Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Death and grief

Book SynopsisSpending the summers on her family''s private island off the coast of Massachusetts with her cousins and a special boy named Gat, teenaged Cadence struggles to remember what happened during her fifteenth summer.

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Book SynopsisTwo sisters take off on a wild road trip in this poignant tale for fans of Counting by 7s and Fish in a TreeAfter Mama Lacy’s death, Fella was forced to move in with her grandmother, Mrs. Madison. The move brought Fella all sorts of comforts she wasn't used to at home, but it also meant saying goodbye to her sister Zoey (a.k.a. Zany) and her other mother, Mama Shannon. Though Mama Shannon fought hard to keep Fella, it was no use. The marriage act is still a few years away and the courts thought Fella would be better off with a blood relation. Already heartbroken, Fella soon finds herself alone in Mrs. Madison's house, grieving both the death of her mother and the loss of her entire family.      Then one night, Zany shows up at Mrs. Madison’s house determined to fulfill Mama Lacy’s dying wish: to have her ashes spread over the lawn of the last place they were all happy as a family. Of course, this means steaTrade ReviewPraise for Ashes to Asheville:A School Library Journal Best Book of 2017A 2018 ALSC Children’s Notable2018 Rainbow List BookA 2019 Intermediate Sequoya Master List Pick★ “Dooley’s portrait of two sisters still struggling with grief and huge life changes makes for a powerful, absorbing read. . . . A tender, touching, and timely read.”—Booklist, starred review★ “Dooley (Free Verse) skillfully balances the troubling story of a family torn apart with Fella’s lively, humorous narrative . . . in this moving, entertaining, and thought-provoking tale.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review ★ “Poignantly told with verve and a splash of humor, this novel explores sensitive topics with care and belongs in all middle grade collections.”—School Library Journal, starred review “Dooley packs plenty of emotion into this eventful road trip . . . Breathless and engaging, Fella's distinctive voice is convincingly childlike.”—Kirkus Reviews “A warm tale of family possibilities after bereavement.”—BCCB “Some books can sweep you away in the first sentence.”—NPR “In her exquisite, poignant novel, Sarah Dooley (Free Verse; Body of Water) explores the strange places grief takes people.”—Shelf Awareness“[A] believable, touching story of loss and healing.”—VOYA Praise for Free Verse: ★ “Dooley subtly exposes readers to poetic forms that invite engagement, understanding, and expression, while Sasha and her extended family are depicted with a sweetness reminiscent of Cynthia Rylant—a southern soulfulness that is warm even as it reveals the downtrodden struggles of a mining community.”—Booklist, starred review ★ “The changes in [Sasha’s] life, the anguish she feels, and her journey forward are expertly portrayed through Dooley’s use of first-person narration, which is sensitive and gentle without being soft or sentimental. The poetry is wonderful and feels authentic to Sasha’s years…”—School Library Journal, starred review ★ “In this gripping story, Dooley balances a clear-eyed depiction of families wrestling with addiction, financial stress, and trauma with the astonishing resilience of children and the human capacity for love.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review “Sarah Dooley mixes poetry and prose to powerful, poignant effect in her novel Free Verse... This story brims with hard-won insight into the travails and small joys of life.”—The Washington Post “Sasha is a natural with words. They bubble out of her, spilling emotions onto paper that she couldn’t otherwise articulate. And as she experiments with different forms, Sasha discovers poetry’s double blessing: The structure stabilizes her, while the creativity sets her free.”—The Christian Science Monitor “The story mounts a quiet defense of the nobility of broken people… who hold on when all seems lost and sacrifice much out of love for their children. Sasha’s quietly moving poems… trace the evolution of her appreciation for what she has and her understanding that one must find one’s own way to wholeness after loss.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books “Dooley cleverly weaves into her novel different verse forms… giving her protagonist poet… the courage to stay put long enough to let the strength of her emotions settle inside. Dooley winningly combines engaging plot twists and rich character development with the introspective and thematic power of poetry: not to be missed.”—Kirkus Reviews “Dooley shows readers the richness of small-town life… Tween fans of realistic fiction will find depth in this novel.”—VOYA “Sasha lives in a tough coal mining world, and the hurts of her losses are deep. But her ability to see the beautiful and the lovely and the goodness of the world around her is equally deep, and her skill in expressing that depth is one of the things that will save her. This novel is a triumph of art over loss, a story that will make you believe in the capacities of poetry.”—Gary Schmidt, author of Newbery Honor-winning The Wednesday Wars “Free Verse is exactly the sort of thing that we wish we saw more of in young people’s literature, and Sarah Dooley is exactly the sort of author who needs and deserves this fellowship. It is a startling book, surprising at every turn, and its exploration of poverty, trauma, and loss deserves to be read by as wide an audience as possible.”—Daniel Handler, Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Neal Shusterman, and Susanna Reich, judges for the 2012 PEN/Phyllis Naylor fellowship

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Book SynopsisJacqueline Wilson (Author) Jacqueline Wilson wrote her first novel when she was nine years old, and she has been writing ever since. She is now one of Britain's bestselling and most beloved children's authors. She has written over 100 books and is the creator of characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather. More than forty million copies of her books have been sold.As well as winning many awards for her books, including the Children's Book of the Year, Jacqueline is a former Children's Laureate, and in 2008 she was appointed a Dame.Jacqueline is also a great reader, and has amassed over 20,000 books, along with her famous collection of silver rings.Find out more about Jacqueline and her books at www.jacquelinewilson.co.ukSue Heap (Illustrator) Sue Heap is a children's picture book illustrator and story writer. She has worked in collaboration with a number of writers including Sally Lloyd-Jones. Sue and Sally Trade ReviewWilson's comic exploration of the twin-world shows the desire to separate fighting a powerful genetic magnetism. In a clever touch, each narrator is given a different illustrator * Independent on Sunday *A book of the highest quality. It will be very, very popular too. Hurrah! * Mail on Sunday *Hilarious tale which contains dark notes that ring very true * The Times *An exuberant story . . . The ingenious split narrative, inventive page design and lots of incidental pictures make this book irresistible * Guardian *Jacqueline Wilson has a rare gift for writing lightly and amusingly about emotional issues Bookseller * Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisA beautiful, lyrical, and achingly brilliant story about love, grief, and family. Henry''s writing will leave you breathless. —BuzzFeedRomeo and Juliet meets One Hundred Years of Solitude in Emily Henry''s brilliant follow-up to The Love That Split the World, about the daughter and son of two long-feuding families who fall in love while trying to uncover the truth about the strange magic and harrowing curse that has plagued their bloodlines for generations.    In their hometown of Five Fingers, Michigan, the O''Donnells and the Angerts have mythic legacies. But for all the tall tales they weave, both founding families are tight-lipped about what caused the century-old rift between them, except to say it began with a cherry tree.   Eighteen-year-old Jack “June” O’Donnell doesn''t need a better reason than that. She''s an O''Donnell to her core, just like her late father was, and O''Donnells stay away from Angerts. Period.   But when Saul Angert, the son of June''s father''s mortal enemy, returns to town after three mysterious years away, June can''t seem to avoid him. Soon the unthinkable happens: She finds she doesn''t exactly hate the gruff, sarcastic boy she was born to loathe.    Saul’s arrival sparks a chain reaction, and as the magic, ghosts, and coywolves of Five Fingers conspire to reveal the truth about the dark moment that started the feud, June must question everything she knows about her family and the father she adored. And she must decide whether it''s finally time for her—and all of the O''Donnells before her—to let go.

