Embedded Files
All students are required to read one book of their choice over the summer and should come to school prepared to participate in a discussion-based activity in their English class during the first week of school. Below are some suggested titles, but students can select any grade-level appropriate title of their choice.
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
In the Dominican Republic, sixteen-year-old Camino lives with her Aunt, the healer of her barrio, and dreams of going to Columbia University to study medicine. The father she loves visits each summer, but never offers to take him with her when he returns to New York City. Meanwhile, in New York City sixteen-year-old Yahaira, a chess prodigy, misses her father each summer when he returns to the Dominican Republic. While the two girls have never met, the tragic loss of American Airlines Flight 587 off the coast of Queens is about to force an introduction. This beautiful novel in verse paints the lost love and the meaning of family as both girls come to terms with the loss of their father. While their beloved Papi was far more complicated than either girl had expected, his choices created a surprising sisterhood that might help both his daughters as they grieve his loss. Elizabeth Acevedo has a gift for creating vulnerable and resilient young women. Her characters show girls the power that can be found in their own choices.
With the Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo
I need more than five stars to review this book! Emoni Santiago is my new FAVORITE character!
Emoni is entering her senior year with more concerns than the average student. For the past three years, Emoni's chief responsibility has been her baby daughter, Emma, who she lovingly refers to as Baby Girl. With Emma enrolled in a nice preschool, Emoni needs to focus on her next steps so that she can continue to provide the life she wants for Emma and to take some of the pressure off her Abuela, the grandmother who has raised her since birth. A force in the kitchen, Emoni's food has a powerful effect on her friends and family, but will this allow her to succeed in her culinary arts elective under the instruction of a professional chef? Is it possible for Emoni to have a culinary career or is she doomed to work in fast food in order to support her family? With a class trip to Spain on the horizon, Emoni is about to learn that sometimes to succeed in life she has to let others see her true loves, hopes, and dreams so that they can help her to reach them. LOVED IT!
Click here to watch the book trailer created by Mrs. Trader's Writing for Film and Media class.
Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
At the start of this novel in verse, fifteen-year-old Xiomara doubts herself and wonders how she fits in the world. In her home, her strict Dominican mother controls her daily life. Her twin brother Xavier has always been the good twin, the smart twin, and her mother’s favorite, while Xiomara struggles to find her place. As her body changes, boys and men react in a way that she doesn’t want or understand and her only recourse has been to use her fists in defense. Writing offers another way to defend herself, one that can help her to open up and to better understand where she belongs, but can her mother accept this deeply personal side of Xiomara? In this brilliant novel, Acevedo’s poems allow readers to identify with Xiomara's struggles and to feel a deep sense of pride in the young woman she becomes.
The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander
In his village in Upper Kwanta, 11-year-old Kofi loves his family, playing oware with his grandfather and swimming in the river Offin. He’s warned though, to never go to the river at night. His brother tells him ”There are things about the water you do not know. “ Like what? Kofi asks. “The beasts.” His brother answers.
One fateful night, the unthinkable happens and in a flash, Kofi’s world turns upside down. Kofi soon ends up in a fight for his life and what happens next will send him on a harrowing journey across land and sea, and away from everything he loves.
This spellbinding novel by the author of The Crossover and Booked will take you on an unforgettable adventure that will open your eyes and break your heart (Amazon.com)
Swing by Kwame Alexander
Walt and Noah are best friends. Walt dreams of being a baseball star, of getting the girl, and of a bright future created to the swing of the jazz music he loves. Noah sees their reality; that being cut from the baseball team limits their prospects, that Sam, the girl he’s loved since the third grade sees him as a friend, and that the noise of jazz could never be the soundtrack to his life. As Walt works to improve his baseball swing, Noah tries to find a way to put his feelings for Sam into words. A packet of love letters inspires Noah to create blackout poems about Sam, but when one finds its way to her anonymously will he have the courage to own his choices rather than letting life pass him by? The end left me in shock and deeply sad for characters that Alexander’s verse had wound around my heart. A must read!
Click here to watch the trailer from Mrs. Trader's Writing for Film and Media students.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Ove is a certified curmudgeon, but Backman does not reveal just why immediately. When Parvaneh and her growing family move in next door, Ove’s life is forever changed though he might argue if this change is for the better or worse. An excellent novel that asks the reader to consider if the inside matches the outside of those we meet in the world.
This novel inspired the movie A Man Called Otto.
Far From the Tree by Robin Benway
Grace hopes she has selected the ideal family for Peach, her newborn daughter, but the adoption prompts Grace to think about the mother who gave her up sixteen years ago. Her search leads her to her older brother, Joachim, and her younger sister, Maya. Told in alternating chapters from the perspective of each sibling, this National Book Award Winning novel considers what it means to be a family and the importance of siblings to our understanding of the world.
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
Kacen Callender has crafted an epic teenage love triangle.
Felix, a transgender teen struggling with his identity, faces an anonymous transphobic bully who tries to discount Felix's existence. Fortunately, Felix is not alone in his struggles for he has the constant support of his best friend, Ezra. As Felix searches for the identity of his tormentor, he finds a new connection with a classmate that could lead to love, but perhaps love has been starring Felix in the face the whole time and he has not been ready to receive it.
Books offer the reader windows to see world and the world that Kacen Callender crafts here is SO worth the visit.
Flamer by Mike Caruto
The quote on the front cover from National Book Award Finalist, Jarrett Krosoczka says it all! "This book will save lives."
Aiden Navarro, who will be entering the 9th grade at a new public high school in the fall, looks forward to Boy Scout camp each summer, but this summer the dread he feels about his new school and his anxiety over how different he feels from the boys around him is complicating his time there. When Aiden can't take the teasing, will he make a choice that he cannot step back from?
This is a powerful book that every educator, parents, and student should read.
