Undated
Ballad & Dagger by Daniel Jose Holder (Rick Riordan Presents) - first YA title from this imprint.
"Beginning the YA urban fantasy Outlaw Saints series about a teen boy in Brooklyn who discovers he has healing abilities after his piano playing summons gods and magical creatures to appear during the annual San Madrigal Grand Fete."
A Court of Miracles #2 by Kester Grant (Knopf) - moved from 2021, then from 2023, some editions dated December 2022.
May 3rd
See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon (Simon and Schuster)
Barrett Bloom is hoping college will be a fresh start after her messy high school experience. But when school starts on September 21st, everything goes wrong. She can’t switch out of her Physics 101 class even after being humiliated by the awkward guy sitting next to her, and she botches her interview for the college paper. At a frat party that night, she accidentally tips over a tiki torch and sets the place on fire. She panics and flees, and when she realizes her roommate locked her out of their dorm, she falls asleep on a couch in the common room.
The next morning, Barrett’s perplexed to find herself back in her dorm room bed, no longer smelling of ashes and crushed dreams. It’s September 21st. Again. And after a confrontation with Miles, the guy from her physics class, she learns she’s not alone—he’s been trapped for months.
When her attempts to fix her timeline fail, she agrees to work with Miles to figure out what’s going on. They start skipping their classes in favor of the library and research trips that take them into the unexplored underbelly of the university and across state lines. As Barrett starts to fall for Miles, the two of them must find a way to grow and change alongside the shifting fabric of the universe. But the one question they can’t answer is what they’ll mean to each other if they finally make it to tomorrow.
When You Call My Name by Tucker Shaw (Henry Holt) - moved from 2021.
Film fanatic Adam is seventeen and being asked out on his first date—and the guy is cute. Heart racing, Adam accepts, quickly falling in love with the older Callum like the movies always promised.
Fashion obsessed Ben is eighteen and has just left his home upstate after his mother discovers his hidden stash of gay magazines. When he comes to New York City, Ben’s sexuality begins to feel less like a secret and more like a badge of honor.
Callum disappears, leaving Adam heartbroken, and Ben finds out his new world is more closed minded than he thought. When Adam finally tracks Callum down, he learns the guy he loves is very ill. And in a chance meeting near the hospital where Callum is being treated, Ben and Adam meet, forever changing each other’s lives. As both begin to open their eyes to the possibilities of queer love and life, they realize sometimes the only people who can help you are the people who can really see you—in all your messy glory.
A love letter to New York and the liberating power of queer friendship, When You Call My Name is a hopeful novel about the pivotal moments of our youth that break our hearts and the people who help us put them back together.
Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed (Little, Brown)
Safiya Mirza dreams of becoming a journalist. And one thing she’s learned as editor of her school newspaper is that a journalist’s job is to find the facts and not let personal biases affect the story. But all that changes the day she finds the body of a murdered boy.
Jawad Ali was fourteen years old when he built a cosplay jetpack that a teacher mistook for a bomb. A jetpack that got him arrested, labeled a terrorist—and eventually killed. But he’s more than a dead body, and more than “Bomb Boy.” He was a person with a life worth remembering.
Driven by Jawad’s haunting voice guiding her throughout her investigation, Safiya seeks to tell the whole truth about the murdered boy and those who killed him because of their hate-based beliefs.
This gripping and powerful book uses an innovative format and lyrical prose to expose the evil that exists in front of us, and the silent complicity of the privileged who create alternative facts to bend the truth to their liking.
Master of Iron by Tricia Levenseller (Feiwel and Friends)
Eighteen-year-old Ziva may have defeated a deadly warlord, but the price was almost too much. Ziva is forced into a breakneck race to a nearby city with the handsome mercenary, Kellyn, and the young scholar, Petrik, to find a powerful magical healer who can save her sister's life.
When the events that follow lead to Ziva and Kellyn's capture by an ambitious prince, Ziva is forced into the very situation she's been dreading: magicking dangerous weapons meant for world domination.
The forge has always been Ziva's safe space, a place to avoid society and the anxiety it causes her, but now it is her prison, and she's not sure just how much of herself she'll have to sacrifice to save Kellyn and take center stage in the very war she's been trying to stop.
If You Change Your Mind by Robby Weber (Inkyard Press)
Harry wants nothing more than to write Hollywood screenplays. He knows the first step toward achieving that goal is winning a screenwriting competition that will seal his admission into the college of his dreams, so he’s determined to spend his summer free of distractions—also known as boys—and finish his script. After last year, Harry is certain love only exists in the movies anyway.
But then the cause of his first heartbreak, Grant, returns with a secret that could change everything. To complicate things further, new-in-town Logan is charming and sweet, making Harry question everything he knows about romance. As Harry tries to manage his feelings for Grant and Logan, he realizes life doesn’t always follow a script.
The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester by Maya McGregor (Boyd Mills Press) - moved from 2021.
In this queer
contemporary YA mystery, a nonbinary teen with autism realizes they must
not only solve a 30-year-old mystery but also face the demons lurking
in their past in order to live a satisfying life.
Sam
Sylvester's not overly optimistic about their recent move to the small
town of Astoria, Oregon after a traumatic experience in their last home
in the rural Midwest.
Yet Sam's life seems to be on the upswing
after meeting several new friends and a potential love interest in Shep,
the pretty neighbor. However, Sam can't seem to let go of what might
have been, and is drawn to investigate the death of a teenage boy in
1980s Astoria. Sam's convinced he was murdered--especially since Sam's
investigation seems to resurrect some ghosts in the town.
Threatening
notes and figures hidden in shadows begin to disrupt Sam's life. Yet
Sam continues to search for the truth. When Sam discovers that they may
be closer to a killer than previously known, Sam has a difficult
decision to make. Would they risk their new life for a half-lived one.
The Agathas by Liz Lawson and Kathleen Glasgow (Delacorte)
What would Agatha Christie do?
That’s what Alice Ogilvie asked herself last summer, when her basketball-star boyfriend Steve dumped her. Then she took a page out of Agatha Christie’s real-life playbook, and just like the master mystery novelist, she disappeared herself. Where she went during her five-day absence is the biggest mystery in Castle Cove—or it was, at least. Because now, another one of Steve’s girlfriends has vanished: Brooke Donovan, Alice’s ex–best friend. And this time, it doesn’t look like Brooke will be coming back. . . .
Enter Iris Adams, Alice’s tutor. Iris has her own reasons for wanting to disappear, though unlike Alice, she doesn’t have the money or the means. That could be changed by the hefty reward Brooke’s grandmother is offering to anyone who can share information about her granddaughter’s whereabouts. The police are convinced Steve is behind the disappearance, but Alice isn’t so sure, and with Iris on her side, she just might be able to prove her theory.
What would Agatha Christie do? Alice and Iris don’t need to ask twice. There’s a grab bag of clues the police are ignoring, and a list of suspects a mile long. If one thing is clear, it’s that whatever’s going on, it has the makings of a great mystery, and Agatha Christie would never ignore that. Only, Alice and Iris have no idea how many secrets the town of Castle Cove is hiding . . . or how much danger they’re about to walk into.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston (St. Martin's Press)
Chloe Green is so close to winning. After her moms moved her from SoCal to Alabama for high school, she’s spent the past four years dodging gossipy classmates and a puritanical administration at Willowgrove Christian Academy. The thing that’s kept her going: winning valedictorian. Her only rival: prom queen Shara Wheeler, the principal’s perfect progeny.
But a month before graduation, Shara kisses Chloe and vanishes.
On a furious hunt for answers, Chloe discovers she’s not the only one Shara kissed. There’s also Smith, Shara’s longtime quarterback sweetheart, and Rory, Shara’s bad boy neighbor with a crush. The three have nothing in common except Shara and the annoyingly cryptic notes she left behind, but together they must untangle Shara’s trail of clues and find her. It’ll be worth it, if Chloe can drag Shara back before graduation to beat her fair-and-square.
Thrown into an unlikely alliance, chasing a ghost through parties, break-ins, puzzles, and secrets revealed on monogrammed stationery, Chloe starts to suspect there might be more to this small town than she thought. And maybe—probably not, but maybe—more to Shara, too.
Fierce, funny, and frank, Casey McQuiston's I Kissed Shara Wheeler is about breaking the rules, getting messy, and finding love in unexpected places.
Inheritance by Elizabeth Acevedo (Quill Tree Books)
Some people tell me to “fix” my hair.
And by fix, they mean straighten; they mean whiten.
But how do you fix this shipwrecked
history of hair?
In her most famous spoken-word poem, award-winning author and poet Elizabeth Acevedo celebrates the beauty and meaning of natural Black hair, her words vibrantly illustrated by artist Andrea Pippins. This powerful book embraces all the complexities of Afro-Latinidad—the history, pain, pride, and powerful love of that inheritance.
Confessions of an Alleged Good Girl by Joya Goffney (HarperTeen)
After two years of trying and failing, her boyfriend breaks up with her. To win him back, Monique teams up with straight-laced, church girl Sasha—who is surprisingly knowledgeable about Monique’s condition—as well as Reggie, the misunderstood bad boy who always makes a ruckus at church, and together they embark upon a top-secret search for the cure.
While on their quest, Monique discovers the value of a true friend and the wonders of a love that accepts her for who she is. Despite everyone’s opinions about her virtue, she learns to live for herself, inspiring us all to reclaim our bodies and unapologetically love ourselves.
Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater (Disney)
What if you had one year to save everything you loved?
ONE PRINCESS. Merida of DunBroch needs a change. She loves her family—jovial King Fergus, proper Queen Elinor, the mischievous triplets— and her peaceful kingdom. But she’s frustrated by its sluggishness; each day, the same. Merida longs for adventure, purpose, challenge – maybe even, someday, love.
TWO GODS. But the fiery Princess never expects her disquiet to manifest by way of Feradach, an uncanny supernatural being tasked with rooting out rot and stagnation, who appears in DunBroch on Christmas Eve with the intent to demolish the realm – and everyone within. Only the intervention of the Cailleach, an ancient entity of creation, gives Merida a shred of hope: convince her family to change within the year – or suffer the eternal consequences.
THREE VOYAGES. Under the watchful eyes of the gods, Merida leads a series of epic journeys to kingdoms near and far in an attempt to inspire revolution within her family. But in her efforts to save those she loves from ruin, has Merida lost sight of the Clan member grown most stagnant of all – herself?
FOUR SEASONS TO SAVE DUNBROCH – OR SEE IT DESTROYED, FOREVER.
The Ghosts of Rose Hill by R.M. Romero (Peachtree Teen)
Sent to stay with her aunt in Prague and witness the humble life of an artist, Ilana Lopez—a biracial Jewish girl—finds herself torn between her dream of becoming a violinist and her immigrant parents’ desire for her to pursue a more stable career.
When she discovers a forgotten Jewish cemetery behind her aunt’s cottage, she meets the ghost of a kindhearted boy named Benjamin, who died over a century ago. As Ilana restores Benjamin’s grave, he introduces her to the enchanted side of Prague, where ghosts walk the streets and their kisses have warmth.
But Benjamin isn't the only one interested in Ilana. Rudolph Wassermann, a man with no shadow, has become fascinated with her and the music she plays. He offers to share his magic, so Ilana can be with Benjamin and pursue her passion for violin. But after Ilana discovers the truth about Wassermann and how Benjamin became bound to the city, she resolves to save the boy she loves, even if it means losing him—forever.
With spellbinding verse prose, R.M. Romero channels the spirit of myth into a brilliantly original tale, inspired by her experiences restoring Jewish cemeteries in Eastern Europe.
The Honeys by Ryan La Sala (Scholastic)
When self-professed evil twin Mars Matthias loses his sister Caroline under horrific circumstances, it propels him to learn all he can about the once-inseparable sibling who'd grown tragically distant.
Mars's genderfluidity means he's often excluded from the traditions -- and expectations -- of his politically-connected family, including attendance at the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy where his sister poured so much of her time. But with his grief still fresh, he insists on attending in her place.
What Mars finds is a bucolic fairytale. Folksy charm and rigid gender roles combine with toxic preparatory rigor into a pristine, sun-drenched package. Mars seeks out his sister's old friends: a group of girls dubbed the Honeys, named for the beehives they maintain behind their cabin. They are beautiful and terrifying -- and Mars is certain they're connected to Caroline's death.
But the longer he stays at Aspen, the more the sweet mountain breezes give way to hints of decay. Mars’s memories begin to falter, bleached beneath the relentless summer sun. Something is hunting him in broad daylight, toying with his mind. If Mars can't find it soon, it will eat him alive.
How to Money: Your Ultimate Visual Guide to the Basics of Finance by Jean Chatzky and Kathryn Tuggle (Roaring Brook Press) - YA non-fiction.
There’s no getting around it. You need to know how to manage money to know how to manage life — but most of us don’t! This illustrated guidebook from New York Times bestselling author and financial expert Jean Chatzky, Kathryn Tuggle, and their team at HerMoney breaks down the basics of money—how to earn it, manage it, and use it—giving you all the tools you need to take charge and be fearless with personal finance.
How to Money will teach you the basics of:
-creating a budget (and sticking to it)
-scoring that first job (and what that paystub means)
-navigating student loans (and avoiding student debt)
-getting that first credit card (and what “credit” is)
-investing like a pro (and why it’s important!)
All so you can earn more, save smart, invest wisely, borrow only when you have to, and enjoy everything you've got!
The Noh Family by Grace Shim (Kokila)
When her friends gift her a 23-and-Me test as a gag, high school senior Chloe Kang doesn't think much of trying it out. She doesn't believe anything will come of it--she's an only child, her mother is an orphan, and her father died in Seoul before she was even born, and before her mother moved to Oklahoma. It's been just Chloe and her mom her whole life. But the DNA test reveals something Chloe never expected--she's got a whole extended family from her father's side half a world away in Korea. Her father's family are owners of a famous high-end department store, and are among the richest families in Seoul. When they learn she exists, they are excited to meet her. Her mother has huge reservations, she hasn't had a great relationship with her husband's family, which is why she's kept them secret, but she can't stop Chloe from travelling to Seoul to spend two weeks getting to know the Noh family.
Chloe is whisked into the lap of luxury, but something feels wrong. Chloe wants to shake it off--she's busy enjoying the delights of Seoul with new friend Miso Dan, the daughter of one of her mother's grade school friends. And as an aspiring fashion designer, she's loving the couture clothes her department store owning family gives her access to. But soon Chloe will discover the reason why her mother never told her about her dad's family, and why the Nohs wanted her in Seoul in the first place. Could joining the Noh family be worse than having no family at all?
An Unreliable Magic by Rin Chupeco (Sourcebooks Fire) - moved from 2021.
Tala, Alex, and the rest of their friends are safe for now, but they know the Snow Queen is biding her time. Her attack is coming, and they have to be prepared when it does.
