Young Samuel Johnson and his dachshund, Boswell, are trying to show initiative by trick-or-treating a full three days before Halloween, which is how they come to witness strange goings-on at 666 Crowley Road. The Abernathys don't mean any harm by their flirtation with the underworld, but when they unknowingly call forth Satan himself, they create a gap in the universe, a gap through which a pair of enormous gates is visible. The gates to Hell. And there are some pretty terrifying beings just itching to get out....

Can one small boy defeat evil? Can he harness the power of science, faith, and love to save the world as we know it?

Bursting with imagination and impossible to put down, The Gates is about the pull between good and evil, physics and fantasy. It is about a quirky and eccentric boy, who is impossible not to love, and the unlikely cast of characters who give him the strength to stand up to a demonic power.

In this wonderfully strange and brilliant novel, John Connolly manages to re-create the magical and scary world of childhood that we've all left behind but so love to visit. And for those of you who thought you knew everything you could about particle physics and the universe, think again. This novel makes anything seem possible.

Selected by Indie Booksellers for the Winter 2009 Kids' List
“Leviathan is a fantastic and beautifully illustrated steampunk version of The Great War. In this alternate universe, the Clankers put their faith in elaborate steam-powered machines and the Darwinists manage huge living airships that are whole ecosystems. But this is mostly the story of two 15-year-olds who are both hiding secrets. Prepare yourself for an adventurous ride.”
-- Joanne R. Fritz, Chester County Book & Music Company, West Chester, PA

This gripping new work of verse by a "New York Times"-bestselling author tells five moving accounts that remain separate at first, then interweave to tell a larger, powerful story--a tale about making choices, taking leaps of faith, falling down, and growing up.

Seventeen-year-old Jenna Fox has just awoken from a year-long coma—so she’s been told—and she is still recovering from the terrible accident that caused it. But what happened before that? She’s been given home movies chronicling her entire life, which spark memories to surface. But are the memories really hers? And why won’t anyone in her family talk about the accident? Jenna is becoming more curious. But she is also afraid of what she might find out if she ever gets up the courage to ask her questions. What happened to Jenna Fox? And who is she really?

Selected by Indie Booksellers for the Autumn 2009 Kids' Indie Next List
“In this touching love story, Grace tries to rescue Sam -- the love of her life -- from his fate as a werewolf. But time is running out, for the next time Sam changes it will be forever. The tightly knit plot and excellent character development will envelop readers in this story.”
-- Krisann Blake, The Bookworm, Omaha, NE