Teen Scene
February 2026

Recent Releases
The Swan's Daughter
by Roshani Chokshi

Although Demelza was born without wings, she is part veritas swan and thus can discern people’s true intentions. Using her gift to help the cursed prince who needs to find true love could mean sacrificing her power forever. Read-alikes: Jessica Khoury’s The Forbidden Wish; Elizabeth Lim’s A Forgery of Fate.
Oxford Blood
by Rachael Davis Featherstone

Eva’s dream of attending Oxford University’s Beecham College quickly sours when her friend and fellow candidate George turns up dead during interview week. Now she must solve his murder before she's blamed for it -- and before she becomes the next victim. Fans of dark academia will enjoy this thought-provoking and twisty mystery.
16 Forever
by Lance Rubin

Every time Carter is about to turn 17, he loops back in time to his 16th birthday, and everyone else moves on. Maggie continues to be drawn to him, despite knowing he’ll forget her when he jumps back in time. Maybe this time they’ll find the future together. Read-alikes: Morgan Matson’s Gradchanted; Rachel Lynn Solomon’s See You Yesterday.
 
Crowntide (the Lightlark Saga Book 4) by Alex Aster
Crowntide (the Lightlark Saga Book 4)
by Alex Aster

Isla Crown has charted a new destiny and leapt into the unknown, determined to defeat her insidious ancestor Lark, no matter the cost. But Skyshade is nothing like she anticipated, and she'll have to use all of her skills just to survive, let alone end Lark for good. Meanwhile, Grim and Oro would sooner set fire to their own kingdoms than leave Isla stranded on a path toward certain death. But getting her back will involve forging an alliance--if they can find a way to forgive their long history of betrayals--
Retro Reads
Canto Contigo
by Jonny Garza Villa

If Rafie has to move to San Antonio, he’d better win the lead vocalist role in his new school’s mariachi band. Alas, the band already has a lead vocalist in Rey, an old flame from last year’s Mariachi Extravaganza Nacional. Their earnest, joyful story will please fans of rivals-to-lovers romances.
 
The Glass Girl
by Kathleen Glasgow

Bella, dealing with compounding hardships, took her first drink of alcohol at age 11. Now 15, she lands in the hospital with alcohol poisoning, and a forced stint in a recovery facility may finally be the path to a hopeful future. Read-alikes: Jyoti Chand’s Fitting Indian; Jas Hammonds’ Thirsty.
 
Pick the Lock
by A.S. King

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jane has been confined to her family’s rambling Victorian house and restricted from interacting with her punk musician mother. Her father -- and his decades of security camera footage -- stand between her and freedom. Award-winning author A.S. King delivers another complex and character-driven page-turner.
 
The Ballad of Darcy and Russell
by Morgan Matson

Both stranded at a bus station after a music festival, strangers Darcy and Russell strike out on an adventure before the next bus leaves in the morning. Their fateful whirlwind romance promises to alter the course of their lives forever. Read-alikes: Ronni Davis’ This Night Is Ours; Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera’s What If It’s Us.
 
Contact your librarian for more great books for age 14 and up!