Young Adult
Pride
Ibi Aanu Zoboi
eBOOK
Young Adult
After the wealthy Darcy family moves in across the street, Zuri is forced to find common ground with Darius, while struggling with her four wild sisters, a handsome boy vying for her attention, and college applications.
The cheerleaders
Kara Thomas
eBOOK
Young Adult
"As a town prepares for the anniversary of the deaths of five cheerleaders who were killed in three separate, horrific accidents, two teens uncover long-buried truths about what really happened years ago"--
Five years ago, one high school faced a semester of tragedy in which five cheerleaders died. Now, Monica, sister of one of the deceased, looks back at the situations surrounding the deaths and begins to wonder if the police missed anything. Did they catch the right murderer? Did her sister really kill herself? What happened to cause all these deaths in her town? On top of the questions, Monica sorts through her own struggles with an older man, changing friendships, and existing in a family still mourning the loss of her sister. For a fast paced thriller filled with twists and revelations, pick up The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas. You won’t be putting it down any time soon! -Shawna
American royals
Katharine McGee
YOUNG ADULT FICTION McGee, Katharine
Fiction, Young Adult
In an alternate America, princesses Beatrice and Samantha Washington and the two girls wooing their brother, Prince Jeffrey, become embroiled in high drama in the most glorious court in the world.
What if George Washington had accepted a crown instead of the Presidency? And then, what would that monarchy look like in the modern day? The book covers the adventures of four women: Beatrice, the first to-be-queen to reign America on her own; Samantha, her spunky younger sister; Nina, Sam’s loyal best friend; and Daphne, ambitious ex-girlfriend of Sam’s twin brother, Jeff. It does bop between their differing POVs, but it isn’t confusing or jarring. This was a fun YA read with many things that I love - royalty, romance, really well-written female characters. My expectations were high, and they were definitely met! -Angie
Ella enchanted
Gail Carson Levine
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Levine, Gail Carson
Kids, Fantasy, Young Adult
In this novel based on the story of Cinderella, Ella struggles against the childhood curse that forces her to obey any order given to her.
This is such a wonderful adaptation of the story of Cinderella. What I especially love about “Ella Enchanted” is that Ella is such a positive role model for girls. She is strong, bright, funny and self-aware. As a baby, Ella was given the ‘gift’ of obedience by a fairy named Lucinda, but we quickly see that the gift is truly a curse and could have many implications on the life of Ella and those connected with her. Beautifully written! -Becky
Beauty : a retelling of the story of Beauty & the beast
Robin McKinley
YOUNG ADULT FICTION McKinley, Robin
Kids, Fantasy, Young Adult
Kind Beauty grows to love the Beast at whose castle she is compelled to stay and through her love releases him from the spell which had turned him from a handsome prince into an ugly beast.
A very detailed and descriptive adaptation of the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast! The pace of the story moves more slowly, allowing the reader to really understand the character development, relationships, and the magical setting of the tale. Beautifully written! -Becky
Wayward son
Rainbow Rowell
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Rowell Rainbow
Young Adult
"Simon Snow is back and he's coming to America! The story is supposed to be over. Simon Snow did everything he was supposed to do. He beat the villain. He won the war. He even fell in love. Now comes the good part, right? Now comes the happily ever after... So why can't Simon Snow get off the couch? What he needs, according to his best friend, is a change of scenery. He just needs to see himself in a new light... That's how Simon and Penny and Baz end up in a vintage convertible, tearing across the American West. They find trouble, of course. (Dragons, vampires, skunk-headed things with shotguns.) And they get lost. They get so lost, they start to wonder whether they ever knew where they were headed in the first place... With Wayward Son, Rainbow Rowell has written a book for everyone who ever wondered what happened to the Chosen One after he saved the day. And a book for everyone who was ever more curious about the second kiss than the first. It's another helping of sour cherry scones with an absolutely decadent amount of butter. Come on, Simon Snow. Your hero's journey might be over--but your life has just begun"--
Rainbow does it again! I know of no other author with such a knack for writing and creating characters to absolutely fall in love with (SHEPARD <3 <3 <3). If you liked "Carry On," you're going to like this--no doubt about it. It ends on a cliffhanger (curses!), but Rainbow has already announced a follow up: "Any Way the Wind Blows." I can't wait! -Brian
The Giver
Lois Lowry
GRAPHIC NOVEL Lowry
Graphic Novels, Young Adult
Jonas' life assignment is as the Receiver of Memory, where he will apprentice the Giver and become a storehouse of all the things humanity left behind when it entered utopia: color, emotion, and even more complicated secrets.
Lois Lowry's classic novel smoothly makes its transition to comics, and fans of and newcomers to the book will be captivated by the visual storytelling. -Angie
Carry on : the rise and fall of Simon Snow
Rainbow Rowell
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Rowell Rainbow
Young Adult
"Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen.That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right.Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here -- it's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up"--
I'm re-reading this in anticipation of its sequel "Wayward Son." I wasn't wild about this book the first time that I read it, which is shocking since I usually love anything Rainbow writes. I think it was an expectations things, because I'm liking it A LOT more this time. -Brian
Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone
J. K Rowling
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Rowling, J. K.
Fantasy, Young Adult
Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That's because he's being raised by his miserable aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he's really a wizard, just as his parents were. But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards, and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright. From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny.
Added by Beth
When we collided
Emery Lord
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Lord Emery
Young Adult
Can seventeen-year-old Jonah save his family restaurant from ruin, his mother from her sadness, and his danger-seeking girlfriend Vivi from herself?
Added by Brian
A poignant and funny retelling of Pride and Prejudice featuring all characters of color. Definitely one to pick up whether or not you enjoyed or have read the Austen classic. -Casey