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| Wicked As You Wish by Rin ChupecoWelcome to: the mostly un-magical town of Inveirno, Arizona, one of the Royal States of America and home to spellbreaker Tala and her best friend Alexei, the refugee prince of Avalon.
What happens: After a visit from the legendary firebird, Tala joins Alexei on his treacherous quest to liberate his enchanted homeland from the Snow Queen.
Why you might like it: A diverse cast of characters grounds this exciting mash-up of fairy tales and mythology. |
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We Didn't Ask for This by Adi Alsaid The plot: When teen activist Marisa stages an environmental protest during her school’s annual Lock-In, the building turns into a prison, forcing her and a diverse array of characters to face hard truths about who they want to be and what kind of world they want to live in. Parallel story lines: The magic of high-school parties, finding a sense of belonging, pursuing dreams, and defying cliques and stereotypes all help to make sense of messy high-school drama. Why read: Light-hearted tone at a rapid pace which deftly explores timely issues such as ecology and preservation, and Alsaid puts the power in the students’ hands.
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| The Kingdom of Back by Marie LuStarring: musical prodigy Nannerl Mozart, who’s angry at how 18th-century European society limits her options while encouraging the talents of her beloved brother, Wolfgang.
What happens: Nannerl and Wolfgang find their way into the magical realm of Back, where Nannerl meets Hyacinth, an enigmatic figure who offers adventure and fame -- but only at a devastating cost.
Author alert: This lush, detailed historical fantasy is a new direction for Marie Lu, best known for science fiction series Legend and Warcross. |
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The Lucky Ones by Liz Lawson
The question: How do you put yourself back together when it seems like you've lost it all? They meet: Eleven months after the school shooting that killed her twin brother, May still doesn't know why she was the only one to walk out of the band room that day. Zach lost his old life when his mother decided to defend the shooter. Together they both might figure out that surviving could be an option after all. For Fans of: Thirteen Reasons Why, This Is How It Ends, and All the Bright Places, comes a new novel about life after.
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Chain of gold by Cassandra ClareNew series: The best-selling author of the Dark Artifices trilogy returns to the world of the Shadowhunters. The story: Cordelia Carstairs, a Shadowhunter trained to battle demons, travels with her brother to London where they reconnect with childhood friends but soon must face devastating demon attacks in the quarantined city. Edwardian London, a time of electric lights and long shadows-- with demons waiting in the dark. For years there has been peace in the Shadowhunter world. James and Lucie Herondale have listened to stories of good defeating evil and love conquering all. But everything changes when the Blackthorn and Carstairs families come to London-- along with a remorseless and inescapable plague. James believes he has found love in the mysterious Grace Blackthorn. Cordelia Carstairs is desperate to become a hero, save her family from ruin, and keep her secret love for James hidden. When disaster strikes, dark and incredible powers are revealed-- as well as the true cruel price of being a hero.
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| Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer DuganWhat it’s about: With her senior year approaching and Magic Castle Playland amusement park about to close forever, Lou (the park’s costumed hot dog) is running out of time to get with Nick (the park’s pirate).
So obviously: Lou needs to fake a romance with her best friend Seeley so that Nick will get jealous. It’s a plan that can’t possibly backfire, right?
Why you might like it: This funny, heartfelt rom-com features roller coasters both literal and emotional. |
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| How (Not) to Ask a Boy to Prom by S.J. GosleeWhat it’s about: Sixteen-year-old wallflower Nolan has never kissed anyone and doesn’t care about the prom, but he caves to his sister’s pressure and agrees to find a date. His promposal, however, goes horribly wrong, leaving Nolan stuck with his former bully, Bern, as his fake boyfriend.
Why you might like it: Romantic complications pile up as the prom draws closer in this clever, angsty story packed with on-point dialogue. |
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| Analee, in Real Life by Janelle MilanesStarring: anxious, introverted Analee, who prefers online gaming with her long-distance crush, Harris, to dealing with the many unwelcome changes in her family.
What happens: When popular athlete Seb asks her to pose as his girlfriend to get at back his ex, Analee agrees -- after all, she’ll need some real-life people skills if she wants to get closer to Harris.
For fans of: Morgan Matson, Jenny Han, and other authors whose heroines find confidence as well as romance. |
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| Fake It Till You Break It by Jenn P. NguyenFeaturing: lifelong neighbors Mia and Jake, who can’t stand each other, despite their moms’ insistence that they’d be the perfect couple.
What happens: Fed up with their mothers, Mia and Jake decide to fake a relationship so that they can stage an epic break-up and finally be free ...as long as they don’t catch feelings first.
You might also like: David Yoon’s Frankly in Love, another book in which parental expectations lead to self-discovery and unintended romantic results. |
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| The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie WestWhat it’s about: After getting dumped right before prom, image-conscious Gia can’t face the dance alone, so she convinces Hayden, a random guy in the parking lot, to pose as her boyfriend. When their fake relationship grows into a genuine attraction, however, Gia has to decide how much she’s willing to risk in order to follow her heart.
Why you might like it: Author Kasie West’s distinctive, winning blend of wit and fluff will keep you breezing through this satisfying romance. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 14 and up!
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Atlantic County Executive, Dennis Levinson Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Frank D. Formica, Chairman
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