Two new YA novels

I must admit that I'm neglectful about posting to the book blog and want to correct this flaw!

It's been a while since I've felt so powerfully moved by new YA fiction, but here are two great titles:

Invisible by Pete Hautman; loved it--Doug will capture you with his intensity and heartbreaking story; here's a kid who's obsesssed with a model railroad bridge-building project in his basement, a project that lets him retreat from some harsh realities of school and the rest of the world. Best friend Andy helps to keep him on an even keel while being at the center of a wonderfully crafted mystery that drives the plot forward.

Harmless by Dana Reinhardt; What's wrong with a little white lie? Tell your parents you're going to be doing something that's not true, and don't tell where you're really going--that's what three high school friends do in this story. When they get caught, one lie leads to another and we have the brewing of a crisis. The three girls are convincingly portrayed and there's not a bit of preaching in this fast moving, riveting tale. Read it, and check out Reinhardt's A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life, too, her previous book.