This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

GENRE

LGBTQ+; Thriller

GRADE

Gr 9 Up for violence and some language.

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?

During a welcome-back assembly at a rural American high school, Ty Browne, a former student, slips inside the auditorium and locks the doors, trapping everyone inside with him. By the time staff and students realize that something is wrong, Ty pulls out a gun and starts shooting. The ensuing horror is seen through the eyes of four students, each of whom struggles valiantly to live through the next fifty-four minutes. But not all will survive…

WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT

Nijkamp interweaves the narrative with blog posts, Twitter feeds, and text messages to produce a page-turning thriller.

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS TITLE?

• Click for ebook availability: Overdrive or Hoopla

Al norte de la felicidad de Adi Alsaid

GÉNERO
Realismo magico

GRADO
Gr 8 Up por malas palabras

¿DE QUE ES ESTE LIBRO?

Al norte de la felicidad es una novela del autor mexicano Adi Alsaid. Está disponible en español e inglés (ver abajo).

Seis meses después de la prematura muerte de su hermano, Carlos huye de su vida privilegiada en la Ciudad de México y consigue un trabajo como lavaplatos en Provecho, un restaurante de alto perfil en la costa de Seattle, Washington. Secretamente acompañado por el fantasma de su hermano, Carlos lucha por ganarse la aprobación de Elise, su jefe y el chef del restaurante, sus compañeros de trabajo, y en secreto busca una relación romántica con Emma, ​​la hija de Elise.

¿POR QUÉ DEBERÍAS LEERLO?

Los toques de romance y realismo mágico condimentan la historia, mientras que las ricas descripciones de la comida y una mirada detrás de escena de cómo funcionan las cocinas profesionales harán de esta una lectura intrigante para los amantes de la comida.

¿DÓNDE PUEDO ENCONTRAR ESTE TÍTULO?

Español

• Haga clic para ver la disponibilidad del libro electrónico: Hoopla

Inglés

• Haga clic para ver la disponibilidad de libros electrónicos: Overdrive

North of Happy by Adi Alsaid

GENRE

Magical Realism

GRADE
Gr 8 Up for language

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?

North of Happy is a stand-alone book by Mexican author Adi Alsaid. It is available in both English and Spanish (see below).

Six months after his vagabond brother’s untimely death, grief-stricken Carlos flees his life of privilege in Mexico City and gets a job as a dishwasher at Provecho, a high-profile restaurant off the coast of Seattle, Washington. Secretly accompanied by his brother’s playful ghost, Carlos struggles to win the approval of Elise, his boss and the restaurant’s head chef, his coworkers, and covertly pursue a romantic relationship with Emma, Elise’s daughter.

WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?

Hints of romance and magical realism spice up the story, while rich descriptions of food and a behind-the-scenes peek at how professional kitchens are run will make this an intriguing read for food-lovers.

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS TITLE?

English

• Click to see ebook availability: Overdrive

Español

• Click to see ebook availability: Hoopla

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

GENRE

Graphic Novel; Fairy Tale; LGBTQ+; Romance

GRADE
Gr 6 Up

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?

In this standalone graphic novel, Frances, a young seamstress, becomes personal fashion designer to Sebastian, a young prince with a big secret: he secretly likes to wear dresses. With the help of Frances’s sewing skills, Sebastian is able to slip from the palace unnoticed and become an overnight sensation as Lady Crystallia, Paris’s biggest—and most mysterious—fashion icon. Frances will do anything to keep her friend’s secret safe—but will it come at the cost of the greatness and recognition she so longs for?

WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT

This is a sweet, gender-positive love story about identity, self-acceptance, and friendship that will appeal to readers of all ages.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND IT

• Check to see ebook availability: Overdrive/Libby

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

GENRE

LGBTQ+; Romance

GRADE

Gr 7 Up

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?

Boy Meets Boy is a standalone novel narrated by Paul, a gay teen, as he completes one academic year at his very non-conventional high school. How non-conventional? Well, the football team’s quarterback is also this year’s homecoming queen, the cheerleaders ride Harleys, and being straight-out gay is perfectly okay. But even in this oasis of tolerance, Paul still has normal teen problems. First, he starts dating quiet newcomer Noah, but soon discovers he might still have feelings for his ex, Kyle. Then, his best female friend, Joni, starts dating not-so-nice-guy Chuck, and begins drifting away from their close-knit circle of friends. What’s a boy to do? Can he sort out his feelings and keep his friend group together before everything falls apart?

WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT

A treasured classic in the LGBT community, Boy Meets Boy is a funny, touching tale about acceptance of self and the true love our friends and family give us, despite the stupid mistakes we make. Recommended for all walks of life.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND IT

• Check to see audiobook availability: Overdrive or Hoopla

Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry

GENRE

Magical Realism

GRADE

Gr 9 Up for mature romantic content and language.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Two months before she fell to her death from her own bedroom window, Ana Torres united her sisters in a final, unsuccessful attempt to flee their widower father, a possessive man consumed by his own misery. Now, one year after the accident, the surviving Torres sisters are all but lost to each other in their attempts to cope: pure-hearted Rosa seeks understanding through religion and her almost supernatural connection with animals; dreamy Iridian uses her notebook and pen in an effort to exorcise the memory of harsh words exchanged days before Ana’s death; and sharp-tongued Jessica sets about claiming her sister’s earthly possessions for herself—including Ana’s demanding, abusive boyfriend. But when Ana’s spirit suddenly returns to haunt them, destroying their things and frightening them with her eerie laughter, the Torres girls reunite once more in an attempt to understand their sister’s final message to them.

While this can be read as a stand-alone piece, a sequel to Tigers, Not Daughters is planned for release in 2021.

WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT

A fresh, loosely based take on Shakespeare’s King Lear (a tragedy about fathers, daughters, and sisters), this story is a unique, well-written, and uplifting meditation on female introspection and self-discovery in the wake of terrible loss.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND IT

• Click to see ebook availability: Hoopla

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

GENRE

Fantasy

GRADE
Gr 9 Up for language and mature romantic content

WHAT’S THIS BOOK ABOUT?
Not a fan of series? Good news! This is a standalone novel with no sequels attached.

Girl meets boy. Girl loses boy when she turns into ravening wolf monster. Girl tries to get boy back. It’s a fairly standard tune, right? At least, it is for poor Vivian. With the wilderness shrinking fast in the face of urban progress, disaster seems to follow the loup-garoux wherever they flee. Without a true home to call their own, these nomadic werewolves are forced to live among humans in secret. Befriending “meat-people” is strictly discouraged, an easy task for Vivian since she’s never really fit in at her high school, where she must hide her true nature. But then she meets Aidan, a sweet, sensitive human boy who is deeply interested in the occult. Will Aiden lead her to true love? Or will an innocent misunderstanding compromise the pack’s safety once again?

WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?

Vivian’s emotional journey helps dispel any unrealistic attitudes some readers might have about romance, and ultimately provides an important lesson for teens: in romantic relationships, it’s best to find someone who will accept you for who you truly are.

WHERE CAN I FIND IT?

• Click to see ebook availability: Overdrive/Libby

Erebos by Ursula Poznanski

GENRE

Mystery

GRADE

Gr 9 Up for swearing and fantasy violence

WHAT’S THIS BOOK ABOUT?

Not a fan of series? Good news! This is a standalone novel with no sequels attached.

When Nick is approached by a classmate offering him a copy of the latest hot new video game, he doesn’t expect much. Erebos looks like a simple game that allows you to design your own character, join in group quests, and fight battles in a lush fantasy setting. Just your average RPG, right? Except there’s something different about Erebos. Something unnaturally addictive. Soon, Nick is obsessively gaming late into the night, plotting ways to gain new experience levels. When his character, Sarius, is mortally wounded in battle, all his hard work seems lost—until a sinister authority figure, the Messenger, offers to help. In exchange for renewed health and energy, the Messenger asks Nick to perform a series of tasks—not within the game, but outside in the real world. One day he’s instructed to leave an unmarked package under a bridge, the next day he’s told to take pictures of two strangers in their car. Harmless stuff, right? Except it isn’t. When one of Nick’s delivered packages turns out to contain something highly illegal, he gets scared. What is Erebos, exactly? Is it really just a video game, or something more? And more importantly—can it be stopped?

WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?

All I can say about this international import is that it’s a truly awesome read. The sinisterness of the game is genuinely creepy, and the mystery of Erebos is intriguing enough to drive the story towards its thrilling conclusion. If you’re looking for a book that you have a hard time putting down, this is an excellent choice.

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS?

• Click to see ebook availability: Hoopla

Grayson by Lynne Cox

GENRE

Memoir; Nonfiction

GRADE
Gr 6 Up

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?

At age 17, long-distance swimmer Lynne Cox found herself being followed by a lone baby whale during an early morning training session in the Pacific Ocean. But where was the little whale’s mother? In this short memoir, she describes her efforts to help the whale—whom she nicknamed “Grayson”—find his way home.

WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?
Lynne Cox’s memoir is a short, sweet, and inspirational tale of love and determination that teaches young readers lessons in self-confidence and discipline.

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS TITLE?

• Click to see audiobook availability: Hoopla

Yaqui Delgado quiete darte una paliza de Meg Medina

    

GÉNERO

Ficción realista

GRADO
Gr 9 Up para el lenguaje y una escena de violencia

¿DE QUE ES ESTE LIBRO?
Cuando Piddy Sanchez, una latina de herencia mixta, se muda a una nueva escuela secundaria, todo lo que quiere hacer es concentrarse en sus estudios para poder ingresar a una buena universidad. Desafortunadamente, con su piel clara, falta de acento y buenas notas, sobresale como un pulgar dolorido y rápidamente atrae la atención de Yaqui Delgado, uno de los peores acosadores en la escuela. Pronto, Piddy se encuentra haciendo todo lo posible para evitar las bofetadas y los tirones de pelo de Yaqui, incluso si eso significa saltarse la escuela y quedarse atrás en clase. Aunque la escuela tiene una política estricta de "No Tolerancia" contra el acoso escolar, teme que ir al director solo empeore las cosas. ¿Qué puede hacer ella? Que su madre cubana le grite es la menor de sus preocupaciones, ¡especialmente porque Yaqui Delgado ha hecho su misión personal en la vida golpear a Piddy!

¿POR QUÉ DEBES LEERLO?
En los últimos años, el tema de la intimidación se ha puesto a la vanguardia de la atención de los medios después de una serie de suicidios de adolescentes de alto perfil, y debido a esto, la publicación del libro no podría ser más perfecta. En su sincero examen de la situación de Piddy, la novela sirve como un grito de guerra contra un problema social importante, así como una garantía para las víctimas de que están lejos de estar solos en su difícil situación. Los fanáticos de la literatura diversa también estarán encantados con los ricos detalles culturales que Medina agrega a su historia, así como las propias reflexiones de Piddy sobre lo que significa ser latina. Si bien es un libro que podría beneficiar a los adolescentes de todas las edades, la inevitable pelea entre Yaqui y Piddy resulta ser especialmente dura, por lo que, junto con algo de lenguaje y una escena romántica entre Piddy y un amigo de la infancia, empuja el libro a lo alto gama escolar.

¿DÓNDE PUEDO ENCONTRAR ESTE TÍTULO?
Haga clic aquí para ver si la traducción al español de este libro electrónico está disponible.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Photo Credit: The Selection series Facebook page

GENRE

Dystopian Romance

GRADE

Gr 7 Up

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?

Thirty-five girls. One competition. Who will win the hand of the prince? This is the top question for Illéan teen girls everywhere when the government-sponsored Selection starts accepting applications for candidates. Families of those chosen not only win a generous stipend from the government, but also power and prestige. Mer Singer, the daughter of poor musicians, reluctantly submits an application at her parents urging—and gets in! To her surprise, she and Prince Maxon actually click—but not in the way you might think. When Mer admits to him that she’s still mourning Aspen, the boyfriend who dumped her, girl-shy Maxon makes her a promise: he will agree to a platonic relationship with her if she agrees to help him navigate the bewildering world of dating. This arrangement works very well at first…until Mer realizes that her feelings for Maxon are blossoming into something more than friendship…and then, of course, there’s the problem of Mer’s ex, who shows up at the palace begging her to take him back!

The Selection was originally the first book in a trilogy, followed by The Elite and The One. The author has since expanded the series to include two more novels, The Heir and The Crown, both set 20 years later. There is also a collection of Selection novellas published under the title, Happily Ever After: Companion to the Selection Series.

WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?

As someone who normally rolls her eyes at love triangles, I was surprised by how much I liked this novel. The fact that Mer and Maxon’s relationship starts out as a platonic one adds an interesting layer to the story, and allows even the most cynical reader to take their budding romance seriously. In addition, the author manages to bypass most of the requisite melodrama that accompanies love triangles. So even if you’re normally not a romance person, I implore you—take a chance, and read The Selection!

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS TITLE?

