Monster Blog - Books for Teens

Are you a fan of the "Vampire Diaries" TV show?

2010-10-24T21:13:00.000-07:00

Did you know the TV show is based on a series by L.J. Smith? Try some of these books for a blood-sucking good time!

Smith, L.J. (1991) The Awakening: The Vampire Diaries, Book 1. New York, New York: HarperTeen. Beautiful high school student Elena finds herself in the middle of a love triangle between vampire brothers Stefan and Damon. Stefan struggles to resist his desire for Elena, worried that his vengeful brother will seek revenge through anyone he gets too close to.

Smith, L.J. (1991) The Struggle: The Vampire Diaries, Book 2. New York, New York: HarperTeen. The love triangle between Stefan, Damon and Elena continues. Stefan tries to suppress his thirst for Elena’s blood, while Damon relentlessly tries to win her heart.

Smith, L.J. (1991) The Fury: The Vampire Diaries, Book 3. New York, New York: HarperTeen. Elena continues to be torn by her love for Stefan and Damon’s passion for her. A bigger conflict arises, however, when a vampire hunter comes to town with a mission to kill all immortals in the area.

Smith, L.J. (2009) Nightfall: The Vampire Diaries, Book 5. New York, New York: HarperTeen. Elena has returned from the dead and now has magical abilities known as White Powers. Stefan wants nothing more than to keep Elena safe, but when a strange new creature begins possessing people in their town, Elena and Stefan must, again, risk their lives to defeat their new enemies.

Smith, L.J. (1992) Dark Reunion: The Vampire Diaries, Book 4. New York, New York: HarperTeen. Elena has been killed, but her spirit is still communicating with her high school friends. After a series of grisly murders, Stefan and Damon must fight a powerful new enemy.

Smith, L.J. (2010) Shadow Souls: The Vampire Diaries, Book 6. New York, New York: HarperTeen. After Stefan’s kidnapping, Elena and Damon must set off to the Dark Dimension to find the keys to setting him free. The journey gets complicated, however, as Elena must continue to struggle with her feelings for Damon.

Introducing: Vladimir Tod

2010-10-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

Edward Cullen isn't the only high-school vamp-boy...

Check out this fun series from Heather Brewer...

Brewer, H. (2007) Eighth Grade Bites: Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, Book 1. New York, New York: Penguin Group. Eighth grader Vladimir Tod has typical middle school problems, but none quite as big as the fact that his father was a vampire and his mother a human. Can Vlad keep his hunger for blood a secret, even when a mysterious substitute teacher seems to know a little too much about his past?

Brewer, H. (2008) Ninth Grade Slays: Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, Book 2. New York, New York: Penguin Group. Vlad is coming to terms with being a vampire, and even goes to Siberia with his Uncle Otis to be trained by the powerful vampire, Vikas. But when Vlad learns of the prophecy of the Pravus, a vampire with a human mother who will rule over all other vampires and enslave the human race, he worries that he might be the Pravus.

Brewer, H. (2009) Tenth Grade Bleeds: Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, Book 3. New York, New York: Penguin Group. Vampire Vlad is starting the tenth grade with typical high school problems: his friend Henry seems to be picking the popular crowd over him and he isn’t sure if his girlfriend Meredith really likes him. Throw in the evil vampire D’Ablo and his quest to steal Vlad’s powers and you’ve got one crazy tenth grade year.

Brewer, H. (2010) Eleventh Grade Burns: Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, Book 4. New York, New York: Penguin Group. Vampire Vlad’s eleventh grade year is turning out to be his hardest one yet: a vampire slayer has moved to town, Dorian, a powerful vampire, wants nothing more than the taste of Vlad’s blood, and D’Ablo is still trying to kill him. How will Vlad survive all the new, dangerous threats?

Brewer, H. (2010) Twelfth Grade Kills: Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, Book 5. New York, New York: Penguin Group. It’s Vlad’s final year of high school and things are getting more dangerous than ever. Vlad must struggle to survive his senior year despite the impending outcome of the Pravus prophecy and the revelation that his father might still be alive.

Coming soon to theaters: "Beastly" based on the novel by Alex Flinn!

2010-10-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the new movie Beastly coming out in March of 2011 is based on a teen monster novel?

Make sure you read the book before going to see the movie!

Flinn, A. (2007) Beastly. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers.This retelling of the famous Beauty and the Beast story takes place in modern-day New York City. Popular and attractive high school student, Kyle Kingsbury, must spend his life as a hairy, fanged creature after a witch in his English class curses him.

Check out the trailer for "Beastly" here!

Spotlight on Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

2010-10-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

Did you know that author Amelia Atwater-Rhodes had her first book published in 1999 when she was just 14-years-old?!

It's true! This now famous author of teen monster books got her start as a teen herself! Here's a list of some of her titles! Be sure to check out Amelia's homepage to learn more about her: www.randomhouse.com/features/atwaterrhodes/about.htm

Atwater-Rhodes, A. (1999) In the Forests of the Night: A Den of Shadows Book. New York, New York: Laurel-Leaf. Risika appears to be seventeen-years-old girl, but is, in fact, a three-hundred-year-old vampire who sleeps in Concord, Massachusetts during the day, but hunts in New York City at night. Risika lives a solitary life until, one day, she receives a black rose on her pillow: the same flower she was given on the night she was transformed into a vampire.

Atwater-Rhodes, A. (2000) Demon In My View: A Den of Shadows Book. New York, New York: Laurel-Leaf. High school senior, Jessica Allodola, loves nothing more than to write stories about vampires. When one of the vampires she’s created shows up at her school as a new student, however, she finds that her imaginary world is much more real than she thought.

Atwater-Rhodes, A. (2001) Shattered Mirror: A Den of Shadows Book. New York, New York: Laurel-Leaf. Sarah Tigress Vida comes from a long line of vampire-hunting witches and is proud to carry on the tradition of her family. Her ability to hunt is called into question, however, when she befriends vampire siblings Nissa and Christopher, and discovers that Christopher’s twin, Nikolas, murdered one of her ancestors.

Atwater-Rhodes, A. (2002) Midnight Predator: A Den of Shadows Book. New York, New York: Laurel-Leaf. Vampire-hunter Turquoise Draka has been assigned the task of assassinating the evil Jeshikah, founder of the vampire sanctuary, Midnight. Posing as a human slave, Turquoise infiltrates Midnight, only to be confronted by painful memories from her past.

Atwater-Rhodes, A. (2003) Hawksong: The Kiesha’ra, Volume 1. New York, New York: Delacorte Press. Danica Shardae is an avian shapeshifter and together, she and friend Zane Cobriana, a serpent shapeshifter, are caught in a centuries-long war between their people. Can Danica and Zane find a way to end the bloodshed and live in peace?

Atwater-Rhodes, A. (2004) Snakecharm: The Kiesha’ra, Volume 2. New York, New York: Delacorte Press. Zane Cobriana and Danica Shardae are married and have ended the war between their people. When Danica becomes pregnant, however, conflict arises over which tradition the child shall be raised in.

Atwater-Rhodes, A. (2005) Falcondance: The Kiesha’ra, Volume 3. New York, New York: Delacorte Press. Nicias, a falcon shapeshifter from the land of Ahnmik, is one of the personal guards to Oliza, daughter of Zane Cobriana and Danica Shardae, and heir to the throne. When Nicias becomes haunted by dreams of his homeland, his loyalty to Oliza is tested after his parents force him to return to Ahnmik.

Atwater-Rhodes, A. (2006) Wolfcry: The Kiesha’ra, Volume 4. New York, New York: Delacorte Press. Oliza Shardae Cobriana must choose between serpent shapeshifter Urban and avian shapeshifter Marus for her future king. Conflict erupts between the two races when the princess is kidnapped and a note is found stating that Oliza does not want to be queen.

