Staff Picks Young Adult

Ten

by Gretchen McNeil

Ten teens. Three days. One killer. Best friends Meg and Minnie are more than excited to spend President’s Day weekend at an exclusive house party on Henry Island. But the fun turns twisted after they discover a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine. Taking a page from Agatha Christie’s novel Then There Where None, the teens must find which one of them is the killer before no one is left on the island.

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Tweet Cute

by Emma Lord

Pepper is a busy high school student, balancing her grades, college applications, swim team, and her mom’s fast-food Twitter account. When Big League Burger accidentally starts a feud with a small local business, all of Twitter sits back to enjoy the show. As Pepper tries to navigate her Twitter fight, she finds herself spending more time with Jack, a guy she’s known for years but never paid much attention to, meanwhile also talking to Wolf, a guy she’s never met on an app developed for her school. Will her Twitter feud accidentally lead to a meet-up with the perfect guy? Or has she already met him? Also available on OverDrive.

Recommended by: Alejandra Menendez, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir

by Nikki Grimes

This novel in verse takes us through the author’s formative years of life. Since her mother is a paranoid schizophrenic and her father is unable to care for her, Nikki and her sister land in the foster care system. When her mother remarries Nikki is brought back to live with her but her older sister is not. Nikki misses her sister and her biological father who encourages her artistic side. While difficult to read at times, this book is ultimately uplifting and celebrates perseverance and fortitude. 

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction

Five Feet Apart

by Rachael Lippincott

The title of this book refers to the distance at which Stella and Will, both of whom have cystic fibrosis, must stay from each other. Stella initially dislikes Will when they meet in the hospital due to his wanton disregard for his health. Will, an artist, agrees to use the app Stella created to take his medications if she’ll let him draw her portrait. And the rest, they say, is history. But how it all comes together is the real fun in this romantic tale. Also available on OverDrive.

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Dry

by Neal Shusterman

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Good Girl’s Guide To Murder

by Holly Jackson

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Falling Kingdoms

by Morgan Rhodes

This fantasy offers 3 kingdoms and 3 different kings. Throw in some male and female heirs (or are they true heirs?), a vicious murder and a war and you have a book filled with adventure and intrigue. Oh, and don’t forget the magic, because is it real or isn’t it? If you like deep characterization, family relationships and wide sweeping landscapes, then this is the book for you. Also available on OverDrive.

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

A Curse So Dark and Lonely

by Brigid Kemmerer

This vivid retelling of Beauty and the Beast is gripping. When Harper tries to thwart a kidnapping and gets taken herself, she finds herself in an alternate world. She becomes a key player in the future of Emberfall. Will she stay to help out the Prince or will she return home to see her dying mother and help her troubled brother? Read this engaging fantasy to find out. Also available on OverDrive.

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone Series: Book 1)

by Laini Taylor

Karou lives two lives.  The first life consists of a tattooed, blue-haired painter who lives in Prague and attends an art school with her best friend, Zuzana.  The second life is a little more unusual. Karou sneaks off into the shadowy alleyways of Prague to a door that, when distinctively knocked, opens an entrance to the world of Chimaera, creatures composed of a number of human and animal features.  Karou runs bizarre errands for the Chimaera like collecting human and animal teeth.  When she encounters a warrior angel named Akiva, answers to the lifelong questions of her existence are finally revealed.  This first book in a trilogy grips you tightly and won’t let go until to finish all three.  Also available on Overdrive.

Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Nightbooks

by J. A. White

Alex loves to write scary stories. After he is kidnapped by a witch, in order to keep himself and his new friend Yasmin alive, he must tell nightly stories to the witch. These stories within the story are frightening! This action-packed book with overtones of Hansel and Gretal will appeal to readers, and especially those who have read other books by this author. Also available on OverDrive.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction