THE BOXER AND THE SPY by Robert B. Parker

Murder, romance, boxing, and mystery all rolled into one fast-paced read. Adult fiction author Robert B. Parker has taken a second journey into the world of YA ficiton.

Terry and Abby seem to be the only ones who doubt that Jason Green actually abused steroids and then committed suicide by jumping off a bridge. It just doesn't sound like Jason, and Terry is determined to find out the truth. He can't do it alone so he is happy when Abby volunteers to lend him a hand. Secretly, he hopes he'll also get to hold that hand somewhere along the way to discovering Jason's murderer.

When people learn that Terry is checking into the tragic death of his fellow classmate, several people step forward with threats if he continues. Kip Carter All-American football hero aka school bully tells Terry he better back off. Mr. Bullard who holds the unique dual position of high school principal and school superintendent also warns Terry to let it go. The threats just encourage Terry and Abby in their quest to uncover the real story.

Abby uses her connections and expertise as the spy of the operation. Terry works with George his trainer to hone his boxing skills should any physical situations arise. What follows are some interesting stake-outs and some bloody battles as the two face an uphill challenge to clear the name of Jason Green.

Readers of all skill levels will find the short chapters and the abundant use of dialogue will make the reading of this book fast and easy. The mix of mystery, humor, and romance will appeal to many. I look forward to reading other YA books by Parker.

BEASTLY by Alex Flinn

Alex Flinn is one of my all-time favorite YA authors. Her books include BREATHING UNDERWATER - fantastic! and NOTHING TO LOSE - also, remarkable. Many teen readers I know come back to her books again and again. BEASTLY is her latest. It is a bit different, but she still takes a main character with a lot to learn and convinces him to change his ways.

Kyle Kingsbury is one of the privileged. His mother may have left when he was young, but he was left with his father, a wealthy news anchor. Kyle doesn't want for a thing. In addition to his very comfortable lifestyle, Kyle is blessed with good looks, or as the girls in his exculsive high school would probably say, "He's hot!" Unfortunately, Kyle is not a particularly kind individual. There aren't many people that he considers worth his while, and he is not afraid to let the rest of the world know how inferior he thinks they are.

Here's the odd twist about this story. Things open in an online chatroom. The group is rather unusual - a beast (Kyle), an unhappy mermaid, a pouting frog, and someone calling himself Grizzlyguy. It's not your average chatroom crowd. All of them have had run-ins with witches and been the victims of evil spells. Kyle became a beast when he played a nasty trick by he cruelly inviting an unpopular girl to a special school dance knowing he was actually going with his current hot girlfriend. Once there, he and his girlfriend humiliate the other girl only to discover she is actually a witch with the power to change his life forever.

Readers hear Kyle's story as he struggles to remove the curse. Much like other fairy tales, he must fall in love and have the love returned in the form of a kiss in order to beat the spell. He soon learns this is easier said than done.

For those familiar with Alex Flinn and her usual realistic approach to YA novels, you won't be disappointed. This book may focus on fantasy, but the lessons learned are all too real. The fantasy will hit close to home for anyone who has ever found themselves the outcast looking for acceptance. Every collection should include a copy of BEASTLY.

DEFYING THE DIVA by D. Anne Love

Haley Patterson is not having a very good freshman year. It started out just fine when she got lucky and ended up being the only freshman in the journalism class allowing her to follow her dream of writing news stories, but things have gone down hill ever since.

The problem started when she was assigned the gossip column responsibilities when the regular columnist was out sick. Not being part of the popular scene didn't give Haley much in the way of gossip until she decided to report on a friend's love life (using only initials, of course) and a party being thrown by the queen of popular, Camilla Quinn. Using this juicy gossip in her column did not win Haley any praise; instead she herself became the target of gossip.

Camilla Quinn, an expert in creative rumor spreading, began to tell everyone who would listen that Haley was a slut. Haley the Ho could be heard whispered and then shouted through the school corridors. Camilla didn't stop there. She convinced Haley's good friends to abandon Haley and join her group instead. There were also threatening emails that frightened and embarrassed Haley. Her reaction to the humiliation was to keep quiet and wish for a quick end to the school year.

With her parents leaving for a working summer in Europe, Haley finds herself being shipped off to a small resort community to stay with her aunt. To fill her summer days, she ends up working at the resort. Summer offers new friendships and romance, but she still feels a definite lack of self-esteem and worries about her return to school in the fall. Will Camilla still be a bully, and will her friends still treat her as an outcast?

Author D. Anne Love focuses on the timely issue of bullying among America's teens. Whether it involves physical or emotional abuse either of the face-to-face variety or through email or IMing, bullying is out-of-control in many high schools today. Haley learns the hard way how to face the abuse and stand up for herself and others experiencing the same circumstances. Readers will find DEFYING THE DIVA an entertaining novel with a pertinent message.

GO BIG OR GO HOME by Will Hobbs

Imagine having a meteorite slam through your roof and plow right through your mattress! Meet Brady Steele. That's what happened to him, but with an interesting twist.

