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Welcome to: the mostly un-magical town of Inveirno, Arizona, one of the Royal States of America and home to spellbreaker Tala and her best friend Alexei, the refugee prince of Avalon.
What happens: After a visit from the legendary firebird, Tala joins Alexei on his treacherous quest to liberate his enchanted homeland from the Snow Queen.
Why you might like it: A diverse cast of characters grounds this exciting mash-up of fairy tales and mythology. |
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All the days past, all the days to come by Mildred D TaylorA long-awaited conclusion to the story that began in the Newbery Medal-winning Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry finds young adult Cassie Logan searching for a sense of belonging before joining the Civil Rights Movement in 1960s Mississippi. Genre: African American fiction; Family sagas; Historical fiction Character: Authentic; Culturally diverse; Sympathetic Storyline: Character-driven; Issue-oriented; Own voices Tone: Bittersweet; Moving; Serious Writing Style: Candid; Compelling; Richly detailed
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| Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie GonzalesWhat it’s about: After being ghosted by Will, his seemingly sweet summer fling, Ollie begins his senior year at a new school and discovers that not only is Will his classmate, he’s also popular, obnoxious, and very closeted.
For fans of: the musical Grease (which inspired this book), as well as anyone looking for a smart, inclusive, and lighthearted romance. |
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All the stars and teeth by Adalyn GraceRaised in the arts of royal magic as heir to the throne of her island kingdom, Amora Montara is forced to flee in the wake of a spell gone wrong and teams up with a mysterious pirate to prove her worthiness to rule. Genre: Epic fantasy Themes: Laws of magic Character: Culturally diverse; Strong female Storyline: Action-packed; World-building Writing Style: Thoughtful
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| The Kingdom of Back by Marie LuStarring: musical prodigy Nannerl Mozart, who’s angry at how 18th-century European society limits her options while encouraging the talents of her beloved brother, Wolfgang.
What happens: Nannerl and Wolfgang find their way into the magical realm of Back, where Nannerl meets Hyacinth, an enigmatic figure who offers adventure and fame -- but only at a devastating cost.
Author alert: This lush, detailed historical fantasy is a new direction for Marie Lu, best known for science fiction series Legend and Warcross. |
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Bent heavens by Daniel KrausFed up with her missing father’s delusions about alien abductions, Liv endeavors to destroy her father’s “alien traps,” before an astonishing discovery forces Liv and her friend, Doug, to make an impossible choice. By the award-winning author of Trollhunters. Genre: Science fiction; Thrillers and suspense Themes: First contact Character: Complex; Relatable; Sympathetic Storyline: Character-driven Tone: Bleak; Gruesome; Thought-provoking Writing Style: Engaging
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| Be Not Far from Me by Mindy McGinnisThe place: Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, where experienced camper Ashley and her friends go to party.
The problem: A drunken mistake leaves Ashley barefoot, injured, and stranded without supplies, forcing her to find her own way back to safety before her infected wound gets the better of her.
Try this next: Kathryn Holmes’ The Distance Between Lost and Found, an equally intense (but less gritty) survival story that similarly places a compelling character in a struggle against the wilderness. |
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The between by David HofmeyrAttending mandatory counseling after a fight at school, Ana struggles with feelings of apprehension before a shocking accident involving a terrifying monster compels her alliance with a mysterious clan to save a best friend’s life. By the author of Stone Rider. Genre: Fantasy fiction; Gateway fantasy Storyline: Action-packed Pace: Fast-paced Writing Style: Descriptive
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| Bloom by Kenneth OppelThe invasion: A worldwide downpour deposits extraterrestrial seeds all over Earth, resulting in an explosion of terrifying new plants -- some with toxic pollen, others with carnivorous, people-eating pods.
The resistance: Three teens on a remote island in British Columbia discover that they might be the only ones immune to the alien horrors trying to colonize their planet.
Series alert: This high-stakes science fiction thriller is the 1st in The Overthrow trilogy. |
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Blood sport by Tash McAdamsAfter his sister's mysterious death, Jason, a transgender teenager, infiltrates a boxing gym to disover what happened and is torn between his investigation and the sense of belonging that he discovers at the gym Genre: Canadian fiction; High interest-low vocabulary books; LGBTQIA fiction; Mysteries; Realistic fiction Character: LGBTQIA diverse Storyline: Own voices; Plot-driven Writing Style: Compelling
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| Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer DuganWhat it’s about: With her senior year approaching and Magic Castle Playland amusement park about to close forever, Lou (the park’s costumed hot dog) is running out of time to get with Nick (the park’s pirate).
So obviously: Lou needs to fake a romance with her best friend Seeley so that Nick will get jealous. It’s a plan that can’t possibly backfire, right?
Why you might like it: This funny, heartfelt rom-com features roller coasters both literal and emotional. |
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| How (Not) to Ask a Boy to Prom by S.J. GosleeWhat it’s about: Sixteen-year-old wallflower Nolan has never kissed anyone and doesn’t care about the prom, but he caves to his sister’s pressure and agrees to find a date. His promposal, however, goes horribly wrong, leaving Nolan stuck with his former bully, Bern, as his fake boyfriend.
Why you might like it: Romantic complications pile up as the prom draws closer in this clever, angsty story packed with on-point dialogue. |
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| Fake It Till You Break It by Jenn P. NguyenFeaturing: lifelong neighbors Mia and Jake, who can’t stand each other, despite their moms’ insistence that they’d be the perfect couple.
What happens: Fed up with their mothers, Mia and Jake decide to fake a relationship so that they can stage an epic break-up and finally be free ...as long as they don’t catch feelings first.
You might also like: David Yoon’s Frankly in Love, another book in which parental expectations lead to self-discovery and unintended romantic results. |
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| The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie WestWhat it’s about: After getting dumped right before prom, image-conscious Gia can’t face the dance alone, so she convinces Hayden, a random guy in the parking lot, to pose as her boyfriend. When their fake relationship grows into a genuine attraction, however, Gia has to decide how much she’s willing to risk in order to follow her heart.
Why you might like it: Author Kasie West’s distinctive, winning blend of wit and fluff will keep you breezing through this satisfying romance. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 14 and up!
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