Best Companion Books of 2012

Fourteen reasons to read the entire series.

The Drowned Cities (companion to Ship Breaker), by Paolo Bacigalupi, Little Brown, ages 12 and up, 448 pages. After fleeing the war-torn lands of the Drowned Cities, refugees Mahlia and Mouse come across a wounded half-man and Mouse is forcibly recruited by the United Patriot Front.

Scrivener's Moon: Fever Crumb trilogy (Book 3), by Philip Reeve, Scholastic, ages 12 and up, 352 pages. Fever Crumb begins a hunt for ancient technology in the icy strongholds of the north and discovers a pyramid of secrets that will change her world for ever.

A Hero for Wondla: Search for Wondla trilogy (Book 2), by Tony DiTerlizzi, Simon & Schuster, $17.99, ages 10 and up, 464 pages. Rescued by Hailey, the first human boy she's ever seen, Eva Nine travels with Rovender to a utopian human colony New Attica, only to discover Attica's ruler hides sinister secrets.

Son: The Giver Quartet (Book 4), by Lois Lowry, Houghton Mifflin, $17.99, 400 pages.  A 14-year-old birthmother escapes the rigidly controlled Community to search for her son, in the gripping finale to the break-away dystopian series that began with the 1993 Newbery Medal winner The Giver.

The Drowned Vault: Ashtown Burials (Book 2) by N.D. Wilson, Random House, $16.99, ages 8 and up, 464 pages. Almost a year into earning their places in the ancient order of explorers, Cyrus and Antigone Smith are on the run to locate the evil Dr. Phoenix and regain the Dragon's Tooth.

The Far West: Frontier Magic trilogy (Book 3), by Patricia C. Wrede, Scholastic, $17.99, ages 12 and up, 384 pages. "Unlucky" thirteenth child Eff joins twin Ian and best friend William on a dangerous expedition to the Far West, where they encounter strange creatures and try to save the Great Barrier Spell.

The Broken Lands (prequel to The Boneshaker) by Kate Milford, Clarion, $16.99, ages 12 and up, 464 pages. Teenagers Sam, a card shark, and Jin, a fireworks expert in a traveling show, try to protect the five guardians of New York City from evil henchmen.

Under Wildwood: The Wildwood Chronicles (Book 2) by Colin Meloy, Balzer & Bray, illustrated by Carson Ellis, ages 8 and up, 576 pages. Prue is drawn back into Wildwood, where she and her friend Curtis, now in bandit training, go under the magical world to resurrect a ruler and save the Wood.

Shadow Spell: Seven Sorcerers, (Book 2), by Caro King, Simon & Schuster, $15.99, ages 8 and up, 320 pages. As evil Mr. Strood prepares to destroy the Drift, Nin and her friends race to find shape-shifter Simeon Dark, the most powerful sorcerer in the Drift, to stop Strood.

Froi of the Exiles: The Lumatere Chronicles (Book 2), by Melina Marchetta, Candlewick, $18.99, ages 14 and up, 400 pages. Froi is sent to Charyn on a secret mission to assassinate an evil king, and meets a half-mad princess and confronts the truth about his own past.

One Year in Coal Harbor, by Polly Horvath, Schwartz & Wade, $16.99, ages 9 and up, 224 pages. Primrose Squarp, the plucky heroine from the Newbery Honor Book Everything on a Waffle, tries to save what matters to her most, in this charming sequel.

Island of Silence: The Unwanteds (Book 2), by Lisa McMann, Aladdin, $16.99, ages 8 and up, 416 pages. As Artime and Quill enter an uneasy truce, Alex advances his magical talents, his brother plans revenge and two children wash ashore with magical thorns around their throats.

Path of Beasts: Keepers trilogy (Book 3), by Lian Tanner, Delacorte, $17.99, ages 9 and up, 352 pages. Desperate to save the city of Jewel from the Blessed Guardians, Toadspit fights the Fugelman in a duel to the death and Goldie walks the mysterious Beast Road.

Seeds of Rebellion: Beyonders trilogy (Book 2), by Brandon Mull, Aladdin, $19.99, ages 8 and up, 512 pages. As Jason returns to the imperiled world of Lyrian, he and his band of heroes try to rally the last remaining free people to join a revolt against the evil wizard Maldor.