Deadline by Chris Crutcher
How would you live if you knew your time was limited? After being diagnosed with a fatal blood disorder, eighteen-year-old Ben Wolfe is about to find out. Unwilling to share his diagnosis with his parents, brother, or friends, Ben begins his final year on his own terms, but can it be everything he wants and needs it to be? Authentic sports action paired with a deep exploration of what it means to be alive make for a great book.
Copper Sun by Sharon Draper
At fifteen Amari’s life is forever changed when she is abducted from her African village and forced into slavery in Carolina. Amari loses her family, her friends and her fiancé, but she manages to maintain identity in the face of horrific treatment and little hope. An outstanding work of historical fiction, readers will be horrified by Amari’s ordeal, but inspired by her determination to regain her freedom. A Coretta Scott King Award Winner.
Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn
This novel in letters is filled with “illicitabetical activities” (p. 78), a unique offering perfect for a lover of the English language. Eighteen-year-old Ella Minnow Pea is a resident of Nollop, the independent island nation named after Nevin Nollop, author of the famous sentence "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." The isle, known as a literary mecca, is under siege. Typographic tiles from the island's monument are falling and the island's Council has started banning words containing the offending letters. If you are looking for a witty book that will stretch your vocabulary Ella Minnow Pea might be a good choice for you.
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, Hafsah Faizal's We Hunt the Flame―first in the Sands of Arawiya duology―is a gripping debut of discovery, conquering fear, and taking identity into your own hands.
People lived because she killed. People died because he lived.
Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the sultan. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways. Both Zafira and Nasir are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya―but neither wants to be.
War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasir is sent by the sultan on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds―and the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine. (Amazon.com)
Starfish by Lisa Fipps
Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed and does something about it in this poignant debut novel-in-verse.
Ever since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she's been bullied about her weight. To cope, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Rules—like "no making waves," "avoid eating in public," and "don't move so fast that your body jiggles." And she's found her safe space—her swimming pool—where she feels weightless in a fat-obsessed world. In the water, she can stretch herself out like a starfish and take up all the room she wants. It's also where she can get away from her pushy mom, who thinks criticizing Ellie's weight will motivate her to diet. Fortunately, Ellie has allies in her dad, her therapist, and her new neighbor, Catalina, who loves Ellie for who she is. With this support buoying her, Ellie might finally be able to cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life--by unapologetically being her own fabulous self. (Amazon.com)
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Richard Mayhew is a young man with a good heart and an ordinary life, which is changed forever when he stops to help a girl he finds bleeding on a London sidewalk. His small act of kindness propels him into a world he never dreamed existed. There are people who fall through the cracks, and Richard has become one of them. And he must learn to survive in this city of shadows and darkness, monsters and saints, murderers and angels, if he is ever to return to the London that he knew. (Amazon)
What Happened to Cass McBride? by Gail Giles
Pretty and popular Cass McBride thinks that she has high school all figured out. Soon to be voted homecoming queen, Cass has learned the art of manipulating those around her to her advantage. When Kyle Kirby kidnaps Cass and buries her alive, can Cass talk her way out of the grave? This fast-paced mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Saint Iggy by K.L. Going
“Hey, I got suspended from school today and there’s going to be a hearing to see if I get kicked out, but don’t worry because I’ve got a plan and I’m going to do something with my life.” (p.16) With this simple note to his parents, sixteen-year-old Iggy Corso sets his sights on a new path that will change his life. My favorite K.L. Going book to date, this gritty urban drama will surprise you with its humor and depth of feeling. Iggy’s innocent voice hides the terrible circumstances of his past. His parents are addicts and the court assigned mentor Iggy worships is slipping down the same path. Despite the difficult circumstances this implies, Iggy strives to make everyone see and believe that he is a good kid, but is he prepared to sacrifice everything to prove his value? A quick and engaging read, St. Iggy will send the reader running to the library to read more of Going’s work.
Turtles All The Way Down by John Green
Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.
In his long-awaited return, John Green, the award-winning author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, shares Aza’s story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship. (Amazon.com)
“A tender story about learning to cope when the world feels out of control.” -- People
Click here to listen to Mrs. Manganello's book talk.
Click here to view a book trailer created by Mrs. Trader's Writing for Film and Media students.
Click here to view a book trailer created by Mrs. Trader's Writing for Film and Media students.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
What do you call a novel that features the work of two fantastic YA authors? Fantastic, Fantastic? No, it must be Will Grayson, Will Grayson! Told in alternating chapters, Green and Levithan introduce two very different teenage boys each named Will Grayson. No stereotypes here, even the parents are complex and positive! A best friend as big (in personality and in size) as Tiny Cooper is bound to create challenges for Will, but when one of Tiny’s adventures leads Will to the other Will Grayson his life changes completely. I highly recommended this book!
Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix
As the book begins in 1920s, Mrs. Livingston recounts her survival of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Narrated by three very different young women, the reader remains unsure of Mrs. Livingston’s identity until the final pages. Together Yetta, a Jewish immigrant who yearns for the equality of a recognized factory union, Bella, an Italian immigrant who loses and finds her family while in the factory employ, and Jane, an upper-class daughter who wants the independence necessary to take action, populate this well-researched depiction of New York City tenement life. Haddix creates a thrilling drama which climaxes with the historic fire. Which young woman will survive and thrive after the fire flames have cooled?
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
“In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are” (1) begins a reflection on life in occupied France as told through the experiences of two very different sisters. Isabel, an impulsive and passionate eighteen-year-old wants desperately to join the fight to liberate her country. Vianne is equally desperate for her husband’s return from the front and for her family’s safety. Both sisters will find, lose, and hopefully recover great love. Each, in turn, will become a hero, a victim, and a prisoner. In the end, the sisters must draw on their love for each other to survive.
Far North by Will Hobbs
Lexile level - 820
Sixteen-year-old Gabe Rogers is new to the Canadian north but, eager to explore the country of his father's stories, welcomes the opportunity to see the wilderness by float plane. When the plane is destroyed, an unlikely trio must rely on each other to survive.
Click here to listen to Mrs. Manganello's Book Talk.
Click here to view a book trailer created by Mrs. Trader's Writing for Film and Media students.
Green Witch by Alice Hoffman
Lovely is a word I cannot use enough to describe Alice Hoffman’s dystopian fairy tale of Green, a brave and resilient young woman who survives her loss of family, love, and community. If you enjoyed Green Angel, you will be pleased to follow Green’s rebirth with this sequel. Overcoming her heartache, Green has established herself as a resource for her rebounding community. Despite suspicions of witchcraft, many seek her help with the land and crops; but most of all for the power of her stories. Green records the stories of all and in each looks for answers to her life and loss. In the end, she finds that the power she needs to complete her healing is not found in others, but inside herself.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Klara, an artifical friend (AF), narrates this dystopian tale. From the start of her journey in the store window, to the home where she provides companionship, to a young girl and beyond, Klara stands out among AFs because she is a keen observer. She believes that the more she can learn and absorb of the world the better companion she will become for young Josie.
As Klara learns about the world around her, readers will be struck by the strangeness of humanity when filtered through Klara's careful observations. While Klara's world has embraced AI, it still struggles to decide on appropriate boundaries for this potentially limitless technology. Familiar social norms seem to have changed, but it is possible that the differences are only noticible to readers because Klara seems to be puzzled by them. Relationships between adults, families, and children all seem to have changed and not necessarily for the better. In a world where children spend their days with school via screen, accompanied by new technologies, and shifting family structures, perhaps readers will find that their own world is not so different from the one where Klara resides.
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
Mari and her family are moving to leave the (her) past behind.
Mari won’t quite share what happened and instead gives clues to the trauma that led to the decision, but her new home is far from the fresh start that her family anticipates. The first residents of a new community, Mari’s home on Maple Street is in the center of a burned out section of Cedarville, where the remaining houses are set to be remodeled for promised new families, but the surrounding neighbors seem to have a vendetta against Maple Street, newcomers, possibly Mari’s family. Contractors fear the home, bolting at the end of the work day. Mari and her siblings can’t ignore the unsettling noises, horrifying smells, and disappearing objects that seem to support the community’s claims that Maple Street’s tragic past might mean it is haunted by an unsettled spirit who means to harm its occupants. Can Mari save her family before it is too late?
This psychological thriller will keep readers on the edge of their seats!
The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
Sixteen-year-old Bobby is raising his infant daughter Feather on his own, but throughout this compelling book the reader isn’t sure why. Author Angela Johnson shows Bobby’s struggles, his mixed emotions, and his difficult choices, but only her poignant conclusion reveals the reason for Bobby’s solitude. Readers will find themselves rooting for Bobby to succeed and mourning some of the immature choices he makes along the way. An outstanding book! Winner of the Coretta Scott King Award and the Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature.
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
Stevie Bell is a detective or at least she plans to be. Stevie’s interest in true crime, unsolved cases, and eye for detail will serve her well at her new school. The Ellingham Academy admits a select group of exceptional students for independent learning. At Ellingham, Stevie will take classes that fit her unique interests; anatomy and physiology to understand the medical evidence that might prove useful in an investigation, yoga to focus her thoughts and tune out distractions, and an independent study that focuses on the 1936 kidnapping of Iris and Alice Ellingham, the wife and daughter of the school’s wealthy founder. Stevie believes with access to all the evidence she will solve the mystery, but when another student ends up dead Stevie’s attention is needed to investigate whether this death was an accident or a murder. What Stevie uncovers begins a chain of events that leave her new friends in shock and her future at the school in question. Maureen Johnson’s detail, knowledge of the crime and mystery genre, and sense of humor shine in this first book of what promises to be a rich and surprising series.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
During the summer of 1964, Lily Owens’ “stand-in mother” Rosaleen is jailed and beaten while trying to register to vote. Now both Lily and Rosaleen have a reason to leave the hardships of the small town. Lily runs from T. Ray, her abusive father, and helps Rosaleen escape. Desperate to find more about the mother she lost as a toddler, Lily heads for Tiburon, South Carolina a town with clues to her mother’s past, including why she left Lily behind. Here is the family Lily has longed for, but will T. Ray reappear and ruin everything Lily has discovered? A fantastic read!
Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta
When fourteen-year-old Jace Wilson stumbles on a body and witnesses a murder he must go into hiding for his own protection. The wilderness training program for troubled boys run by survival expert Ethan Serbin seems like a natural place to hide given the remote location off the grid. Ethan agrees to accept Jace as part of this summer’s campers. After a few quiet weeks, the Blackwell brothers, ruthless thugs for hire, track Jace to Ethan and the killing begins. Innocent people will die, but can Jace survive to testify against those who wish him dead? Soon to be a movie.
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
When New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and three, that he just happens to be the country’s most eligible bachelor.
On Nick’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.
Every Day by David Levithan
Every day a new body, a new life, but the same soul? That is reality for A, a soul without a family, gender, race, language, or heritage. Each day, A wakes in a new body accessing memories to manage the day, while As own memories and experiences are intact. Always careful to keep the host on track, A finds it is impossible to continue this plan after meeting and falling for Rhiannon. Can Rhiannon deal with As reality? Is there a future for their relationship? David Levithan presents a brilliant puzzle on whether it is truly what happens inside a person that counts.
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
Seventeen-year-old Ellie lives in a version of America where magic and fantasy mixes with reality. As a member of the Lipan Apache Tribe whose family has the power to raise the dead, Ellie understands the power and the boundaries of the deceased more vividly than most. When her beloved cousin, Trevor, is killed in suspicious circumstances, Ellie may need to cross the boundary to the underworld to restore order and give peace to her cousin’s spirit. With the help of her family and friends, especially her best friend Jay, Ellie tries to solve the mystery of Trevor’s death before his murderer claims another victim.
I loved this book, especially the way that Darcie Little Badger weaves Lipan Apache tradition into a work of fantasy. This is a must read!
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
For seventeen-year-old Cady summers mean Beachwood, her family’s private island, with the Liars, as cousins Cady, Mirren (“She is sugar. She is curiosity and rain.”), Jonny (“He is bounce. He is effort and snark.”), and friend Gat (He is contemplation and enthusiasm. Ambition and strong coffee.”) are known. Now Cady struggles to remember the events that seem to have altered everything. Cady remembers little of Summer Fifteen on Beachwood, but returns for her seventeenth summer to try and regain her lost memories. Now that they are reunited, can the Liars help her to heal? Lockhart’s wordplay and sparse prose fit her characters and the story that Cady struggles to untangle. The ending is so surprising that readers will find themselves rereading to try to discover clues that they may have missed. Fantastic storytelling and an amazing ending that I did not see coming!
Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu
Young Bruce Wayne has just turned eighteen and inherited his parents' fortune, but can he live up to their legacy as virtuous supporters of Gotham City's oppressed? Before Batman, Bruce is a young man struggling with how to do the right thing when the world seems to misinterpret his actions. Community service in Gotham's notorious Arkham Asylum puts Bruce in the company of some of the city's worst criminals, especially Madeline Wallace. Involved in the Nightwalkers, a vigilante group that seeks to punish Gotham's elite for their greed and selfishness, Madeline is imprisoned for murder, but why does Bruce feel she is innocent? A new Batman story begins here and readers will hope it is followed by a sequel.
SYLO by D.J. MacHale
In Tucker Pierce’s view Pemberwick Island, Maine is home. Transplanted to the island after his father was laid off, Tucker has found a relaxed happiness that seems to come naturally with island life. That begins to change when the star of the high school football team drops dead. Could the mysterious death by linked to a stranger who pushes Ruby, a red powder guaranteed to up your peak sports performance? Ruby might be a mystery, but when a branch of the Navy known by the code name SYLO invades the island under quarantine orders from the federal government Tucker realizes that there are more unknowns than he imagined. Are his parents involved? Does it all stem from Ruby? Can he find a way to escape or will be become a prisoner of SYLO?
The Novice by Taran Matharu
Fletcher is working as a blacksmith’s apprentice when he discovers he has the rare ability to summon demons from another world. Chased from his village for a crime he did not commit, Fletcher must travel with his demon, Ignatius, to an academy for adepts, where the gifted are taught the art of summoning.
Along with nobles and commoners, Fletcher endures grueling lessons that will prepare him to serve as a Battlemage in the Empire’s war against the savage Orcs. But sinister forces infect new friendships and rivalries grow. With no one but Ignatius by his side, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie. The fate of the Empire is in his hands. . . . (Amazon.com)
Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick
Private Matt Duffy wakes up in the hospital diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury after a firefight on the streets of Baghdad. His memories, dreams, and realities blur together until Matt isn’t sure what to believe. Cleared to return to his unit, Matt’s doctors seem to believe he will recover, but how can Matt recover when he can’t figure out what happened. A quick read that is perfect for reluctant readers with an interest in the military.
Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough
The life of Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi comes alive in Joy McCullough’s debut novel. The novel in verse outlines Artemisia’s development as a teen prodigy during the 17th century when female talent was not only unrecognized, but repressed by society. Two of Artemisia’s heroines, Susana and Judith, biblical women who overcame male oppression to triumph, personify Artemisia’s own struggle to step from her father’s creative shadow and recover from a brutal attack that draws her honor into question.
The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott
The Ninth Hour feels like the perfect read-alike for those who loved the American classic, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Set in the mid-twentieth century, the novel opens with the suicide of a troubled young Irish immigrant, who leaves behind his pregnant wife, Annie. The Little Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor arrive moments after the tragedy and build a connection that will remain with the family for generations. Sister Saviour immediately sets to work cleaning up so that life can continue for the stricken young widow. Soon Annie is working in the convent laundry where her daughter, Sally is adored by the Sisters. As the novel continues the reader watches deep bonds form between mother and daughter, neighbors, friends, and most of all the devoted Sisters who serve this struggling Brooklyn community. A literary gem, not to be missed!
A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney
The first time the Nightmares came, it nearly cost Alice her life. Now she's trained to battle monstrous creatures in the dark dream realm known as Wonderland with magic weapons and hardcore fighting skills. Yet even warriors have a curfew.
Life in real-world Atlanta isn't always so simple, as Alice juggles an overprotective mom, a high-maintenance best friend, and a slipping GPA. Keeping the Nightmares at bay is turning into a full-time job. But when Alice's handsome and mysterious mentor is poisoned, she has to find the antidote by venturing deeper into Wonderland than she’s ever gone before. And she'll need to use everything she's learned in both worlds to keep from losing her head . . . literally. (Amazon.com)
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Who killed Simon? All of Bayview High wants to know. No one can say what happened inside of the classroom during detention, not even the four students who were there with Simon. Witnesses include Bronwyn, the straight A student who is bound for Yale, Cooper, the baseball star who is bound for the majors, Addy, the homecoming princess with the perfect boyfriend, and Nate, the handsome loner on probation for dealing drugs. All have reasons why they might have wanted Simon dead, but can you find the clues to name the killer? A suspenseful debut novel that is guaranteed to keep you guessing until the end.
#Murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil
Seventeen-year-old Dee Guerrera has been sentenced to Alcatraz 2.0, the prison where executions are carried live on social media, after she is wrongly convicted for the murder of her stepsister. The Postman, who controls the prison and the fate of those who end up there, has assigned Dee the role of Cinderella to play out her final minutes, but Dee has other plans. After managing to survive her arrival on Alcatraz, Dee has to decide who to trust and how to prove her innocence. Not everyone on Alcatraz 2.0 is innocent of the crime that they’ve committed, so surviving will take luck and help. Can Dee trust the inmates who claim to be as innocent as she is?
An interesting look at what happens when social media reaches an extreme at the hands of a reality television star turned President. Ripped from the headlines? Let’s hope not!
