What Light by Jay Asher

GENRE
Romance

GRADE
Gr 7 Up

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?

Not a fan of series? Good news! This is a standalone novel.

Sierra doesn’t believe in long-distance relationships—that is, until she meets Caleb while working at her parent's out-of-state Christmas tree farm. Caleb is a sweet, charitable young man who is reviled for a past crime he committed while under duress. Although initially wary of his unsavory past, Sierra gets to know the true Caleb, and the two soon fall in love. But with her friends and family jumping on the anti-Caleb bandwagon, she has to wonder: can their love survive a town’s prejudice, or will it simply prove to be nothing more than a season fling?

WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?

Hey wait a minute! you might say. Isn’t Jay Asher the guy who wrote Thirteen Reasons Why, which is about bullying and suicide? Why, yes he is! But if the thought of his earlier work puts you off, you need not worry. What Light proves to be a sweet treat for those looking for a simple, seasonal romance.

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS TITLE?

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The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

GENRE
Historical Fiction

GRADE
Gr 9 Up for violence and some upsetting content

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?
Not a fan of series? Good news! This is a standalone novel with no sequels. (Note: if you are a fan of sequels and are looking for more of this author’s work, check our catalog for her other books here.

In 1957, Daniel, an American oil tycoon’s son and aspiring photojournalist, is staying at the Hotel Castellana Hilton in Madrid, Spain while his father tries to negotiate drilling rights from the country’s long-ruling dictator, General Franco. Daniel spends his time taking photographs of the beautiful city, and soon finds a tour guide in the form of Ana, a cheerful Spanish hotel maid assigned to serve his family during their stay. As the two travel the city and bond over photography—and especially the truths that can be revealed through it—Daniel soon realizes that there are two sides to Franco’s Spain: the bright, sunny experience for tourists, and the nightmarish reality for most Spaniards, which is to live in the shadow of a tyrant. As Daniel and Ana grow closer, they also risk uncovering one of Spain’s darkest secrets—a secret closely kept, that that few dare speak of.

WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?

Sepetys’ newest historical epic expertly peels back the layers of Francoist Spain and reveals a fascinating, little-visited corner of post-World War II history that is often ignored. Although the book clocks in at almost 500 pages, the material covered—which includes the effects of the Spanish Civil War, to mid-century Spanish social customs—is deftly handled. Recommended for fans of historical fiction, or those seeking to learn something new about history.

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS TITLE?

• Click to see ebook availability: Overdrive/Libby

The Charmed Life trilogy by Jenny B. Jones

      

GENRE
Christian Fiction; Mystery; Romance

GRADE
Gr 7 Up

WHAT IS THE CHARMED LIFE TRILOGY ABOUT?

This lovely trilogy documents the hilarious, heartfelt misadventures of privileged New Yorker Bella Kirkwood, a child of divorce who finds herself living on a farm after her mother remarries and moves them to Truman, Oklahoma. To Bella, moving away from New York is a fate worse than death. Where are the fashion boutiques? What about a Starbucks? Not to mention she now has to hitch a ride to school with her obnoxious stepbrother, Budge, who drives an out-dated hearse. But when she ends up on the Truman High School newspaper staff, she surprises the heck out of everyone with her tenacity, her drive, and above all, her awesome investigative journalism skills. Over the course of the series, she becomes quite the sleuth. Not only does she investigate a malevolent brotherhood of football players and save a prom queen from an exploding tiara, she also joins the circus as a part-time clown so she can solve the murder of a sweet-tempered bearded lady.

WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?

I really can’t say enough about this series, for both teens and parents. First off, it’s a clean read, meaning there’s no swearing or other mature content (though Bella does have a boyfriend, so there is a lot of kissing). Second, it boasts a well-developed supporting cast. And third, but importantly, it has a heroine who experiences tremendous personal growth throughout the series. Not only must she face issues left over from her parents’ divorce (in addition to adjusting to a new stepfamily), she must also come to terms with God’s plan for her—a plan that she did not agree to, thank you very much! For those of you who aren’t usually fans of Christian fiction? You should still add this to your reading list. While religion is an important part of the characters’ lives, it’s certainly not the main point of the story. What the story is about, though? It’s about an awesome, spunky teenager fighting her way through life’s sticky situations, and being the best person she can possibly be.

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS TITLE?

