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Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself by David ArchuletaA raw and powerful coming-out story from the beloved American Idol finalist traces David Archuleta's journey from closeted Mormon teen to global pop star to openly queer man, revealing the hidden pressures of fame, the weight of religious expectations, and the courage it takes to live authentically. At just seventeen, David Archuleta rose to national fame as the runner-up on American Idol season seven, captivating millions with his angelic voice. Behind the scenes, however, he was struggling with a truth he feared would destroy everything: he was attracted to men--and a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In Devout, David takes you inside his deeply personal journey as a closeted Mormon teen turned international pop star, torn between faith, fame, and identity. From dealing with the pressures of being on a hit television show to a domineering father who controlled every aspect of his career--even being banned from the show's set--David reveals the emotional abuse and inner turmoil that he says plagued his childhood.
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All the Way to the River: Love, Loss, and Liberation by Elizabeth GilbertIn 2000, Elizabeth Gilbert met Rayya. They became friends, then best friends, then inseparable. When tragedy entered their lives, the truth was finally laid bare: The two were in love. They were also a pair of addicts, on a collision course toward catastrophe.--
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The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur by Lev GrossmanCollum, a brilliantly gifted young knight from the provinces, arrives at Camelot two weeks after the Battle of Camlann, hoping to compete for a spot on the Round Table. But he finds the city empty, King Arthur dead, and the Table destroyed. The remaining six knights aren't the mighty heroes, the legends, like Lancelot and Gawain and Tristram and Galahad. These are the survivors, a grab-bag of minor oddball knights from the margins. ... Arthur's death has exposed the splinters of his kingdom, and a void has opened in the heart of Britain. As power-hungry lords from the north descend on Camelot to seize control of the land, Collum is thrust into the front lines--
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A River of Golden Bones: Book One of the Golden Court by A. K. MulfordTwins Calla and Briar have spent their entire lives hiding from the powerful sorceress who destroyed their kingdom... and from the humans, who don't know they're wolves. Each twin has their purpose in life: Briar's is to marry the prince of an ally pack and save the Golden Court. Calla's is to remain a secret, her twin's shadow...the backup plan.--
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Arcana: The Lost Heirs by Sam Prentice-JonesDebut author/illustrator Sam Prentice-Jones explores fighting against your destiny and reconciling the actions of your ancestors in Arcana: The Lost Heirs, a tarot-inspired fantasy graphic novel for young adults.
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Daybreak, Vol. 1: A Webtoon Unscrolled Graphic Novel by MoosoppThey're crushing, there's chemistry, and they're totally clueless. Marcus has a crush, and Cog is completely unprepared for the hijinks that follow. Hopefully in their efforts to grow closer, they can brighten each other's day. It's senior year and Marcus and Cog, two students from different friend groups, just started hanging out. Between Marcus making lunch for Cog, Cog walking Marcus home, and accidental paper-eating incidents, they start to see one another in a new light. Marcus is a wholesome sweetheart and Cog is easily overwhelmed, so who knows how long it will take for either of them to confess their crush. But as long as Marcus and Cog get to spend time together, they don't mind taking their time--
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All-Nighter by Cecilia VinesseAutumn Povitsky is a high-achieving, booked and busy, straight-A nightmare. She's currently having a crisis of self--she needs a fake ID ASAP--but because she's a total square, she has no idea where to get one. Enter buzzcut hottie Tara Esposito. She's a rule breaker and party crasher of the highest degree, and if anyone knows where to get a fake, it's her. But Tara has hung up her James Dean leather jacket for the night. If she doesn't finish this godforsaken essay that's already weeks late, she can kiss her upcoming graduation goodbye. One brainy girl who needs a fake ID before sundown. One serial rebel who needs to turn in an essay before sunrise. It's obvious what needs to happen here. But with a years-long feud keeping the girls from working together, this may be a night to forget--or one they'll remember forever--
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On the Wings of La Noche by Vanessa L. TorresSeventeen-year-old Noche, who serves as an avian guide to the afterlife, suffers inner turmoil between falling for a new boy in town and letting go of her late girlfriend's soul.
