New & Noteworthy Books

Just a few of the teen titles that I am excited to read. - Sadie Tucker

Squire

Alfageeh, Sara

Fantasy (graphic novel)

12 years and up

Aiza dreams of becoming a knight, which would not only bring her glory but also full citizenship. As an Ornu she is a secondclass citizen. After concealing her heritage, she becomes a squire but war and the empire she serves are nothing like she thought. Publishers Weekly says, "Shammas uses Aiza’s determined voice to examine themes of assimilation and passing privilege through the ways in which the Bayt-Saiji Empire simultaneously divides and homogenizes its peoples."

(ref)

The

Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen

Blum, Isaac

Realistic Contemporary

12 years and up

Hoodie's family, alongside many members of their Orthodox Jewish community, has just moved to Tregaron, Pennsylvania and the locals aren't happy. When irreverent, sarcastic Hoodie falls for the daughter of the town's antisemitic mayor, he faces backlash from both within and without his community. Unfortunately, snark doesn't get Hoodie too far before everything implodes.

Thieves

Bryon, Lucie

Romantic Comedy

15 years and up

This French import tells the story of Ella who has woken up from an alcohol-induced blackout surrounded by other people's things. In an effort not to alienate all of her classmates, she and her crush, Maddy, attend a string of parties in an effort to slyly return all of the purloined items.

The Getaway

Giles, Lamar

Dystopian/Thriller

13 years and up

The world is burning, often quite literally, but Jay and his family are safe as live-in staff at an exclusive resort. When the rich guests no longer leave and the staff begin to be mistreated, Jay and his friends realise that the world outside really is falling apart - and his employer is ready to do whatever it takes to maintain their privilege. Including slavery.

Valiant Ladies

Grey, Melissa

Historical Action

14 years and up Ana and Kiki are socially acceptable women during the day, but at night they take to the streets and enact vigilante justice against those who prey on the weak. When Ana's brother is murdered, they delve deeper into the criminal underworld to unearth the killer - all while trying to resist their attraction to, and love for, each other.

Rust in the Root

Ireland, Justina Historical Fantasy

13 years and up

Magic has become blighted, which has shifted society's focus to technology. Laura came to New York with big dreams of a thriving magical bakery, but now finds herself embroiled in an investigation of a particularly nasty instance of the blight. As America's dark past and problematic present collide, she and her mentor must unravel unimaginable magics to save life as they know it. Publishers Weekly says, "Ireland mingles an indepth understanding of human nature with a wildly ambitious reimagining of the Depression era, balancing matters of race, gender, and sexuality in this thoroughly unique perspective of historical magical fantasy." (ref)

Nothing More to Tell McManus, Karen M.

Mystery/Suspense

14 years and up

Brynn is back in Sturgis after four years away and is determined to solve the murder of a beloved English teacher from before she left. Tripp was Brynn's best friend before betraying her trust. His false testimony exonerated two of the prime suspects and now he is wracked with guilt. As Brynn and Tripp rebuild their friendship and try to solve their teacher's murder, they don't realise just how much danger they're in...

Torch

Miller-Lachmann, Lyn Historical

14 years and up

In a protest against the government, Pavel burned himself alive. Now his three closest friends are paying the price: A hockey star who is in the closet, an autistic student who is already in conflict with the government due to his inability to adhere to expectations, and Pavel's girlfriend who has just found out she is pregnant - and thus is deemed a collaborator by association. With their futures under threat they must each make a life-changing decision: Should they remain in their home country or try to escape.

Four for the Road

Reilly, K. J.

Contemporary /Dark humour

14 years and up

When you're planning to kill the drunk driver who caused your mother's death, it only makes sense to bring some friends along. Probably best not to tell them what the trip is really about, though. As Asher gets on the road and prepares to set his dastardly plan into action each of his companions have their own reasons for coming along. Kirkus says, "So overwhelming is the load of trauma they each carry that it’s hard to see how their journey could end on a buoyant note, but Reilly pulls it off by developing rich friendships while artfully slipping in comical elements on the way to a climactic whirl of laughter, tears, budding romance, and well-placed insights." (ref)

Teens Issue -New Books - 17

Man Made Monsters

Rogers, Andrea L.

Horror (illustrated short stories)

13 years and up

Spanning in chronological order from 1839 to 2039, these short stories start with a Cherokee family that is being forcibly displaced to a reserve while simultaneously facing a supernatural threat. From there, descendents face unfathomable and horrific threats both magical and mundane.

The Sunbearer Trials

Thomas, Aiden

Fantasy Adventure

12 years and up

Every 10 years, teen demidioses are chosen to compete in a vital competition: The winner lights the temples to keep the Obsidian gods at bay, while the loser is sacrificed to supply that light. Teo never imagined that he would compete - only the most powerful demidioses are chosen to enter - but now he is to be one of the 10 contestants. Desperate to survive, Teo begins to train. His life depends on it. Publisher Weekly says, "Thomas’s queernormative world and distinctly drawn cast deliver an upbeat fantasy teeming with captivating worldbuilding, earnest friendships, and electrifying adventure." (ref) First in a duology.

The Well

Wyatt, Jacob

Fantasy Adventure (graphic novel)

13 years and up

After swiping three coins for the ferry home, Lizzy is in debt to a wishing well. If she doesn't pay it back she will drown in the sea. Now Lizzy is off to grant the wishes associated with the coins she stole. Hopefully she won't die doing it.