Book 1: So Not Happening

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Book 2: I’m So Sure

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Book 3: So Over My Head

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Omnibus Edition (Books 1-3): A Charmed Life

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Ghost by Jason Reynolds

            

GENRE
Realistic Fiction; Urban Fiction

GRADE
Gr 6 Up

WHAT IS GHOST ABOUT?

Ghost is the powerful series opener of Jason Reynolds’ Track series that focuses on a middle school track team, with each book centering on a different student and his/her struggles, both on and off the field.

Castle “Ghost” Cranshaw, a young man who knows how to run from his problems. Three years ago, his dad went after him and his mom with a gun, and the two of them had to run for their lives. His dad’s in prison now, but Ghost and his mom are still dealing with the emotional fallout. Ghost is a good kid, but his past has left him angry and with an attitude problem. One day, he decides to disrupt the school’s track team tryouts by running onto the field and beating everyone’s best time. Some coaches would discipline him for the interruption, but loud-mouthed Coach Brody is impressed with Ghost’s athletic ability, and ends up giving him a shot at making the team. To his surprise, Ghost really likes the other track candidates, and adopts the group as his own. He decides he’ll do anything to make the team. But when he steals a pair of new track shoes to replace his torn-up sneakers, he comes to realize that his bad choices just might cost him everything.

WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?

Swift, funny, and moving, Ghost is a gem. While there’s some potentially heavy stuff on the story’s periphery (characters have conversations about abuse, parental drug use, and hard upbringings), Reynolds deftly handles it in a way suitable for younger teens. It’s the perfect book for librarians to hand to students or parents seeking “clean” realistic fiction.

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS TITLE?

Book 1: Ghost

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Book 2: Patina

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Book 3: Sunny

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Book 4: Lu

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The Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen

      

GENRE

Fantasy

GRADE
Gr 7 Up for fantasy violence

WHAT IS THE TRAITOR’S GAME ABOUT?
The Traitor’s Game is the first in a trilogy set in the kingdom of Antora. 

Three years after she was banished for defying her father, 16-year-old Kestra Dallisor is en route home when she and her security detail are attacked by the Coracks, a rebel group intent on assassinating the kingdom’s ruthless leader, Lord Endrick. Because Kestra is daughter to Endrick's most trusted advisor, the Coracks plan to use her as a pawn in their search for the Olden Blade, a long-lost weapon said to be the key to destroying the supposedly immortal lord. To ensure her obedience, the Coracks assign Simon, a young rebel, to accompany Kestra back to Dallisor Castle and pose as one of her servants. Although Kestra defies Simon at every turn, he in turn challenges her to look past her privileged upbringing and examine the consequences of Endrick’s reign. Sparks fly between the two, and just as a tender new relationship seems possible, Kestra unearths a devastating secret that leads her to develop her own motivations for finding and keeping the Olden Blade for herself. At any cost.

WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT

I can already recommend this trilogy on the strength of its plot and world-building, but Kestra herself is one of the most impressive heroines I’ve seen in a while. She is the perfect blend of stubbornness, dry wit, femininity, and cunning—and she knows how to drop out of a tree onto the back of a running horse. Need I say more?

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS TITLE?

Book 1: The Traitor’s Game

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Book 2: The Deceiver’s Heart

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Book 3: The Warrior’s Curse

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Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

    

GENRE
Science Fiction; Space Opera

GRADE
Gr 9 Up for violence and language

WHAT IS CARVE THE MARK ABOUT?
Carve the Mark is the first in a space opera duology, and is followed by The Fates Divide.

On the frozen planet of Thuvhe, both native Thuvhesits and their conquerors, the Shotet, worship the universal current that blesses them with current-gifts. Shotet warrior-princess Cyra Noavek’s deadly talent is used by her ruthless brother, Ryzek, to torture his enemies—but it’s a gift that also leaves her in constant, excruciating agony. When Ryzek hears that Akos, a Thuvhesit farm-boy, can neutralize the current-gift of others, he steals him from his family and brings him to the palace to act as companion and cure-all for Cyra. As the two grow from reluctant acquaintances to fast friends...and maybe something more...they soon get caught up in resistance efforts to oust Ryzek from power.

WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT

This follow-up to Roth’s Divergent is as different from her bestselling debut as night is from day. Whereas Divergent is a fairly straight-forward dystopian tale, Carve the Mark is a soaring space opera peopled by complex characters who live in an incredible, intricately detailed sci fi world. While the action is a bit slow to build, patient readers will be rewarded for checking out Roth’s impressive sophomore effort.

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS TITLE?

Book 1: Carve the Mark

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Book 2: The Fates Divide

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