Staff Picks Young Adult Fiction

October 2020

Thoughts and Prayers: a novel in three parts

by Bryan Bliss

Claire, Eleanor, and Brezzen are three high school students, who each in their own way, try to come to terms with the aftermath of a school shooting that threw them together for the first and only time as they hid under the stairs. Each tells of their process in stand-alone parts as they work through the trauma in their unique way. Thought-provoking as to what happens after the news people and concerned others move on after a couple of days and take their platitudes our “thoughts and prayers” are with you.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian 1

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

September 2020

Horrid

by Katrina Leno

Just in time for the spooky season, this haunting novel explores themes mental illness, rage, and grief combined with spine chilling elements from Stephen King and Agatha Christie. After Jane North-Robinson and her mother move from California to the dreary old house in Maine where her mother grow up, it seems that there are old secrets hidden. But are these secrets just Jane’s way of dealing with the loss of her father? Or is something more horrid lurking about?

Recommended By: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Glare

by Margot Harrison

Hedda, now 16, is looking forward to spending time with her dad in California after spending the last 10 years living in Arizona with her mom. While in Arizona, her mom did not let her have screen time, so Hedda is also looking forward to having the chance to use screens—phones, laptops, iPads. When she was 6 years old, playing a game on a screen caused her to harm herself and her babysitter damaged her eyes so as not to see the “glare”. Hedda begins to have memories return to her from 10 years ago and rediscovers a survival game on the Dark Web. Soon she and her friends are in a real life struggle to survive. They begin the dangerous task of discovering who is behind the game before it destroys them all. The Glare slowly builds a sense of dread.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Serpent King

by Jeff Zentner

The three main characters in this book, Dill, Lydia and Travis are best friends who are also outcasts. Each has their own personal struggles and strengths. As they all near college age they must make decisions that will affect their futures. Then the unthinkable happens. Will they have the strength to get through it? Also available on OverDrive.

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Even If We Break

by Marieke Nijkamp

This YA suspense novel takes you on a trip to a cabin with five friends. Four of them are hiding secrets, three years of history bind them, two of them are doomed from the start, one person wants to end this and it’s safe to say no one is safe. Seeing the events from all five characters perspectives adds to the unsettling feeling that this is not just going to be another game session for the group. Especially when a note is found that reads: If you break the rules, you will die. Are you ready to play?

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

August 2020

My Eyes Are Up Here

by Laura Zimmerman

Fifteen-year-old Greer Walsh has a problem. But it’s not one that can be solved easily. Her world has become a very small and very lonely place because of her bra size. The last time anyone checked it was a size 30H. Greer is more then content to let her expectations in other people slump. However both strangers and friends alike seem determined to remind her that life doesn’t have to be like that. Not only does Greer find an unexpected community in the volleyball team but there is also the new transfer student Jackson Oates. Who seems to be more interested in her banter then in the size of her chest. This debut novel is a witty, laugh-out-loud, heartbreaking and hopeful story, that invites the reader to look carefully at a girl who just wants to be seen for all she is.

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

They Wish They Were Us

by Jessica Goodman

This murder mystery set against the backdrop of an exclusive prep school on Long Island is a cross between Gossip Girls and One of Us Is Lying. Freshman year in Gold Coast, Long Island Jill’s best friend Shaila was killed by her boyfriend. Eventually Graham confesses, the case is closed and Jill tries to move on. Now its senior year and Graham has changed his plea to not guilty. But now the question still remains: Who killed Shaila freshman year and why?

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

A Wicked Magic

by Sasha Laurens

Dan and Liss are witches. Thanks to the black book that granted them that power. However when a spell goes wrong Liss’s boyfriend is spirited away and later presumed dead Dan and Liss’s friendship dies. Months later, Liss discovers her boyfriend is actually alive, Dan and her best friend Alexa (who has a magic problem of her own) gets pulled into Liss’s plan. When another teenager goes missing the girls can’t just rule it as a coincidence. What dark forces have the girls awaken by practicing magic? A Wicked Magic is the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and The Craft rolled into one. It’s the perfect witchy read!

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Boy in the Red Dress

by Kristin Lambert

It’s New Years Eve, 1929. While her aunt is out of town Millie is running the show at their speakeasy in the French Quarter called the Cloak & Dagger. All of New Orleans is out celebrating and coming to see the star of the show: the boy in the red dress. But the celebrating soon comes to a halt when a socialite who was showing around a picture of Marion is found dead. Now Millie has to catch the real killer before Marion’s career is ruined. Part The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, part Miss Fisher Mysteries. The Boy in the Red Dress is one YA mystery you don’t want to miss.

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

July 2020

The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly

by Jamie Pacton

Since none of us can go to the Renaissance Fair this year why not pick up a book that can bring the medieval times experience to you? Kit Sweetly dreams about being a knight like her brother, not a serving wench at the medieval times themed restaurant they work at. But it’s company police that only guys can be knights. But when Kit takes her brother’s place during the show and reveals herself to everyone, will she be able to win the battle for girls to be knights or will she and the rest of the wannabe female knights get the ax? Available on OverDrive and Hoopla.

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

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