The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

The Wee Free MenStrange things are happening in the Chalk where Tiffany Aching lives with her family.  Just the other day, when Tiffany was down at the river with her toddler brother, Wentworth, she noticed two tiny men covered with blue tattoos wearing kilts rowing a boat about the size of a half a coconut shell.  One of them shouted at her,”Crivens! Gang awa’ oot o’here, ye daft wee hinny! ‘Ware the green heid!”  And with that they speed away, rowing as fast as they could into the reeds.  Suddenly, everything seemed blurred, the air fizzed and the water bubbled as it grew darker, greener and deeper. As the water boiled, Tiffany ran for Wentworth on the beach, snatching him up just as a green-haired creature shot out of the water and scraped the beach with its claws right where Wentworth had been.  Yes, strange things were happening indeed!  So when Wentworth is kidnapped by an elfin queen, this young witch-to-be becomes allies with the Wee Free Men (the little blue tattooed, kilt-wearing men).  Together they set off to Fairyland to rescue Wentworth and bring him back home.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

lost hero This is book one of The Heroes of Olympus Series. Jason awakes on a school bus on a field trip to the Grand Canyon. He doesn’t remember anything that happened before. He has a girlfriend, Piper, and a best friend, Leo, but he doesn’t remember anything about them or his past. Apparently, he attends the Wilderness School, a school for students with issues. But Jason can’t remember what he did to get sent to the Wilderness School. Piper is there because she can talk people in to giving her things. Expensive things. Leo’s there because he runs away from his foster care homes. Both Piper and Leo have secrets they are keeping from their friends. Jason can’t get over the feeling that something is wrong but he can’t remember what it is. After a horrifying monster attack at the Grand Canyon, the trio is extracted and deposited at Camp Half-Blood where the demi-gods wait to be claimed by their godly parents and await their quest assignment. Jason, Leo, and Piper meet many of the other demi-gods including Annabeth. But where is Percy Jackson?

Everlost by Neal Schusterman

everlost
Nick and Allie do not survive the fatal car accident. As they float through the tunnel toward the light, they bump into each other and end up in Everlost, a type of limbo. In Everlost, Nick and Allie try to figure their way around in this magical, dangerous world where there are many lost souls, a monster and dead zones.

Fire by Kristin Cashore

fireFire is a companion novel to Cahore’s Graceling.

Fire is the last remaining human monster in the Dells. Named Fire because of the wild appearance of her red hair, this monster has the ability to control minds and many find her irresistible.   But Fire refuses to use her power on innocent people. She will only control minds to protect herself from violence.  War is brewing in the Dells.  The mountains and forests are filled with unsavory characters.  It is a dangerous time.  Prince Brigan brings Fire to King City to help the royal family uncover a plot against his brother, King Nash. To help the the royal family uncover the plot against the kingdom, Fire must go against her beliefs which would bring her closer to becoming the type of monster her father, Cansrel was.  A character trait of her father’s she despised.

going bovine by Libba Bray

going bovine
Cameron Smith is a minimalist. That is to say, he is cruising through high school and life doing a little as possible. When Cameron experiences some strange events, and his bizarre behavior sends  him to the principal.  His parents seek the help of several doctors. One of which diagnoses Cameron with Cruetzfeldt-Jakob disease, more popularly known as mad cow disease. Cam is going to die. But Cameron is given hope by Dulcie, an angel. The information Dulcie gives Cameron about a possible cure sends Cameron on a quest for Dr. X. Joining him on his quest are Gonzo, a dwarf and smothered mama’s boy, and Balder, a garden gnome. Cam and his buddies set out on a road trip from Texas to Florida in search of Dr. X and Cameron’s cure and find  adventure along the way.

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

red pyramid Carter Kane has been traveling the world with his Egyptoligist father, Julius Kane. Sadie Kane lives with her grandparents in London, and only sees her brother and father occasionally. The Kane siblings have lived apart for six years, since the death of their mother, Ruby Kane. On Christmas Eve, Julius takes Carter and Sadie to the British Museum. At the Rosetta Stone exhibit, Julius Kane conducts a magic spell and summons a being from another world and time. This fiery being captures Julius in a glowing golden Egyptian sarcophagus which disappears through the floor of the museum. Carter and Sadie quickly realize that their father’s actions have released the Ancient Egyptian gods. This brother and sister, who barely know each other, will have to work together to save their father and stop Set’s evil plan.

The Humming of Numbers by Joni Sensel

humming of numbersAiden, a novice monk, is assigned the task of overseeing Lana, the lord’s illegitimate daughter, who has come to the monastery to work and live as she is no longer welcome in the village. Aiden has a special gift. He can hear numbers from living things. Different people produce different numbers. Lana’s number is a eleven and Aiden has never heard a eleven before. Since Aiden has met Lana, he is questioning his upcoming vows. When Vikings attack their Irish village, Aiden and Lana must step up to help their families.

Skellig by David Almond

skellig
Michael’s baby sister is seriously ill. While his mother spends most of her time at the hospital, his Dad loses himself in fixing up their new house. Meanwhile Michael, explores the crumbling, decrepit garage. Beneath the decay of the garage, among spider webs and dead flies, Michael discover a strange being. Michael rescues the being with the help of his new friend, Mina. This fascinating creature changes their world forever.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

shiverIt’s cold in Mercy Falls, Minnesota. Snow is on the ground. Grace lays in bed and listens to the wolves howl outside her bedroom window. She can hear “her” wolf; the one with the golden eyes. He often stares at her from the edge of the woods. Sam longs to meet Grace but such contact is forbidden. When a wolf attack brings out hunters that threatens her pack, Grace springs into action to save them and rules are broken. Learn more about the author at http://www.maggiestiefvater.com/.

Poison by Chris Wooding

poisonPoison lives in the village of Gull in the heart of the Black Marsh with her father, step-mother and baby sister, Azalea. When the Scarecrow steals Azalea on Soulswatch Eve and leaves a changeling in her place, Poison consults Fleet, a wise old man in the village, about leaving the village and traveling to the Realm of the Phaeries to bring her sister back. Fleet gives her infromation and finds her a ride out of Gull with Bram, the wraith-cather. And so their journey begins, once upon a time.

Poison is not your average fairy tale. It is a much darker. If you like the Harry Potter series or books by Cornelia Funke, you might want to give Chris Wooding’s books a try.