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Book SynopsisTHE #1 NEW YORK TIMES AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERFeaturing cover art from the Netflix original series executive produced by Selena Gomez! ?Eerie, beautiful, and devastating.? ?Chicago Tribune ?A stealthy hit with staying power. . . . thriller-like pacing.??The New York Times ?Thirteen Reasons Why will leave you with chills long after you have finished reading.? ?Amber Gibson, NPR?s ?All Things Considered? You can?t stop the future. You can?t rewind the past. The only way to learn the secret . . . is to press play.Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker?his classmate and crush?who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah''s voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he''ll find out why. Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah''s pain, and as he follows Hannah?s recorded words throughout his town, what he discovers changes his life forever.Need to talk? Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)anytime if you are in the United States. It?s free and confidential.Find more resources at 13reasonswhy.info.Find out how you can help someone in crisis at bethe1to.com.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for We Are OkayOne of TIME MAGAZINE’s 100 Best YA Books of All Time"A brief but powerfully affecting meditation on loneliness and grief." —TIME“A meditation on surviving grief, We Are Okay is short, poetic and gorgeously written…. The power in this little book is in seeing Marin come out on the other side of loss, able to appreciate a beautiful yellow-glazed pottery bowl and other people’s kindnesses, and to understand that she might one day have a girlfriend and a future. The world LaCour creates is fragile but profoundly humane.” —The New York Times Book Review“A beautiful, devastating piece of art. . . .The title hints at a happy ending, but the journey toward it passes through some of the darkest corners of the heart. Be prepared to be gutted—and grateful. We Are Okay is an extraordinary work by an author who keeps redefining and elevating her genre." —Bookpage“Nina LaCour treats her emotions so beautifully and with such empathy. Of course, we'd expect nothing less from the stunning LaCour.” —Bustle★ “Exquisite.” —Kirkus, starred review★ “LaCour paints a captivating depiction of loss, bewilderment, and emotional paralysis . . . raw and beautiful.” —Booklist, starred review★ “Beautifully crafted . . . . A quietly moving, potent novel.” —School Library Journal, starred review★ “A moving portrait of a girl struggling to rebound after everything she’s known has been thrown into disarray.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review★"Bittersweet and hopeful . . . poetic and skillfully crafted." —Shelf Awareness, starred review“So lonely and beautiful that I could hardly breathe. This is a perfect book.” —Stephanie Perkins, bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss“As beautiful as the best memories, as sad as the best songs, as hopeful as your best dreams.”—Siobhan Vivian, bestselling author of The Last Boy and Girl in the World“You can feel every peak and valley of Marin’s emotional journey on your skin, in your gut. Beautifully written, heartfelt, and deeply real.” —Adi Alsaid, author of Never Always Sometimes and Let’s Get LostMORE PRAISE FOR NINA LACOURHold Still:YALSA Best Books for Young Adults (2010); 2010 William C. Morris Honor Book ★ “LaCour makes an impressive debut with an emotionally charged young adult novel about friendship and loss.” — Publishers Weekly“LaCour strikes a new path through a familiar story, leading readers with her confident writing and savvy sense of prose.” — Kirkus “The book is written with honesty, revealing one's pain after the loss of a loved one.” — SLJThe Disenchantments:YALSA Best Books for Young Adults (2013); Kirkus Best Teen Book of 2012; A Publishers Weekly Best Summer Book ★ "This is about the inside and outside of characters, the past and future of their lives--and it is astonishing." —Booklist "Quietly compelling . . . well rendered, bittersweet and hopeful." —Los Angeles Times ★ "A rich tapestry that will make readers confident that they are in the hands of a master storyteller. . . . . Hauntingly beautiful." —Kirkus★ "LaCour skillfully draws connections between art and life as she delves into the heart of her characters." —Publishers Weekly★"Bittersweet and hopeful . . . poetic and skillfully crafted." —Shelf Awareness ★ "LaCour's writing style is laid-back, low key, and totally on point." —VOYAEverything Leads to You:★ "Underneath the privilege surges real pain, longing, and feeling in a way that makes it easy to imagine this novel as a film." — Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisThe award-winning, genre-defining debut from John Green, the #1 international bestselling author of Turtles All the Way Down and The Fault in Our StarsWinner of the Michael L. Printz Award • A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist • A New York Times Bestseller • A USA Today Bestseller • NPR’s Top Ten Best-Ever Teen Novels • TIME magazine’s 100 Best Young Adult Novels of All Time • A PBS Great American Read Selection • Millions of copies sold! First drink. First prank. First friend. First love.Last words.  Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words—and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet François Rabelais called “The Great Perhaps.” Much awai

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Book SynopsisFriendship and magical realism sparkle on the page in this heartwarming, delightfully eccentric illustrated middle-grade gem from an extraordinary new literary voice. Perfect for fans of A Snicker of Magic and The Penderwicks.Alberto lives alone in the town of Allora, where fish fly out of the sea and the houses shine like jewels. He is a coffin maker and widower, spending his quiet days creating the final resting places of Allora's people.Then one afternoon a magical bird flutters into his garden, and Alberto, lonely inside, welcomes it into his home. And when a kindhearted boy named Tito follows the bird into Alberto's kitchen, a door in the old man's heart cracks open. Tito is lonely too--but he's also scared and searching for a place to hide. Fleeing from danger, he just wants to feel safe for once in his life. Can the boy and the old man learn the power of friendship and escape the shadows of their pasts?With a tender bond that calls to mind The Girl Who Drank the Moon, charming characters reminiscent of The Penderwicks, and the whimsy of A Snicker of Magic, this is a novel to curl up with, an extraordinary work of magical realism that makes the world feel like a warmer and happier place. Complete with dazzling interior illustrations, a gem from start to finish.Praise for The Boy, the Bird & the Coffin Maker:A beautifully written debut about recovering from grief and finding hope through an unlikely friendship. The writing itself is a gorgeous lyrical prose laced with magical realism, like a Gabriel García Márquez story for young readers. --BookTrust★ Woods has penned a gentle fable, one rich in hope that promotes the strength of kindness. Her magical realism nods to the like of Isabel Allende and Gabriel García Márquez, perfectly tailoring the genre for a middle-grade audience. Anuska Allepuz's whimsical illustrations add to the magical feel. Sweet, earnest and not to be missed. --Shelf Awareness, STARRED REVIEW★ Elegantly told from start to finish and enhanced by Allepuz's evocative images and decorations, debut author Woods has created a fairy tale that will linger with readers. --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW★ This uplifting book will enthrallreaders, enveloping them in its gentle charm. --Booklist, STARRED REVIEWAwash in magical realism, this is a gentle tale of two hearts, broken by a sometimes harsh world, who find solace, comfort, healing and safety in a new family. . . . A warm-hearted, beautifully told tale. --School Library ConnectionA lyrical and melancholy tale [filled with] atmospheric writing. --School Library JournalA quietly triumphant tale. --Kirkus ReviewsA gently compelling hybrid of intrigue and enchantment . . . filled with the redeeming magic of love and life. --VOYA

