Book Awards, Editorial Reviews & More!
Book Awards, Editorial Reviews & More!
Though they live far away from each other, there is much that Rhiannon and James have in common. They are both teens that live a life secluded from society, both are being raised by relatives that are not their parents, and both of them are unable to recall a vast portion of their childhood. Oh, […]
A fast-paced junior sleuth novel that is perfect for mystery lovers of any age. A spot in the limelight has never been on Simone LaFray’s bucket list, but after the success at the Chocolatiers’ Ball she handles her newfound notoriety in stride. With a mind like an advanced computer processor and a similarly mechanical set
A gracefully written novel that effectively integrates imaginative mythology. In a small village where everyone knows everyone, a distinct change in personality is sure to be noticed. And, unfortunately for Ts’ellbah, it might even be viewed as a threat. Ts’ellbah had long been known as a lively young woman that is wild and energetic, regularly
Possibly the sweetest coming-of-age novel ever penned. High school is almost over and Honey Blackwell couldn’t be more prepared for her promising future. Honey’s parents’ alma mater, Texas A&M, has accepted her, her career is already guaranteed, and she has a long-term boyfriend with plans for a family. Honey only has to walk in the
Have you ever had one of those days where everything seems to go wrong? In Spark, Becky and her friends have a series of days far worse than any rough day that you’re picturing in your mind. In this near-future thriller, Canadians Becky and Meghan are looking forward to meeting up with a couple of
A frightfully fun young adult horror adventure. Sometimes it can be difficult to embrace the peculiarities that make us unique. This is especially true for high-schooler Kali. Internally, she represents many young girls, juggling feelings of inadequacies and teen angst. On the outside, however, she couldn’t be more different from her peers. Derisively called the
Slightly outlandish but totally delicious. Move over Sun, Carissa Hayward may be the new center of the solar system. At least, that’s what it feels like for anybody caught up in her orbit. For Brad, popular Carissa burns a hole in his heart when she dumps him just before senior year. Positive that he can
Hugely ambitious and wildly successful. Little boys often dream big. Some want to become an astronaut, a professional athlete, or even President. For Johan Finley, his boyhood dream has never wavered; he wants to be a hero to the people of Articus. Specifically, Johan has his heart set on passing the grueling final exam to
An excellent choice for anyone that enjoys dystopian fiction. Fifteen-year-old Nestor Hardy, having grown up in an isolated countryside ranch with his aunt, has only experienced the outside world through second-hand stories. When his aunt dies, Nestor determines to make the arduous trek to the city so that he can find a doctor that can
A novel you’ll devour in a single sitting. When you’re a sixteen-year-old girl with major, life-altering OCD, you tend to get really good at steering clear of challenging situations. For Cassandra Morai, traveling through an intersection or meeting a new neighbor ranks fairly high on the list of difficult problems. A discerning friend with a
Full of vivid scenes and relatable characters. Moving to a different state can be a traumatic experience. Especially for a thirteen year old. Jack has to make all new friends, navigate a new school, and ultimately figure out where he fits in. At least he has his dad, who is as much a close friend
One of the best novels of the year for young adult readers. The mood is changing in the city of Volara. It’s tough to put a finger on it, but it must have to do with the looming war. In precisely six weeks, war ships from Mara will arrive and try to finish what they
A spirited horror story that young adult audiences will devour. Four teens living in a post-apocalyptic setting deal with challenges within their group while trying to survive the fearsome threats outside. The world that Kieran, Emily, Andrew and Carissa find themselves in is a place where zombie-like creatures, called Feasters, roam the streets looking to
A heartfelt story that couldn’t be more timely. Wolfgang and his older brother have never had things easy. With a disinterested father and an absent mother, they’ve only ever had each other to rely on. As COVID-19 lights the globe on fire, the disease takes no mercy on the Thomas family. The father dies at
Jonas Tamm is a Civil War veteran living in the untamed West. Preferring to spend his days tending to the family orchard, he is pulled away to do a little policing when the need arises, and in the wild west, there are a lot of times he has to saddle up and enforce the law.
Overflows with the raw intensity of the human spirit. “When all that’s left are ashes and hollow apologies.” This dramatic tagline appropriately captures the inner turmoil that 16-year-old Tessa is currently enduring. Responsible for a ravaging forest fire that devastated the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of local residents, Tessa narrowly escapes a prison sentence.
Endearing and authentic characters. Hart Island is no place for the faint of heart. The cemetery island’s local claim to fame is an eccentric undertaker with a flair for the dramatic. Bent on his own brand of mental self-torture, the so-called Mortuary Man knows little about the living with the living, content to finish out
An enlightening piece of historical fiction based on the lives of some authentic early Americans. It is the dawn of the eighteenth century in what would eventually become the United States of America when 16-year-old Elias Sawyer and his father are ambushed and kidnapped. Stolen from their family, their sawmilling business and their Protestant traditions,
At seventeen, Michael Daniels dreams of life as a professional skateboarder. Gliding down the bustling streets of New Manhattan, Michael can almost forget about the shambles that is his life. He recently buried his mother, his beloved sister is over a thousand miles away visiting relatives, and his abusive father is more monster than human.
My favorite Fanning book so far. Some people seem to live a charmed, privileged life with endless opportunities and a bright future. Nat Reams lives in a big house in a fancy neighborhood. His athletic talent is enough to make a career of, or at least earn a college scholarship. But his apparent advantages end
Children of Little Might begins as a drama about an autistic boy named Montague that is dealing with a host of issues. As if trying to communicate with adults that don’t understand him and dealing with school bullies weren’t enough, Monty is still grieving the death of his father. However, what begins as a typical
A futuristic dystopian page-turner with layer after layer of complexity. Not everybody wants to stand out. Certainly not perpetual outsider Jet Stroud, with his unmistakable neon glowing eyes. Hoping for a break from the scornful glances and conspicuous whispers, Jet heads off to the dazzling Skylight University. A shining gem in the cosmos, Skylight is
Perfect for everybody who has ever experienced the peaks and valleys of the teen years. With middle school in the rear-view mirror, Nicole has just one thing one her mind. Popularity. Although she has an older brother who could coach her on the specifics of high-school politics, Nicole is forging her own path, even if
A brilliantly executed prequel. Obsessed. Infatuated. Fixated. Dantess is a young man full of promise, but consumed by the idea of becoming a powerful priest of War. His grandfather made a name for the Tiernocke family serving as a fearsome priest of War, but for reasons unspoken, Dantess’s father is completely against the idea. Perhaps
