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Elizabeth

Pet

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Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Published: September 2019
Book
Who it’s for: Teens

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Jam lives in a world where monsters no longer exist. The angels have made the world safe again by eradicating the monsters. School children learn of the angels and monsters, but people have done little to prevent their reemergence. When a horrific looking creature named Pet steps from Jam’s mother’s painting, Jam must come to grips with the fact that there is a monster in her best friend’s house. With the monster hunter Pet by her side, she must make some tough decisions to protect her friend.

This creative story teaches us that monsters aren’t always what they seem , and that merely telling the tales of angels isn’t enough to stop the wicked. Brave people like Jam must speak up and fight to reveal the wolves in sheep’s clothing that live among us.

Switchback

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Switchback, by Danika Stone
Publication Date: May 28, 2019
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens

For best friends Vale, the outdoorsy social outcast and Ash, the gamer geek, the mandatory P.E. mountain hiking trip is the last place they want to be. Ash is ill-prepared and Vale just wants to avoid the people bullying her. Suddenly, nothing matters except their survival when they become separated from the class. Alone and afraid, they must endure wild animals, terrible weather, and a wildfire. Maybe they will a find a new strength in themselves and each other… if they can make it out alive.

Pick this edge of your seat story for a quick and thrilling read before summer ends.

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The Candle and the Flame

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The Candle and the Flame, by Nafiza Azad
May 14, 2019
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens

Fatima is a young woman living with her adopted family in the beautiful city of Noor.  In Noor, languages, cultures, religions, humans, and djinn blend together to create a unique and diverse city. Harmony is momentary, however, as humans clash with the evil djinn called Shayateen, and the city’s djinn protectors, the Ifrit. Timid Fatima finds her strength and independence in a new name as this story of magic and feminine strength unfolds.

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Shout

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Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson
Release Date: March 12, 2019
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens, Adults

“This is the story of a girl who lost her voice and wrote herself a new one” (p. 8). As a survivor of rape and sexual assault, Laurie Halse Anderson writes a memoir that is moving, honest, angry, and empowering. The poetic verse flows beautifully, and she is able to say so much with her few carefully chosen words, as she takes the reader through her life before and after IT happened. The author is a great example of strength and how to use your voice to make change. Mental health and sexual violence resources are provided for the reader. Recommended for teens and adults.

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Girls on the Line

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Girls on the Line by Jennie Liu
Publication Date: November 1, 2018
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens

Violating Family Planning regulations by having a child out of wedlock sounds like something from a dystopian novel. In China, it is the reality for millions.

Luli has aged out of the orphanage at 16 and is forced into the world of adulthood. She connects with her friend Yun who aged out of the system the year before. Yun helps Luli to get a job at the factory where she works and promises to show her the ropes. Yun is energetic and precarious, spending her money on eating out with her friends, going to clubs, and spending time with her older boyfriend. Luli is shy, saves her money, and hopes to one day have a family. Luli soon hears the rumors about Yun’s boyfriend. He sells off young girls and women to men in the countryside, he is a bride trafficker. Yun refuses to believe these rumors and finds herself in a position that seems inescapable. She is pregnant with Yun’s child and doesn’t have the money to abide by the Family Planning regulations; get an abortion, or pay the fines for having a child outside of marriage. Luli wants to help her friend, but can she?

Yun and Luli live in a culture where superstition and appearances are vital to success in life. These beliefs impact personal relationships and employment prospects. Add to that the government’s Family Planning regulations, and life can be incredibly difficult for women in this culture. The harrowing experiences of these two young women leads them on a journey of self-discovery, selflessness, sorrow, and friendship that is worth reading about.

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Fresh Ink

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Fresh Ink Edited by Lamar Giles
Publication Date: August 14, 2018
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens

Love, relationships, and the unknown abound in these sci-fi, fantasy, urban, and real-world short stories from well-known YA authors. In their own unique way, each author leaves the reader wondering where the story could go from here. With diverse characters, written by diverse authors, there is something here for everyone.

In “A Stranger at the Bochinchi,” Daniel Jose’ Older does what he does best, keeping you on the edge of your seat in this magical dystopia.

Walter Dean Meyers gets right to the point in an eerie way, showing us what a life wasted to violence looks like in “Tags.”

As I said, there is something here for everyone, even a graphic novel. You’ll fall instantly in love with the adorable friends in “Paladin/Samurai,” by Gene Luen Yang as the story opens during their role playing game.

In “Meet Cute,” by Malinda Lo you’re heart will melt over the budding new relationship that takes place at the Denver Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention.

I am a fan of short story collections from varying authors because it allows me to read outside of my comfort zone without committing to a full fledged book. In Fresh Ink, I found that I enjoyed stories from authors that I typically avoid, and I found comfort in reading some of my favorite and familiar authors. I hope that you will do the same with this attention grabbing collection of short stories.

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