THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION: Nancy Farmer. Grades 7 and up.

Matt is a clone of the chief drug lord in the country Opium, a man still alive because of harvested body parts. While international law says clones must have their brains destroyed at birth, Matt is educated and lives a life of privilege. Can he escape the harvest?

THE ORACLE PROPHECIES: THE ORACLE BETRAYED. THE SPHERE OF SECRETS: DAY OF THE SCARAB. Catherine Fisher. Grades 6-12.

In "The Oracle Betrayed," Mirany is the newest priestess, and yet the Oracle has told her the God is betrayed. She must seek out the true incarnation of the God.

In "The Sphere of Secrets," Alexos, the 10-year-old boy who is the God of the Oracle, is on a quest of atonement to bring water back to their parched land.

"Day of the Scarab" is a satisfying conclusion to an unusual fantasy with fabulous characters and an intriguing world..

THE GOOSE GIRL, ENNA BURNING, RIVER SECRETS: Shannon Hale. Grade 6 and up.

Three related novels have their start in the Grimm's fairytale, "The Goose Girl." The crown princess of Kildenree has her identity stolen by her lady-in-waiting. The princess works as a goose girl until she can regain her rightful position. The second and third books are original stories, the main characters friends of the princess. All can stand alone but why miss reading all three?

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME: Mark Haddon. High school and up.

Christopher, a 15-year-old with autism, investigates a dog's violent death. Christopher relates his perceptions of everyday life in harsh language, but he reveals an unforgettable view of the world.

THE FIRST PART LAST: Angela Johnson. High school.

The book begins with teen Bobby's struggles to care for his newborn, then tells us how he came to be a single parent. A parallel book for younger readers is Heaven (1999).

AN INNOCENT SOLDIER: Josef Holub. Translated by Michael Hoffman. Grades 7 and up.

Napoleon's disastrous Russian campaign is seen through the eyes of one of its most insignificant soldiers. Adam comes to serve an aristocratic lieutenant, and they help one another survive amid inconceivable hardship and against terrible odds.

BLACK JUICE: Margo Lanagan. High school and up.