Staff Picks Young Adult Fiction

March 2020

Words in Deep Blue

by Cath Crowley

This book is a romance book lover’s dream. There are multiple love stories overlapping over multiple years with many taking the form of letters left between the pages of books. It starts with a typical love triangle and becomes much more. Have your hankie nearby.

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Astonishing Color of After

by Emily X.R. Pan

This is a novel rich with characterization and imagery. Lee, the main female character, is in high school with a guy best friend, a love of art and a mother from Taiwan with secrets. When tragedy strikes, secrets are uncovered and parts of the past are revealed. Read this for a strong, poignant coming of age story.

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Grenade

by Alan Gratz

Set on the island of Okinawa as the Americans are starting their invasion during WW II, this action packed story will keep readers turning the pages. Told from the points of view of an American soldier and an 11 year old Okinawan boy, their lives will collide with a bang. The boy has been given two grenades, one to use to kill an American soldier. By the author of Refugee, the 2020 Caudill winner.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Bloom

by Kenneth Oppel

This is book 1 in the series The Overthrow. Once again Oppel delivers a book that is full of action, suspense, and surprises as the pace quickens with every turn of the page. It starts with what seems like a normal rain on Salt Spring Island in Vancouver, but then black grass begins to grow—everywhere. Then allergy producing pollen is released and the plants seem to change into meat-eaters. Three teens are immune to the plants and must find out why before humanity is wiped out. In Fall 2020, the second book, Hatch, will be available.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

by Holly Jackson

Five years ago high school student Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh and everyone knows it. Even though the case is “closed” senior Pipa Fitz-Amboi is not so sure. And she is more then ready to prove it when she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project. But if the real killer is still out there and Pip starts to discover the truth about what really happened to Andie Bell. Just how far will the killer be willing to go to make sure the truth stays hidden?

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Raven and the Dove

by Kaithyln Davis

This epic fantasy novel follows one of the greatest love stories ever told. Four fates-collide in the avian-inspired retelling of Tristan and Isolde. A princess longing for freedom and a bastard aching to be belong fate brings them together but now destiny will tear them apart. This beautifully written story will take you on a magical adventure. As a legend that is as old as time is ready to be told again.

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Seven Deadly Shadows

by Courtney Alameda and Valynne E. Maetani

Kira Fujikawa has only ever felt at home at her grandfather’s Shinto shrine. Being bullied by her peers at school and her parents acting like she isn’t even there. Being a priestess is the only thing that makes her happy. But when a band of yokai demons attack the shrine and Shiro the half-fox, half boy kitsune who is sworn to protect it appears Kira’s normal life is shattered. This book is a beautiful mix of Japanese folk lore and realistic fiction. I finished it in one sitting.

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Red Hood

by Elana K. Arnold

In this imaginative retelling of Little Red Riding Hood we follow Bisou Martel. A good girl who lives with her grandmother in a little house Seattle. But on the night of homecoming she finds herself running for her life through the woods. The victim of a wolf attack. When a new moon rises so does question about murdered boys, vicious wolves and girls lost in the woods—frightened but not alone. We are placed right in Bisou’s shoes we along with our cast of characters try and peace together the mystery of what is happening in the woods.

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

December 2019

My family divided : one girl’s journey of home, loss, and hope

by Diane Guerrero

Author, Diane Guerrero, is an American film star who tells the story of her undocumented parents and brother who were deported when she was 14 changing her life forever. Having been born in the United States, she realizes firsthand the privileges of citizenship.

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Nowhere Boy

by Katherine Marsh

Two male main characters meet when one, a Syrian refugee in France, sneaks in the basement of the other, an American boy brought against his wishes to school in France. Containing adventure, history and poignant friendship scenes, this book is a compelling read.

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

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