Ten by Gretchen McNeil
A modern retelling of Agatha Christie’s classic And Then There Were None designed for a teen audience that is used to the twists of modern horror films. As Meg and her best friend Minnie board a ferry for an exclusive house party excitement and tension begin to build. Upon reaching the island, all seems perfect until one by one the guest begin to die. Meg, an aspiring writer, tries to unravel the clues that point to the murderer before it is too late to escape. I found McNeil’s fresh take an interesting young adult read and hope that it will inspire readers to pick up Christie’s original, one of the best mystery novels ever written.
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
A perfect love story is the best way to describe When Dimple Met Rishi. Bound for Stanford University in the fall, Dimple longs to conquer the tech world through app design. Attending Insomnia Con, an intensive six-week summer program for future web developers seems like the best way to begin, but Dimple is shocked when her conservative parents actually agree. Imagine her surprise when she finds that the reason behind their agreement is that Rishi Patel, an ideal match that her parents approve of, is already set to marry Dimple and sees their introduction at Insomnia Con as the perfect first step. The journey of Dimple and Rishi is filled with surprises. Both have much to learn about life and love, but perhaps it is a journey that they can begin together, despite their parents' approval. Love!
This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
What happens when an outcast holds an entire school at gunpoint, find out in this impossible to put down novel. Told from a variety of viewpoints, each student voice reveals more about the gunman and the circumstances that led up to the hour that will change all of their lives. Who will survive? Who will rise to hero? Who will lose someone they love? Find out in This is Where it Ends.
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
Sunny, born in America to Nigerian parents, has always stood out. As an albino of West African descent, Sunny’s family has returned to Nigeria, but that hasn’t helped to change her feeling that she will always stand out as different. When Sunny meets Orlu, Chichi, and Sasha, she begins to see that not only does she fit in, but the characteristics that have made her stand out are vital to her magical new world. Sunny has an important role to play, one that will clarify her past and her future, if she can survive what happens next.
The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel
Unexpected adventure seems to follow Will, whether it's driving in the last spike to connect a cross-continental railway, surviving an avalanche, or traveling on the inaugural journey of the Boundless, a record-setting engine. Once on board, Will finds himself at the center of a plot to rob the train’s treasures. With help from Maren, a lovely wire walker, and Mr. Dorian, the mysterious owner of the Zirkus Dante, Will fights to stop the robbery, reach his father, and decide on his destiny. A fantastic adventure bound to hold the attention of its readers.
My Sister's Big Fat Indian Wedding by Sajni Patel
Zurika Damani is a naturally gifted violinist with a particular love for hip hop beats. But when you’re part of a big Indian family, everyone has expectations, and those certainly don’t include hip hop violin. After being rejected by Juilliard, Zuri's last hope is a contest judged by a panel of top tier college scouts. The only problem? This coveted competition happens to take place during Zuri’s sister’s extravagant wedding week. And Zuri has already been warned, repeatedly, that she is not to miss a single moment.
In the midst of the chaos, Zuri’s mom is in matchmaking mode with the groom’s South African cousin Naveen—who just happens to be a cocky vocalist set on stealing Zuri’s spotlight at the scouting competition. Luckily Zuri has a crew of loud and loyal female cousins cheering her on. Now, all she has to do is to wow the judges for a top spot, evade getting caught by her parents, resist Naveen’s charms, and, oh yeah . . . not mess up her sister’s big fat Indian wedding. What could possibly go wrong? (Amazon.com)
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe
Norris Kaplan, a Black French Canadian teen, gets transplanted to Austin, Texas when his mother accepts a university position. Leaving behind his best friend, hockey team, and everything familiar, Norris thinks American movies have taught him all he needs to know about his new classmates.
Smart, funny, and a bit of a loner, Norris is content to observe their behavior from afar, recording his searing observations in the notebook he carries, but as he gets to know his classmates, he realizes that they don’t all fit into the stereotypes that he has cast upon them. For instance, Maddie, the blonde cheerleader that he initially dismisses as ridiculous, earns his respect and friendship. Liam, the looming guy with an interest in hockey, convinces Norris to start a team. But when his sarcastic journal entries come to light will his new friendships survive or will this give Norris one more reason to return to Canada?
(Ben Philippe is also a writer on Only Murders in the Building on Hulu!)
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Lexile level - 720
When fifteen-year-old Will steps into the elevator the day after his brother’s murder he has one mission, to follow the rules that Shawn had taught him. 1) No crying (especially when you are devastated by the loss of your beloved older brother) 2) No snitching (even though Will believes he knows the trigger man) 3) Get revenge! (The handgun tucked into his waistband will help with that.) As the elevator descends, Will will meet faces from his past, but will this change his next steps?
Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds
A combination of two of my favorite things, Marvel comics and the brilliant storytelling of Jason Reynolds, this novel tells the story of Miles Morales, a regular teenager who just happens to be Spider-Man.
A scholarship student at the elite Brooklyn Visions Academy, Miles has the smarts to succeed, but his spidey-sense (and his crush on Alicia) seem to keep him off balance. His spidey sense goes into overdrive as his social studies teacher, Mr. Chamberlain, spends class after class explaining the benefits the Antebellum South, the Confederacy of Jefferson Davis, and the modern prison system have had on American society. Mr. Chamberlain seems to haunt his thoughts, even taking up residence in Miles’ dreams, but could his spidey-sense be on to something? Perhaps Mr. Chamberlain is more than he seems, but if Miles’ reacts he just might let down his family and friends. Can Miles find a way to stand up for what is right? Jason Reynolds takes the origin story of Spider-Man to a whole new level.
Miles Morales Suspended: A Spider-Man Novel by Jason Reynolds
Miles Morales is still just your average teenager. He has unexpectedly become totally obsessed with poetry and can never seem to do much more than babble around his crush. Nothing too weird. Oh! Except, just yesterday, he used his spidey superpowers to save the world (no biggie) from an evil mastermind called The Warden. And the grand prize Miles gets for that is…
Suspension.
