Pikes Peak Library District

Monsterology : fabulous lives of the creepy, the revolting, and the undead by Arthur Slade

Have you ever wondered if your parents are vampires? Or if your teacher is a witch? Listen to this booktalk by Jessica Friesema for more fabulous details about this book.

The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex

Alien invasion! And then another alien invasion! Booktalk by Kristen Baldwin.

Right Behind You by Gail Giles

When he was 9 years old, he lit a 7 year old on fire. Booktalk by Kristen Baldwin.

Stand Tall by Joan Bauer

Size matters, but six-foot-three seventh grader Tree needs convincing. Booktalk by Susi Bonato.

Organized Crime by Josh Wilker

Recounts the history of organized crime from the Cosa Nostra to Al Capone to recent global criminal organizations. Booktalk by Rob Culbert

The Fashion Disaster that Changed My Life by Lauren Myracle

“Me and my mom’s underwear, exposed to the world in all our freaking glory!” Booktalk by Tara Cannon

If I Have a Wicked Stepmother Where’s My Prince by Melissa Kantor

I have a wicked stepmother and two evil stepsisters. But I think my prince might actually be a frog! Life is so unfair! Booktalk by Susi Bonato

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Coraline was bored of everything until everything changed in a very creeped-out way. Now, she wishes she could just be bored again. Booktalk by Rob Culbert.

One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones

Life is so unfair. She’s sent to live with her loser dad after her mother’s death. But life will never be the same since her dad is actually a very famous movie star… Booktalk by Jill Jarrell

Being Dead by Vivian Vande Velde

Stories about the dead and those who would rather not be dead. Booktalk by Jessica Friesema.

Afterlife by Gary Soto

“I closed my eyes. When I opened them a minute later, I was dead.” Booktalk by Jill Jarrell.

Arrival by Shaun Tan

The arrival of a stranger in a strange land filled with strange things. A story told only in pictures. Booktalk by Kristen Baldwin.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Colin has had 19 girlfriends. All of them were named Katherine and each and every one of them dumped him. So, really, Colin has been dumped by 19 Katherines. Why are the Katherines of the world out to get him? Booktalk by Tara Cannon.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Isolated from friends who believe the worst because she has not been truthful with them, sixteen-year-old Annabel finds an ally in classmate Owen, whose honesty and passion for music help her to face and share what really happened at the end-of-the-year party that changed her life. Booktalk by Susi Bonato.

Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman

Fourteen-year-old Shawn McDaniel, who suffers from severe cerebral palsy and cannot function, relates his perceptions of his life, his family, and his condition, especially as he believes his father is planning to kill him. Booktalk by Jill Jarrell.

Listen Now:

How to Survive a Robot Uprising by Daniel Wilson

Tips on defending yourself in the coming mechanical rebellion. Booktalk by Kristen Baldwin.

About Among the Free by Margaret Peterson Haddix

When thirteen-year-old Luke Garner unwittingly sets off a rebellion which sweeps the country and ousts the Population Police from power, he quickly realizes that the new regime is corrupt and he may hold the only key to true freedom. Booktalk by Susi Bonato.

All Pikes Peak Reads 2009 theme music

The University of Chicago, conducted by Barbara Schubert, performs Richard Strauss’ ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’ in the 2000 Cathy Heifetz Memorial Concert.