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The police write off George's death as an accident, but Eva believes it is murder, and she is determined to solve it. The book explores issues of race, power, class, equity, and colonialism in a way that deftly connects a focus on social justice to a suspenseful plot twist in this well-paced mystery. While Owen is a human young man who grew up seeing his artistic parents struggle to make ends meet, the handsome Zarmenus is a demon and a literal prince of Hell, here on the world's first interdimensional exchange program. Gr 9 Up—Horne's sophomore YA novel has echoes of a queer Heathers, but with social annihilation rather than actual murder.
Middle School
Gr 7 Up—A delightful reboot of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. Told in then and now chapters, alternating among the four March sisters, this modern reimagining spins the original in a new direction: what if Beth didn't just die? What if Beth was murdered? As the story opens, Dad has violated the four girls' privacy by writing a book about them, and they are furious. His story has really gotten traction—they now have a viral following, and even Teen Vogue is looking for an interview. Fingers are quickly pointing as it's soon revealed that Beth really is dead. The characters are richly recreated, and even many of the secondary characters mirror the original work. The romance and intrigue are timeless. The cast is presumed white. This story stands on its own, but readers may find themselves lured to pursue the original. VERDICT A clever reboot, well imagined and well executed.—Leah Krippner
Gr 7 Up—Winnie has been told her whole life that she and her sisters are descended from the gods, specifically Persephone, Queen of the Underworld and Goddess of Spring. Each of the Farthing girls has a gift: Clara can paint, Evelyn can play the piano, Bernadette can write, and Winnie has the gift of seeing ghosts. The sisters were born two years apart, and they have spent their lives in their family's inherited brownstone. The dwelling just so happens to come with its very own ghost, Henry, whom all the sisters can see. Soon it becomes clear that Evelyn has no intention of ever leaving their house—she has fallen in love with Henry and wants to devote her life to the undead boy. After some worrying developments, Winnie discovers that not only does she have the power to see spirits, but she can also banish them to the Underworld. This newfound power sets in motion events that may or may not usher in the end of the world—or at least New York City. While the story is often slow and meandering, readers get to visit museums and other locations around the city with the sisters. The story is reminiscent of the 1990s TV drama Charmed and movie Practical Magic, which the author fully embraces, as the girls watch the film together in a cozy domestic scene. VERDICT Purchase where magical realism, sister dramas, and stories set in New York City or other urban settings do well.—Sara Brunkhorst
High School
Gr 8 Up—A vividly imagined and unsettling world, where dread crawls across each page before coming to a chilling conclusion. No one ever leaves Wispy Falls. The woods mostly protect the town from the horrors that lurk beyond the forest's edge. And when they don't? The Facility protects people—or so they say. Even so, people still go missing, including Storymancer's younger brother. He is determined to find him. But there are worse things than cryptids and monsters in Wispy Falls, and Storymancer will have to survive them all to get the answers he's looking for. This epistolary novel unfolds through video transcripts, chat logs, and emails. What starts as a tale of a boy trying to uncover what happened to his brother morphs into something else altogether. The twists and turns of this tale are satisfying and disturbing. The heart-pounding conclusion will leave readers horrified and content in equal measure, as Chupeco draws together all the threads of the story—all the red herrings, breadcrumbs, and details that seemed insignificant at the time, culminating in an ending that will send readers back to the beginning just to appreciate the clues the author planted from the start. VERDICT Horror fans will devour this book.—Ness Shortley
Gr 8 Up—Seventeen-year-old working-class, biracial teen Eva has wanted to study English at Oxford University her whole life. She and her boyfriend George both make it to interview week as state school students, and she is excited to spend the week at Beecham College and meet Professor Bernard, who does groundbreaking work on campus diversity programs. When Eva finds George's body at the foot of the controversial statue that sits on the campus quad, her dreams turn into a nightmare. The police write off George's death as an accident, but Eva believes it is murder, and she is determined to solve it. As she digs deeper into George's death, she uncovers secrets about him and Oxford that powerful people would rather remain buried. With the help of some of the other interviewees and her detective father, Eva unravels the mysteries of the school she longs to attend. The book explores issues of race, power, class, equity, and colonialism in a way that deftly connects a focus on social justice to a suspenseful plot twist in this well-paced mystery. VERDICT Readers who love Holly Jackson, Karen McManus, and E. Lockhart will find this book a difficult one to put down.—Rebekah Buchanan
Gr 9 Up—This queer paranormal rom-com is one to watch. Owen and Zarmenus are college roommates who couldn't be more different from one another. While Owen is a human young man who grew up seeing his artistic parents struggle to make ends meet, the handsome Zarmenus is a demon and a literal prince of Hell, here on the world's first interdimensional exchange program. In this story, Hell is an alternate dimension accessible through a portal, not a world of nightmares where humans are punished for eternity. Currently, Hell is dealing with a PR problem, so the relationship between Zarmenus and Owen is under a microscope from the dean and the rest of the world. The kind of conflict to be expected between dissimilar people living together is omnipresent: Owen is a virgin who's never been kissed and believes in cleanliness and order, while Zarmenus is a huge slob who is confident, experienced, and no stranger to hook-up culture. A public fight leads to Zarmenus dragging Owen into a fake dating scheme to appease his parents. When the fake dating leads to real feelings, the chemistry is delightful. The character details make this story exceptional. VERDICT A highly recommended cozy read. Hand this one to fans of Aiden Thomas and Becky Albertalli.—Meghan Sanford
Gr 10 Up—When 18-year-old Pryce Cummings asks his professor if he can make a podcast on his hometown's "Trojan murders," he doesn't know what he's getting into. The murders took place five years prior, when four high school football legends were brutally killed by a masked assailant. Returning to his hometown for the summer after his freshman year of college, Pryce researches the podcast and finds evidence that the assumed killer, Deuce, may not be guilty. Pryce gets help from Deuce's former boyfriend, Izzy, and they uncover more evidence that the killer has not yet been found. This is a true crime thriller that will keep readers guessing. The podcast theme is appealing, as the fast-paced mystery reveals layers of evidence that point to the killer. Topics of sexual abuse, rape, racism, and homosexuality are addressed in this book. VERDICT A well-constructed thriller for mature teens that will keep readers continuously guessing.—Nancy Hawkins
Gr 9 Up—Horne's sophomore YA novel has echoes of a queer Heathers, but with social annihilation rather than actual murder. Despite their wealth and privilege, Stella and Freddie are so sick of being nobodies that they decide to "get hot" to rule the school. This conveniently includes getting revenge on the current queen, their former middle school bestie Levi, who no longer acknowledges their existence. But as Stella's plan becomes increasingly ruthless, targeting innocent bystanders, Freddie realizes she's out of her depth. She needs Levi's help to stop Stella, but Freddie is not sure if she can spend time with Levi and ignore the enormous crush she's had on her since day one. This book is compelling and funny. Freddie is an appealing narrator, and while readers may not agree with all her decisions, the social pressure Horne realistically depicts makes them understandable. The book sharply observes rich girl culture and parental neglect: "What we are is bored and unsupervised. That's what leads to all the rest of it: The ability to do whatever we want without someone watching over our shoulder." They frankly acknowledge that consequences are for others. It adeptly portrays the blurry line between obsessive friendships and romantic feelings, the tricky relationship dynamics that accompany the complications of crushes and shifting loyalties. There is a range of queer representation, while the characters' races are not mentioned. Readers will want to see just how low Stella will stoop and if Freddie will stand up to her and get the girl. VERDICT A propulsive, entertaining read about wealthy teenagers behaving badly and trying to survive high school and friendships.—Grace Pickering
Gr 9 Up—A dual point-of-view novel that takes place in 12 hours on New Year's Day. Readers follow cousins Andy (Andrea) and Dominique (Dom) Cole as each has a separate action-filled day that brings new insights about themselves, which will turn their lives upside down. Andy planned to win the heart of a girl she's been crushing on as the old year winds down. Instead, she wakes up in the new year having to search for her stolen car with the rich new girl whose parents are part of the gentrification problem in her neighborhood. Dom returns home after two years of being swept into the influencer world because of a viral video he made. He replaced Oakrun with the catwalks of New York City, leaving behind family and Tyler, the childhood friend who gave him too many feelings to face. Every hour of the day brings the cousins closer to finding each other and to discovering truer versions of themselves that may help them save their neighborhood, too. Throughout, the cousins interact with a full cast of fascinating characters that make up the town. The representation in this novel is noteworthy, but it's not the differences in race, gender, or orientation that create the drama of the story. The characters of Oakrun are who they are meant to be, comfortable in their skins, and the story is enhanced because of the perspectives they bring to the table without having to hide any parts of their identity. VERDICT Librarians would be wise to add this novel to their collection, not only for its representation of people with many beautiful differences but also because it's a fun, angsty, poignant, and fast-paced story that will speak directly to all teens.—Maria Ramusevic
Gr 9 Up—Blair, a recent high school graduate, is excited to start a competitive computer science summer program at Central Florida State University and live with her two best friends, Leni and Starr. But just two weeks before the move, they drop a bombshell that she's no longer welcome in their shared house. Blair must scramble to find a new place and ends up answering a desperate ad for a fifth roommate in a rundown apartment in a less-than-ideal location. Her family must stay in the dark about the sudden change—especially her brother, who cannot find out that one of her new roommates is his best friend Jamie—otherwise they would immediately make her return home. As she tries to adjust to the unexpected chaos of her new living situation and the tension and attraction between her and Jamie, she also struggles with the demanding program, where, for the first time, school doesn't come easy. Torn between pride, pressure, and a growing attraction she can't ignore, Blair is forced to navigate friendship, failure, and figuring out who she is and how to stand up for herself. Markham captures the liminal space between high school and college with nuance and authenticity. Blair is a funny, snarky, and quick-witted protagonist whose internal tug-of-war between pleasing her parents and forging her own path will resonate with many teens. Blair and Jamie are assumed white, and there's diversity within the roommate group. VERDICT A first purchase for readers who can't get enough of rom-coms.—Alicia Kalan
Gr 9 Up—It's the start of 2012 in Baton Rouge, where high school senior Hannah Eaden cherishes her time with the Six-Pack, her tight-knit group of friends with whom she spends practically every waking minute. But the group of three boys and three girls might not be as close as they seem. As their name implies, the Six-Pack's social life revolves around drinking, as well as lighthearted teasing of one another; their relationships are mostly superficial. So, when controversy arrives in the form of Hannah's secret relationship with another girl in the group, Baker, the Six-Pack easily splinters. Hannah struggles to make sense of her feelings for Baker, particularly considering her Catholic upbringing and schooling. As a result, she often lashes out at those she loves, which further complicates her relationships. Quindlen is a master at portraying the teen experience. The setting is vivid and atmospheric, the dialogue is genuine, and the characters are believable teenagers full of paradoxical traits: thoughtful and impetuous, determined and uncertain, kind and cruel. Even the adults are fully drawn and multidimensional. Quindlen originally self-published this book in 2014; this version includes an epilogue, that takes place in 2026. All main characters are cued white, except for Baker, who has Lebanese heritage. VERDICT A must-purchase for any library's YA romance collection; this book will resonate with readers, particularly fans of Quindlen and those struggling with their identity.—Melissa Kazan
Gr 9 Up—The town of Bleak Haven has always been connected with murder. For Ava, niece to a famous local killer, the last decade has been hard because of what her uncle did. So when her classmates start downloading a new app called "Swipe to Die," Ava knows nothing good will come of it. Soon, videos are released of anyone who signed up. Created with deepfake AI technology, the videos show how someone would die in a slasher film. Daring each other to participate, the teens seem to find it entertaining—until someone actually dies. Ava and her friends become detectives, not only trying to figure out who's doing the killing and who created the app, but also if the murders her uncle committed 10 years ago are somehow related. Ava's tenacity and drive as she allows her instincts to guide her show the depth of her character, especially when she is taking care of her little sister and is loyal to her friends. Readers will enjoy this start to a new YA horror series. VERDICT Modern and relatable, this series opener will delight horror and suspense readers.—Adam Fisher
Gr 10 Up—When a boy appeared beneath her bedroom window on her 13th birthday, Violet had no inclination that he would become the love of her life. Though she and Miller were instant friends, they believed that was all they could ever be, and while they fell for each other over the next four years, neither would risk their friendship by taking things further. As Violet's careful plans for her family and her future slowly crumble, Miller's music career begins to grow. Can they hold on to each other while the world threatens to tear them apart? Scott crafts a rags-to-riches friends-to-lovers romance. The dual perspective, including Violet's diary entries and Miller's soulful songs, is emotionally engrossing. Originally self-published in 2020, this is the first installment of the "Lost Boys" trilogy, a dramatic trio of coming-of-age romances with diverse characters and relationships. Sex, substance use, and strong language appear on the page. A note to readers indicates that Miller's songs will be available on Spotify. VERDICT This book will appeal to upper high school and new adult readers seeking an engaging romance that is as sweet as it is steamy.—Lauren Hackert
