Trip wire / Steve Cole and Chris Hunter

To be a (fictional) teenage operative, you need to be alone in the world - Felix Smith is no exception to this rule, and he's the perfect fit for the job. This is a terrorist-busting action packed story with a big emphasis on bomb disposal in tricky situations. It's chocka block with  technical detail (after all, one of the authors is a bomb-disposal expert!) but the glossary is there to help you make sense of it all. Felix survives his first hair-raising, fingernail-biting missions, all ready for the next book ...

Who would enjoy this?
If you are a fan of the Alex Rider or Cherub series then you'll feel right at home with this one.

Shark girl / Kelly Bingham

It's a double whammy for Jane Arrowood when she loses her arm in a shark attack. Not only does she have to cope with the trauma of the whole event and the hideous publicity that goes with it, but it's goodbye to the future she'd planned as an artist. This is a story about accepting change and learning to appreciate what you have instead of what you've lost. Written in verse, it's a can't- put-it-down read.

Who would enjoy this?
Anyone who appreciates a good story, especially one that challenges you to think about what it would be like if it was you.

Marrying Ameera / Rosanne Hawke

Make sure you have finished doing everything else before you start reading this book. It's so engrossing that you'll want to read it in one go! Ameera is an Australian teenager who ends up in Kashmir married against her will. This is a story that brings you face to face with what happens when other people think they have the right to decide your future. It also gets you thinking about the difference between culture and religion. Don't worry about Ameera though, she's  brave and resourceful.

Who would enjoy this?
Readers who are interested in finding out about other cultures and would be challenged by the idea - what if it was me?

The hunger games / Suzanne Collins

This is one of the most amazing books I have ever read. Sort of like a reality TV show, with the prize being unimaginable riches for the winner. Trouble is, all the other candidates have to die (or be killed by other participants) for there to be a winner!

Who would enjoy this?
Anyone who likes a gripping story and who likes to think about what happen if civilisation as we know it suffers catastrophe.

Gimme a call / Sarah Mlynowski

Imagine your future self being able to communicate with your current self - think of all those embarrassing moments and bad decisions that could be prevented. Devi, the main character in this book, is in that position. Amazingly, her malfunctioning cellphone allows her to do this. If you can suspend your disbelief for a moment, this is an entertaining story about choices and consequences.

Who would enjoy this?
Readers who want to be entertained and challenged  by a time conundrum.

I am number four / Pittacus Lore

Aliens! Special powers! A beautiful girl! Life on the run! All of these elements make this a book to revel in. I couldn't put it down - have you tried cleaning your teeth while reading? This is such an original book! It leaves you wondering whether there really are other races out there, just looking for a chance to take over the earth.

Who would enjoy this?

Those who like adventure, excitement and a bit of a brain workout.

Artichoke's heart / Suzanne Supplee

I really identified with Rosie, who is fat and miserable but hates the way even her family define her by her size and eating habits. I loved the way she found her own way to deal with her weight problem and fought her way into accepting herself despite the horrible insults she constantly had to put up with at school. Thumbs up for the ending which was realistic and satisfying at the same time.

Who would enjoy this?
Anyone who likes books with characters you would like to have as your own friends, and who likes to finish a book wishing it would go on and on.

Glimmerglass / Jenna Black

This story convinces you that it is possible that the ordinary, everyday world and the magical world of Faerie co-exist. In fact, you'll be wanting to book your ticket to Avalon (in England) where the two worlds come together. Dana, the heroine goes to Avalon to find her father. She is someone you can really relate to with all of the usual teenage hassles to deal with. However, this being book one of the 'Faeriewalker' series, it looks like she has some fantastic adventures ahead, and some special abilities to help her along the way.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who is is a little weary of vampires and the like, but who is still keen to consider the magical possiblilites of the big wide world we live in.

Graffiti Moon / Cath Crowley

What a fantastic story! Art, poetry and relationship blunders and tangles that will make you laugh out loud. Lucy is determined to meet the elusive Shadow; she's convinced (from seeing his graffiti) that they'll really connect. This is a story with believable characters, interesting friendships and some poetry you'd wish you'd written yourself.

Who would enjoy this?  Anyone who has a good sense of humour and appreciates that (some) graffiti is fantastic art.