Book 1: The Selection

• Click to see ebook availability: Overdrive/Libby

• Click to see audiobook availability: Overdrive/Libby or Hoopla

Book 2: The Elite

• Click to see ebook availability: Overdrive/Libby

• Click to see audiobook availability: Overdrive/Libby or Hoopla

Book 3: The One

• Click to see ebook availability: Overdrive/Libby

• Click to see audiobook availability: Overdrive/Libby or Hoopla

Book 4: The Heir

• Click to see audiobook availability: Overdrive/Libby or Hoopla

Book 5: The Crown

• Click to see ebook availability: Overdrive/Libby

• Click to see audiobook availability: Overdrive/Libby or Hoopla

Short Stories: Happily Ever After: Companion to the Selection Series

• Click to see audiobook availability: Hoopla

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina

GENRE

Realistic Fiction

GRADE
Gr 9 Up for language and a scene of violence

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?
Not a fan of series? Good news! This is a standalone novel with no sequels attached.

When Piddy Sanchez, a Latina of mixed heritage, relocates to a new high school, all she wants to do is focus on her studies so she can get into a good college. Unfortunately, with her light skin, lack of accent, and good grades, she sticks out like a sore thumb, and quickly attracts the attention of Yaqui Delgado, one of the worst bullies in school. Soon, Piddy finds herself doing anything she can to avoid Yaqui’s slaps and hair-pulling, even if it means skipping school and falling behind in class. Although the school has a strict “No Tolerance” policy against bullying, she’s afraid going to the principal will only make things worse. What can she do? Getting yelled at by her Cuban mother is the least of her worries, especially since Yaqui Delgado has made it her personal mission in life to beat up Piddy?

WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?
In recent years, the issue of bullying has been brought to the forefront of media attention following a series of high-profile teen suicides, and because of this, the book’s publication couldn’t be more perfect. In its candid examination of Piddy’s situation, the novel serves as both a rallying cry against a major social problem, as well as a reassurance to victims that they’re far from alone in their predicament. Fans of diverse literature will also be pleased by the rich cultural details Medina adds to her story, as well as Piddy’s own ponderings of what it means to be Latina. While it’s a book that could benefit teens of all ages, the inevitable fight between Yaqui and Piddy turns out to be especially rough, so that, along with some language and a romantic scene between Piddy and a childhood friend, pushes the book into the high school range.

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS TITLE?

• Click to see ebook availability: Hoopla

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

            

GENRE
Action/Adventure; Romance

GRADE
Gr 7 Up

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?

Who said spy stuff was just for boys? The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women is an elite, secret spy school that boasts classes such as Covert Operations, Culture and Assimilation, and Protection and Enforcement (kind of like P.E., but way cooler). The heroine, Cammie “Chameleon” Morgan, is daughter to the headmistress, so naturally, she’s a whiz at spy stuff. When it comes to talking to guys, however, she’s clueless. So what does she do when she meets a sweet local boy? She can’t tell him anything about herself (that’s classified!), so she decides to make up a fake background. Before long, her lies start catching up with her, and she must make a choice between loyalty to her boyfriend, and loyalty to Gallagher Academy.

WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?

With excellent world-building detail, sympathetic characters, and a strong heroine, the Gallagher Girls series makes an excellent choice for teens looking for a new twist in the spy genre.

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS TITLE?

Book 1: I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You

• Click to see ebook availability: Overdrive/Libby

Book 2: Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy

• Click to see ebook availability: Overdrive/Libby

Book 3: Don’t Judge a Girl by her Cover

• Click to see ebook availability: Overdrive/Libby

Book 4: Only the Good Spy Young

• Not available as ebook or eaudiobook in our catalog.

Book 5: Out of Sight, Out of Time

• Not available as ebook or eaudiobook in our catalog.

Book 6: United We Spy

• Not available as ebook or eaudiobook in our catalog.

With Malice by Eileen Cook

GENRE
Mystery; Thriller

GRADE
Gr 9 Up for language and violence

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?

Not a fan of series? Good news! This is a standalone novel with no sequels attached.

Jill, an American teenager, wakes up in a hospital with no memories and news that she’s been in a coma for the past two months. She also learns several disturbing facts: One—her amnesia is the result of a car crash that happened overseas during a school trip. Two—her best friend, Simone, was killed in the crash. Three—Jill was driving. And four—the Italian police want her back in Italy to stand trial for what they claim was a deliberate attempt at murder/suicide. In the wake of these shocking allegations, Jill realizes that she has no choice but to recover her lost memories and prove her innocence before it’s too late. But the truth, she learns, isn’t as straightforward as she thinks.

WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?

Twists and turns abound in this suspenseful thriller, which proves gripping to the very end. The inclusion of police interviews and media transcripts allow us to see the story from multiple angles, and provides for a compelling reading experience. Highly recommended for fans of mystery/thrillers.

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS TITLE?

• Click to see ebook availability: Overdrive/Libby