Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Dating, relationships, romance and love

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis"I'm so starry-eyed for this wise, romantic gem of a book." - Becky Albertalli, bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda In this smart, heart-warming YA debut perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera, two teens find love when their lives are uprooted for their parents’ involvement in a NASA mission to Mars. Cal wants to be a journalist, and he’s already well underway with almost half a million followers on his FlashFame app and an upcoming internship at Buzzfeed. But his plans are derailed when his pilot father is selected for a highly-publicized NASA mission to Mars. Within days, Cal and his parents leave Brooklyn for hot and humid Houston. With the entire nation desperate for any new information about the astronauts, Cal finds himself thrust in the middle of a media circus. Suddenly his life is more like a reality TV show, with his constantly bickering parents struggling with their roles as the "perfect American family." And then Cal meets Leon, whose mother is another astronaut on the mission, and he finds himself falling head over heels--and fast. They become an oasis for each other amid the craziness of this whole experience. As their relationship grows, so does the frenzy surrounding the Mars mission, and when secrets are revealed about ulterior motives of the program, Cal must find a way to get to the truth without hurting the people who have become most important to him. An IndieBound YA Bestseller! An IndieNext List Pick! An Amazon Best Book! A Goodreads Choice Award Finalist! A Cosmopolitan Best Young Adult Book of the Year! Recommended on the TODAY Show!Trade ReviewPhil Stamper's The Gravity of Us is the first love, first launch, astronaut story I didn't know I needed. I'm so starry-eyed for this wise, romantic gem of a book. * Becky Albertalli, bestselling author of SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA *A big-hearted, witty, and intensely relatable debut about reaching for your dreams without losing what grounds you. * Karen M. McManus, New York Times bestselling author of ONE OF US IS LYING and TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET *A grounded romance that shapes into its own lovely constellation. * Adam Silvera, New York Times bestselling co-author of WHAT IF IT'S US *The Gravity of Us speaks poignantly of the things that will attend every human endeavor: family, struggle to know one’s self, and the kind of love that makes you feel like you’re hurtling to the stars. * Jeff Zentner, Morris Award winning author of THE SERPENT KING *Phil Stamper’s confident debut is an excellent exploration of modern social media, first love, and how to use your voice to do good, centered around the preparations for the first crewed mission to Mars. Calvin and Leon are fierce and sweet, and I never wanted their story to end. To put it bluntly, The Gravity of Us is out of this world. * Shaun David Hutchinson, author of WE ARE THE ANTS, THE PAST, and OTHER THINGS THAT SHOULD STAY BURIED *At once a tender love story and an honest exploration of anxiety, ambition, and family dynamics, Phil Stamper’s The Gravity of Us pulls you in and takes you on a beautiful, heartfelt journey. Never has the NASA space program seemed so romantic. * Caleb Roehrig, author of LAST SEEN LEAVING and WHITE RABBIT *A debut to remember, Stamper’s The Gravity Of Us draws you in for a journey of family, friendships, and ambition while exploring the power of social media and our own voices. Equal parts thoughtful and heartfelt, this book never misses a beat. Cal and Leon have my heart drifting in orbit. * Julian Winters, author of RUNNING WITH LIONS *A sweet-spirited romance that will capture readers’ hearts and imaginations. * Booklist, starred review *Phil Stamper’s The Gravity of Us is so interesting and well crafted that it’s hard to believe it’s his first novel. . . . Readers will root for Cal and Leon, their budding romance, their astronaut families and, of course, the prospect of life among the stars. * BookPage, starred review *Stamper crafts a sweet fish-out-of-water tale that also shrewdly explores the intersection between social class and modern media culture…A charming and satisfying first novel. * Kirkus Reviews *Given the important issues raised—media responsibility, NASA and politics, friendship and romance, mental health—this has something for a lot of different teen readers. * School Library Journal *A openhearted novel that shows a realistic, imperfect queer relationship and a young man growing to know and to be true to himself even when everything is shifting around him. * Publishers Weekly *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisSixteen-year-old Felicity Becker is always a girl with a plan. Next up: winning the social committee chair position at school so she can put her many ideas into action. But when she unexpectedly loses, she’s thrown for a loop – and then another, that evening, when her mom’s boyfriend proposes. She and her mom may be very different, but it’s always been them against the world. Now, everything is going to change. Still, Felicity can’t help but be excited by the wedding planning that’s suddenly before her. Even more so when her mom agrees to travel to Vermont for the summer – to a cabin that just so happens to be on the grounds of Felicity’s crush Nancy’s family vineyard. She framed it as the perfect scenic wedding locale, but she’s hoping this will be her chance to get to know Nancy better, too. There’s just one potential hiccup – Felicity knows she falls somewhere on the asexuality grayscale, but she hasn’t quite figured it out yet. As her plans for Mom get more and more intricate and distracting (to the chagrin of the not-so-plan-oriented bride), she’s consumed with gnawing worry about whether it’s okay to explore things with this girl... she likes Nancy a lot, but she isn’t sure she’d ever want them to get physical. What will happen if Nancy has a different idea of what it means to be more than friends? Haley Neil offers another poignant and layered story about identity, family, and finding where you belong.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisSkilley, an alley cat with an embarrassing secret, longs to escape his hard life dodging fishwives' brooms and carriage wheels and trade his damp alley for the warmth of the Cheshire Cheese Inn. When he learns that the innkeeper is looking for a new mouser, Skilley comes up with an audacious scheme to install himself in the famous tavern. Once established in the inn, Skilley strikes a bargain with Pip, the intelligent mouse-resident, and his fellow mice. Skilley protects the mice and the mice in turn give to Skilley the delectable Cheshire cheese of the inn. Thus begins a most unlikely alliance and friendship. The cat and mouse design a plan to restore Maldwyn wounded raven and faithful guard in the service of Queen Victoria to his rightful place in The Tower, but first they must contend with a tyrannical cook, a mouse-despising barmaid, and an evil tomcat named Pinch. Will the famous author suffering from serious writer's block who visits the Cheshire Cheese pub each day be able to help?