Atwater-Rhodes, A. (2007) Wyvernhail: The Kiesha’ra, Volume 5. New York, New York: Delacorte Press. Hai has always been considered an outside in Wyvern’s Court due to her unusual bloodline: her mother is a falcon and her deceased father, a cobra. When Hai’s cousin, Oliza, refuses to be queen of Wyvern’s Court, Hai is plagued with visions of a terrible future for her new home.

Spotlight on zombies!

2010-10-18T21:39:00.000-07:00

Check out these horrifyingly entertaining zombie books!

Ashby, A. (2009) Zombie Queen of Newbury High. New York, New York: Penguin Group. High-school senior Mia accidentally casts a spell that turns her senior class into flesh-eating zombies determined to make her their zombie queen. The spell takes four days to become permanent, and Mia, her best friend, Candice, and new guy, Chase, try desperately to reverse her mistake.

Austen, J., Grahame-Smith, S. (2009) Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. San Francisco, California: Chronicle Books.

The classic tale gets a surprising addition: hordes of flesh eating zombies!

Hawthorne, R. (2010) Shadow of the Moon: Dark Guardian, Book 4. New York, New York: HarperTeen.
Hayden is a werewolf with an unusual ability: she can sense the feelings of all the other werewolves in the pack except one, newcomer Daniel. As she grows to love Daniel, she worries that he might not be who he says he is.

Jay, S. (2009) You Are So Undead to Me: Megan Berry, Book 1. New York, New York: Penguin Group.
Megan Berry is a Zombie Settler and spends her free-time helping the undead with their “issues.” Things get dangerous, however, when someone at her school starts using black magic and turning her undead friends into scary, flesh-eating zombies.

Ryan, C. (2009) The Forest of Hands and Teeth: Forest of Hands and Teeth, Book 1. New York, New York: Delacorte Press.
The Return, a zombie plague that wiped out civilization, is a distant memory, and Mary’s people, the last few human survivors, live a strict, and isolated life in a village guarded by a chain link fence. Mary, longing to find out what lies beyond her village, decides the answers she seeks can only be found by crossing the fence and venturing into the outside world.

Ryan, C. (2010) The Dead-Tossed Waves: Forest of Hands and Teeth, Book 2. New York, New York: Delacorte Press.
Mary and her daughter Gabry live peacefully in the coastal city of Vista, protected by walls that keep out Mudo, zombies that have wiped out Earth’s civilization. When Gabry and her friends step past the walls of Vista, and are attacked by Mudo, their lives are forever changed.

Selzer, A. (2010) I Kissed a Zombie, and I Liked It. New York, New York: Delacorte Press.
In eighteen-year-old Alley Rhodes’ world, vampires, werewolves and zombies are the norm, but Alley could care less: she is focused on going to college. But when Alley falls for Doug, a handsome zombie, she must decide what her future will bring.

Waters, D. (2008) Generation Dead: A Generation Dead Novel, Book 1. New York, New York: Hyperion Books for Children. Oakvale high students are having to get used to an unusual problem: dead teenagers are coming back to life and going to school. Goth-girl Phoebe encounters an even weirder problem when she falls for Tommy, one of the zombie students.

Waters, D. (2009) Kiss of Life: A Generation Dead Novel, Book 2. New York, New York: Hyperion Books for Children. Phoebe finds herself caught in a love triangle between zombie Tommy and her newly undead friend Adam, who took a bullet to save Phoebe’s life. In order to stand-up against an anti-zombie movement, the undead students at Oakvale High have formed a group called the Sons of Romero.

Waters, D. (2009) Passing Strange: A Generation Dead Novel, Book 3. New York, New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
Karen DeSonne is trying hard to keep a secret from the rest of Oakvale High: that she is one of the now shunned undead members of the student body. After several of her zombie friends are accused of murder, can Karen help prove their innocence while protecting the truth about who she is?