But what begins as a long boring day of in-school suspension is interrupted by a little bzzz in his mind. His spidey-sense is telling him there’s something not quite right here, and soon he finds himself in a fierce battle with an insidious…termite?! His unexpected foe is hiding a secret, one that could lead to the destruction of the world’s history—especially Black and Brown history—and only Miles can stop him. Yeah, just a typical day in the life of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. (Amazon.com)
After the Shot Drops by Randy Ribay
Although Bunny and Nasir have been friends forever, they haven't spoken since Bunny made the decision to transfer from Whitman High to St. Sebastian's, a basketball powerhouse with a pipeline to Division I colleges and the NBA. Told in alternating chapters, each boy struggles to find a path out of their rough neighborhood without leaving behind the people that they love. When Nasir makes a demand that Bunny can't possibly agree to, will their friendship survive?
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
After sixteen-year old Jacob witnesses his grandfather’s death (or murder depending on whom you ask) his outlandish description of events lands him in therapy. On doctor’s advice, to sort out his thoughts on his grandfather’s passing, Jacob and his Dad set out for a remote island linked to his grandfather’s boyhood. In the rubble of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Jacob discovers there is much more to his grandfather’s “fairy tales” then he has believed and maybe he has finally found the place he belongs.
The Lightning Thief. (Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Book 1) by Rick Riordan
Diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia, Percy Jackson has always found school difficult. Imagine his surprise when he finds the true source of his challenges, Percy is a demigod. The son of Poseidon and a mortal mother, the characteristics the human world recognizes as shortcomings strengthen his battlefield abilities when confronting an assortment of mythological monsters. Shortly after arriving at Camp Half Blood, a refuge and training space for underage demigods, Percy accepts a quest that will lead him from the depths of the underworld to the peaks of Olympus. Failure might result in the end of the world, but with two friends by his side, Percy decides failure is not an option. An engaging book, fans will be anxious for the sequel.
Jackaby by William Ritter
A reviewer writing for the Chicago Tribune, described Jackaby as “Sherlock Holmes crossed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer” an assessment I couldn’t agree with more. When Abigail Rook arrives in the American port of New Fiddletown, she finds the adventure she seeks with R.F. Jackaby, detective of supernatural events who is need of a new assistant. Abigail takes the job despite the fact that the previous assistant has been turned into a duck, Jackaby’s residence is haunted by a victim of an unsolved murder, and Abigail’s first case surrounds a serial killer. An enjoyable novel filled with equal parts humor, suspense, and mystery.
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
Together Josiah and Deja have manned the Succotash Hut at The Patch, the local fall festival, for the past three years. During their last night working together, Deja decides to abandon their post to make a love connection between Josiah and Marcy, the girl Josiah has had a crush on for years. Readers watch as the friends step on each other’s feelings, make memories that will last a lifetime, and ultimately find that sometimes those we think we know best change in the most unexpected and welcome of ways.
A fun seasonal read with fantastic illustrations.
Bone Gap by Laura Ruby
The O’Sullivan brothers, Sean and Finn, have lived in Bone Gap all their lives. Everyone it seems has lived in Bone Gap all their lives. Everyone, that is, except Roza. When Roza disappears with a man who seems impossible to find despite Finn’s eyewitness account, everyone assumes Roza has left the O’Sullivan boys just as their mother and father did before. The people of Bone Gap whisper about her disappearance, just as the corn whispers all around them. Can Finn find Roza? This novel is filled with quirky characters who drive an excellent mystery.
If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
After surviving intense bullying and an attack that nearly took her life, Amanda Harvey has moved to rural Lambertville, Tennessee to finish high school while living with her estranged father. Nervous of attention, Amanda wants to finish out the year, graduate, and move on to college in the northeast where she hopes her life can finally begin. When Lambertville brings friends, opportunities, and even a possible romance, Amanda begins to relax and enjoy her senior year, but will her new found friendships survive if her secret is revealed? Winner of the 2017 Stonewall Book Award for best work of young adult fiction. The author is a transgender woman and much of the story is based on the author's life experiences. Readers will be on the edge of their seats as they root for Amanda to stay safe and grow to accept herself.
Click here to watch the book trailer created by Mrs. Trader's Writing for Film and Media Class.
I am not your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez
Julia is struggling with her life. While she loves English and dreams of being a writer, high school is hard. Her family life, already a struggle, has gotten even harder since the death of her older sister, Olga. Shouldering her mother’s judgment, her father’s distance, and the normal pressures of life, Julia wants to believe that she can survive, but the weight of her circumstances seem to suggest otherwise. Can she find the help she needs before she cracks under the pressure? National Book Award finalist for 2017
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
When twelve-year-old Jack’s family takes in Joseph, a fourteen-year-old foster child who is separated from his own infant daughter, the family may not be ready for the impact of this decision. Over the next few months, despite his troubled past, Joseph earns the family’s trust and finds in Jack a friend who will always have his back, but when Joseph makes a decision that may put his future in jeopardy, how far will Jack go to save him? A fantastic book that examines the complicated issues that surround foster families and teenage parents.