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis smart and charming queer YA rom-com about falling for your best friend will win the hearts of fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli.Henry Hamlet doesn’t know what he wants after school ends. It’s his last semester of high school, and all he’s sure of is his uncanny ability to make situations awkward. Luckily, he can always hide behind his enigmatic best friend, Len. They’ve been friends since forever, but Len is mysterious and Henry is clumsy, and Len is a heartthrob and Henry is a neurotic mess. Somehow it’s always worked.That is, until Henry falls in love. Hard. How do you date your best friend? From an exciting debut author comes a passionate story of growing up, letting go, and learning how to love.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBear just wants to read and write and think while Goose wants to talk and talk and talk. Bear is getting increasingly frustrated as Goose keeps interrupting him. Then Goose announces that thinking makes him hungry and he needs to make a snack. Goose returns with the snack and a note that he reads to bear: "You are my splendid friend." Bear responds by giving Goose a bear hug. They are splendid friends, indeed.Trade Review"Bloom gets maximum effect with minimum words. . . . Fun to read aloud, the book will also lead to discussion about friendly (and annoying) behavior." —Booklist* "The gentle humor will elicit giggles; Goose's silly statements and Bear's patient responses beg to be read aloud. An ideal book for storytimes about friendship and sharing." —School Library Journal, starred review* "A more perfect union between giggle-inducing but reassuring images and a text of very few words is hard to conjure." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Read more less

Book SynopsisSet in 1954, this compelling historical novel tells the story of a young girl''s struggles and triumphs in the aftermath of World War II. The war is over, but the threat of communism and the Cold War loom over the United States. In Detroit, Michigan, twelve-year-old Marjorie Campbell struggles with the ups and downs of family life, dealing with her veteran father''s unpredictable outbursts, keeping her mother''s stash of banned library books a secret, and getting along with her new older "brother," the teenager her family took in after his veteran father''s death. When a new girl from Germany transfers to Marjorie''s class, Marjorie finds herself torn between befriending Inga and pleasing her best friend, Bernadette, by writing in a slam book that spreads rumors about Inga. Marjorie seems to be confronting enemies everywhere?at school, at the library, in her neighborhood, and even in the news. In all this turmoil, Marjorie tries to find her own voice and figure out what is right and who the real enemies actually are. Includes an author''s note and bibliography.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAmber Henderson should have kept her mouth shut. Sure, Wilmot Academy’s been living in the Dark Ages when it comes to sex ed, and someone had to take matters into their own hands. So maybe she told Dean, the smartest person in her coding class - and the hottest guy she’s ever seen - that she was starting an innocent fashion blog. And maybe instead, she had him help her create a totally anonymous, totally untraceable blog where teens can come to get real, honest, nothing-is-off-limits sex advice. The only problem? Amber totally doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Now not only is the school administration trying to shut her down, they’ve forced Dean to try to uncover who she is. If he discovers her secret, she’ll lose him forever. And thousands of teens who need real advice won’t have anyone to turn to. Ask me anything . . . except how to make things right.

