| Wax by Gina DamicoHorror. Finding a life-size wax guy in the trunk of her car isn't 17-year-old Poppy's first hint that something strange is happening in Paraffin, Vermont, but it's certainly the most dramatic. The wax boy (who is comically clueless about everything) must have stowed away while Poppy was exploring the famous Grosholtz Candle Factory, a place that seems like a sweetly scented tourist trap, but may actually be a front for a conspiracy so stealthy that Poppy may not be able to stop it. Eerie and unsettling with a deliciously dry wit, Wax is sure to fire up fans of humorous horror.
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| Flying by Carrie JonesScience Fiction. A talented gymnast and a flyer on the cheerleading squad, sheltered 17-year-old Mana has some pretty amazing moves, but they're nothing compared to the surprising superhuman abilities she displays when the guy she likes turns out to be a violent, acid-spitting alien. Before Mana can figure out her newfound powers, she's blindsided by another shocking secret -- this time about her own mom. With sharp dialogue, breezy pacing, and diverse characters you'll root for, this offbeat science fiction story is "a perfect choice for readers who like their romance served with a side of alien butt-kicking action" (School Library Journal).
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| All We Have Left by Wendy MillsFiction. On September 11, 2001, Alia (age 16, aspiring comic book artist, Muslim) is visiting the World Trade Center when it's attacked by terrorists, and she finds herself fighting for survival alongside a guy named Travis. Fifteen years later, Travis' sister Jesse (age 16, prone to hateful graffiti, white) is grappling with the racism and rage she learned after her brother's death. No matter how much (or how little) you know about 9/11, these intertwining stories will break your heart, make you think, and give you hope. For a different take on the experiences of modern Muslim teens, pick up Amélie Sarn's I Love I Hate I Miss My Sister.
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| Gemini by Sonya MukherjeeFiction. Is there a life beyond small-town safety for two sisters who are literally joined at the hip? Conjoined twins Clara and Hailey are very close, but also very different: anxious, astronomy-loving Clara hates being ogled whenever they go somewhere new, while rebellious, artistic Hailey longs for adventure. Neither wants to let go of their powerful bond, but as they look to the future and begin to explore romantic relationships, the sisters consider surgical separation for the first time. Are the privileges of typical individuality worth the risks of separation? Find out in this unusual, insightful book that’s perfect for readers who love Sarah Crossan's One. |
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| A World Without You by Beth RevisFiction. The purpose of the Berkshire Academy depends on who you ask. Some would say that it's for students living with mental illness. But according to 17-year-old student Bo, it's for people with superpowers. It's because of his own power to time-travel that Bo blames himself for the loss of his girlfriend, Sofía -- they say that she committed suicide, when clearly Bo just needs to rescue her from the past. Increasing the already high tension is the perspective of Bo's sister, Phoebe, who suspects that her brother's delusions might be reaching a breaking point. If you're riveted by Bo, be sure to check out Neal Shusterman's Challenger Deep for a more intimate look at a similar character. |
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| Down from the Mountain by Elizabeth FixmerFiction. Ever since Rev. Ezekiel started buying guns instead of food, supplies have been dwindling at the remote Colorado compound of the Righteous Path. Fourteen-year-old Eva is slated to become one of Ezekiel's wives, so when he orders her to earn money by selling jewelry to the "heathens" in town, she has to obey. The heathens, however, turn out to be surprisingly kind, prompting Eva to wonder what else Ezekiel is lying about…and how dangerous he might become if she tries to leave. Eva's authentic voice will draw you in to this suspenseful read. For another brave teen girl escaping a cult, try Carol Lynch Williams's The Chosen One. |
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| The Darkest Path by Jeff HirschScience Fiction. The fact that Callum Roe kills his commander to protect his beloved dog tells you a lot about who he is and what he cares about. Though he was kidnapped as a child and raised to be an agent in the Glorious Path -- the extremist military-religious cult that ignited the second American Civil War – 15-year-old Callum has always dreamed of returning to Federal territory. Now, Cal's drastic action leaves him no choice but to flee across the battle-scarred country, hoping he can find his way home. Thoughtful thrill-seekers will be hooked by this intriguing, adrenaline-fueled vision of the near future.
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| The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie OakesFiction. Leaving behind a murdered "prophet" and the burning remains of a cult compound, Minnow Bly commits a violent assault that lands her in juvenile detention -- and she does it all without hands. The questions of how Minnow lost her hands, and how she survived her childhood in the oppressive cult of the Prophet Kevin, are answered in careful revelations throughout the book, which alternates between Minnow's grim past and uncertain present. Brutal, "bone-chillingly beautiful" (Booklist), and as page-turning as anything by Ellen Hopkins, Minnow's story (inspired by the fairy tale "The Handless Maiden") is one you won't soon forget.
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| Gated by Amy Christine ParkerThriller. Doomsday is coming, and 17-year-old Lyla is no longer sure if she wants to be saved. Though Lyla loves the safety of living in the gated Community, and is pleased that their leader, Pioneer, has chosen to protect her family, she's also having doubts. As the apocalypse that Pioneer predicted looms closer and the Community prepares to move into an underground silo, Lyla sees Pioneer's charisma crumbling. Is it salvation or suicide to follow his plan? And what will happen if she refuses? Gripping psychological tension and an unflinching style make Gated (and its sequel, Astray) very difficult to put down. |
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| Members Only: Secret Societies, Sects, and Cults -- Exposed! by Julie TibbottNonfiction. If you've wondered what Beyoncé means by "that Illuminati mess," Members Only has the answers you're looking for. In addition to profiling famous cults such as the Branch Davidians and The Peoples Temple, Members Only delves into other groups -- The Knights Templar, The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn -- with religious or spiritual ties. The book also describes clubs and societies ranging from the deeply secretive (the exclusive Bilderberg Group, often accused of being a shadow government) to the highly visible (the Society for Creative Anachronism, open to anyone interested in historical re-creation). And of course, there's an entire chapter about the Illuminati. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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