Recently added to the YA Bookshelf

Taking a look at some of the most recent additions gracing the shelves of our YA department.

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

"The Gilded Ones" follows Deka, a sixteen-year-old who lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. And on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity. A mysterious woman then comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. With this decision, Deka finds out that nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be.

"Brutal, and occasionally graphic in its depiction of violence, this is nevertheless a must." -- School Library Journal

That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston

"That Inevitable Victorian Thing" is set in a near-future world where the British Empire was preserved, not by the cost of blood and theft, but by effort of repatriation and promises kept. We follow Victoria-Margaret, the crown princess of the empire, a direct descendant of Victoria. The imperial practice of genetically arranged matchmaking will soon guide Margaret into a politically advantageous marriage. Before that, though, she will spend a summer in Toronto, where she meets Helena Marcus and August Callahan. Margaret, Helena, and August discover they share an unusual bond and they have a chance to change the world.

"A thoughtful exploration of class consciousness, genetics and politics that doesn't lose track of the human story." -- Kirkus Reviews

His Hideous Heart by Dahlia Adler

"His Hideous Heart" is a reimagination of Edgar Allan Poe's most surprising, unsettling, and popular tales for a new generation by thirteen of YA's most celebrated names. "His Hideous Heart" includes stories like It's Carnival! by Tiffany D. Jackson, which takes the source material of The Cask of Amontillado and spins it into a new way. Another story is Happy Days, Sweetheart by Stephanie Kuehn, based off of The Tell-Tale Heart. This story takes a turn from the source material and turns itself into a story primarily about revenge (versus a story about guilt). And another story is Red by Hillary Monahan. It is based on the short story The Masque of the Red Death and transforms it into the modern world.

"A refreshing assortment of diverse voices and contemporary themes ensures there's something for everyone in this delightful compilation." -- Publishers Weekly

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

In "Between Shades of Gray", we follow Lina, a fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She likes to paint, and she likes to draw. Until one night Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they've known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions. Lina documents all the events around her by drawing them, hoping these message will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive.

"Sepetys' flowing prose gently carries readers through the crushing tragedy of this tale that needs telling." -- Kirkus Reviews

The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen

In "The Merciful Crow", we follow Fie, a member of her Crow caste, Crown Prince Jasimir, royalty who faked their own death, and Hawk warrior Tavin, a bodyguard of Crown Prince Jasimir that values the prince's life more than his own.

"Full of romance and suspense, this is a tale that will leave readers hungry for the next book in the series." -- MJ Franklin, New York Times

The Good Hawk by Joseph Elliott

In "The Good Hawk" Agatha is a Hawk who protects her people by patrolling the high walls of their island home, and she is proud of this job. Jaime, however, is an Angler, but he hates the sea. Worse, he's been chosen for a duty that the clan hasn't required for generations: to marry. The elders won't say why they have promised him to a girl in a neighboring clan. Disaster strikes and the clan is kidnapped, and it is up to Agatha and Jaime to travel across the haunted mainland of Scotia to Norveg, with help along the way from a clan of nomadic Highland bull riders.

"With its blend of unusual character development and clever exploration of ancient realms, The Good Hawk is a story fantasy-loving young readers may not even know they've been waiting for." -- Kaitlyn Wells, New York Times

Just Our Luck by Julia Walton

In "Just Our Luck", Leo is a Greek boy who, after a fight in school, is being made to enroll in a self-defense class by his father. When going to enroll, Leo sees Evey Paros, a member of the family that supposedly has a curse on Leo's family of bad luck, at the front desk at the local gym. Evey cuts Leo a deal, she will enroll him in a yoga class instead of the self-defense class for a vague price, but what could Evey want from Leo?

"A feel-good story, with shades of Holes and The Karate Kid." -- Bulletin

Don't Call the Wolf by Aleksandra Ross

In "Don't Call the Wolf", after the Golden Dragon descended on the forest of Kamiena, a horde of monsters followed in its wake. Ren, the forest's young queen, is slowly losing her battle against them. Until she rescues Lukasz - the last survivor of a heroic regiment of dragon slayers - and they strike a deal. She will help him find his brother, who vanished into her forest...if Lukasz promises to slay the Dragon.

"An earnest first novel from a promising author." -- Kirkus Reviews

This writing brought to you by BPL Student Advisor, Braden Unruh

Recently Added to the YA Bookshelf

Taking a look at some of the most recent additions gracing the shelves of our YA department.

They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman

At an exclusive prep school on Long Island, Jill Newman looks forward to her senior year as a member of the school's most elite clique, the Players, until new evidence surfaces about the murder of her close friend Shaila.

"This debut murder mystery is filled with twists and turns that will keep its pages turning." -- Booklist

Don't Ask Me Where I'm From by Jennifer De Leon

Liliana Cruz does what it takes to fit in at her new nearly all-white school, but when family secrets come out and racism at school gets worse than ever, she must decide what she believes in and take a stand.

"Familiar territory for readers who straddle two cultures, for anyone who has had to be a newcomer, and, in this era, anyone who has ever worried about the impact of deportation on families. A timely addition to most collections." -- School Library Journal

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward's past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?

An Amazon Best Book of August 2020

Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Throughout the years both Rowan and Neil have been at competition with one another on everything from who has the best ideas for school functions to which one will be their graduating class's valedictorian. However, in the twenty-four hours left they have as high school students, the two learn they share something much deeper than a rivalry.

"This funny, tender, and romantic book is fresh and wholly satisfying." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim

Maia Tamarin has returned from her journey to a kingdom on the brink of war; the boy she loves is gone, and she is forced to don the dress of the sun and assume the place of the emperor's bride-to-be to keep the peace.

"Elements of Chinese culture enrich the nail-biter plot, and the beautifully written prose delivers a satisfying conclusion to a standout duology." -- Booklist

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

Soraya has lived her life hidden away, apart from her family. She is a princess, and her touch is poisonous. As the day of her twin brother's wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she is willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time.

A lovely entwining of Persian culture and myth with well-known fairy tales. One of the best books of the year, hands down." -- BuzzFeed

I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick

Working as a nanny in the Hamptons before starting college, Anna learns of her weird connection to a missing girl, but after she confesses to manslaughter a podcast producer helps reveal life-changing truths.

"Strong heroines and an intriguing flip of whodunnit tropes will keep readers engaged to the surprising resolution." -- School Library Journal

Geese Are Never Swans by Kobe Bryant and Eva Clark

Gus channels all his emotions, about his older brother and his death by suicide, into training to earn a spot on the Olympic swim team.

"This emotional novel contains lyrical prose that beautifully captures the energy of swimming." -- Kirkus Reviews

Little Creeping Things by Chelsea Ichaso

Tormented by her guilt and classmate's taunts since she accidentally set a lethal fire as a child, Cassidy is implicated in her worst bully's murder and must find the killer before someone else dies.

"Thrilling...Guaranteed to keep young readers guessing until the final pages...will satisfy the appetites of all manner of mystery fans." -- Booklist

What Unbreakable Looks Like by Kate McLaughlin

Lex was taken, trafficked, and now she's Poppy. Kept in a hotel with other girls, her old life is a distant memory. But when the girls are rescued, she doesn't quite know how to be Lex again.

"This story of resilience and recovery is gritty and heavy but ultimately hopeful...A gut-punch story with an uplifting ending." -- Kirkus

Recently Added to the YA Bookshelf

Taking a look at some of the most recent additions gracing the shelves of our YA department.

A Peculiar Peril by Jeff VanderMeer

Jonathan Lamshead stands to inherit his deceased grandfather's overstuffed mansion -- a veritable cabinet of curiosities -- once he and two schoolmates catalog its contents. But the three soon discover that the house is filled with far more than just oddities. It holds clues linking to an alt-Earth called Aurora.

"VanderMeer's sprawling YA debut offers a riotous, slyly sophisticated take on the hero's journey. Boldly drawn characters, sublimely ridiculous worldbuilding, and a witty, prismatic narrative further distinguish the unique tale." -- Publishers Weekly

Hawk by James Patterson

Maximum Ride's seventeen-year-old daughter, Hawk, is living under the radar in post-apocalyptic New York City until a destiny that is perilously close to her mother's forces her to take flight.

#1 New York Times Bestseller

Girl, Unframed by Deb Caletti

While spending a summer with her famous mother and her criminal boyfriend, Sydney Reilly, age fifteen, finds love with Nicco. But her premonition of something bad coming proves dreadfully accurate.

"Syd's story outlines important, uncomfortable experiences many girls face without either flinching or offering a picture-perfect ending...A frank, engrossing examination of the ways society complicates young women's burgeoning sexuality." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

My Eyes Are Up Here by Laura Zimmerman

Greer Walsh doesn't want to hide in her oversized gray hoodie all of the time. She wants to wear the same type of clothes that her classmates do, and the clothes that her mother (a very enthusiastic relocation specialist) wants her to. But no one wants to talk about what Greer is concealing, not even most of her friends.

"Many girls will resonate with this story of trying to learn to love your body and be comfortable with the skin you're in. We are both so glad that this book exists and it brought about a lot of important, meaningful dialogue for us both. Highly recommended." -- SLJ's Teen Librarian Toolbox

The Kinder Poison by Natalie Mae

In the magical kingdom of Orkena, a teenaged girl is chosen to be the human sacrifice in a deadly game between three heirs who will do anything for the crown.

"Mae has crafted a fascinating world with a unique magic structure that is wholly believable because of the vibrant characters within it. With characters to love, to hate, and to love to hate, plus a plot full of adventure skillfully woven with suspense, this is a must-purchase for all YA collections." -- School Library Journal, starred review

Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Half-angel Trinity and her bonded gargoyle protector, Zayne, have been working with demons to stop the apocalypse while falling in love. The Harbinger is coming...but who or what is it? All of humankind may fall if Trinity and Zayne can't win the race against time as dark forces gather.

Book two of the Harbinger trilogy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

Again Again by E. Lockhart

Rising high school senior Adelaide Buchwald grapples with a family catastrophe and romantic upheaval while confronting secrets she keeps, her ideas about love, and the weird grandiosity of the human mind.

"Lockhart takes her penchant for plot twists to a new level, with a narrative that explores the idea of the multiverse...An iterative feast of ideas about art, possibility, and the creative process for readers hungry for big concepts. Others will simply luxuriate in the storytelling." -- Publishers Weekly

Last Girls by Demetra Brodsky

On a secret compound in the Washington wilderness, Honey Juniper and her sisters are training to hunt, homestead, and protect their own.

"A twisting, suspenseful YA thriller about sisterhood, survival, and family secrets set in the world of doomsday prepping." -- The Children's Book Council

Songbirds and Snakes

Set decades before the Hunger Games trilogy, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" takes readers back to the 10th Hunger Games, featuring none other than Coriolanus Snow, who readers will recognize as the villainous president of Panem.

Author Suzanne Collins' decision to use the trilogy's villain as a potential "hero" in the prequel had some readers unsure about their excitement. A character already established as evil, Snow becoming the protagonist for the prequel makes this a villain origin story few would have been able to predict. Many readers took to social media to express their disappointment; nonetheless, it seems readers are just excited to delve back into the world Collins created, as many who reacted negatively to the premise still said they were planning to read it when it was released in May.

For the 10th Hunger Games, Snow was tapped to be a mentor to Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute selected from District 12 to fight in the battle-royale-style competition.

Back in June 2019, Lionsgate announced their interest in turning the prequel into a movie, an intent that was confirmed in April. It will be directed by Francis Lawrence, who has directed all of the Hunger Games movies.

More details have yet to be announced, so you still have plenty of time to get your hands on the book. Pick up a copy at BPL Click Here, or you can find ebook and audiobook copies on OverDrive and Hoopla.


This writing brought to you by Courtney Dobrzykowski

Alex Awards

The 2020 Alex Awards were celebrated virtually last week. Administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association, and sponsored by the Margaret E. Edwards trust, the Alex Awards honor the top 10 adult books published during the previous year with appeal to readers between the ages of 12 and 18.

In case you missed it, here are the recipients:

A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher

In a dystopian future, where the world's population is believed to be only in the thousands, Griz lives on an isolated island. When a charismatic stranger arrives and absconds with one of the family's beloved dogs, the 16-year-old embarks on a quest to get her back.