Exciting new monster books!

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Check out these 2010 releases for a bloody good time!

Armstrong, K. (2010) The Reckoning. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers.Necromancer, Chloe, must wrestle with her feelings for her friends Simon, a sorcerer, and Derek, a werewolf, while hiding out from the Edison Group. The final book in the Darkest Powers Trilogy.

Block, F.L. (2010) The Frenzy. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers.Olivia thinks she’s just a typical teen with typical teen problems, but after four brutal murders in the local woods she realizes the truth: she is actually a werewolf. Can Olivia cope with the struggles of being different in a small town?

Brewer, H. (2010) Twelfth Grade Kills: Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, Book 5. New York, New York: Penguin Group.

It’s Vlad’s final year of high school and things are getting more dangerous than ever. Vlad must struggle to survive his senior year despite the impending outcome of the Pravus prophecy and the revelation that his father might still be alive.

Caine, R. (2010) Ghost Town: Morganville Vampires, Book 9. New York, New York: Penguin Group.

Claire hopes that her newly discovered method of amplifying vampire’s mental powers will help keep the town of Morganville protected. When the town’s inhabitants begin forgetting who they are, however, Claire wonders if she is to blame, and how to save her town.

Cast, P.C., Cast, K. (2010) Burned: A House of Night Novel, Book 7. New York, New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Zoey’s life is falling apart, and it seems that none of her friends can reach her. As Zoey’s fate hangs in the balance, can her friends save her in time?

Clare, C. (2010) Clockwork Angel: The Infernal Devices, Book 1. New York, New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.

Sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray travels to London to find her missing brother, only to be kidnapped herself by the mysterious Dark Sisters. After the group informs her that she is a shapeshifter, they offer to help her find her brother in exchange for using her power to help them.

Devlin, I. (2010) Low Red Moon. New York, New York: Bloomsbury Books for Young Readers.

Seveteen-year-old orphan Avery Hood is immediately attracted to the mysterious new boy at school, Ben Dusic. When Ben reveals he is a werewolf, Avery can’t help but feel there is a connection between him and the night her parents were murdered.

Harrison, L. (2010) Monster High. New York, New York: Hachette Book Group.
The students at Master High School don’t realize that many of their peers are actually monsters! New girl Frankie Stein was created just fifteen days ago, but finds that she enjoys what MHS has to offer: partying, cheerleading and her new friend, Melody. But will Frankie be able to keep the truth about what she is a secret?

Hawkins, R. (2010) Hex Hall. New York, New York: Hyperion Books. Sixteen-year-old witch, Sophie Mercer, is still trying to hone her skills when a spell misfires, causing her father to banish her to Hex Hall, a reform school for the supernatural. Sophie makes new friends, and some new enemies, but when her roommate is suspected of murder, her time at Hex Hall is starting to seem like a real punishment after all.

Hawthorne, R. (2010) Shadow of the Moon: Dark Guardian, Book 4. New York, New York: HarperTeen.

Hayden is a werewolf with an unusual ability: she can sense the feelings of all the other werewolves in the pack except one, newcomer Daniel. As she grows to love Daniel, she worries that he might not be who he says he is.

Jay, S. (2010) Undead Much?: Megan Berry, Book 2. New York, New York: Penguin Group.
Megan’s battle against evil zombies continues. Will her college boyfriend understand her strange job?

Kade, S. (2010) The Ghost and the Goth. New York, New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

Homecoming queen, Alona Dare, is hit by a school bus and realizes the accident has done more than mess up her pretty face: she is now a spirit who appears to be stuck among the living. To make matters worse, the only person who can see her is social outcast, Will Killian, and he’s not sure he wants to help the former mean girl cross over to the other side.

Mancusi, M. (2010) Bad Blood: A Blood Coven Vampire Novel, Book 4, Book 2. New York, New York: The Berkley Publishing Group.
Sunny McDonald is madly in love with her vampire boyfriend and leader of the Blood Coven, Magnus. But when the Coven decides that Magnus needs a vampire for a mate, they are determined to set him up with Oxford graduate Jane Johnson.

Mead, R. (2010) Spirit Bound: Vampire Academy, Book 5. New York, New York: Penguin Group.
After failing to kill him, Rose knows that Dimitri is now on a relentless hunt to taste her blood once more. That doesn’t stop Rose and her best friend Lissa from looking forward to their graduation from St. Vladimir’s, and what lies ahead once they leave the school behind.

Noël, A. (2010) Dark Flame: The Immortals, Book 4. New York, New York: St. Martin’s Press.

Ever’s life as an immortal isn’t easy: she is struggling to help best friend Haven get used to life as a fellow immortal and trying to find the antidote to boyfriend Damen’s curse which will allow them to be together. When her plans backfire, Ever must turn to Jude and dark magic, doing whatever it takes to finally be with the one she loves.

Ryan, C. (2010) The Dead-Tossed Waves: Forest of Hands and Teeth, Book 2. New York, New York: Delacorte Press.

Mary and her daughter Gabry live peacefully in the coastal city of Vista, protected by walls that keep out Mudo, zombies that have wiped out Earth’s civilization. When Gabry and her friends step past the walls of Vista, and are attacked by Mudo, their lives are forever changed.

Schreiber, E. (2010) Love Bites: Vampire Kisses, Book 7. New York, New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books. Alexander’s parents have returned to Romania, and it appears that Raven will have her vampire boyfriend to herself again. Things don’t go as planned, however, when Alexander’s best friend Sebastian shows up, but Raven is determined to use his visit as a chance to learn more about her mysterious boyfriend.

Selzer, A. (2010) I Kissed a Zombie, and I Liked It. New York, New York: Delacorte Press.

Shan, D. (2010) Hell’s Heroes: Demonata Series, Book 10. New York, New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.In this final novel of the Demonata series, the Shadow appears to be on the winning side of the war between good and evil. Will Grubbs, Kernel and Bec be able to protect the Earth, or will the demons be victorious?

Shan, D. (2010) Procession of the Dead. New York, New York: Grand Central Publishing.
Capac Raimi wakes up in “the City” with no memory of his previous life. When Carpac is placed in the service of the City’s ruler, the Cardinal, he begins to search for clues to uncovering his past. In eighteen-year-old Alley Rhodes’ world, vampires, werewolves and zombies are the norm, but Alley could care less: she is focused on going to college. But when Alley falls for Doug, a handsome zombie, she must decide what her future will bring.
Smith, L.J. (2010) Shadow Souls: The Vampire Diaries, Book 6. New York, New York: HarperTeen. After Stefan’s kidnapping, Elena and Damon must set off to the Dark Dimension to find the keys to setting him free. The journey gets complicated, however, as Elena must continue to struggle with her feelings for Damon.

Stiefvater, M. (2010) Linger: The Wolves of Mercy Falls, Book 2. New York, New York: Scholastic Press. Grace and her wolf, Sam, are in love, but must fight to be together. When a new wolf, Cole, enters the pack, his past threatens to destroy everything.

White, K. (2010) Paranormalcy. New York, New York: HarperTeen.
Teenager Evie lives an unusual life: she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s falling for a shape-shifter and her ex-boyfriend is a faerie. Things get even stranger when Evie learns that she might be part of a dark faerie prophecy.

Woon, Y. (2010) Dead Beautiful. New York, New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

Mutual attraction occurs between undead Dante Berlin and new girl Renee Winters at the gothic Gottfried Academy. After a series of murders at the school, however, their relationship will have to be put on hold as they investigate the true purpose of Gottfried Academy.