Be A Serial Reader

If an entire nation could seek its freedom, why not a girl?

As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight…for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel. When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on her owners, who know details of British plans for invasion. She is reluctant at first, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide her with freedom.

Three book series: Chains, Forge, Ashes

Summary provided by Penguin Random House

FOR OFFICIAL PURPOSES, THESE CHILDREN DO NOT EXIST...

A terrorist doesn't let strangers in her flat because they might be undercover police or intelligence agents, but her children bring their mates home and they run all over the place. The terrorist doesn't know that one of these kids has bugged every room in her house, made copies of all her computer files and stolen her address book. The kid works for CHERUB.

CHERUB agents are aged between ten and seventeen. They live in the real world, slipping under adult radar and getting information that sends criminals and terrorists to jail.

12 book series, with spinoff series

From Muchamore.com

The False Prince is the first book in a trilogy filled with danger, deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end. In a discontent kingdom a civil war is brewing. To unify the people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's-point - he must be chosen to play the prince, or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.

As Sage moves from rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all the lies taken together.

Four book series: The False Prince, The Runaway King, The Shadow Throne, The Captive Kingdom

Summary from jennielsen.com

Ever since their world was destroyed by a nuclear attack, 15-year-old Eli and his family have lived in the Compound, a state-of-the-art bomb shelter built by his billionaire father. Despite having every comfort, Eli is haunted by the fact that his twin and his grandmother were left behind. He also begins to question his father’s sanity after an inventory miscalculation threatens their survival, and his dad hatches a morally corrupt plan to “enhance their food supply.” Eli’s worst suspicions are confirmed when he discovers a live Internet signal using an old laptop. Did the world really end six years ago? Why else would Eli’s father want to keep his family underground?

Two book series: The Compound and The Fallout

Summary from Booklist

On the mysterious island of Nil, the rules are set. You have exactly 365 days to escape—or you die.

Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn't know the rules. She doesn't even know where she is. The last thing she remembers is blacking out, and when she wakes up, she's naked in an empty rock field.

Lost and alone, Charley finds no sign of other people until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad's time running out, Charley realizes that she has to find a way to beat the clock, and quickly.

Four book series: Nil, Nil Unlocked, Nil on Fire, Nil Remembered (ebook only. Library does not have)

Summary from Macmillan publishers

The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women is a fairly typical all-girls school—that is, if every school teaches advanced martial arts in PE, chemistry always consists of the latest in chemical warfare, and everyone breaks CIA codes for extra credit in computer class. So in truth, while the Gallagher Academy might say it’s a school for geniuses what they really mean is spies. But what happens when a Gallagher Girl falls for a boy who doesn’t have a code name?

Cammie Morgan may be fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways (three of which involve a piece of uncooked spaghetti), but the Gallagher Academy hasn’t prepared her for what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she’s an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, and track him through a mall without him ever being the wiser, but can she have a regular relationship with a regular boy who can never know the truth about her? Cammie may be an elite spy in training, but in her sophomore year, she’s doing something riskier than ever—she’s falling in love.

Six book series

Synopsis from Alllycarter.com

In the faraway village of Tulan, sixteen-year-old Elara has spent her entire life as a servant, trying to track down her real name. The name she was given before being orphaned. Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Galandria, Princess Wilhamina does not know why her father, the king, makes her wear a mask. Or why she is forbidden to ever show her face.

When a new peace treaty between Galandria and Kyrenica is threatened, Elara and Wilha are brought face to face. Told in alternating perspectives, this intricate fairytale pulls both girls toward secrets that have been locked away behind castle doors, while the fate of two opposing kingdoms rests squarely on their untrained shoulders.

Two book series: The Princess in the Opal Mask and The Opal Crown

Book Summary from jennylundquist.com

Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors and artists.

It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. “A place,” he said, “where learning is a game.”

Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym “Truly, Devious.” It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history.

True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. That is, she will solve the case when she gets a grip on her demanding new school life and her housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester. But something strange is happening. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. The past has crawled out of its grave. Someone has gotten away with murder.

Three book series: Truly Devious, The Vanishing Stair, The Hand on the Wall

Series synopsis from Maureenjohnsonbooks.com

Vlad has to keep his vampire urges under control while dealing with the pressures of middle school. Thirteen-year-old Vlad Tod really hates junior high. Bullies harass him, the principal is dogging him , and the girl he likes prefers his best friend. Oh, and Vlad has a secret: his mother was human, but his father was a vampire. With no idea of the extent of his powers, Vlad struggles daily with his blood cravings and his enlarged fangs. When a substitute teacher begins to question him a little too closely, Vlad worries that his cover is about to be blown. But then he faces a much bigger problem: he's being hunted by a vampire.

Five book series: 8th Grade Bites, 9th Grade Slays, 10th Grade Bleeds, 11th Grade Burns, 12th Grade Kills

Summary from Penguin Random House

In 1891 two feisty, independent girls are introduced to each other and to a world of intrigue. Alvermina Holmes, Sherlock's niece, is analytical, intellectual, and socially na‹ve; Evaline Stoker, Bram's sister, is fierce, strong, and socially connected. They are invited to assist in solving the mystery surrounding the murders of fashionable young women. Working across multiple levels of a wonderfully atmospheric and delightfully steampunk London, they are helped, impeded, and fascinated by a variety of appealing young men. When they uncover the existence of the secret Society of Sekhmet and its leader, the Ankh, the suspense and action build, and they are placed in grave danger.

Five book series: The Clockwork Scarab, The Spiritglass Charade, The Chess Queen Enigma, The Carnelian Crow and The Zeppelin Deception

Book summary from Library Media Connections

When Stevie wins a writing contest for aspiring sports journalists, his prize is a press pass to the Final Four in New Orleans. While exploring the Superdome, he overhears a plot to throw the championship game. With the help of fellow contest winner Susan Carol, Stevie has just 48 hours to figure out who is blackmailing one of the star players . . . and why.

Six book series: Last Shot: Mystery at the Final Four; Vanishing Act: Mystery at the US Open; Cover Up: Mystery at the Super Bowl; Change-Up: Mystery at the World Series; The Rivalry: Mystery at the Army-Navy Game; Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics

Luke has never been to school. He’s never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend’s house for an overnight. In fact, Luke has never had a friend.

Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He’s lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family’s farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside.

Then, one day Luke sees a girl’s face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he’s met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows–does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to?

Seven book series: Among the Hidden, Among the Imposters, Among the Betrayed, Among the Barons, Among the Brave, Among the Enemy, Among the Free