Staff Picks Young Adult

Houses with a story : a dragon’s den, a ghostly mansion, a library of lost books, and 30 more amazing places to explore

by Seiji Yoshida

A must read for all aspiring writers and artists. This book contains a collection of wonderfully illustrated houses and buildings with descriptions of locations and characters that would belong to them. The viewpoints of each building are aerials with layout into the lives of each character which are great guide and reference for artists of any kind. While the descriptions give great ideas for writers looking for some world and character-building inspiration.

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

Recommended by: Ayla Franco, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction

Hemlock House: a Liar’s Beach Novel

by Katie Cotugno

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Spy X Family

by Tatsuya Endō

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Punching Bag

by Rex Ogle

A lot of people non-chalantly throw out phrases like “I hate my parents!” or “my parents are the worst!”. But no one really understands what it’s like to live under constant abuse from a parent while also living in poverty. Only those that have suffered a lot of childhood trauma do and one of those people is Rex Ogle. Follow his story in this harrowing biography.

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

Recommended by: Ayla Franco, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Biographies

Sunshine: how one camp taught me about life, death, and hope

by Jarrett Krosoczka

This is a wonderfully illustrated non-fiction graphic novel that tells the story of a group of teenagers that volunteer for the week at camp during their senior year of high school. With mixed emotions going into the week, helping children and families with cancer and illnesses is nothing but life-changing. Jarrett and his five other classmates embark on a week of camp activities and learn about the determination and perseverance of the children around them. I recommend this book for anyone that wants a feel-good story of hope and making a difference in the world. This book is included in the Read for a Lifetime 2025 program put on by the state of Illinois to target high school students. By reading this book, you can be part of the way to getting recognition from the state and receiving a certificate that looks great on college applications!

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

Recommended by: Abigail Hooks, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction

Impossible Escape: a true story of survival and heroism in Nazi Germany

by Steve Sheinkin

This non-fiction novel tells the true story of the lives of Rudi and Gerta, both Slovakian-Jewish-born teenagers trying to escape their situations during World War II. Rudi in the Auschwitz concentration camp and Gerta hiding away in Hungary. This novel reads like a narrative and tells of the hardships they both endure while trying to survive the war. This is an incredibly well-written and descriptive story that comes full circle with true historical facts that impacted the rest of the war. If you want a historical and realistic novel, this is one you won’t want to put down. This book is included in the Read for a Lifetime 2025 program put on by the state of Illinois to target high school students. By reading this book, you can be part of the way to getting recognition from the state and receiving a certificate that looks great on college applications!

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

Recommended by: Abigail Hooks, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction

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