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Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

10/28/2025

From the moment of his birth, the deck is stacked against young Damon Fields, who is destined to go through life known by the nickname Demon Copperhead: he is born to a single, teenage mom with sobriety issues living in a trailer in poverty-stricken rural Lee County, Virginia, deep in the hills of Appalachia among the tobacco farms and meth labs.
Although life is tough, hunger is real, and stepfathers are wicked, Demon finds friendship with a neighbor boy, Matthew Peggot, AKA Maggot, and Maggot’s large extended family who look out for Demon when they can.
Things go from bad to worse when Demon is shuttled from one horrible foster home to another, and after a football injury, he experiences first-hand the ravages of opioid addiction which tears through his community as well as his own life.

Grades 11+

This book is equal parts heartbreaking, humorous, and hopeful. Even though one terrible thing after another happens to Demon, he never gives in to despair, and he keeps on persevering as the world falls apart around him. In his own words, “Ain’t no hill for a climber.” This book is long and deals with some tough topics – but it is so, so worth the effort.

The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes

2/25/2025

Sixteen year old Ariana Ruiz is self-diagnosed as autistic and selectively mute, which means she only talks when she feels really comfortable around people. When a popular boy, Luis, befriends her, Ari is elated and goes to a party with him where they have sex.
Afterwards, Ari is not sure how she feels about what happened. She didn’t say no to the encounter, but she also didn’t say yes. When rumors start spreading about Ari and boys start hitting on her, she blame’s Luis’ ex, Shawni, for starting the gossip – but she also begins to realize that what happened to her was assault.
Later, Ari finds a note in her locker that says “Me too” which leads her to a group of exes and former friends who have all been hurt by Luis. They band together, determined to get revenge – but will their plans succeed?

Grades 9-12

This book has so much to say about consent, standing up for yourself, and finding your voice. Ariana is a unique, neurodivergent character, and it’s a joy to watch her connect with friends who accept and support her.

Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend by B. Hoang

8/27/2024

Gary Vo and his best friend Preston Truong are Vietnamese American teens who exist on the fringes of their mostly white high school, neither popular nor outcasts but just kind of invisible.
When Gary spots Gloria Buenrostro, the most beautiful and popular girl at his school, riding her bike in his neighborhood during the summer, he is compelled to follow her and find out what she's doing on the "poor" side of town -- which leads to them hanging out together.
Meanwhile. Gary and Preston are offered a shot at popularity and entrance into an elite club called the Roosters -- if Gary will steal something that Gloria treasures.
As the summer progresses, Gary and Gloria find out that they have more in common than they thought -- and Gary begins to wonder if his ticket to popularity is worth betraying Gloria's trust.

Grades 8-12

The friendship that develops between Gloria and Gary is tender and lovely, and the book deals with many relevant issues including culture, poverty, toxic masculinity, stereotyping, privilege, mental health, and insecurity. I found this book to be sweet, surprising, thoughtful, and just a little different than your average YA novel. Check it out!

Throwback by Maurene Goo

8/20/2024

Korean-American teen Samantha (Sam) Kang has always been close to her Korean grandmother, Halmoni, but not so much with her type-A, overachiever lawyer mother, Priscilla.
After a blow-up fight with her mom, a magical ride-share app, Throwback Rides, drops Sam off at her high school -- except it's 1995, not 2025!
While navigating the reality of life in 1995 (no cell phones, casual racism, and riding the bus) Sam must figure out why she's been sent back in time and must see if she can do anything that will repair her relationship with her mom and also help mend her mom's fractured relationship with Sam's grandmother (who had a heart attack and was in a coma right before Sam went back in time).

Grades 9-12

This book was a lot of fun, especially for this early '90s high school graduate. If you like books about time travel, books that deal with cultural expectations, or books that explore mother-daughter relationships, then you might enjoy Throwback. There's also just a smidgeon of romance to keep things interesting.

