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| The Gilded Ones by Namina FornaWhat it's about: In the kingdom of Otera, intuitive 16-year-old Deka discovers that her blood runs gold, a sign of impurity that marks her as one of the alaki, near-immortal women warriors who must battle the fearsome deathshrieks and defend the society that shuns them.
Read it for: breathless action, a twisty plot, and a bold, fierce heroine.
For fans of: the Afrofantasy world-building of Jordan Ifueko's Raybearer or the feminist themes of Tracy Banghart's Grace and Fury series. |
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A Song Below Water
by Bethany C. Morrow
In a world... where mythical beings exist alongside and among humans, teen siren Tavia longs to proudly claim her identity, even though sirens are demonized for their powerful voices; meanwhile, Tavia's best friend/chosen sister Effie wonders if the curious symptoms she's having might reveal a powerful heritage of her own.
Try this next: Darcie Little Badger's Elatsoe, another contemporary tale that uses a fantasy lens to sharpen its focus on prejudice, marginalization, family, and solidarity.
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Almost American Girl
by Robin Ha
What it’s about: Chuna is 14 when her single mom decides to marry a Korean American man, moving their little family from Seoul to Alabama. Feeling adrift in a new country, a new language, and an unwelcoming new school and stepfamily, Chuna finds an anchor in drawing comics.
Why you might like it: This illustrated memoir offers an honest, unsentimental look at a mother-daughter relationship, and at how one immigrant teen finds herself through art.
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Apple: Skin to the Core
by Eric Gansworth
What it is: a memoir in verse by Onondaga author and artist Eric Gansworth, describing his family, his life on and off the reservation, the scars of forced assimilation, and his own specific sense of Indigenous identity.
What's inside: reflections on the slur "apple" (meaning "red on the outside, white on the inside"); deep dives into Beatles lyrics and superhero fandom; memories of growing up Onondaga while living among the Tuscarora; plus paintings, photos, and "liner notes" from the author.
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Beasts Made of Night
by Tochi Onyebuchi
What it’s about: In the city of Kos, sins take the form of monstrous beasts, and it’s the job of sin-eaters like Taj to slay the beasts and bear the guilt. But when Taj is summoned to eat the sins of the king, he’s forced to grapple not only with his conscience, but also with a treacherous conspiracy.
Why Legacy of Orisha fans might like it: Revolution threatens to upend the controlling monarchies in both of these imaginative, sweeping Afrofantasies.
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| The Speed of Falling Objects by Nancy Richardson FischerStarring: anxious Danny Warren, who's pushing her limits by joining her estranged father as he films an episode of his reality TV survival show with young Hollywood heartthrob Gus Price.
What happens: Instead of mere entertainment, survival becomes a necessity when the show's plane crashes in the Peruvian rainforest, forcing Danny to face her fears if she wants to make it out alive.
Try this next: Kate Alice Marshall's I Am Still Alive, which also blends psychological exploration with a gripping tale of endurance. |
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| #murdertrending by Gretchen McNeilIn a world... where prison is livestreamed and executions are a popular public spectacle, wrongly convicted murderer Dee Guerrera is determined to survive Alcatraz 2.0 and prove her innocence.
Is it for you? While the inventive violence and campy tone in this Black Mirror-style tale might be too much for sensitive readers, fans of horror and dark comedy will be riveted.
Series alert: For further gruesomely funny social commentary, check out the sequel, #murderfunding, and the prequel, #noescape. |
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| Lifestyles of Gods & Monsters by Emily RobersonWhat it is: a clever, high-drama mash-up of Greek mythology, reality TV, and celebrity culture.
What happens: Ariadne, princess of Crete and reluctant host of her family's kill-or-be-killed reality show, The Labyrinth Contest, unexpectedly falls for charming competitor Theseus. In order for Theseus to survive, however, he'll have to slay the monster that Ariadne is sworn to protect.
Who it's for: mature fans of the Percy Jackson books who want an edgier take on the Greek pantheon. |
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| The Gravity of Us by Phil StamperStarring: 17-year-old social media journalist Cal, who has to abandon his dream internship when his family moves across the country so that his dad can be an astronaut for NASA’s Mars mission.
What happens: While a reality TV crew follows the astronauts and their families, Cal hangs on to his ambition even as he starts falling for neighbor and fellow “Astrokid” Leon.
About the author: This quietly charming own voices romance is the 1st book by author Phil Stamper. |
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500 Words or Less
by Juleah Del Rosario
What it’s about: After everyone at school finds out that Nic Chen hooked up with her boyfriend’s best friend, Nic tries to rebuild her reputation by writing college admissions essays for her classmates. It’s easy enough to write about other people...but is she losing herself in the process?
Why you might like it: Written in a spare, reflective style, this story-in-verse gives you insight not just into Nic’s life, but also into the lives of everyone she writes for.
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 14 and up!
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