Afterworlds

by Scott Westerfeld

Genre: Realistic fiction/Fantasy
Age group: Mature 12/Mature 13/14+

Darcy should be heading to college, but she just got a two-book contract with a big-name publishing company. They want to publish her book Afterworlds, so instead of going to Oberlin, like she and her parents had planned, she's taking a year off to go to New York and write.
New York is noodle-filled and exciting—when Darcy arrives, she's immediately surrounded by a new crowd of friends: authors, whether they're famous or obscure, published or still waiting. She's particularly close to Imogen, another writer who's getting published soon. There's still a lot about Imogen Darcy doesn't know, but she might just be falling for her...
At the same time, Darcy's revising Afterworlds, about a girl named Lizzie who was caught in a terrorist attack and wished so hard that she was dead that she went to the Afterworld. Now she's become a psychopomp, and she's gained the power to walk in the Afterworld whenever she needs to—but power comes at a price. Other psychopomps, strange ghosts, and serial killers are the priorities in her mind—after Yama, that is, another psychopomp that she just might be in love with.

A very well-written book. I sat down with it intending to read for just a little while, and I ended up reading half the book before I got up and realized I had been there for far longer than expected. It might sound strange, but there are actually two stories intertwined in this book: Darcy's story and Lizzie's story. The chapters alternate. It's a little hard to get used to at first, but it's actually very well done and becomes easier to follow. Honestly, Lizzie's story feels a little more cliched, but it's still quite well-written and does have those small differences in tone and plot that make it truly interesting. I personally liked Darcy's story more; I've never read a teen book before about publishing a book. (There is the younger-age-range book The School Story by Andrew Clements, but it's very different.) There are tons of great details, and the setting and backstory are unique and interesting. Darcy's life just sounds so exciting. It's fun to read about! Overall, a very good read.
Plus, the cover is great.

The Sixth Extinction

by Elizabeth Kolbert

Genre: Nonfiction
Age group: Technically, this is for adults. However, mature kids can read it too. So... Mature 13/14+

There have been five mass extinctions in the world, and we are currently undergoing the sixth. The ones in the past have been caused by various things: Meteorites, or ice ages, or volcanoes, for example. This one is not caused by those: It is caused by humans. This book looks at the stories of many different animals that have gone extinct or are on the brink of extinction and examines the many, many effects and impacts of this sixth extinction.

I really, really enjoyed this book. I'm not exactly sure how to summarize it, but I gave it my best shot, and I think it's a decent overview. Each chapter talks about a different animal that went extinct or is very close to going extinct and connects that back to how humans are changing the environment and causing new extinctions. The book is mildly scary, but, then again, the things that humans are doing to the world are very scary. It actually really inspired me to try to do something about all of these extinctions. The book is incredibly well-written, and it's very easy to understand the language. It's interesting; not dry at all. It was well-deservingly chosen as one of the New York Times' 10 Best Books of 2014, and I would recommend it for everyone: We all need to know what effects humans are causing on Earth. However, you should DEFINITELY read it if you are the least bit interested in science. An incredible, well-written, fast-moving, eye-opening book.
Also, I just found out, The Sixth Extinction has won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction! All the more reason why you should read it! Congratulations, The Sixth Extinction and Elizabeth Kolbert!!!!

Greenglass House

by Kate Milford

Genre: Realistic fiction, with a dash of fantasy mixed in for good measure.
Age group: 10+

Milo's adoptive parents run Greenglass House, an inn for smugglers, and right now it's Milo's winter break. He's looking forward to relaxing and taking it easy for the whole vacation... but then, the doorbell rings. And rings again, and again, and again. Soon the inn is filled with mysterious people, all of whom seem to be hiding things and keeping secrets... secrets that could connect them to Greenglass House. Then Milo meets Meddy, the cook's daughter, and together they decide to piece together the clues and figure out the mysteries their guests have brought to the inn.

First of all, I'd just like to say: I think this is the most beautiful book cover I've ever seen. That house is just amazing. I would LOVE to live in it and be able to explore it. But back to the actual story: The mystery is really interesting. I love the premise and the plot, and I love how each guest has different backstories connecting to the house and different reasons for coming to stay that ultimately weave together to tell a broader story of Greenglass House. (Isn't that an amazing name, too?!) There are plenty of false leads and red herrings, and there are also subplots that add to the story. For example, Milo is adopted, and a subplot of the book is his struggle with imagining an alternate life with his birth parents while not wanting to appear ungrateful to his adoptive parents. This subplot was really excellently written. In the book, Milo and Meddy don't investigate as themselves—the story doesn't follow the typical average-kids-solve-crazy-mystery-and-impress-grown-ups plotline, necessarily—Meddy introduces Milo to an RPG (role-player game) in which you choose the person you want to pretend to be and play as that person. The inclusion of an RPG adds another level of excitement to the book and also sparks more thought in Milo about whether or not he should be pretending to be someone else or whether dreaming about a different life is okay.
Also, the plot twist is AMAZING. I'm telling you, I NEVER saw it coming. Yet it all makes so much sense!!!!!
This book is really quite complex, but it's very well-written and entertaining. A whimsical yet mysterious read.