a book, because there's a lot of written lyrics, but it's fun to make up melodies yourself. Aza is trapped in a society that values beauty and singing over more than anything else, but it's difficult to sing for anyone when you can't show your face in public. This all changes, however, when the future queen to be makes her a dangerous offer...

I would recommend this to: Musicians and those who enjoy fairy tales.

Every Last Word

Every Last Word

By: Tamara Ireland Stone
Reviewed By: Amanda S.
Rating: It was amazing!

Samantha struggles with OCD, making her social life a continual struggle. Until she meets Caroline. She's a bit odd, and no one really seems to know who Samantha is talking about, but she becomes her best friend. Caroline introduces her to the schools secret world of underground poets, and Samantha slowly finds healing, until things take a turn for the worse and she has to confront herself with a very important question: Is Caroline... Real? Every Last Word addresses both social and mental issues that many teens deal with on a daily basis both tactfully and beautifully.

I would recommend this to: Teens, especially those that like poetry.

Shatter Me

Shatter Me

By: Tahereh Mafi
Reviewed By: Amanda S.
Rating: I really liked it.

I really enjoyed this book series. It was the perfect mix of romance, rebellion, and adventure. Forget Hunger Games, this is the best YA dystopian book I've ever read. It's about Juliette, a 17 year old with the power to suck the life out of any living thing with her touch, who's forced to work for the government as a human weapon. The writing style itself isn't that great, and the excessive use of "strikeout" is irritating, but I feel the plot makes up for it. Any more would give it away, and a lot of people had very differing opinions regarding this book, so I encourage people to read it for themselves. Would keep it 14+ though, for being a bit... racy at parts.

I would recommend this to: Teens