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I’d like to think that history is not a moral judgment on the contemporary individual but a record of human choices and their consequences. As such, it is a guide. History shows us how to make different choices, how to recognize old patterns appearing in new guises.
When I started researching this book, I came across countless other invisible women, scientists whose achievements and contributions were overlooked, ignored, trivialized, or cannibalized by their male peers.
In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. Jessica Walker discusses The Secret Astronomers in this latest installment.
Storytelling helps teens reflect, translate their inner world into language, and hear themselves with clarity.
An engaging rendition of this must-have YA response to Casey McQuiston’s popular Red, White & Royal Blue.
Give this to fans of Marcus Sedgwick, Margaret Atwood’s “MaddAddam” trilogy, and The Last of Us television show and video game.
PREMIUM
The Light That Blinds Us
Good for readers who like Percy Jackson or fast-paced, action-packed fantasies.
PREMIUM
The Spiral Key
A great addition to the YA thrillers lineup, especially for school and public libraries.
A moving, page-turning portrait that will resonate with readers familiar with Plath’s battles with mental health. A sound addition to school libraries.
PREMIUM
The Fall of Iris Henley
A good addition to a teen or school library’s thriller collection, this can be handed to readers who like Joelle Charbonneau’s Need and Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra’s The Rumor Game.
A compelling look at an oft-forgotten era of queer history that will appeal to teens who crave descriptive historical fiction.
PREMIUM
The Boyfriend Launcher
A sweet introduction to the romance genre, ideal for readers who crave a happy ending.
PREMIUM
The Sun and the Starmaker
Readers looking for a stand-alone fantasy will find themselves immersed in an imaginative fairy tale of magic and romance.
PREMIUM
Until the Clock Strikes Midnight
An enchanting, magical twist on a classic fairy tale that deals with real-world issues in a fantasy setting, this is an excellent addition to shelves for lovers of cozy fantasy and diverse storytelling.
With its charming supernatural relationship in a fantasy academia setting, blended with humor, and the adventure and intensity of end-of-the-world stakes, this will appeal to fans of Harry Potter.
With complex yet relatable characters and an engaging plot, this is a fantastic edition to any young adult shelf, especially in libraries with avid fantasy readers.
PREMIUM
Paradise Coast
Perfect as either a beach read or stormy night mystery, this is a hit that will roll right off shelves.
This entertaining modern-day fairy tale reinvention will appeal to fans of cosplay and all things “nerd” related.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews the audiobook version of THE DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY'S GUIDE TO MURDER by Kate Emery
The story of Raymond Santana of the Exonerated Five is explored in this gripping graphic memoir.
A queer Romeo and Juliet, a memoir from a member of the Exonerated Five, pretend magic, and more!
PREMIUM
The Dragon and the Sun Lotus
An excellent and sometimes bittersweet conclusion to a sweeping story filled with romance, drama, and adventure.
Lullabies for the Insomniacs strings together the countless lonely sleepless nights I spent as a teenager, stranded in the turbulence of my mind and emotions.
Lullabies for the Insomniacs strings together the countless lonely sleepless nights I spent as a teenager, stranded in the turbulence of my mind and emotions.
Hopefully, we will choose to learn and grow from the mistakes we make in digital spaces . . . and to be kinder people in the future.
Readers deserve a chance to discover as many different stories as possible.
PREMIUM
Carnival Fantastico
Reminiscent of the dark whimsy and romance of Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, but for a younger audience, Montoya’s playful prose and lush world makes this a spellbinding experience.
PREMIUM
It Lurks in the Night
An excellent choice for readers of vampire myths and folklore looking for a creative and new take that centers Black Caribbean teen girls.
PREMIUM
Morbid Curiosities
An additional purchase where academic or science-themed fantasies circulate well.
PREMIUM
If All the Stars Go Dark
Both romance and science fiction readers will keep this book circulating.
PREMIUM
Julia and Romano
A book that would fit in with older collections but will feel out of place when stacked against other new and trending young adult novels.
PREMIUM
Tidespeaker
While it has an intriguing premise, problems with worldbuilding and character development often made this book difficult to read. An additional purchase where fantasy series involving magic are popular.
A modern take on a classic that will keep high school readers intrigued.
PREMIUM
Moonsick
While the pandemic theme may interest some readers, there are plenty of better quality teen novels featuring werewolves.
A transgender teen struggles with a self-portrait assignment in this introspective and meditative look at gender and identity originally published in the Netherlands.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews the new horror novel FINAL CUT by Olivia Worley
The author of the YA novel Not Today, Satan shares how a library story time with a favorite childhood author led to a book about the devil's daughter.
I wanted to bottle up all that magic from the past month by writing a book that might inspire other girls like me, while also channeling the fun and romance I’d experienced. And that was how my debut novel, You Had Me at Hello World, was born.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen talks about graphic medicine, a concept developed by librarian Matthew Noe that discusses using comics and graphic novels to talk about health and medicine
Whether they are returning home or going somewhere new for the holiday break, the promise of a magical Christmas romance awaits these teens.
PREMIUM
What We Did to Survive
Teens will easily devour this page-turner. Give it to fans of Mindy McGinnis, April Henry, and Sarah Beth Durst’s The Lake House.
PREMIUM
The Darkness Greeted Her
A chilling premise and strong character work weighed down by repetitive execution, this is a general purchase.
PREMIUM
Love Me Tomorrow
A fun read with a time-traveling twist for fans of Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
PREMIUM
Stolen Midnights
While this passion-filled romance and intriguing mystery falls short in immersing readers into magical world, its blend of romance, magic, and secrets will likely captivate those who enjoy character-driven YA fantasy with an element of forbidden love.
PREMIUM
Gaslit
For fans of books like Tiffany D. Jackson’s Allegedly or E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars, teens that like to wrestle with ethical questions while piecing together the parts of a twisty thriller will enjoy this.
PREMIUM
Love Goes Viral
A highly recommended and relevant addition to any YA collection, especially in a high school setting, due to its engaging romance and exploration of contemporary issues.
Stories about diverse teens dealing with all types of difficulties while having full, rich lives and romance are still rare finds. This, and all of Stoeve’s novels, will fill that empty space on shelves perfectly.
PREMIUM
Soul of a Gentleman Witch
Though overburdened with side plots and additional characters, this witchy LGBTQIA+ fantasy romance will appeal to fans of F.T. Lukens and Aiden Thomas. Recommended as an additional purchase.
A vivid, powerful fantasy brimming with dragons, betrayal, and destiny. A must-purchase for collections serving teens who enjoy Tomi Adeyemi, Sabaa Tahir, and Christopher Paolini.
The creators of The Legend of Zelda manga series are back with an epic tale of a half-human, half-dragon boy trying to find his place in the world.
E. Lockhart talks with SLJ about her favorite character in the We Were Liars universe, the gift of writing for young adults, and coming up with shocking plot twists.
In the spirit of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, Teen Librarian Karen Jensen shares a review of THIS IS WHERE WE DIE by Cindy R.X. He
A highly recommended cozy read. Hand this one to fans of Aiden Thomas and Becky Albertalli.
PREMIUM
Dead Fake: A Bleak Haven Novel
Modern and relatable, this series opener will delight horror and suspense readers.
Readers who love Holly Jackson, Karen McManus, and E. Lockhart will find this book difficult to put down.
PREMIUM
Freddie and Stella Got Hot
A propulsive, entertaining read about wealthy teenagers behaving badly and trying to survive high school and friendships.
A must-purchase for any high school library’s YA romance collection; this book will resonate with many readers, particularly fans of Quindlen and those struggling with their identity.
A strikingly unique and deeply intimate ruminative journey through a teen’s innermost feelings.
PREMIUM
Room to Breathe
Fans of Jenny Han and S. K. Ali’s smart, thinking heroines will enjoy Indy’s love story.
PREMIUM
There’s Always Next Year
Librarians would be wise to add this novel to their collection, not only for its representation of people with so many beautiful differences, but because it’s a fun, angsty, poignant, and yet fast-paced story that will speak directly to all teens.
PREMIUM
The Roommate Arrangement
A first purchase. This is similar to other rom-coms that readers can’t get enough of.
PREMIUM
I Don’t Wish You Well
A well-constructed thriller for mature teens that will keep readers guessing.
PREMIUM
A Forgery of Fate
With its enchanting take on “Beauty and the Beast,” Lim’s (Her Radiant Curse) latest is recommended where fantasy and immersive folklore are popular.
PREMIUM
Among Ghosts
An audiobook that blends unique storytelling with an exceptional vocal performance. This is a recommended choice where Hartman’s books are popular. Watt adds depth to each character, crafting a performance that has earned well-deserved critical praise and listener admiration.
PREMIUM
Come As You Are
Adler’s (Going Bicoastal) coming-of-age romance features strong themes of self-discovery, strength, and forgiveness. This audio will speak to those on the cusp of significant change, making it a strong choice for any YA audio collection.
PREMIUM
The Girl in the Love Song
This book will appeal to upper high school and new adult readers seeking an engaging romance that is as sweet as it is steamy.
PREMIUM
Tempest
A cunning fantasy against lush settings, with the added bonus of a strong Black lead carrying the story through the rich diversity of New Orleans.
PREMIUM
Better Catch Up, Krishna Kumar
This vibrant rom-com belongs on library shelves where Sandhya Menon and Becky Albertalli are popular.
A fun, easy read that blends fashion, travel, and first love into a charming queer romance. Recommended for middle and high school collections, especially for contemporary romance fans.
PREMIUM
The Free Verse Society
Readers drawn to this story because of their own secrets might be better served by the more compelling and realistic narrative in Alice Oseman’s Radio Silence.
PREMIUM
Limelight
Fans of Malinda Lo’s Late Night at the Telegraph Club and John Green and David Levithan’s Will Grayson, Will Grayson will enjoy this novel about theater, drag, and coming to terms with one’s identity.
Both an eerie ghost story and a moving exploration of identity, history, and belonging, this is a powerful YA thriller.
A beautiful example of Black joy and the gift of neurodiversity, this book deserves its place in library collections everywhere.
Teen Librarian Cindy Shutts shares a Video Games in Real Life program
14 quick reviews of new books.
In 1838, sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimké were the best-known, most hated women in the United States. My book tells why.
PREMIUM
Beyond Seven Forests
For fans of Libba Bray and Ruta Sepetys, this is a well-written, suspenseful story, which would be a great addition to YA sections.
PREMIUM
Twin Tides
Readers who enjoyed Trang Thanh Tran’s They Bloom at Night and Ryan Douglass’s The Taking of Jake Livingston will find this story endearing amid its bleak, surreal backdrop.
A wild, addictive ride that sinks its teeth in from the first page and doesn’t let go. Fans of Twilight and Maggie Stiefvater’s “The Wolves of Mercy Falls” will devour this story of identity, danger, and belonging.
PREMIUM
Wish You Were Her
A delightful story that shows readers the value in following their passion.
PREMIUM
16 Forever
With an engaging premise; relatable high school setting; and complex, heartbreaking romantic subplot exploring memory, secrecy, and pain, this book is a strong purchase. Place it in fiction, sci-fi/fantasy, or romance sections.
PREMIUM
The Uninvited
For a more compelling reluctant vampire, turn to M. T. Anderson’s Thirsty, or for an issue-driven narrative cloaked in vampirism, try Margie Fuston’s Vampires, Hearts & Other Dead Things.
PREMIUM
A Fate So Cold
An engaging, if sometimes predictable, interpretation of the Chosen One archetype and its related tropes.
A thoughtful, character-driven exploration of family pressure, resilience, and the lure of gang culture. A strong addition to collections seeking diverse contemporary YA fiction.
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