Read more less

Book SynopsisHollywood, the mid-1960s. President Kennedy has been assassinated, the country's civil rights movement is in full swing, and teenager Nate Berrigan is a television sitcom star.But Nate's onscreen life looks nothing like the real thing, which stars abusive, addicted parents instead of swooning teenage girls. On top of that, Nate's questioning his sexuality, and his boss is a demanding monster.The pressure would get to anyone. Fortunately Nate has Tai Atua, his costar… and maybe the love of his life. As the boys slowly fall for each other, Nate tries to believe in the possibility of his own happiness. Tai could be his savior, pulling Nate away from the precarious knife-edge he's balancing on.Of course, he could also be his undoing. Because if anyone finds out about their relationship, Nate's whole life will come crashing down around him. If that happened, Nate couldn't live with himself….

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn Indie Bestseller! 2021 Locus Award Finalist for Best Young Adult Novel2021 Dragon Award Finalist for Best Young Adult/Middle Grade Novel “As tender and intimate as it is ferocious and volatile, Scapegracers deserves to be this generation’s go-to grimoire. May it launch a thousand covens of angry, loving, brilliant girls.” —Amal El-Mohtar in The New York Times Book Review Holiday Books GuideThe Craft for Gen Z: The Scapegracers is an award-nominated, indie bestseller about witchcraft and friendship among a hell-raising coven of teen girls, told in an unapologetically fierce, inclusive, and vibrant voice.Skulking near the bottom of West High’s social pyramid, Sideways Pike lurks under the bleachers doing magic tricks for bottles of Coke. As a witch, lesbian, and lifelong outsider, she’s had a hard time making friends. But when the three most popular girls pay her forty dollars to cast a spell at their Halloween party, Sideways gets swept into a new clique. The unholy trinity are dangerous angels, sugar-coated rattlesnakes, and now—unbelievably—Sideways’ best friends.Together, the four bond to form a ferocious and powerful coven. They plan parties, cast curses on jerks, and try to find Sideways a girlfriend, all while eluding the fundamentalist witchfinders hell-bent on stealing their magic. But for Sideways, the hardest part is the whole “having friends” thing. Who knew that balancing human interaction with supernatural peril could be so complicated?Rich with the urgency of feral youth, The Scapegracers is an atmospheric, voice-driven novel of the occult that explores magic, growing up, and the complexities of friendship with all the rage of a teenage girl.Trade Review★ “In this fierce debut, a trilogy opener, Clarke conjures up a powerful, passionate tale of female friendship and found family. . . . Unapologetically queer . . . and seething with raw emotion, this fantasy opens strong while leaving much to be explored in future installments.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review★ “Readers will love the spooky pop-culture easter eggs and appreciate a fresh spin on the mean girls theme: Readers won’t despise, but will root for, this cunning, crass, and fiercely caring coven. Bitingly honest, fast-paced dialogue is a solid strength, as is the lyrical language, which is so intimate that readers will viscerally know how magic and emotions feel in Sideways’ body. . . . Teenage girl magic is palpable, urgent, and simply marvelous in this must-have debut.” —Kirkus, starred review“A fierce and magnificent debut, raw and wet as bloody scratches from manicured nails. . . . Clarke tells a violently beautiful story of the magic girls make together, whom it threatens and whom it attracts. . . . I loved everything about this book, from the hot, suturing needle of Clarke’s prose to the broken-glass grind of Sideways’s voice. Clarke’s girls are glittering and terrifying, in love with one another and in opposition to the world that disdains and desires them. . . . As tender and intimate as it is ferocious and volatile, Scapegracers deserves to be this generation’s go-to grimoire. May it launch a thousand covens of angry, loving, brilliant girls.” —Amal El-Mohtar in The New York Times Book Review Holiday Books Guide“Loner, lesbian teenage witch Sideways bubbles with nerves, insecurities, and longing in this action packed debut from a young queer writer. Bonus points for super sweet gay dads and all around great representation of diverse characters.” —Chana Porter, author of The Seep“The Scapegracers wallops you with all the raw, thrilling vertigo of young love and new friendship, alongside a deeply-plotted mythology that will delight any magic fan. It's a jewel-studded book, with an unearthly glow. You will definitely want to join this coven.” —Jess Zimmerman, author of Basic Witches“Sapphic teenage witches and slippery vengeance magic? Yes, please! Clarke’s entertaining debut captures all the pleasure and pathos of viciously loyal high school cliques.” —Katharine Duckett, author of Miranda in Milan “This is the dark, twisty, witchy book I've always wanted. [Clarke]'s writing is brilliant and gorgeous and firework bright.” —Kat Howard, author of An Unkindness of Magicians“The magic especially intrigued me—so spooky and weird and dangerous but addictive.” —Shveta Thakrar, author of Star Daughter

Read more less

Book SynopsisEveryone likes Humaira "Hani" Khan-she's easy going and one of the most popular girls at school. But when she comes out to her friends as bisexual, they invalidate her identity, saying she can't be bi if she's only dated guys. Panicked, Hani blurts out that she's in a relationship...with a girl her friends absolutely hate-Ishita "Ishu" Dey. Ishu is the complete opposite of Hani. She's an academic overachiever who hopes that becoming head girl will set her on the right track for college. But Ishita agrees to help Hani, if Hani will help her become more popular so that she stands a chance of being elected head girl. Despite their mutually beneficial pact, they start developing real feelings for each other. But relationships are complicated, and some people will do anything to stop two Bengali girls from achieving happily ever after.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn an ordinary Monday, Rill Kruse left for third grade with a dad, but when she came home, he’d been stolen. By a river. One year and thirteen days later—on the first morning of summer vacation—Rill still insists he’s trudging home. Her mom has become a practical woman. Her older brother, Eddy, now calls her baby and dork. Gus, second-in-command at Kruse Whitewater Adventures, Rill’s family’s rafting company, has gone from being her dad’s “risk bro” to her mom’s guardian angel. Joyce, company secretary, arm-wrestler, and mechanic, still calls Rill a fingerling, but, after learning what a cheater water is, Rill wishes she’d stop. When Rill’s cat, Clifford, leads her to the family tree fort on the mountainside behind home, she discovers a stowaway, Perla. To help Perla, Rill embarks on an adventure that tests her understanding of the world, of loss, and of what it means to be a friend. In the end, what Rill discovers will nudge her—and all those she loves—toward healing.Trade Review"A shimmering, breathtaking read! The River Between Hearts has everything I hope for in a great middle grade novel: A spirited heroine with a voice that leaps off the page, a scenic setting I want to spend time in, vivid characters, adventure, swift page-turning chapters, and heartthis book positively sparkles with emotion. Fans of Kate DiCamillo will be delighted by the wonderful tale that Heather Mateus Sappenfield has crafted!" Todd Mitchell, The Last Panther, Nautilus Book Award and Colorado Book Award Winner"Rill is determined to stay exactly the same. Everyone and everything around her is changing and growing up. But despite the fact that 5th grade is around the corner and 'popular and liking' are all anyone can talk about, Rill won't budge. In an attempt to escape the ever-changing landscape around her, she visits her old hideaway, Fort Kruse. She expects the old photos and old drawings that will painfully attempt to bring back unwanted memories, but she does not expect to find someone hiding out in the Fort. A chance encounter of two lives in upheaval leads to a beautiful story of friendship, healing, and a cemented belief that people are not things. Sappenfield does a beautiful job at tackling important issues for middle grade students to grasp! Highly recommend! Sarah Hopkins, Bookseller, Bookworm of Edwards"Heather Mateus Sappenfield's The River Between Hearts is a beautiful young MG that hits all the right notes: a strong heroine who's dealing with all the changes of growing up, and has a broken heart that needs mending. This story has lots of heart, a beautiful setting, and a spirited, sweet voice make the words come alive. Perfect for fans of Leslie Connor's A Home for Goddesses and Dogs and Laurel Snyder's My Jasper June . The Colorado setting shines and carries you away. The River Between Hearts is a middle-grade novel not to be missed!" Fleur Bradley, MG author of Midnight at the Barclay Hotel , NPR Best Book of 2020" The River Between Hearts is a beautifully written story about friendship and acceptance. Rill and Perla are heading into summer vacation dealing with their own grief and loss. They learn, 'The best adventurestrue onestest you and teach you about yourself.' Heather Mateus Sappenfield does a wonderful job describing the impact of immigration on children in resort communities and I look forward to sharing this novel with my students." Beth Cooney, Lead Literacy Teacher, Edwards Elementary School

Read more less

Book SynopsisNOW IN PAPERBACK! New England Book Awards Finalist Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best ABC Group Best Books for Young ReadersQueer coming-of-age middle-grade novel about trust, forgiveness, and self-discovery. “Original, funny, rueful, and most of all, real, Middletown is an engrossing tale told by a deeply likeable tough cookie.” - Emma Donoghue, award-winning author of Room Thirteen-year-old Eli likes baggy clothes, baseball caps, and one girl in particular. Her seventeen-year-old sister Anna is more traditionally feminine; she loves boys and staying out late. They are sisters, and they are also the only family each can count on. Their dad has long been out of the picture, and their mom lives at the mercy of her next drink. When their mom lands herself in enforced rehab, Anna and Eli are left to fend for themselves. With no legal guardian to keep them out of foster care, they take matters into their own hands: Anna masquerades as Aunt Lisa, and together she and Eli hoard whatever money they can find. But their plans begin to unravel as quickly as they were made, and they are always way too close to getting caught. Eli and Anna have each gotten used to telling lies as a means of survival, but as they navigate a world without their mother, they must learn how to accept help, and let other people in. Sarah Moon has crafted a thoughtful portrait of the Queer middle-grade experience.

Read more less

Book Synopsis BEST OF THE YEAR: KIRKUS, BANK STREET, NERDY BOOK CLUB Pedro and Daniel are Mexican American brothers growing up in 1970s Ohio. Their mom doesn't like that Pedro is a spitting image of their darker-skinned father, that Daniel plays with dolls, that neither of the boys love sports like the other kids in their neighborhood. Life at home can be rough - but the boys have an unshakable bond that will last their entire lives.Pedro & Daniel is a sweeping and deeply personal novel - illustrated with beautiful linework throughout by Julie Kwon - that spans from childhood to teenage years to adulthood, all the while tracing the lives of two brothers who are there for each other when no one else is. Together the brothers manage an abusive home life, school, coming out, first loves, first jobs, and the AIDS epidemic, in a coming-of-age story unlike any other.P R A I S E ★ 'Pedro and Daniel's journey, whether together or apart, is an unforgettable one of resilience and, most of all, love. Stunning.'-Kirkus Reviews(starred) ★ 'Luminous. Riveting. Uplifting and heart-wrenching.'-Publishers Weekly (starred) ★ 'Devastatingly beautiful.'-Shelf-Awareness (starred) 'A powerful coming-of-age story that is unforgettable.'-Booklist 'Artistically ambitious and unflinchingly personal. . .shines with the depiction of connection, love, and overcoming adversity.'-BCCB 'A multi-layered and nuanced story.'-School Library Connection

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWill, an agender teen, struggles with the haunting aftermath of parental abuse as they forge a new life and love in this novel that is perfect for fans of If These Wings Could Fly and Last Night at the Telegraph Club. Will is a 17-year-old on the cusp of freedom: freedom from providing and caring for their abusive, addicted mother, freedom from their small town with an even smaller mindset, and the freedom from having to hide who they truly are. When their drug dealer mother dies months before their 18th birthday, Will is granted their freedom earlier than expected. But their mother's last words haunt Will: She cursed them with her dying breath, claiming her death was their fault. Soon their mother's drug-dealing past threatens Will's new shiny future, leaving Will scrambling to find their beloved former foster mother Raz before Child Protective Services or local drug dealers find them first. But how do you reconnect with family and embark on a new love when you're convinced you destroy everything you touch?Trade Review"A bittersweet portrait of an agender teen finding true family following parental abuse...MacGregor sensitively renders Will’s harrowing circumstances, culminating in an emotionally satisfying resolution." —Publishers Weekly"In Maya MacGregor’s empowering novel The Evolving Truth of Ever-Stronger Will, an agender teenager learns to acknowledge their trauma, find strength in others, and exist without apologies...The book is narrated to Will by Will, resulting in intimacy...and the people around them are diverse and authentic, too." —Foreword Reviews"Written in the second person, this work puts readers in Will’s shoes, following their harrowing story in a deeply personal way. Will’s life is one of perseverance and possessing the desire to move forward despite extreme hardship. The story also highlights how youths who have been through traumatic experiences can ultimately thrive. An intense and introspective exploration of trauma and survival." —Kirkus Reviews

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this sweet story of sharing, a young narrator describes all of the objects contained in a treasured bag that help to spread kindness and good feelings to everyone.Readers will meet a young narrator who describes the objects contained in a treasured bag. There is a teddy bear that helps comfort him whenever he feels sad. A pair of socks in the bag reminds him of the time at school when his teacher gave him a clean, dry pair of socks after a day of splashing in puddles. A box of crayons for his best friend, who enjoys drawing pictures with him. There?s a book in the bag from Grandma, who reads books to him. And a note in the bag from Mom, who reminds him to spread kindness to everyone he meets.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less