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In the Key of Nira Ghani
by Natasha Deen
What it's about; Nira wants to become a musician, but her Guyanese parents want her to focus on becoming a scientist or doctor, a situation that causes her trouble just as she tries to navigate relationships with friends, enemies, and a crush.
If you like this, try: Gloria Chao's American Panda or Ben Philippe's The Field Guide to the North American Teenager.
Read it for: a poignant coming-of-age story.
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Midnight Beauties
by Megan Shepherd
What it is: A conclusion to the duology that began with Grim Lovelies continues the adventures of Anouk and her fellow Beasties in the Parisian underground magical society of the Haute.
Reviewers say: "Exciting action scenes and unexpected personal revelations and character relationships combine to form a tantalizing conclusion to Shepherd's duology" (Booklist).
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Past Perfect Life
by Elizabeth Eulberg
The premise: Enjoying a simple but loving life with her widowed father and close friends, a high school senior discovers that everything about her life is a lie when her college application process triggers the revelation that her mother is alive and has been looking for her since she went missing 15 years earlier.
From the publisher: a tense and tender read about secrets and lies, reality and identity, and the ways we put ourselves back together when everything is broken.
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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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Just Friends
by Dyan Sheldon
What it's about: Experiencing his first crush when pretty newcomer Jena arrives at school, vegetarian teen Josh forges an unexpected friendship with the girl and begins to question the depth of his feelings and whether or not she returns them.
Reviewers say: "The narrative breaks free of the typical plot of an uncool boy winning the heart of a popular girl by exploring the dynamics of relationships and what participants really want. Funny, sweet, and refreshing, this is a teen romance with substance" (Booklist).
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The Accidental Bad Girl
by Maxine Kaplan
The premise: Embarking on a friendless senior year after getting caught cheating with her best friend's ex, Kendall discovers that her online identity has been hacked and that she has been framed for stealing, a malicious act that draws her into a tenuous partnership with a local drug ring leader.
If you like this, try: Turtles all the Way Down by John Green or Laurie Morrison's Every Shiny Thing.
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Always Forever Maybe
by Anica Mrose Rissi
How it begins: Falling head over heels for a boy her best friend thinks is possessive and controlling, Betts ignores the advice of others and begins keeping secrets as the relationship spirals into dangerous territory.
Read it for: an accurate but heartbreaking picture of an abusive relationship.
Note: The story has mature language and sexual scenes, as well as realistic situations.
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Freak 'n' Gorgeous
by Sebastian J. Plata
What it is: Told from two viewpoints, average-looking Konrad Wolnik and pretty, popular Camilla Hadi, both sixteen, find their lives turned upside-down when he becomes handsome and she, ugly, overnight.
Read it for: a hilarious, scathing look at society's unrealistic beauty standards and the intense pressures of high school.
For fans of: Kody Keplinger's The DUFF and Andrew Smith's Winger.
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Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts)
by Lev AC Rosen
The premise: Targeted with ostracism and gossip for having openly gay relationships, a teen sex advice columnist begins to receive creepy and threatening love letters from someone who would force him back into the closet.
Reviewers say: "The ethnically diverse, authentic characters model multiple approaches to being gay and being sexually active (or not)" (Publisher's Weekly).
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 14 and up!
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