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Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers' Rights by Book AuthorA dazzling YA anthology that spotlights the transformative power of books while equipping teens to fight for the freedom to read, featuring the voices of 15 diverse, award-winning authors and illustrators. Books are disappearing from shelves across the country. What does this mean for authors, illustrators, and--most crucially--for young readers? This bold collection of fiction, memoir, poetry, graphic narratives, essays, and other genres explores book bans through various lenses, and empowers teens to fight back. From moving personal accounts to clever comebacks aimed at censorship, fifteen legendary YA authors and illustrators confront the high-stakes question of what is lost when books are kept from teens. Contributors include Elana K. Arnold, Nikki Grimes, Ellen Hopkins, Kelly Jensen, Brendan Kiely, Maia Kobabe, Bill Konigsberg, Kyle Lukoff, MariNaomi, Trung Lê Nguy?n, Ashley Hope Pérez, Isabel Quintero, Traci Sorell, Robin Stevenson, and Padma Venkatraman; the collection is a star-studded must-read that packs strength and power into every last word. Striking illustrations from Ignatz-nominated artist Debbie Fong pair perfectly with the searing, impactful narrative. Resources include tips from the Vandegrift Banned Book Club and other teen activists, as well as extensive recommended book lists, a How to Start Your Own Little Free Library flier, and more.
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Goodbye, Hello: A Going Home Travel Adventure by Angela H. DaleTravel across the globe, across busy highways and crowded airports, with strollers and toys, with a family to return home and reunite with Mama.
Featuring travel by car and plane across the world, this fast and fun picture book is a great introduction to the many different legs of international travel for the smallest members of the family.
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The Gathering Table by Antwan EadyA Southern family gathers in their backyard around a special table to celebrate important moments throughout the year, from anniversaries to new births, as they share food, traditions, and love.--
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Papa's Coming Home by Chasten ButtigiegJojo and Rosie's papa has been away on a trip, and they can't wait to welcome him home! They make signs, they pick flowers, and with Daddy's help, they bake a cake and pack the car with absolutely everything Papa might have missed while he was away. When Papa's plane arrives, they give him a huge hug --but when they bring him to the car, they realize there's one small problem: Where will Papa sit?--Provided by publisher.
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A Little Too Haunted by Justine Pucella WinansThe only thing worse than having ghost hunters for parents is having fake ghost hunters for parents. Luna Catalano would know. Her moms are haunted house flippers who use their home reno skills and pretend psychic powers to turn spooky old houses into ghost-free modern homes. Not only does their job require the family to move all the time--meaning Luna is completely friendless--but the only thing haunting any of those houses is bad decor. For once Luna wishes there was an actual, for-real ghost. When they move yet again, Luna isn't expecting much. But this house feels... different. Things start out innocent enough--items not where they should be, strange noises--but soon things turn sinister. Her moms are waking up with cuts and bruises, and disturbing drawings showing them with even worse injuries are being left in Luna's room. With the help of her next-door neighbors and a mysterious woman who seems to know a lot about the home, Luna starts to piece together what exactly happened in that house before she moved in. But not everything is as it seems. In order to save her moms, Luna will have to get the story right before everything goes completely wrong.--Provided by publisher.
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Splinter & Ash by Marieke NijkampA chance encounter throws Ash and Splinter into each other's orbits, and they find friendship in their shared loneliness and their desires to prove themselves--
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Buzzing (a Graphic Novel) by Samuel SattinIsaac is a shy boy with OCD, but one day at school he meets new friends who introduce him to role-playing games, which lead him on a journey of self-discovery and growth--
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Her Epic Adventure: 25 Daring Women Who Inspire a Life Less Ordinary by Julia de Laurentiis JohnstonThrilling true stories of female adventurers from around the world. Throughout history, women seeking adventure often faced opposition. But here are 25 remarkable women --- from pilots to mountain climbers, deep-sea divers to Antarctic explorers --- who defied expectations and made history. Included are Bessie Coleman, famously known as the first Black woman to earn a pilot's license (two years before Amelia Earhart!). But readers will also learn about lesser-known women, such as Diana Nyad, the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage, and Arunima Sinha, the first woman amputee to climb Mount Everest. Though their experiences are all different, these women have one thing in common: they didn't let anything get in the way of their dreams! Watch out world, the next generation of adventurers are about to get inspired.
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Queer History A to Z: 100 Years of LGBTQ+ Activism by Robin StevensonThis book for middle grade readers explores the history of queer activism in North America and the fight for equality for LGBTQ+ folks. The content is structured in an A-Z format, with such entries as 'A Is for Activism' and 'C Is for Coming Out.' Readers will learn about the Stonewall Riots, Marsha P. Johnson, Indigenous queer activism, the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, Pride flags and so much more. Young readers will be especially interested in learning about youth activists such as Gavin Grimm, the first Gay-Straight Alliance and the history of banned children's books in America. Award-winning author Robin Stevenson brings this history to life in a way that is equally informative, inspiring and accessible for young readers. Her books have received a Stonewall Book Honour and won the Silver Birch Award. Extensive end matter includes short biographies of historical figures, glossary, timeline, resources for kids, author's sources and index--
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