Staff Picks 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
Curses
by Lish McBride
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Blood Water Paint
by Joy McCullough
This book in verse takes place in the 1600’s. Artemisia Gentileschi loses her mother at age twelve. Her choice is then to live as a nun in a convent or grind pigment for her father’s paint. She chooses to become her father’s apprentice and becomes a very talented painter. But, to be a woman in Italy at that time is not easy and all the power lies with the men. McCullough weaves Artemisia’s story with the stories of the ancient heroines Susanna and Judith, who become the subjects of Artemisia’s paintings.
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
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
by Holly Jackson
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
When the World Was Ours
by Liz Kessler
A heartbreaking story about 3 best friends and the different journeys they take during World War II. The story starts with the friends sharing all their time together. Slowly things begin to change as Hitler comes into power. Max’s dad gets a job working for Hitler and forbids his son from associating with Jews. Leo and Elsa are both Jewish and things start to change drastically for their families. Elsa’s family moves in the middle of the night to another country where they think they’ll be safe, but the war follows them and in the end they end up in a concentration camp. Leo’s family at first stays where they are, but when his dad is taken away by the police one night, Leo and his mother do everything they can to get to England where they have friends. Max eventually becomes part of the Hitler Youth and is influenced more and more by the Nazis and his Father. Despite being apart, the 3 friends still influence each other and in some cases meet again. If you are interested in the holocaust and WWII this is a book for you.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction