MONSTROUS, by MarcyKate Connolly

The story: Don't let the picture on the cover fool you--this isn't a cartoon story about a 4th-grade girl. It's a great fantasy read featuring a young woman who's been assembled from pieces and parts of others. What makes her different from Frankenstein? Even she doesn't know, except that as her memories come back a bit at a time, she knows she loves the town and people of Bryre, and that she'll do whatever is necessary to save them. (Oh, and Frankenstein's monster was never friends with a dragon. There's that.)

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (kidnapping, betrayal) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Despite the grade-school look to the cover, this is really a story for middle-school readers--a straight-up fantasy with a strong lead character coming into her memories and into her own just in time to make an unexpected decision--one that sets this story apart from other fantasy/romance novels out there. Good stuff!

INHERIT MIDNIGHT, by Kate Kae Myers

The story: Move over, Amy and Dan Cahill! The 39 Clues plot gets a stylish upgrade in this YA book from Kate Kae Myers. Avery VandeMere is one of eight competitors pitted against each other in the ultimate Family Feud: avoid being eliminated while completing a series of challenges representing family values. The winner will take control of Grandmother's vast business holdings, as well as a mansion, fine art, and an entrance into the lifestyles of the rich and famous. From diamond mining to Revolutionary War battle re-enactments, Avery and hottie "chaperone" Riley race against the clock, and against the others, to be the last team member standing--because this time, the winner really does take all.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content PG; Nudity PG; substance abuse PG; magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (betrayal by family members) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Don't get me wrong--despite the PG rating this is a YA book, clearly aimed at the same audience as Ally Carter's "Heist Society" series. (If you liked those books, you'll like this one too.) Even with the wholesale co-opting of the basic plot-line in the 39 Clues series, this is its own book: a fun story with a lot going on, and a hefty dash of romance that girls will really fall for.

INK AND ASHES, by Valynne E. Maetani

The story: Claire never realized her father knew the man who became her stepfather before he died--but there's a lot about him she and her brothers haven't been told. When they start snooping around to try to figure out the connection, they discover things they never expected...things they'd be better off not knowing. Things that will endanger not only them, but the close-knit group of boys who are the Takata siblings' best friends...and especially Claire's longtime BFF Forrest--who just might make the change from best friend to boyfriend.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13; Sexual content PG-13; Nudity PG; substance abuse PG; magic & the occult G; adult themes (organized crime, murder) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Here's a mystery story with tie-ins to Japanese culture that not only make it more interesting, but actually move the mystery forward. Claire's romance with Forrest is a nice add-on for girls who like a little romance with their action and adventure, but there's not so much that it would be a complete turn-off for guys who like an unusual mystery with other strong male characters as well.

MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY, by Jaleigh Johnson

The story: When Piper discovers a wounded girl in the debris of a meteor storm, she doesn't know Anna is going to change her life. Not that it's much of a life--her father is dead, and Piper scrapes by fixing broken machines people have scavenged from the meteor fields. Once Piper realizes there could be a reward if she returns Anna safely to her home, she and the girl stow away on the mighty 401 start their journey to a new life. At first it seems that the shape-shifting boy Gee is going to stand in their way, but when they join forces, things seem to get better--right before they get a whole lot worse. None of them have any idea who's on their trail, or to what lengths he'll go to get his hands on Anna.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity PG; substance abuse PG; magic and the occult PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (being orphaned, slavery, political entanglements) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: This is a cool story with a gritty steampunk setting. Piper defies expectations in lots of ways, and both boys and girls will like this one!

RED BUTTERFLY, by A.L. Sonnichsen

The story: Kara feels invisible. Abandoned as a baby in China because of her deformed hand, she lives in secret with Mama, an American woman whose Chinese visa has long since expired, doing her best not to be noticed by the authorities. When her mother is exposed, Kara is sent to live in a Chinese orphanage. Will she and Mama ever be reunited?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (being orphaned, living with disabilities) PG; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: Here's another novel in verse (see also "House Arrest") that will expose readers to life in other places, and ways that their own lives could be different/worse. Kara learns not only that it's possible for her to live with change, but that she can refuse to be invisible by speaking out--both important concepts for middle-school aged kids. (Target age grades 4-7.)

HOUSE ARREST, by K.A. Holt

The story: It seemed like stealing that wallet would solve a whole bunch of problems, but instead, it just caused more: rather than paying for his baby brother's medical bills for a month, using that credit card is costing Timothy a year under house arrest. But it's a year where he learns a lot - how to unplug Levi's trach tube while dodging snot bullets, how to show that maybe you like a girl, and possibly the biggest deal of all: learning to trust other people enough to let them help you, even when you can't figure out why they would want to.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (abandonment, juvenile crime, financial issues and their resultant pressures) PG; overall rating PG (mostly due to the adult themes; content just isn't going to work for most ES readers).

Liz's comments: I liked this one a lot. Timothy makes some poor choices, but he's a loyal, dedicated brother who's able to learn from his mistakes. The journal/novel in verse format make this story one that will appeal to struggling readers, both boys and girls.

NIGHTBIRD, by Alice Hoffman

The story: Twig and her mother keep to themselves, and no one knows they're hiding a strange secret: the result of a 200-year-old curse. When a new girl moves into the cottage next door, it turns out she's the descendant of the witch who cast the curse on Twig's ancestors all those years ago. Now the time is right and the ingredients are in hand for the girls to try to reverse the curse...but will they be able to do it before the rest of the townspeople find out the truth about the Sidwell Monster?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; substance abuse G; magic & the occult PG; adult themes (deception, curses) PG; overall rating G (although probably best for grades 4-7).

Liz's comments: Hand this one to a girl who's ever wished for magic--or even for a best friend.