Staff Picks Young Adult Fiction
February 2022
This Poison Heart
by Kalynn Bayron
Briseis has a secret. Plants react to her emotions as well as grow brighter when she encounters them. Not an easy secret to keep when walking down the city streets causes trees to bend in your direction. Briseis gets word that her birth mother’s sister has passed away and she is set to inherit a large house on a huge plot of land in the small town of Rhinebeck, NY. Here is the chance for her adoptive moms to stop worrying about the increasing costs of a business in the city and an opportunity for Briseis to let her gift loose among the trees and fields of her new home. But soon she learns that her secret is not only hers alone. A mysterious apothecary, a garden full of poisonous plants, and a town full of strange characters introduce Briseis to the family in ways she never expected.
Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Heartstopper Vol.4
by Alice Oseman
There’s so much packed into this volume. Charlie and Nick finally start using the “L” word, even though they’re both extremely nervous to be the first one to say it. Nick confronts Charlie on his possible eating disorder. The duo learn that the best way to help each other is by needing others as well as each other. This volume is more than just about love. It’s about family, loyalty and mental illness. Pick up all 4 volumes of Heartstopper in the YA Graphic Novel collection today!
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
We Are Not Free
by Traci Chee
This book is a multi character account of what it was like for teenage Japanese American citizens to be removed from their homes (along with their families) and forced into incarceration camps during World War II. Each chapter is from a different character’s point of view, but they all overlap and continue each other’s stories. This is a great book that shows a usually unseen part of American history. If you’re looking for a World War II read, pick this one up.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audio book.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
January 2022
Seven Dirty Secrets
by Natalie D. Richards
Another action-packed who-done-it by the author of Five Total Strangers. Cleo finds a beautifully wrapped birthday gift on the bathroom counter, but when she opens it a horrible rhyme is revealed. So begins a scavenger hunt that sends her and her friend Hope, later involving the others who had gone on that fateful rafting trip the previous year, deciphering the clues based on Cleo’s past relationship with Declan, the boy who died. As the time limit to solve the clues in the scavenger hunt gets less, and less, the suspense and fear as to who will survive ramps higher.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The Lost Girls: A Vampire Revenge Story
by Sonia Hartl
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Ain’t Burned All the Bright
by Jason Reynolds
This is a weighty book literally and figuratively. The book is heavy because of the nearly 300 pages of art work and because of the topics covered representing the year 2020. Thoughts are told in three “breaths.” In spare but thought provoking words and dull to bright illustrations, the year 2020 is covered from the view point of unnamed Black narrator. A not to be miss read.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
You’ll Be the Death of Me
by Karen McManus
When old friends who have grown apart decide to take a ditch day from school, everything goes wrong. Wrong place, wrong time equals walking in on the murdered body of a classmate, who just happens to be the kid who beat out one of the “friends” for the position of class president. The press get wind that the “friends” weren’t in school and rumors start flying that they are the murderers. Can the “friends” come together and solve the mystery to clear their names? Or will they be next on the killers list?
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
Raybearer
by Jordan Ifueko
Tarisai has been raised for one thing…. REVENGE. When she reaches the proper age her usually absent mother (The Lady) sends her to the capital to compete with other children to become one of the Crown Prince’s Council members. If chosen she will have a real family and finally belong somewhere. The only thing is that The Lady has put a magical spell on her that will force her to kill the Prince as soon as she accepts his proposal. Will Tarisai be able to break the spell and finally choose her own path? Or will she be her mother’s pawn forever?
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
December 2021
The Assignment
by Liza Wiemer
One school assignment can change everything. It’s Logan and Cade’s final year of High School when their favorite teacher gives an assignment in which the students need to argue in favor of the Nazi’s Final Solution. Logan and Cade are horrified by the assignment. Is there a way for them to show the issue of the assignment without getting themselves in trouble? Or worse? Is there a way to stop the assignment without putting their families and friends in danger? A great story that will really make you stop and think.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive as an e audiobook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The Loop
by Ben Oliver
The Loop is a futuristic death row prison for teens. Everyday is that same for those in the Loop… until one day the world outside falls apart. Luka was serving time in the Loop for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s one of the first to figure out that things aren’t right. Will he be able to save his friend and escape the Loop? And if they escape what will the world be like that they’re escaping to? This is one intense Science Fiction read full of action and danger. It is a trilogy so if you enjoy this book there is even more to the story.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive as an ebook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction