Staff Picks Young Adult

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

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

Sanctuary

by Paola Mendoza

In the near future everyone is required to be chipped and tracked by the government. It is almost impossible to live in the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant. Vali and her family are undocumented but are surviving by using counterfeit chips. When the counterfeit chips start to malfunction and the government starts attacking and taking away the undocumented, will Vali and her family be able to make to a safe zone? Or will they die trying? This is a scary dystopian look at a possible future. It is a very quick read that will keep you on your toes.

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

Chlorine Sky

by Mahogany L. Browne

This is the story of a Teen named Sky who is looking to step out of the shadow of her former best friend to become her own person. This book is a novel in verse and is full of broken promises, rumors, growing apart, and growing up. It’s a very quick read that many Teens will be able to relate to.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Edge of Anything

by Nora Shalaway Carpenter

A realistic novel that explores grief, mental health, and friendship. Len is a loner photographer who is haunted by her past and afraid that she’s losing her mind. Sage is a star volleyball player who is suddenly permanently put on the sidelines by a medical issue. Both girls need a college scholarship. When a chance meeting brings them together, will they be able to create a friendship that will save them both? Or will they be torn apart by their secrets and differences?

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive and an ebook.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Woods Are Always Watching

by Stephanie Perkins

Looking for a creepy read? Check out “The Woods Are Always Watching”. Two teenagers decide to go on a short backpacking trip in Pisgah National Forest. The catch is they’ve never camped anywhere before and they insist on going alone. What could go wrong? Their first night in the woods they learn the hard way that there’s more than just wild animals to be afraid of in the woods. Sounds like the perfect start to a horror movie.

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

In the Shadow of the Fallen Towers: The Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks, Months, and Years after the 9/11 Attacks

by Don Brown

A deeply moving graphic novel that depicts the events of 9/11 and the personal stories of many involved due only to being in the wrong place or going to rescue those in the wrong place. The ongoing ramifications from that day are told here in the U.S. and abroad. As in Drowned City, Don Brown meticulously researches his topic…7 pages of citations in Bibliography.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction

The Downstairs Girl

by Stacey Lee

Can you imagine living in a family’s basement for years without them knowing ? In The Downstairs Girl, by Stacey Lee the main character, Jo Kuan , does just that. As a Chinese woman living in the late 1800’s she has every reason to not stand out. She tries to live a quiet life in her cozy basement.  Although many Chinese people immigrated to the American south to become a source of labor once slavery was abolished, they also became outcasts who seemed to live on the outskirts of a society more interested in black and white issues. Despite this, Jo’s personality and opinions may very well be the traits that change her life.

This book is available in the library and OverDrive/Libby and an ebook and e audiobook

Recommended by: Darnetta Bolton, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Girl in the Headlines

by Hannah Jayne

Eighteen-year-old Andrea lives a comfortable, suburban life. Except that she is the number one suspect in her father’s murder, the horrific attack of her mother, and the disappearance of her little brother. Andrea has no recollection of the night these events took place, but she knows she would never hurt her family. From the motel room where she was dumped, Andrea must find her missing little brother, while avoiding the police and trying to piece together a night she cannot remember. Was she set up? If so, by who and why? Could she have snapped? How did she get to the motel room? Is there a reason she cannot remember? So many questions that all eventually get pieced together. This book will keep you interested and wanting to read one more chapter.

This book is available in the library and on Hoopla as an ebook.

Recommended by: Malorie Carpenter, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction