| True Life in Uncanny Valley by Deb CalettiEleanor, curious about the tech genius father who abandoned her, sneakily becomes the nanny for her own half-brother. While spinning a web of lies, she questions the ethics of her father’s artificial intelligence work. At the heart of this thoughtful story is Eleanor’s search for a true family. |
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| We Are Villains by Kacen CallenderMilo, a scholarship student at Yates Academy, returns to campus after the death of his best friend. When Liam, king of Yates, hires Milo to identify who’s accusing him of murder, secrets are bound to come out. This twisty thriller will draw fans of dark academia and morally gray characters. |
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The Family I'm In
by Sharon G. Flake
Sharon G. Flake’s groundbreaking novel The Skin I’m In ushered in a new voice that lit up the literary landscape and became a modern classic. The Life I’m In, its sequel, furthered the power of unmistakable voices. Now The Family I’m In presents John-John and Caleb, friends since childhood who have come face-to-face with the struggles and triumphs of growing into young men. They’re living in a world where many Black boys are up against generational expectations, fears of the future, and how to navigate being “nice” kids who just want to be seen for who they are.
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If We Were a Movie
by Zakiya N. Jamal
Rochelle 'the Shell' Coleman is laser focused on only three things: becoming valedictorian, getting into Wharton, and, of course, taking down her annoyingly charismatic nemesis and only academic competition, Amira Rodriguez. However, despite her stellar grades, Rochelle's college application is missing that extra-special something: a job. When Rochelle gets an opportunity to work at Horizon Cinemas, the beloved Black-owned movie theater, she begrudgingly jumps at the chance to boost her chances at getting into her dream school. There's only one problem: Amira works there...and is also her boss.
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This Thing of Ours
by Frederick Joseph
Ossie Brown’s entire future is in jeopardy when a torn ACL ends his promising basketball career. Ossie—a Black teen who doesn’t come from wealth and privilege—must navigate his new place in the social and academic ecosystems of his affluent, predominantly white school. When a Black teacher encourages him to join her highly regarded writing program, Ossie begins to find a new purpose, buoyed by not only the rich works of literature by marginalized authors he’s now reading, but also by new friends who see him as something more than an asset to the sports program. Everything changes when some students’ viral “anti-woke” video puts the teacher’s job, the writing program, and even Ossie’s friends’ safety at risk—and Ossie must find his true voice.
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To Steal From Thieves
by M. K. Lobb
Charming con man Kane Durante works alone—or on occasion with his best friend, Fletcher. But when his boss, the infamous Kingpin of London’s magical dark market, gives him the impossible task of stealing a priceless artifact from the Great Exhibition, he knows it’s a job he can’t pull off alone. Enter Zaria Mendoza, daughter of one of London’s greatest alchemologists. Ever since her father’s death, Zaria’s been struggling to keep her underground business afloat. When the infuriatingly handsome Kane offers her the promise of enough money to get out of debt and leave London entirely, she knows she can’t walk away from this dangerous partnership.
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| When We Ride by Rex OgleAlthough Diego tries to avoid trouble, driving around his weed-dealing best friend Lawson helps keep a roof over Lawson’s head. As Lawson’s business expands into increasingly dangerous goods, more than their friendship is at stake. Fans of S.E. Hinton’s classic The Outsiders will appreciate this gritty novel in verse. |
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| Run Away With Me by Brian SelznickDanny is spending a lonely summer in Rome while his mother works there. A hand-drawn map leads him to Angelo, and romance blossoms as they explore the city. Like author Brian Selznick’s middle-grade blockbusters Wonderstruck and The Invention of Hugo Cabret, his YA debut blends prose and intricate illustrations. |
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Audre & Bash Are Just Friends
by Tia Williams
In need of inspiration for her self-help book, sixteen-year-old straightlaced Audre hires seventeen-year-old easygoing Bash to be her fun consultant for a summer full of daring experiences and undeniable romance.
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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month |
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| Hangry Hearts by Jennifer ChenFive years ago, the Hur and Wu families ended their friendship in a huge fight, making Randall and Julie mortal enemies. When a school project pushes them back together, they disregard the family feud and date in secret.
Read-alikes: Alexis Castellanos’ Guava and Grudges or Talia Hibbert’s Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute. |
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Wish Upon a K-Star
by Kat Cho
Moon Minseok—or Moonster as this WDB fans know him—wasn’t born to lead. As part of the world’s most popular K-Pop group, he found comfort in his role as the jokester. But now WDB is drowning in dating scandals, and it’s time for Moonster to take charge of the group's image. Shin Hyeri has been dealing with some scandals of her own. An up-and-coming K-Drama actress, she’s been labeled a “nepo baby” and now, a bully. When these two childhood enemies get caught up in yet another scandal, there’s only one solution that will save both of their reputations: appear on one of Korea’s most popular variety shows, Our Celebrity Marriage (where celebrities pretend to get married and compete in ‘newlywed’ challenges).
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Solving for the Unknown
by Loan Le
Viet Ho, a lovable oddball obsessed with forensic science, meets Evie Mai, a biology major, and bond over their shared hometown and similar history, in a story about juggling family expectations with a desire to forge one's own path.
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Legend of the White Snake
by Sher Lee
Zhen, a snake spirit, transforms into a boy and must hide his true identity after falling for the headstrong Prince Xian, in a romantic retelling of the traditional Chinese folktale.
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The Floating World
by Axie Oh
An amnesiac sword-for-hire and a village girl with a strange magical power become entangled in worlds-altering events. As the two grow closer through their travels, they come to realize that their pasts―and destinies―are far more entwined than either of them could have imagined.
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Meet Me at Blue Hour
by Sarah Suk
Seventeen-year-old Yena Bae is spending the summer in Busan, South Korea, working at her mom's memory erasing clinic. She runs into her best friend, Lucas, who moved away years earlier without a word and has erased her from his memories.
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 14 and up!
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