The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore

I believe this was the only book I hadn't read of Clement-Moore's, and it was worth the wait.

Sylvie can't believe her life's ambition is over--a severly broken leg means she'll never dance again.  Life might as well be over too as her mom and new step-dad ship her off to stay in Alabama while they're on their honeymoon.  Convinced she's having a spychotic break, they want someone to watch her all the time.

Can Sylvie help the fact she can see ghosts?  As she settles into life at Bluestone Hill, the strange occurrences keep happening, convincing her that maybe she is crazy.  A baby's wail at night, the cold pockets on the landing, and a blur of clothing out of the corner of her eye convince her something is happening.  When the rivers rise and threaten to flood the town, she may be the only one to stop the supernatural catastrophe behind it all.

Once again, Clement-Moore creates a world of magic and wonder.  I was reminded of Marion Zimmer-Bradley's work while I was reading this.  A definite pageturner.

Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan

The events of Sept 11th changed things forever.  For New Yorkers Claire, Jasper, and Peter, things will never be the same.  Claire, when the first tower is hit, only thinks of her mom and younger brother.  They aren't allowed to go home, and for Claire, the whole event has changed how see sees things.

Jasper sleeps through the whole attack.  He's hungover and unsure of what's going on.  He does know it's big--and he can't get away from it.

Peter actually sees everything and he feels it keenly.  He was suppose to go on a date with Jasper that evening and he goes to school with Claire.

As these three are drawn together by what has happened, Levithan provides a perspective of what being in NYC during and after 9/11 was like.

A moving and short book.  Claire is the most developed, or at least the one I liked the most.  Told from all 3 viewpoints.

Rush by Jonathan Friesen

Jake has a compulsion to take risks. It clears his mind and frees him to think. He's always doing stunts and risking his life for the rush and thrill.

The only other risk/thrill Jake has is Salmone. She clears his mind the same way. They have strong feelings for each other, but Jake keeps her at a distance. Anyone too close to him ends up getting hurt.

Then Jake pulls a stunt that gets him expelled from school. His dad pulls strings and gets him into the forest firefighters' ring--one of the riskiest jobs around.

Jake is pumped--until everything he's ever cared about is put on the line.

Fast-paced and full of action. Jake is an interesting character and his need for thrills fuels this story. Lots of things happen here and it's all exciting. Ending wraps up almost everything.