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Book SynopsisA heartrending coming-of-age tale set in the South, perfect for fans of Bridge to Terabithia and Counting By 7s. Now in paperback.Eleven-year-old Riley believes in the Whispers, magical wood creatures that will grant you wishes if you leave them tributes. Riley has a lot of wishes. He wishes bullies at school would stop picking on him. He wishes Dylan, his 8th grade crush, liked him, and Riley wishes he would stop wetting the bed. But most of all, Riley wishes for his mom to come back home. She disappeared a few months ago and Riley is determined to find her. So he goes on a camping trip with his friend Gary to look for the Whispers and ask them to bring his mom back home. But Riley doesn''t realize the trip will shake the foundation of everything that he believes in for forever.Trade ReviewPraise for The Whispers:A 2022 Garden State Book Award NomineeA 2020 Edgar Award Nominee A 2020 Wisconsin State Just One More Page List Pick“This taut, moving tale delves beyond loss into issues of sexuality, conformity and self-acceptance…a masterful exploration into the power of storytelling but also its dangers, including self-denial and escapism.” —The New York Times Book Review“With sensitivity and skill, Howard handles themes of sexual identity, self-worth, loss and friendship.” —The Washington Post"Howard’s personal story helps create a fictional narrative both realistic and relevant, while also calling on the fantastical magic of the imagination…. A tale of family, friendship and loss, filled with magic and heart." —Associated Press"A dreamy novel recalling Bridge to Terabithia." —Entertainment Weekly"A heartbreaking, beguiling debut… This poignant journey through the badlands of grief is crammed with tenderness, wit and warmth." —The Guardian★ "This is a story of a boy coming to grips with heartbreak and trying to understand why he is the way he is, who must learn to discern what is real, and who discovers redemption." —School Library Connection, starred review"A beautiful, heart-expanding journey into the wilds of grief and back out again. This gorgeous book will give readers’ hearts a hug that’s filled with hope and possibility."—Donna Gephart, author of In Your Shoes and Lily and Dunkin"A moving, thoughtful examination of trauma, grief, and the power of imagination." —Teen Librarian Toolbox"A beautiful, heartfelt book about love and loss and friendship. It feels real and true and resonant. Bravo, Greg Howard!" —Dan Gemeinhart, author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise "The Whispers needs to be on every reading list of kids who loved Bridge to Terabithia and Counting by 7s." —B&N Kids Blog"A realistic tale of coming to terms and coming-of-age, of friendship and loss, with a touch of magic and humor."—Kirkus Reviews"We’re predicting this emotional story will be an award winner." —Parents Magazine "A touching story of grief and healing." —Booklist "This touching, often wry novel offers a memorable psychological puzzle and explores grief and acceptance." —Publishers Weekly "[Riley’s] a thoroughly sympathetic [narrator], and it’s easy to root for his eventual understanding of the truth—and of his own blamelessness." —The Horn Book Magazine "An inspired and sensitive portrait of childhood traumatic grief." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books"Riley’s voice is so wise and funny and compelling that readers—especially but not exclusively young ones—will gladly follow him on the kind of harrowing, hilarious journey that shows us we can survive the heartbreak and the beauty the world has in store for us." —Sam J. Miller, author of The Art of Starving and Blackfish City "A thrill ride to the soul. Gorgeously written, full of depth and wit." —James Brandon, author of Ziggy, Stardust and Me