Gr 9 Up—A transgender teen struggles with a self-portrait assignment in this introspective and meditative look at gender and identity originally published in the Netherlands. Jip, who lists their talents as blushing, frowning, and drawing, narrates their rather solitary days in an ongoing (unsent) letter to their crush. The diarylike letter includes a handful of drawings—showing that Jip is an adept artist—and is a mix of reporting the minutiae of each day and sharing deep, affecting memories of a life-changing friendship that opened the door to Jip wondering about their own gender. Used to being mistaken for a boy, Jip has always felt like the odd one out, with classmates routinely commenting on their appearance or speculating on their attractions. Jip isn't sure how to answer if someone asks whether they are a girl or boy, thus getting hung up on the "self" part of the self-portrait assignment for school. Though told through short paragraphs never more than a few sentences long, Volbeda includes incredibly vivid descriptions of Jip's classmates and settings, like the field where Jip routinely seeks solace or the spring break party that finally puts them together with their crush. Jip's writing style is confessional and poignant, peppered with beautiful and artful turns of phrase, like calling people "wonder exterminators." Jip may feel stymied by the art assignment but easily crafts a vivid and revealing narrative self-portrait as they dig deep to discover their true self. VERDICT A strikingly unique and intimate ruminative journey through a teen's inner feelings.—Amanda MacGregor
Gr 9 Up—Indy's high school life is fun, calm, and predictable, in all the best ways. She is good in school, invited to parties, and has a close-knit friend group that includes Beau, her best friend and favorite class-ranking rival. But when Indy's dad is accused of fraud at his law firm, Indy's life intensifies in ways she could have never predicted and definitely isn't prepared for. Trying to protect her father and her family's reputation, Indy retreats rather than confides in her friend group. Combined with hanging out with a no-pressure make-out partner Cody, a reckless guy who would not normally be her type, Indy finds herself misunderstood and alienated from her friends, in trouble at school, and frustrated with her parents—and then Indy gets locked in the teacher's bathroom overnight with Beau. Despite the recent rift between the two friends, and despite their strange circumstances, Beau seems ready to reconcile. He also seems ready to take their relationship in a new direction: love. Told as a split time narrative that flashes back and forth between the current situation of being locked in the bathroom and the events leading up to it, West's romance is a light, quick read, even though it deals with high stakes problems, including legal troubles, academic integrity, and feelings of isolation. Indy's situation seems impossible, but readers can feel secure that she has something of a safety net. VERDICT Fans of Jenny Han and S.K. Ali's smart, thoughtful heroines will enjoy Indy's love story.—Jennie Miskec
YA Graphic Novels
Gr 10 Up—This colorful, fun romp through high school halls is a queer modern retelling of Much Ado About Nothing. In Chase's version, Hero, who uses they/them pronouns, is a "freshie" at Messina High where their cousin Beatriz is a senior. While trying to make friends with their crush Claudio, Hero gets twisted, along with many of the other characters, into Beatriz's old feud with her ex-boyfriend Ben. Meanwhile, a trio of kids led by outcast DJ are out to make trouble for the school at the expense of Hero and Claudio. Readers don't need to know the original play to enjoy and understand this graphic novel, though it mirrors the original text well and could be used for a school project about adaptations. Readers will find the story relatable as it explores friendship, identity (including discussion of ace/aro identities), bullying, and the complex dynamics of communication. The art is bright and vibrant, which complements the comedic tone of the work. The style and panel shapes change to match the feeling of each scene, and fun social media posts and school posters are sprinkled throughout. The cast is diverse with a variety of skin colors and body types. The back matter contains LGBTQIA+ resources. VERDICT Give this humorous and modern Shakespeare retelling to fans of Molly Horton Booth's "Arden High" series or to readers looking for a humorous graphic novel.—Taylor Skorski
Gr 9 Up—On the eve of her 18th birthday, Princess Aisling is kidnapped and finds out that she is a changeling who was swapped at birth. The true princess, named Forgive-Me-Not (shortened to Not), is a rough young woman who endured multiple misfortunes and became a hardened warrior. The two are antagonists at first, but eventually Aisling's kindness softens Not's heart. They tentatively begin to respect one another, move toward friendship, and soon start to fall for each other. Despite the enemies-to-lovers trope, readers will cheer for the two to overcome their challenges and to combat the feys' evil plans. Costa has created a fully realized kingdom with whimsical art that makes looking at the pages a delight. Varied panel placements and a pleasing color palette add to the narrative. Not has tan skin, Aisling has pale skin when in human form. VERDICT Perfect for fans of ND Stevenson's Nimona, this sapphic romance is sure to charm fairy tale lovers who will swoon over the HEA ending. A recommended purchase for all graphic novel collections.—Nancy McKay
Gr 10 Up—Alicia just completed her junior year in high school, and she's bummed out for two reasons. First, her best friend Marisa will be working at a sleepaway camp (the same one they used to attend together); second, Marisa has a boyfriend, Quinn, and the new relationship leaves Alicia feeling like the third wheel. Meanwhile, Alicia has been having a recurring dream where she is in a field with a house in the distance—and Quinn is always there. It soon comes to light that both Alicia and Quinn are sharing the same dream. Her confusion and guilt about the meaning of the dream grows. Alicia comes to her own conclusion about what it could mean and realizes she can control what happens there. The author's use of colors and shades sets the tone of the story from beginning to end, which reflects the protagonist's view of her reality versus her perspective within her dream. Alicia and Marisa are white; Quinn has brown skin. VERDICT A poignant graphic narrative highlighting the path towards acceptance during a period of sorrow.—Lois Young
Gr 8 Up—In this Dracula retelling, Mina is a young photographer, willing to take risks to get the shot. When a ship crashes into a nearby beach, she sneaks onboard and witnesses the dead captain and the strange coffins below deck. Soon afterwards, a mysterious young man enrolls at her high school and becomes involved in planning a dance that her friend Lucy is organizing. Familiar names appear that mirror the original narrative, as Mina and the other students are soon battling an evil monster. Ganucheau's illustrations flow well, with art that is appealing yet suitable to the horror story. The palette is subdued, with accentuated red colors to reinforce the imagery of Dracula's bloodthirsty ways. Teen audiences who enjoyed Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Sterle's Squad will find lots to love in this modern retelling. The conclusion suggests that more adventures await Mina and her friends, making this series one to invest in. Mina is depicted with pale skin and dark hair. VERDICT This modern Dracula retelling is packed with plenty of mystery for readers to sink their fangs into.—Nancy McKay
YA Manga
Gr 8 Up—An emotional manga series that follows two creative students in Hong Kong. Lau Yu Kiu, an art student struggling to draw under pressure, finds inspiration when she hears Lee Hou Yuet playing his guitar. The two soon coordinate their efforts to try and win their school's annual festival contest, which promises a hefty scholarship for Lau Yu and a chance for Lee Hou's family to finally accept his dream of becoming a famous musician. This first volume tackles themes like difficult family dynamics, the daunting expectations of high achievers, and feeling isolated as a young adult, closing with a cliff-hanger that will leave readers eager for more. Tying the story together are truly stunning watercolor illustrations, consistent with the themes of the text. Though the character art is simple, it manages an expressiveness that manga fans will recognize and adore. In fact, the distinct absence of prominent line work leads to an art style that flows smoothly and freely, bound only by shadows and shifting colors. When it comes to more detailed panels, the colors continue to do the heavy lifting, though line work does make more of an impression in such scenes. Almost exclusively using white, peach, green, blue, and indigo, Szeto skillfully creates gorgeous gradients throughout the manga. The artwork has a natural flow that draws readers' eyes through each panel, allowing for beautiful and interpretive storytelling, similar to manga titles such as Blue Period, Whisper Me a Love Song, and Your Name. VERDICT The first volume in a boldly artistic manga series that effectively utilizes fine watercolor art as a backdrop to an emotional coming-of-age story.—M. Miri Reyes
Gr 10 Up—As this manga makes clear, there are things in this world that are beyond human ken: pictures that come alive, horns that swallow sound, and other strange phenomena that cause wonder or harm. For when man and the ephemeral life-forms known as mushi meet, their paths diverge from the known. This is where the titular mushishi (which means mushi master) comes in. Mushishi follows the wanderings of the one-eyed Ginko as he heals mysterious illnesses and restores the natural order in rural Japan. While these folktale-ish vignettes succinctly introduce each problem and the pseudoscience that solves them, their core revolves around an empathetic human element. Similar to Yuki Midorikawa's series "Natsume's Book of Friends," this manga upholds a respect for life and the fleeting connections we share with others and with nature. Urushibara's meditative voice entrances introspective readers into caring for the book's creations, before delivering a cathartic message or warning that resounds beyond this volume's pages. VERDICT An ethereal collection of masterfully rendered original folktales to remind readers of the reverence and wariness that nature deserves.—Rachel Forbes
Key: * Excellent in relation to other titles on the same subject or in the same genre | Tr Hardcover trade binding | Board Board book | pap. Paperback | BL Bilingual | SP Spanish
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