The Wonders of the Bremen Public Library Young Adult Volunteering Program

It is hard for me to believe that it has been 4 years since I first started volunteering at the Library. I can say that for 25% of my life, I have been a volunteer at the Bremen Public Library. The volunteering experience at the library has taught me a lot; from mundane things like how the inner workings of the library happen, to the most exciting things like how there is a "secret" room between floors where all sorts of wonderful things reside. Volunteering at the library has been a continued learning experience, allowing me to see the many different sides of our community.

The young adult volunteering program is perfect for our community. Whether you are trying to get community service hours for NHS or NJHS, are trying to actively help our community at large, or are trying to get some real world experience into how a library runs, the volunteering program is perfect. The program helps build skills that are hard to get elsewhere. The volunteer program gives you the opportunity to see what working may be like for you before you have the ability to work. It shows what can happen when you put your continued effort and dedication into a thing larger than yourself.

Through my volunteer work, I have learned a lot about the library and what it is like to be behind the counter instead of being the person in front of the desk. This change of pace in my interactions with the library is one of the main reasons that I stayed being a volunteer for as long as I have. These interactions that I saw as the person on the other side of the desk is the reason I stayed, I was able to see a side of the community that I hadn't seen before. This is also the reason that I have volunteered almost 200 hours of my time in the 4 years I've been volunteering.

A great thing about volunteering at the library is the great diversity of tasks they can have you do on any given day. I remember when I first started volunteering I was tasked with the simple job of cleaning the front door's windows. Although this task does seem like a small thing to do as a volunteer, it opened a gateway to more jobs that the librarians would give. Just getting started with something as simple as washing the windows opened up the possibility of doing more for the library. Before I knew it, I was tasked with some harder jobs, like pulling books from a pre-made list for the librarians. This then led to the librarians tasking me with deleting books from our catalogue so they could be sold at the book sale. I then learned how to check out books for patrons because of learning how to interact with the cataloguing system. Through a slow progression with my volunteering time, I learned slowly what tasks a librarian is faced with almost daily, and I had gained a better appreciation for our library as a whole.

I know everyone reading this is dying to know how to become a young adult volunteer for the library. The process is fairly simple. Most of the information needed to know how to get started as a volunteer can be found at (Click Here), but I will still guide you through what is the best way to become a library volunteer. What you'll want to do is go to the website listed earlier and click on the volunteer application link. This link will take you to a pdf of the volunteer application. This application can also be found at the library, if you ask the librarian at the front desk for a volunteer application, they will be more than happy to supply you with one. You want to fill out the application to the best of your abilities, and return to the library and then the young adult volunteering coordinator will reach out to you to coordinate your volunteering times.

The Bremen Public Library is a wonderful place to volunteer, and is worth every second of your time. It gives our young adult community a plethora of opportunities for growth, and strengthens the community ties with our young adult population.

This writing brought to you by BPL Student Advisor (and volunteer), 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.

City of Villains by Estelle Laure

In City of Villains, we follow Mary Elizabeth Heart, a high school student who has a prestigious internship at the Monarch police department. The police department is busy at work, trying to suppress the high crime rate and quell tension between the City's wealthy elite and their plans to gentrify the decaying neighborhood of the city. Then, when a wealthy businessman's daughter disappears, Mary gets her time to shine, she takes on the case and gets to see the ugly underbelly of the city first-hand, showing the magical roots of the city.

"Disney's Villains meet Gotham in this gritty fairy tale-inspired crime series." -- Goodreads

Into the Heartless Wood by Joanna Ruth Meyer

The forest is a dangerous place, where siren song lures men and women to their deaths. For centuries, a witch has harvested souls to feed the heartless tree, using its power to grow her domain. When Owen Merrick is lured into the witch's wood, one of her tree-siren daughters, Seren, saves his life instead of ending it. Every night, he climbs over the garden wall to see her, and every night her longing to become human deepens.

"Familiar motifs, such as wilderness versus technology, a witch versus a king, and star-crossed lovers, placed in unfamiliar settings ensure that this dark romantic fantasy fulfills expectations without becoming formulaic." -- Kirkus Reviews

Wingfeather Tales by Andrew Peterson

Wingfeather Tales has a world of bomnubbles and quarreling cousins, sea dragons and book publishers, thieves and Fangs and secret maps. It has untold stories of the distant past, lost adventures, forgotten songs, and heartbreaking histories. The Shining Isle is restored, but Aerwiar is vast.

"A delightfully diverse collection of "tales" written and illustrated by a group of authors and illustrators who are themselves fans of the Wingfeather Saga!" -- Redeemed Reader

The Electric Kingdom by David Arnold

In The Electric Kingdom, a deadly fly flu sweeps the globe and it leaves a shell of the world that once was. Among the survivors are eighteen-year-old Nico and her dog, on a voyage devised by Nico's father to find a mythical portal; a young artist named Kit, raised in an old abandoned cinema; and the enigmatic Deliverer, who lives Life after Life in an attempt to put the world back together. As swarms of infected Flies roam the earth, these few survivors navigate the woods of post-apocalyptic New England, meeting others along the way, each on their own quest to find life and love in a world gone dark.

"With a haunting, deliberately paced tale of post apocalyptic survival, Arnold creates a devastated world held together by myth and memory." -- Publishers Weekly

How to Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby

A month before the end of the school year, Pluto's frightened mom broke down Pluto's bedroom door. What came next were doctor's appointments, a diagnosis of depression, and a big black hole that still sits on Pluto's chest, making it too hard to do anything. Pluto can't explain to her mom why she can't do the things she used to love, And it isn't until Pluto's dad threatens to make her move with him to the city that Pluto becomes desperate enough to do whatever it takes to be the old Pluto again.

"A realistic, hopeful account of personal recovery and discovery." -- Kirkus Reviews

The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris

In The Cost of Knowing, we follow Alex Rufus, a sixteen-year-old that has the special gift that every time he touches an object or person, he sees into its future. When he touches a scoop, he has a vision of him using it to scoop ice cream. When he touches his car, he sees it years from now, totaled and underwater. When he touches his girlfriend, Talia, he sees them at the precipice of breaking up, and that terrifies him. Alex feels these visions are a curse, distracting him, making him anxious and unable to live an ordinary life.

"Dear Martin meets They Both Die at the End in this gripping, evocative novel about a Black teen who has the power to see into the future, whose life turns upside down when he foresees his younger brother's imminent death, from the acclaimed author of SLAY." -- Goodreads

What Beauty There Is by Cory Anderson

In What Beauty There Is, we follow Jack Morton, a man that has nothing left, except his younger brother, Matty, who he'd do anything for. Now with their mother gone, and their funds quickly dwindling, Jack needs to make a choice: lose his brother to foster care, or find the drug money that sent his father to prison.

"Anderson's starkly atmospheric thriller illuminates ways in which cycles of poverty and incarceration can disenfranchise children." -- Publishers Weekly

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne Brown

In A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, we follow Malik, for whom the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik's younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal - kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia's freedom.

"The first in a fantasy duology inspired by West African folklore in which a grieving crown princess and a desperate refugee find themselves on a collision course to murder each other despite their growing attraction." -- Goodreads

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

Programs, Activities, and the Summer Reading Program -- Tails and Tales

Now that school is over for this year and the summer is beginning, the library is rolling out this year's summer reading program: Tails and Tales. This program is centered more around animals this year, moreover, we'll have some animal themed activities throughout the program's length, June 7th to July 31st. The summer reading program works like this, for every book you read, you'll receive one entry in the drawing towards one of the prize baskets. The prize basket winners will be drawn at the end of the program, July 31st, and that will be the last day to submit your summer reading entries. What are these baskets you ask, well there are 7 baskets to choose from with prizes being:

1. Cute fruit squishy ball pack, chocolate chip cookie candle, Chipotle gift card, TASTY Desserts cookbook, avocado keychain, Jorbest Burritos blanket.

2. Kaliruba Thumb piano, set of drumstick pens, Music Genius playing cards.

3. Gift cards to AMC, popcorn, candy, Mario socks.

4. Harry Potter spell book, Fantastic Beasts book and model set, Harry Potter bookmarks, Harry Potter time turner sticker kit, Harry Potter charm, Harry Potter keychain, Wand, Fantastic Beasts stupefy journal.

5. Gift card to Strikes & Spares, Pac Man socks, mini skeeball game.

6. Kodak Printomatic Camera with case, pack of photo paper.

7. Calligraphy Set, Lettering handbook, Bob Ross Bookmarks, notepad.

These aren't the only prizes available to those who participate in the summer reading program. Every Friday, a winner will be drawn for a small prize, and anyone who signed up for the program will be automatically entered into the drawing. Also, each Wednesday, you can take a quack at our duck tub for a chance to win a prize. And sometime during the summer, we will have a "guess how many" jar that will give you the opportunity to win a prize.