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Li-yan, known simply as Girl to her family, enters her teen years among the Akha, a hill tribe who gathers tea in the mountains of Northern China. Over the decades the reader follows Li-yan as she goes to school, has and surrenders a daughter, marries, and finds success. Her sadness about her lost daughter colors Li-yan's worldview with the hope that someday they will be reunited. Meanwhile, in America, Haley, the daughter Li-yan gave up, grows and matures, but is drawn to China by tea, a connection she shares unknowingly with her birth mother. This beautiful, multi-generational story follows the happiness and sadness of family connections with deep roots.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
A wonderful marriage of pictures and words, Brian Selznick presents the story of Hugo Cabret, a twelve-year-old orphan who lives in the walls of the Paris train station. The death of Hugo’s beloved father, forces him into the custody of his uncle, the station’s clock keeper, but when his uncle disappears Hugo is left managing the clocks constantly at risk of being discovered. His discovery would mean the loss of the automaton, a machine Hugo struggles to repair as a last link to his father. When the search for parts leads to stealing, a toy shop owner forces Hugo into service. Befriended by Isabelle, the owner’s goddaughter, the children struggle to piece together the many connections they share to the automaton, but when the puzzle is revealed will it hurt or help their situations? Winner of the Caldecott Medal and a National Book Award Finalist, the juxtaposition of illustrations and text equal a fascinating final product.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Ruta Sepetys crafts a moving story from a dark and forgotten tragedy, the deportation and extermination of Lithuanians by Stalin's secret police. Fifteen-year-old Lina and her family are taken by force from their aristocratic home in Lithuania and deported to Siberia on crowded freight cars painted with the words "thieves and prostitutes." Separated from her father, Lina, her mother and brother struggle to survive starvation, cold, and imprisonment when they sentenced to twenty-five years hard labor. To cope and to leave clues for her father, Lina draws, paints, and writes about her daily in life, in the hope that her art will testify to the genocide of her people under Stalin's regime. The ending and the facts behind the fiction will shock readers unfamiliar with this page of Lithuanian history.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
This fast-paced refugee story feels modern, despite being set in the waning days of World War II. Four teenagers narrate the desperate attempt to escape the war closing in on all sides. Joana, fears her medical training won’t be enough to save those she has come to think of as family. Florian’s past is a mystery, but one he might be willing to reveal to the right person. Emilia has a secret, one she has conditioned herself to deny, but that cannot be hidden for much longer. Alfred wants to be recognized as a hero, but does this fit within his grasp? Aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, each hopes to reach safety as the ship departs, but the comfort of the ship could be deceiving. This novel offers a well-researched account of the fate of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a German vessel sunk on January 30, 1945 by Russian torpedos resulting in the death of over nine thousand passengers. Readers will wonder which of the main characters will be strong enough to survive their time at sea.
Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
Avoid Challenge Deep if you don't wish to be forever changed. Read Challenger Deep because it will forever change your perspective on living with mental illness. Shusterman presents the confused world of Caden Bosch, who is both a bright, creative teen, and the member of a ship's crew bound for Challenger Deep, the deepest point in the ocean. An apt analogy for Caden's spiral into schizophrenia, which has moments of clarity juxtaposed with moments of madness. Based on the author's son's own experience with mental illness, this novel is so authentic that this reader is still grappling with the aftereffects of the journey. Heartbreaking, but oh so illuminating! Readers will be left with a deeper empathy for individuals (and families) living with mental illness.
Dry by Neal Shusterman
When the Tap-Out escalates, leaving Southern California without a municipal water supply, people begin to panic. Thirsty and slowly dehydrating, survival becomes paramount for all. While water zombies, those who have dehydrated enough to begin to lose their humanity, threaten, unlikely bonds of opportunity and convenience begin to form. Kelton, whose family has been preparing for just such an emergency, is equipped to outlast his neighbors, but can he resist helping Alyssa, his crush from next door even if it means breaking with his family’s carefully laid plan for survival? When their parents go missing, Alyssa and Garrett meet up with Jacqui, a tough loner who may need more help then she will admit. Can the unlikely group of teens unite to survive the Tap-Out? As usual, Shusterman weaves a realistic nightmare that proves scary because it is so possible.
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Rowan and Citra have been selected as the unwilling apprentices to the Honorable Scythe Faraday, a reapers in charge of culling the herd of humanity. When disease and accidental death were defeated by the knowledge of the Thunderhead, the Scythes were tasked with deciding how to manage the population so as not to overcrowd the planet. While today’s society relies on the Cloud to hold our information, in this future the Cloud has evolved into the Thunderhead, an artificial intelligence that controls all aspects of society. The format, alternating the story with scythe journal entries, allows Shusterman to reveal the complexities of a society without death. When mankind can live forever do they begin to lose the reason for life itself? Can Rowan and Citra find a way to accept the training that they have been offered to help society? Shusterman’s dystopian world of Unwind is a favorite, but the complex issues discussed in Scythe blew me away.
Dear Justyce by Nic Stone
In this companion novel, Nic Stone tells an important story about the consequences of the school to prison pipeline for Black young people.
Quan, who devoted readers will remember as a supporting character in Dear Martin, is incarcerated and awaiting trial for his role in the shooting of a policeman. In letters and flashbacks, Quan shares the difficult road he’s traveled and the missed opportunities that could have led to a very different reality. Quan is fortunate. He has a loyal friend in Justyce, who rallies a team to help and support Quan as he works to graduate from high school and prove his innocence. This story will break your heart because the obstacles Quan describes are faced by so many young people. While it is a work of fiction, the research that Nic Stone did to create authentic situations and characters makes the story all the more compelling.
Not to be missed!
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
In this debut novel, Stone examines racism through the eyes of seventeen year old Justyce, an honor student bound for Yale with a clear vision of his future, until he is handcuffed by police without provocation. After this violation, Justyce begins to look more critically at the world he inhabits and the racism he faces daily becomes more and more unbearable. In an attempt to make sense of these heavy issues, Justyce begins to write letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. hoping that by viewing the world through the lens of the civil rights leader he will better understand the reality he lives. Readers follow Justyce through highs and lows and learn from his clear explanation of his feelings on racism, police brutality, and justice. A fantastic read!
Knights of the Hill Country by Tim Tharp
Lexile level - 940
Hampton Green shines on the football field, but when his best friend’s demand for loyalty becomes extreme, Hamp must decide how to react.
Click here to listen to Mrs. Manganello's book talk.
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
In this prequel, readers meet the head of the Carter family, Maverick at the age of seventeen. While Maverick is important to a reader’s understanding of his daughter, Starr in The Hate U Give, his past is suggested, but not fully explained in Thomas’ first novel. In Concrete Rose, Maverick is a teen Dad with two babies to bring up, despite the fact that he hasn’t figured out his own hopes, goals, and dreams yet. Tragedy and choices with real consequences shape who Maverick will become, but Thomas is a master storyteller who illustrates Maverick’s life and loves with a clear brilliance that captures the challenges he faces and the power of family. This novel is powerful and should not be missed!
