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New for Teens

Across the Green Grass Fields

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Title: Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire
Format: Book
Published: January 12, 2021
Who it’s for: Adults and Teens

As with the previous 5 books in the Wayward Children series, this next novel is beautifully written in such a way that draws the reader into a fantasy world that is tempting and beautiful, but always expects more of its inhabitants than meets the eye.

Young Regan is growing up, and her parents have decided that now is the time to tell her about her genetic identity. As she grapples with this news, she hopes that she can trust Laurel with this really big secret about herself. She can’t. Regan runs to the woods between school and home, and stumbles across a strange doorway. It beckons her, but is she sure that she wants to enter? As she passes through the twisted branches, she enters Hoofland, and leaves her world behind. The supposed mythical, but very real, centaurs explain that the appearance of a human in their world means that “something’s coming”; and Regan will be expected to be a hero.

Across the Green Grass Fields is a stand alone novel in The Wayward Children series, introducing a new character. If you are curious about the first book, check out this previous blog post by Tess.

This series can be found in the adult fiction collection, but the stories will be loved by teens as well.

Find it in the catalog

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed

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The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed
Format: Audiobook
Who it’s for: Teens, Adults

“The Black Kids” by Christina Hammonds Reed is a beautifully written, heart wrenching coming-of-age story that covers so many heavy topics. Though it occurs in 1992, the topics and life lessons learned are just as relevant almost 30 years later. In “The Black Kids”, Reed explores the trauma of growing up Black and interacting in predominantly white circles. Reed tackles the concept of respectability politics surrounding the African American community.

The Black Kids, in my opinion, perfectly captures many aspects of high school life. Most of us have experienced the awkward transition from childhood to adulthood and how that transition affects our long-standing friendships. Teenagers put up with a lot more from people we’ve known a long time versus those we just met and that wears down on one’s existence. The growing pains that Ashley, her friends and family members experience throughout the book allows you to relate to at least one of the characters in this book. This was great read and kept me intrigued as to what will happen next.

Find it in the catalog.

Feel Good Romance for Teens

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Life is crazy right now! While you try to take it easy this holiday season, check out these new, lighthearted stories.

Layoverland by Gabby Noone
Published: August 4, 2020
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens

Bea has some flaws. She says she is “a hater, not a helper,” but then she is in a deadly car accident and finds herself as an assigned helper in purgatory. It turns out that the place between heaven and hell is in a tacky airport.

If Bea wants to move on to heaven, she has to help 5,000 souls figure out what’s keeping them out of heaven. Bea is manipulative and can call out your weaknesses, so she’s great for the job!

Then, it turns out that cute Caleb is also the guy that caused the car accident that killed them both. Of course, flawed Bea plots to make sure Caleb doesn’t get into heaven.

If you like dark humor, and the tv show The Good Place, this book is for you!

Find it in the catalog.

 

Every Reason We Shouldn’t by Sara Fujimura
Published: March 3, 2020
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens

Looking for an upbeat romantic comedy? Here’s your book!

But first, Olivia has to work through some things. At 16, she feels like her competitive figure skating career is over, which means she’s not living up to the expectations of her gold medal Olympian parents, the family skating rink business is failing, and her mom’s serious back injury left Olivia as her caretaker, and has left the family with massive medical bills.

Then, Jonah Choi, speed skater and Olympic hopeful, begins training at her family’s rink; and he attends Olivia’s new high school. Jonah is someone who understands what it’s like to be a professional teenage athlete, and as they spend more time together Olivia rediscovers her confidence and passion for skating. It’s time for Olivia to decide what she wants!

Find it in the catalog.

 


More Than Just A Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood
Published: August 4, 2020
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens

Danyal Jilani lives up to his family’s idea that he isn’t very bright. But hey, he has lots of other things going for him. He’s good looking, funny, likeable, and lives a carefree life. His only real concerns are becoming a chef, and getting the attention of Kaval. The problem is that Kaval’s parents don’t think Danyal is worthy of their daughter. Danyal’s carefree days are upended when he is selected to participate in an academic competition. The competition is very exclusive, so this could be the way to prove himself to Kaval’s parents.

Danyal has to be sure that he will win, so obviously he enlists the help of Bisma, a potential match for an arranged marriage made by his family. As Bisma and Danyal spend more time together working on his essay entry, he learns of her painful and scandalous secret. His connection with Bisma grows and he starts to realize that his ideal path may not be the best path for him.

Find it in the catalog.

The Voting Booth

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The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens

It’s Election Day! Marva and Duke, seniors at different high schools, are voting for the first time. Marva has thoroughly researched and planned for this day, just like she does with everything in life. She is ready to vote! Duke registered a couple years ago when he was 16.

It turns out that Duke isn’t registered where he thought, his car breaks down, and Marva shows up to save the day. The two have never met, but Marva believes every vote counts, so she is going to get Duke to his polling place. The story follows the two through this one election day and the craziness that ensues. Everything that can go wrong does, all while they run all over town trying to get Duke’s vote in.

As they spend the day together, they get to each other, and they start to understand themselves and their relationships better. Marva is having a tough time with her boyfriend who she thought was a perfect match for her; and Duke is having a tough time with his parents since his older brother died.

The chapters alternate between Marva and Duke, and the story moves at a surprising pace. I enjoyed the quick wit and momentum of Duke and Marva’s relationship. The author touches on a number of issues relevant to the lives of young people of color, and the impact young people can make by voting and participating in the elections process.

If you can, register to vote, go vote; and then check out The Voting Booth!

Turtle Under Ice

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Turtle Under Ice by Juleah del Rosario
Published: February 11, 2020
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens

I am not going to lie to you, this is a sad one. From page one you can feel the loneliness and sorrow that hangs over Row, Ariana, and their home. Each one, their own island of grief.

Their mother died. Years later the grief is still with Row and her big sister Ariana. For Row, Ariana’s disappearance into a snowy night is a terrifying blow to their relationship. The novel, written in verse, is told from both Row’s and Ariana’s perspective. Without focusing on the small details that make up their lives, the novel centers on how each character copes with their grief, and how the disconnects in their relationships with each other and with their friends, keeps them from healing in order to live their lives. They both need to learn how to miss their mom while being more than the sum of their grief.

Don’t let the prospect of a sad and poignant story sway you from reading this beautifully written and hopeful portrayal of loss, love, and grief.

Find it in the Catalog

#OwnVoices

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I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “own voices.” I’m going to talk about what it means, why it’s important, and offer a few title suggestions.

Corrine Duyvis created the #OwnVoices hashtag in 2015 to promote children’s and young adult books written by someone from a marginalized or under-represented group who writes characters based on their own experiences, and from their own perspective. The number of #OwnVoices authors and their stories is growing, but their stories are still often told by authors with an outside perspective.

#OwnVoices is about bringing awareness to under-represented authors and what they bring to the world of writing through their lived experiences. It’s about bringing awareness to readers that there are so many more experiences in the world than our own; and that we become better people, citizens, and friends when we read beyond their own experiences. It’s about reaching the children and teens that pick up book after book, never seeing themselves or their experiences represented by the main characters in a book.

Use #OwnVoices on social media or in your search engine to find a selection of titles. Take a look at #WeNeedDiverseBooks on Overdrive or Libby to find a selection of #OwnVoices ebooks and audiobooks. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Published May 5, 2020
ebook and audiobook
Who It’s For: Teens

Alternating between the Dominican Republic and New York, the reader experiences what loss does to two teens, and how forgiveness brings them together and helps them to heal. I have started reading this and the poetic verse of Elizabeth Acevedo does not disappoint.

Find the ebook or audiobook.

 

 

Saving Savannah by Tonya Bolden
Published January 14, 2020
Book
Who It’s For: Teens

Set in the early 1900s in Washington, D.C., Savannah is a member of the upper class. She soon gets a view into how the other half lives, and is inspired to fight for changes. Step back in time to 100 years ago when people were fighting for change, just as they are today.

Find it in the catalog.

 

 

I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee
Published June 16, 2020
ebook
Who It’s For: Teen

Skye wants to be a K-pop star, and she’s going to audition no matter what people say about her weight. She has something to prove, and she’s going to do it in front of the world. Confident Skye brings on the fun and body positivity in this light-hearted rom-com.

Find the ebook.

 

 

The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala
Published April 23, 2019
Book
Who It’s For: Teens

The stories of Esha and Kunal are based on ancient Indian history and Hindu mythology. Secretly, Esha is the Viper, an assassin bent on taking down General Hotha. Inevitably, Kunal, a soldier and the nephew of General Hotha, crosses paths with the Viper.

This first book in the series is full of romance, action, and magic.

Find it in the catalog.