Staff Picks Young Adult

How to Hang a Witch

by Adriana Mather

Sam is the decedent of Cotton Mather, one of the people responsible for the Salem witch trials. So when she moves to Salem she becomes public enemy number one, especially among the teen girls who call themselves the Descendants. They are the ancestors of the witches that Cotton Mather hanged during the witch trials. On top of being tormented by the Descendants, Sam’s new home is haunted by an angry Teen ghost. Sam learns that there is a curse affecting the descendants of anyone who was tied to the witch trials, including herself. Will she be able to find a way to work with her ghost and the Descendants to stop the curse’s deadly cycle? Or is she doomed to become the newest ghost in Salem?

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

A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares

by Krystal Sutherland

Esther is doomed to suffer one great fear that will lead to her death. It’s a family curse that has been affecting them since her grandfather met Death. Esther does everything in order to avoid things that could scare her, that way she doesn’t have a fear. She keeps a list of her semi-definitive worst nightmares and knows that those things are off limits. Crowds? Nope. Elevators? No way. When Jonah shows back up in her life she is forced to face her list of fears with him. Together they overcome one phobia at a time. But what happens if love starts to appear? Will it be enough to break the curse?

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Testing

by Joelle Charbonneau

If you like the Hunger Games, this should be your next read! Every year candidates are chosen to join the Testing to show that they are worthy to be a University student. The test however is not your average pen and pencil quiz and most candidates don’t survive to the end. In a life or death situation, who can you trust to have your back? And can you survive the Testing?

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

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Naturals

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

If you like mysteries and thrillers, this book could be for you. There is a program put on by the FBI where they recruit kids who are special. Each participant has a “natural” gift. Cassie can read people and tell you who you are and what you want in detail. When she is put together with other teens who also have special talents things get real fast. Are the teens willing to risk danger and death to help the FBI solve murder cases? Can they come together as a team and survive before the killer picks them off one at a time? Pick up this book to find out.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Blood Moon

by Lucy Cuthew

This book in verse chronicles Frankie’s fall from grace in high school after a vicious meme goes viral. Since Frankie thinks her best friend posted it, their friendship is now over. On top of that the guy she likes cuts off contact with her once the meme is public. While this is all going on, Frankie is in the midst of applying for a coveted internship in her field of choice: astronomy.

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

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Needlework

by Julia Watts

Sixteen-year-old Kody has a lot on his plate. He lives with his grandmother since his mother suffers from an opioid addiction. His younger brother, Caleb, lives with their uncle and his wife. Kody who loves to quilt and sew with his grandmother is also a huge Dolly Parton fan. His father, who is imprisoned, does not think much of Kody as he would prefer that he liked sports, hunting and fishing. When Kody discovers a family secret, his entire world is turned upside down. 

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

I Must Betray You

by Ruta Sepetys

Another historical fiction novel by Ruth Sepetys that uncovers the brutality of a dictator in Romania and the power of the student led revolution that toppled his 24 year regime in 1989. The people of Romania lived with food, electricity, and heat shortages under the Communist rule while the dictator lived in luxury. Besides the deprivations, the Romanians lived in fear of being turned in by their fellow citizen for being disloyal. Not knowing who to trust or who was listening, the country lived in an oppressive environment until the uprising that turned brutality onto each other. The hope for freedom and liberty drove the masses to rise up and the army to join them.

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

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Librarian I

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The School for Good and Evil

by Soman Chainani

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Hate U Give

by Angie Thomas

In this young adult novel, Starr Carter is a Fresh Prince loving, Jordans obsessed, typical sixteen-year-old girl. Except for the fact that she has seen enough violent tragedy for three lifetimes. Starr’s grown up in Garden Heights, a poor black neighborhood but attends Williamson High School in a rich white neighborhood. Because of this, she has become two different people. After murder rocks her world, once again, her conflicting lifestyles have never been more exposed. Starr must find her voice and who she really is, all in the face of police brutality, gang violence, racism, and ignorance. The Hate U Give is a novel but is so relevant it could be a biography. The insight into Starr’s family life, her friends in Garden Heights, her friends at Williamson, it all reads so honestly. You will fall in love with Starr’s courage as she finds the power of her unique voice.

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

Recommended by: Malorie Carpenter, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

How It All Blew Up

by Arvin Ahmadi

Amir knew that coming out to his Muslim family would be hard. So when a bully blackmails him and threatens to tell his parents that he is gay, he decides that easiest thing to do is run away to Italy. This leads to months of self-discovery that ends in an airport interrogation room. Will things work out for Amir? And what will happen between him and his parents after it all blows up?

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