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Everyone should read this book! I am excited to recommend it to my students! Starr Carter leads two lives, one at home in gang controlled Garden Heights with her loving family and another at the exclusive prep school she attends. Home on spring break, Starr witnesses Khalil, one of her oldest friends, shot by police for no reason. The lone witness to what actually happened, Starr struggles to reconcile how to honor Khalil, protect her family, and keep her two worlds separate as she presents her testimony to the District Attorney. Can Starr find the strength to help herself and her community regardless of the outcome of her grand jury testimony? Ripped from the headlines, this novel honors all who have been the victim of police violence.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least win her first battle. As the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died right before he hit big, Bri’s got massive shoes to fill. But it’s hard to get your come up when you’re labeled a hoodlum at school, and your fridge at home is empty after your mom loses her job. So Bri pours her anger and frustration into her first song, which goes viral…for all the wrong reasons. Bri soon finds herself at the center of a controversy, portrayed by the media as more menace than MC. But with an eviction notice staring her family down, Bri doesn’t just want to make it—she has to. Even if it means becoming the very thing the public has made her out to be. (Amazon.com)
How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love With the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
When her twin sister reaches social media stardom, Moon Fuentez accepts her fate as the ugly, unwanted sister hidden in the background, destined to be nothing more than her sister’s camerawoman. But this summer, Moon also takes a job as the “merch girl” on a tour bus full of beautiful influencers and her fate begins to shift in the best way possible.
Most notable is her bunkmate and new nemesis, Santiago Phillips, who is grumpy, combative, and also the hottest guy Moon has ever seen.
Moon is certain she hates Santiago and that he hates her back. But as chance and destiny (and maybe, probably, close proximity) bring the two of them in each other’s perpetual paths, Moon starts to wonder if that’s really true. She even starts to question her destiny as the unnoticed, unloved wallflower she always thought she was.
Could this summer change Moon’s life as she knows it? (Amazon.com)
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
When Viji and Rukku runaway from their abusive father and end up on the streets of Chennai, India, their future is not as bright as Viji planned. Fortunately, luck is on their side and soon they have a home, a family, and a future, but can they stay together or has their luck changed? Find out in this sweet survival story that shows that a family and a home can take many forms.
A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman
Veda's passion for classical Indian dance is what drives her. An accomplished student who has worked for years to perfect her art, Veda's world is shattered when an accident results in the loss of her leg. A future without dance is impossible, but if Veda can recapture the spiritual love of dance that she knew as a child perhaps her new prosthetic leg might allow her to dance again. While Govinda, a brilliant dancer in his own right, might teach Veda about dance, perhaps Veda's own strength will inspire Govinda to find the strength he needs to follow his own path. This novel in verse is a joy!
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
A complicated tale of true friendship set in the horrors of World War II. Readers will rejoice with and mourn for the two very different, yet equally strong female protagonists. While neither narrator proves reliable, the reader can build truth by layering the two accounts. Well-researched, Wein’s historical novel shows two ways women served the Allied forces in Britain and Nazi-occupied France, but it is the beautiful friendship at the heart of the novel that gives this novel its power. The ending broke my heart, but was perfect at the same time. Well-deserved Printz winner!
Last Pick by Jason Walz
Twins Sam and Wyatt were left behind when their parents, along with all other “useful” citizens of Earth, were abducted by aliens. In this new society, the very young, very old, and the disabled fend for themselves while aliens look on, but there is little optimism about what might happen next. Sam and Wyatt have been taught to take care of each other and while Sam can gather supplies and keep her family safe, it might be Wyatt’s autism that will lead them to a solution for the alien invasion. Can Wyatt keep them both safe or will the aliens return for Sam?
This great science fiction graphic novel is a promising opening to an enjoyable series. Continue the adventure with the rest of the trilogy.
Click here to watch the book trailer from Mrs. Trader's Writing for Film and Media Class.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
After awakening in an unfamiliar place, in a world that he doesn’t remember, Dr. Ryland Grace has finally recalled his own name. As he begins to figure out his surroundings, Grace realizes that not only is he alone, but he may not even still be on Earth. Will he figure out his mission before it is too late?
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Diagnosed as an infant with a rare disorder that keeps her hidden from the world, eighteen-year-old Madeline has spent her entire life inside her home. When a new family moves in next door, Madeline’s world gets slightly bigger, but will the new neighbor complicate her world in a way she isn’t ready for? An original romance that might answer the question, can falling in love kill you?
Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner
Carver Briggs never thought a simple text would cause a fatal crash, killing his three best friends, Mars, Eli, and Blake. But now Carver can't stop blaming himself for the accident and even worse, a powerful judge is pressuring the district attorney to open up a criminal investigation. Luckily, Carver has some unexpected allies: Eli's girlfriend, the only person to stand by him at school; Dr. Mendez, his new therapist; and Blake's grandmother, who asks Carver to spend a ""goodbye day"" together to share their memories and say a proper farewell. Soon the other families are asking for their own goodbye day with Carver--but he's unsure of their motives.
Will they all be able to make peace with their losses, or will these Goodbye Days bring Carver one step closer to a complete breakdown or--even worse--prison?. (Amazon.com)
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers.
The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It doesn't matter that the girls often die from the mental strain.
When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected - she kills him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is labeled an Iron Widow, a much-feared and much-silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead.
To tame her unnerving yet invaluable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot in Huaxia. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so easily. She will miss no opportunity to leverage their combined might and infamy to survive attempt after attempt on her life, until she can figure out exactly why the pilot system works in its misogynist way - and stop more girls from being sacrificed. (Amazon.com)
Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in American by Ibi Zoboi
Edited by National Book Award finalist Ibi Zoboi, and featuring some of the most acclaimed bestselling Black authors writing for teens today—Black Enough is an essential collection of captivating stories about what it’s like to be young and Black in America. (Amazon.com)
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