True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt - 2014

True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
326p.


Summary: Twelve-year-old Chap Brayburn, ancient Sugar Man, and his raccoon-brother Swamp Scouts Bingo and J'miah try to save Bayou Tourterelle from feral pigs Clydine and Buzzie, greedy Sunny Boy Beaucoup, and world-class alligator wrestler and would-be land developer Jaeger Stitch.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Scholastic Press
2011
396p.


When a plane crash strands thirteen teen beauty contestants on a mysterious island, they struggle to survive, to get along with one another, to combat the island's other diabolical occupants, and to learn their dance numbers in case they are rescued in time for the competition.

Sidekicks by Jack Ferraiolo

Sidekicks by Jack Ferraiolo
Amulet Books
2011
309p.

"Batman has Robin, Wonder Woman has Wonder Girl, and Phantom Justice has Bright Boy, a.k.a. Scott Hutchinson, an ordinary dude by day and a superfast, superstrong sidekick by night, fighting loyally next to his hero...despite his doubts about the social benefits of wearing yellow tights. After an embarrassing incident involving said tights and the revelation that his lifelong nemesis, supervillain sidekick Monkeywrench, might be one of the most popular kids at his school, Scott begins to question his role. How long can he stay on the sidelines and still hope to have a life?"--Dust cover flap.

You Killed Wesley Payne by Sean Beaudoin

You Killed Wesley Payne by Sean Beaudoin
Little, Brown
2011
359p.

When hard-boiled, seventeen-year-old private investigator Dalton Rev transfers to Salt River High to solve the case of a dead student, he has his hands full trying to outwit the police, negotiate the school's social hierarchy, and get paid.

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt
Clarion
2011
360p


As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends, an abusive father, and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him until he finds an ally in Lil Spicer--a fiery young lady. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates of John James Audubon's birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage.