Staff Picks Young Adult Fiction
April 2022
The Naturals
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
If you like mysteries and thrillers, this book could be for you. There is a program put on by the FBI where they recruit kids who are special. Each participant has a “natural” gift. Cassie can read people and tell you who you are and what you want in detail. When she is put together with other teens who also have special talents things get real fast. Are the teens willing to risk danger and death to help the FBI solve murder cases? Can they come together as a team and survive before the killer picks them off one at a time? Pick up this book to find out.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Blood Moon
by Lucy Cuthew
This book in verse chronicles Frankie’s fall from grace in high school after a vicious meme goes viral. Since Frankie thinks her best friend posted it, their friendship is now over. On top of that the guy she likes cuts off contact with her once the meme is public. While this is all going on, Frankie is in the midst of applying for a coveted internship in her field of choice: astronomy.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive as an ebook.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
March 2022
Needlework
by Julia Watts
Sixteen-year-old Kody has a lot on his plate. He lives with his grandmother since his mother suffers from an opioid addiction. His younger brother, Caleb, lives with their uncle and his wife. Kody who loves to quilt and sew with his grandmother is also a huge Dolly Parton fan. His father, who is imprisoned, does not think much of Kody as he would prefer that he liked sports, hunting and fishing. When Kody discovers a family secret, his entire world is turned upside down.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
I Must Betray You
by Ruta Sepetys
Another historical fiction novel by Ruth Sepetys that uncovers the brutality of a dictator in Romania and the power of the student led revolution that toppled his 24 year regime in 1989. The people of Romania lived with food, electricity, and heat shortages under the Communist rule while the dictator lived in luxury. Besides the deprivations, the Romanians lived in fear of being turned in by their fellow citizen for being disloyal. Not knowing who to trust or who was listening, the country lived in an oppressive environment until the uprising that turned brutality onto each other. The hope for freedom and liberty drove the masses to rise up and the army to join them.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Librarian I
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The School for Good and Evil
by Soman Chainani
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The Hate U Give
by Angie Thomas
In this young adult novel, Starr Carter is a Fresh Prince loving, Jordans obsessed, typical sixteen-year-old girl. Except for the fact that she has seen enough violent tragedy for three lifetimes. Starr’s grown up in Garden Heights, a poor black neighborhood but attends Williamson High School in a rich white neighborhood. Because of this, she has become two different people. After murder rocks her world, once again, her conflicting lifestyles have never been more exposed. Starr must find her voice and who she really is, all in the face of police brutality, gang violence, racism, and ignorance. The Hate U Give is a novel but is so relevant it could be a biography. The insight into Starr’s family life, her friends in Garden Heights, her friends at Williamson, it all reads so honestly. You will fall in love with Starr’s courage as she finds the power of her unique voice.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Malorie Carpenter, Youth Services Assistant
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
How It All Blew Up
by Arvin Ahmadi
Amir knew that coming out to his Muslim family would be hard. So when a bully blackmails him and threatens to tell his parents that he is gay, he decides that easiest thing to do is run away to Italy. This leads to months of self-discovery that ends in an airport interrogation room. Will things work out for Amir? And what will happen between him and his parents after it all blows up?
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Check, Please! Book 1, #Hockey!
by Ngozi Ukazu
A graphic novel featuring hockey, vlogging, baking, friendships, and a touch of romance! It’s a cute story about a figure skater turned hockey player’s first year of college and all the ups and downs that come with it. This is a quick LGBTQ+ read that will get you excited for book 2 in the series.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
February 2022
How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love With the Universe
by Rachel Vasquez Gilliland
Star and Moon are twins. They prefer the Spanish versions of their names, Estrella and Luna, but their mom insists on the American ones. Star has achieved social media stardom and Moon basically tags along as her helper. Moon has secretly applied to college but has told no one. The twins leave on a tour with Moon filling the role of ‘merch girl’. The other person filling the same role is a very attractive guy named Santiago. The two start off as arch enemies but that gradually changes as they have more contact with each other. Will Moon discover her own path? Will she find a life separate from Star’s?
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Fountains of Silence
by Ruta Sepetys
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction