Embedded Files
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
Mia lives in a motel. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests. Her parents also hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed.
All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cooke by Leslie Connor
Perry was born and raised by his mom at the Blue River Co-ed Correctional Facility in tiny Surprise, Nebraska. His mom is a resident on Cell Block C, and so far Warden Daugherty has made it possible for them to be together. That is, until a new district attorney discovers the truth—and Perry is removed from the facility and forced into a foster home.
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds
Rashad, a Black teenager, was beaten so badly by a white police officer he ends up in the hospital. The officer thought he was stealing, and then resisting arrest. Rashad can't understand how this could happen. Neither can Quinn, a white kid. The officer was his best friends older brother, but Rashad is on his basketball team. And Quinn saw it happen. The community is divided, and there's a lot of work to be done.
Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
Life is quiet and ordinary in Amal's Pakistani village, but she had no complaints, and besides, she's busy pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher one day. Her dreams are temporarily dashed when—as the eldest daughter—she must stay home from school to take care of her siblings. Amal is upset, but she doesn't lose hope and finds ways to continue learning. Then the unimaginable happens—after an accidental run-in with the son of her village's corrupt landlord, Amal must work as his family's servant to pay off her own family's debt.
Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson
Jade believes she must get out of her neighborhood if she’s ever going to succeed. She accepted a scholarship to a mostly-white private school and even Saturday morning test prep opportunities. But some opportunities feel more demeaning than helpful. Like an invitation to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for “at-risk” girls. Except really, it’s for black girls. But Jade doesn’t need support. And just because her mentor is black doesn’t mean she understands Jade. And maybe there are some things Jade could show these successful women about the real world and finding ways to make a real difference.
Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer
Juliet is drowning in grief after her mother's death.
Declan is trying to escape the demons of his past.
Leaving handwritten letters on her mother's grave is the only way Juliet can process her loss. When Declan finds a letter and answers it anonymously, they continue writing back and forth, not knowing who is on the other side. Juliet is instantly intrigued by this stranger who understands the loss she feels. Declan discovers someone who finally sees the good in him.
Such an immediate and intense connection with a perfect stranger is astonishing and wonderful, and soon they are baring their souls to each other. But this secret world can only sustain Juliet and Declan for so long . . . as the reality surrounding them threatens to shatter everything they've created.
That's Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger
It's been three years since the Virgil County High School Massacre. Three years since my best friend, Sarah, was killed in a bathroom stall during the mass shooting. Everyone knows Sarah's story--that she died proclaiming her faith.
But it's not true.
I know because I was with her when she died. I didn't say anything then, and people got hurt because of it. Now Sarah's parents are publishing a book about her, so this might be my last chance to set the record straight . . . but I'm not the only survivor with a story to tell about what did--and didn't--happen that day.
Except Sarah's martyrdom is important to a lot of people, people who don't take kindly to what I'm trying to do. And the more I learn, the less certain I am about what's right. I don't know what will be worse: the guilt of staying silent or the consequences of speaking up . . .
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