Staff Picks Young Adult Fiction
October 2021
The Violent Season
by Sara Walters
A debut young adult novel that keeps the heart rate and interest up through the entire book. Wolf Ridge, Vermont is a little town where every November violent deaths happen. Is it bad luck, a sickness, or people choosing to be bad?
After the murder of Wyatt’s mother the previous November, she decides to get to the causes of the killings and specifically who is her mother’s murderer. Along with high school angst involving Cash, her best friend forever, and a new love interest in Porter, Wyatt begins confronting the memories of that day.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Polaris
by Michael Northrop
All the young deckhands of the ship named Polaris are left alone on board after a mutiny. When one of them disappears the others must band together to determine what has happened to him. Their discovery both horrifies and fascinates them.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
September 2021
In the Wild Light
by Jeff Zentner
Just like all of Zentner’s books, this book will hit all of your feels. Cash’s mother died of a drug overdose so he’s mostly been raised by his Grandparents. He spends his days living in a small run down town dodging drug dealers, taking care of his sick Papaw, and hanging out with his best friend Delaney. When Delaney manages to secure them both scholarships to one of the top private High Schools in the country Cash has to make the tough decision on whether or not to go. Should he leave his Grandparents to fend for themselves and everything he’s ever known? Or should he jump at the chance to create a better future and go to the new school with Delaney? A new school where they might not fit in and where he thinks he doesn’t deserve to be. This book with make you laugh and cry in all the best ways. Pick it up today.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Dig
by A.S. King
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
August 2021
Dancing at the Pity Party
by Tyler Feder
Tyler Feder describes, in poignant detail, how it felt to live through her mother’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent death. The graphic novel style lends itself to both humor and pathos.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Ashfall Legacy
by Pittacus Lore
By the author of the series, I Am Number Four, comes a new novel, sure to be a series about Syd, a half alien young man. After discovering a locator that indicates his father is still alive, he is determined to try and locate his father who went missing many years ago in the vastness of space. One big problem, if earthlings leave Earth they become super strong but die when they return to Earth. Syd heads out with his uncle to the planet Denza, where lots of action and adventure and monsters and magic rings keep the pages turning.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian 1
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Defy the Night
by Brigid Kemmerer
This book will be released in September of 2021 and I’m recommending that you put a hold on it right away to be one of the first ones to read it! A sickness is running rampage through the kingdom of Kandala. Outlaws Tessa and Wes are doing everything they can to help the people who can’t afford medicine, even if that means breaking the law. Meanwhile Prince Corrick the Cruel is doing everything he can to protect his brother the king, all while trying to stop a revolution from happening. In a kingdom where no one can be trusted can the outlaws and royalty find a common ground to save everyone? Or is the kingdom doomed to fall? If you’re a fan of Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker series, I highly recommend picking up this book as your next read!
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
A Lesson in Vengeance
by Victoria Lee
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Grown
by Tiffany D. Jackson
This very intense book deals with misogyny and physical and drug abuse. It is not for the faint of heart. Enchanted, the main character, is in high school and dreams of a successful singing career. When the legendary superstar Korey Fields sees her at an audition and offers to mentor her, Enchanted is thrilled. Her parents are somewhat skeptical but allow her to tour with Mr. Fields. Things start spirally down fairly rapidly and soon Enchanted feels stuck and hopeless.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
July 2021
Firekeeper’s Daughter
by Angeline Boulley
They say bad luck comes in threes, and Daunis Fontaine can prove it. As a biracial and unenrolled tribal member, Daunis’ eighteenth year is spent trying to figure out where her place is among her Native American Ojibwe community in Sault Ste. Marie. After the loss of her beloved Uncle David and her GrandMary’s subsequent stroke, Daunis’ world crumbles as she’s forced to face head on the ugly influence of meth that is ravaging her Native community. Using her scientific prowess and fueled by the passion of protecting her people, Daunis is thrusted into the heart of a criminal investigation that forces her to discover what it takes to truly become a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman). Daunis’ story is heartwrenching in all the right ways—perfect for any teen or adult reader looking for a complex story dipped in rich characterization, culture and strength.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an eBook.
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction