Young Adult
Only Ness can take a YA book about dragons and turn it into a book about everything - Bi-racial families, Japanese internment camps, queer romance, cults, dragon lore, racist sheriffs, farming, death, assassins, feminism, love, multi universes, Russian spies, and the Cold War.
Recommended by Kristine
Collins’ description of a society after war, the political landscape, the emotions of the people, is great and makes this a must-read for fans of the original trilogy.
Recommended by Kristine
heart-felt boy-meets-boy romance
Recommended by Jill
A ton of copycat gossip apps have popped up since Simon died, but in the year after no one’s been able to fill the gossip void quite like he could. The problem is no one has the facts. Until now. This time it’s not an app, though—it’s a game. Truth or Dare. And if you’re smart, you’ll always take the dare.
"Fans of survival stories will enjoy this one. Based on the true accounts of a group of men and boys who were abandoned on a remote rock of an island off the coast of Scotland while birding, it brings to life the harshness and desolation of this part of the world. Interesting facts about birds and how they formed the basis of the lives of the people who relied on them. Also an enlightening piece on the unfairness of the landowners, people who had little regard for the lives under their care. At times shocking, the story will leave readers wondering how anyone could survive such an ordeal."
Recommended by Kristine and Gwendolyn
“King’s narrative concerns are racism, patriarchy, colonialism, white privilege, and the ingrained systems that perpetuate them. . . . [Dig] will speak profoundly to a generation of young people who are waking up to the societal sins of the past and working toward a more equitable future.”—Horn Book, starred review
"Girl, Unframed is a timely, gripping read that deals with the complexities of female sexuality and societal expectations. Sydney is an engaging narrator whose desire for a successful summer fling is at odds with the unwanted out of town trip to spend the summer with her movie star mother. There, she finds herself caught up in the double standards of male and female behavior exemplified by her mother's most recent abusive boyfriend and the horror titles she used to love. Her retrospective recounting builds suspense as the reader is well aware of *something* coming but has to wait for the reveal. Sydney's questions about parental examples, the shaping of teen's sexuality, and society's expectations are relatable and add to the important topics Caletti discusses. Sure to appeal to readers of A Heart in a Body in the World. An engaging read that will spark important discussions."
Recommended by Gwendolyn