Book Recommendations

A Long Way Gone, by Ishmael Beah: Based on the true story of a child soldier during a civil war in Sierra Leone, this book emphasizes what it means to do anything for survival. It ultimately explores Beah's struggle with his identity - how has the past changed him? How can he move forward in the future?

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, by Benjamin Alire Sáenz: Set in the 1980s in Texas, this book is about two boys, Dante and Aristotle who meet at a swimming pool, and seem to have nothing in common. As the book goes on, we notice that despite their differences, these boys share a special connection. It's ultimately a book about self-discovery, culture, and relationships.

The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas: Sixteen-year-old Starr alternates between two worlds - the Black neighborhood where she lives and the White school she attends. When Starr witnesses her friend Khalil get shot by a police officer for no reason, she decides it's time to use her voice and stand up for what is right.

Our Stories, Our Voices: 21 YA Authors Get Real About Injustice, Empowerment, and Growing Up Female in America, by Anna-Marie McLemore: The 21 essays in this book focus on what it's like to grow up as a female in America. It explores themes, such as intersectionality, race, religion, gender, and ethnicity.

The Girl in the Blue Coat, by Monica Hesse: This historical fiction novel follows the story of eighteen-year-old Hanneke, a Dutch girl in Amsterdam who makes black market deliveries for a living. During one of her deliveries, a customer tells her that the thirteen-year-old Jewish girl she was hiding in her house has disappeared. Although hesitant at first, Hanneke is drawn into the mystery of finding the girl in the blue coat.

Uprising, by Margaret Peterson Haddix: This story takes place in 1911 and revolves around the New York fire at The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. It follows the perspectives of three girls from different backgrounds - Bella, Yetta, and Jane and their fight for labor rights, along with women's suffrage.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X, by Malcolm X and Alex Haley: This book delves into the life of Malcolm X. It highlights how the racism he faced and the racial violence he witnessed motivated him to use his voice. Malcolm X's honesty in this book emphasized how far he would go to fight for racial justice and how his trip to Mecca transformed his views.

Bronx Masquerade, by Nikki Grimes: When high school student, Wesley, is assigned an essay for his English class, he decides a poem would be more fitting for the assignment since they are studying the Harlem Renaissance. Mr. Ward, his English teacher, lets Wesley share his poem with the class, motivating the other students to write their own poems. Through poetry, these 18 students realize that they all have secrets within them, proving that they're not so different after all. Who would've thought that a high school English essay would bring a class of 18 students together?

Turtles All The Way Down, by John Green: Sixteen-year-old Aza struggles with OCD. When her friend gets her involved with the disappearance of a billionaire, the reader can notice raw glimpses of the internal struggles Aza faces. This book is ultimately about self-acceptance and how to live with the spiral of our own thoughts.

Blanca and Roja, by Anna-Marie McLemore: Due to an age-old spell, the del Cisne sisters, Blanca and Roja, are aware that one of them will turn into a swan in the future. When two local boys become involved in the sisters' lives, the magic of this spell becomes complex. This fantasy novel takes into account how all four of their futures depend on facing hard truths.