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

Book SynopsisA New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestseller! Critically acclaimed and bestselling authors Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera combine their talents in this smart, funny, heartfelt collaboration about two very different boys who can?t decide if the universe is pushing them together?or pulling them apart.ARTHUR is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it?s that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it.BEN thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn?t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend?s things.But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them . . . ?Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated.Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited.But what if they can?t nail a first date even after three do-overs?What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work and Ben doesn?t try hard enough?What if life really isn?t like a Broadway play?But what if it is?What if it?s us?Plus don''t miss Here''s to Us! Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera reunite to continue the story of Arthur and Ben, the boys readers first fell for in What If It?s Us.

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Book SynopsisCandace Bushnell, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Sex and the City, and Katie Cotugno, New York Times bestselling author of 99 Days, team up to write afierce, propulsive novel about a girl who is preyed upon by a manipulative teacher and finds the power to fight back. Perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Laurie Halse Anderson. It starts before you can even remember: You learn the rules for being a girl. . . . Marin has always been good at navigating these unspoken guidelines. A star student and editor of the school paper, she dreams of getting into Brown University. Marin?s future seems bright?and her young, charismatic English teacher, Mr. Beckett, is always quick to admire her writing and talk books with her. But when ?Bex? takes things too far and comes on to Marin, she?s shocked and horrified. Had she somehow led him on? Was it her fault? When Marin works up the courage to tell the administration what happened, no one believes her. She?s forced to face Bex in class every day. Except now, he has an ax to grind. But Marin isn?t about to back down. She uses the school newspaper to fight back and she starts a feminist book club at school. She finds allies?and even romance?in the most unexpected people, like Gray Kendall, who she?d always dismissed as just another lacrosse bro.As things heat up at school and in her personal life, Marin must figure out how to take back the power and write her own rules.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Crier’s War is a beautiful poem of a book. Fans of both fantasy and sci-fi: this book is for you.” — Tara Sim, Author of the Timekeeper Trilogy “Dizzying political machinations intertwine with a burgeoning romance. The plot zooms ahead with nail-biting tension. A fresh, suspenseful take on the robot apocalypse.” — Kirkus Reviews “Rife with mystery, romantic tension, and political intrigue, Varela’s debut novel is perfect for readers craving queer fantasy with dense world building.” — Booklist “A lush #OwnVoices fantasy debut with science fiction elements and LGBTQIA+ representation, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass.” — School Library Journal “Masterful storytelling, woven with gorgeous poetic prose. You can’t help but be lured into this vividly imagined world. As heart-wrenching as it is unforgettable.” — Erin Summerill, author of the Clash of Kingdoms trilogy "Captivating political machinations among intricately linked characters create a suspenseful read with particular appeal to fans of queer romance." — Publishers Weekly “This interesting mesh of sci-fi and fantasy situates androids within court intrigue, enhanced with a steamy, well-paced lesbian romance that will make readers impatient to nab the next novel.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for The Meaning of Birds: “An evocative story of the thrills of first love and the anguish of first loss. This will break you and heal you.” — Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’ “An unforgettable story that resonated deep in my bones, The Meaning of Birds will break your heart and then put it right back together again. Jess and Vivi’s relationship was so beautiful and true. I loved them and didn’t want the story to end.” — Amber Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be “A profoundly moving and exquisitely written story of love, loss, grief, and healing. These characters have imprinted on my heart and will be with me for a long, long time.” — Amy Reed, author of Beautiful and The Nowhere Girls “A heart-wrenching journey through anger and grief, balanced on the sharp edge of hope.” — Malinda Lo, author of Ash and A Line in the Dark “Prepare to cry, often—and to be thoroughly swept away into this subtle and utterly real story of grief and love and heartbreak and finding yourself in the middle of it all.” — Robin Talley, New York Times bestselling author of The Lies We Tell Ourselves and Our Own Private Universe ★ “Frank and accessible, this gritty drama realizes with great compassion and empathy the ways reckoning with loss can manifest.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Affectionately rendered. Brown depicts Jess with raw realism.” — Publishers Weekly “Brown’s exploration of loss is raw and devastating, placing readers directly into Jess’s turbulent experience. Captures the ambivalence of grief in this searing and ultimately hopeful novel. For fans of Jandy Nelson, Adam Silvera, and Nicola Yoon.” — School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Piper and Kat are imperfect, but always trying their best—aren't we all?—and Brown had me rooting for them all the way through this sweet, slow burn romance. Their triumphs, their blunders, and the way they swing between confidence and self-doubt are utterly relatable." — Misa Sugiura, award-winning author of It's Not Like It's a Secret "Such a sweet story with compelling family relationships, awesome female characters, a satisfying mix of coming out and already-out-and-proud, and lots of equestrian goodness!" — M-E Girard, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of Girl Mans Up “A sweet and joyful representation of family, friendship, and two girls falling in love.” — Sarah Prager, author of Rainbow Revolutionaries and Queer, There, and Everywhere "The story, told through alternating chapters narrated from each girl’s first-person perspective, gracefully and generously engages with gender and sexuality. Readers will laugh, cry, and cheer." — Kirkus Reviews "A sweet slow-burn romance built on a foundation of friendship and self-discovery. Readers will love being swept along for the ride." — Booklist "The Key to You and Me reminded us of what the best relationships are built on, what we’d like to see more of when it comes to LGBTQ ships, and that the place you’re in when it comes to being queer might not be the same place where someone else is at. That doesn’t make their story any less worth telling or exploring.” — Fangirlish PRAISE FOR The Meaning of Birds: “An evocative story of the thrills of first love and the anguish of first loss. This will break you and heal you.” — Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’ “An unforgettable story that resonated deep in my bones, The Meaning of Birds will break your heart and then put it right back together again. Jess and Vivi’s relationship was so beautiful and true. I loved them and didn’t want the story to end.” — Amber Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be “A profoundly moving and exquisitely written story of love, loss, grief, and healing. These characters have imprinted on my heart and will be with me for a long, long time.” — Amy Reed, author of Beautiful and The Nowhere Girls “A heart-wrenching journey through anger and grief, balanced on the sharp edge of hope.” — Malinda Lo, author of Ash and A Line in the Dark “Prepare to cry, often—and to be thoroughly swept away into this subtle and utterly real story of grief and love and heartbreak and finding yourself in the middle of it all.” — Robin Talley, New York Times bestselling author of The Lies We Tell Ourselves and Our Own Private Universe “Told in alternating “then” and “now” chapters, the moving narrative captures well the nonlinear progression of Jess’ grief and emotional growth. Frank and accessible, this gritty drama realizes with great compassion and empathy the ways reckoning with loss can manifest.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Affectionately rendered. Brown depicts Jess with raw realism.” — Publishers Weekly “Brown’s exploration of loss is raw and devastating, placing readers directly into Jess’s turbulent experience. Captures the ambivalence of grief in this searing and ultimately hopeful novel. For fans of Jandy Nelson, Adam Silvera, and Nicola Yoon.” — School Library Journal Praise for Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit: “Funny, thoughtful, compassionate Jo is a delightful narrator. The frank portrayals of swearing, sexual activity, underage drinking, etc., neither titillate nor condemn; they just depict teens being authentic teens. While Jo and Mary Carlson are white, the rest of their friends display considerable diversity portrayed with nuance through each character’s words and actions. A sweet, sexy, honest teen romance that just happens to involve two girls—all the more charming for being so very ordinary.