| A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little BadgerStarring: Nina, a 16-year-old Lipan Apache girl from Texas. She believes her family's stories about shapeshifting animal people.
Enter: Oli, a cottonmouth snake person, who emerges from the Reflecting World seeking help for an ancient friend. Together, Nina and Oli must untangle the interconnected problems of Earth and the Reflecting World.
Book buzz: This imaginative and immersive work of Indigenous futurism was longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. |
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| Passport by Sophia GlockThe set-up: Because of her parents' jobs, 15-year-old Sophie has lived in nine different apartments and attended eight schools in six countries.
The reveal: When Sophie reads a letter she was never supposed to see, she discovers that her parents are CIA spies. Now she has to make sense of the lies she's been fed her whole life.
Who it's for: This thoughtful graphic memoir is perfect for anyone who appreciates stories about starting over. |
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| Sway with Me by Syed M. MasoodThe big ask: Arsalan fears loneliness, knowing his beloved 100-year-old great-grandfather won't be around forever. He enlists Beenish, step-daughter of a notable matchmaker, to find him a partner.
The bargain: Beenish plans to disrupt her sister’s wedding with a dance number. She’ll find Arsalan dates if he agrees to learn the dance too.
Author alert: If you enjoyed author Syed M. Masood's novel More Than Just a Pretty Face, pick up this funny, poignant story of family and friendship. |
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| Gilded by Marissa MeyerWhat it is: an enchanting retelling of "Rumpelstiltskin," set in a mortal realm plagued by the brutal Erlking and his undead hunters.
Starring: Serilda, a captivating storyteller captured by the Erlking and ordered to spin straw into gold. When she unwittingly summons the mysterious boy Gild to her aid, she is drawn into a star-crossed romance.
Who it's for: fans of gripping, intricately reimagined fairy tales, like author Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles. |
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| Little Thieves by Margaret OwenWhat it is: a daring retelling of "The Goose Girl," featuring a clever thief named Vanja. One year ago, she stole Princess Gisele's identity and began stealing jewels from newfound aristocratic acquaintances. Now a curse threatens to transform her into those jewels if she can't find a way to return them.
Featuring: gods, monsters, queer characters, found family, and twisty adventure.
For fans of: heist stories like Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows duology.
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| Once & Future by A.R. Capetta and Cory McCarthyStarring: Ari Helix, a refugee in a galaxy run by a power-hungry megacorporation. When she pulls the sword Excalibur from an ancient tree on Old Earth, she awakens characters fated to relive their old stories.
What's inside: a reimagining of Arthurian legend, with a female incarnation of King Arthur, a queer Merlin, and an epic quest to free the galaxy from tyranny.
Series alert: This action-packed story concludes with sequel Sword in the Stars. |
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| War Girls by Tochi OnyebuchiWhat it is: a remix of the actual events of the Biafran War of the 1960s, set in 2172 Nigeria with child soldiers fighting in mech suits.
How it's told: in shifting perspectives between Onyii and Ify, sisters on opposite sides of the war. Onyii is a practical caretaker, Ify an ingenious hacker. Both live with trauma while dreaming of peace.
Who it's for: fans of Paolo Bacigalupi, Marie Lu, and the Pacific Rim films. |
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| The Fountains of Silence by Ruta SepetysThe setting: 1957 Spain, ruled by fascist dictator Francisco Franco.
Starring: aspiring photographer Daniel Matheson, on a visit to Spain with his oil tycoon father, and Ana, a hotel maid. They are drawn to each other, but Daniel's photographs exposing the sinister regime highlight the stark contrast between their lives.
Is it for you? This haunting, atmospheric novel, interspersed with historical source materials, is ideal for fans of well-researched historical fiction. |
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| Jackpot by Nic StoneWhat it's about: Rico Danger is seeking a woman who hasn't claimed her jackpot-winning lottery ticket. She appreciates popular, rich classmate Zan helping with her quest, but developing feelings for him was not part of the plan.
The question: Could Rico, focused on helping keep her family financially afloat, ever fit into Zan's wealthy world?
Read it for: funny, engaging romance alongside thoughtful exploration of issues of race, class, and privilege. |
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| Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O'ConnellOn again: Frederica Riley is captivated by the charm, confidence, and floppy hair of her girlfriend, the effortlessly cool Laura Dean.
Off again: Laura breaks Freddie's heart over and over, but Freddie keeps coming back for more. Maybe a psychic and an advice columnist can finally free Freddie from this toxic cycle.
Who it's for: readers drawn to an angst-filled graphic novel exploring the pain of offering a tender heart to a callous person. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 14 and up!
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