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Book SynopsisPart poignant cancer memoir and part humorous reflection on a motherless life, this debut graphic novel is extraordinarily comforting and engaging.From before her mother's first oncology appointment through the stages of her cancer to the funeral, sitting shiva, and afterward, when she must try to make sense of her life as a motherless daughter, Tyler Feder tells her story in this graphic novel that is full of piercing--but also often funny--details. She shares the important post-death firsts, such as celebrating holidays without her mom, the utter despair of cleaning out her mom's closet, ending old traditions and starting new ones, and the sting of having the I've got to tell Mom about this instinct and not being able to act on it. This memoir, bracingly candid and sweetly humorous, is for anyone struggling with loss who just wants someone to get it.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“I haven’t been so dazzled by a YA in ages. . . . Biz’s voice is wild and rollicking, lyrical and hilarious, utterly authentic . . . There isn’t a false note.” —Jandy Nelson, author of I’ll Give You the Sun (via School Library Journal)"[How It Feels to Float] explores intergenerational mental illness in a way that is nothing short of exquisite." —PopSugar"A profoundly moving story about grief, loss, and love that will take your breath away. Helena Fox is a writer to be reckoned with." —Kathleen Glasgow, author of Girl in Pieces"If you've read Anna Borges's story for The Outline "I Am Not Always Very Attached To Being Alive," you are perhaps already acquainted with the idea of "treading to stay afloat" when living with mental illness. In How It Feels To Float, author Helena Fox tells the story of a young woman floating through life, struggling to hide her dark thoughts and a past marked by intergenerational mental illness. —Bustle“How It Feels to Float is technically a YA novel, but I'm not talking Twilight YA. I'm talking give-this-to-all-your-twenty-something-friends-immediately YA. This book will relate to anyone that's lived through the confusing mind-f*ck that is being a high school girl. More than that, it tackles mental health, depression, sexual identity, and anxiety with beauty and empathy as protagonist Biz comes to terms with the death of her father amid a devastating social fall-out.” —Cosmopolitan.com"Beautifully written, Biz's story (of dark thoughts, grief and questioning her sexuality) is subtly revealed and immensely satisfying as she slowly unravels and puts herself together again." —Girls' Life"Teens who don’t want to be labeled, who don’t conform to checklists of attributes or fall into tidy boxes, will relate hard to this book about a girl who wants, very badly at times, to float away, but who ultimately finds herself . . . Full of life, resplendent with sensory details, lush descriptions, clever and witty narration, and a beating heart that will make yours swell with feeling.” —B&N Teen Blog★ “Lyrical and profoundly affecting, providing a nuanced account of the hereditary effects of trauma. Haunting.” —Kirkus (starred review)★ "Biz is smart, funny, and self-deprecating . . . [How It Feels to Float is] a masterful portrayal of mental illness that illuminates the complex interplay between emotional trauma and the mind’s subsequent recoil. And the writing is just beautiful." —Booklist (starred review)★ “Exquisite . . . Through lyrical first-person narration, Fox empathically conveys the hereditary nature of Biz’s illness, its disorienting manifestations, and the limitations and power of love to heal.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)★ “Fox writes with superb understanding and tenderness . . . The poignant depiction of depression is leavened by secondary characters who love Biz, ranging from Jasper’s photographer grandmother to Jasper himself and even to Biz’s doomed dad, who may have lost to his demons but who has a larky beauty that lights up the pages. . . . Ambiguity enhances the beautiful, unsteady shimmer of Biz’s story.” —BCCB (starred review)★ “This is a frank story of mental illness, loss, and sexual identity, and Fox responsibly concludes her story with information and support services for readers facing similar issues. How It Feels to Float is a beautifully crafted story of finding hope and love when both appear to be gone forever.” —BookPage (starred review)“A YA The Bell Jar with a ghostly twist, [and an] honest, nuanced portrayal of grief and life with mental illness. . . . A mesmerizing and timely debut.” —Bustle"Beautifully written and deeply moving . . . Just as much a story of hope and the power of love and friendship." —Common Sense Media“This book will explode you into atoms, put you back together, and return the new shape of you to earth. Alive with sensation and rich in thought and feeling, How it Feels to Float intensively explores what it’s like to be here now.” —Margo Lanagan, author of Tender Morsels"Impossibly beautiful, life-affirming, profound. This is not a book; it is a work of art." —Kerry Kletter, author of The First Time She Drowned “Every now and then you pick up a novel and you know you’ve found something wonderful—a glorious voice, a character you adore. Helena Fox’s novel delivers. It is exquisite. Read it.” —Cath Crowley, author of Words in Deep Blue"It is a testament to Helena Fox’s immense skill as a writer that all the disparate elements come together seamlessly in an intense, intimate portrait of a teenage girl. Like Biz in the darkroom, the author dodges and burns, keeping her characters moving, exposing them to the light." —The Saturday Paper"A perfect, surreal exploration of mental illness and grief. Fox’s writing is poetry, bringing the reader to the brink of Biz’s madness and back again as she finds new ways to make meaning, and new people to make it with. . . . How It Feels to Float is a visceral reading experience that captures the way in which many teens struggle with mental illness. It is a lesson in acceptance and understanding, and readers will be deeply moved." —Books+Publishing

