Staff Picks
Ear Reading Favorites for Teens
- Laura Rogers
- Monday, May 20, 2019
Collection
Plug into these engaging titles for teens while walking, biking, or kicking back on the beach.
Children of Blood and Bone
Published in 2018
*This program is narrated by acclaimed reader Bahni Turpin, whose past work includes The Hate U Give and The Underground Railroad * "Bahni Turpin's breathtaking narration of this exhilarating novel will keep listeners rooted to their seats, listening intently...an audiobook not to be missed." — AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner In Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi conjures a stunning world of dark magic and danger in her West African-inspired fantasy debut. They killed my mother. They took our magic. They tried to bury us. Now we rise. Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie's Reaper mother summoned forth souls. But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good. Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers—and her growing feelings for an enemy. Praise for Children of Blood and Bone: "The next big thing in literature and film." — Ebony "One of the biggest young adult fiction debut book deals of the year. Aside from a compelling plot and a strong-willed heroine as the protagonist, the book deals with larger themes, like race and power, that are being discussed in real time." — Teen Vogue "A remarkable achievement." — Campus Lately "Tomi Adeyemi is about to take both the literature and film world by storm." — Jet
Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Published in 2015
William C. Morris Award Finalist A National Book Award Longlist Title Everybody is talking about Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda! "A remarkable gift of a novel."—Andrew Smith, author of Grasshopper Jungle "I am so in love with this book."—Nina LaCour, author of Hold Still "Feels timelessly, effortlessly now."—Tim Federle, author of Better Nate Than Ever "The best kind of love story."—Alex Sanchez, Lambda Award-winning author of Rainbow Boys and Boyfriends with Girlfriends Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met. Incredibly funny and poignant, this twenty-first-century coming-of-age, coming out story—wrapped in a geek romance—is a knockout of a debut novel by Becky Albertalli.
The Diviners
Published in 2012
-- New York TimesThe Diviners, where the glittering surface of the Roaring Twenties hides a mystical horror creeping across the country.
Graceling
Published in 2009
In a world where some people are born with a unique and sometimes uncanny gift, Katsa was certainly no exception. At an early age, she demonstrated an uncomfortable gift for killing. This makes her the perfect tool for her uncle, King Randa. But Katsa detests being used and decides to stand against the injustice surrounding her.
I Have Lost My Way
Published in 2018
A powerful display of empathy and friendship from the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of If I Stay . The New York Times bestseller from the author of If I Stay "Heartwrenching...If you are ready to be emotionally wrecked yet again, you are in luck." - Hypable A fateful accident draws three strangers together over the course of a single day: Freya who has lost her voice while recording her debut album. Harun who is making plans to run away from everyone he has ever loved. Nathaniel who has just arrived in New York City with a backpack, a desperate plan, and nothing left to lose. As the day progresses, their secrets start to unravel and they begin to understand that the way out of their own loss might just lie in help¬ing the others out of theirs. An emotionally cathartic story of losing love, finding love, and dis¬covering the person you are meant to be, I Have Lost My Way is best¬selling author Gayle Forman at her finest. "A beautifully written love song to every young person who has ever moved through fear and found themselves on the other side." - Jacqueline Woodson, bestselling author of Brown Girl Dreaming
A Thousand Pieces of You
Published in 2014
A thousand lives. A thousand possibilities. One fate. Marguerite Caine grew up surrounded by cutting-edge scientific theories, thanks to her brilliant physicist parents. Yet nothing is more astounding than her mother's latest invention—a device called the Firebird, which allows people to leap into alternate dimensions. When Marguerite's father is murdered, all the evidence points to one person—Paul, her parents' enigmatic star student. Before the law can touch him, Paul escapes into another dimension, having committed what seems like the perfect crime. But he didn't count on Marguerite. She doesn't know if she can kill a man, but she's going to find out. With the help of another physics student, Theo, Marguerite chases Paul through various dimensions. In each new world Marguerite leaps to, she meets another version of Paul that has her doubting his guilt and questioning her heart. Is she doomed to repeat the same betrayal? As Marguerite races through these wildly different lives—a grand duchess in a Tsarist Russia, a club-hopping orphan in a futuristic London, a refugee from worldwide flooding on a station in the heart of the ocean—she is swept into an epic love affair as dangerous as it is irresistible.
Illuminae
Published in 2015
For fans of Marie Lu comes the first book in an epic series that bends the sci-fi genre into a new dimension. "A truly beautiful novel that redefines the form." — Victoria Aveyard, bestselling author of Red Queen This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she'd have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded. The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that's little more than a speck at the edge of the universe. Now with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to evacuate with a hostile warship in hot pursuit. But their problems are just getting started. A plague has broken out and is mutating with terrifying results; the fleet's AI may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what's really going on. As Kady hacks into a web of data to find the truth, it's clear the only person who can help her is the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again. Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, maps, files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more— Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes. "Prepare yourselves for Illuminae ." — EW.com " [Y]ou're not in for an ordinary novel experience. . . . " — Bustle.com "A truly interactive experience. . . . A fantastically fun ride." — MTV.com ★ "[O]ut-of-this-world awesome ." — Kirkus Reviews , starred ★ "... stylistically mesmerizing." — Publishers Weekly , starred ★ " [A]n arresting visual experience ."— Booklist , starred ★ " [A] game-changer ." — Shelf Awareness , starred "Brace yourself. You're about to be immersed in a mindscape that you'll never want to leave." —Marie Lu, bestselling author of the Legend trilogy " Genre: Undefinable. Novel: Unforgettable ." — Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of Beautiful Creatures & author of Unbreakable " An exuberant mix of space opera, romance, zombies, hackers, and political thrills." — Scott Westerfeld, bestselling author of Zeroes and Uglies " Stunningly creative. Smart, funny, and romantic ." — Veronica Rossi, bestselling author of Under the Never Sky "This is one of those rare books that will truly keep your heart pounding." — Beth Revis, bestselling author of Across the Universe " This book is xxxxing awesome ." — Laini Taylor, bestselling author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone From the Hardcover edition.
