Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Jenn's Picks of 2018 - Teen Edition

Now for my favorite--Teens! Had a hard time narrowing it down, so there's a lot of them.

Fiction

35540804

Moving and shocking. Based on a true story. Verse style works well with topic. Possible Printz or Morris winner.

36260155

Every new king must defeat a dragon and bring home a princess to marry. But is that what really happens? I spent most of this book angry and upset, but oh, that ending!

37506437

Darius feels very removed from his Persian heritage, from his father and from life in general. When his grandfather gets sick, the whole family travels to Iran, where Darius makes his first true friend. So much history and geography of Iran is easily smushed into a book about identity, depression, friendship, fathers and sons, and even a bit of searching for your sexuality.

30223025

It is well-written, action-packed and so timely (even though it is set during the Reconstruction). Jane is the heroine we need and deserve right now. And the snark and social commentary are on point. But Jane isn't the only awesome character. You are going to love her friends Katherine and Red Jack, too. Not so sure about Gideon or Redfern, but even minor characters like Lilly and Nessie are so well-drawn you will feel like you have met them before. And the action scenes are just the right amount of gore and fight. The flashbacks and info given through letters reveals just enough backstory at just the right times.

31123244

Henry VIII's wives tell their own stories. This is one of those books that adults might like better than teens. But for the right teen, it will be catnip.

31351689

This was a very hard book to read and it should be. How do you deal with a rape when the rapist is your twin and the survivor is one of your very best friends? And your parents and most other friends totally believe your brother without even hearing the rest of the story? The emotions and behaviors in this book are very appropriate to the age group and situations, quite realistic and believable. We needed this book.

34275232

There are a lot of things that I really love about this book--and a few things not so much. First of all the dark and creepy mood sneaks up on you. While the story is slow to start, that fits the suspenseful feel of the plot and the way Alice knows so little of her own story. The twists that happen near the middle and end are surprising but not completely unexpected if you look back. I was reminded not only of Grimm's, but also of The Neverending Story, Ellen Datlow's fairy tale collections/retellings, Robin McKinley, Holly Black and Neil Gaiman. Plus all the fairy tales ever. So, if you like your fairytales dark, here's one you will enjoy.

37880094

This is a sequel to The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue from 2017, but it is even better. Felicity's voice rings so true and her friends, enemies and even frenemies are fully developed and interesting on their own. And the magical element couldn't possibly be cuter. Oh, and petticoats and piracy are both important to the story.

33294200

I could hear Xiomara sharing her poems as I read. I have known this teen; I have worked with this teen; I have been this teen. I was especially struck by the issues of guilt and body consciousness that she is dealing with because of her parents and the church. Many girls (and some boys) carry this inside of them. I love how she found her voice and her place beyond and within her own body.

17312156

Love, love, love this. Pierce has returned to her original writing style and sensibilities in a way that makes me very happy. Arram's experiences mirror Alanna's in some ways, but he is a quite different person and is written as such. It was worth the long wait. Can't wait for the next one.

35046472

This is a road trip book and it ambles, so if you are looking for a fast-paced adventure, this is not the one. However, it ambles with extreme purpose. Tess needs that amble and, for the most part, you as the reader do, too.  It is a book about the damage our families and society can cause. It is about rape culture. It is about healing at your own speed and accepting who you are, who your family members are, and learning to accept the world when you must and change it when you can.

29589074

A mystery across two timelines involving kidnapping, murder and bootlegging, as well as two teen girl sleuths. The stories weave together nicely, and while I figured out one of the big reveals at the end, I haven't solved the big mystery and did not solve one of the smaller mysteries before the end.

35704397

Fun romance for those who love Sarah Dessen and Jaclyn Moriarty with a diverse cast and some good comedic moments.

Non-Fiction

30309366

Serious yet funny story of one immigrant teen's experience working her way through the system, as well as discovering what it means to her to "become American."

35576416

An impressive variety of first-hand accounts makes this a stand-out in war history, esp. for a war that was so misrepresented and divisive for America. Great timing since we might be headed for another.

34506916

Moving free verse, illustrated biography of a woman who made a huge difference to science fiction, though her own life was afflicted and abusive.

35068790

Nye's poems address and resonate in today's busy and confusing climate. Read them and you will remember what (or discover) some of what life can be without all the noise.

Graphic Novels

37534577

Cute, entertaining and very, very realistic. If you like Giant Days, this is the boy flip side.

35794239

An amazing book about how addiction effects children and family. I like how honest Krosoczka is and how he portrays the child's view of their family and situation, slowly revealing what is really going on. This is a dark story but it is also a loving and hopeful one.

35758543

Incredibly cute and fun new series about a world pretty similar to ours, except it has magical creatures living in it. Julie is a werewolf coffee barista with a new girlfriend and a best friend who has somehow been transformed into a regular human. Can she and all her friends figure out what is going on? Or will something dreadful happen?

35249910

Chase manages to bring Gert back, but everyone has grown up and apart. Can they get back together and get along?

38958846

Emotionally fulfilling and graphically stunning. I really enjoyed this quiet story about grief, fear, and friendship.

Next up, Adult books!

No comments:

Post a Comment

It's book award season!!!

The winners of the ALA Youth Media Awards will be announced on Monday morning at 8 am PT (11 am here in NC). Here's the link if you woul...