Teen Scene
July 2025
Recent Releases
Echo Nova
by Clint Hall

 "Only one man is walking away from the epic rematch between All Might and All For One. All Might's superpowers may be long gone, but he's no less of a superhero as he throws everything he's got at the diabolical mastermind. Meanwhile, All For One wants nothing more than to reach Tomura-his ideal vessel. With the whole world watching and All Might hanging on by his fingernails, one young protégé of his might have to step up to save the day"
Under the Same Stars
by Libba Bray

Three groups of teens -- in the 1940s, 1980s, and 2020 -- are connected by the mysterious disappearance of two girls. This intricately plotted novel about hope and social movements paints evocative portraits of life in Nazi Germany, the 1980s West Berlin queer punk scene, and COVID lockdown in New York City.
The swans of Harlem : five Black ballerinas, a legacy of sisterhood, and their reclamation of a groundbreaking history
by Karen Valby

A full accounting of five incredibly talented Black ballerinas from the Dance Theater of Harlem illuminates their hard-fought, historic and overlooked contributions to the world of classical dance at a time when racism shut out Black dancers from major companies.
The rival
by Emma Lord

Sadie vanquished her academic rival, charming neighbor Seb, by getting the only spot to her dream college, until he gets admitted as well and they must compete for a spot on the school's zine while discovering that they must band together to address the huge flaws in their school's system. 
Retro Reads
Check out these awesome books from the not-so-distant past.
 
Hearts Still Beating
by Brooke Archer

Mara and Rory had a blossoming romance, until a virus turned Mara to a zombie called a Tick. Now treated and back to her conscious self, she and Rory have a lot to work through, especially as their community starts targeting former Ticks. 
The Brightwood Code
by Monica Hesse

In 1918, phone line operator Edda forgot a secret code, and 34 United States soldiers perished. Back home, an anonymous phone caller reciting the code prompts Edda and her neighbor Theo to uncover what the caller wants. This suspenseful mystery sheds light on a little-known aspect of World War I history.
Dragonfruit
by Makiia Lucier

Exiled for her father’s crime, Hanalei studies seadragons and their magical eggs. After escaping kidnappers wishing to exploit her expertise, she returns to her home island of Tamarind. Can she restore justice by finding a dragon egg to save Tamarind’s princess? 
Brownstone
by Samuel Teer

In 1995, Almudena spends the summer with the father she’s never met. Despite not speaking the same language, they build a relationship while renovating the rundown building where he lives. This moving graphic novel’s theme of transformation plays out in Almudena’s life and her father’s gentrifying neighborhood.
Black Girl You Are Atlas
by Renée Watson; illustrated by Ekua Holmes

With poems and mixed media illustrations, this lyrical collection shares stories from author Renée Watson’s upbringing as it invites Black girls to claim their power. Watson uses varied poetic forms including haiku, tanka, and pantoum to celebrate sisterhood. 
Contact your librarian for more great books for age 14 and up!
Pekin Public Library
301 S 4th St; Pekin, Illinois 61554
309-347-7111    www.pekinpubliclibrary.org/