Fiction
After a run in with police over a misunderstanding, honor student and debater Justyce begins a journal exploring how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would deal with our world today.
When workers uncover a decades-old body under her parents' guest house, Rowan and her friend James delve into the history of Tulsa to find out who he is and how he got there.
I feel like Court Stevens peeked into my life and the lives of my closest friends and wrote a book about it. It's a little creepy. However, unbelievably amazing to read a story about geeks, freaks, and friends who aren't completely sure about how they feel about themselves, each other and the world.
Eliza runs a famous webcomic but her classmates only see a strange quiet girl. When a new kid turns out to be one of her biggest fans, she has to decide whether to reveal her secret identity. The voices and details of this book are so true, the people very real even in their flaws. Even the online community is accurately portrayed.
When the boy Genie Lo saves from a beating at the hands of a group of ruffians, she doesn't expect him to follow her to school claiming to be the Monkey King. Now demons have invaded her town and she is way behind in her studies. If you like Chinese myths, bad puns, and teen girls who give no fucks, please, please read this. You will not regret it.
A cold, mountain adventure with a mystery at its heart. Kamzin has always wanted to be part of the Emperor's explorers, like her mother; but when her sister takes off with a member of the Royal explorers party, not only does she need to get the peak first, but also she hopes to save her sister from the very real dangers of their world.
When Starr witnesses the murder of her childhood friend by a police officer, she can no longer reconcile her two worlds, the hood where she lives and the private (mostly white) school she attends. If you haven't read this one yet, you are definitely behind.
Sal loves his adoptive gay dad and his wonderful Mexican-American family, but he's having increasing trouble with anger and wonders about the father from whom he may have inherited it. Throw in his best friends' own family troubles and issues, and you have a wonderful, touching story of family, identity, and acceptance.
Great group of short stories set in the Grisha world. I really liked the first and last stories the best. The Hansel and Gretel one was really good, too.
While Suzette is home from boarding school, she has to deal with sexual identity issues and attractions, family problems and her brother deciding to go off his meds. All while trying to decide whether she is returning to boarding school to face the mess she left behind.
This book just grabs you and doesn't let go until you reach the end.
When a new novice arrives at the Red Abbey on Menos island, Maresi's world begins to change and her understanding of her own place is threatened.
Ultimately, this book is really about a teen trying to find her way out of a small town, poor, trapped situation without forsaking her family or betraying herself. And she does so, in a very realistic and believable way.
There is so much going on in this book! First of all, there is a wonderful diversity of characters, especially a good representation of the variety of Muslim teens. Also, there is realistic conversation and misunderstanding for the age level. Then, we add in spirituality, identity, family issues and friend issues in the time of social media. Plus, dealing with sexual assault.
Deals with issues of neglect, emotional and sexual abuse, and identity in some pretty realistic ways.
Lush and intriguing, it managed to keep my attention, even though it is very long and complex.
Non-Fiction
Non-fiction account of a 2015 incident in Oakland, CA. An African-American teen set fire to the skirt of an agender teen while they were both riding the bus, causing severe burns. Boy was tried as an adult.
Collection of essays about what it means to be a feminist in the modern world.
An awesome collection of people I both knew and did not know were queer.
Story of a ship that started as a slaver, became a pirate ship, sank in Massachusetts, and became one of the greatest shipwrecks ever recovered.
Comics
They did a wonderful job translating the book into a graphic novel. I especially appreciated the beautiful backgrounds and quiet moments. Anne's first encounter with Gilbert and the Octobers quote were my favorite parts.
Striking illustrations and moving interactions combine for a modern interpretation of classic mermaid stories. Mira is moving and Livia is realistically portrayed. The allegory of a captured and mentally abused girl is subtle enough to not be objectionable, but very appropriate in our current climate of social unrest concerning the rights of women.
A bit of Scooby Doo, Nancy Drew and Archies in an alt-50s setting. Fun esp. if you like mysteries.
Jonesy is a sarcastic teen with the power to make people love whatever or whoever she tells them to.
Taking on gerrymandering and internet trolls as well as dealing with personal crisis and teen angst. Still loving Ms. Marvel.
Interesting and complex dystopian book about the survivors of a planet wide alien invasion that are saved by one girl and her robot pony.
Strange, mysterious occurrences, potential government cover-ups, creepy dolls, strong girls/women, supernatural forces that appear dangerous but could be on your side.
Author relates six years of middle/high school and the experiences as a figure skater, details her struggles with parents, bullies, and her own lesbian identity. Manga-esque style using purples with some touches of yellow.
Okay, so there are my Teen picks. What are yours?
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