Category Archives: Young Adult/Teen 12-18

Review: The Name Drop by Susan Lee

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The Name Drop by Susan Lee cover shows a boy with a lanyard and ID around his neck, his arm over a girl's shoulder. She stands with her arms crossed, a lanyard and ID around her neck, too.

The Name Drop
Susan Lee
Inkyard Press
Published September 12, 2023

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About The Name Drop

From the author of SEOULMATES comes a story of mistaken identities, the summer of a lifetime, and a love to risk everything for.

When Elijah Ri arrives in New York City for an internship at his father’s massive tech company, Haneul Corporation, he expects the royal treatment that comes with being the future CEO—even if that’s the … Continue reading →

Review: Rez Ball by Byron Graves

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Rez Ball by Byron Graves cover shows a boy in a tank top and black shorts holding a basketball with a cloudy sky background.

Rez Ball
Byron Graves
Heartdrum
Published September 12, 2023

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About Rez Ball

This compelling debut novel by new talent Byron Graves tells the relatable, high-stakes story of a young athlete determined to play like the hero his Ojibwe community needs him to be. These days, Tre Brun is happiest when he is playing basketball on the Red Lake Reservation high school team—even though he can’t help but be constantly gut-punched with memories of his big brother, Jaxon, who died in an accident.

When Jaxon’s former teammates on the varsity … Continue reading →

Review: Into the Bright Open by Cherie Dimaline

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Into the Bright Open by Cherie Dimaline

Into the Bright Open (A Secret Garden Remix)
Cherie Dimaline
Feiwel & Friends
Published September 5, 2023

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About Into the Bright Open

In the Remixed Classics series, authors from marginalized backgrounds reinterpret classic works through their own cultural lens to subvert the overwhelming cishet, white, and male canon. This queer YA reimagining of The Secret Garden subverts the cishet and white status quo of the original in a tale of family secrets wonderful and horrifying.

Mary Lennox didn’t think about death until the day it knocked politely on her bedroom door and invited itself in. When a terrible accident leaves her orphaned at fifteen, … Continue reading →

Review: All That Shines by Ellen Hagan

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All That Shines by Ellen Hagan

All That Shines
Ellen Hagan
Bloomsbury
Published September 5, 2023

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About All That Shines

A contemplative novel in verse that questions what it means to lose everything you once treasured and rediscover yourself, falling in love along the way.

Chloe Brooks has only ever known what it’s like to have everything. Her parents’ wealth and place in society meant she had all she wanted, and friends everywhere she turned. Until it all crashes Her father is arrested in the middle of the night, under investigation for fraud.

Bankrupt and facing foreclosure, Chloe must forgo … Continue reading →

Best Young Adult Books I Read From Summer 2023

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24 Best Young Adult Books of Summer 2023

At the start of the summer, I had all these grand plans of lists to share and updates to post… and then reality hit like a stack of overdue library books. Don’t get me wrong– I had a great summer, but it was a much busier summer than I predicted. Between family responsibilities, work, and my out-of-control review calendar (Yep, I’m still struggling to say yes to fewer books. It was much easier before I knew so many irresistible books were coming out!), most of my glorious plans went out the window.

Now that school is back in session, I’m ready to catch up a bit on things I missed. One such thing was … Continue reading →

Review: Only on the Weekends by Dean Atta

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Only on the Weekends by Dean Atta

Only on the Weekends
Dean Atta
Balzer + Bray/HarperTeen
Published May 24, 2022

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About Only on the Weekends

From the Stonewall Award-winning author of The Black Flamingo comes a romantic coming-of-age novel in verse about the beautiful–and sometimes painful–fallout of pursuing the love we deserve. The ideal next read for fans of Kacen Callender, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Becky Albertalli.

Fifteen-year-old Mack is a hopeless romantic–likely a hazard of growing up on film sets thanks to his father’s job. Mack has had a crush on Karim for as long as he can remember and he can’t believe it when gorgeous, popular Karim seems into him too.

But … Continue reading →