Catch A Falling Star by Kim Culbertson

Life is slow in Little, California, and Carter Moon loves it. She loves stargazing with her friends, spending time at the river, and working in her family's caf̩. But when a Hollywood crew and teen heartthrob, Adam Jakes, show up to film a Christmas movie, Carter's idyllic world is disrupted. Unimpressed by the Hollywood crowd, Carter avoids them. However, when approached with a job offer, Carter feels compelled to earn much needed money for her family. She will spend a few weeks posing as Adam's 'small town girlfriend' in an attempt to improve his tainted public image. As Carter is thrown into the world of publicity and tabloids, she struggles to distinguish truth from acting.

The classic story of a small town nobody pulled into a life of fame is not new, but Kim Culbertson tells this version well. Carter and her friends are delightfully quirky characters and the town of Little charmed me enough to consider moving immediately. Adam Jakes is intriguing as well, with his stereotypical Hollywood narcissism that hides a kinder and more complex person. Culbertson also creatively embellishes this classic story by including star gazing metaphors and profound lessons about friendship, service, and life decisions. What I expected to be a fluffy romance was actually an endearing story of a strong girl finding her place in the world. Carter Moon's entertaining experience is perfect for teens trying to define their future.

Recommended ages-12 and up

The Shadow Throne (The Ascendance Trilogy #3) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

War has finally come to Carthya. Prince Jaron faces both physical and psychological battles and he struggles to save his kingdom. As usual, Jaron's greatest strength and his greatest weakness are the people he loves. Enemies use his friends to lure him into traps, influence his actions, and cripple him. However, in spite of hardships, loyalty and trust prove to be Jaron's best weapons.

With The Shadow Throne , Nielsen provides a satisfying conclusion to The Ascendance Trilogy. The fast-paced adventure is perfect for teen and tween readers looking for battles and intrigue. Jaron retains his brilliant personality. My only disappointment with this final book is Jaron has less interaction with his friends. Characterization is put on the sidelines in favor of plot. However, the plot is intricate and well-written for adventure seekers. It is exciting, but remains uplifting and age appropriate.

Recommended ages-11 and up

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

In The Here and Now , Ann Brashares takes the old and overdone dystopia genre and gives it new life by bringing a damaged future into the present. Prenna James is an immigrant, but she comes from the future-a dark future where blood plagues and food shortages make life unlivable. She and a small group of other immigrants form a secret community trying to blend in with life in 2014. Life is better, but Prenna feels bound by the strict rules and constant surveillance by community leaders. When Prenna breaks some rules and forms a bond with Ethan Jarves, a 'time native' who senses something different about the time travelers, her world changes. Together, Prenna and Ethan must discover how to change the present and prevent an awful future.

The Here and Now has all the elements that draw dystopian readers-controlling governments and leaders, intrigue, impending world disaster, and a little romance. However, Brashares adds the exciting twist of time travel and an ability to change the future. Ethan and Prenna are interesting and well-written characters with typical teenage concerns as well as admirable maturity. Their story is a captivating mystery where elements of science fiction combine with a contemporary plot. With these style combinations, The Here and Now will appeal to a wide variety of teen readers. Conservative readers should be aware the characters talk about sex, but it is not a major plot point and no teen sex occurs.

Recommended ages-14 and up