In my mailbox was started by The Story Siren and is a list of what you received in books over the past week either through the mail, library, or a bookstore.

The received:

Book: Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Release date: July 14, 2009 from Atria

Summary: Some bonds can never be broken…

Addie Downs and Valerie Adler will be best friends forever. That’s what Addie believes after Valerie moves across the street when they’re both nine years old. But in the wake of betrayal during their teenage years, Val is swept into the popular crowd, while mousy, sullen Addie becomes her school’s scapegoat.

Flash-forward fifteen years. Valerie Adler has found a measure of fame and fortune working as the weathergirl at the local TV station. Addie Downs lives alone in her parents’ house in their small hometown of Pleasant Ridge, Illinois, caring for a troubled brother and trying to meet Prince Charming on the Internet. She’s just returned from Bad Date #6 when she opens her door to find her long-gone best friend standing there, a terrified look on her face and blood on the sleeve of her coat. “Something horrible has happened,” Val tells Addie, “and you’re the only one who can help.”

Best Friends Forever is a grand, hilarious, edge-of-your-seat adventure; a story about betrayal and loyalty, family history and small-town secrets. It’s about living through tragedy, finding love where you least expect it, and the ties that keep best friends together.

This is an adult book but I might review it. It seems like it might fit for young adults too because of the whole friends thing. It looks good anyway!

Book: Daughters of the Sea: Hannah by Kathryn Lasky

Release date: September 1, 2009 from Scholastic

Summary: Daughters of the Sea tells the story of 3 mermaid sisters who are separated at birth by a storm and go on to lead three very different lives. Book 1 is about Hannah, who spent her early days in an orphanage and is now a scullery maid in the house of rich, powerful family. She is irresistibly drawn to the sea and through a series of accidents and encounters discovers her true identity. Hannah relizes that she must keep the truth a secret but she also knows that soon she will have to make the choice – to be a creature of the land or the sea.

This one was a surprise but it sounds good. I think it is meant for middle grade kids but I will read it anyway and see how it goes. I believe it is going to be the first in a new series.

Book: Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman

Release date: February 1, 2009 from Scholastic

Summary: Strange things are happening in Skeleton Creek . . . and Ryan and Sarah are trying to get to the heart of it. But after an eerie accident leaves Ryan housebound and forbidden to see Sarah, their investigation takes two tracks: Ryan records everything in his journal, while Sarah uses her videocam to search things out. . .and then email the clips for Ryan to see.

In a new, groundbreaking format, the story is broken into two parts — Ryan’s text in the book, and Sarah’s videos on a special website, with links and passwords given throughout the book.

Book: Ghost In The Machine by Patrick Carman

Release date: October 1, 2009 from Scholastic

Summary: trange things are happening in Skeleton Creek…and Ryan and Sarah are trying to find out why. Ryan writes down everything in his journal, and Sarah records everything on her videocam. The two move deeper into the mystery they’ve uncovered, determined to discover the secrets buried in Skeleton Creek, in the conclusion to Patrick Carman’s thrilling series.

In this groundbreaking format, the story is broken into two parts — Ryan’s text in the book, and Sarah’s videos on a special website, with links and passwords given throughout the book.

Both of the Skeleton Creek books came together in a surprise package. They definitely seem different but that isn’t always a bad thing. Hopefully the different format might interest some other kids who don’t necessarily like to read.

The bought:
The Devouring by Simon Holt
Ghost Huntress: The Awakening by Marley Gibson

So, that is my mailbox and I got some good books. What did you get in your mailbox this week?