Caught in a Bad Fauxmance by Elle Gonzalez Rose

5/17/2024

Devin Baez has mixed feelings about returning to the lakeside cabin where his family spent every winter break throughout his childhood. After Mami died four years ago, the family quit going, but now they’re taking one last trip before selling a house full of memories.
Vacationing on the lake should be peaceful – except for the longstanding feud with the family next door, the Seo-Cookes. Over the years, the pranks have escalated into a near all-out war between the Baezs and Seo-Cookes. Because of this animosity, Devin is flabbergasted when Julian Seo-Cooke asks him to be his fake boyfriend to deter unwanted attention from an ex who won’t take no for an answer.
Devin accepts the challenge, thinking it’s a good opportunity to spy on the Seo-Cooks and dig up some dirt on them. As Devin and Julian spend time together, Devin begins to learn that there’s more to the family next door than he thought – and slowly the walls between Devin and Julian begin to crumble. Can their budding relationship heal the bitter rift between their households?

Grades 7-12

I really enjoyed this sweet and funny story. The pranks were hilarious and the romance was swoony. And if you like your romance tropes – fake dating and enemies to lovers – then give Caught in a Bad Fauxmance a shot!

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

4/10/2024

Cath’s first year of college is not going so great. Although she struggles with shyness and anxiety, Cath thought going to the same college as her twin sister Wren would help ease the transition – but they’re not roommates (for the first time in Cath’s whole life), and Cath hardy ever sees Wren who seems to spend all her time drinking and partying.
Cath’s roommate Reagan is intimidating, though her easy-going boyfriend Levi seems very friendly and takes a shine to Cath right away.
To top it all off, Cath is taking an intense fiction writing class because she loves to write: in fact writing fanfiction about the Simon Snow fantasy series is her one refuge (and she’s even kind of internet famous), but her class is full of older students who all seem to know what they’re doing.
When Cath’s dad seems to be struggling, the temptation is high to just give up on college and drop out. Will Cath stick it out? Is there romance in her future? Will Cath and Wren reconcile?

Grades 9-12

I am a big fan of all of Rainbow Rowell's books, and this is the second time I've read Fangirl. This story has it all: great characters who go through realistic struggles, a little romance (actually quite a bit of romance), and the fan fiction sections are like another whole story. Fangirl is a great peek into the freshman year of college experience.

The Electric Kingdom by David Arnold

11/13/2023

After swarms of deadly flu flies and an unknown virus kill off most of the population, small groups of survivors try carry on in isolation without technology and dwindling resources.
In New England, 18-year-old Nico and her dog are sent off on an 8 day mission by her dying father to find a "geological anomaly" that may or may not exist.
Nearby, 12-year-old Kit and his adoptive siblings are heading out on a journey of their own to find an elusive haven for survivors.
As their paths converge, they all have a strong sense of deja-vu -- that they have met before and that everything has happened before, perhaps many times.

Grades 7-12

I love a good post-apocalyptic story, and this one is indeed pretty good. The Electric Kingdom is a little bit of a puzzle-box of a book; it takes some time to make sense, but it's worth the effort. Beyond being just a straightforward survival story, it delves into science-fiction and/or fantasy territory, which makes things a whole lot more interesting.

Four for the Road by K.J. Reilly

11/9/2023

It's been twelve months, three weeks, one day, six hours, and fourteen minutes since Ash Hunting's mom was killed by a drunk driver. You would think that Ash would have come to terms with it by now, but he is still crippled by grief.
Ash attends two different bereavement groups almost every day of the week -- one for teenagers like himself who have lost someone and one for elderly people.
When Ash decides that he want to get revenge on the truck driver responsible for his mom's death, he embarks on a roadtrip with three people from his bereavement groups: teens Will and Sloane, as well as eighty-year-old Henry who bring's the ashes of his wife Evelyn along for the journey.
Will Ash carry out his revenge? Will each of them make progress on their individual path to healing? Will the four of them actually go to go Graceland? Is catfishing someone ever okay?

