ICYMI: Great YA books from the last few years |
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Inventing Victoria
by
Tonya Bolden
What it's about: Essie, a young black woman in 1880s Savannah, is offered the opportunity to leave her shameful past and be transformed into an educated, high-society woman in Washington, D.C.
Read it if you like: fast-paced historical fiction.
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We are not yet equal : understanding our racial divide
by
Carol Anderson
What it's about: From the end of the Civil War to the tumultuous issues in America today, an acclaimed historian reframes the conversation about race, chronicling the powerful forces opposed to black progress in America.
Read it if you like: thought-provoking narrative non-fiction.
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The Authentics
by
Abdi Nazemian
What it's about: A proud Iranian-American teen embarks on a journey of self-discovery after learning that she is adopted, a situation that is further complicated by cultural infighting, her mother's over-the-top birthday plans and a taboo romance.
Read it if you like: character-driven realistic fiction.
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Queer, there, and everywhere : 23 people who changed the world
by
Sarah Prager
What it's about: A LGBTQ chronicle for teens shares hip, engaging facts about 23 influential gender-ambiguous notables from the era of the Roman Empire to the present, exploring how they defied convention to promote civil rights, pursue relationships on their own terms and shape culture.
Read it if you like: funny, engaging biographies.
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How to be Remy Cameron
by
Julian Winters
What it's about: Under pressure to write a flawless essay defining who he is and who he wants to be, Remy embarks on an emotional journey toward reconciling the outward personal everyone knows and the real Remy Cameron within.
Read it if you like: complex coming-of-age stories.
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A few red drops : the Chicago Race Riot of 1919
by
Claire Hartfield
What it's about: A compelling introduction to the Chicago race riot of 1919 documents key events that led to days of urban violence that continue to reverberate a century later, offering insight into contributing factors in race relations, politics, business and culture.
Read it if you like: richly detailed, serious history books.
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The truth is
by
NoNieqa Ramos
What it's about: Closed off and grieving her best friend, fifteen-year-old overachiever Verdad faces prejudices at school and from her traditional mother, her father's distance since his remarriage, and her attraction to a transgender classmate.
Read it if you like: Emotionally intense and funny character-driven fiction.
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