Teen Scene
November 2020
Recent Releases
Legendborn
by Tracy Deonn

What it's about: While grieving the loss of her mother, 16-year-old Bree has her world shaken once again when she witnesses a demon attack and discovers the Legendborn, a magical secret society descended from King Arthur's knights.

Series alert: This series opener introduces a fascinating system of magic and an intriguing mash-up of Round Table lore with contemporary American cultures. 

Further reading: For another inclusive reimagining of King Arthur's legend, pick up Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy's Once & Future series.
Even If We Break
by Marieke Nijkamp

What it's about: After years of playing a murder-mystery fantasy RPG, five formerly close friends gather at a remote cabin for one last game. Their final round soon grows intense as secrets are exposed, eerie events occur, and one of their number disappears, leaving bloody runes behind.

Read it for: The diverse cast of characters and the twisty blend of suspense and horror.

Also available in eBook on Hoopla
The Left-Handed Booksellers of London
by Garth Nix

Welcome to: 1983 London, where art student Susan is searching for the father she's never met.

What happens: A frightening supernatural encounter introduces Susan to Merlin, one of the left-handed booksellers who defend the modern world from the invading Old World of myth and magic. (When they're not running bookstores, that is.)

Also available in eBook & eAudiobook on CloudLibrary
Novels by Poets
With the Fire on High
by Elizabeth Acevedo

Starring: High school senior Emoni Santiago, who has "magic hands" in the kitchen, but who worries that becoming a chef won't help her build a future for herself and her two-year-old daughter.

Read it for: Clear, vivid writing; mouth-watering food; and characters so realistic that you'll miss them when you close the book.  

Also available in eBook & eAudiobook on OverDrive
Also available in eBook & eAudiobook on Hoopla
Also available in eBook & eAudiobook on CloudLibrary
The Black Flamingo
by Dean Atta

What it is: The story of how London teen Michael finds his voice, both as a poet and a drag performer, in a society eager to label him for how he expresses his gender, his sexuality, and his multiracial identity.

Why you might like it: The intimate, conversational style of Michael's first-person narration.

Also available in eBook on CloudLibrary
Who Put This Song On?
by Morgan Parker

Starring: Music-obsessed, “super-emo” Morgan, who’s dealing with depression and feeling stuck at a small-town religious school where she’s one of only a few Black students.

What happens: With the help of new friends, Morgan tries to block out the noisy opinions of others and figure out who she is and what she wants.

About the author: This is the first YA book from poet Morgan Parker, inspired by her own teen years and diaries.
The Boy in the Black Suit
by Jason Reynolds

What it's about: Devastated by his mom's death, high school senior Matt gets a job at a funeral home, finding comfort in shared grief. Also, the job beats slinging chicken at the Cluck Bucket -- although Matt is drawn to Lovey, the tough, intriguing girl who works there. 

Read it for: The true-to-life characters and insightful, unfussy style you expect from popular author Jason Reynolds.

Also available in eAudiobook on Hoopla
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 14 and up!