Children’s / Teenage: Personal and social topics

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Book SynopsisWhen fourteen-year-old Anthony Ant Jones from the ghetto of East Cleveland, Ohio, gets a scholarship to a prep school in Maine, he finds that he must change his image and adapt to a world that never fully accepts him, but when he goes home he discovers that he no longer truly belongs there either.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“This arresting, heartbreaking, and meditative novel examines the desperation of anxiety and shows how, though difficult, gaining control of one’s life can lead both to living one’s best life and living life the best one can.” — Booklist (starred review) “At seventeen, Ocean is severely depressed, and she’s taking a gap year in New York City while her mom believes she’s attending university. . . . With gutting clarity, the prose depicts the surrealness and pain of living with derealization and suicidal ideation. . . . Zhang’s realistic portrayal of mental illness does not include external support such as seeking therapy, but it could be a great part of a display with additional resources on mental health and abusive relationships. Hand this to anyone trying their best wobbling through the precarious and precious parts of life.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) “A 17-year-old girl struggles through emotional and philosophical quandaries in New York City. . . . As Ocean is drawn closer to Constant, her own thoughts on life, reality, dying, the self, and language clash with his, creating an intriguing dynamic and a twist on the typical romance arc. Ocean’s original narration and worldview are immersive and sympathetic . . . A satisfying story arc exploring relationships with the self and others.” — Kirkus Reviews “Ocean has been wrestling with depression and suicidal ideation while balancing her Chinese immigrant mother’s high expectations with finding her own place in the world. . . . Employing leisurely pacing, Zhang meaningfully develops the characters’ dynamic relationships and intersecting paths toward adulthood, and Ocean and Constant’s poetic conversations and introspective ruminations provide plenty of fodder for philosophical discussion long after readers put down this reflective, romantic novel.” — Publishers Weekly “Mental health, fragile relationships, and life struggles in NYC all come together in this atmospheric novel. . . . As Ocean struggles financially, emotionally, and mentally, things spiral out of her control. . . . When she ends up in jail for a misdemeanor, Ocean will have to face the fact that she’s losing control of her own life.” — School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisAN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERA KIRKUS BEST BOOKA USA TODAY BESTSELLERA NATIONAL INDIE BESTSELLER“A bone-chilling standalone . . . which fuses Shirley Jackson’s gothic horror sensibilities with the warmth and dark whimsy of Neil Gaiman.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Gripping worldbuilding, well-rounded characters, and fantastic horror.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Unsettling and intriguing.”—Bulletin of the Center for Children''s Books (starred review)Everything casts a shadow. Even the world we live in. And as with every shadow, there is a place where it must touch. A seam, where the shadow meets its source.#1 New York Times-bestselling author V. E. Schwab weaves a dark and original tale about the place where the world meets its shadow, and the young woman beckoned by both sides. The Secret Garden meets Crimson Peak in this stand-alone novel perfect for readers of Holly Black and Neil Gaiman.Olivia Prior has grown up in Merilance School for Girls, and all she has of her past is her mother’s journal—which seems to unravel into madness. Then, a letter invites Olivia to come home to Gallant. Yet when Olivia arrives, no one is expecting her. But Olivia is not about to leave the first place that feels like home; it doesn’t matter if her cousin Matthew is hostile, or if she sees half-formed ghouls haunting the hallways.Olivia knows that Gallant is hiding secrets, and she is determined to uncover them. When she crosses a ruined wall at just the right moment, Olivia finds herself in a place that is Gallant—but not. The manor is crumbling, the ghouls are solid, and a mysterious figure rules over all. Now Olivia sees what has unraveled generations of her family, and where her father may have come from.Olivia has always wanted to belong somewhere, but will she take her place as a Prior, protecting our world against the Master of the House? Or will she take her place beside him?New York Times-bestselling author V. E. Schwab crafts a vivid and lush novel that grapples with the demons that are often locked behind closed doors. An eerie, stand-alone saga about life, death, and the young woman beckoned by both. Readers of Neil Gaiman, Holly Black, Melissa Albert, and Garth Nix will quickly lose themselves in this novel with crossover appeal for all ages.

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Book SynopsisLonglisted for the Green Earth Book Award For fans of The Invisible String and I Wish You More, this hopeful picture book follows a mother and son at bedtime as they dream of a better world by wishing for kindness, community, and helpfulness.  At bedtime, a child asks his mother what it is that she wishes for. She has many wishes—to respect nature and the earth, to give shelter to those in need, to lend a helping hand. No matter her wish, one thing is clear: there are lots of ways to show and encourage kindness. With gentle rhyme and lyricism, this loving read aloud delivers a comforting message about the role kindness plays in our everyday lives. It’s a gentle reminder that our wishes, when put into action, can help improve the world. Perfect for: – Parents, grandparents, and educators—this is a great conversation starter! – Gift givers in search of heartfelt and hopeful books about world peace – Readers who want to discuss the impactful ways children can help make the world a better place 'A lovely book; these messages will make children aware that simple acts can make a big difference for everyone.' —School Library Journal

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Book Synopsis 'This searing, raw, and honest account offers a window to those who want to empathize, and a mirror for those of us who may find ourselves in her shoes.' ―April Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Girl, StolenThis searing graphic memoir portrays the impact of gun violence through a fresh lens with urgency, humanity, and a very personal hope. Kindra Neely never expected it to happen to her. No one does. Sure, she’d sometimes been close to gun violence, like when the house down the street from her childhood home in Texas was targeted in a drive-by shooting. But now she lived in Oregon, where she spent her time swimming in rivers with friends or attending classes at the bucolic Umpqua Community College.   And then, one day, it happend: a mass shooting shattered her college campus. Over the span of a few minutes, on October 1, 2015, eight students and a professor lost their lives. And suddenly, Kindra became a survivor. This empathetic and ultimately hopeful graphic memoir recounts Kindra’s journey forward from those few minutes that changed everything.    It wasn’t easy. Every time Kindra took a step toward peace and wholeness, a new mass shooting devastated her again. Las Vegas. Parkland. She was hopeless at times, feeling as if no one was listening. Not even at the worldwide demonstration March for Our Lives.  But finally, Kindra learned that—for her—the path toward hope wound through art, helping others, and sharing her story.    

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Book Synopsis When a girl with a troubled history of finding dead bodies investigates the murder of her ex, she uncovers a plot to put herself—and everyone she loves—on the list of who's next.   Flora Calhoun has a reputation for sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. After stumbling upon a classmate's body years ago, the trauma of that discovery and the police's failure to find the killer has haunted her ever since. One night, she gets a midnight text from Ava McQueen, the beautiful girl who had ignited Flora's heart last summer, then never spoke to her again.   Just in time to witness Ava's death from a gunshot wound, Flora is set on a path of rage and vengeance for all the dead girls whose killer is never found. Her tunnel-visioned sleuthing leads to valuable clues about a shocking conspiracy involving her school and beyond, but also earns her sinister threats from the murderer.

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Book Synopsis With a fresh new look, this reissue of Matt Christopher's this beloved sports classic tells the story of an ordinary boy who loves his friends and teammates—and suddenly becomes a hero after a single afternoon turns his life upside down. ​Rob Lasher is just an ordinary soccer player, good at the game, but not great. Then one afternoon, he saves his coach's life in front of all his teammates. Suddenly, he's the team's hero. As some members of his team and the rest of the town continue to laud Rob's heroic act, Rob realizes he doesn't want the attention and any unearned accolades that come with it. Kids will learn that doing what is right should be the norm, not the exception. Rob Lasher may just be an average soccer player, but there's nothing he loves more than working together with his teammates. Sure, his soccer skills aren't anything special, but that's all right with him—Rob has never minded flying under the radar. But when he saves his coach's life during one fateful afternoon practice, Rob finds himself suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Now lauded as a hero and heralded as the savior of his team, Rob wants nothing more than for things to go back to normal. Because not everyone on the team is happy about Rob's newfound fame . . .  This classic story from beloved author Matt Christopher is sure to win over any young sports fan, all while teaching them what it means to be a good teammate, and what it means to be a true hero.

