Superman & Supergirl: Maelstrom

Title
Superman & Supergirl: Maelstrom

Library Link

Superman/Supergirl
: maelstrom / Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti, writers ; Phil Noto,
artist and covers ; Phil Noto, Rob Schwager, colorists.
Gray,
Justin.
New York : DC Comics, c2009.

10 Second Review
Superman takes his cousin off planet for some training and Darkseid gets a girlfriend.

Excellent art and a good story.
Accessible enough for new readers with crisp, clean illustrations for longtime readers.

Notes
While new, this book has a nostalgic feel.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Buddha in your Backpack

Title
Buddha in your Backpack

Library Link

Buddha
in your backpack : everyday Buddhism for teens / Franz Metcalf
Metcalf,
Franz.

10 Second Review
This book is designed to introduce Buddhism to teens interested in spirituality. A brief history and key elements are explained as well as the Buddhist response to many conflicts teens might face.

A good resource for teens interested in the subject but it seems a bit heavy for teen readers.

Notes
Includes Buddhist jokes!

Learning Curve
Moderate: Might overwhelm younger readers

Reading Order
N/a

The Amazing Spiderman Election Day

Title
The Amazing Spiderman Election Day

Library Link

The
amazing Spider-Man. Election day / Marc Guggenheim, writer ; John Romita
Jr., Barry Kitson, pencilers ; Klaus Janson, Karl Kesel, Tom Palmer, inkers ;
Dean White, Andres Mossa, colorists ; Virtual Calligraphy's Cory Petit, letterer
Guggenheim,
Marc.

10 Second Review
Lots of questions are answered in this book.
For example, who is the 'Spider-Tracer' Killer?
Who is Menace? Who will win the mayoral election?

A good read with excellent art. Fans will enjoy this series.

Notes
President Obama makes a special appearance.

Learning Curve
Low to Moderate: Some knowledge of Spider-man will help.

Reading Order
N/a

Chicken soup for the teenage soul on love & friendship

Title
Chicken soup for the teenage soul on love & friendship

Library Link

Chicken
soup for the teenage soul on love & friendship / [compiled by] Jack
Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Kimberly Kirberger
Canfield,
Jack, 1944-

10 Second Review
From the libraries summary: "Teen contributors share their thoughts and feelings about breakups, forgiveness, love and kindness, their closest relationships and many other topics."

Teens writing for teens. Most stories are of the inspirational variety and include both poems and short stories. The stories are easy to read and should appeal to the target audience.

Notes
There are a large variety of 'Chicken Soup' books available.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk

Title
Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk

Library Link

Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk / Damon Lindelof, writer ; Leinil Francis Yu, artist
; Dave McCraig, colorist ; Chris Eliopoulos, letters.
Lindelof,
Damon, 1973-
New York : Marvel Publishing Inc., 2009.

10 Second Review
As part of the 'Ultimate' universe, this story takes place outside of the regular Marvel timeline. Wolverine is hired to eliminate the Hulk. Tiny-man make Hulk mad!

A well-illustrated and fun read. Hulk and Wolverine make for a great match but don't be too quick to place your bets.

This book should have wide appeal from new readers to die hard fans.

Notes
Betty Ross plays a surprising role.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Secret Societies

Title
Secret Societies

Library Link

Secret
societies-- and how they affect our lives today / Sylvia Browne
Browne,
Sylvia.

10 Second Review
This book explores many secret societies from the more widely known (Freemasons, Opus Dei and Illuminati) to the more obscure (CFR, The Trilateral Commission and The Priory of Sion).

There is some interesting information in this book however it offers very little supporting evidence.

Notes
Should appeal to fans of The Da Vinci Code

Learning Curve
Moderate: Might be a bit much for younger readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Batman Hush

Title
Batman Hush

Library Link

Hush / Jeph Loeb, writer ; Jim Lee, penciller ; Scott Williams, inker ; Richard
Starkings, letterer ; Alex Sinclair, colorist ; Jim Lee & Scott Williams,
original series covers ; Batman created by Bob Kane
Loeb,
Jeph.

10 Second Review
Batman reunites with some old acquaintances to solve a mystery that manages to challenge the master detective.

Exceptional art by Jim Lee and a story that will surprise even die-hard fans.
Good for those returning to comics. Many Bat-standard villains make an appearance.

Notes
Good for returning fans.

Learning Curve
Low: Should be good for new readers with a basic understanding.

Reading Order
N/a

Ultimate Spy

Title
Ultimate Spy

Library Link

Ultimate
spy / H. Keith Melton ; forewords by Richard Helms and Markus Wolf
Melton,
H. Keith (Harold Keith), 1944-

10 Second Review
This is a cool book that covers some of the most creative eras in spy history. Everything from code-breaking the Enigma machine, to underground spy tunnels, anti-spy kits, secret cameras and pellet-shooting umbrellas are covered.