Grades 9-12

While this book tackles a difficult and heavy topic and all the characters are struggling with loss, it is ultimately hopeful. You may shed a few tears along the way, but you will also laugh more than a few times. The finale in Memphis is a payoff worth reaching. Come along for the ride with Ash and his new friends.

Any Sign of Life by Rae Carson

5/4/2023

One morning, high school senior Paige Miller wakes up after being sick with what she thought was the flu and finds everyone in her house is dead. After she ventures out, it's apparent that everyone has been wiped out, and now carrion birds and wild animals roam the streets.
When an explosion rocks her neighborhood, Paige must flee her home with her newly adopted dog, Emmeline, and sets off in search of food, shelter, and perhaps other survivors.
Paige does encounter other survivors, teens Trey and Tanq, and together they band together in hopes of finding out what caused the rapid mass extinction. The trio quickly discover that there are worse things out there than escaped zoo animals, and Paige, Trey, and Tanq must depend on each other and their wits to survive.

Grades 8-12

I love a good survival story and this one does not disappoint. If you enjoy dystopian or post-apocalyptic tales or books, movies, or shows such as The Walking Dead or The 5th Wave, then you will race through this page-turner and root for the continuance of the human race.

Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach

2/27/2023

After working her way up the ladder for thee years, Eliza Quan is looking forward to becoming the editor of her school's newspaper, The Bugle. Just as her goal is within reach, in swoops former baseball star, Len DiMartile who wins the class election for editor.
Although Eliza is ten times more qualified for the position, Len is elected because he is "likable' whereas her classmates say that Eliza is "intense" and "overly critical."
Believing Len's win is due to sexism, Eliza vows not to down without a fight and kicks off a feminist revolution at her high school. As the grrl power movement gains traction, Eliza gets to know Len better and finds that he's not quite the bad guy she though he was. As much as she doesn't want to admit it, she might even be starting to like him a little . . . which is a complication Eliza doesn't know how to deal with.

Grades 8-12

If you've read Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu, if you believe that girls are just as smart as boys, if you like fierce female main characters who never say die, or (spoiler alert) if you're a fan of the enemies to lovers trope, then you'll enjoy Not Here to Be Liked. Girls rule! Eliza Quan for President!

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

11/10/2022

Living in a small California town, Pakistani-American teens Salahudin and Noor are best friends – until The Fight tears them apart.
As they each navigate through a series of difficult situations during their senior year, they need each other more than ever.
With a terminally ill mom and an alcoholic father, Salahudin struggles to run his family’s motel on his own and takes desperate measures to keep it going while Noor works at her angry uncle’s liquor store and secretly applies for college.
Both seem to be on collision course with disaster. Will they reconcile with each other before it's too late?

Grades 9-12

This quote from Noor kind of sums it up: “I think about the s$%t we've read in school. Those books all about one problem. A kid who's bullied. A kid who's beaten. A kid who's poor. And I think of us and how we've won the s$%t-luck lottery. We have all the problems.” Noor and Salahudin do have all the problems (and then some), which makes this a brutal read – but it’s also such an incredibly good book that you just keep rooting for them no matter how bleak and bad things get. Amazing!

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

12/30/2020

Budding detective and criminologist Stevie Bell is overjoyed when she gets accepted to the prestigious and isolated Ellingham Academy, an exclusive boarding school tucked away in the remote mountains of Vermont.
The school just happens to be the site of a notorious and unsolved crime from the 1930s, and Stevie is determined to crack this decades old cold case -- if she can push past her anxiety, panic attacks, and self-doubt.
When one of Stevie’s classmates dies under suspicious circumstances, Stevie must put her sleuthing skills to the test while trying to stay out of danger.

Grades 8-12
Book 1 of the Truly Devious Series

I just finished reading the third and final book in this trilogy, The Hand on the Wall, and the whole series is so much fun! I love Stevie as well as all her new friends and classmates at Ellingham (especially all of Stevie’s housemates: reclusive writer Nate; quirky builder Janelle; mysterious, moody David). Johnson’s use of the flashbacks from the 1930s add so much to the story, and I enjoyed how the mysteries of the past and present come together in the final book.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

4/4/2020

Teenage mortal Jude has spent more than half her life in Faerieland, a dangerous place where everyone is beautiful, powerful, and magical -- except for for her. Mortals are few and far between in Faerie, mostly servants or lovers, powerless and frequently humiliated; it's a dark, intoxicating, and supremely scary world, but it's home nonetheless.
Jude and her twin sister Taryn have been raised by the ruthless faerie general, Madoc, her mother's ex-husband (who murdered Jude's parents in front of her very eyes ten years ago), and she has learned much from him about strategy and sword-fighting.
Jude longs to be a knight and fight on behalf of one of the high court faeries, so when presented with the opportunity to work for a faerie prince, she seizes it in hopes of gaining power -- only to be swept up in political schemes that endanger her and her whole family. Is getting what she wants worth the price?

Grades 9-12
Book 1 of The Folk of the Air series

Love this series so much I'm rereading it. Jude is a prickly heroine who has decided to stop playing nice and go after what she wants, and it's so fun to tag along on her journey. The whole series is full of suspense and plot twists. If you like Game of Thrones-style twisted politics and betrayal, swordplay, romance, spying, and family drama, then I bet you won't be able to put this one down.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

10/28/2019

When Rory Deveaux moves from Louisiana to England, she opts to go to boarding school in London rather than live in the country with her parents.
At the same time of Rory's arrival, a murderer starts recreating the violent and gory murders of Jack the Ripper -- and right in the neighborhood of her new school.
After a near-death experience, Rory starts seeing people who her classmates don't see -- and this newfound ability puts her right in the path of a mysterious and psychopathic killer (as well as a team of supernatural police detectives who are trying to track him down).

Grades 7-12
Book 1 of the Shades of London trilogy

I'm on a bit of a mystery/thriller kick right now, and this one was quite fun and enjoyable. It's made me want to book a flight to London and soak up the ambiance.

Puddin' by Julie Murphy

9/30/2019

Millie Michalchuk has gone to fat camp every summer for as long as she can remember, but this year she's determined to change her life, pursue her dreams, and get the boy (with or without her mom's approval).
Callie Reyes is your typical pretty and popular queen bee who strives to take her school's dance team to the nationals this year and to become team captain next year (no matter whose toes she steps on along the way).
When a prank gone wrong throws these two very different girls together, they're surprised to find that they have more in common than anyone would have thought, and their budding friendship shakes up both their lives for the better (but not without some ups and downs along the way).

Grades 8-12
Ebook in Overdrive

Although this is a companion to Dumplin' and some of the characters make an appearance (such as Willowdean), it's not necessary to have read Dumplin' to enjoy Puddin' (although it will make a little more sense). I liked how this book dealt with body-acceptance, stereotypes, and how girls can be supportive rather than competitive (but it never takes on a preachy or lecturing tone). Also, Texas -- everything just seems more interesting in Texas.

This Song Is (Not) for You by Laura Nowlin

5/20/2019

Seniors Sam and Ramona are best friends, play guitar and drums together in their two person band, and they are both hopelessly in love with each other -- but they both value their friendship too much to risk it and tell each other how they feel.
When Sam and Ramona go for an audition at a music and arts college, they meet Tom, a shy, arty avant-garde musician who Ramona invites to join their band (without consulting Sam about it).
As both the band and the friends morph from a duo to a trio, the three of them change in ways none of them could have predicted or expected all while navigating their senior year of high school and planning for what comes after.

Grades 8-12
Ebook in Overdrive

The chapters alternate between the points of view of Sam, Ramona, and Tom -- and they are all interesting characters with unique voices and issues. This book also has an asexual character, which is rare in YA books (although that's changing with books such as The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee, Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman, Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp, and That's Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger) -- and this book gave me a little more insight than some of the other books I've read.

Sex & Violence by Carrie Mesrobian

5/13/2019

Seventeen-year-old Evan has changed schools six times in the last four years. He’s not very good at making friends, but he’s very good at identifying and hooking up with Girls Who Would Say Yes (to having sex with him). He’s not interested in long-term relationships or much of anything besides swimming and running track. Evan is not a very likable guy.
When Evan gets involved with the wrong girl, he is beaten within an inch of his life by two of his classmates. After the attack, Evan’s father moves them to his childhood lakeside cabin in Minnesota where he can heal physically and mentally, and where Evan meets a group of teenage neighbors who try to draw Evan out of his shell.
Meanwhile, Evan sees a therapist for, among other things, coping with PTSD from his attack, and he has plenty of time to take a long hard look at the part of himself that he calls “Dirtbag Evan” and to reconsider his attitude toward girls and sex.

Grades 10-12
Ebook in Overdrive

Wow, did this book suck me in, and wow, did I hate Evan at the beginning of the book. Unfortunately, I don't think Evan is all that unusual in his callous treatment of girls (although I wish he were) -- and it's a topic we should be talking about more. Evan's story is a tough, honest, and thought-provoking one that's totally worth reading.

Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert

4/25/2019

Suzette ("Little") and her step-brother Lionel ("Lion") have always had a close relationship, but this changes when Suzette is sent away to boarding school after Lionel is diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Now home for summer, Suzette hopes to get past the awkwardness and rekindle their closeness, but this proves difficult when her brother starts to spiral out of control and asks Suzette to keep a dangerous secret.
To further complicate matters, Suzette and Lionel appear to be falling for the same girl -- and wait! -- Suzette also has feelings for her long-time friend, Emil (which is a little confusing for her).
Suzette wants to be a loyal sister and regain Lionel's trust, but she has to decide if doing what's best for him is worth the possibility of damaging their relationship forever.

Grades 9-12

I liked the diversity of characters in this story, the blended family, and the LA setting. I especially appreciated the way in which this books deals honestly and realistically with the topics of mental health, sexuality, and family.

Satellite by Nick Lake

4/23/2019

Leo and his best friends Libra and Orion (twins) have spent their entire lives aboard Moon 2, a space station orbiting the Earth. Living in space, Leo has never done so many things that most of us take for granted -- he's never tasted ice cream or had a pet; never gone to high school or been to a concert; never felt rain or the warmth of a wood fire.
As Leo and the twins turn sixteen, the doctors say they are strong enough to leave their zero gravity home and visit Earth for the first time.
Leo is excited to meet the grandfather he's never known and to try so many new things. However, life on Earth turns out to be harder, more complicated, and more dangerous than Leo could ever have imagined. In fact, his body, so used to outer space, may not be cut out to survive life on Earth -- but what can Leo do?

Grades 8-12

If you liked The Martian by Andy Weir or you've ever dreamed about being an astronaut, then check out Satellite by Nick Lake.

One of Us Is Lying by Karen McMaus

1/29/2019

This book starts off a lot like the Breakfast Club -- five students enter detention: the baseball phenom, the academic all-star, the criminal, the homecoming princess, and the outcast -- but only four of them leave alive. While at first the death appears to be an accident, it soon becomes clear that it was murder.

The four survivors all have a motive for killing Simon, and all of them are in the hot seat.

As the secrets that they all tried so hard to keep buried are revealed, Bronwyn, Addy, Cooper, and Nate try to figure out who the murderer is and if anyone can be trusted.

This book was so much fun to read that I could not put it down! I enjoyed the alternating chapters from the four main characters' points of view, and each character was relatable and went beyond the high school stereotypes. If you like mysteries, this one is for you.

Grades 8-12

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by M. Lee

1/25/2019

Felicity Montague's greatest desire is to become a doctor. She has studied from books, made anatomical drawings on the floor of her room, and even stitched the tip of her boss' finger back on after he had an accident at work.
All that is moot though since Felicity lives in the 1700s, a time when women weren't even allowed to go to college, much less practice medicine. No matter what she tries, the men will not accept her as an equal.
When she discovers that her idol, Dr. William Platt, is marrying her former childhood friend, Johanna, Felicity concocts a plan to crash the wedding in an attempt to get hired as Platt's research assistant. The only problem is that the wedding is in Germany and Felicity is flat broke in London. When a mysterious female pirate named Sim offers to help Felicity get to the wedding, she jumps at the chance -- but can Sim be trusted?

This is a fun, adventurous book about women who want more than the world wants to give them -- and what they are willing to do to achieve their goals. Although it's a sequel, you won't really miss anything if you haven't read the first book (and I liked this one a little better than its predecessor).

Book 2 of the Montague Siblings Series
Grades 9-12

Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

10/29/2018

Sophomore Darius Kellner is not doing great or even okay. He's overweight, lives with clinical depression, gets bullied at his Portland, OR high school, and he has a complicated relationship with his dad who he feels is always disappointed in him.
When Darius's grandfather falls ill, his family takes an extended trip to Iran where Darius struggles with getting to know family he's never met (besides on Skype), the language (his little sister is fluent in Farsi, but he is not), and fitting in (his mother is Persian, but his father is American; Darius refers to himself as a "Fractional Persian").
Things start looking up when Darius meets Sohrab, the son of one of his Grandfather's neighbors. For someone who's never really had a best friend before, this is a big deal. Darius notes, "I liked that I could be silent with Sohrab. That's how I knew we really were going to be friends."

I really liked Darius (he loves tea; he makes a lot of references to Lord of the Rings and Star Trek; and he's a great big brother to his little sister Laleh). His problems are real, but he faces them with a lot of humor. I also really enjoyed the peak into Persian culture (the food, traditions, and history).

Grades 8-12

Dear Rachel Maddow by Adrienne Kisner

10/19/2018

Brynn Harper's life could not get much worse: her older brother died; she has a stepdad she refers to as the "Fart Weasel" (and he fully deserves that nickname); her girlfriend broke up with her; and she's been put in remedial classes in the Blue room in the basement of her school.
When a school assignment requires Brynn to write to a "celebrity hero," she drafts emails to TV political commentator Rachel Maddow. She creates a journal of her life one email at a time beginning with the words "Dear Rachel Maddow."
When it looks like her nemesis rich bully Adam is going to take over the school, Brynn decides to do something and get involved in school politics (with a little inspiration from her hero Rachel Maddow).

I loved the epistolary format (the story is all told in emails), and Brynn's voice is so funny and sharp. Brynn struggles in school and at home, but her friends, her comrades in the Blue room, and even her brother's friend all provide a support system that help Brynn to keep fighting the good fight.

Grades 8-12

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X. R. Pan

10/8/2018

When her mother commits suicide, Leigh's world shatters. In the depths of her grief, Leigh believes her mother has been transformed into an enormous red bird who talks to her and brings her clues.
Trying to put together the pieces of her mother's mysterious early life, Leigh travels to Taiwan to meet her mother's parents, grandparents she has never known and with whom her mother cut off contact after marrying an American and moving to the USA.
Leigh's present is interwoven with her mother's (and her own) flashback memories to create a bold book full of ghosts, art, culture, and color.

This magical realism-tinged novel that bursts with art and color sheds light on depression and captures the dark corners of grief and the feeling of being pulled between two worlds -- culturally, linguistically, generationally, and romantically.

Grades 9-12

Sadie by Courtney Summers

10/2/2018

Nineteen-year-old Sadie Hunter's life has not been easy. She's spent most of it caring for her younger sister, Mattie, without a father and with no help from her drunk and drug-addled mother (who eventually abandons her daughters when Sadie is sixteen).
When Mattie is found dead in a field, Sadie goes on a road trip in search of her sister's killer, upon whom she intends to take the ultimate revenge.
Sadie's gripping first person perspective as she follows one clue after another in search of Keith is interspersed with episodes of a true-crime podcast called The Girls which chronicles Sadie's and Mattie's story.

I was biting my nails all the way through this excellent mystery/thriller, hoping against hope that Sadie and Mattie would get justice and that Sadie wouldn't end up just "another dead girl."

Grades 9-12