CA Library Book Club

The New and Improved Vivien Leigh Reid: Diva in Control by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout

The further adventures of Vivien Leigh Reid, teen actress.

All right, so she blew it! The last time she was in front of the camera, she acted like a total diva and ended up losing the gig. But now the new and improved Vivien Leigh Reid is back in L.A. for Thanksgiving and determined to make it right. While helping her mother plan for her wedding, Leigh unexpectedly lands a featured role in a new television series, and this time she is going to keep her inner diva in control.

It may not be easy as she hoped, though. The all-male cast of Freak Force, an action-adventure series about superhumanoids, isn’t exactly thrilled to have a girl on board. Add that to the demands of her mother, who is quickly turning into Bridezilla, and a wicked soon-to-be stepsister, and Leigh’s newfound cool may really be put to the test.

“Fans of Meg Cabot’s “The Princess Diaries” series will enjoy the inside look at life among the famous and identify with Leigh’s romantic travails.” — School Library Journal review

earthgirl by Jennifer Cowan

This post is related to the recent announcement that Canandaigua Academy recently received a grant to fund the installation of wind turbine.

This unusual novel written partly in blog format (complete with comments posted by the earthgirl’s followers and detractors) takes the cutting-edge form of an online confessional. The story follows the eco-evolution of 16-year-old Sabine Solomon. When she’s blindsided by a driver whose thrown-out McDonald’s leftovers leave her covered in plum sauce, Sabine throws the garbage back, causing a clash that’s captured on her friends’ videophones. Quickly the footage is shown on YouTube, and Sabine finds herself at the center of a heated eco-debate.

Inspired to greater global consciousness, she goes to work for an organic food co-op and meets charismatic, idealistic eco-warrior Vray Forest. Mesmerized, she vows to change her life and influence others, much to the dismay of her meat-eating family and shopaholic friends. But when Vray’s activism takes a dark turn, Sabine must face some difficult decisions.

Jennifer Cowan’s first book presents an endearing, funny, modern heroine — at once smart, curious, self-mocking, and self-righteous — whose story riffs on universal teen dilemmas of peer pressure, first love, and trying to do the right thing.

“Extremely well researched and full of additional Web site links to further information, Earthgirl is something of a fiction to nonfiction crossover and is a wonderful read for any aspiring or devoted activist.” — School Library Journal reviews

Rough and Tumble by Mark Bavaro

A riveting debut novel of a season in the life of a professional football player—written by one of the NFL’s best tight ends of all time.

Dominic Fucillo is a tight end for the surging New York Giants. Rebellious, ferociously angry, deeply religious and fighting injuries and a crumbling love life that would bring the average man to his knees, Dom is a veteran player who is having the toughest season of his career at a time when his team can do nothing wrong–or so it seems.

Because behind the big wins, a major scandal is brewing. The team’s star linebacker has always lived on the edge and enjoyed the nightlife more than he should. But when he’s found beaten nearly to death in the stadium parking lot, it’s clear he’s gotten himself into more than even he bargained for, and it’s something that threatens to tear himself and his team’s promising season apart.

Inspired by his years shedding blood and sweat playing professional football, Rough and Tumble is Mark Bavaro’s novel about the brutal world of the NFL—and a classic sports story of one man’s determination and grit.

“[T]he football scenes are dramatic and gripping, and the insider knowledge will fascinate fans.” — School Library Journal Review

Ruby Unscripted by Cindy Martinusen-Coloma.

Small-town girl Ruby Madden has moved to Marin County, California; home of high-dollar homes and green living. The girls wear shoes that cost more than her entire paycheck at the Underground Coffeehouse & Theater, and the students are well-traveled and full of life experiences that Ruby can only dream of.

All the stresses of adjusting to her new life have put a strain on her ability to trust God. Yet when mysterious and eye-catching Kaden invites Ruby to join the school’s film group, the puzzle pieces start to fit. Her love of art finds perfect expression and the film friends seem to really get her. When a major Hollywood director hosts an amateur film contest, Ruby and her friends are stoked.

But Ruby’s old life is tugging her backward and her frantic balancing act throws her new life totally off track. To top things off, Ruby makes a mistake that could cost her the chance of a lifetime. Life would be so much easier if Ruby just had a script to follow with a happy ending guaranteed. But what’s the fun in that?

“Ruby’s family has a strong connection to their Christian faith and she tries to understand God’s purpose for her life as she navigates even more difficulties with new family members and new friends.” — Kirkus Reviews

Horowitz Horror: Stories You’ll Wish You Never Read by Anthony Horowitz

Welcome to a world where everything seems normal. At least, at first. But the sinister and truly terrifying lurk just beneath the surface. Like a bathtub with a history so haunted, no one dares get in it. . . or an ordinary-looking camera that does unspeakable things to its subjects. . .or a mysterious computer game that has terrible consequences if you lose. . . .

From the creator of the blockbuster Alex Rider Adventures and The Diamond Brothers Mysteries, Horowitz Horror is a wicked collection of macabre tales sure to send shivers up your spine.