Somehow the technology news of today sounds a lot like the science fiction of not too many years ago.  Pick up any of these titles and you will see authors telling of a future where we can control technology just by thinking about it.  Read the full article in the New York Times to see what is now possible and what will soon be possible.  Read these books to see how some authors thought major advances in technology could affect society.

When a monster shows up it is not the monster that Conor expected.  He has been seeing another monster in his dreams since his mother started cancer treatments.  The other monster would have been expected, but this monster wants Conor to face the truth.  Will he be brave enough to see the truth that lies within himself and the truth he doesn't want to face? 

A Monster Calls  by Patrick Ness is not a traditional monster story.  It is not about werewolves,  or vampires, or or other freakish creatures who scare us in movies.  It is about the monsters that can consume us from the inside out when we least expect it.  It is about a boy dealing with life when life seems like it is out of control.  It is a book about coming to terms with loss inspired by the idea an author (Siobhan Dowd) who died from cancer before she could bring her idea to life.

For more reviews check out Good Reads.

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt tells the story of Doug Swieteck, a junior high boy trying to find his place in a new town.  Doug has so many obstacles to overcome: a father who is abusive, a brother who is a bully, and a new town where most people assume he is just like them.  Listen to the author read from a portion of this book to get a glimpse into this story that manages to be both heart-breaking and heart-lifting.

Read more reviews at Good Reads.

Cassia has just turned 17 and in the Society, that means one thing: it is time for her to be Matched, to complete the ceremony in which she will learn whom she will marry. Everything should be perfect, but somehow a glitch has occurred. Cassia sees more than one person as her Match. Will she stay with the person the Officials say is her perfect Match, or open her heart to the possibility of loving someone else? Someone forbidden? Her Grandfather told her to be open to possibility, but in the Society, such a rule can never be broken. Fans of dystopian fiction such as The Hunger Games and The Giver will enjoy Matched and its sequel, Crossed.

Check out the new programs happening at The Santa Clarita Public Library this fall!

Ongoing programs include the Teen Advisory Board, Book Discussion Group at Barnes and Noble, Anime Club, and Video Game Club!

October 14-: Teen Read Week, at all libraries! "It Came From the Library!" Zombie Crafts! Vote on Horror Characters! Haunted Harvest Scary Makeup at Newhall, Oct 18th (5-6:30!)

November, all month: NaNoWriMo- Old Town Newhall Library, Wednesdays (4-5:45)

Watch the movie Smoke Signals at Valencia Library on Nov. 18th (2-3:45) to celebrate Native American Heritage Month!

Looking for a little adventure with a touch of mystery this summer?  Tangerine by Edward Bloor may be the book for you.  Watch the trailer below to find out more about the book or check out the review at Goodreads.com

Looking for a modern fairy tale with a supernatural twist? Entwined by Heather Dixon may be the book for you. Entwined tells the story of Azalea and her sisters, princesses trapped in mourning after the death of their mother. Their only escape are their dances in the silver forrest once their father has gone to sleep. Little do the sisters realize that there is more to the forrest and their host, Keeper, than they were first lead to believe. It will be up to Azalea, her sisters, and the gentlemen who admire them to find the courage to escape Keeper's web of secrets.

So your mom said you had to read two books this summer . . .
Yes, it's true.  La Mesa's teachers recommend that you read at least two books this summer.  But the good news is . . . you can read any two books that interest you!  If the books are on La Mesa's AR list, you can take the quizzes with you English teacher when school starts. 

Not sure what to read?  Check out the book trailer below for the exciting Pendragon series.  With ten books in the series you won't run out of things to read!

Check back over the summer for more top pick summer book trailers.