Staff Picks Young Adult Fiction

Ghost Roast

by Shawnee Gibbs

Chelsea does everything she can to hide the fact that her dad is a professional ghost hunter. Her social life would be ruined if that got out at her school. Of course this is a lot harder than it sounds when her punishment for getting caught at a graveyard party by the police is helping her dad out at his job over the summer. While at work Chelsea finds out that she can not only see ghosts but can also talk to them too. And one of the ghosts at the old mysterious mansion is not only nice, but also hot. Maybe her dad’s job isn’t so crazy as it seems… if only Chelsea can find a way to save the ghosts, instead of hunt them.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Dear Medusa

by Olivia A. Cole

Alicia has a reputation, but there’s more to her story than the whispers that follow her at school. A million different insults that really mean “a girl who has had sex” can hurt. What her classmates don’t know is that she was sexually abused by a popular teacher. Does that make her a victim, or a slut who asked for it? Alicia is having a hard time figuring that out. She went from outgoing, to invisible. Until one day when mysterious letters are left in her locker that hint at another victim. Alicia has built walls to protect herself, but between the letters showing up and a new girl at school, Alicia is starting to see cracks forming. Cracks that may open up to something better.

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

Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches

by Kate Scelsa

Eleanor is the least likely person in Salem to believe in witchcraft. She is a town outcast among her peers, for something that happened with her ex girlfriend. Not even witch craft could fix the mistakes that she made. Then a handwritten guide to tarot arrives at the witch souvenir store where Eleanor works with a promise that magic is coming her way. Eleanor is quick to dismiss this, until Pix shows up with an unusual invitation. Inspired by the magic and mystery of the tarot, Eleanor decides to open herself up to making friends with Pix and her coven of witches, and even to the possibility of a new romance. If Pix and her friends find out about Eleanor’s ex and their fallout though, Eleanor thinks she will lose everything again. Secrets can hurt loved ones, and Eleanor has plenty to hide. Are her secrets bad enough not be forgiven?

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

Gilded

by Marissa Meyer

Marissa Meyer’s Gilded is an enchanting reimagining of the classic Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, infused with German mythology, dark magic, and a touch of romance. The story follows Serilda, a gifted storyteller who inadvertently captures the attention of the sinister Erlking and his ghastly Wild Hunt. Serilda’s talent for spinning tales becomes her only weapon when she deceives the Erlking and is ensnared in a deadly deal. Trapped in the Erlking’s haunted castle, she encounters a peculiar yet endearing poltergeist named Gild, who helps her spin straw into gold to fulfill the ErlKing’s demands. However, Gild harbors his own secrets that Serilda must discover while she slowly grows feelings for him. One of my favorite aspects of the book is Meyer’s ability to blend the classic and contemporary. While the foundation of the story is rooted in the Rumpelstiltskin legend, Meyer expands on the fairy tale with her own imaginative flair, incorporating elements of Germanic folklore and her signature creative touch.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla as an e audiobook.

Recommended by: Kristen Holding, Graphic Artist

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Summer She Went Missing

Paige Redmond and her family always spend summers with their parents’ rich Friends the Covingtons. The daughter, Audrey, has always been best friends with Paige, but Paige is also beginning to want to be more than friends with the brother, Dylan. Parties, swimming, and drinking are overshadowed by the disappearance of a couple of girls. Then Audrey begins to change and be secretive about her whereabouts until she also disappears. Close friends, fringe friends, and townies all seem to be suspect in what is actually happening to the girls. Paige and Dylan are determined to solve the cold cases even as the suspense heats up and secrets begin to surface.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and on Hoopla as an ebook and e audiobook.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Reference Services Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The White Guy Dies First

by Terry J. Benton-Walker

An online community of horror fans discover 13 unread short stories full of blood, frights, and a deeper meaning into life as a minority. This collection by young adult authors of color will encourage readers to think about society’s expectations and stereotypes. The protagonists are underrepresented community members with diverse races, ethnicities, or sexuality.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Reference Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Not About a Boy

by Myah Hollis

Mel has been in the foster-care system since the age of four. Her last chance of a placement before she turns 18 has her living with a rich couple and attending an elite school. After her co-dependent boyfriend dies of an overdose, her feelings about herself are further rocked by learning that she has a twin sister, who had been immediately adopted. Why not her? As the two sisters reconnect, Mel’s memories of her sister and mother begin to return, which only adds to her grief and self-destructive behavior. Tough topics such as death, suicide, and drug abuse are woven together in a powerful novel that offers help if someone is able to let go of the past.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Inheritance Games

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Down The Well

by Veronica Kinng

Life is hard for Lore, her parents seem to hate her, and she’s just found out she’s moving to a new town to care for the only person that loves her unconditionally, her grandma who has fallen gravely ill. To make matters worse, once they finally get to the new town a weird dark shadow steals her necklace. As she reaches over a well to retrieve it she falls in. What will await her on the other side of the well?

Recommended by: Ayla Franco, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Getaway

by Lamar Giles

Jay and his family live and work at Karloff Country, one of the world’s most famous resorts. (Picture Karloff Country as sort of like Disney World.) Life at Karloff is pretty good, especially compared to the rest of the world. Those who can afford to escape the bad in the world, go to Karloff Country to vacation. Trouble starts to seep into Karloff, beginning with the disappearance of Jay’s friend Connie. As more and more workers disappear, and more and more rich people start to arrive, Jay and his remaining friends know something is up. They soon find out that Karloff has been selling shares to an end of the world safe zone, and they’re the ones who will be serving everyone, whether they like it or not. As things get worse inside of Karloff Country it’s up to Jay and his friends to try and stop the madness. If they succeed are they ready to face the horrors going on outside of their walls though?

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction