October 17, 2018
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A special note about Teen Board applications, our NYCC coverage, and much more! No Images? Click here  October 17, 2018 Quick Links to Features on Teenreads.com Buying a book online? Use these links and support Teenreads.com!
 NYCC, The Morristown Festival of Books and Everything in BetweenSpecial Note: Thanks to all of the teens who applied to join our 2019 Teen Board! We heard from many wonderful applicants, and on Monday, we began the second round of the application process. Unfortunately, two applicants' email addresses came back as undeliverable, so if your name is May from Hilsboro, Missouri, or Nicolette from Chicago, Illinois, please email me so that I can update your contact information on your application. The past two weeks have been jam-packed with events! The first weekend of October found me at New York Comic Con (NYCC), a four-day celebration of all things comics, graphic novels, books and pop culture. I was joined by Teenreads interns Ana and Dana, reviewers Kat and Matt, and Teenreader Joe, so we were able to cover our widest variety of panels, author talks and signings yet. You can read a comprehensive piece from all of us about the authors and panels we saw, what we enjoyed most, and which books we came home wanting to read ASAP here. Then, for an even more thorough look at NYCC, read the full rundown on each of the panels we attended here. For me, one of the best parts of attending NYCC is getting to connect with young adult authors to find out which books and authors they are most excited about. One book that continuously came up this time around was FOUR DEAD QUEENS by Astrid Scholte. In this fast-paced fantasy/murder mystery, the kingdom of Quadara is divided into four regions, each ruled by a different queen. When all four queens are murdered, it is up to 17-year-old Keralie Corrington, the kingdom's most skilled thief, to unravel the conspiracy that killed the queens and what it means for the future of Quadara. This book does not release until February 2019, but it is currently at the top of my TBR and I cannot wait to start reading it. Another title that I am really excited about is THE DEVOURING GRAY by debut author Christine Lynn Herman, which releases in April 2019. In this book, 17-year-old Violet finds out that she and her mother belong to one of the founding families of mysterious Four Paths, New York, where certain families are sworn to protect the town from the Gray, a lifeless dimension that imprisons a monster. When Violet accidentally unleashes the monster, she must join forces with two contentious teens to learn the truth about their families and Four Paths, and lock away the monster forever. The YA community here in NYC is surprisingly small, so it is not uncommon to run into the same authors again and again, which is always a treat. At NYCC, I was lucky enough to touch base with a few of my favorite authors who I would be moderating at the Morristown Festival of Books the following weekend, including Zoraida Cordova (BRUJA BORN), Dhonielle Clayton (THE BELLES) and Kass Morgan (LIGHT YEARS) --- talk about a small world! Having these initial meetings made us all feel much more comfortable, and really set the stage for a fabulous day at the Morristown Festival. Now in its fifth year, the Morristown Festival has long been one of my favorite events to attend as a reader, so getting to moderate not one but two YA panels was like a dream come true. My first panel was titled "Rebels, Romantics and Everything In Between," and featured Dhonielle, Zoraida and Kass. We had the best time discussing their books and how they construct their worlds so that they are totally unique and original, but still allow the authors to confront real-life issues. Next was the "Life As We Know It" panel, which featured authors Emily X.R. Pan (THE ASTONISHING COLOR OF AFTER), Ibi Zoboi (PRIDE) and Jennifer E. Smith (WINDFALL). Although I knew Jennifer already, this was my first time meeting Ibi (yes, I was starstruck) and my almost-first time meeting Emily (humorously, we met at a book event back in February and hugged on a street corner waiting for the light to change). During this panel, we covered a lot of important issues like socioeconomic differences, gentrification and grief. It was a hard-hitting but surprisingly fun discussion, and I loved hearing the authors' responses. Teen Board member Rachel R. was in the audience and wrote a blog post about the young adult panels, including the third panel of the day, which featured authors Laini Taylor and Emmy Laybourne in conversation, which you can read here. One thing that really made the festival fun for us YA folks (and I think the authors would agree with me here) is that our "green room" was full of bean bags! Like the professional adults we are, we had a blast playing on them and taking pictures. You can see a group shot of us relaxing very elegantly above (that's Jennifer E. Smith, Laini Taylor, Emily X.R. Pan, Emmy Laybourne, Ibi Zoboi and me, from left to right). For those of you who also enjoy going to book festivals, scroll down later in this newsletter for a listing of book festivals coming up in October. In other book news, this week Every Child a Reader announced the relaunch of the "Get Caught Reading" campaign, which provides educators and librarians with free posters to promote a love of learning through literacy. The 2019 poster features an image of Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez reading the book LEGEND by Marie Lu while doing the splits --- the same way we all read, naturally. If you are a teacher or librarian, you can sign up online to receive 10 free Get Caught Reading posters to share with your students and bookish communities. You can see the poster above. Be sure to check out the latest additions to our Ultimate Reading List and this month's Books on Screen and Guy-Brary features below. Happy reading, --- Rebecca Munro (rebecca@bookreporter.com) 
Ultimate Reading List: Our MUST-Reads for October:
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Anxiety, depression, trauma and schizophrenia. Mental illness can be a tricky topic to tackle and talk about, which is why stories that shed light on them are so important. Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Day on October 11 (and all year round) with these 2018 releases that tackle a wide range of mental health issues, including paranoid schizophrenia in WHEN ELEPHANTS FLY by Nancy Richardson Fischer, clinical depression in DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY by Adib Khorram, and bipolar disorder in BEFORE I LET GO by Marieke Nijkamp. Also be sure to check out the collection of nonfiction essays about mental health by various young adult authors in LIFE INSIDE MY MIND: 31 Authors Share Their Personal Struggles. Happy reading, and be sure to keep the conversation going to continue lessening the stigma around mental illness, both inside and out of YA lit!
Thanks to our editorial intern Taylor Tracy who curated this bookshelf!
Upcoming Book Festivals for October
Bowling Green, Kentucky: YAS Book Con
Dates: October 19
Website: https://2018.yasbookcon.org/
Greenville, SC: Read Up, Greenville
Date: October 20
Website: http://readupgreenville.com/
Cincinatti, OH: Books by the Banks
Date: October 20
Website: http://booksbythebanks.org/teen-scene/
Naperville, Illinois: Anderson’s Young Adult Literature Conference
Dates: October 20
Website: https://www.andersonsbookshop.com/young-adult-literature-conference
Las Vegas, NV: Las Vegas Book Festival
Dates: October 20
Website: http://www.vegasvalleybookfestival.org/
Pickerington, Ohio: Pickerington Teen Book Festival
Dates: October 27
Website: https://pickeringtonlibrary.org/event/pickerington-teen-book-fest-2018/
Austin, TX: Texas Book Festival
Dates: October 27-28
Website: http://www.texasbookfestival.org/
October's Books on Screen
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October's Books on Screen roundup includes the feature films The Hate U Give, Venom, First Man, Goosebumps 2, I Still See You and Wildlife; the series premiere of "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" on Netflix, along with "The Flash," "Black Lightning" and "Arrow" on the CW; and the DVD releases of Leave No Trace, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Down a Dark Hall and The Darkest Minds.
October's Books to Add to Your Guy-Brary Bookshelf
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Our October Guy-Brary selections include DEAR EVAN HANSEN, a novelization of the hit Broadway musical about what happens when a letter that was never meant to be seen draws high school senior Evan Hansen into a family’s grief, giving him the chance to finally belong; Hannah Moskowitz's SALT, a Mediterranean based high-seas adventure, with plenty of monsters and pirates; and HEY, KIDDO, Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s graphic memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction, and finding the art that helps you survive.
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More New Reviews
Contemporary/Historical Fiction
THE LADY'S GUIDE TO PETTICOATS AND PIRACY by Mackenzi Lee (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Moira Quirk.
Felicity Montague has returned to England with two goals in mind: avoid the proposal of a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the guardians of science. But then a window of opportunity opens --- a doctor she idolizes is marrying a friend of hers in Germany. Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity as her maid. In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that leads them from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic. Reviewed by Grace P., Teen Board Member.
ODD ONE OUT by Nic Stone (Contemporary Fiction/Romance)
Audiobook available, narrated by Nic Stone, Dion Graham and Kim Mai Guest.
Courtney "Coop" Cooper has been dumped again, and normally she wouldn't mind. But right now, her best friend, Jupiter Sanchez, is ignoring her to text some girl. Rae Evelyn Chin assumed "new girl" would be synonymous with "pariah" but Jupiter and Courtney make her feel like she's right where she belongs. She also wants to kiss him. And her. Which is...perplexing. Meanwhile, Jupiter Charity-Sanchez knows the only thing worse than losing the girl you love to a boy is losing her to your boy. That means losing him, too. He has to make a move. One story. Three sides. No easy answers. Reviewed by Caitlyn K., Teen Board Member.
HEARTS UNBROKEN by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Contemporary Fiction)
When Louise’s boyfriend mocks and disrespects Native people in front of her, she breaks things off and dumps him over e-mail. It’s her senior year, anyway, and she’d rather spend her time with her family and friends and working on the school newspaper. The editors pair her up with Joey Kairouz, the ambitious new photojournalist, and in no time the paper’s staff find themselves with a major story to cover: the school musical director’s inclusive approach to casting The Wizard of Oz has been provoking backlash in their mostly white, middle-class Kansas town. As tensions mount at school, so does a romance between Lou and Joey --- but as she’s learned, “dating while Native” can be difficult. In trying to protect her own heart, will Lou break Joey’s? Reviewed by Jeanna Michel.
THE GEOGRAPHY OF LOST THINGS by Jessica Brody (Contemporary Romance)
When Ali Collins her estranged father passes away and leaves her his 1968 Firebird convertible, Ali knows she won’t keep it. It reminds her too much of all her father’s unfulfilled promises and a buyer is offering enough money for her to save her childhood home from foreclosure, but Ali has no idea how to drive a stick shift. But her ex-boyfriend, Nico, does. The road trip gets off to a horrible start, but when Nico starts collecting items from the strangers they meet along the way, Ali starts to sense that these objects aren’t random. Somehow they seem to be leading her to an unknown truth about her father. A truth that will finally prove to Ali that some things --- even broken things --- are worth saving. Reviewed by Becky N., Teen Board Member.
THE PERFECT CANDIDATE by Peter Stone (Political Thriller)
When Cameron lands an internship with Congressman Billy Beck in Washington, DC, he thinks it is his ticket out of small town captivity. What he lacks in connections and Beltway polish he makes up in smarts, and he soon finds a friend in fellow staffer Ariel. That is, until she winds up dead. As rumors and accusations about her death fly around Capitol Hill, Cameron becomes the perfect candidate for an FBI investigation that he wants no part of. Before he knows it, he discovers DC’s darkest secrets as he races to expose a deadly conspiracy. If it doesn’t get him killed first. Reviewed by Killian Walsh.
WHEN WE CAUGHT FIRE by Anna Godbersen (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Suzanne Elise Freeman.
It’s 1871, and Emmeline is poised to take Chicago’s high society by storm. Between her father’s sudden wealth and her engagement to Chicago’s most eligible bachelor, Emmeline has it all. But she can’t stop thinking about the life she left behind, including Anders Magnuson. Fiona, Emmeline’s childhood best friend, is delighted by her friend’s rise to prominence, especially since it means Fiona is free to pursue Anders herself. But when Emmeline risks everything for one final fling with Anders, Fiona feels betrayed. As the summer turns to fall, friendships are tested, hearts are broken and the tiniest spark might set everything ablaze. Reviewed by Jeanna Michel.
UNSTOPPABLE MOSES: A Novel by Tyler James Smith (Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Graham Halstead.
Moses and his cousin Charlie were best friends and unstoppable forces of teenage energy --- until the night they became accidental arsonists and set in motion a chain of events that left Moses alone, guilt-stricken and most likely trapped in his dead-end town. Then Moses gets a lucky break: the chance to volunteer as a camp counselor and prove that the incident should be expunged from his record. And since a criminal record and enrollment at Duke are mutually exclusive, he’s determined to get through his community service and get on with his life. But tragedy seems to follow him wherever he goes, and this time, it might just stop him in his tracks. Reviewed by Olivia W., Teen Board Member.
THE WAR OUTSIDE by Monica Hesse (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Monica Hesse, Allison Hiroto and Christie Moreau.
It's 1944 and World War II seems far away from Margot in Iowa and Haruko in Colorado --- until they are uprooted to dusty Texas, all because of the places their parents once called home: Germany and Japan. Haruko and Margot meet in Crystal City, a "family internment camp" for those accused of colluding with the enemy. The teens discover that they are polar opposites in so many ways, except for one that seems to override all the others: the camp is changing them, day by day and piece by piece. With everything around them falling apart, Margot and Haruko find solace in their growing, secret friendship. But in a prison the government has deemed full of spies, can they trust anyone --- even each other? Reviewed by Rebecca D., Teen Board Member.
BORN SCARED by Kevin Brooks (Thriller)
From the moment of his birth, Elliot’s life has been governed by fear of almost everything, holding him prisoner in his room. The beast is kept at bay with a daily regimen of pills. But on Christmas Eve, a mix-up at the pharmacy threatens to unleash the beast full force and his mother must venture out in a raging snowstorm to a store that should be only minutes away. Hours later, when she still hasn’t returned, Elliot sees no choice but to push through his terror, leave the house and hunt for her. What happens if the last of his medication wears off and the beast starts scratching at the doors of his mind? Reviewed by Maggie L., Teen Board Member.
THE LEADING EDGE OF NOW by Marci Lyn Curtis (Contemporary Fiction)
Just when Grace getting used to being an orphan, her uncle suddenly comes forward to claim her. That might have been okay if he'd spoken to her even once since her father died. Or if moving in with him didn't mean returning to New Harbor. Grace once spent the best summers of her life in New Harbor. Now it just reminds her of all she's lost: her best friend, her boyfriend and any memory of the night that changed her life. Once she starts looking for it, the truth about that night is hard to find --- and what happens when her healing hurts the people she cares about the most? Reviewed by Maggie L., Teen Board Member.
Science Fiction/Fantasy
SOMEDAY by David Levithan (Fantasy/Romance)
Audiobook available, narrated by Alex McKenna, Kathleen McInerney and a full cast.
For as long as A can remember, life has meant waking up in a different person's body every day, forced to live as that person until the day ended. A always thought there wasn't anyone else who had a life like this. But A was wrong. There are others. A has already been wrestling with powerful feelings of love and loneliness. Now comes an understanding of the extremes that love and loneliness can lead to --- and what it's like to discover that you are not alone in the world. Reviewed by Jessica Cozzi.
DRY by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman (Science Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Neal Shusterman, Jarrod Shusterman, Jenni Barber, Michael Crouch, Kivlighan De Montebello, Noah Galvin and Candace Thaxton.
The drought --- or the Tap-Out, as everyone calls it --- has been going on for a while now. Everyone’s lives have become an endless list of don’ts: don’t water the lawn, don’t fill up your pool, don’t take long showers. Until the taps run dry. Suddenly, Alyssa’s quiet suburban street spirals into a warzone of desperation; neighbors and families turn against each other on the hunt for water. And when her parents don’t return and her life --- and the life of her brother --- is threatened, Alyssa has to make impossible choices if she’s going to survive. Reviewed by Marco M., Teen Board Member.
BENEATH THE CITADEL by Destiny Soria (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Rebecca Gibel.
For centuries, the high council in the city of Eldra has stayed in power by virtue of the prophecies of the elder seers. After the last infallible prophecy came to pass, growing unrest led to murders and an eventual rebellion. Cassa, the orphaned daughter of rebels, is determined to fight back against the high council. Cassa struggles to come to terms with the legacy of rebellion her dead parents have left her, and the fear that she may be inadequate. But by the time Cassa and her friends uncover the mystery of the final infallible prophecy, it may be too late to save the city --- or themselves. Reviewed by Jena Brown.
THE SPELLBOOK OF KATRINA VAN TASSEL: A Story of Sleepy Hollow by Alyssa Palombo (Historical Fantasy)
When Ichabod arrives in Sleepy Hollow as the new schoolmaster, Katrina is instantly drawn to him. Ichabod knows that as an itinerant schoolteacher of little social standing, he has nothing to offer the wealthy Katrina --- unlike her childhood friend-turned-enemy, Brom. Ichabod and Katrina embark on a secret love affair, sneaking away into the woods after dark to be together until Ichabod disappears. Enlisting the help of her friend --- and rumored witch --- Charlotte, Katrina seeks the truth of Ichabod's disappearance, investigating the forest around Sleepy Hollow using unconventional means. Reviewed by Janine Chouinard.
DAMSEL by Elana K. Arnold (Dark Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden.
The rite has existed for as long as anyone can remember: When the king dies, his son must venture out into the gray lands, slay a dragon and rescue a damsel to be his bride. When Ama wakes in the arms of Prince Emory, she knows none of this. She knows only this handsome young man, the story he tells of her rescue and her destiny of sitting on a throne beside him. But there is more to the legends of the dragons and the damsels than anyone knows, and the greatest threats may not be behind her, but around her, now, and closing in. Reviewed by Amber Shepherd.
SHADOW OF THE FOX by Julie Kagawa (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Joy Osmanski, Brian Nishii and Emily Woo Zeller.
One thousand years ago, the great Kami Dragon was summoned to grant a single terrible wish --- and the land of Iwagoto was plunged into an age of darkness and chaos. Now, for whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, a new wish will be granted. A new age is about to dawn. Raised by monks in the isolated Silent Winds temple, Yumeko has trained all her life to hide her yokai nature. Half kitsune, half human, her skill with illusion is matched only by her penchant for mischief. Until the day her home is burned to the ground and she is forced to flee for her life with the temple’s greatest treasure. Reviewed by Jeremy H., Teen Board Member.
THE RULE OF ONE by Ashley Saunders and Leslie Saunders (Science Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Karissa Vacker.
In the near-future United States, a one-child policy is ruthlessly enforced. But Ava Goodwin, daughter of the head of the Texas Family Planning Division, has a secret: She has an identical twin sister, Mira. For 18 years Ava and Mira have lived as one, maintaining an interchangeable existence down to the most telling detail. But when their charade is exposed, they must leave behind the father they love and fight for their lives. Branded as traitors, hunted as fugitives and pushed to discover just how far they’ll go in order to stay alive, Ava and Mira rush headlong into a terrifying unknown. Reviewed by Ilona K., Teen Board Member.
THIS MORTAL COIL by Emily Suvada (Science Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Skye Bennett.
Catarina can cripple mainframes and crash through firewalls, but that’s not what makes her special. In Cat’s world, people are implanted with technology to recode their DNA, allowing them to change their bodies. And Cat happens to be a gene-hacking genius. That’s no surprise, since Cat’s father is a legendary geneticist. Two years ago, he was kidnapped during a plague outbreak by an organization called Cartaxus. When a Cartaxus soldier, Cole, arrives with news that her father has been killed, he also brings a message: before her father died, he managed to create a vaccine. Now Cat must decide who she can trust. Reviewed by Grace P., Teen Board Member.
TALES FROM THE INNER CITY by Shaun Tan (Science Fiction)
TALES FROM THE INNER CITY is a collection of incredibly original stories, rich with feeling, strangely moving, almost numinous. And when the reader comes to the artwork, it’s like walking into an amazing room, and then throwing open a curtain to see a brilliant scene that makes you understand and appreciate everything you’ve encountered in a deeper way. Reviewed by Brianna Robinson.
THE DARK DESCENT OF ELIZABETH FRANKENSTEIN by Kiersten White (Horror)
Audiobook available, narrated by Katharine McEwan.
Elizabeth Lavenza's thin arms are covered with bruises from her "caregiver," and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets...until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, a boy who has everything --- except a friend. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable, and it works. But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth's survival depends on managing Victor's dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost...as the world she knows is consumed by darkness. Reviewed by Cat Barra.
GIVE THE DARK MY LOVE by Beth Revis (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Mhairi Morrison and Bruce Mann.
Nedra leaves her home in the rural, northern territories of Lunar Island to attend the prestigious Yugen Academy with only one goal in mind: master the trade of medicinal alchemy. A scholarship student, Nedra doesn't quite fit in with the wealthy and powerful kids. Until she meets Grey. Grey is immediately taken by Nedra's ambition, for a good reason: a plague is making its way toward the city. With her family's life --- and the lives of all of Lunar Island's citizens --- on the line, Nedra is determined to find a cure for the plague. When Nedra finds herself diving into the most forbidden practice of all, necromancy, even Grey might not be able to pull her from the darkness. Reviewed by Isabel C., Teen Board Member.
BLACK WINGS BEATING (The Skybound Saga) by Alex London (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Michael Crouch and Brittany Pressley.
Nothing in Uztar is more revered than the birds of prey and no one more honored than the falconers who call them to their fists. Brysen strives to be a great falconer, while his twin sister, Kylee, rejects her ancient gifts for the sport and wishes to be free of falconry. She’s nearly made it out, too, but a war is rolling toward their home, and no bird or falconer will be safe. Together the twins must journey into the mountains to trap the Ghost Eagle, the greatest of the Uztari birds and a solitary killer. Brysen goes for the boy he loves and the glory he's long craved, and Kylee to atone for her past and to protect her brother's future. But both are hunted by those who seek one thing: power. Reviewed by Grace P., Teen Board Member.
THE CAGED QUEEN (Iskari) by Kristen Ciccarelli (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Aysha Kala.
Sisters Roa and Essie were born with a magic they cherished --- until the day a terrible accident took Essie’s life. Dax, the heir to Firgaard’s throne, was responsible, and Roa swore to hate him forever, but eight years later he returned, begging for help. He was determined to dethrone his cruel father, and Roa made him a deal: she’d give him the army he needed if he made her queen. Then a chance arises for Roa to right every wrong. During the Relinquishing, when the spirits of the dead are said to return, Roa discovers she can reclaim her sister for good. All she has to do is kill the king. Reviewed by Grace P., Teen Board Member.
NIGHTINGALE by Amy Lukavics (Horror)
June is everything a young woman in 1951 shouldn’t be --- independent, rebellious, a dreamer. Her mother grooms her to be a perfect little homemaker while her father pushes her to marry his business partner’s domineering son. When June resists, her whole world is shattered and her parents commit her to Burrow Place Asylum. With its sickening conditions, terrifying staff and brutal “medical treatments,” the Institution preys on June’s darkest secrets and deepest fears. Trapped between a gruesome reality and increasingly sinister hallucinations, June isn’t sure where her nightmares end and real life begins. Reviewed by Jeanna Michel.
A WINTER'S PROMISE: Book One of The Mirror Visitor Quartet written by Christelle Dabos and translated by Hildegarde Serle (Fantasy)
Ophelia's ability to read the past of objects is unmatched in all of Anima and she also possesses the ability to travel through mirrors, a skill passed down to her from previous generations. Her life is disrupted, however, when she is promised in marriage to a taciturn and influential member of a distant clan. Ophelia must leave all she knows behind and follow her fiancé to Citaceleste, the capital of a cold, icy ark known as the Pole. There, in the presence of her inscrutable future husband, Ophelia slowly realizes that she is a pawn in a political game that will have far-reaching ramifications not only for her but for her entire world. Reviewed by Lauren C., Teen Board Member.
AND THE OCEAN WAS OUR SKY written by Patrick Ness and Illustrated by Rovina Cai (Adventure)
Audiobook available, narrated by Cassandra Campbell.
With harpoons strapped to their backs, the proud whales of Bathsheba's pod live for the hunt, fighting in the ongoing war against the world of men. When they attack a ship bobbing on the surface of the Abyss, they expect to find easy prey. Instead, they find the trail of a myth, a monster, perhaps the devil himself... As their relentless Captain leads the chase, they embark on a final, vengeful hunt, one that will forever change the worlds of both whales and men. Reviewed by Marco M., Teen Board Member.
SEAFIRE by Natalie C. Parker (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Rebecca Soler.