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Book SynopsisA New York Times Bestseller!Amal has big dreams, until a nightmarish encounter . . .Twelve-year-old Amal''s dream of becoming a teacher one day is dashed in an instant when she accidentally insults a member of her Pakistani village''s ruling family. As punishment for her behavior, she is forced to leave her heartbroken family behind and go work at their estate.Amal is distraught but has faced setbacks before. So she summons her courage and begins navigating the complex rules of life as a servant, with all its attendant jealousies and pecking-order woes. Most troubling, though, is Amal''s increasing awareness of the deadly measures the Khan family will go to in order to stay in control. It''s clear that their hold over her village will never loosen as long as everyone is too afraid to challenge them--so if Amal is to have any chance of ensuring her loved ones'' safety and winning back her freedom, she must find a way to work with the other servants to make it happen.Trade Review* “Saeed (Written in the Stars) infuses this true-to-life story of unjust power dynamics in a poor Pakistani village with a palpable sense of dread regarding the fate of the inquisitive, industrious, poetry-loving titular character. . . . Amal’s experience navigating an unfamiliar social hierarchy in the landlord’s lavish estate exposes her to pervasive gender inequities and unfair labor practices. . . . Saeed’s eloquent, suspenseful, eye-opening tale offers a window into the contemporary practice of indentured servitude and makes a compelling case for the power of girls’ education to transform systemic injustice.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review* “A Pakistani girl’s dreams of an education dissolve when she is forced into indentured servitude. . . . Amal narrates, her passion for learning, love for her family, and despair at her circumstance evoked with sympathy and clarity, as is the setting. Inspired by Malala Yousafzai and countless unknown girls like her, Saeed’s timely and stirring middle-grade debut is a celebration of resistance and justice.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review* “Saeed’s middle grade debut shares an empowering message about the importance of family, literacy, and cultural ties. The rich storytelling, nuanced characterization of an all-Pakistani cast, complex and layered look at the socioeconomics of the region, and richly described setting make this ultimately hopeful contemporary tale a good alternative to Gloria Whelan’s Homeless Bird and Patricia McCormick’s Sold. A strong choice for all middle grade shelves, especially where readers are seeking stories about young girls in non-Western countries overcoming adversity.”—School Library Journal, starred review* "This beautifully crafted and moving story will encourage middle grade readers to ponder such issues as indentured servitude, class, and resistance. Saeed’s well-developed narrative will evoke empathy for all those around the world like Amal, who are not guaranteed freedom or education. An inspired read for all, particularly for those who have followed Malala Yousafzai’s story or enjoyed Deborah Ellis’ The Breadwinner or Tara Sullivan’s The Bitter Side of Sweet."—School Library Connection, starred review“Readers will find that a little perseverance and a heart filled with hope can eventually surmount a harsh reality. Saeed fills her prose with lush descriptions of Pakistani life, while still managing to connect with readers whose surroundings and experiences will be starkly different. Hand to any reader who struggles with definitive gender roles, norms, and expectations held in place by societal structures.”—Booklist “This simple yet lyrical novel paints an evocative picture of life in a small village in modern-day Pakistan, especially the limits placed on girls and women. . . . It may serve as a read-alike or a gateway to stories such as Yousafzai’s autobiography, I Am Malala; The Lines We Cross by Randa Abdel-Fattah; and Saeed’s debut novel, Written in the Stars.”—The Voice of Youth Advocates“Amal’s narration is straightforward and direct, and her despair at losing her dreams is palpable, as is her unflagging determination to get them back. . . . There’s clear commentary on the marginalized lives of girls and women in Pakistan . . . and the fight for her education is already fraught even before she is taken from her home. An author’s note discusses the issues of indentured servitude, particularly among girls.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books“This heart-wrenching yet hopeful contemporary novel about class, gender, and literacy features a narrator who takes great risks in the name of justice and self-determination. . . . Short chapters and unadorned prose make the story accessible and direct, with Amal’s emotions, perspective, and strength anchoring the narrative. An author’s note asserts that Amal represents real women and girls who fight injustice across the globe, often without recognition.”—Horn Book

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Book SynopsisA gorgeous collector''s edition of the critically acclaimed debut novel by John Green, #1 bestselling author of Turtles All the Way Down and The Fault in Our StarsA perfect gift for every fan, this deluxe hardcover features a stunning special edition jacket and 50 pages of all-new exclusive content, including: - An introduction by John Green - Extensive Q&A: John Green answers readers’ most frequently asked questions - Deleted scenes from the original manuscript ★ Winner 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 SelectionNOW A HULU ORIGINAL SERIES!   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 Francois Rabelais called the Great Perhaps.” Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young, who will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps. Looking for Alaska brilliantly chronicles the indelible impact one life can have on another. A modern classic, this stunning debut marked #1 bestselling author John Green’s arrival as a groundbreaking new voice in contemporary fiction.Trade ReviewAn ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Top 10 • An ALA Quick Pick • A Booklist Editors’ Choice selection • A Kirkus Best Book of the Year • An SLJ Best Book of the Year • A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best • 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 “Looking For Alaska is a showcase to the raw talent John Green has, the kind of talent that can make you close the crisp last page of a novel and come out as a different person....A gem of modern literature." —Guardian ★ “What sings and soars in this gorgeously told tale is Green’s mastery of language and the sweet, rough edges of Pudge’s voice.” —Kirkus★ “Alive with sweet, self-deprecating humor.” —SLJ “Funny, sad, inspiring, and always compelling.” —Bookpage “The spirit of Holden Caulfield lives on.” —Kliatt “Stunning conclusion . . . one worthy of a book this good.” —Philadelphia Inquirer

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“A sometimes heartbreaking, always illuminating, glimpse into how it feels to live with mental illness.” – NPRA New York Times Notable Book • A New York Times Critics’ Top Book of the Year • An NPR Best Book of the Year • A TIME Best Book of the Year • A Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year • A Boston Globe Best Book of the Year • An Entertainment Weekly Best Book of the Year • A Seventeen Best Book of the Year • A Southern Living Best Book of the Year • A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year • A Booklist Editors' Choice Selection • A BookPage Best Book of the Year • An SLJ Best Book of the Year • An A.V. Club Best Book of the Year • A Bustle Best Book of the Year • A BuzzFeed Best Book of the Year • A Pop Sugar Best Book of the Year • A Vulture Best Book of the Year #1 New York Times Bestseller • #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller • #1 International BestsellerFeatured on 60 Minutes, Fresh Air, Studio 360, Good Morning America, The TODAY Show“A tender story about learning to cope when the world feels out of control.” —People“Green finds the language to describe the indescribable. . . . A must-read for those struggling with mental illness, or for their friends and family.” —San Francisco Chronicle“A powerful tale for teens (and adults) about anxiety, love and friendship.” —The Los Angeles Times“Wrenching and Revelatory.” —The New York Times“Tender, wise, and hopeful.” —The Wall Street Journal“A new modern classic.” —The Guardian“A thoughtful look at mental illness and a debilitating obsessive-compulsive disorder that doesn’t ask but makes you feel the constant struggles of its main character.’” —USA Today“Turtles delivers a lesson that we so desperately need right now: Yes, it is okay not to be okay…. John Green has crafted a dynamic novel that is deeply honest, sometimes painful, and always thoughtful.” —Mashable“Green does more than write about; he endeavours to write inside…. No matter where you are on the spiral—and we’re all somewhere—Green’s novel makes the trip, either up or down, a less solitary experience.” —The Globe and Mail“This novel is by far [Green’s] most difficult to read. It’s also his most astonishing. . . . So surprising and moving and true that I became completely unstrung. . . . One needn’t be suffering like Aza to identify with it. One need only be human.” —Jennifer Senior, The New York Times“Green’s most authentic and most ambitious work to date.” —Bustle“An existential teenage scream.” —Vox“Funny, clever, and populated with endearing characters.” —Entertainment Weekly“An incredibly powerful tale of the pain of mental illness, the pressures of youth, and coming of age when you feel like you’re coming undone.” —Shelf Awareness★ “A richly rewarding read…the most mature of Green’s work to date and deserving of all the accolades that are sure to come its way.” —Booklist★ “In an age where troubling events happen almost weekly, this deeply empathetic novel about learning to live with demons and love one’s imperfect self is timely and important.” —Publishers Weekly★ “A deeply resonant and powerful novel that will inform and enlighten readers even as it breaks their hearts. A must-buy.” —School Library Journal Praise for John Green- 50 million books in print worldwide - #1 New York Times Bestseller#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller#1 USA Today Bestseller#1 International Bestseller★ Michael L. Printz Award Winner★ Michael L. Printz Honor Winner★ Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist★ TIME 100 Most Influential People★ Forbes Celebrity 100★ NPR's 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels★ TIME Magazine's 100 Best Young Adult Books of All TimeCritical acclaim for The Fault in Our Stars: “Damn near genius . . . The Fault in Our Stars is a love story, one of the most genuine and moving ones in recent American fiction, but it’s also an existential tragedy of tremendous intelligence and courage and sadness.” —Lev Grossman, TIME Magazine “This is a book that breaks your heart—not by wearing it down, but by making it bigger until it bursts.” —The Atlantic “Remarkable . . . A pitch-perfect, elegiac comedy.” —USA Today“[Green’s] voice is so compulsively readable that it defies categorization. You will be thankful for the little infinity you spend inside this book.” —NPR.org“John Green deftly mixes the profound and the quotidian in this tough, touching valentine to the human spirit.” —The Washington Post “[Green] shows us true love—two teenagers helping and accepting each other through the most humiliating physical and emotional ordeals—and it is far more romantic than any sunset on the beach.” —New York Times Book Review

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Book SynopsisIn this Stonewall Honor book, a week-long amusement park road trip becomes a true roller coaster of emotion when Dalia realizes she has more-than-friend feelings for her new bestie.Dalia?s journey to self-discovery isrefreshingly honest, and this entire cast of characters will steal your heart.?? Maulik Pancholy, actor and Stonewall Honor-winning author of The Best At ItWould-be amusement park aficionado Dalia only has two items on her summer bucket list: (1) finally ride a roller coaster and (2) figure out how to make a new best friend. But when her dad suddenly announces that he''s engaged, Dalia''s schemes come to a screeching halt. With Dalia''s future stepsister Alexa heading back to college soon, the grown-ups want the girls to spend the last weeks of summer bonding--meaning Alexa has to cancel the amusement park road trip she''s been planning for months. Luckily Dalia comes up with a new plan: If she joins Alexa on her trip and brings Rani, the new girl from her swim team, along maybe she can have the perfect summer after all. But what starts out as a week of funnel cakes and Lazy River rides goes off the rails when Dalia discovers that Alexa''s girlfriend is joining the trip. And keeping Alexa''s secret makes Dalia realize one of her own: She might have more-than-friend feelings for Rani.Trade ReviewA 2022 Stonewall Honor Book“Almost Flying is a thrilling celebration of all the twists and turns, breathtaking jumps and heart-pounding falls of a first crush. Dalia’s journey to self-discovery is refreshingly honest, and this entire cast of characters will steal your heart. Every middle schooler will want to take this ride.” – Maulik Pancholy, actor and Stonewall Honor-winning author of The Best At It“Fierce and tender all at once, Almost Flying is a soaring roller coaster ride of a book that stole my breath with every heartwarming twist and each empowering turn.” –Ashley Herring Blake, Stonewall Honor-winning author of Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World“A story about the messiness of family, the confusion and awkwardness of a first crush, and the bonds that can only exist between older and younger queer teens. This charming debut had my heart soaring.” –Nicole Melleby, author of Hurricane Season and In the Role of Brie Hutchens…“A delightfully queer-positive and engrossing road trip story.” –Booklist“While this book contains many elements that are widely relatable, the storyline around exploring sexuality is especially resonant… A heartwarming, queer-affirming story.” –Kirkus

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Book SynopsisONE OF THIS SUMMER'S BUZZIEST YA READS--Entertainment WeeklyAN INSTANT INDIEBOUND BESTSELLER Gossip Girl meets One of Us Is Lying with a dash of The Secret History in this slick, taut murder mystery set against the backdrop of an exclusive prep school on Long Island.In Gold Coast, Long Island, everything from the expensive downtown shops to the manicured beaches, to the pressed uniforms of Jill Newman and her friends, looks perfect. But as Jill found out three years ago, nothing is as it seems. Freshman year Jill's best friend, the brilliant, dazzling Shaila Arnold, was killed by her boyfriend. After that dark night on the beach, Graham confessed, the case was closed, and Jill tried to move on. Now, it's Jill's senior year and she's determined to make it her best yet. After all, she's a senior and a Player--a member of Gold Coast Prep's exclusive, not-so-secret secret society. Senior Players

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Book SynopsisThe stunning new picture book by presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Christian RobinsonYou’re told that This won’t work,But how will you know If you never try?Presidential inaugural poet and #1 New York Times bestselling author Amanda Gorman and Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor winner Christian Robinson have created a timeless message of hope.Sometimes the world feels broken. And problems seem too big to fix. But somehow, we all have the power to make a difference. With a little faith, and maybe the help of a friend, together we can find beauty and create change.With intimate and inspiring text and powerfully stunning illustrations, Something, Someday reveals how even the smallest gesture can have a lasting impact.

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Book SynopsisWhen a girl overhears a guy getting verbally destroyed by his friends for being catfished, she jumps in to save the day—and pretends to be his online crush. A young adult romance from the critically acclaimed author of Places We've Never Been.Wren is used to being called a control freak. She doesn’t care; sticking to the list of rules she created for herself helps her navigate life. But when a cute guy named Asher walks through the door of her neighborhood coffee shop, the rulebook goes out the window.Asher is cute, charming . . . and being catfished by his online crush. So Wren makes an uncharacteristically impulsive decision—she pretends to be the girl he's waiting for to save him from embarrassment. Suddenly she’s fake-dating a boy she knows nothing about. And it’s . . . amazing.It's not long before Asher has her breaking even more of her own rules.  But will he forgive her when he finds out she's not who she s

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