Alex is determined to find all he can on the legendary Buyan, a long-lost country that is supposedly paradise on earth, said to possess life-giving waters and the cure to the Snow Queen's long-thought irreversible Deathless curse. All he knows for certain is he'll need the Firebird to find it.
When the Nameless Sword, a legendary weapon that, according to Avalon legend, will make its wielder the most powerful warrior of their time turns up with Tala's name on it, her life gets messy as well. Then the Snow Queen arrives with an unlikely ally, and the group must unite to defeat her or meet their end.
How to Be the Best Third Wheel by Loridee De Villa (Wattpad)
After a summer spent in the Philippines with her family, Lara de la Cruz is eager to start her senior year and, most importantly, reunite with her three besties, Carol, Jasmine, and Kiera. Of course summer is the season of change, and Lara knew she’d have to get caught up on the major updates, hot gossip, and other shenanigans she may have missed. But what she did not expect was to show up on the first day of school to all three of her friends now in relationships.
The mushy public displays of affection and lunches spent gushing about their new “boyfries” has Lara quickly realizing her last year of high school is nothing like she imagined.
Since she’s been back, Lara’s long time frenemy, James, has become impossibly annoying. Sure, they are now both third wheels, but why is he asking her to tutor him in classes? And why, after they start spending more time together, does she begin to notice how cute he looks when he smiles . . . uh oh.
Fighting for the attention of her best friends, catching some pretty new and confusing feelings for James, and wading through the pressures post-high-school plans all have Lara reeling. And to make matters worse, Lara’s beautiful and untrustworthy cousin conveniently appears and wiggles her way right between her and James’ budding relationship. Feeling like a third wheel in more ways than one, Lara must learn to accept that change is inevitable, love is complicated, and being the odd one out is sometimes where inner power is found.Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado (Sourcebooks Fire)
For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize's cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention—especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances.
Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York's past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart—or die trying.
Charm by Tracy Wolff (Entangled Teen) - moved from January 2022, some editions dated April 2022.
Vows of Empire by Emily Skrutskie (Del Rey) - technically an adult title, but I know this series has a large YA audience.
Not Good For Maidens by Tori Bovalino (Page Street)
Seventeen years ago, May and Laura Wickett fought their way out of the goblin market but the scars will never fade from May’s heart. After all, the market was more than the sum of the bodies it left behind: it was also the home of her first love. But when the price of freedom is blood and marrow, some heartbreaks are better left buried.
In present-day Boston, Louisa Wickett-Stevens does not believe in magic, despite Mom’s and Aunt May’s superstitions. But after Lou’s teenage aunt, Neela, goes missing, Lou realizes that their superstitions have been handed down to protect them from York’s bloodthirsty goblin market. It’s up to Lou, Mom, and May to infiltrate the market and steal Neela back before the goblins disappear. But the market has its fair share of secrets, and this time, the goblins do not only want death: they seek vengeance.
Forging Silver Into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer (Bloomsbury)
Set
four years after the events of the Cursebreaker trilogy, Forging Silver
into Stars finds Tycho -- a Lord, now -- working as the King's Courier.
Far
outside the royal circles, in a small rundown town called Briarlock,
friends Jax and Callyn struggle to survive with the difficult hands fate
dealt them.
In need of a blacksmith, Tycho stops at Jax's forge
and makes an unexpected connection--but he's not the only stranger in
Briarlock that day, and soon Tycho, Jax, and Callyn find themselves
embroiled in a world of shifting alliances, brewing rebellion, and
ancient magic.
The Counselors by Jessica Goodman (Razorbill)
From bestselling
author Jessica Goodman comes a twisty new thriller about three best
friends, one elite summer camp, and the dark secrets that lead to a body
in the lake.
Sisters by choice.
That’s how Goldie and her best friends, Ava and Imogen, define their friendship, which formed years ago at Camp Alpine Lake.
This
year, Goldie is back at camp as a counselor, desperate for summer to
start and for Ava and Imo to arrive. With the dark secret Goldie’s been
keeping, she’s more in need of their comfort than ever. When the boy who
broke Goldie's heart, turns up dead in the lake, this last summer
before college is completely upended—and Goldie learns that she’s not
the only person at camp who has been lying. Asking questions offers
Goldie no answers, only danger and betrayals deeper than she ever
imagined.
Girl Overboard by Sandra Block (Underlined)
This fast-paced thriller
about a girl who investigates her friend's disappearance during their
cruise ship vacation is Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10 for teens—and
it’s a paperback original!
Izzy is reaching peak boredom on a
cruise with her parents until she meets daring new friend Jade, with
whom Izzy can barely keep up. But a shock wave runs through the cruise
ship when Jade goes missing in the middle of the night, leaving behind a
cryptic note.
Izzy digs deeper into Jade’s disappearance, but
someone doesn’t want to find the truth. And if she’s not careful, Izzy
might not get off this ship alive . . .
Underlined is a line of
totally addictive romance, thriller, and horror paperback original
titles coming to you fast and furious each month. Enjoy everything you
want to read the way you want to read it.
The Dove in the Belly by Jim Grimsley (Levine Querido)
Arthur
A. Levine at Levine Querido has acquired The Dove in the Belly by Jim
Grimsley (Winter Birds; Dream Boy), winner of the Lambda Literary Award
and Stonewall Award. The Dove in the Belly
is about a young gay man coming of age one summer in the late '70s in
the South while navigating a budding romance. Publication is scheduled
for spring 2022; Melanie Jackson at the Melanie Jackson Agency brokered
the deal for world rights.
Ghost Roast by Shawnee Gibbs and Shawnelle Gibbs (HMH) - originally dated April 2021, some editions dated May 1st.
An exciting paranormal
adventure that blends lost histories, first crushes, and the impossible
task of fitting in with the cool kids when your dad is a ghost hunter.
Perfect for fans of THE OKAY WITCH and ANYA'S GHOST.
May 10th
Nate Plus One by Kevin van Whye (Random House)
Two boys. Two bands. Two worlds colliding.
Nate Hargraves - stage-shy singer-songwriter - is totally stoked for his cousin's wedding in South Africa, an all-expenses-paid trip of a lifetime. Until he finds out his sleazeball ex-boyfriend is also on the guest list.
Jai Patel - hot-as-hell high school rock-god - has troubles too. His band's lead singer has quit, just weeks before the gig that was meant to be their big break.
When Nate saves the day by agreeing to sing with Jai's band, Jai volunteers to be Nate's plus-one to the wedding, and the stage is set for a summer of music, self-discovery, and simmering romantic tension. What could possibly go wrong...?
A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan (Inkyard Press)
Mina Rahman has a plan for her future:
Finally win the Golden Ivy student film competition.
Get into her dream school across the country.
Leave New York City behind once and for all.
Mina’s ticket to winning the competition falls into her lap when indie
film star—and known heartbreaker—Emmitt Ramos enrolls in her high school
under a secret identity to research his next role. When Mina sets out
to persuade Emmitt to join her cause, he offers her a deal instead:
he'll be in her short film…if she acts as a tour guide to help him with a photography contest.
As Mina ventures across the five boroughs with Emmitt by her side, the
city she grew up in starts to look different and more like home than it
ever has before. With the competition deadline looming, Mina's
dreams—which once seemed impenetrable—begin to crumble, and she’s forced
to ask herself: Is winning worth losing everything?
The Summer of Bitter & Sweet by Jen Ferguson (Heartdrum)
In this complex and emotionally resonant novel, debut author Jen Ferguson serves up a powerful story about rage, secrets, and all the spectrums that make up a person—and the sweetness that can still live alongside the bitterest truth.
Lou has enough confusion in front of her this summer. She’ll be working in her family’s ice-cream shack with her newly ex-boyfriend—whose kisses never made her feel desire, only discomfort—and her former best friend, King, who is back in their Canadian prairie town after disappearing three years ago without a word.
But when she gets a letter from her biological father—a man she hoped would stay behind bars for the rest of his life—Lou immediately knows that she cannot meet him, no matter how much he insists.
While King’s friendship makes Lou feel safer and warmer than she would have thought possible, when her family’s business comes under threat, she soon realizes that she can’t ignore her father forever.
Café Con Lychee by Emery Lee (Quill Tree Books)
Theo Mori wants to escape. Leaving Vermont for college means getting away from working at his parents’ Asian American café and dealing with their archrivals’ hopeless son Gabi who’s lost the soccer team more games than Theo can count.
Gabi Moreno is miserably stuck in the closet. Forced to play soccer to hide his love for dance and iced out by Theo, the only openly gay guy at school, Gabi’s only reprieve is his parents’ Puerto Rican bakery and his plans to take over after graduation.
But the town’s new fusion café changes everything. Between the Mori’s struggling shop and the Moreno’s plan to sell their bakery in the face of the competition, both boys find their dreams in jeopardy. Then Theo has an idea—sell photo-worthy food covertly at school to offset their losses. When he sprains his wrist and Gabi gets roped in to help, they realize they need to work together to save their parents’ shops but will the new feelings rising between them be enough to send their future plans up in smoke?
Dead End Girls by Wendy Heard (Little, Brown/Ottaviano)
The why is complex: revenge, partly. Her terrible parents deserve this. But there’s also l’appel du vide, the call of the void, that beckons her toward a new life where she will be tied to no one, free and adrift. Then Frankie, a step-cousin she barely knows, figures out what she’s plotting, and the plan seems like it’s ruined. Except Frankie doesn’t want to rat her out. Frankie wants in. The girls vault into the unknown, risking everything for a new and limitless life. But there are some things you can never run away from. What if the poison is not in the soil, but in the roots?
This pulse-pounding thriller offers a nuanced exploration of identity, freedom, and falling in love while your world falls apart.
Breathe And Count Back From Ten by Natalia Sylvester (Clarion)
Her Florida town is home to Mermaid Cove, a kitschy underwater attraction where professional mermaids perform in giant tanks . . . and Verónica wants to audition. But her conservative Peruvian parents would never go for it.
And they definitely would never let her be with Alex, her cute new neighbor. She decides it’s time to seize control of her life, but her plans come crashing down when she learns her parents have been hiding the truth from her—the truth about her own body.
Bright by Jessica Jung (Simon and Schuster) - moved from September 2021, some editions dated February 2022.
Couture gowns, sponsored parties, international travel. Rachel Kim is at the top of her game. Girls Forever is now the number-one K-pop group in the world, and her fame skyrockets after her viral airport styling attracts the attention of fashion’s biggest names. Her life’s a swirl of technicolor glamour and adoring fans. Rachel can’t imagine shining any brighter.
The only thing that’s missing is love—but Rachel’s determined to follow the rules. In her world, falling in love can cost you everything.
Enter Alex. When Rachel literally falls head over designer heels into his lap on a crowded metro, she’s tempted to give up her anti-love vows. Alex is more than just heart-stopping dimples and adorably quirky banter. He believes in Rachel’s future—both in music and in fashion.
But the higher you rise, the farther you have to fall. And when a shocking act of betrayal shatters her world, Rachel must finally listen to her heart.
Beauty and the Besharam by Lillie Vale (Viking)
Heated competition leads to even hotter romance in this YA summer rom-com for fans of Sandhya Menon, David Yoon, and Wibbroka.
Seventeen-year-old, high-achieving Kavya Joshi has always been told she's a little too ambitious, a little too mouthy, and overall just a little too much. Her big, extended, overly involved family has one word to sum her up: besharam.
When her nemesis, Ian Jun, witnesses her very public breakup with her loser boyfriend on the last day of junior year, Kavya wants to lay low and spend the summer at her great escape--her part-time job at Poppy's Party Playhouse, dressing up as a princess for kids' birthday parties. But her plan is shot when she's cast as Ariel and learns that Ian will be her Prince Eric for the summer. [Cue the sarcastic banter.]
Exhausted by Kavya and Ian's years-long feud, their friends hatch a plan to end their rivalry by convincing them to participate in a series of challenges throughout the summer. Ian and Kavya are only too eager to finally declare a winner. But as the competition heats up, so too does the romantic tension, until it escalates from a simmer to a full-on burn.
May 17th
The Feeling of Falling in Love by Mason Deaver (Scholastic)
Perfect for fans of Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston and What If It's Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli.
Just days before spring break, Neil Kearney is set to fly across the country with his childhood friend (and current friend-with-benefits) Josh, to attend his brother's wedding―until Josh tells Neil that he's in love with him and Neil doesn't return the sentiment. With Josh still attending the wedding, Neil needs to find a new date to bring along.
And, almost against his will, roommate Wyatt is drafted. At first, Wyatt (correctly) thinks Neil is acting like a jerk. But when they get to LA, Wyatt sees a little more of where it's coming from. Slowly, Neil and Wyatt begin to understand one another… and maybe, just maybe, fall in love for the first time…
How To Live Without You by Sarah Everett (Clarion)
When her sister Rose disappeared, seventeen-year-old Emmy lost a part of herself. Everyone else seems convinced she ran away and will reappear when she’s ready, but Emmy isn’t so sure. That doesn’t make sense for the Rose she knew: effervescent, caring, and strong-willed. So Emmy returns to their Ohio hometown for a summer, determined to uncover clues that can lead her back to Rose once and for all.
But what Emmy finds is a string of secrets and lies that she never thought possible, casting the person she thought she knew best in a whole new light. Reeling with confusion, Emmy decides to step into Rose’s life. She reconnects with their childhood best friend and follows in Rose’s last known footsteps with heart-wrenching consequences.
An honest and intimate look at sisterhood and the dark side of growing up, Sarah Everett’s latest novel is a stunning portrayal of how you can never truly know the ones you love.
The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes (Balzer + Bray)
At Slayton Catholic, Yami has new priorities: make her mom proud, keep her brother out of trouble, and most importantly, don't fall in love. Granted, she's never been great at any of those things, but that’s a problem for Future Yami.
The thing is, it’s hard to fake being straight when Bo, the only openly queer girl at school, is so annoyingly perfect. And talented. And confident. And cute. So cute. Yami isn't sure if she likes Bo or if she's just jealous of her unapologetic nature. Either way, she isn't ready to make the same mistake again. If word got to her mom, she could face a lot worse than rejection.
The Arc by Ben Oliver (Scholastic)
Luka Kane is dead, executed in front of a crowd of Alts who cheered despite the fact that the truth of their oppressive leaders had been revealed to them.
But one Alt, Chester “Chilly” Beckett, did not celebrate; his eyes have been opened to the truth. Luka’s corpse is dragged away, but Chester remains determined to find out what is going on in the Laboratory on the 65th floor.
There, he finds three subjects tortured in an attempt to extract a regeneration formula… and one of the subjects is, impossibly, a face he never thought he'd seen again. A bold escape sets in motion a race against time as Happy’s plans to release planet-eating nano-bots into the world draw nearer. The Loop team must reassemble, survive Happy’s final attempts to rid the world of the rebels, and figure out how to halt the apocalypse before humanity is destroyed.
The Peach Rebellion by Wendelin Van Draanen (Knopf)
Ginny Rose and Peggy were best friends at seven, picking peaches on hot summer days. Peggy’s family owned the farm, and Ginny Rose’s were pickers, escaping the Oklahoma dust storms. That didn’t matter to them then, but now, ten years, hard miles, and a world war later, Ginny Rose’s family is back in town and their differences feel somehow starker. Especially since Peggy’s new best friend, Lisette, is a wealthy banker’s daughter.
Still, there's no denying what these girls have in common—families with great fissures that are about to break wide open.
So when Ginny Rose imagines a radical plan to try to heal the rift in her family, these three not-quite-friends come together to see it through. They sense that this is a moment for them all—to prove they have the power to make things happen. To know that they can build better futures for themselves in a changing world.
Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho (Disney-Hyperion)
Elena Soo has always felt overshadowed. Whether by her more successful older sisters, her more popular twin brother, or her more outgoing best friend, everyone except Elena seems to know exactly who they are and what they want. But she is certain about one thing - she has no interest in going to prom. While the rest of the school is giddy over corsages and dresses, Elena would rather spend her time working to save the local community center, the one place that's always made her feel like she belonged.
So when international K-pop superstar Robbie Choi shows up at her house to ask her to prom, Elena is more confused than ever. Because the one person who always accepted Elena as she is? Her childhood best friend, Robbie Choi. And the one thing she maybe, possibly, secretly wants more than anything? For the two of them to keep the promise they made each other as kids: to go to prom together. But that was seven year ago, and with this new K-pop persona, pink hair, and stylish clothes, Robbie is nothing like the sweet, goofy boy she remembers. The boy she shared all her secrets with. The boy she used to love.
Besides, prom with a guy who comes with hordes of screaming fans, online haters, and relentless paparazzi is the last thing Elena wants - even if she can't stop thinking about Robbie's smile...right?
Destination Unknown by Bill Konigsberg (Scholastic)
The first thing I noticed about C.J. Gorman was his plexiglass bra.
So begins Destination Unknown -- it's 1987 in New York City, and Micah is at a dance club, trying to pretend he's more out and outgoing than he really is. C.J. isn't just out -- he’s complete out there, and Micah can't help but be both attracted to and afraid of someone who travels so loudly and proudly through the night.
A connection occurs. Is it friendship? Romance? Is C.J. the one with all the answers... or does Micah bring more to the relationship that it first seems? As their lives become more and more entangled in the AIDS epidemic that’s laying waste to their community, and the AIDS activism that will ultimately bring a strong voice to their demands, whatever Micah and C.J. have between them will be tested, strained, pushed, and pulled -- but it will also be a lifeline in a time of death, a bond that will determine the course of their futures.
In Destination Unknown, Bill Konigsberg returns to a time he knew well as a teenager to tell a story of identity, connection, community, and survival.
Gideon Green in Black and White by Katie Henry (Katherine Tegan Books)
The second: Being stuck in high school for 498 more days.
The first? Don’t worry about it. It’s not important.
Gideon’s short-lived run as a locally-famous boy detective ended when middle school started, and everyone else—including his best friend, Lily—moved on while Gideon kept holding on to his trench coat, fedora, and his treasured film noir collection. Now, he’s sixteen and officially retired. That is, until Lily shows up suddenly at Gideon’s door, just like in all his old detective movies. While investigating a story for the school newspaper, she’s hit a brick wall. And she wants Gideon’s help.He might be mad at her for cutting him off with no explanation, but Gideon can’t turn down a case, not to mention the chance to prove his classmates and his dad were wrong to write him off. As a cover, Gideon joins Lily on the school paper. Surprisingly, he finds himself warming up to the welcoming, close-knit staff . . . especially Tess, the cute, witty editor-in-chief. But as the case gets bigger than Gideon or Lily could have anticipated, Gideon must balance his black-and-white quest for the truth with the full colors of real life—or risk a permanent fade to black.
Critically acclaimed author Katie Henry infuses her trademark insightful humor into a send-up of the hardboiled detective genre that spotlights family, friendship, and love.
Wind Daughter by Joanna Ruth Meyer (Page Street) - moved from January 2022, some editions still dated January.
In the dark, cold reaches of the north lives a storyteller and his daughter. He told his daughter, Satu, many stories—romances like the girl who loved a star and changed herself into a nightingale so she could always see him shining—but the most important story he told her was his own. This storyteller was once the formidable North Wind, but he lost his power by trading it away in exchange for mortality—he loved her mother too much to live without her. The loss of his magic impacted more than just their family, however, and now the world is unraveling in the wake of this imbalance.
To save the North, Satu embarks on a perilous journey to reclaim her father’s magic, but she isn’t the only one searching for it. In the snow-laden mountains, she finds herself in a deadly race with the Winter Lord who wants the North Wind’s destructive powers for himself.
Satu has the chance to be the heroine of her own fairy tale, only this one has an ending she never could have imagined.
Melt With You by Jennifer Dugan (Putnam)
From the author of Hot Dog Girl comes a sweet and salty queer YA rom-com about two girls on a summer road trip in an ice cream truck.
Fallon and Chloe used to be best friends. But last summer, the girls hooked up right before Chloe left for college, and after a series of misunderstandings, they aren’t even speaking to one another. Now, a year later, Chloe’s back home from school, and Fallon is doing everything in her power to avoid her. Which is especially difficult because their moms own a business together—a gourmet ice cream truck where both girls work.
But when their moms have the opportunity to make a presentation to some venture capitalists in Texas—something that could seriously expand their business and solve all their money problems to boot—it's up to Fallon to work a series of food truck festivals across the country. But she can't do it alone, and Chloe is the only one available to help. As tensions heat up again between the two girls, will Fallon be able to keep her cool?
Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber (Balzer + Bray)
Wren Greenrock has always known that one day she would steal her sister's place in the palace. Trained from birth to avenge her parents' murder and usurp the princess, she will do anything to rise to power and protect the community of witches she loves.
Princess Rose Valhart knows that with power comes responsibility including marriage into a brutal kingdom. Life outside the palace walls is a place to be feared and she's soon to discover it is wilder than she ever imagined. Two sisters separated at birth and raised into entirely different worlds are about to get to know each other's lives a whole lot better - but who will ultimately rise to power and wear the crown?
Practice Girl by Estelle Laure (Viking)
Jo never heard of the label "practice girl"...until she was called one. And those two devastating words would irreversibly change the way she saw everyone--including herself. An emotional and empowering novel about reputation and double standards, perfect for fans of Katie Cotugno and Sarah Dessen.
Jo Beckett is looking for love. She's fallen for a few boys, but for some reason, they've never fallen for her. One night, at a party she didn't even want to go to, she finds out the truth. Those boys, who are on the wrestling team she manages, consider her just a “practice girl”—the popular term for girl who’s good enough to hook up with but not to date.
With this crushing revelation, Jo feels so many things--heartsick, ashamed, betrayed, and angry. But she refuses to let that label define her. In piecing her life back together, Jo is forced to unpack more uncomfortable truths about all her relationships--from her best friend to the boy she likes--that help her understand her real worth.
From the author of the acclaimed This Raging Light, Practice Girl is a heart-wrenching, relatable, and ultimately triumphant story about a girl who rejects her label and decides for herself who she is to the world.
