Fall 2011 Children's Books

The Fall 2011 Children’s Books issue of Publishers Weekly is out! Based on the very brief descriptions given for each title, here are some upcoming (or recently released) mid-grade and teen novels that made me say, “Hmm... Interesting.”

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies. Two angels vie for the heart of a girl who may hold the power to save – or destroy – the universe. [Full Disclosure: Jocelyn Davies edited The Future of Us. But even if she didn't, I’d still want to read this!]

Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer. A teen is haunted by murders committed by her estranged father.

Brooklyn Burning by Steve Brezenoff. In this love story, the genders of the two main characters are never revealed.

Burnout by Adrienne Maria Vrettos. Nan suspects she’s a ghost after waking up the day after Halloween in a subway car with no idea how she got there.

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey. A teen raises her boyfriend from the dead, only to discover that he’s nothing like the boy she loved.

Don’t Expect Magic by Kathy McCullough. Delaney learns that her father is a fairy godmother and the gene is hereditary.

Faking Faith by Josie Bloss centers on a girl who fakes her religion to get to the boy she has a crush on.

Falling for Henry by Beverley Brenna. A teen is transported back to the days of Henry VIII’s teenage years, where she inhabits the body of Katherine of Aragon.

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler. In 1996, two teens who go online find themselves on Facebook in 2011. [Full Disclosure: I am Jay Asher.]

Gossip Girl, Psycho Killer by Cecily von Ziegesar is a slasher-themed retelling of the first Gossip Girl novel.

Guantanamo Boy by Anna Perera imagines 15-year-old Khalid, a boy who is being held without charge at Guantanamo Bay.

Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay. In this paranormal tale, Romeo and Juliet meet again – as enemies.

The Last Musketeer by Stuart Gibbs launches a series featuring a 21st-century American boy who travels to 17th-century France, where he becomes one of the Three Musketeers.

Little Women and Me by Lauren Baratz-Logsted. A twist in time gives Emily the power to change Little Women.

Morning Star by Judith Plaxton tells of a runaway slave escaping to freedom and a contemporary girl in a town that was a terminus for the Underground Railroad.

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder. Campbell learns to believe in herself when she moves to a town known for its mystical healing powers.

The Shattering by Karen Healey. Can three teens save the next victim of a serial killer in their town?

Slayers by C.J. Hill. When dragon eggs fall into the wrong hands, the Slayers must keep them from hatching.

Sparks: The Epic, Completely True Blue, (Almost) Holy Quest of Debbie by S.J. Adams. Two teen outcasts at school create their own religion.

Unforgettable by Loretta Ellsworth centers on a boy who is unable to forget anything.

Unison Spark by Andy Marino involves an all-knowing social network.

Villain School: Good Curses Evil by Stephanie S. Sanders. Kids whose parents are famous villains just want to be good.

You Have Seven Messages by Stewart Lewis. Luna listens to messages on her mother’s phone and begins to question her death.

You Will Call Me Drog by Sue Cowing. A boy gets a sarcastic talking puppet stuck on his hand.