Summer Reading Fun

FREE audiobooks (to download) all summer, beginning May 30. Each week there will be 1 Young Adult book and 1 classic book (paired by theme).

http://www.audiobooksync.com/

SYNC Titles
Summer 2013 (click on title for summary)

May 30 – June 5, 2013
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks, read by Rebecca Gibel (AudioGO)
The Tempest by William Shakespeare, read by a Full Cast (AudioGO)

June 6 – June 12, 2013
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 1: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood, read by Katherine Kellgren (HarperAudio)
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, read by Wanda McCaddon (Tantor Audio)

June 13 – June 19, 2013
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, read by Will Patton (Scholastic Audiobooks)
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, read by Robert Ramirez (Recorded Books)

June 20 – June 26, 2013
Once by Morris Gleitzman, read by Morris Gleitzman (Bolinda Audio)
Letter From Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr., read by Dion Graham (christianaudio)

June 27 – July 3, 2013
Rotters by Daniel Kraus, read by Kirby Heyborne (Listening Library)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, read by Jim Weiss (Listening Library)

July 4 – July 10, 2013
Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford, read by Nick Podehl (Brilliance Audio)
She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith, read by a Full Cast (L.A. Theatre Works)

July 11 – July 17, 2013
The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann, read by Peter Altschuler (HarperAudio)
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, read by Simon Vance (Tantor Audio)

July 18 – July 24, 2013
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, read by Erin Moon (Recorded Books)
Hamlet by William Shakespeare, read by a Full Cast (L.A. Theatre Works)

July 25 – July 31, 2013
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen, read by Charlie McWade (Scholastic Audiobooks)
The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain, read by Steve West (Blackstone Audio)

Aug 1 – Aug 7, 2013
Death Cloud by Andrew Lane, read by Dan Weyman (Macmillan Audio)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, read by Ralph Cosham (Blackstone Audio)

Aug 8 – Aug 14, 2013
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis, read by Katherine Kellgren (Brilliance Audio)
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, read by Miriam Margolyes (Bolinda Audio)

Aug 15 – Aug 21, 2013
Sold by Patricia McCormick, read by Justine Eyre (Tantor Audio)
Let Me Stand Alone by Rachel Corrie, read by Tavia Gilbert (Blackstone Audio)

Fearless by Francine Pascal

This is a teenage love story with a twist--a very huge twist.
It all starts with Gaia getting into an argument with her mother and walking out the door. What Gaia doesn't know is that her step mother is a spy who is after her.
Now on the run, Gaia makes two friends who help her out.
Read to find out how her story ends.

Guest review submitted by: ce

Homeboyz by Alan Sitomer

When a murder occurs, who isn't interested in what happened? Especially when it happens as a result of gang violence. When Tina, an innocent bystander, is caught in the crossfire of a gang war, her brother vows revenge. Drugs, fights, jail time, turf wars and all-out revenge are the only things he cares about. His plan is devious.
The plot is exciting.


Guest review by ce

Teen Idol by Meg Cabot

Can you keep a secret? Jen Greenley can. That is why she was selected to be the advice columnist for her school newspaper. Being soft-spoken, she is trusted by everyone and knows she doesn't stand up for herself--until teen hearthrob Luke Striker somes to town.

Going undercover to learn a role for  a movie, Luke trusts Jen to keep his secret. During his stay, Luke tells Jen that she should start standing up for the people who can't speak for themselves instead of consoling them. More importantly, he wants her to stand up for herself.

Good story.


Guest review submitted by: RAWR!!

Ready or Not by Meg Cabot

In the sequel to All American Girl, Samantha Madison has even more trouble coming her way. As teen ambassador to the United Nations and the girlfriend to the President's son, she has the camera on her face more than she likes. She has to watch everything that comes out of her mouth, and it doesn't help that she accidentally implies that she and David have had sex, but the truth is that they never have. To pump up her stress, it seems as if David is hinting that he wants their relationship to reach the next level.

What is Sam going to do when David invites her to their summer house to be alone?

This novel and the previous one have a great perspective of growing into adulthood.

Guest Review submitted by: RAWR!

All American Girl by Meg Cabot

Outcast Samantha Madison tries to make a statement: you don't have to dress and act like everyone else to be cool, so she dyes her entire wardrobe black. However, being the sister of a head cheerleader who is also Miss Brainiac, Sam is the "black sheep" of the family. To make matters worse, she is falling in love with her sister's rebelious artistic boyfriend Jack.

In oder to become closer to Jack, Sam joins an art class where she meets David, who is exactly like she is, only he digs deeper into the soul. One day, while walking to class, she saves the U.S. President's life by jumping on the back of the would-be assassin.

Her quiet life is turned upside down when she has interviewers and bodyguards on her back 24-7, and to make matters worse, David is the President's son.

Will Sam's life ever be the same, or will being a hero make her jump off the deep end?

Guest review submitted by: RAWR!

Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Jordan and Courtney are the unexpected couple in their senior year of high school. Despite their different personalities, everything works. With young love in the air, they both decide to go to the same college. Then, the problems start. A few days before they leave for orientation, Jordan finds a new girl over the internet and dumps Courtney who still reluctantly travels to orientation with him. As they get to the college, Courtney acts like she doesn't care about the current situation. Jordan, on the other hand, begins missing Courtney. There is just one reason for his going through with the breakup, and he can't tell her anything about it.

This novel is very relatable to the teenage years. Short relationships, heart breaks, and secrets relay Barnholdt's theme, showing teens that their problems are not unique.

Guest review submitted by: Volleyball Girl

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Darkside by Beth Fantaskey

Jessica loves the life she has with her adopted parents. Her biological parents, who are dead,  were in a "cult" that revolved around blood.  Now, she believes in the logical, not the unthinkable, but that is before Lucius Vladmir comes to town.

The mysterious Romanian teenager intrigues Jessica in strange ways. Being told by him that they are betrothed, Jessica starts to rebel against him. Her rebellion causes more drama when a new girl steps into Lucius' life.

This is a great book to sink your teeth into.

Guest review submitted by: RAWR!

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Wedding bells are in the future for Bella and Edward. After finally agreeing to the engagement on her own terms, Bella can finally be with Edward forever. Thinking nothing can stop her joyous decision, Bella is found by Jacob who tells her that she shouldn't become a vampire. However, Edward and Bella's love is too strong, and they go through with their plans. Their honeymoon is unpredictable, romantic, and careful. At the end of the honeymoon, Bella discovers that she's pregnant.

Upon returning to Forks, they learn that Jacob and the wolf pack are against the baby and want to kill Bella to get rid of it. This causes Jacob to break away from the pack to protect Bella who has to endure starvation, the breaking of bones, and the drinking of blood.

The last book of the Twilight saga will touch everyone's heart. The movies have also been released, so after reading the series, enjoy the movies.

Guest review submitted by: RAWR!

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Vampires and werewolves are mortal enemies, and unfortunately for Bella, those are the labels of her boyfriend and best friend, who both happen to be in love with her. Edward is back for good, and he wants to marry her, but Bella still remembers what happened to her parents' teen marriage and does not want to follow their path.

Graduation and college decisions are coming up, and Bella does not want to deal with boy troubles. What she doesn't know is that she has more than just boy problems to deal with because a vengeful vampire wants to kill her. When the vampire clan finds out that Victoria wants Bella dead, they decide to team up with the werewolf pack to help protect Bella. After weeks of waiting for the attack, Edward kisses Bella and asks her to marry him again.

Will she say yes? How will Jacob react?

This third and most action-packed book of the Twilight saga will make vampire lovers want to kill to get it.

Guest review submitted by: RAWR!

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

It seems as though nothing can get in the way of Edward and Bella's love--that is, until Bella's eighteenth birthday when a nasty papercut turns into a bloodbath. Edward decides that the only way to keep Bella safe is to move away from her and cut all ties. After he leaves, Bella becomes depressed, spending months trying to send Edward and his sister Alice e-mails. Unable to stand Bella's moping, her father forces her to go out with friends like Jacob Black.  She and Jacob start doing crzy things like riding motorcycles and cliff diving.

One night, Bella gets a surprise visit from Alice who says she told Edward that Bella died. Edward then goes to the Volturi, the highest ranking vampires to ask for his death.

Bella is forced to choose to help Edward or to stay with Jacob.

This second book of the Twilight saga is even better than the first.

Guest review submitted by: RAWR!

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Moving from sunny Phoenix to Rainy Forks to live with her father, Bella feels like a foreigner visiting a strange green planet. Being the new girl is hard, especially if you transfer in the middle of the semester, but luckily, Bella is able to make new friends. During lunch with her new pals, she spots five gorgeous people sitting in a secluded corner. Curious to see who they are, Bella learns they are the Cullens, adopted by the town's doctor.

Bella ends up sitting near one of the Cullens--Edward-- in biology class. However, Edward tries to stay away from her as much as possible, but the two seem to keep bumping into each other over the next few weeks.

Eventually, Bella finds there is something different about the Cullens: they never go out in direct sunlight; they are very fast; they don't eat; and they travel in a pack. Bella's life becomes more complex when she realizes she has fallen in love with a vampire--something that is not supposed to exist. On top of that, three nomad vampires want to see her dead.

This story is gripping.

Guest review submitted by: RAWR!

Anathema by Colleen Coble

The peace of the Amish country is shattered by a burglary and two murders. Hannah Schwartz, who has been taught to forgive by her Amish upbringing, can not find it in her heart to forgive whoever murdered her parents; therefore, she runs away with her Englisch boyfriend, only to find that she made the wrong decision.

Colleen Coble has great insight into the Amish ways and weaves a terrific story for the reader. This book was recommended by one of my sophomore students, so it is enjoyable for readers of all ages.

