Knopf Delacorte Dell/Random House.

Knopf Delacorte Dell/Random House

1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019

www.randomhouse.com/kids

Lurlene McDaniel's Letting Go Of Lisa (0385731590, $10.95) departs somewhat from her focus on teen diseases and death to tell of one Nathan, who has been homeschooled until high school. On his first day at school he meets the flashy motorcycle loner Lisa, and he finds both romance and danger and a secret she harbors. Sherri L. Smith's Sparrow (0385733240, $15.95) tells of a grandmother's death and Kendall's search for an aunt who is her only remaining link to family. Her journey to her aunt leads instead to new friendships and new meanings of family ties. E.E. Richardson's The Intruders (0385732643, $15.95) tells of Joel, who is looking forward to his new stepfamily. His sister Cassie thinks they're intruders, though and their new home is a neglected mess. When the nightmares begin, even Joel must admit the old home harbors a dangerous secret. Ahmet Zappa's The Monstrous Memoirs Of A Mighty Mcfearless (0375832-874, $12.95) contains vivid, unusual writing, a very different plot revolving around evil monsters and siblings who determine to rescue their kidnaped father, and visuals: doodles, color illustration and more. These are fine embellishments to a compelling story of adventure and rescue. Chris Humphreys' The Fetch (0375832-920, $15.95) is a fine fantasy for older teens in which protagonist Sky discovers relics from his Norwegian grandfather in the attic and unwittingly unlocks the key of the runes, gaining access to his dead grandfather's ghost, who teaches him the glory and dangers of sending his 'fetch' into other bodies. Trouble evolves when a blood sacrifice is called for. Ariel and Joaquin Dorfman's Burning City (0375832-041, $7.95) is set in 2001 in New York City. A young bicycle messenger finds new paths open in his life including romance in a tale that comes steeped in New York's culture and atmosphere. All are fine leisure choices. Barbara Park's Junie B. is back in Junie B., First Grader: Aloha-HaHa! (0375834036, $11.95), On Junie's family's Hawaiian vacation she is given a real camera so she can keep a photo journal of her trip but some aspects of the trip just can't be captured on film as a series of hilarious disasters beset Junie and clan. Gary Paulsen's The Amazing Life Of Birds (The 20-day Puberty Journal Of Duane Homer Leech) (0385746601, $13.95) tells of one Duane Homer Leech, a pre-teen boy who is just discovering that girls aren't all bad. His lively daily journal recounts his transition time in a series of vignettes both funny and realistic. Steven Banks' King Of The Creeps (0375832912, $15.95) tells of a teen undersized nerd with a big nose, glasses and ego problems. He deems himself unlikely to every have a girlfriend until he meets Angelina, after his new guitar is stolen, and finds looks don't count for everything in romance.