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Book Synopsis“Will slip equally well into a pocket as a Christmas stocking.” – The Wall Street Journal, “What to Give,” holiday gift guide.Introducing Penguin Minis! #1 bestselling author John Green like you''ve never read him before. • Featured in the New York Times, The Washington Post, BBC''s The World, Real Simple, BuzzFeed, Bustle, and more!John Green''s critically acclaimed debut, Looking for Alaska, is now available as a Penguin Mini edition. Complete and unabridged, the book''s revolutionary landscape design and ultra-thin paper makes it easy to hold in one hand without sacrificing readability. Perfectly-sized to slip into a pocket or bag, Penguin Minis are ideal for reading on the go.About Looking for Alaska: Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award Los Angeles Times Book Prize FinalistA Great American Reads selectionA New York Trade ReviewAbout Penguin Minis:“The tiny editions are the size of a cellphone and no thicker than your thumb, with paper as thin as onion skin. They can be read with one hand — the text flows horizontally, and you can flip the pages upward, like swiping a smartphone…. It’s a bold experiment that, if successful, could reshape the publishing landscape and perhaps even change the way people read.” – The New York TimesAbout LOOKING FOR ALASKA:An ALA Best Book for Young Adults Top 10 An ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers A 2005 Booklist Editors’ Choice A Kirkus Best Book of 2005 A 2005 SLJ Best Book of the Year A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age "What sets this novel apart is the brilliant, insightful, suffering but enduring voice of Miles Halter." --Chicago Tribune "Funny, sad, inspiring, and always compelling." --Bookpage "Stunning conclusion . . . one worthy of a book this good." --Philadelphia Inquirer "The spirit of Holden Caulfield lives on." --Kliatt "What sings and soars in this gorgeously told tale is Green’s mastery of language and the sweet, rough edges of Pudge’s voice. Girls will cry and boys will find love, lust, loss and longing in Alaska’s vanilla-and-cigarettes scent." Kirkus, starred review "Miles’s narration is alive with sweet, self-deprecating humor, and his obvious struggle to tell the story truthfully adds to his believability. Like Phineas in John Knowles’s A Separate Peace, Green draws Alaska so lovingly, in self-loathing darkness as well as energetic light, that readers mourn her loss along with her friends." --SLJ, starred review "...Miles is a witty narrator who manages to be credible as the overlooked kid, but he's also an articulate spokesperson for the legions of teen searching for life meaning (his taste for famous last words is a believable and entertaining quirk), and the Colonel's smarts, clannish loyalties, and relentlessly methodological approach to problems make him a true original....There's a certain recursive fitness here, since this is exactly the kind of book that makes kids like Miles certain that boarding school will bring them their destiny, but perceptive readers may also realize that their own lives await the discovery of meaning even as they vicariously experience Miles' quest." --Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review "Readers will only hope that this is not the last word from this promising new author." --Publishers Weekly “John Green has written a powerful novel—one that plunges headlong into the labyrinth of life, love, and the mysteries of being human. This is a book that will touch your life, so don’t read it sitting down. Stand up, and take a step into the Great Perhaps.” —K.L. Going, author of Fat Kid Rules the World, a Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book

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Book SynopsisMatt wears a black suit every day. No, not because his mom died although she did, and it sucks. But he wears the suit for his gig at the local funeral home, which pays way better than the Cluck Bucket, and he needs the income since his dad can''t handle the bills (or anything, really) on his own. So while Dad''s snagging bottles of whiskey, Matt''s snagging fifteen bucks an hour. Not bad. But everything else? Not good. Then Matt meets Lovey. Crazy name, and she''s been through more crazy stuff than he can imagine. Yet Lovey never cries. She''s tough. Really tough. Tough in the way Matt wishes he could be. Which is maybe why he''s drawn to her, and definitely why he can''t seem to shake her. Because there''s nothing more hopeful than finding a person who understands your loneliness and who can maybe even help take it away.

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the critically acclaimed novel When Life Gives You Mangos comes a captivating journey of love, loss, and letters. Named a best book of the year by Waterstones!  When Brie was younger, her mama used to surprise her with treasure hunts around their island town. After she died three years ago, these became Brie’s favorite memories.Now, on her twelfth birthday, her mama has another surprise: a series of letters leading Brie on one last treasure hunt.The first letter guides Brie to a special place.The next urges her to unlock a secret.And the last letter will change life as she knows it.In this poignant coming-of-age story of new memories, surprises, and moments of healing, Kereen Getten beautifully captures the edge of adolescence, when everything is thrilling, amazing, and terrifying in a way it will never be again. ★ This delightful coming-of-age story details a transfo

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Book SynopsisA spellbinding tale of magical realism and superb, twisty retelling of The Secret Garden, where twelve-year-old Lottie’s colorful world turns suddenly gray when an unexpected accident claims her parents, and she is uprooted from her home to live with an eccentric uncle she never knew she had—on the border that separates the living and the dead.Lottie lives in Vivelle—the heart of a vibrant city where life exists in brilliant technicolor and nearly everyone has magic. And Lottie is no exception; she can paint pictures to life in every shade and hue imaginable. But at the sudden loss of her parents, all the color is stripped from Lottie’s heart and the world around her. Taken in by her reclusive, eccentric uncle, Lottie moves into Forsaken, his vast manor located in the gray wasteland between the Land of the Living and Ever After, the land of the dead.The discovery of a locked-up garden, a wise cardinal, a hidden boy, and a family who

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Book SynopsisA thoughtful exploration about finding oneself, learning to hope after loss, and recognizing the role that family, friends, and even strangers can play in the healing process if you are open and willing to share your experience with others.It has been two years since his mom’s death, and Jamison, his dad, and his younger sister seem to be coping, but they’ve been dealing with their loss separately and in different ways. When Jamison almost forgets the date of his mother's birthday, he worries that his memory of her is slipping away. To help make sense of the passing of time, he picks up his camera—the Nikon his mother gave to him.Jamison begins to take photos of ordinary people on the street, at the same time and place each night. As he focuses his lens on the random people who cross his path, Jamison begins to see the world in a deeper way. His endeavor turns into a school project, and then into something more. Along with his new outlook,

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Book SynopsisTan burbujeante como una copa de champán, la novela más reciente de la exitosa escritora Sarah Dessen es romántica, divertida y llena de puro placer!Louna ha pasado sus años de escuela secundaria trabajando en el exitoso negocio de planificación de bodas de su madre. Ha visto todo tipo de bodas: grandes y lujosas, pequeñas e íntimas, en el campo o en la playa. Ella se ha enfrentado a todas las crisis que pueden afectar a una boda, así como a las damas de honor que le roban el protagonismo a las novias, los novios controladores, madres de novias mandonas e incluso la ocasional novia que se escapa sin casarse. Su visión del amor, que no es algo eterno, se ha visto influenciada también por el cinismo de su madre, quedisfruta apostando por cuánto durará cada matrimonio. Y la propia experiencia de Louna la ha hecho desconfiar del amor: su feliz primer amor, visto ahora desde flashbacks

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Book SynopsisIn this searing indictment of the juvenile justice system, one teen in detention weighs what she is willing to endure for forgiveness.All it took was one night and one bad decision for fifteen-year-old Violetta Chen-Samuels’ life to go off the rails. After driving drunk and causing the accident that kills her little sister, Violetta is incarcerated. Under the juvenile justice system, her fate lies in the hands of those she’s wronged—her family. With their forgiveness, she could go home. But without it? Well . . .Denied their forgiveness, Violetta is now left with two options, neither good—remain in juvenile detention for an uncertain sentence or participate in the Trials. The Trials are no easy feat, but if she succeeds, she could regain both her freedom and what she wants most of all: her family’s love. In her quest to prove her remorse, Violetta is forced to confront not only her family’s grief, but her own&mda

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Book SynopsisSparks fly when Orion and Ray meet for the first time at a roller rink in Memphis. But these star-crossed souls have a past filled with secrets that threaten to tear them apart before their love story even begins. Found poetry, grief, and fate collide in this powerful debut.Ray: Just once I’d like my birthday to be about me, and not the day my father died. I want to be Ray Jr., the tall girl from Memphis with the poetry beats and the braids that stay poppin’. And when I meet Orion at the skating rink, that’s exactly who I am. He pulls my hand, and instead of being defined by my past, he races me toward my future.Orion: When I dive into the pool, it’s just me and my heartbeat. There’s no dad, no dead sister, and no distracting noises. But I can’t hold my breath forever. And since I met Ray, I don’t want to. The closer we get, though, the more I see I’m not the only one caught in her wake.With a

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Book SynopsisIn this lyrical and visually stunning picture book, a young mouse learns how to grieve and honor her best friendFlora the field mouse was a boldly whiskered lion-tamer! Although it wasn’t very hard to be bold and brave with her best friend Lion (a dandelion) by her side. But as the seasons change, Lion’s whiskers go from a bright yellow to shimmering silver, until one day, he scatters in the wind completely. Can Flora still be brave without Lion by her side?Trade Review"Halliday’s charming, free verse poetry is paced around Pixar-ish digital illustrations in both spots and spreads . . . this tale could be an ode to the changing seasons or a gentle introduction to grief; either way it will certainly encourage readers to snuggle up to sleep. Sweetly soothing." —Kirkus"The illustrations are done in a way that allows readers to follow along even without the text, as the emotions are conveyedthrough facial expressions and the use of color on each page. The passing of seasons is made clear in the images, and older -readers may noticeFlora processing through -varied stages of grief. The writing itself is sprinkled with just enough alliteration to feel fun to read without beingoverbearing. Halliday skillfully weaves together themes of friendship, aging, loss, and resilience, creating a narrative that is heartwarming and empowering." —School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisA beautiful and uplifting novel in verse about family, friendship, journeys that take us far from home and back again, renewed and more courageous from the three-time Coretta Scott King Honor winner of The Skin I'm In!James Henry used to be brave. He hasn't been the same since that fateful night at the lighthouse when his ma went searching for Dog. Now months later, he feels as small as the space between the numbers on a watch, nervous day and night, barely able to go outside. Even words have a hard time leaving his mouth. The only person he speaks to is Hattie, his courageous twin sister, who fiercely protects him, especially from bullies.James Henry wants nothing more than to be brave again. However, finding his voice will mean confronting the truth about what happened at the lighthouse-a step James Henry isn't sure he can take. Until a blue moon is forecast, and as Gran has said, everything is possible under a rare blue moon . . .* An evoca