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Faith matters in this book, but so do family, friends, and being funny. The dialogue is snappy—Joanna is sharp tongued and sometimes bratty—and the characters aren’t types. Rather, they’re individuals navigating a complicated world, which makes for a rich and satisfying read.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Brown orchestrates a fast-paced narrative that is powerful, moving, and relatable. This work will resonate with those who enjoy a female protagonist who is bold, brave, candid, and thoughtful. The language is realistic, and the author accurately captures queer and Southern cultures. Brown expertly describes the complex nuances of faith and sexuality. This plot-driven story is humorous, and the characters are effortlessly likable. Teens who root for underdogs will be pulling for this dream team of characters. For fans of David Levithan and John Green’s Will Grayson, Will Grayson; this title is a worthwhile purchase for all YA collections.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “Readers will appreciate the compelling characters, the humor, and the romance. Anyone who enjoys the writing of John Green or Rainbow Rowell will find a sense of familiarity in Brown’s writing, and will be left longing for more.” — teenreads.com

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Piper and Kat are imperfect, but always trying their best—aren't we all?—and Brown had me rooting for them all the way through this sweet, slow burn romance. Their triumphs, their blunders, and the way they swing between confidence and self-doubt are utterly relatable." — Misa Sugiura, award-winning author of It's Not Like It's a Secret "Such a sweet story with compelling family relationships, awesome female characters, a satisfying mix of coming out and already-out-and-proud, and lots of equestrian goodness!" — M-E Girard, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of Girl Mans Up “A sweet and joyful representation of family, friendship, and two girls falling in love.” — Sarah Prager, author of Rainbow Revolutionaries and Queer, There, and Everywhere "The story, told through alternating chapters narrated from each girl’s first-person perspective, gracefully and generously engages with gender and sexuality. Readers will laugh, cry, and cheer." — Kirkus Reviews "A sweet slow-burn romance built on a foundation of friendship and self-discovery. Readers will love being swept along for the ride." — Booklist "The Key to You and Me reminded us of what the best relationships are built on, what we’d like to see more of when it comes to LGBTQ ships, and that the place you’re in when it comes to being queer might not be the same place where someone else is at. That doesn’t make their story any less worth telling or exploring.” — Fangirlish PRAISE FOR The Meaning of Birds: “An evocative story of the thrills of first love and the anguish of first loss. This will break you and heal you.” — Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’ “An unforgettable story that resonated deep in my bones, The Meaning of Birds will break your heart and then put it right back together again. Jess and Vivi’s relationship was so beautiful and true. I loved them and didn’t want the story to end.” — Amber Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be “A profoundly moving and exquisitely written story of love, loss, grief, and healing. These characters have imprinted on my heart and will be with me for a long, long time.” — Amy Reed, author of Beautiful and The Nowhere Girls “A heart-wrenching journey through anger and grief, balanced on the sharp edge of hope.” — Malinda Lo, author of Ash and A Line in the Dark “Prepare to cry, often—and to be thoroughly swept away into this subtle and utterly real story of grief and love and heartbreak and finding yourself in the middle of it all.” — Robin Talley, New York Times bestselling author of The Lies We Tell Ourselves and Our Own Private Universe “Told in alternating “then” and “now” chapters, the moving narrative captures well the nonlinear progression of Jess’ grief and emotional growth. Frank and accessible, this gritty drama realizes with great compassion and empathy the ways reckoning with loss can manifest.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Affectionately rendered. Brown depicts Jess with raw realism.” — Publishers Weekly “Brown’s exploration of loss is raw and devastating, placing readers directly into Jess’s turbulent experience. Captures the ambivalence of grief in this searing and ultimately hopeful novel. For fans of Jandy Nelson, Adam Silvera, and Nicola Yoon.” — School Library Journal Praise for Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit: “Funny, thoughtful, compassionate Jo is a delightful narrator. The frank portrayals of swearing, sexual activity, underage drinking, etc., neither titillate nor condemn; they just depict teens being authentic teens. While Jo and Mary Carlson are white, the rest of their friends display considerable diversity portrayed with nuance through each character’s words and actions. A sweet, sexy, honest teen romance that just happens to involve two girls—all the more charming for being so very ordinary.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Faith matters in this book, but so do family, friends, and being funny. The dialogue is snappy—Joanna is sharp tongued and sometimes bratty—and the characters aren’t types. Rather, they’re individuals navigating a complicated world, which makes for a rich and satisfying read.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Brown orchestrates a fast-paced narrative that is powerful, moving, and relatable. This work will resonate with those who enjoy a female protagonist who is bold, brave, candid, and thoughtful. The language is realistic, and the author accurately captures queer and Southern cultures. Brown expertly describes the complex nuances of faith and sexuality. This plot-driven story is humorous, and the characters are effortlessly likable. Teens who root for underdogs will be pulling for this dream team of characters. For fans of David Levithan and John Green’s Will Grayson, Will Grayson; this title is a worthwhile purchase for all YA collections.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “Readers will appreciate the compelling characters, the humor, and the romance. Anyone who enjoys the writing of John Green or Rainbow Rowell will find a sense of familiarity in Brown’s writing, and will be left longing for more.” — teenreads.com

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Book SynopsisAlong the way, Waylon discovers that there is a lot more to running for prom court than campaign posters and plastic crowns, especially when he has to spend so much time with the very cute and infuriating prom king nominee Tucker Watson.Waylon will need to learn that the best plan for tomorrow is living for today .Trade Review“With her signature blend of humor, sensitivity, and panache, Murphy has crafted a sensational narrative that is bursting with life and is anything but a drag….Murphy's best-selling Dumplin' series grows bigger and better with every installment, and this book will quickly rule the YA realm.” — ALA Booklist (starred review) “An aspiring drag queen grows to embrace his body and individuality in this winning YA contemporary novel." — Shelf Awareness (starred review) “Murphy is at it again with a third return to Clover City and the Dumplin’ universe. Tackling heavy topics with humor, this novel touches on the importance of staying true to yourself even (and especially) when it’s hard. A must-purchase for fans of Murphy’s previous books, a good prom story, and RuPaul’s Drag Race.” — School Library Journal "[This] novel is full of inspiration, fabulousness, and romance, and readers will be enthralled as they race to learn what happens to Pumpkin and his friends… Enticing as homemade pumpkin pie. Bon appétit!” — Kirkus Reviews “Waylon’s combination of self-confidence and self-defense is utterly believable… the stirrings of romance with Tucker are delicious and the plot overall is huggably cheesy, leaving readers cheering for Waylon, his Clover City cohort, and any kids taking a chance to be their full selves right now.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “This third story set in Clover City, Texas, features a genuine and unbreakable sibling bond; a strong romantic connection; and a cast of well-developed supporting characters, including guest appearances from Willowdean and Callie and Millie. Like those protagonists, Waylon learns to love who he is and refuses to settle for anyone who doesn’t…. It’s easy to cheer for Waylon—who eventually triumphs both as himself and as Pumpkin—in this celebration of individuality and self-expression.” — Horn Book Magazine Praise for PUDDIN’: “Murphy’s plot brims with unlikely friendships, irresistible romance, fabulous fat acceptance, and a kick-ass ending. Buoying.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “This companion to the very popular Dumplin’ introduces more memorable characters for whom readers can’t help but cheer.” — School Library Journal “Murphy’s energetic writing style makes for compulsive readability.” — ALA Booklist “Texans and non-Texans alike will appreciate getting to know two strong-minded Lone Star girls.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Julie Murphy has created the platonic love story of a lifetime. I am wildly in love with Puddin’.” — Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Leah on the Offbeat and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda Praise for DUMPLIN’: “Will’s singular voice compels readers to think about all that goes into building-and destroying-self-esteem...Splendid” — ALA Booklist (starred review) Praise for DUMPLIN’: “Murphy...successfully makes every piece of the story—Dolly Parton superfans, first love, best-friend problems, an unlikely group of pageant entrants, female solidarity, self-acceptance, and Willowdean’s complicated relationship with the mother...-count, weaving them together to create a harmonious, humorous, and thought-provoking whole.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “[A] richly enjoyable novel...a clever and funny book to please lovers of thoughtful romance and secret pageant fans.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Genuine, romantic, and with a dash of Texan charm, this is a novel that celebrates being who you are while also acknowledging that it’s incredibly difficult to do.” — The Horn Book

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“This genre-blending contemporary thriller offers a searing indictment of men who prey on women while the book’s fantasy elements offer a form of revenge and resolution… Potent, atmospheric, and wholly satisfying.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “A backwoods murder ballad of a book that draws from the old songs and legends that underpin so many areas of rural America. [The River Has Teeth] is well worth a listen.” — NPR "Soft and seething, with an undercurrent of longing and rage, THE RIVER HAS TEETH is the perfect story for anyone who is tired of feeling helpless. This book has teeth, too." — Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf "Waters weaves a spell on the page, seeped with dark and murky magic, both beautiful and terrifying, just as her girls are beautiful and terrifying. Set loose upon the Bend, Natasha and Della are two forces crashing into one another with a strength that makes their world tremble." — Emma Berquist, author of Missing, Presumed Dead "Packed with monstrous magic and a wicked bite, The River Has Teeth is the perfect read for fans of Beware the Wild and Wilder Girls. Fierce and flawless." — Kat Ellis, author of Harrow Lake “Full of fierce women and wild magic, The River Has Teeth is a captivating story of love, grief, and the power of anger. From its eerie opening pages to its gripping finale, it kept me enthralled.” — Kate Alice Marshall, author of Rules for Vanishing “The River Has Teeth is one of those books I could not put down—even when I knew I should. The lush, haunting story gave me the most gorgeous nightmares I’ve ever had.” — Kylie Schachte, author of You're Next “With its witches, monsters, and missing girls, The River Has Teeth is a hypnotic, suspenseful read.” — Wendy Heard, author of She’s Too Pretty to Burn “This horror-tinged tale from Waters (Ghost Wood Song) spotlights issues of racial and socioeconomic injustice…. [A] lushly written story.” — Publishers Weekly “A cathartic portrait of two girls’ anger toward a world whose cruelty and injustice forced them to fight back. The River Has Teeth delivers ferociously good thrills.” — BookPage “Waters’ southern gothic thriller cleverly uses magic as a metaphor for the ways women resist the harm that men do.” — Booklist Praise for GHOST WOOD SONG: “What a gorgeous, creepy gem of a book, brimming with magic, mystery, music, and so much love that you’ll ache as if these characters were your actual friends. Ghost Wood Song weaves a captivating spell you won’t want to break.” — Claire Legrand, New York Times bestselling author of Furyborn and Sawkill Girls "Ghost Wood Song sings a high and lonesome love song to family, to place, to music, and to love itself. It will make your heart dance." — Jeff Zentner, Morris Award winning author of The Serpent King and Goodbye Days "These haunted pages are full to bursting with intricate family dynamics, a nuanced queer romance, and a crescendo of an ending readers won’t see coming. With notes of southern gothic and mystery, Ghost Wood Song will strike a chord with fans of The Raven Boys and Beautiful Creatures." — Rosiee Thor, author of Tarnished Are the Stars "Strikes the perfect balance of atmospheric chills, dark familial secrets, and a yearning for the warm comforts of home. I could hear the cicadas' call and feel the smothering humidity, even as I shivered!" — Erin A. Craig, New York Times bestselling author, House of Salt and Sorrows "Ghost Wood Song is a dusky, haunting daydream of a debut that hits all the right notes." — Dahlia Adler, author of Under the Lights and editor of His Hideous Heart “A gorgeously written debut filled with ghosts, a queer love triangle, a murder mystery, & a healthy dose of bluegrass. When you finish, you’ll want to turn back to page one and start all over again.” — Amanda Lovelace, author of The Princess Saves Herself in this One “Waters' debut features a bisexual lead with both male and female love interests, an atmospheric southern gothic setting, and, for the musically inclined, lots of folk and bluegrass references. For teens with a penchant for eerie ghost stories, this lyrical tale will hit the spot.” — Booklist “Debut author Waters weaves an intense and spectral atmosphere with vivid prose…Haunting and alluring.” — Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisA fun, flirty teen debut from Wattpad phenom Alex Light about a fake relationship and real love. Perfect for Jenny Han fans.It’s been years since seventeen-year-old Becca Hart believed in true love. But when her former best friend teases her for not having had a boyfriend, Becca impulsively pretends she’s been secretly seeing someone.Brett Wells has it all. As captain of the football team and one of the most popular guys in his school, he should have no problem finding someone to date, but he’s always been more focused on his future than who to bring to prom.When he overhears Becca’s lie, Brett decides to step in and be the mystery guy. It’s the perfect solution: he gets people off his back for not having a meaningful relationship and she can keep up the ruse that she’s got a boyfriend.Acting like the perfect couple isn’t easy, though, especially when you barely know the other person. But with Bec

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Book Synopsis"Dre and Dean have got my vote!"—Adib Khorram, award-winning author of Darius the Great Is Not Okay When Dean Arnault’s mother decided to run for president, it wasn’t a surprise to anyone, least of all her son.Trade Review"Dre and Dean have got my vote!" — Adib Khorram, award-winning author of Darius the Great Is Not Okay "While the joyful love story is front and center, Hutchinson’s deft handling of his characters provides a perfect—and surprisingly subtle—vehicle for relating the inner journeys of queer and questioning teens, most notably Dean’s exploration of his place on the asexual spectrum. Charming, humorous, nicely paced, and never dull, this timely romance will appeal beyond its genre—a must for all collections." — Booklist (starred review) “Two likable characters in a love-against-the-odds story that effectively takes up the well-timed issue of how to love people whose beliefs one doesn’t share.” — Publishers Weekly "A supremely charming YA romance set against the 2020 Presidential election!" — Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop

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Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Nina LaCour, this queer coming-of-age story from the author of The Falling in Love Montage is wry, multilayered, and unflinchingly honest. Aideen has plenty of problems she can’t solve. But when she stumbles upon overachiever Meabh Kowalska having a full-blown meltdown, she sees one that she can actually fix. Meabh is desperate to escape her crushing pile of extracurriculars. Aideen volunteers to help—by pushing her down the stairs. Problem? Solved. Meabh’s sprained ankle is the perfect excuse to ditch her overwhelming schedule. But when one of their classmates learns about their little scheme, more “clients” start asking for Aideen’s “help”—kicking off a semester of traded favors, ill-advised hijinks, and even an unexpected chance at love. Fixing other people’s problems won’t fix her own. But it might

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Book SynopsisIn this tender, nuanced coming-of-age love story, two boys—one who is cis, and one who is trans—have been guarding their hearts, until their feelings for each other give them a reason to stand up to their fears. Two boys are starting over at a new high school.Jules is still figuring out what it means to be gay…and just how out he wants to be.Jack is reeling from a fall-out with his best friend…and isn’t ready to let anyone else in just yet.When Jules and Jack meet, the sparks are undeniable. But when a video linking Jack to a pair of popular trans vloggers is leaked to the school, the revelations thrust both boys into the spotlight they’d tried to avoid.Suddenly Jack and Jules must face a choice: to play it safe and stay under the radar, or claim their own space in the world—together.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewMy Heart Underwater is a lovely, magnificent wonder of a novel that will leave you with the rarest of tender heartaches: life-affirming, life-inspiring, life-loving; a heartache of joy and becoming. You won’t walk freely, or willingly, from these pages. — New York Times bestselling author Marjorie Liu Beautifully unsettling and deeply satisfying, My Heart Underwater should be read by all—and it’s a gift to any community, not just the YA community, that such a heartfelt, literary novel is now in our hands. — Gina Apostol, author of Gun Dealers' Daughter, PEN/Open Book Award winner A wise, complex exploration of a young person on the cusp of adulthood as she navigates the in-between: being Filipinx in America and American in the Philippines. Readers who yearn for stories closer to the nuances, contradictions, and messiness of real life will love Cory and root for her. — Grace Talusan, author of The Body Papers, winner of the Restless Books Prize “A (home)coming out story that rides a deep undercurrent of love.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “This emotionally powerful YA debut sensitively portrays the tension between Cory’s American upbringing and attempts to stay true to her cultural roots.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Not to be missed." — School Library Journal “This soulful #OwnVoices story explores how love for family and tradition can conflict with personal dignity." — Booklist “Smoothly woven and intriguing glimpses of Filipino culture, language, and economy pop up throughout this #ownvoices novel.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Fantauzzo’s emotional story extends beyond Cory’s search for identity and belonging, adding insights about both historical and metaphorical colonization, while readers are immersed in the uncertainty that surrounds new and ongoing family crises, resentment, and forgiveness.” — Horn Book Magazine

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Book SynopsisStonewall Book Award Winner * A Time Magazine Best YA Book Of All TimeA fierce coming-of-age verse novel about identity and the power of drag, from acclaimed poet and performer Dean Atta. Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Jason Reynolds, and Kacen Callender.Michael is a mixed-race gay teen growing up in London. All his life, he’s navigated what it means to be Greek-Cypriot and Jamaican—but never quite feeling Greek or Black enough.As he gets older, Michael’s coming out is only the start of learning who he is and where he fits in. When he discovers the Drag Society, he finally finds where he belongs—and the Black Flamingo is born.Told with raw honesty, insight, and lyricism, this debut explores the layers of identity that make us who we are—and allow us to shine.In this uplifting coming-of-age novel told in accessible verse, Atta chronicles the growth and glory of

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Book SynopsisA Stonewall Book Award Honor * A Sid Fleishman Humor Award HonorFunny and full of heart, this debut graphic novel is a story about friendship, identity, and embracing all the parts of yourself that make you special.Fifth grade is just not Riley?s vibe. Everyone else is squaded up?except Riley. Her best friend moved away. All she wants to do is draw, and her grades show it.One thing that makes her happy is her favorite comedian, Joy Powers. Riley loves to watch her old shows and has memorized her best jokes. So when the class is assigned to write letters to people they admire, of course Riley?s picking Joy Powers!Things start to look up when a classmate, Cate, offers to help Riley with the letter, and a new kid, Aaron, actually seems to get her weird sense of humor. But when mean girl Whitney spreads a rumor about her, things begin to click into place for Riley. Her curiosity about Aaron?s two dads and her celebrity crush on Joy Powers suddenly make more sense.Readers will respond to Riley?s journey of self-discovery and will recognize themselves in this character who is less than perfect but trying her best. And creative kids will recognize themselves in her love of art and drawing.While often funny and light, Riley?s exploration of what it feels to be an outsider and how hard it can be to make a friend break your heart in the best way.And with all of Riley?s hijinks and missteps, this story is laugh-out-loud funny from start to finish.Trade Review"An exploration of self-identity that is both LOL funny and touching.... Elliott brings readers crisp linework, a bright palette, expressive body language, rich narrative details, and (bonus!) kitty comics. Best of all is inimitable Riley, who endears herself to readers with her budding self-awareness and undeniable moxie." — Horn Book (starred review) “Readers—especially fans of Jeff Kinney and Amy Ignatow—will love the mixture of realism and imagination that fuels Riley’s world. This story is real—and really great!” — Kirkus Reviews "There is a lot going on in this story—finding real friends, first crushes, discovering gender identity—and all of it is handled tenderly and with respect for each of the main characters.... A fun, funny story that rings true." — Booklist "This realistic and heartwarming story, filled with humor and angst, has a little something for everyone to enjoy.... [A] hit for readers who enjoy Raina Telgemeier’s books and Jennifer Holm’s “Sunny” series." — School Library Journal

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