Mediator: Twilight by Meg Cabot

Suze finally has the man of her dreams--Jesse. Her life seems almost perfect, but not quite. Paul Slater, who is madly in love with her, finds a way to go into the past to save Jesse from dying. The catch is that Jesse would never meet Suze, and Paul would finally have her. Thinking it a bad idea, Suze follows Paul to stop him.

Now Suze has to make the decision of letting her love live a life he never had or to make the selfish decision to let him stay in her time. All Suze wants is to enjoy having Jesse with her at the winter formal.

The last book of the Mediator series will keep you hanging on every word.

Guest review submitted by: RAWR

Mediator: Haunted by Meg Cabot

Suze Simon's life is just as crazy as ever. Her crush Jesse, the ghost who lives with her, is going to leave her; then the one guy she doesn't like--Paul Slater--transfers to her school and decides he will make Suze like him.

When Paul invites Suze over to tell her that he can actually shift into other figures, he abruptly kisses her. Suze immediately leaves and finds Neil, her step-brother's friend. While with Neil, she discovers that his recently deceased brother is haunting him. How can Suze deal with all of this information? Will she ever get what she truly wants?

Guest review submitted by: RAWR

Mediator: Darkest Power by Meg Cabot

Suze Simon, our favorite mediator, is forced to get a summer job: watching whiny eight-year-old Jack. While on the job, Suze finds out that Jack can also see ghosts. Suze helps him realize that the ghosts only want his help. Jack then gains more confidence which affects his brother Paul who asks Suze out on a date. She, however, rejects his offer because the only man on her mind is Jesse.

At home, Suze's stepfather and brother start to dig in their backyard and find letters addressed to Jesse from Maria de Silva, his supposed fiance. Problems occur when her ghost pops up and threatens Suze. Not wanting to worry Jesse, Suze stays quiet, only to find that Jesse doesn't show up when she calls him because Jack has exorcised him at Maria de Silva and her husband Feliz's request. Knowing there is only one way to get Jesse back, Suze tries to be exorcised herself.

Will Suze be able to save Jesse? Or will there be more obstacles like Paul in her way?
Meg Cabot's books are simply addicting.

Guest review submitted by: RAWR!

The Mediator: Reunion by Meg Cabot

Suze and Gina, her best friend from New York, go to the beach to soak up some sun. While there, they get thirsty and decide to head over to a market for some drinks. Suze, however, finds more as she sees four formally-attired ghosts. With research, she finds out the are the RLS Angels and that they were accidentally rammed into by Michael, another student. Now, with only revenge on their minds, they will do anything to get Michael to join them in death.

By trying to protect him, Suze gives Michael the impression that she likes him and wants to pursue a relationship with him. Doing more sleuthing, Suze discovers that Michael's sister is in a coma because of the RSL Angels.

Now that Suze knows the truth, what will happen when she confronts Michael? And what are those weird feeling she has for Jesse?

The third book of Meg Cabot's Mediator series is even more action-packed than the first two.

Guest review submitted by: RAWR!

The Mediator: The Ninth Key by Meg Cabot

Having a love life is practically impossible with a ghost hovering over Suze constatnly. Mediator Suze Simons is becoming more popular in school and has been invited to a pool party. While at the party, she meets and dances with Tad. Maybe her love life is starting to go in the right direction. However, later that night, a woman-ghost wakes her up screaming, "tell Red he didn't kill me."

Becoming curious about this Red character, Suze investigates and discovers a lead to Mr. Beaumont. Disguised as a school news reporter, she is able to get an appointment with him and tells him what the ghost said. He asks Suze what others have not--to contact the others he has killed. Luckily, she is able to escape and comes across Tad.

What does Tad do as the plot thickens? And will Jesse make more surprise appearances?  This second book in The Mediator series will keep you on your toes.

Guest review submitted by: RAWR!

Mediator: Shadowland by Meg Cabot

Susannah Simon (Suze) packs up her bags and moves to California, thinking this will be her big break. Too bad for Suze that the thing or things she is running from wander back into her life--or better yet, her bedroom. Yes, Suze finds herself a smoking-hot boy in her room, but that's not the problem. The problem is, he's a ghost.

Suze is a mediator, a person who helps the dead move on. Ever since she was a little girl, she has gotten daily visits from ghosts who need her help; however, she has no ambition to help them. Luckily, this works out when Jesse, the hot ghost-boy in her bedroom says he doesn't need her help.

However, at her new school, she happens to come across a ghost who has only revenge on her mind and wants Suze gone. There goes the normal, peaceful life.

Watch Suze struggle through a new family, a new home, a new school, and a whole lot more ghosts.

Guest review submitted by: RAWR!

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan does a remarkable job with the audio-recorded book The Red Pyramid which follows the adventures of two children, Carter and Sadie, actual magicians who are bound to an organization called The House of Life. After their father releases the Egyptian god Set, the two embark on a dangerous journey to prevent the destruction of North America. Along the way, they make a few friends (and enemies) and discover a few bone-chilling secrets.

Guest review submitted by: MD