Two Can Keep a Secret
Published in 2019
Echo Ridge is small-town America. Ellery's never been there, but she's heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there to live with a grandmother she barely knows. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone has declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing.
My Lady Jane
Published in 2016
New York Times Bestseller * Publishers Weekly Best Young Adult Book of 2016 * Bustle Best Young Adult Book of 2016 * YALSA 2017 Best Fiction for Young Adults This comical, fantastical, romantical, New York Times bestselling, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey is "an uproarious historical fantasy that's not to be missed" (Publishers Weekly, starred review). In My Lady Jane, coauthors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows have created a one-of-a-kind YA fantasy in the tradition of The Princess Bride, featuring a reluctant king, an even more reluctant queen, a noble steed, and only a passing resemblance to actual history—because sometimes history needs a little help. At sixteen, Lady Jane Grey is about to be married off to a stranger and caught up in a conspiracy to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But those trifling problems aren't for Jane to worry about. Jane gets to be Queen of England. Like that could go wrong.
Cinder
Published in 2012
As plague ravages the overcrowded Earth observed by a ruthless lunar people, Cinder, a gifted mechanic and cyborg, becomes involved with handsome Prince Kai and must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect the world in this futuristic take on the Cinderella story.
Long Way Down
Published in 2017
National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestseller Jason Reynolds's fiercely stunning novel takes place in sixty potent seconds, the time it takes a kid to decide whether or not he's going to murder the guy who killed his brother.
Salt to the Sea
Published in 2016
New York Times Bestseller! "Masterly crafted" — The Wall Street Journal For readers of Between Shades of Gray and All the Light We Cannot See , bestselling author Ruta Sepetys returns to WWII in this epic novel that shines a light on one of the war's most devastating—yet unknown—tragedies. World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, many with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer to safety. Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people—adults and children alike—aboard must fight for the same thing: survival. Told in alternating points of view and perfect for fans of Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winning All the Light We Cannot See , Erik Larson's Dead Wake , and Elizabeth Wein's Printz Honor Book Code Name Verity , this masterful work of historical fiction is inspired by the real-life tragedy that was the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff — the greatest maritime disaster in history. As she did in Between Shades of Gray , Ruta Sepetys unearths a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity and love can prevail, even in the darkest of hours. Praise for Salt to the Sea : Featured on NPR's Morning Edition ♦ "Superlative...masterfully crafted...[a] powerful work of historical fiction."— The Wall Street Journal ♦ "[Sepetys is] a master of YA fiction...she once again anchors a panoramic view of epic tragedy in perspectives that feel deeply textured and immediate."— Entertainment Weekly ♦ "Riveting...powerful...haunting."— The Washington Post ♦ "Compelling for both adult and teenage readers."— New York Times Book Review ♦ "Intimate, extraordinary, artfully crafted...brilliant."— Shelf Awareness ♦ "Historical fiction at its very, very best."— The Globe and Mail ♦ "[H]aunting, heartbreaking, hopeful and altogether gorgeous...one of the best young-adult novels to appear in a very long time."— Salt Lake Tribune ♦ * "This haunting gem of a novel begs to be remembered."— Booklist ♦ * "Artfully told and sensitively crafted...will leave readers weeping."— School Library Journal Praise for Between Shades of Gray : A New York Times Notable Book ♦ A Wall Street Journal Best Children's Book ♦ A Publishers Weekly , School Library Journal , Booklist , and Kirkus Best Book ♦ iTunes 2011 Rewind Best Teen Novel ♦ A Carnegie Medal and William C. Morris Finalist ♦ A New York Times and International Bestseller ♦ "Few books are beautifully written, fewer still are important; this novel is both."— The Washington Post ♦ * "[A]n important book that deserves the widest possible readership."— Booklist From the Hardcover edition.
Falling Over Sideways
Published in 2016
A new hilarious, honest, and hopeful novel from the author of Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. It's not easy being Claire. (Really.) Claire's life is a joke . . . but she's not laughing. While her friends seem to be leaping forward, she's dancing in the same place. The mean girls at school are living up to their mean name, and there's a boy, Ryder, who's just as bad, if not worse. And at home, nobody's really listening to her -- if anything, they seem to be more in on the joke than she is. Then into all of this (not-very-funny-to-Claire) comedy comes something intense and tragic -- while her dad is talking to her at the kitchen table, he falls over with a medical emergency. Suddenly the joke has become very serious -- and the only way Claire, her family, and her friends are going to get through it is if they can find a way to make it funny again.
Goodbye Days a Novel
Published in 2017
"Looks at a teen's life after the death of his best friend and how he navigates through the guilt and pain by celebrating their lives--and ultimately learning to forgive himself"-- Provided by publisher.