Staff Picks Young Adult Fiction
November 2021
Chlorine Sky
by Mahogany L. Browne
This is the story of a Teen named Sky who is looking to step out of the shadow of her former best friend to become her own person. This book is a novel in verse and is full of broken promises, rumors, growing apart, and growing up. It’s a very quick read that many Teens will be able to relate to.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The Edge of Anything
by Nora Shalaway Carpenter
A realistic novel that explores grief, mental health, and friendship. Len is a loner photographer who is haunted by her past and afraid that she’s losing her mind. Sage is a star volleyball player who is suddenly permanently put on the sidelines by a medical issue. Both girls need a college scholarship. When a chance meeting brings them together, will they be able to create a friendship that will save them both? Or will they be torn apart by their secrets and differences?
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive and an ebook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The Woods Are Always Watching
by Stephanie Perkins
Looking for a creepy read? Check out “The Woods Are Always Watching”. Two teenagers decide to go on a short backpacking trip in Pisgah National Forest. The catch is they’ve never camped anywhere before and they insist on going alone. What could go wrong? Their first night in the woods they learn the hard way that there’s more than just wild animals to be afraid of in the woods. Sounds like the perfect start to a horror movie.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The Downstairs Girl
by Stacey Lee
Can you imagine living in a family’s basement for years without them knowing ? In The Downstairs Girl, by Stacey Lee the main character, Jo Kuan , does just that. As a Chinese woman living in the late 1800’s she has every reason to not stand out. She tries to live a quiet life in her cozy basement. Although many Chinese people immigrated to the American south to become a source of labor once slavery was abolished, they also became outcasts who seemed to live on the outskirts of a society more interested in black and white issues. Despite this, Jo’s personality and opinions may very well be the traits that change her life.
This book is available in the library and OverDrive/Libby and an ebook and e audiobook
Recommended by: Darnetta Bolton, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
October 2021
The Girl in the Headlines
by Hannah Jayne
Eighteen-year-old Andrea lives a comfortable, suburban life. Except that she is the number one suspect in her father’s murder, the horrific attack of her mother, and the disappearance of her little brother. Andrea has no recollection of the night these events took place, but she knows she would never hurt her family. From the motel room where she was dumped, Andrea must find her missing little brother, while avoiding the police and trying to piece together a night she cannot remember. Was she set up? If so, by who and why? Could she have snapped? How did she get to the motel room? Is there a reason she cannot remember? So many questions that all eventually get pieced together. This book will keep you interested and wanting to read one more chapter.
This book is available in the library and on Hoopla as an ebook.
Recommended by: Malorie Carpenter, Youth Services Assistant
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish
by Pablo Cartaya
Marcus is facing suspension from eighth grade after he punches a kid at school. His mother decides to take him and his brother to Puerto Rico to visit some relatives and have a change of scenery. Marcus, however, is determined to reconnect with the father who left them behind ten years ago.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The Violent Season
by Sara Walters
A debut young adult novel that keeps the heart rate and interest up through the entire book. Wolf Ridge, Vermont is a little town where every November violent deaths happen. Is it bad luck, a sickness, or people choosing to be bad?
After the murder of Wyatt’s mother the previous November, she decides to get to the causes of the killings and specifically who is her mother’s murderer. Along with high school angst involving Cash, her best friend forever, and a new love interest in Porter, Wyatt begins confronting the memories of that day.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Polaris
by Michael Northrop
All the young deckhands of the ship named Polaris are left alone on board after a mutiny. When one of them disappears the others must band together to determine what has happened to him. Their discovery both horrifies and fascinates them.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
September 2021
In the Wild Light
by Jeff Zentner
Just like all of Zentner’s books, this book will hit all of your feels. Cash’s mother died of a drug overdose so he’s mostly been raised by his Grandparents. He spends his days living in a small run down town dodging drug dealers, taking care of his sick Papaw, and hanging out with his best friend Delaney. When Delaney manages to secure them both scholarships to one of the top private High Schools in the country Cash has to make the tough decision on whether or not to go. Should he leave his Grandparents to fend for themselves and everything he’s ever known? Or should he jump at the chance to create a better future and go to the new school with Delaney? A new school where they might not fit in and where he thinks he doesn’t deserve to be. This book with make you laugh and cry in all the best ways. Pick it up today.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Dig
by A.S. King
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction