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The Charmed List
by Julie Abe
After spending most of high school as the quiet girl, Ellie Kobata is ready to take some risks and have a life-changing summer, starting with her Anti-Wallflower List—thirteen items she’s going to check off one by one. She’s looking forward to riding rollercoasters, making her art Instagram public (maybe), and going on an epic road-trip with her best friend Lia.
But when number four on Ellie’s list goes horribly wrong—revenge on Jack Yasuda—she’s certain her summer has gone from charmed to cursed. Instead of a road trip with Lia, Ellie finds herself stuck in a car with Jack driving to a magical convention. But as Ellie and Jack travel down the coast of California, number thirteen on her list—fall in love—may be happening without her realizing it.
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Only on the weekends
by Dean Atta
Fifteen-year-old Mack is a hopeless romantic--likely a hazard of growing up on film sets thanks to his father's job. Mack has had a crush on Karim for as long as he can remember and he can't believe it when gorgeous, popular Karim seems into him too.
But when Mack's father takes on a new directing project in Scotland, Mack has to move away, and soon discovers how painful long-distance relationships can be. It's awful to be so far away from Karim, and it's made worse by the fact that Karim can be so hard to read.
Then Mack meets actor Finlay on set, and the world turns upside down again. Fin seems fearless--and his confidence could just be infectious.
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My mechanical romance
by Alexene Farol Follmuth
Bel would rather die than think about the future. College apps? You’re funny. Extracurriculars? Not a chance. But when she accidentally reveals a talent for engineering at school, she’s basically forced into joining the robotics club. Even worse? All the boys ignore Bel—and Neelam, the only other girl on the team, doesn't seem to like her either.
Enter Mateo Luna, captain of the club, who recognizes Bel as a potential asset—until they start butting heads. Bel doesn’t care about Nationals, while Teo cares too much. But as the nights of after-school work grow longer and longer, Bel and Teo realize they've made more than just a combat-ready robot for the championship: they’ve made each other and the team better. Because girls do belong in STEM.
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| The Silence That Binds Us by Joanna HoMaybelline Chen isn't the Chinese Taiwanese American daughter her mother expects her to be. May prefers hoodies over dresses and wants to become a writer. When asked, her mom can't come up with one specific reason for why she's proud of her only daughter. May's beloved brother, Danny, on the other hand, has just been admitted to Princeton. But Danny secretly struggles with depression, and when he dies by suicide, May's world is shattered.
In the aftermath, racist accusations are hurled against May's parents for putting too much "pressure" on him. May's father tells her to keep her head down. Instead, May challenges these ugly stereotypes through her writing. Yet the consequences of speaking out run much deeper than anyone could foresee. Who gets to tell our stories, and who gets silenced? It's up to May to take back the narrative.
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All the best liars
by Amelia Kahaney
Tic tac toe, three girls in a row. Nine years old and inseparable. Friends for life, or so they think . . .
Best friends Syd, Rain, and Brie grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in the stifling California desert, desperately wishing for a way out.
In the end, each of them will escape—but not in the way they expect. One will do it by dying, another by lying, a third by taking the fall. A deadly fire is set two weeks before the end of their senior year of high school and nothing will ever be the same.
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Love radio
by Ebony LaDelle
Prince Jones is the guy with all the answers—or so it seems. After all, at seventeen, he has his own segment on Detroit’s popular hip-hop show, Love Radio, where he dishes out advice to the brokenhearted.
Prince has always dreamed of becoming a DJ and falling in love. But being the main caretaker for his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, and his little brother means his dreams will stay just that and the only romances in his life are the ones he hears about from his listeners.
Until he meets Dani Ford.
Dani isn’t checking for anybody. She’s focused on her plan: ace senior year, score a scholarship, and move to New York City to become a famous author. But her college essay keeps tripping her up and acknowledging what’s blocking her means dealing with what happened at that party a few months ago.
When the romantic DJ meets the ambitious writer, sparks fly. Prince is smitten, but Dani’s not looking to get derailed. She gives Prince just three dates to convince her that he’s worth falling for.
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See you yesterday
by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Barrett Bloom is hoping college will be a fresh start after a messy high school experience. But when school begins on September 21st, everything goes wrong. She’s humiliated by the know-it-all in her physics class, she botches her interview for the college paper, and at a party that night, she accidentally sets a frat on fire. She panics and flees, and when she realizes her roommate locked her out of their dorm, she falls asleep in the common room.
The next morning, Barrett’s perplexed to find herself back in her dorm room bed, no longer smelling of ashes and crushed dreams. It’s September 21st. Again. And after a confrontation with Miles, the guy from Physics 101, she learns she’s not alone—he’s been trapped for months.
When her attempts to fix her timeline fail, she agrees to work with Miles to find a way out. Soon they’re exploring the mysterious underbelly of the university and going on wild, romantic adventures. As they start falling for each other, they face the universe’s biggest unanswered question yet: what happens to their relationship if they finally make it to tomorrow?
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| Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-ÍyímídéWhat it's about: Shortly after they both become prefects, Chiamaka and Devon -- the only two Black students at Niveus Academy -- are targeted by an anonymous texter called Aces. Somehow, Aces knows their deepest secrets, and as the stakes shift from devastating to deadly, Devon and Chi have to band together to make it through.
For fans of: dark academia, breathtaking twists, and socially conscious thrillers inspired by the real-life menace of racism. |
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| Grown by Tiffany D. JacksonStarring: Enchanted Jones, whose singing dreams come true when R&B superstar Korey Fields takes her under his wing.
What happens: As Korey's behavior becomes disturbing, Enchanted begins to fear the price of fame -- and that's before she wakes up with Korey's blood on her hands.
Is it for you? While Grown's unflinching look at abuse and exploitation might not be for everyone, readers in search of an intense, socially aware thriller won't be able to put it down. |
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| A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria LeeA fresh start: Felicity Morrow called her ivy-covered boarding school Dalloway home until the tragic death of her girlfriend Alex. After some time away, she’s returned to finish her thesis.
Enter: writing prodigy Ellis Haley. She convinces Felicity to help research the Dalloway Five, alleged witches murdered centuries ago. As the two grow closer, Felicity is unsure whether she’s being haunted by past deaths or manipulated by Ellis.
For fans of: unreliable narrators, morally gray characters, and dark academia. |
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| The Girls I've Been by Tess SharpeWhat it is: a captivating thriller following Nora, her girlfriend, and her ex, all taken hostage during a bank robbery. Nora, the daughter of a con artist, must rely on her past in order to survive.
How it’s told: in alternating chapters detailing Nora’s previous personas, showing how she acquired the skills she uses to con the robbers.
Adaptation alert: Millie Bobbie Brown from Stranger Things is set to star in the Netflix adaptation of this heart-pounding story. |
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| Fadeaway by E.B. VickersAvailable Hoopla eAudioBook
One night: Jake wins the state title with his basketball team as thousands of fans cheer him on. He’s the star player, dream boyfriend, great brother, and all-around perfect guy.
The next morning: Jake has vanished. As Jake’s family, friends, and teammates reveal what they know that’s possibly relevant to his disappearance, Jake's painful secrets break through that perfect facade.
Is it for you? This thought-provoking, compassionate novel examines the impact of opioid misuse. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 14 and up!
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Manatee County Public Library System
1301 Barcarrota Boulevard West
Bradenton, Florida 34205
(941) 748-5555www.mymanatee.org/library |
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