Brady can hardly believe his luck. The meteorite is about the size and shape of a baked potato. When his cousin Quinn arrives for a visit, the two of them take the alien object to a local museum and are told by an English scientist that is one of a kind and probably extremely valuable. Well, "extreme" is something both Brady and Quinn know a lot about. They are always experimenting with ways to push the envelop, whether it's biking, basketball, or fishing for a record-setting catch, they are forever looking for a challenge. However, this strange rock may be more trouble than it is worth.

Brady and Attila, the neighbors' huge war dog, become infected with an alien bacteria that has some amazing side-effects. One is actually more dangerous than amazing, and might just prove to be too much for even determined cousin Quinn.

Readers who like action and adventure will dive right into Will Hobb's GO BIG OR GO HOME. There are facinating scientific facts, scary cave explorations, wild bike rides, and wacky characters enough for even the most reluctant reader. Brady and Quinn are involved in some hair-raising experiences too good to miss.

LITTLE BROTHER by Cory Doctorow

LITTLE BROTHER presents a pretty scary picture of the way things could be if terrorist threats continue and politicians keep funding the Department of Homeland Security with no thought to how this might victimize the average innocent American. There is already an incredible amount of technology devoted to "spying" on the citizens of our country, and we normally don't give it a second thought. This book will make you think and not just a little bit.

Marcus is a seventeen year old tech wizard. Granted, he often uses his skills for less than ethical reasons, but he doesn't hurt anyone. When a terrorist attack destroys the Bay Bridge near his home in San Francisco, he and several friends are captured by police (DHS) as they are attempting to help a fallen companion. They become the victims of frightening interrogation and torture.

When Marcus final gains his freedom, he vows to take back America from the out-of-control Department of Homeland Security. Using his vast techie skills he creates an alternate internet called Xnet which utilizes the old XBox game system. Marcus becomes known as M1k3y and develops a huge group of supporters who attempt to undermine the government agencies determined to destroy the true meaning and protection of the United States Constitution.

Cory Doctorow has created a modern-day 1984. Set in the not-too-distant future, this book attempts to show what could happen if we sit back and allow the government to whittle away at our rights to "protect" us from terrorism. It gives a whole new meaning to the idea of terrorism and fear within our own government.

LITTLE BROTHER is full of adventure and intrigue. A lot of the suspense comes from all the technical tricks Marcus brings to the story. Some of the detail might prove too much for a struggling reader, but any tech/geek teens will not be able to read it fast enough.

HOLDUP by Terri Fields

Some people find books with multiple POVs confusing, but I love 'em. In HOLDUP alternating chapters give glimpses into the minds of the entire cast of characters. With this setup the reader becomes invested in everyone, creating a personal attachment to even the most minor of characters.

Author Terri Fields set the scene well. It's Burger Heaven, a local fast food chain. The characters are basically employees or customers. They are connected to Burger Heaven for various reasons. Here are a few. Jordan, an honors student, needs money for college. Alex needs money for simple survival, and it doesn't hurt that a few of his fellow employees might be attractive. Manuel needs money for a set of wheels, and his paycheck is the only way that's ever going to happen. Mrs. Wilkins is eighty-something and sees Burger Heaven as a destination in her desire to maintain her independence from an over-protective daughter. Keith hopes to find the care and kindness he lacks at home.

Added to this cast of characters is Dylan. He sees himself as highly intelligent and out to make some fast money for the business venture of his dreams. Dylan doesn't care about anyone but Dylan, and Burger Heaven is simply along the path to what he wants. His actions will cause reactions in the lives of all the other characters. Will the reactions caused by his decisions be positive or negative?

Readers should be patient as the opening pages reveal each of the characters. Learning about their motivations, their hopes and dreams, creates the emotional foundation for the story. The reader is soon rewarded when the characters' lives merge into the fateful Saturday night at Burger Heaven that changes them all. Beware! HOLDUP is slightly over 150 pages and might suck you into a one-night read, but you won't regret it.

FOUND: The Missing series book #1 by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Margaret Peterson Haddix is well-known for her Shadow Children series. I predict this new series, THE MISSING, will have readers hooked as well.

FOUND: The Missing Book 1 jumps right into things with a strange twist. An airline employee witnesses a plane suddenly appearing at an airport boarding gate where no plane is supposed to be. When no one exits the plane, she is sent to investigate. As she approaches she sees through the cockpit window that the area is dark and there are no pilots aboard. The cabin door is open, but there are no smiling flight attendants helping passengers retrieve their bags to leave the plane. All she hears is a small whimper and cry, and all she sees are 36 seats each occupied by a baby. (If that doesn't make you want to turn to the next page, I don't know what more you want from a book.)

Beyond the Prologue, all I'll say is readers will meet Jonah, his sister Katherine, and his friend Chip. The three find themselves part of a mystery that is intriguing but also frightening and potentially dangerous. They work together to gather evidence and ask questions hoping to make sense of their suddenly confusing young lives.

If you read and enjoyed AMONG THE HIDDEN, you will want to check out this first book in the new series by Margaret Peterson Haddix.