The Spook’s Apprentice

Joseph Delaney

Thomas Ward grew up on a farm, but as the seventh son of a seventh son, he has a special destiny: to become a Spook. Learning how to exorcise ghosts, boggarts and witches is a lonely, difficult business, but someone has to do it. When Thomas accidentally frees Mother Malkin, a notorious witch, he unleashes dangerous forces that will threaten not just the County but his own family. This action-packed story is the first in a series that will appeal to fans of horror and the supernatural.

Thirteen Reasons Why

Jay Asher

When Clay Jensen receives a shoe box of old-fashioned cassette tapes, he is shocked to discover that these tapes contain a tragic story. They are the suicide note of Hannah Baker, his former classmate, and the girl he had a crush on. In the tapes, Hannah demands that the people who have hurt her, whether deliberately or accidentally, bear witness to her pain. This popular novel, with its anti-bullying message, has struck a chord with many readers.

emotionally disturbing; sexuality

The Scorpio Races

Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio Races, held every November on the island of Thisby, are the ultimate in courage. Few people can ride the vicious water horses, but the foolish and the desperate still try every year. Orphan Puck Connolly falls into both categories, and she knows it, but if she doesn’t win the prize money for the race then she and her brothers will lose their home. Sean Kendrick knows water horses better than anyone, and he has a soft spot for Puck, but he has his own urgent need to win the race.

The Paladin Prophecy (The Paladin Prophecy, #1)

Mark Frost

Will West has moved around – a lot. His parents have always encouraged him to not get close to anybody, and to definitely not reveal his unusual intelligence and physical strength. But when Will accidentally aces a test at school, and is promptly invited to join an elite boarding school, he realises that his cover is blown. Now it seems like everyone is out to get him – from the mysterious bald man and his minions to a secret society in school.

The Scorch Trials

James Dashner

After Thomas and his friends make it out of the deadly Maze, they think they are safe – but not for long. WICKED, the mysterious government organisation, has a new test for them. They will be dropped into a wasteland called the Scorch, and if the Cranks don’t finish them off, then plenty of other terrors will. The tense, non-stop action of this sequel to The Maze Runner will appeal to readers who like thrillers.

This novel contains some violent and gory scenes.

The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

Kody Keplinger

A bad experience has made 17 year-old Bianca cynical about love, but at least she has her best friends. Then Wesley Rush, one of the hottest guys in school, fills her in: Bianca is a DUFF (designated ugly fat friend). Despite this unpromising start, Bianca and Wesley embark on a crazy, clandestine relationship. Bianca may be attracted to Wesley, but she hates him, too. Why, then, does he seem to be the only person who really “gets” her?

sexuality; strong language

Paper Towns

John Green

Quentin Jacobson has idolised Margo Roth Spiegelman as long as he has known her, which is pretty much his entire life. When she chooses him as her partner-in-crime, Quentin thinks it must mean something. But the next day, Margo has disappeared. With high school graduation only a few weeks away, Quentin has only one concern: figuring out the mystery of Margo.

strong language

Sold

Patricia McCormick

This moving and beautifully written novel is the story of Lakshmi, a young girl from a remote Nepalese village. When the monsoons destroy the family’s rice crop, Lakshmi’s stepfather sells her to a well-dressed woman promising work. Instead of the servant work she expects, with wages to help her family, Lakshmi is taken to an Indian brothel. Based on extensive research and interviews with many young girls like Lakshmi, the author provides insight into the worldwide problem of sexual slavery.

emotionally disturbing

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

James Patterson

Fourteen-year-old Max is 98 per cent teenage girl, 2 per cent avian and 100 per cent responsible for the five other kids in her “flock”. They have been living wild and free for two years, but now the Institute who created them wants them back. Can six kids who can fly manage to stay camouflaged in New York City? Not likely. This is the first novel in the wildly successful “Maximum Ride” series.

Fallen (Fallen, #1)

Lauren Kate

After Lucinda Price is blamed for the death of a classmate, under very mysterious circumstances, she is sent to the Sword and Cross reform school. Despite making new friends, and at least one admirer, Lucinda is intrigued by Daniel – despite all of his attempts to rebuff her. Daniels doesn’t want to draw Lucinda into his secret, dangerous world, but fate keeps bringing them together. Fans of paranormal romance will undoubtedly enjoy this best-selling series of fallen angels and star-crossed lovers.