After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his army of Bullets, Caledonia is left to chart her own course on the deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, who have lost their families and homes because of Aric. The crew has one mission: stay alive, and take down Aric's armed and armored fleet. But when Caledonia's second-in-command barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all...or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for? Reviewed by Daniella R., Teen Board Member.
Graphic Novels
HEY, KIDDO by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Graphic Novel/Memoir)
In kindergarten, Jarrett's teacher asks him to draw his family, with a mommy and a daddy. But Jarrett's family is much more complicated than that. His mom is an addict. His father is a mystery. Jarrett lives with his grandparents. Jarrett goes through his childhood trying to make his non-normal life as normal as possible, finding a way to express himself through drawing even as so little is being said to him about what's going on. Only as a teenager can Jarrett begin to piece together the truth of his family, reckoning with his mother and tracking down his father. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
LAST PICK by Jason Walz (Graphic Novel)
Three years ago, aliens invaded Earth and abducted everyone they deemed useful. The only ones spared were those too young, too old or too “disabled” to be of value. Living on Earth under the aliens’ harsh authoritarian rule, humanity’s rejects do their best to survive. Twins Sam and Wyatt are ready to chuck their labels and start a revolution. It’s time for the kids last picked to step into the game. Reviewed by Lauren C., Teen Board Member.
ANNE FRANK'S DIARY: The Graphic Adaptation adapted by Ari Folman from Anne Frank with illustrations by David Polonsky (Graphic Novel)
A timeless story rediscovered by each new generation, THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL stands without peer. For both young readers and adults it continues to capture the remarkable spirit of Anne Frank, who for a time survived the worst horror the modern world has seen --- and who remained triumphantly and heartbreakingly human throughout her ordeal. Adapted by Ari Folman, illustrated by David Polonsky, and authorized by the Anne Frank Foundation in Basel, this is the first graphic edition of THE DIARY and includes extensive quotation directly from the definitive edition. Reviewed by Marco M., Teen Board Member.
ON A SUNBEAM by Tillie Walden (Graphic Novel)
Two timelines. Second chances. One love. A ragtag crew travels to the deepest reaches of space, rebuilding beautiful, broken structures to piece the past together. Two girls meet in boarding school and fall deeply in love --- only to learn the pain of loss. With interwoven timelines and stunning art, award-winning graphic novelist Tillie Walden creates an inventive world, breathtaking romance and an epic quest for love. Reviewed by Brianna Robinson.
Nonfiction
GLIMMER OF HOPE: How Tragedy Sparked a Movement by The March For Our Lives Founders (Nonfiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Giullian Gioiello and Sienna Jeffries.
GLIMMER OF HOPE tells the story of how a group of teenagers raced to channel their rage and sorrow into action and went on to create one of the largest youth led movements in global history. In keeping up with their ongoing fight to end gun-violence in all communities the student leaders of March for Our Lives have decided not to be paid as authors of the book. 100% of net proceeds from this book will be paid to March For Our Lives Action Fund. Reviewed by Rebecca D., Teen Board Member.
WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN: Reporting by the Parkland Student Journalists edited by Melissa Falkowski and Eric Garner (Nonfiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by David Hogg, Delaney Tarr and a full cast.
A journalistic look at the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and the fight for gun control as told by the student reporters for the school's newspaper and TV station. This timely and media-driven approach to the Parkland shooting is an inside look at that tragic day that only they could tell. It showcases how the teens have become media savvy by harnessing social media, speaking to the press and writing effective op-eds. Students also share insight into what it has been like being approached by the press and how that has informed the way they interview their own subjects. Reviewed by Rebecca D., Teen Board Member.
GOOGLE IT: A History of Google by Anna Crowley Redding (Nonfiction/Technology)
Larry Page and Sergey Brin started out as two Stanford college students with a wild idea: They were going to organize the world's information. From that one deceptively simple goal, they created one of the most influential and innovative companies in the world. Now, find out the true history of Google --- from its humble beginnings as a thesis project made out of “borrowed” hardware and discount toys through its revolution of the world's relationship with technology to a brief glimpse of where they might take us next. Reviewed by Aimee Rogers.
