New moon by Stephanie Meyer

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Little, Brown and Co., 2006
(Age 12+) More than 6,000 US teens voted Stephanie Meyer's New moon as their top choice for the American Library Association's Teen’s Top 10 so this book is sure to be popular, particularly with girls. It follows Twilight, the first in the series where readers are introduced to Bella, a teenage girl who falls in love with a vampire. In New moon, which could be read as a stand-alone, the reader follows Bella and the dangers she faces having a vampire as her boyfriend. When Edward leaves her, refusing to let her become a vampire, she is left devastated
'like a lost moon – her planet destroyed in some catacysmic, disaster-movie scenario of desolation.'

Deeply depressed, her friendship with Jacob Black, a North American Indian with some supernatural powers of his own, helps her regain some interest in living.

Teens will love the idea of a perfect love like Romeo and Juliet and will relate to the obsessive feelings that Bella has for Edward. They will also revel in the fact that Michael, a normal boy, and Jacob with his strange powers, are also in love with her. Dangerous sports like motorbike riding and jumping off cliffs add a sense of danger, as well as a vengeful vampire who is determined to kill Bella and werewolves who come to her rescue!

A cliff-hanging ending will ensure that the sequel Eclipse will have an eager audience. Teens who enjoy this series could be introduced to Westerfeld's Peeps, which has more action and less angst, and older readers would enjoy Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre.
Pat Pledger

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