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Book SynopsisIn this poignant mixed voice, mixed form collection of interconnected prose, poems and stories, teen characters, their families, and their communities grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst fear and loss, these New York City teens prevail with love, resilience and hope. From the award-winning author of Chlorine Sky and Vinyl Moon.[A] gorgeous, tender testament to the generation of young people who shouldered the pandemic.?--Brendan Kiely, award-winning and New York Times bestselling authorGrief, pain, hope, and love collide in this short story collection. In New York City, teens, their families, and their communities feel the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst the fear and loss, these teens and the adults around them persevere with love and hope while living in difficult circumstances: Malachi writes an Armageddon short story inspired by his pandemic reality. Tariq helps their ailing grandmother survive during quarantine. Zamira struggles with depression and loneliness after losing her parents. Mohamed tries to help keep his community spirit alive. A social worker reflects on the ways the foster system fails their children. From award-winning author Mahogany L. Browne comes a poignant collection of interconnected prose, poems, and lists about the humanity and resilience of New Yorkers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Book SynopsisOne teen's summer job scaring tourists with ghost stories takes a terrifying turn when he accidentally summons the spirit of a dead girl—and she has demands. . . . The award-winning author of Airborn delivers a roller-coaster ride of a story about the wakeful and wicked dead.Rebecca Strand was just sixteen when she and her father fell to their deaths from the top of the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse in 1839. Just how they fell—or were they pushed?—remains a mystery. And their ghosts haunt the lighthouse to this day. . . . Gabe tells this story every day when he gives the ghost tour on Toronto Island. He tries to make it scary enough to satisfy the tourists, but he doesn’t actually believe in ghosts—until he finds himself face to face with Rebecca Strand. The true story of her death is far more terrifying than any ghost tale Gabe has told. Rebecca reveals that her father was a member of t

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Book SynopsisOne teen's summer job scaring tourists with ghost stories takes a terrifying turn when he accidentally summons the spirit of a dead girl—and she has demands. . . . The award-winning author of Airborn delivers a roller-coaster ride of a story about the wakeful and wicked dead.Rebecca Strand was just sixteen when she and her father fell to their deaths from the top of the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse in 1839. Just how they fell—or were they pushed?—remains a mystery. And their ghosts haunt the lighthouse to this day. . . . Gabe tells this story every day when he gives the ghost tour on Toronto Island. He tries to make it scary enough to satisfy the tourists, but he doesn’t actually believe in ghosts—until he finds himself face to face with Rebecca Strand. The true story of her death is far more terrifying than any ghost tale Gabe has told. Rebecca reveals that her father was a member of t

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Book SynopsisIn this searing indictment of the juvenile justice system, one teen in detention weighs what she is willing to endure for forgiveness.All it took was one night and one bad decision for fifteen-year-old Violetta Chen-Samuels’ life to go off the rails. After driving drunk and causing the accident that kills her little sister, Violetta is incarcerated. Under the juvenile justice system, her fate lies in the hands of those she’s wronged—her family. With their forgiveness, she could go home. But without it? Well . . .Denied their forgiveness, Violetta is now left with two options, neither good—remain in juvenile detention for an uncertain sentence or participate in the Trials. The Trials are no easy feat, but if she succeeds, she could regain both her freedom and what she wants most of all: her family’s love. In her quest to prove her remorse, Violetta is forced to confront not only her family’s grief, but her own&mdaTrade ReviewPraise for Forgive Me Not: A 2023 New York Public Library Best Book for TeensA 2024 Texas TAYSHAS Reading List PickElectric Lit's Top 5 Novels of 2023Black Caucus American Library Association Best of the Best 2023 Pick! ★ “Though the justice system in the novel is clearly fiction, the parallels with our current system—especially Baker's depiction of the unequal way justice is applied—are unmistakable. A sharp indictment, Baker makes a powerful and passionate statement about real justice embedded in a well-constructed plot populated by vivid characters.” —Booklist, starred review“Jennifer Baker crafts a riveting, heartbreaking, and ultimately redemptive tale with nuanced characters that are perfectly flawed and relatable. Forgive Me Not is an astute social commentary on the juvenile justice system and a powerful reflection on who deserves second chances. A groundbreaking debut that will stay with the reader long after the story ends.” —Renée Watson, #1 New York Times bestselling author, The 1619 Project: Born on the Water“Unflinching and character-driven, Forgive Me Not confronts difficult questions about identity, family, and forgiveness. A potent reminder of the personal and societal harm caused by dehumanizing systems.” —Randy Ribay, National Book Award Finalist, Patron Saints of Nothing“Brilliant, bold, and deeply moving, Forgive Me Not shines a necessary and dignifying light on the young people trapped in a broken system of justice. This novel radiates with the redemptive power of love and forgiveness.” —Brendan Kiely, co-author of the New York Times bestselling All American Boys and The Other Talk “Eye-opening… draws parallels to the inequality of the justice system in the United States, particularly its treatment of Black people and people of color … An important addition to teen library collections.” —School Library Journal “Baker’s writing excels at showing rather than telling through vivid details.” —Kirkus Reviews“Through resonant alternating perspectives, debut author Baker empathetically examines the harsh treatment of Black youth in the justice system. Affecting depictions of addiction and reform contribute to the novel’s overarching interrogation of blame, guilt, and self-forgiveness.” —Publishers Weekly

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