Into the Wild by Erin Hunter (Warriors series)

This is the book that has started 3 different series about 4 clans of wild cats trying to survive in an unforgiving world and the fights with each other. Rusty is just a kittypet (house cat) who takes off to wild, but he might be the answer that the leader of ThunderClan's saw as she dreamt. Does he have what it takes to help the clan when other clan breaks tradition and tries to take all the clans land for itself? Can he be a warrior or is he just a soft pet of Two legs? You need to read the books in order so you won't get lost, but each series has its own story line. Reading this one first, you will learn how one cat can make a difference to a whole world of cats. Not only for cat lovers, if you enjoy battles between warriors, you will love the action in the fights between the clans. Warriors are not made, they are born, but training will keep warriors from dying before their time. But remember, the worst enemies can be the closest friends if they choose to be.

The Forest of Silence by Emily Rodda (Deltora Quest series)

First book of a series that EML was told by too many students she had to get for the library, it is a great adventure filled with many dangers that the characters barely survive. When a king lets down his people by not doing his duties, evil overruns the kingdom. His main duty was to wear a magical belt that kept the evil powers at bay. After many years of war, 2 brave young men set out to find the stones from that belt that have been hidden across the kingdom. If those stones can be found and the belt put back together, the heir to the throne will be able drive the evil powers out. While both think it won't be that difficult, it takes a surprise creature's help to keep both of them from dying before the adventure even starts. If you read this one, plan on reading all 8 to see how this quest will end.

Gameprey by Mel Odom (Tom Clancey' Net Force series)

While this type of book isn't normally EML's cup of tea, I did enjoy it but if you are a gamer or a person who dreams of creating your own games, you will enjoy it more. Set the near future where the internet will be a huge part of our lives, Net Force is like a FBI or a CIA organization that keep the bad guys from using it for crime. One of the junior members is a game designer and while at computer gamers' convention in Los Angeles, she and another junior member are sucked into solving the disappearance of the creator the latest, greatest game. When they realize that someone will kill to keep the game out, they call on the rest of Net Force to help before they are next victims. Once you learn the rest of the story, you may never play online games again without worrying about if this story is based on truth or it could really happen.

Striking Out by Will Weaver (Billy Baggs Novel)

The first book of a 3 part series about a farm boy who can pitch, doesn't look like something non baseball lovers or farm kids could relate to very well. But if you don't get along with your parents, have dreams beyond your small world, or have that person who you want to get even with, this book is a great one for you. Billy's life is sad, hard, and limited. But does he give up or give in, when there are people who want to help him make his dreams come alive? Real world problems with no easy answers lurk in the corners of this young adult award winner.