Some specific animal themed activities/events we will be hosting are: send in a photo of you reading to your pet and it will be featured in our lobby display and decorate feathers to add to our wings mural. Decorating a feather to add to our wings mural will start on Saturday, June 5th, and go through the entire summer reading program. At the end of the reading program, Saturday, July 31st, you can get your photo taken with the wings mural. These are not the only events that are themed after animals, we will also have a day where you can Pin the Tail on the Donkey on Monday, June 7th. On this day, everyone checking out materials gets the chance to pin the tail on the donkey for a chance to win a Shrek DVD set. We will also have an Animal Origami program on Monday, July 27th at 5:00 p.m. Another somewhat animal themed activity is on Thursday, June 9th at 6:00 p.m., where there will be a movie showing of The Aristocats with snacks. These animal themed activities aren't the only activities the library is hosting during the summer season, we will also have:

• We will be in the parade, and all over town during the Fireman's Festival, Thursday, June 15th, which is also the parade day, to Saturday June 19th and we will be dressed as your favorite book characters.
• There will be a scavenger hunt on Saturday, June 19th from 9:45 a.m. to noon where there will be activities around the town, pizza, and prizes.
• The Brick Club also has an event on Monday, June 21st where they will use LEGO bricks to study concepts, develop math and science skills, work in teams, and have fun.
• On Monday, June 28th at 6:00 p.m., there will be an activity where you can get a step-by-step tutorial on how to create pony-tails.
• On Thursday, July 1st from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. there will be a karaoke night at the library.
• And on Friday, July 23rd from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. there will be an after-hours game of book dominos throughout the building and Domino's Pizza.

This summer, the library will be the place to be for solid summer fun with our animal themed activities and summer reading program. So, don't miss out this summer on what the library has to offer for an exciting and fun summer.

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

Library Renovations: New Opportunities to the Young Adults

With Marshall County approving the grant for the library's renovation, there are important questions to ask. "What does this mean for the Young Adults in the Bremen area? What new services/opportunities can Young Adults start looking forward to?"

A big change the renovation brings is the creation of a space dedicated to the Young Adult clientele. This space is one of many new spaces the library plans to create that allows people in the community to gather and not need to be turned away because of space limitations. The great thing about this creation of new spaces is that the Young Adult community will get an entire meeting space to use for their own purposes. As it is currently planned, this Young Adult space will be where the current non-fiction area is. This space will have the library's YA collection, a few computer stations, and a television. This is not the only space the Young Adult community will be able to take advantage of. The library renovation brings three separate smaller study areas, in contrast to having only one larger one now, and an expansion to the media lab. These new study spaces will also bring flexibility. Although they are distinctively three different study spaces, two of these study spaces will have a removable divider, which will allow for these two different smaller study spaces to turn into one bigger study space.

Ask yourself, "As a Young Adult, what is there to do in Bremen on any given day?" Nowadays, an answer to this question is few and far between; there simply isn't much to do that is entertaining to a Young Adult audience. The dedicated YA space will bring many new entertainment opportunities to the Young Adult community. When discussing possibilities for the YA space, the consensus is that there are numerous options when it comes to possible programs the space can host. Programming ideas that have been discussed is using the YA space for programs that are very practical to the Young Adult community. Practical programs would be the SAT prep, trade profession talks, and other educational programs. These practical programs would help the Young Adult community tremendously. 

Of course, this won't be the only thing the space will be used for. Another great idea on using this space for movies to be played on the TV in the space. Mentioned earlier, this new space will have a TV, giving an entire new world of possibilities when it comes to entertainment in this space. Currently, there is no space in the library that has a TV, or larger screen in general, dedicated to any one demographic. This new YA space's TV simply creates so many more opportunities than what the library can currently offer. This TV can be used to play movies or maybe have some game console hooked up to it. In the past, the library has seen how much fun the community can have when playing on a video game console. This community involvement over video game programs like these warrants an exploration of how the Young Adult community might respond if they have access to game consoles in their dedicated space. This TV, paired with the new computers stationed in the space, will be a game changer when it comes to entertainment options the Young Adult community has.

This YA space won't be totally unsupervised. This space will have a librarian stationed near the door, and there will be windows that allows staff a direct line of sight inside the room from their workroom. These steps are taken to ensure that the space is being used appropriately, and to ensure that the people in the space are safe and secure. The idea of this space is to give the Young Adult community of Bremen a safe and fun environment to hang out or make new friends at. This space is being made with the idea of community involvement in mind. When the space gets made, the library wants Young Adults to use the space; the space is made for them. The belief we at the library hold is that if we get the peoples' feet in the door, they will want to stay. This is why the space is being created, to get peoples' feet in the door, and make sure they realize what the library has to offer. So if you are a Young Adult in Bremen when the renovations are done -- optimistically less than a year -- then come down to the space that is, literally, made for you.

"If we create this space, then they will come." - Chris Scandling, Library Director

This writing brought to you by BPL volunteer and 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.

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