This book should appeal to spy buffs, history fans and those that enjoy clever solutions to unique problems. Lots and lots of color pictures.

Notes
Most information seems to be from the Cold War era

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
N/a

Oh My Goddess 33

Title
Oh My Goddess 33

Library Link

Oh
my goddess! V 33 / story and art by Kosuke Fujishima ; translation by
Christopher Lewis and Dana Lewis ; lettering and touch-up by Susie Lee and Betty
Dong with Tom2K

10 Second Review
Keiichi and his grease monkey boss decide to build their own motorcycles from the ground up.

Fun and light reading, a good book for those new to manga.

The subject of this book highlights the artist's exceptional technical skills.
Oddly, the art is so well done, it is easy to overlook.

Notes
Urd and Skuld (mischievous sisters) play a very minor role in this book

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
30 plus volumes but they don't necessarily need to be read in order.

A Treasury of Deception

Title
A Treasury of Deception

Library Link

A
treasury of deception : liars, misleaders, hoodwinkers, and the extraordinary
true stories of history's greatest hoaxes, fakes, and frauds Michael
Farquhar.
Farquhar,
Michael.
New York : Penguin, 2005.

10 Second Review
A fun collection of some the world's most outrageous con artists.

From biblical times to the present, this book collects a wide variety of large-scale hoaxes.
Many readers will be surprised at the more recent events.
A good choice for history buffs and conspiracy fans.

Notes
This book is strangely organized for a non-fiction book.

Learning Curve
Moderate: Might be a bit complicated for younger readers

Reading Order
N/a

The Amazing Spider-man Death and Dating

Title
The Amazing Spider-man Death and Dating

Library Link

The
amazing Spider-Man. Death and dating / [writers, Mark Waid, Roger Stern, Dan
Slott ; artists, Marcos Martín, Lee Weeks, Mike McKone] New York : Marvel ;
London : Diamond [distributor], 2009.

10 Second Review
Spidey finds some surprising info on Jackpot, fights Blank Man and helps Harry put out some family fires.

Good art and good stories.
A good read that fans and new readers will enjoy.

Notes
Apparently, no one in the Marvel universe stays dead for long.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
Occurs after Brand New Day

Breathe: Yoga for Teens

Title
Breathe: Yoga for Teens

Library Link

Breathe
: yoga for teens / written by Mary Kaye Chryssicas ; photography by
Angela Coppola.
Chryssicas,
Mary Kaye.
New York, N.Y. : DK Pub., c2007.
1st American ed.

10 Second Review
This book provides the history of yoga, important terms and a large variety of positions/exercises. It also includes techniques for specific ailments or conditions.

This should be a good book for teens that are interested in learning this form of exercise.

Notes
Lots of great images.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Superman Batman: The Search for Kryptonite

Title
Superman Batman: The Search for Kryptonite

Library Link

Superman
Batman : the search for Kryptonite / Michael Green with Mike Johnson,
writers ; Shane Davis, pencils ; Matt "Batt" Banning, inks ; Alex Sinclair
(Chapters 1-5), Pete Pantazis (Chapter 6), colors ; Rob Leigh, letters
Green,
Michael, 1943-

10 Second Review
After a brush with death, Superman decides he should remove all the kryptonite from Earth. Batman decides to help but both are surprised by how much kryptonite there is. Who has it presents another nasty surprise.

Above average art and a good story make this a fun read.

Notes
Toyman gets a dream date.

Learning Curve
Moderate: Those new to Superman might be confused.

Reading Order
N/a

Spooky Texas

Title
Spooky Texas

Library Link

Spooky
Texas : tales of hauntings, strange happenings, and other local lore /
retold by S. E. Schlosser ; illustrated by Paul G. Hoffman.
Schlosser,
S. E.
Guilford, Conn. : Globe Pequot Press, c2008.

10 Second Review
From the back cover:
" Pull up a chair or gather round the campfire and get ready for twenty-five creepy tales of ghostly hauntings, eerie happenings, and other strange occurrences inTexas. From the ghost lights of Marfa and the werewolf of Elroy, to the Devil's brand in the eternal roundup of ElPaso…"

Good for those interested in regional folklore but this book seems more geared towards adults then teens.

Notes
Lots of good illustrations.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Shazam The Monster Society of Evil

Title
Shazam The Monster Society of Evil

Library Link

Shazam!
: the Monster Society of Evil / written & drawn by Jeff Smith ; colored
by Steve Hamaker
Smith,
Jeff, 1960 Feb. 27-

10 Second Review
Jeff Smith brings his own style of art to the Captain Marvel title.
Homeless Billy Batson finds out he has a sister and battles crocodiles, bugs and monsters.

This book seems geared toward younger readers but will likely satisfy older comic fans interested in Captain Marvel.

The art is good with a more 'cartoony' feel then most comics.

Notes
Jeff Smith is best known for the series 'Bone'

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
N/a