Do You Dream of Terra-Two by Temi Oh

A crew of 10 astronauts, 6 of whom are teens, set off on a 23-year journey to begin settling an uninhabited planet known as Terra-Two. This character driven sci-fi novel will draw teens into its orbit with interpersonal conflict.

Dominicana by Angie Cruz

In 1965, 15-year-old Ana Cancion leaves the Dominican Republic married to a man twice her age and eventually discovers her own voice in Washington Heights, New York. Though historical fiction, this powerful immigrant story is increasingly relevant today.

Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe

Kobabe's path to understanding gender and sexuality comes into beautiful focus in this graphic memoir, expressively illustrated with retro colors and simple lines. Readers will recognize a kindred spirit in Kobabe and/or gain insight into what it's like to identify outside of the cisgender/heterosexual norm.

High School by Sara Quin and Tegan Quin

Critically acclaimed indie rock duo Tegan and Sara Quin lay bare their teenage experiences, the oscillating euphoria and scintillation of first love, the jarring process of finding one's identity, and early forays into making music in this gorgeous dual memoir.

In Waves by AJ Dungo

In this beautiful graphic memoir, perfectly cast in muted beach tones, Dungo interweaves his story of first love with his girlfriend's passion for surfing, her heroism in the face of cancer, and a primer on the history of surfing.

Middlegame by Seanan McGuire

Roger and Dodger are twins, created in a lab in order to bestow their creator with the power to shape reality - but only if they don't figure out how to manifest that power for themselves first.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

Idealistic Elwood and cynical Turner form an unlikely bond at Nickel Academy, a corrupt 1960s reform school, as they endure the abuse meted out by the sadistic warden. Their hear-wrenching story of physical and mental survival is based on the real-life experiences of children at the former Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

In this quirky political rom-com, First Son Alex fakes a friendship with longtime rival Prince Henry of Britain when an incendiary photo of them is leaked to the tabloids. A genuine romance blossoms between the two, but it must be kept secret for the sake of Alex's mother's presidential reelection campaign.

The Swallows by Lisa Lutz

The arrival of a new teacher with a complicated past ignites a student rebellion against Stonebridge Academy's misogynistic culture, which has gone unchecked for years.

Recently Added to the YA Bookshelf

Taking a look at some of the most recent additions gracing the shelves of our YA department.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

"This concluding volume in Collins's Hunger Games trilogy accomplishes a rare feat, the last installment being the best yet, a beautifully orchestrated and intelligent novel that succeeds on every level." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

Jo & Laurie by Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz

1869, Concord, Massachusetts: After the publication of her first novel, Jo March is shocked to discover her book of scribbles has become a bestseller, and her publisher and fans demand a sequel. While pressured into coming up with a story, she goes to New York with her dear friend Laurie for a week of inspiration - museums, operas, and even a once-in-a-lifetime reading by Charles Dickens himself!

"Fans of classics, romance, and feminism will be glad to see that Jo March has not lost her feisty essence. New readers and admirers of the original will cheer." -- School Library Journal

The Empire of Dreams by Rae Carson

Red Sparkle Stone is a foundling orphan with an odd name, a veiled past, and a mark of magic in her hair. But finally - after years and years of running, of fighting - she is about to be adopted into the royal family by Empress Elisa herself. She'll have a home, a family. Sixteen-year-old Red can hardly believe her luck. Then, in a stunning political masterstroke, the empress's greatest rival blocks the adoption, and everything Red has worked for crumbles before her eyes.

"A rewarding stand-alone novel with effortless plotting and deft characterizations." -- Kirkus Reviews

So This is Love: A Twisted Tale by Elizabeth Lim

What if Cinderella never tried on the glass slipper? Unable to prove that she's the missing princess, and unable to bear life under Lady Tremaine any longer, Cinderella attempts a fresh start, looking for work at the palace as a seamstress. But when the Grand Duke appoints her to serve under the king's visiting sister, Cinderella becomes witness to a grand conspiracy to take the king - and the prince - out of power, as well as a longstanding prejudice against fairies, including Cinderella's own Fairy Godmother.