Don't Call Me a Hurricane by Ellen Hagan (Bloomsbury)
An affecting and resonant YA novel in verse that explores family, community, the changing ocean tides, and what it means to fall in love with someone who sees the world in a different way.
It's been five years since a hurricane ravaged Eliza Murphy's life and home in the quiet town on the Jersey shore. Now a senior in high school, Eliza is passionate about fighting climate change—starting with saving Clam Cove Reserve, an area of marshland that is scheduled to be turned into buildable lots. Protecting the island helps Eliza deal with her lingering trauma from the storm, but she still can’t shake the fear that something will come along and uproot her life once again.
When Eliza meets Milo Harris at a party, she tries to hate him. Milo is one of the rich tourists who flock to the island every summer and overdevelop the land. But after Eliza reluctantly agrees to give Milo surfing lessons, she can’t help falling for him. Still, Eliza’s not sure if she’s ready to risk letting an outsider into the life she’s rebuilt. Especially once she discovers that Milo is keeping a devastating secret.
Told in stunning verse, Don't Call Me a Hurricane is a love story for the people and places we come from, and a journey to preserve what we love most about home.
May 24th
Just Your Local Bisexual Disaster by Andrea Mosqueda (Feiwel and Friends)
As Maggie’s search for the perfect escort continues, she’s forced to confront new (and old) feelings for three of her friends: Amanda, her best friend and first-ever crush; Matthew, her ex-boyfriend twice-over who refuses to stop flirting with her, and Dani, the new girl who has romantic baggage of her own. On top of this romantic disaster, she can’t stop thinking about the uncertainty of her own plans for the future and what that means for the people she loves.
As the weeks wind down and the boundaries between friendship and love become hazy, Maggie finds herself more and more confused with each photo. When her tried-and-true medium causes more chaos than calm, Maggie needs to figure out how to avoid certain disaster—or be brave enough to dive right into it.
How We Ricochet by Faith Gardner (HarperTeen)
It seems sometimes a charade that we continue celebrating in the face of relentless tragedy.
How dare we? But then . . . what else is there to do?
Betty’s mom needed new pants for her job.
That was why Betty was at the mall with her mom and sister when the shooting started.
Afterward, nothing is the same.
There are no easy answers to be found, and Betty’s search for them leads her to Michael, the brother of the shooter. But this path only shows Betty one thing: that everything she thought she knew—about herself, about the world around her—can change in a heartbeat.
A moving, powerful journey of life after tragedy, How We Ricochet is an unflinching and necessary story for our time that will resonate with readers everywhere.
A Cruel and Fated Light by Ashley Shuttleworth (Simon Pulse) - moved from July 2022.
A queen determined for greatness…
Four tenuous friends… and the deadly game that threatens to ensnare them all.
Arlo, Nausicaä, Vehan, and Aurelian might have thwarted a terrible fate in Aurum Industries, but the Courts of Folk are far from saved. The true culprit behind the philosopher’s stones is still at large, and ironborn children continue to die, their hearts now up for grabs to any of the folk who happen across them. What’s worse is that all signs are pointing to immortal involvement—this entire thing may be their attempt at returning to the Mortal Realm, and if so, it’s Arlo, the latest Hollow Star, they’re going try to target to pull this off.
When Riadne Lysterne, Queen of Seelie Summer, offers help to Arlo, to train her to protect herself against this potential threat, surprise is the least of the Courts’ reactions. Invited to stay at her palace for the summer, Arlo is all too happy to ignore the very obvious signs that something is amiss, too thrilled at the chance to live a proper, royal fae life. But very few others trust Riadne’s motivation—not Nausicaä, realigned with the Hunt to track down the absent Lethe, and uncover what’s truly going on; not Aurelian, and his newly forged alliance with High Prince Celadon Fleur-Viridian, both determined to prove the queen’s ill intent. With the High King’s health at an all time low, and the Summer Solstice soon at hand, all eyes are on the Lysternes and Viridians—two Houses long at war, and far more connected than anyone knows, by cruelty… by fate… by a singular boy, beginning to question the darkness stamped on his heart…
Primal Animals by Julia Lynn Rubin (Wednesday Books) - see recent change to cover font.
Arlee Gold is anxious about spending the summer at the college prep Camp Rockaway—the same camp her mother attended years ago, which her mother insists will help give Arlee a “fresh start” and will “change her life.” Little does Arlee know that, once she steps foot on the manicured grounds, this will prove to be true in horrifying ways.
Even though the girls in her cabin are awesome—and she’s developing a major crush on the girl who sleeps in the bunk above her—the other campers seem to be wary of Arlee, unwilling to talk to her or be near her, which only ramps up her paranoia. When she’s tapped to join a strange secret society, Arlee thinks this will be her shot at fitting in...until her new "sisters" ask her to do the unthinkable, putting her life, and the life of her new crush, in perilous danger.
Two Truths and a Lie by April Henry (Ottaviano) - some editions dated January 2022, moved from this month.
I like to watch people die.
I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve killed.
Suddenly a night of harmless fun turns into a matter of life and death. As guests go missing, it becomes clear that a murderer is hiding in their midst ready to strike again. In a room full of liars and performers, the truth is never quite what it seems. Nell is going to have to act like her life depends on it—because it does.
Code Name Verity: Anniversary Edition by Elizabeth Wein (Little, Brown)
When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.
As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage and failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?
Harrowing and beautifully written, Elizabeth Wein creates a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other. Code Name Verity is an outstanding novel that will stick with you long after the last page.
Milo and Marcos at the End of the Word by Kevin Christopher Snipes (HarperCollins)
Milo Connolly has managed to survive the first three years of high school without any major disasters, so by his calculations, he’s well past due for some sort of Epic Teenage Catastrophe. Even so, all he wants his senior year is to keep his head down and fly under the radar like the quiet, well-behaved, churchgoing boy that everyone thinks he is.
Everything is going exactly as planned until the dreamy and charismatic Marcos Price saunters back into his life after a three-year absence and turns his world upside-down. Suddenly Milo is forced to confront the long-buried feelings that he’s kept hidden not only from himself but also from his deeply religious parents and community.
To make matters worse, strange things have been happening around his sleepy Florida town ever since Marcos’s return—sinkholes, blackouts, hailstorms. Mother Nature seems out of control, and the closer Milo and Marcos get, the more disasters seem to befall them.
In fact, as more and more bizarre occurrences pile up, Milo and Marcos find themselves faced with the unthinkable: Is there a larger, unseen force at play, trying to keep them apart? And if so, is their love worth risking the end of the world?
From debut author Kevin Christopher Snipes, Milo and Marcos at the End of the World is a new coming-of-age novel about finding the courage not only to love others but also to love ourselves
Murder for the Modern Girl by Kendall Kulper (Holiday House) - moved from Summer 2022.
A ravishing young mind reader stalks the streets at night in kitten heels, prowling for men to murder.
A soft-spoken genius toils away in the city morgue, desperate to unearth the science behind his gift for shapeshifting.
It’s a match made in 1928 Chicago, where gangsters run City Hall, jazz fills the air, and every good girl’s purse conceals a flask.
Until now, eighteen-year-old Ruby’s penchant for poison has been a secret. No one knows that she uses her mind-reading abilities to target men who prey on vulnerable women, men who escape the clutches of Chicago “justice.” When she meets a brilliant boy working at the morgue, his knack for forensic detail threatens to uncover her dark hobby. Even more unfortunately: sharp, independent Ruby has fallen in love with him.
Waltzing between a supernaturally enhanced romance, the battle to take down a gentleman’s club, and loyal friendships worth their weight in diamonds, Ruby brings defiant charm to every spectacular page of Murder for the Modern Girl—not to mention killer fashion. An irresistible caper perfect for fans of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue.
A Furry Faux Paw by Jessica Kara (Page Street) - previously titled A Beautiful Faux Paw.
All Maeve wants is to go to Furrycon so she can meet her best friend, Jade, IRL and her idol, Sunspire, who might just help her get into art school. When Maeve's mom says no, she decides to sneak out anyway. But on the night of Maeve's eighteenth birthday, her mom finds out she's at the con and demands she come home.
With all her dreams almost within reach, Maeve finally has to decide if she can let go of her family obligations, or if she'll remain chained to her mother and give up on a life away from home.
Echoes of Grace by Guadalupe Garcia McCall (Tu Books) - moved from November 2020, then from November 2021.
A Mexican-American gothic psychological mystery set on the border featuring two sisters whose relationship is fractured after a terrible tragedy. Moving between the present and two years earlier, Grace flees to her grandmother's house in Mexico but her world, and perhaps her sanity, begins to unravel as she's visited by visions of her mother's past she'd never before known of.
Grace and her sister Mercedes are as different as sisters can be-Grace is the serious one, while Mercy is the fun-loving one. Surviving their mother's death brought them close but then a terrible tragedy strikes and Grace flees to their grandmother's house on the other side of the border. There, she begins having visions of her mother and discovers a deep secret that haunts her dreams so vividly it's as if she is reliving what happened to her mother-or maybe she really is reliving it. As Grace goes deeper into a psychological well, it seems as if there may be no way to pull herself out of it, until her sister decides to help Grace fight for herself and fight for the truth about their mother.
Only on the Weekends by Dean Atta (Balzer + Bray)
Mack. Karim. Finlay. Mack never thought he'd find love, let alone with two people. Will he make the right choice? And can love last for ever? A must-read queer love story for fans of Sex Education, written in verse by Dean Atta.
Fifteen-year-old Mack is a hopeless romantic - he blames the films he's grown up watching. He has liked Karim for as long as he can remember, and is ecstatic when Karim becomes his boyfriend - it feels like love.
But when Mack's dad gets a job on a film in Scotland, Mack has to move, and soon hediscovers how painful love can be. It's horrible being so far away from Karim, but the worst part is that Karim doesn't make the effort to visit. Love shouldn't be only on the weekends.
Then, when Mack meets actor Finlay on a film set, he experiences something powerful, a feeling like love at first sight. How long until he tells Karim - and when will his old life and new life collide?
Into the Winds by Carrie Ryan (Dutton) - YA novel based on a true story, moved from February 2022.
"Ten young members of WILD-596 entered the Wyoming wilderness on May 29, 1995. Only one returned. Bestselling author Carrie Ryan will be the first to tell their little-known story."
May 31st
It's All In How You Fall by Sarah Henning (Poppy)
Enter Alex Zavala, a three-sport athlete who’s both incredibly cute and incredibly off-limits. He offers to give Caroline a crash course in all the sports she’s missed, and she has an offer for him in return: for every sport Alex teaches her, she’ll play matchmaker for him. Deal done, Caroline “dates” new sports with Alex for the rest of the summer, which is loads more fun than wallowing in despair. Just as Caroline starts to see herself as more than her past athletic successes, she also picks up something she didn’t bargain for: a big, fat crush on Alex. Turns out life was way easier when it was just layout-fulls and beam burns….
Together We Burn by Isabel Ibañez (Wednesday Books)
Eighteen-year-old Zarela Zalvidar is a talented flamenco dancer and daughter of the most famous Dragonador in Hispalia. People come for miles to see him fight in their arena, which will one day be hers.
But disaster strikes during their five hundredth anniversary show, and in the carnage, Zarela’s father is horribly injured. Facing punishment from the Dragon Guild, Zarela must keep the arena—her ancestral home and inheritance —safe from their greedy hands. She has no choice but to take her father’s place as the next Dragonador. When the infuriatingly handsome dragon hunter, Arturo DÃaz de Montserrat, withholds his help, she refuses to take no for an answer.
But even if he agrees, there’s someone out to ruin the Zalvidar family, and Zarela will have to do whatever it takes in order to prevent the Dragon Guild from taking away her birthright.
Man O'War by Cory McCarthy (Dutton)
The jellyfish commonly known as a Portuguese man o' war is neither Portuguese, nor a jellyfish, nor a man, nor even a singular organism. If you can cope with those facts, you can begin to understand River McIntyre, an elite high school swimmer who's bad at counting laps.
River McIntyre has lived all their life in the shadow of Sea Planet, a now infamous ocean theme park slowly going out of business in the middle of Ohio. As Sea Planet drifts toward its final end, so does River's high school career and, worse, their time as a competitive swimmer. Or maybe not. When River makes an impulsive dive into Ocean Planet's shark tank, they unintentionally set off on a wrenching journey of self-discovery, from internalized homophobia and self-loathing through layers of coming out, gender confirmation surgery, and true love. And at the end of this race? Who knows. After all, counting laps has never been River's strong suit.
You, Me, and Our Heartstrings by Melissa See (Scholastic)
Daisy and Noah have the same plan: use the holiday concert to land a Julliard audition. But when they're chosen to play a duet for the concert, they worry that their differences will sink their chances.
Noah, a cello prodigy from a long line of musicians, wants to stick to tradition. Daisy, a fiercely independent disabled violinist, is used to fighting for what she wants and likes to take risks. But the two surprise each other when they play. They fall perfectly in tune.
After their performance goes viral, the rest of the country falls for them just as surely as they're falling for each other. But viral fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. No one seems to care about their talent or their music at all. People have rewritten their love story into one where Daisy is an inspiration for overcoming her cerebral palsy and Noah is a saint for seeing past it.
Daisy is tired of her disability being the only thing people see about her, and all of the attention sends Noah’s anxiety disorder into high speed. They can see their dream coming closer than it’s ever been before. But is the cost suddenly too high?
Deep in Providence by Riss M. Neilson (Henry Holt)
For best friends Miliani, Inez, Natalie and Jasmine, Providence, Rhode Island has a magic of its own. From the bodegas and late-night food trucks on Broad Street to The Hill that watches over the city, every corner of Providence glows with memories of them practicing spells, mixing up potions and doing séances with the help of the magic Miliani’s Filipino grandfather taught her.
But when Jasmine is killed by a drunk driver, the world they have always known is left haunted by grief...and Jasmine's lingering spirit. Determined to bring her back, the surviving friends band together, testing the limits of their magic and everything they know about life, death, and each other.
And as their plan to resurrect Jasmine grows darker and more demanding than they imagined, their separate lives begin to splinter the bonds they depend on, revealing buried secrets that threaten the people they care about most. Miliani, Inez and Natalie will have to rely on more than just their mystical abilities to find the light.
Thrilling and absorbing, Deep in Providence is a story of profound yearning, and what happens when three teen girls are finally given the power to go after what they want.
Finding Jupiter by Kelis Rowe (Crown)
Ray: Just once I’d like my birthday to be about me, and not the day my father died. I want to be Ray Jr., the tall girl from Memphis with the poetry beats and the braids that stay poppin’. And when I meet Orion at the skating rink, that’s exactly who I am. He pulls my hand, and instead of being defined by my past, he races me toward my future.
Orion: When I dive into the pool, it’s just me and my heartbeat. There’s no dad, no dead sister, and no distracting noises. But I can’t hold my breath forever. And since I met Ray, I don’t want to. The closer we get, though, the more I see I’m not the only one caught in her wake.
