Summer is around the corner, and that means lots of activities and vacation plans for families.

Somehow, though, summer has a way of making us lazy. We don't get to that big project, the weeds grow, the time slows. And then there are the road trips, hundreds of miles around the state or nation with not too much to do, except read. Here are some new titles for teens to while away those long summer days and miles.

For the middle school set, several good novels stand out. In "Anahita's Woven Riddle" by Meghan Nuttall Sayres, a Persian girl with three suitors gets permission from her father and a holy man to weave a riddle into her wedding rug. Only the smartest, wisest suitor will be able to solve this riddle and ensure a happy marriage, but circumstances may force her hand.

Kenneth Oppel continues the swashbuckling story of Airborn with "Skybreaker," in which young pilots-in-training Matt and Kate team up with a gypsy and a reckless captain to find a long-lost airship rumored to carry treasure beyond imagining.

Alice Hoffman's newest book "Incantation" tells the story of Estrella and Catalina, two friends living during the bloody Spanish inquisition. Estrella's family must hide something about themselves, and Catalina may not be the most trustworthy friend.

In Peter Abraham's novel "Down the Rabbit Hole," a young fan of Sherlock Holmes is confronted with the murder of the town outcast, and only she can solve the mystery.

John Smelcer's book "The Trap" tells the story of a young Indian and his grandfather, who has been caught by his own steel trap on a hunting trip. Will Johnny be able to save his grandfather, even though he doesn't know what happened, or where the old man is lying?

For the high school student looking for something good to read, try these titles.

Romance is in the nightclub air in Rachel Cohn's latest, "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," in which Nick asks Norah to be his girlfriend for just five minutes while his ex dances close by. One kiss later, their long night's adventure begins.

Walter Dean Myers tries his hand at a verse novel called "Street Love," which follows two Harlem teens as they find themselves in love, despite their parents' wishes.

Last year, M. T. Anderson wrote "The Pox Party," the first of two books that follow the life of young Octavian Nothing, an African prince raised in a university near Boston in the 1760s. Octavian lives the good life until the pressure of the oncoming Revolution turns the world of his benefactors upside down, with terrible consequences for him and his mother.

Sharon Draper's latest book, "Copper Sun," follows two teen girls, one a slave, the other an indentured servant, as they escape a brutal plantation and make their way to a Florida sanctuary for runaway slaves.

Nancy Werlin has written "The Rules of Survival," in which an older teen recounts his attempts to protect himself and his younger sisters from their unpredictable, psychotic mother.

John Green's book "An Abundance of Katherines" tells Colin's story of being dumped 19 times by different girls, all named Katherine. Only a road trip with a buddy can help him sort out his love life.

Your local library should have any or all of these books ready for you to take on your next road trip. Ask a librarian for help,

Wally Bubelis is the teen services librarian at the West Seattle Library and can be reached at 684-7444.