"This book has all the expected elements of a Disney film: magic, romance and compelling characters. Lim has created a world reminiscent of our own through its politics and its expanded alternate universes." -- Daily Titan

The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

A desperate orphan turned pirate and a rebellious imperial daughter find a connection on the high seas in a world divided by colonialism and threaded with magic.

"A strikingly original and accomplished debut, The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea reads like an undiscovered classic with impressively modern flair." -- BookPage, starred review

Ruthless Gods by Emily A. Duncan

The voices that Serefin hears in the darkness, the ones that Nadya believes are her gods, the ones that Malachiasz is desperate to meet - those voices want a stake in the world, and they refuse to stay quiet any longer.

"Magic and romance steeped in blood and betrayal...fans of the first volume will be pleased to have more of the same, with higher stakes and increasingly complicated questions of power and divinity." -- Kirkus Reviews

They Went Left by Monica Hesse

Zofia, a teenage Holocaust survivor, travels across post-war Europe as she searches for her younger brother and seeks to rebuild her shattered life.

"A heartbreaking and heartwarming story of survival, loss, and renewal. Sure to please a variety of readers; those interested in historical fiction, romance, and mystery will not be able to put this book down." -- School Library Journal, starred review

Hunting November by Adriana Mather

Surviving a few weeks at the world's most lethal boarding school was one thing. But now comes the real test: Can November Adley find her missing father before her enemies find her? Subterfuge is the name of the game in this thrilling sequel to Killing November.

"Mather has built a dark, intriguing universe. Between the boarding-school setting, the lessons in espionage, and the murder mystery, there's plenty to grab readers." -- Booklist

The Betrothed by Kiera Cass

When King Jameson declares his love for Lady Hollis Brite, Hollis is shocked - and thrilled. After all, she's grown up at Keresken Castle, vying for the king's attention alongside other daughters of the nobility. Capturing his heart is a dream come true. But Hollis soon realizes that falling in love with a king and being crowned queen may not be the happily ever after she thought it would be.

"A headstrong heroine whom Cass's loyal following will champion." -- Publishers Weekly

The Burning by Laura Bates

Anna and her mother have moved hundreds of miles to put the past behind them. Anna hopes to make a fresh start and escape the harassment she's been subjected to. But then rumors and whispers start, and Anna tries to ignore what is happening by immersing herself in learning about Maggie, a local woman accused of witchcraft in the seventeenth century. A woman who was shamed. Silenced. And whose story has unsettling parallels to Anna's own.

"A painfully realistic, spellbinding novel." -- Shelf Awareness

Black Canary

Dinah Lance - AKA superhero Black Canary - has a slew of appearances in comic books, TV shows and movies, but "Black Canary: Breaking Silence" will be her first novel.

Introduced in 1947 by DC Comics, Black Canary has been a role model for breaking gender barriers and changing Gotham City's laws against women's rights. This novel will also be the first time Black Canary is the main character of an adaptation, with all past appearances as a secondary character to another DC hero.

Author Alexandra Monir has taken on the task of sharing the story of Black Canary as she discovers her superpower: her voice. Using the "canary cry," Black Canary is able to create ultrasonic vibrations when she screams to cause damage to anything in its path, and is a master in several styles of hand-to-hand combat.

Taking place in the near-future under the dictatorship of the Court of Owls, Gotham City has become a society where women are forbidden to further their education or work, even going so far as refusing them the right to create music.

The origin of Black Canary has changed in adaptations over the year - from gaining them after a wizard curses her to being born with the inhuman power - so Monir will be able to begin Dinah's journey in a multitude of ways.

What we do know is that the story will follow Dinah as a 17-year-old student with a goal of taking down the rules that are in place against women. Also featured is her blossoming romance with fellow student Oliver Queen, who DC fans will recognize better by his alter ego, Green Arrow.

As she struggles with her identity in her high school years, Dinah hopes to find her voice and let her song of freedom be loud enough to effect change.

This is the fifth book Random House Books is publishing in the DC Icons series and is scheduled for a Dec. 29 release.


This writing brought to you by Courtney Dobrzykowski