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Chicken Girl
by Heather Smith
How it all begins: Poppy used to be an optimist., but after a photo of her dressed as Rosie the Riveter is mocked online, she's having trouble seeing the good in the world. She trades her beloved vintage clothes for a feathered chicken costume and accepts a job as an anonymous sign waver outside a restaurant.
Who you'll meet: Six-year-old girl Miracle, who helps Poppy see beyond her own pain, Cam, her twin brother, who is adjusting to life as an openly gay teen; Buck, a charming photographer with a cute British accent and a not-so-cute mean-streak; and Lewis a teen caring for an ailing parent, while struggling to reach the final stages of his gender transition.
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| The Downstairs Girl by Stacey LeeWhat it’s about: Witty, opinionated advice columnist “Miss Sweetie” has 1890 Atlanta buzzing, and nobody suspects that she’s really 17-year-old Jo Kuan, a sharp-minded, Chinese American lady’s maid who’s begun to wonder if it’s time to leave her anonymity behind.
Why you might like it: Jo is a compelling character with a lot to say about race and gender in the post-Civil War South, as well as a lot of questions about her hidden family history. |
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| The Merciful Crow by Margaret OwenWhat it’s about: When a routine job takes an unexpected turn, Fie -- future chief of the Crows, Sabor’s lowly caste of undertakers and mercy-killers -- has to decide if the promise of protection for the Crows is worth the risk of a dangerous quest.
Read it for: Diverse characters, pulse-pounding adventure, and an intriguing system of magic.
Series alert: This debut fantasy is the 1st in a duology. |
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| Wilder Girls by Rory PowerWhat it’s about: Ever since the Tox infected the Raxter School for Girls, killing some and leaving others distorted, the survivors have been under strict quarantine -- but that doesn’t stop student Hetty from venturing into the Tox-ravaged woods in search of a missing friend.
Is it for you? The gruesome mutations and brutal violence of the Tox might be too much for some readers, but those who like things dark and disturbing will be hooked by this dystopian/horror hybrid. |
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| Shatter the Sky by Rebecca Kim WellsWhat it’s about: Maren ben Gao never wanted any trouble, but after her girlfriend Kaia is kidnapped and forced to become one of the Emperor’s prophets, Maren hatches a reckless plan to steal one of Emperor’s dragons and rescue Kaia.
For fans of: The dragon lore, politics, and diverse characters in Rachel Hartman’s Seraphina books.
Series alert: This gripping fantasy will leave you longing for the planned sequel. |
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| Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemoreFeaturing: The Nomeolvides women, keepers of the garden at La Pradera estate and bearers of both a gift and a curse: they can make flowers grow with their bare hands, but if they fall in love, their beloved is doomed to disappear.
What happens: Estrella Nomeolvides finds a mysterious boy in the garden, prompting the family to unearth some long-buried secrets.
You might also like: Lana Popović’s Wicked Like a Wildfire, another lush and leisurely paced tale of magical realism. |
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Before We Were Free
by Julia Alvarez
The plot: Anita de la Torre never questioned her freedom living in the Dominican Republic. But by her 12th birthday in 1960, most of her relatives have emigrated to the United States, her Tio Toni has disappeared without a trace, and the government's secret police terrorize her remaining family because of their suspected opposition of el Trujillo's dictatorship.
Why you'll keep reading: Using the strength and courage of her family, Anita must overcome her fears and fly to freedom, leaving all that she once knew behind. It's an unforgettable story about adolescence, perseverance, and one girl's struggle to be free.
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| The Education of Margot Sanchez by Lilliam RiveraWhat it’s about: After getting caught with her Papi’s credit card, “Princesa” Margot Sanchez has to give up partying with her prep school friends in order to work at her family’s Bronx grocery store, which leads to a new understanding of herself, her family, and her Puerto Rican heritage.
Who it’s for: Readers who enjoy characters who aren’t always likable, but are just as flawed, messy, and fascinating as real people. |
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I'm Not Missing
by Carrie Fountain
Praise: "Carrie Fountain's YA novel is part-plot-twisty thriller, part-sweet romance, and perfect for summer reading!" -- Bustle, Best YA Book of July
What it's about: It's senior year, and Miranda Black's best friend, Syd, has run away--suddenly and inexplicably, leaving behind nothing but a pink leopard print cell phone with a text message from the mysterious HIM. Miranda's mother abandoned her as a child, now Miranda's been left behind again, all while stumbling into first love with the most unlikely boy in school. How do you take on the future when it feels like so much of your past wasn't even real?
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 14 and up!
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