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SJPL Picks: YA Debut fiction

By:

sjpl_teenhq

San José Public Library

Staff-created list

There was a time where Simone Biles couldn't do a somersault, when Henry Cavill had never performed in front of a camera, and a time when Billie Eilish hadn't so much as sung a single note. We all have to start somewhere with a craft, and the authors on this list are no different. These novels are their publishing debut, and who knows - perhaps the next new literary great has their work here. Check out this list to find debut works of fiction from authors writing for young adults, published within the last two years, selected and curated by SJPL Librarians.

By:

sjpl_teenhq

San José Public Library

1-25 of 38 items

1-25 of 38 items

Goddess Crown

Goddess Crown

by Lapite, Shade

Book - 2023

Fantasy fiction, Afrofantasy. "Forced to flee to the king's court in the West, 16-year-old Kalothia, who was raised in secret, becomes caught up in d...Show more Fantasy fiction, Afrofantasy. "Forced to flee to the king's court in the West, 16-year-old Kalothia, who was raised in secret, becomes caught up in deadly power struggles and romantic intrigue in the opulent kingdom of Galla as she, led by the Goddess herself, must choose between her country and her heart." Show less

Fantasy fiction, Afrofantasy. "Forced to flee to the king's court in the West, 16-year-old Kalothia, who was raised in secret, becomes caught up in d...Show more Fantasy fiction, Afrofantasy. "Forced to flee to the king's court in the West, 16-year-old Kalothia, who was raised in secret, becomes caught up in deadly power struggles and romantic intrigue in the opulent kingdom of Galla as she, led by the Goddess herself, must choose between her country and her heart." Show less

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Their Vicious Games

Their Vicious Games

by Wellington, Joelle

Book - 2023

Thrillers and suspense. "Blacklisted from her top choice Ivy League college, prestigious Edgewater Academy scholarship student Adina Walker participa...Show more Thrillers and suspense. "Blacklisted from her top choice Ivy League college, prestigious Edgewater Academy scholarship student Adina Walker participates in the Finish, a high-stakes competition whose prize of wealth and power can open any door, only to find that she's playing for her life." Show less

Thrillers and suspense. "Blacklisted from her top choice Ivy League college, prestigious Edgewater Academy scholarship student Adina Walker participa...Show more Thrillers and suspense. "Blacklisted from her top choice Ivy League college, prestigious Edgewater Academy scholarship student Adina Walker participates in the Finish, a high-stakes competition whose prize of wealth and power can open any door, only to find that she's playing for her life." Show less

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Give Me A Sign

Give Me A Sign

by Sortino, Anna

Book - 2023

Contemporary fiction, Coming-of-age stories. "Lilah is stuck in the middle. At least, that’s what having a hearing loss seems like sometimes—when you...Show more Contemporary fiction, Coming-of-age stories. "Lilah is stuck in the middle. At least, that’s what having a hearing loss seems like sometimes—when you don’t feel “deaf enough” to identify as Deaf or hearing enough to meet the world’s expectations. But this summer, Lilah is ready for a change. When Lilah becomes a counselor at a summer camp for the deaf and blind, her plan is to brush up on her ASL. Once there, she also finds a community. There are cute British lifeguards who break hearts but not rules, a YouTuber who’s just a bit desperate for clout, the campers Lilah’s responsible for (and overwhelmed by)—and then there’s Isaac, the dreamy Deaf counselor who volunteers to help Lilah with her signing. Romance was never on the agenda, and Lilah’s not positive Isaac likes her that way. But all signs seem to point to love. Unless she’s reading them wrong? One thing’s for sure: Lilah wanted change, and things here are certainly different than what she’s used to." Show less

Contemporary fiction, Coming-of-age stories. "Lilah is stuck in the middle. At least, that’s what having a hearing loss seems like sometimes—when you...Show more Contemporary fiction, Coming-of-age stories. "Lilah is stuck in the middle. At least, that’s what having a hearing loss seems like sometimes—when you don’t feel “deaf enough” to identify as Deaf or hearing enough to meet the world’s expectations. But this summer, Lilah is ready for a change. When Lilah becomes a counselor at a summer camp for the deaf and blind, her plan is to brush up on her ASL. Once there, she also finds a community. There are cute British lifeguards who break hearts but not rules, a YouTuber who’s just a bit desperate for clout, the campers Lilah’s responsible for (and overwhelmed by)—and then there’s Isaac, the dreamy Deaf counselor who volunteers to help Lilah with her signing. Romance was never on the agenda, and Lilah’s not positive Isaac likes her that way. But all signs seem to point to love. Unless she’s reading them wrong? One thing’s for sure: Lilah wanted change, and things here are certainly different than what she’s used to." Show less

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I'd Rather Burn Than Bloom

I'd Rather Burn Than Bloom

by Rogers, Shannon C. F.

Book - 2023

Realistic fiction. "Left with nothing but burning anger after her mother dies suddenly, Filipina-American teen Marisol is determined to stay angry un...Show more Realistic fiction. "Left with nothing but burning anger after her mother dies suddenly, Filipina-American teen Marisol is determined to stay angry until a new friendship begins to develop, making her see there's something more to who she is, and who she could be." Show less

Realistic fiction. "Left with nothing but burning anger after her mother dies suddenly, Filipina-American teen Marisol is determined to stay angry un...Show more Realistic fiction. "Left with nothing but burning anger after her mother dies suddenly, Filipina-American teen Marisol is determined to stay angry until a new friendship begins to develop, making her see there's something more to who she is, and who she could be." Show less

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Stars, Hide your Fires

Stars, Hide your Fires

by Best, Jessica Mary

Book - 2023

Science fiction. "After traveling from her home planet to Ouris and sneaking into the imperial ball to steal from the galactic elite, expert thief Ca...Show more Science fiction. "After traveling from her home planet to Ouris and sneaking into the imperial ball to steal from the galactic elite, expert thief Cass is framed for the unexpected death of the emperor, and must work together with a mysterious rebel to uncover the true plot and clear her name." Show less

Science fiction. "After traveling from her home planet to Ouris and sneaking into the imperial ball to steal from the galactic elite, expert thief Ca...Show more Science fiction. "After traveling from her home planet to Ouris and sneaking into the imperial ball to steal from the galactic elite, expert thief Cass is framed for the unexpected death of the emperor, and must work together with a mysterious rebel to uncover the true plot and clear her name." Show less

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Rana Joon and the One & Only Now

Rana Joon and the One & Only Now

by Etaat, Shideh

Book - 2023

Realistic fiction. " In 1996 San Fernando Valley, shy, Tupac-obsessed high school senior Rana Joon struggles to hide her queer identity from her stri...Show more Realistic fiction. " In 1996 San Fernando Valley, shy, Tupac-obsessed high school senior Rana Joon struggles to hide her queer identity from her strict Iranian parents while navigating loss in Etaat’s vivacious debut. The only person who knew Rana was a lesbian was her biracial best friend Louie, an aspiring rapper who died in a car accident one year prior. Knowing that Louie’s dream was to win annual rap battle the Way of the Wu, Rana signs up to participate in Louie’s honor, planning to use one of his pieces. But when her coach reminds her that “the competition is about revealing truth,” Rana knows that if she wants to win, she can’t recycle someone else’s story. Even as she wrestles with her fear of public speaking, and as familial conflicts threaten to overwhelm, a budding romance and support from her community might be what she needs to finally live as her authentic self. Abundant era-specific cultural and musical references imbue the narrative with a nostalgic vibe and the effervescent air of a summer block party, expertly complementing the heady seasonal California setting. Through Rana’s magnetic POV and striking poetry, Etaat conveys Rana’s anger, desire, and grief, making for a lively and thought-provoking exploration of self-love and self-discovery. " Show less

Realistic fiction. " In 1996 San Fernando Valley, shy, Tupac-obsessed high school senior Rana Joon struggles to hide her queer identity from her stri...Show more Realistic fiction. " In 1996 San Fernando Valley, shy, Tupac-obsessed high school senior Rana Joon struggles to hide her queer identity from her strict Iranian parents while navigating loss in Etaat’s vivacious debut. The only person who knew Rana was a lesbian was her biracial best friend Louie, an aspiring rapper who died in a car accident one year prior. Knowing that Louie’s dream was to win annual rap battle the Way of the Wu, Rana signs up to participate in Louie’s honor, planning to use one of his pieces. But when her coach reminds her that “the competition is about revealing truth,” Rana knows that if she wants to win, she can’t recycle someone else’s story. Even as she wrestles with her fear of public speaking, and as familial conflicts threaten to overwhelm, a budding romance and support from her community might be what she needs to finally live as her authentic self. Abundant era-specific cultural and musical references imbue the narrative with a nostalgic vibe and the effervescent air of a summer block party, expertly complementing the heady seasonal California setting. Through Rana’s magnetic POV and striking poetry, Etaat conveys Rana’s anger, desire, and grief, making for a lively and thought-provoking exploration of self-love and self-discovery. " Show less

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A Crooked Mark

A Crooked Mark

by Kao, Linda

Book - 2023

Dark fantasy. "Tasked with hunting down those whose soul the Devil has marked, seventeen-year-old Matthew begins to question everything when his first solo mission is sixteen-year-old Rae Winters, the girl he has fallen for." Dark fantasy. "Tasked with hunting down those whose soul the Devil has marked, seventeen-year-old Matthew begins to question everything when his first solo mission is sixteen-year-old Rae Winters, the girl he has fallen for." Show less

Dark fantasy. "Tasked with hunting down those whose soul the Devil has marked, seventeen-year-old Matthew begins to question everything when his first solo mission is sixteen-year-old Rae Winters, the girl he has fallen for." Dark fantasy. "Tasked with hunting down those whose soul the Devil has marked, seventeen-year-old Matthew begins to question everything when his first solo mission is sixteen-year-old Rae Winters, the girl he has fallen for." Show less

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Pedro & Daniel

Pedro & Daniel

by Erebia, Federico

Book - 2023

Historical fiction. "Growing up in 1970s Ohio, Mexican American brothers Pedro and Daniel, who are not like other boys, manage an abusive home life, ...Show more Historical fiction. "Growing up in 1970s Ohio, Mexican American brothers Pedro and Daniel, who are not like other boys, manage an abusive home life, school, coming out, first loves, first jobs and the AIDS epidemic, leaning on each other always and forever." Show less

Historical fiction. "Growing up in 1970s Ohio, Mexican American brothers Pedro and Daniel, who are not like other boys, manage an abusive home life, ...Show more Historical fiction. "Growing up in 1970s Ohio, Mexican American brothers Pedro and Daniel, who are not like other boys, manage an abusive home life, school, coming out, first loves, first jobs and the AIDS epidemic, leaning on each other always and forever." Show less

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Ever Since

Ever Since

by Bruzas, Alena

Book - 2023

Realistic fiction. "Falling in love with her best friend's boyfriend, Rumi, 17-year-old Virginia, the queen of bad choices, discovers his little sist...Show more Realistic fiction. "Falling in love with her best friend's boyfriend, Rumi, 17-year-old Virginia, the queen of bad choices, discovers his little sister is being groomed for abuse by a respected member of the community and must choose between staying quiet or coming forward." Show less

Realistic fiction. "Falling in love with her best friend's boyfriend, Rumi, 17-year-old Virginia, the queen of bad choices, discovers his little sist...Show more Realistic fiction. "Falling in love with her best friend's boyfriend, Rumi, 17-year-old Virginia, the queen of bad choices, discovers his little sister is being groomed for abuse by a respected member of the community and must choose between staying quiet or coming forward." Show less

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Viva Lola Espinoza

Viva Lola Espinoza

by Cerón, Ella

Book - 2023

Contemporary romance, Magical realism. "Lola Espinoza is cursed in love. Well, maybe not actually cursed — magic isn't real, is it? When Lola goes to...Show more Contemporary romance, Magical realism. "Lola Espinoza is cursed in love. Well, maybe not actually cursed — magic isn't real, is it? When Lola goes to spend the summer with her grandmother in Mexico City and meets handsome, flirtatious Rio, she discovers the unbelievable truth: Magic is very real, and what she'd always written off as bad luck is actually, truly . . . a curse. If Lola ever wants to fall in love without suffering the consequences, she'll have to break the curse. She finds an unlikely curse-breaking companion in Javi, a seemingly stoic boy she meets while working in her cousin's restaurant. Javi is willing to help Lola look into this family curse of hers, and Lola needs all the help she can get. Over the course of one summer — filled with food, family, and two very different boys — Lola explores Mexico City while learning about herself, her heritage, and the magic around us all." Show less

Contemporary romance, Magical realism. "Lola Espinoza is cursed in love. Well, maybe not actually cursed — magic isn't real, is it? When Lola goes to...Show more Contemporary romance, Magical realism. "Lola Espinoza is cursed in love. Well, maybe not actually cursed — magic isn't real, is it? When Lola goes to spend the summer with her grandmother in Mexico City and meets handsome, flirtatious Rio, she discovers the unbelievable truth: Magic is very real, and what she'd always written off as bad luck is actually, truly . . . a curse. If Lola ever wants to fall in love without suffering the consequences, she'll have to break the curse. She finds an unlikely curse-breaking companion in Javi, a seemingly stoic boy she meets while working in her cousin's restaurant. Javi is willing to help Lola look into this family curse of hers, and Lola needs all the help she can get. Over the course of one summer — filled with food, family, and two very different boys — Lola explores Mexico City while learning about herself, her heritage, and the magic around us all." Show less

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Blood Debts

Blood Debts

by Benton-Walker, Terry J.

Book - 2023

Fantasy fiction. "Sixteen-year-old twins Clement and Cristina feel lost after their father's death, but find a new sense of purpose as they work to q...Show more Fantasy fiction. "Sixteen-year-old twins Clement and Cristina feel lost after their father's death, but find a new sense of purpose as they work to quell the rising tensions between New Orleans's magic and non-magic communities and find out who cursed their mother." Show less

Fantasy fiction. "Sixteen-year-old twins Clement and Cristina feel lost after their father's death, but find a new sense of purpose as they work to q...Show more Fantasy fiction. "Sixteen-year-old twins Clement and Cristina feel lost after their father's death, but find a new sense of purpose as they work to quell the rising tensions between New Orleans's magic and non-magic communities and find out who cursed their mother." Show less

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The Making of Yolanda La Bruja

The Making of Yolanda La Bruja

by Avila, Lorraine

Book - 2023

Paranormal fiction. "Yolanda Alvarez is having a good year. She's confident her initiation into her family's bruja tradition will happen soon. But th...Show more Paranormal fiction. "Yolanda Alvarez is having a good year. She's confident her initiation into her family's bruja tradition will happen soon. But then a white boy, the son of a politician, appears at Julia De Burgos High, and his vibes are off. And Yolanda's initiation begins with a series of troubling visions of the violence this boy threatens. How can Yolanda protect her community, in a world that doesn't listen?" Show less

Paranormal fiction. "Yolanda Alvarez is having a good year. She's confident her initiation into her family's bruja tradition will happen soon. But th...Show more Paranormal fiction. "Yolanda Alvarez is having a good year. She's confident her initiation into her family's bruja tradition will happen soon. But then a white boy, the son of a politician, appears at Julia De Burgos High, and his vibes are off. And Yolanda's initiation begins with a series of troubling visions of the violence this boy threatens. How can Yolanda protect her community, in a world that doesn't listen?" Show less

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Ravensong

Ravensong

by Fay, Cayla

Book - 2023

Urban fantasy. "Stuck in high school until her eighteenth birthday, demi-god Neve is eager to join her sisters in their fight against evil, but when she meets Alexandria, a girl with a dark secret, Neve must choose between duty and love." Urban fantasy. "Stuck in high school until her eighteenth birthday, demi-god Neve is eager to join her sisters in their fight against evil, but when she meets Alexandria, a girl with a dark secret, Neve must choose between duty and love." Show less

Urban fantasy. "Stuck in high school until her eighteenth birthday, demi-god Neve is eager to join her sisters in their fight against evil, but when she meets Alexandria, a girl with a dark secret, Neve must choose between duty and love." Urban fantasy. "Stuck in high school until her eighteenth birthday, demi-god Neve is eager to join her sisters in their fight against evil, but when she meets Alexandria, a girl with a dark secret, Neve must choose between duty and love." Show less

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Always the Almost

Always the Almost

A Novel

by Underhill, Edward

Book - 2023

Contemporary romance. "Sixteen-year-old trans boy Miles Jacobson's New Year resolutions include winning back his ex-boyfriend and winning the Widewes...Show more Contemporary romance. "Sixteen-year-old trans boy Miles Jacobson's New Year resolutions include winning back his ex-boyfriend and winning the Widewest's biggest classical piano competition, but when a new, proudly queer boy moves to town, Miles reconsiders who he was and who he is now." Show less

Contemporary romance. "Sixteen-year-old trans boy Miles Jacobson's New Year resolutions include winning back his ex-boyfriend and winning the Widewes...Show more Contemporary romance. "Sixteen-year-old trans boy Miles Jacobson's New Year resolutions include winning back his ex-boyfriend and winning the Widewest's biggest classical piano competition, but when a new, proudly queer boy moves to town, Miles reconsiders who he was and who he is now." Show less

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The Wicked Bargain

The Wicked Bargain

by Novoa, Gabe Cole

Book - 2023

Fantasy fiction, Sea stories. "Hiding a magical ability to manipulate fire and ice, transmasculine nonbinary teen pirate Mar teams up with the most u...Show more Fantasy fiction, Sea stories. "Hiding a magical ability to manipulate fire and ice, transmasculine nonbinary teen pirate Mar teams up with the most unlikely allies to reverse a wicked bargain made by their father and retrieve his soul from el Diablo." Show less

Fantasy fiction, Sea stories. "Hiding a magical ability to manipulate fire and ice, transmasculine nonbinary teen pirate Mar teams up with the most u...Show more Fantasy fiction, Sea stories. "Hiding a magical ability to manipulate fire and ice, transmasculine nonbinary teen pirate Mar teams up with the most unlikely allies to reverse a wicked bargain made by their father and retrieve his soul from el Diablo." Show less

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Play the Game

Play the Game

by Allen, Charlene Y.

Book - 2023

Realistic fiction, Mysteries. "In the game of life, sometimes other people hold all the controls. Or so it seems to VZ. Four months have passed since...Show more Realistic fiction, Mysteries. "In the game of life, sometimes other people hold all the controls. Or so it seems to VZ. Four months have passed since his best friend Ed was killed by a white man in a Brooklyn parking lot. When Singer, the man who killed Ed, is found dead in the same spot where Ed was murdered, all signs point to Jack, VZ’s other best friend, as the prime suspect. VZ’s determined to complete the video game Ed never finished and figure out who actually killed Singer. With help from Diamond, the girl he’s crushing on at work, VZ falls into Ed’s quirky gameiverse. As the police close in on Jack, the game starts to uncover details that could lead to the truth about the murder. Can VZ honor Ed and help Jack before it’s too late?" Show less

Realistic fiction, Mysteries. "In the game of life, sometimes other people hold all the controls. Or so it seems to VZ. Four months have passed since...Show more Realistic fiction, Mysteries. "In the game of life, sometimes other people hold all the controls. Or so it seems to VZ. Four months have passed since his best friend Ed was killed by a white man in a Brooklyn parking lot. When Singer, the man who killed Ed, is found dead in the same spot where Ed was murdered, all signs point to Jack, VZ’s other best friend, as the prime suspect. VZ’s determined to complete the video game Ed never finished and figure out who actually killed Singer. With help from Diamond, the girl he’s crushing on at work, VZ falls into Ed’s quirky gameiverse. As the police close in on Jack, the game starts to uncover details that could lead to the truth about the murder. Can VZ honor Ed and help Jack before it’s too late?" Show less

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House of Yesterday

House of Yesterday

by Zargarpur, Deeba

Book - 2022

Paranormal fiction. "With her beloved grandmother suffering from dementia, Sara, a 16-year-old Afghan-Uzbek girl, stumbles upon the haunting appariti...Show more Paranormal fiction. "With her beloved grandmother suffering from dementia, Sara, a 16-year-old Afghan-Uzbek girl, stumbles upon the haunting apparition of a much-younger version of her grandmother, which brings to light her family's immigrant past." Show less

Paranormal fiction. "With her beloved grandmother suffering from dementia, Sara, a 16-year-old Afghan-Uzbek girl, stumbles upon the haunting appariti...Show more Paranormal fiction. "With her beloved grandmother suffering from dementia, Sara, a 16-year-old Afghan-Uzbek girl, stumbles upon the haunting apparition of a much-younger version of her grandmother, which brings to light her family's immigrant past." Show less

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We Deserve Monuments

We Deserve Monuments

by Hammonds, Jas

Book - 2022

Realistic fiction. "Family secrets, a swoon-worthy romance, and a slow-burn mystery collide in We Deserve Monuments, a YA debut from Jas Hammonds tha...Show more Realistic fiction. "Family secrets, a swoon-worthy romance, and a slow-burn mystery collide in We Deserve Monuments, a YA debut from Jas Hammonds that explores how racial violence can ripple down through generations. What’s more important: Knowing the truth or keeping the peace? Seventeen-year-old Avery Anderson is convinced her senior year is ruined when she's uprooted from her life in DC and forced into the hostile home of her terminally ill grandmother, Mama Letty. The tension between Avery’s mom and Mama Letty makes for a frosty arrival and unearths past drama they refuse to talk about. Every time Avery tries to look deeper, she’s turned away, leaving her desperate to learn the secrets that split her family in two. While tempers flare in her avoidant family, Avery finds friendship in unexpected places: in Simone Cole, her captivating next-door neighbor, and Jade Oliver, daughter of the town’s most prominent family—whose mother’s murder remains unsolved. As the three girls grow closer—Avery and Simone’s friendship blossoming into romance—the sharp-edged opinions of their small southern town begin to hint at something insidious underneath. The racist history of Bardell, Georgia is rooted in Avery’s family in ways she can’t even imagine. With Mama Letty's health dwindling every day, Avery must decide if digging for the truth is worth toppling the delicate relationships she's built in Bardell—or if some things are better left buried." Show less

Realistic fiction. "Family secrets, a swoon-worthy romance, and a slow-burn mystery collide in We Deserve Monuments, a YA debut from Jas Hammonds tha...Show more Realistic fiction. "Family secrets, a swoon-worthy romance, and a slow-burn mystery collide in We Deserve Monuments, a YA debut from Jas Hammonds that explores how racial violence can ripple down through generations. What’s more important: Knowing the truth or keeping the peace? Seventeen-year-old Avery Anderson is convinced her senior year is ruined when she's uprooted from her life in DC and forced into the hostile home of her terminally ill grandmother, Mama Letty. The tension between Avery’s mom and Mama Letty makes for a frosty arrival and unearths past drama they refuse to talk about. Every time Avery tries to look deeper, she’s turned away, leaving her desperate to learn the secrets that split her family in two. While tempers flare in her avoidant family, Avery finds friendship in unexpected places: in Simone Cole, her captivating next-door neighbor, and Jade Oliver, daughter of the town’s most prominent family—whose mother’s murder remains unsolved. As the three girls grow closer—Avery and Simone’s friendship blossoming into romance—the sharp-edged opinions of their small southern town begin to hint at something insidious underneath. The racist history of Bardell, Georgia is rooted in Avery’s family in ways she can’t even imagine. With Mama Letty's health dwindling every day, Avery must decide if digging for the truth is worth toppling the delicate relationships she's built in Bardell—or if some things are better left buried." Show less

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Beneath the Wide Silk Sky

Beneath the Wide Silk Sky

by Inouye Huey, Emily

Book - 2022

Historical fiction. "With the recent death of her mother and the possibility of her family losing their farm, Samantha Sakamoto does not have space i...Show more Historical fiction. "With the recent death of her mother and the possibility of her family losing their farm, Samantha Sakamoto does not have space in her life for dreams, but when faced with prejudice and violence in her Washington State community after Pearl Harbor, she is determined to use her photography to document the bigotry around her." Show less

Historical fiction. "With the recent death of her mother and the possibility of her family losing their farm, Samantha Sakamoto does not have space i...Show more Historical fiction. "With the recent death of her mother and the possibility of her family losing their farm, Samantha Sakamoto does not have space in her life for dreams, but when faced with prejudice and violence in her Washington State community after Pearl Harbor, she is determined to use her photography to document the bigotry around her." Show less

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As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow

by Katouh, Zoulfa

Book - 2022

Psychological fiction; Realistic fiction. "Eighteen-year-old Salama Kassab, a pharmacy student volunteering at the hospital in Homs, is desperate to ...Show more Psychological fiction; Realistic fiction. "Eighteen-year-old Salama Kassab, a pharmacy student volunteering at the hospital in Homs, is desperate to find passage on a refugee boat for herself and her pregnant best friend, but first she must learn to see the events around her for what they are--not a war, but a revolution." Show less

Psychological fiction; Realistic fiction. "Eighteen-year-old Salama Kassab, a pharmacy student volunteering at the hospital in Homs, is desperate to ...Show more Psychological fiction; Realistic fiction. "Eighteen-year-old Salama Kassab, a pharmacy student volunteering at the hospital in Homs, is desperate to find passage on a refugee boat for herself and her pregnant best friend, but first she must learn to see the events around her for what they are--not a war, but a revolution." Show less

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How to Succeed in Witchcraft

How to Succeed in Witchcraft

by Brophy, Aislinn

Book - 2022

Fantasy fiction. " T.K. Anderson Magical Magnet School junior Shayna Johnson, a biracial (Black and white) lesbian witch with working-class parents, ...Show more Fantasy fiction. " T.K. Anderson Magical Magnet School junior Shayna Johnson, a biracial (Black and white) lesbian witch with working-class parents, will stop at nothing to win her Florida school’s Brockton Scholarship, which is only awarded to one student per year. The scholarship is essential to helping fund her way into a good magical licensing university, an invaluable step toward getting a well-paying job and setting her parents up for an easier life. The only thing standing in her way is beautiful, academically gifted Cuban witch Ana Álvarez, Shay’s rival since freshman year. When popular drama teacher and scholarship committee head Mr. B pressures Shay to join the high school musical to improve her chances at beating Ana, she feels compelled to agree. But Shay’s preconceived notions about the lengths she’s willing to go to in order to succeed at witchcraft are tested when Ana plays the show’s lead opposite Shay and Mr. B makes increasingly inappropriate advances. Brophy’s rapidly paced debut grounds its magical backdrop by exploring themes of capitalism, grooming, privilege, and racism, and Shay and Ana’s enemies-to-lovers romance offers a sweet reprieve from Mr. B’s ominous intentions. " Show less

Fantasy fiction. " T.K. Anderson Magical Magnet School junior Shayna Johnson, a biracial (Black and white) lesbian witch with working-class parents, ...Show more Fantasy fiction. " T.K. Anderson Magical Magnet School junior Shayna Johnson, a biracial (Black and white) lesbian witch with working-class parents, will stop at nothing to win her Florida school’s Brockton Scholarship, which is only awarded to one student per year. The scholarship is essential to helping fund her way into a good magical licensing university, an invaluable step toward getting a well-paying job and setting her parents up for an easier life. The only thing standing in her way is beautiful, academically gifted Cuban witch Ana Álvarez, Shay’s rival since freshman year. When popular drama teacher and scholarship committee head Mr. B pressures Shay to join the high school musical to improve her chances at beating Ana, she feels compelled to agree. But Shay’s preconceived notions about the lengths she’s willing to go to in order to succeed at witchcraft are tested when Ana plays the show’s lead opposite Shay and Mr. B makes increasingly inappropriate advances. Brophy’s rapidly paced debut grounds its magical backdrop by exploring themes of capitalism, grooming, privilege, and racism, and Shay and Ana’s enemies-to-lovers romance offers a sweet reprieve from Mr. B’s ominous intentions. " Show less

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The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen

The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen

by Blum, Isaac

Book - 2022

Realistic fiction. "Moving to the quiet, mostly non-Jewish town of Tregaron, Hoodie Rosen falls for the daughter of the mayor who is trying to keep H...Show more Realistic fiction. "Moving to the quiet, mostly non-Jewish town of Tregaron, Hoodie Rosen falls for the daughter of the mayor who is trying to keep Hoodie's Orthodox Jewish community out of town, and when antisemitic crimes turn deadly, he must choose between his first love and the only world he's ever known.". Show less

Realistic fiction. "Moving to the quiet, mostly non-Jewish town of Tregaron, Hoodie Rosen falls for the daughter of the mayor who is trying to keep H...Show more Realistic fiction. "Moving to the quiet, mostly non-Jewish town of Tregaron, Hoodie Rosen falls for the daughter of the mayor who is trying to keep Hoodie's Orthodox Jewish community out of town, and when antisemitic crimes turn deadly, he must choose between his first love and the only world he's ever known.". Show less

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Seton Girls

Seton Girls

by Thomas, Charlene

Book - 2022

Realistic fiction. "Seton Academic High prep school’s varsity football team attributes tradition to their 12-year winning streak, and they’re not abo...Show more Realistic fiction. "Seton Academic High prep school’s varsity football team attributes tradition to their 12-year winning streak, and they’re not about to let anything get in the way of another victory in Thomas’s high-stakes debut. Though Aly Jacobs and her boyfriend J, both Black and 16, often feel out of place in their affluent, mostly white high school, they believe that Seton, despite its occasionally classist atmosphere, is the key to better future opportunities. J, the first Black quarterback in Seton football history, is on track to make the varsity team, but tensions run high when white Parker, the current quarterback and younger brother of the QB who led Seton to victory 13 years ago, believes that J is infringing on his territory. After Aly learns the football team’s darkest secret, she must reckon with the possibility that exposing them could unfairly and disproportionately hurt her and J’s futures. Thomas skillfully employs alternating past and present chapters, going as far back as Seton’s first win, to illustrate the sinister ways in which the school’s traditions were formed and maintained. Poignant conversations examining the lack of accountability for wealthy, well-protected men in power permeate this thought-provoking story." Show less

Realistic fiction. "Seton Academic High prep school’s varsity football team attributes tradition to their 12-year winning streak, and they’re not abo...Show more Realistic fiction. "Seton Academic High prep school’s varsity football team attributes tradition to their 12-year winning streak, and they’re not about to let anything get in the way of another victory in Thomas’s high-stakes debut. Though Aly Jacobs and her boyfriend J, both Black and 16, often feel out of place in their affluent, mostly white high school, they believe that Seton, despite its occasionally classist atmosphere, is the key to better future opportunities. J, the first Black quarterback in Seton football history, is on track to make the varsity team, but tensions run high when white Parker, the current quarterback and younger brother of the QB who led Seton to victory 13 years ago, believes that J is infringing on his territory. After Aly learns the football team’s darkest secret, she must reckon with the possibility that exposing them could unfairly and disproportionately hurt her and J’s futures. Thomas skillfully employs alternating past and present chapters, going as far back as Seton’s first win, to illustrate the sinister ways in which the school’s traditions were formed and maintained. Poignant conversations examining the lack of accountability for wealthy, well-protected men in power permeate this thought-provoking story." Show less

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How You Grow Wings

How You Grow Wings

by Onoseta, Rimma

Book - 2022

Realistic fiction. "Teenage sisters Cheta and Zam resent each other intensely. Long the target of their mother's violent physical abuse, 17-year-old ...Show more Realistic fiction. "Teenage sisters Cheta and Zam resent each other intensely. Long the target of their mother's violent physical abuse, 17-year-old Cheta has developed into a self-centered survivor with an iron will, intent on leaving the village of Alihame, Nigeria, behind and never looking back. But when a wealthy aunt and uncle invite one of the girls to move in with them, they pick compliant, passive Zam instead. In Aunty Sophie and Uncle Emeke's over-the-top Abuja mansion, Zam feels out of place as she navigates tensions within the household and her own struggles with anxiety. Unwilling to remain stuck in Alihame, Cheta moves to Benin City and begins selling drugs as darker options present themselves—like following in the footsteps of a classmate whose middle-aged sugar daddy bankrolls her lavish lifestyle. Told in Zam and Cheta's alternating perspectives, debut author Onoseta's novel offers exceptionally rich character development, slowly unraveling the history of the sisters' relationship until it becomes as easy to empathize with each of them as it is to understand why they hate each other. Parallel plots drive towards a surprising, powerful moment of intersection. Modern social and political issues are masterfully woven into the narrative, including the erosion of Nigerian languages and religion in the postcolonial era, class divides, colorism, and sexual exploitation of underage girls." Show less

Realistic fiction. "Teenage sisters Cheta and Zam resent each other intensely. Long the target of their mother's violent physical abuse, 17-year-old ...Show more Realistic fiction. "Teenage sisters Cheta and Zam resent each other intensely. Long the target of their mother's violent physical abuse, 17-year-old Cheta has developed into a self-centered survivor with an iron will, intent on leaving the village of Alihame, Nigeria, behind and never looking back. But when a wealthy aunt and uncle invite one of the girls to move in with them, they pick compliant, passive Zam instead. In Aunty Sophie and Uncle Emeke's over-the-top Abuja mansion, Zam feels out of place as she navigates tensions within the household and her own struggles with anxiety. Unwilling to remain stuck in Alihame, Cheta moves to Benin City and begins selling drugs as darker options present themselves—like following in the footsteps of a classmate whose middle-aged sugar daddy bankrolls her lavish lifestyle. Told in Zam and Cheta's alternating perspectives, debut author Onoseta's novel offers exceptionally rich character development, slowly unraveling the history of the sisters' relationship until it becomes as easy to empathize with each of them as it is to understand why they hate each other. Parallel plots drive towards a surprising, powerful moment of intersection. Modern social and political issues are masterfully woven into the narrative, including the erosion of Nigerian languages and religion in the postcolonial era, class divides, colorism, and sexual exploitation of underage girls." Show less

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Wake the Bones

Wake the Bones

by Kilcoyne, Elizabeth

Book - 2022

Southern Gothic, Horror. "The sleepy little farm that Laurel Early grew up on has awakened. The woods are shifting, the soil is dead under her hands,...Show more Southern Gothic, Horror. "The sleepy little farm that Laurel Early grew up on has awakened. The woods are shifting, the soil is dead under her hands, and her bone pile just stood up and walked away. After dropping out of college, all she wanted was to resume her life as a tobacco hand and taxidermist and try not to think about the boy she can’t help but love. Instead, a devil from her past has returned to court her, as he did her late mother years earlier. Now, Laurel must unravel her mother’s terrifying legacy and tap into her own innate magic before her future and the fate of everyone she loves is doomed." Show less

Southern Gothic, Horror. "The sleepy little farm that Laurel Early grew up on has awakened. The woods are shifting, the soil is dead under her hands,...Show more Southern Gothic, Horror. "The sleepy little farm that Laurel Early grew up on has awakened. The woods are shifting, the soil is dead under her hands, and her bone pile just stood up and walked away. After dropping out of college, all she wanted was to resume her life as a tobacco hand and taxidermist and try not to think about the boy she can’t help but love. Instead, a devil from her past has returned to court her, as he did her late mother years earlier. Now, Laurel must unravel her mother’s terrifying legacy and tap into her own innate magic before her future and the fate of everyone she loves is doomed." Show less

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