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Slow Burn
by Bethany Rutter
Sixteen-year-old Ruby has worked hard to be happy in her body, even when other people--including her brother and her PE teacher--insist there's something wrong with her for being fat. All Ruby cares about is hanging out at the skate park this summer with friends. But her brother's bullying words get under her skin, and in order to prove to him (and her impressionable little sister) that fat girls can do anything, Ruby finds herself signed up for the annual 5K Dawson Dash. There's just one problem, she can't run. The cute new boy next door can, however, and when Ollie offers to help her train, Ruby takes him up on it, even if it means he'll see her at her sweatiest and most vulnerable.
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She Drinks the Light
by Yasmin Angoe
Addae has spent her whole life on the Golden Isle, a private island off the coast of South Carolina that has been in her family for centuries. Island residents don't really fraternize with mainlanders, and for good reason. Golden Isle was founded by the Kinfolk, descendants--including Addae and her Nana Ama, the island matriarch--of escaped enslaved Black people. But the Isle and the Kinfolk have secrets that must be protected from the outside world. Secrets of spirituality, mythology that are deeply rooted in their West African culture, beliefs, and traditions. The Kin are bound to protect the Golden Isle, and, in turn, it protects them. When Addae's best friend Naria goes missing and one of the Kin turns up drained of blood, Addae's way of life is threatened. It looks like the work of the Adze, West African supernatural beings that drink human blood in order to survive.
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What We Did to Survive
by Megan Lally
Hannah is having an incredible spring break. A week at a resort in Mexico with her best friend Emmy and her family is perfect for de-stressing from senior year, even if it's awkward being around Emmy's older brother, Jackson, who she's had a crush on for as long as she can remember. Still, the beach is gorgeous. So is the guy they meet in the surf. Except Hannah is now the third wheel in Emmy's vacation romance. Eager to impress Emmy, her wealthy new boyfriend charters a private sailboat to make the most of their last day in paradise, and Hannah and Jackson are invited along. As the clouds roll in and the skies darken, their boat is the only one leaving the marina. And the further they get into open water, the more unsettled Hannah becomes. A storm is brewing onboard that's as deadly as the one racing toward them. Forget surviving graduation. Who will make it back to land alive?
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Someone to Daydream about
by Sydney Langford
Eighteen-year-old Felix Song is America’s favorite boy-band lead singer—much to Natalie Nielsen’s annoyance, since she remembers him as the obnoxious rich kid from home. Focused on restoring her late dad’s legacy and making an impact by revamping her family's deaf center, Natalie has no interest in fame—only in finding the funds to save it. When Felix’s little sister’s hearing worsens, he offers to finance the center if Natalie joins his summer tour to teach him ASL. Their professional deal soon turns into secret kisses and late-night moments. But when their relationship becomes public, the pressure threatens both Felix’s career and their future. With fans, contracts, and band drama closing in, Natalie must decide whether their dreams can survive the spotlight.
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To Deal with Kings
by M. K. Lobb
Zaria Mendoza doesn't think she'll ever see Kane Durante again. In fact, she thinks he's dead, burned up in the flames that destroyed the pawn shop where she lived with her best friend Jules. All Zaria has left is the necklace they stole from the Crystal valuable not just for its jewels, but for the magic it holds within as a rare primateria source. Yet why did Kane slip it into her pocket right before everything went up in smoke? Why did he give her what she needs most, after she betrayed him?
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| The Deep Dark by Lee Knox OstertagMags dutifully cares for her grandmother and makes blood sacrifices to the monster in their basement. When her childhood friend Nessa returns to town and a relationship blooms, Mags must face her deadly secret.
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Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy
by Faith Erin Hicks
Alix’s angry outbursts are jeopardizing her hockey career. She turns to Ezra, the perpetually calm theater kid, to teach her how to handle tense situations, and their unlikely friendship gradually blossoms into something more.
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| Brooms by Jasmine Walls; illustrated by Teo DuVallAlthough broom racing is officially banned, sisters Mattie and Emma need the money -- and freedom -- winning an underground race would yield. Luckily their cousin, who lost her magic powers at a residential school, can train them.
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| Ash's Cabin by Jen WangAsh told their parents they wanted one last trip to their late grandfather’s ranch before it was sold. They didn’t say they planned to find their grandfather’s secret cabin and stay in the California wilderness forever. |
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| Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen PhamHoping to break her family’s curse, Valentina bargains with the spirit of Saint Valentine to find love within the year. Now she’s off to investigate that spark she felt with a lion dancer at the Lunar New Year celebration.
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