With a lyrical blend of found poetry and poignant prose, this stunning debut captures young Black love and a decades-old family secret that may shatter a romance that feels written in the stars.
Summer's Edge by Dana Mele (Simon and Schuster)
Emily Joiner was once part of an inseparable group—she was a sister, a best friend, a lover, and a rival. Summers without Emily were unthinkable. Until the fire burned the lake house to ashes with her inside.
A year later, it’s in Emily’s honor that
Chelsea and her four friends decide to return. The house awaits them,
meticulously rebuilt. Only, Chelsea is haunted by ghostly visions. Loner
Ryan stirs up old hurts and forces golden boy Chase to play peacemaker.
Which has perfect hostess Kennedy on edge as eerie events culminate in a
stunning accusation: Emily’s death wasn’t an accident. And all the
clues needed to find the person responsible are right here.
As old betrayals rise to the surface, Chelsea and her friends have one
night to unravel a mystery spanning three summers before a killer among
them exacts their revenge.
In Los Angeles with a human body and a new name, Crest meets Sean, a human lifeguard whose boyfriend has recently dumped him. Crest agrees to help Sean make his ex jealous and win him back. But as the two spend more time together and Crest's pespective on humans begins to change, they'll soon be torn between two worlds. And fake dating just might lead to real feelings...
This sophomore novel from Jason June dives into the many definitions of the world home and shows how love can help us find the truest versions of ourselves.
A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy (Balzer + Bray)
Luke Barnes, a 17-year-old Jackson Hollow resident, has
no interest in country music. As the grandson of Verna Rose, the
disgraced country singer who had a famous falling out with Wanda Jean,
the world of country music has only brought his family pain. But as
medical bills pile up at home, he’s forced to accept a job in the last
place he’d ever want to work: a restaurant at Wanda World.
With
Emmett focused on his career, and Luke blossoming in the kitchen,
neither boy is expecting to find romance. But sparks fly when they meet
and soon the two are inseparable. However, when a long-lost secret about
Luke’s grandma and superstar Wanda Jean comes to light, it threatens to
unravel everything. Unless the boys can uncover the truth of what
really happened, their dreams could be over before they start, leaving
their new relationship to go down in history as just another Sad Country
Love Song.
Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli, Julie Murphy, and of course, the one and only Dolly Parton.
All Signs Point To Yes by Various YA Authors (Inkyard Press)
A haunted Aquarius finds love behind the veil. An ambitious Aries will do anything to stay in the spotlight. A foodie Taurus discovers the best eats in town (with a side of romance). A witchy Cancer stumbles into a curious meet-cute.
Whether it's romantic, platonic, familial, or something else you can't quite define, love is the thing that connects us. All Signs Point to Yes will take you on a journey from your own backyard to the world beyond the living as it settles us among the stars for thirteen stories of love and life.
These stories will touch your heart, speak to your soul, and have you reaching for your horoscope forevermore.
Flip the Script by Lyla Lee (HarperTeen)
As an avid watcher of K-dramas, Hana knows all the tropes to avoid when she finally lands a starring role in a buzzy new drama. And she can totally handle her fake co-star boyfriend who might be falling in love with her. After all, she promised the producers a contract romance, and that’s all they’re going to get from her.
But when showrunners bring on a new girl to challenge Hana’s role as main love interest—and worse, it’s someone Hana knows all too well—can Hana fight for her position on the show while falling for her on-screen rival in real life?
K-drama lovers will fall for all the fan-favorite tropes that make for a hit show.
Romance is everywhere in this swoony, joy-filled novel, with fake dating, a secret relationship, and a classic love triangle!
Visit South Korea as Hana takes readers through popular spots and hidden gems.
Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean (Flatiron Books)
When Japanese-American Izumi Tanaka learned her father was the Crown Prince of Japan, she became a princess overnight. Now, she’s overcome conniving cousins, salacious press, and an imperial scandal to finally find a place she belongs. She has a perfect bodyguard turned boyfriend. Her stinky dog, Tamagotchi, is living with her in Tokyo. Her parents have even rekindled their college romance and are engaged. A royal wedding is on the horizon! Izumi’s life is a Tokyo dream come true.
Only...
Her parent’s engagement hits a brick wall. The Imperial Household Council refuses to approve the marriage citing concerns about Izumi and her mother’s lack of pedigree. And on top of it all, her bodyguard turned boyfriend makes a shocking decision about their relationship. At the threat of everything falling apart, Izumi vows to do whatever it takes to help win over the council. Which means upping her newly acquired princess game.
But at what cost? Izumi will do anything to help her parents achieve their happily ever after, but what if playing the perfect princess means sacrificing her own? Will she find a way to forge her own path and follow her heart?
Private Label by Kelly Yang (Katherine Tegan Books)
Serene dreams of making couture dresses even more stunning than her mom’s, but for now she’s an intern at her mom’s fashion label. When her mom receives a sudden diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, all that changes. Serene has to take over her mother’s business overnight, dealing with ruthless investors who do not think a seventeen-year-old can run a fashion empire, while trying to figure out what happened with her dad in Beijing. He left before she was born, and Serene wants to find him, even if it means going against her mom’s one request—never look back.
Lian Chen moved from China to Serene’s mostly white Southern California beach town a year ago. He doesn’t fit in at school, where kids mispronounce his name. His parents don’t care about what he wants to do—comedy—and push him toward going to MIT engineering early. Lian thinks there’s nothing to stick around for, until one day, he starts Chinese Club after school . . . and Serene walks in.
Worlds apart in the high school hierarchy, Serene and Lian soon find refuge in each other, falling in love as they navigate life-changing storms.
Postcards From Summer by Cynthia Platt (Simon Pulse) - moved from Summer 2021.
Seventeen-year-old Lexi has always wanted to know more about the mother who passed away when she was only a child. But her dad will barely talk about her. He says he’d rather live in the present with Lexi, her stepmom, and her half-brother. Lexi loves her family, too, but is it so wrong to want to learn about the mom she never got to know?
When Lexi’s grandma dies and secretly leaves her a worn blue chest that belonged to Lexi’s mother, Lexi is ecstatic to find a treasure trove of keepsakes. Her mom held onto letters, pamphlets, flyers, and news articles all from the same beautiful summertime getaway: Mackinaw Island—plus a cryptic postcard that hints at a forbidden romance. If Lexi wants answers, this island is where she needs to go.
Without telling her dad, Lexi goes to the gorgeous Mackinaw Island in Lake Superior, reachable only by ferry. Cars are forbidden and bikes are the number one mode of transportation along the quaint cobblestone streets, and the bright white hotel that looms like a high castle over charming cafés and bookshops. While following her mother’s footsteps, Lexi befriends an elderly former Broadway star and a charming young hotel worker while quickly falling in love with her surroundings.
But though the island may be beautiful, it’s hiding unfortunate secrets—some with her mother at the center. Could some questions be best left buried beneath the blue waters?
Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches by Kate Scelsa (Balzer + Bray) - moved fom May 3rd.
Seventeen-year-old Eleanor is the least likely person in Salem to believe in witchcraft—or think that her life could be transformed by mysterious forces. Ostracized by her classmates after losing her best friend and first love, Chloe, Eleanor has spent the past year in a haze, vowing to stay away from anything resembling romance.
But when a handwritten guide to tarot arrives in the mail at the witchy souvenir store where Eleanor works, it seems to bring with it the message that magic is about to enter her life. Cynical Eleanor is quick to dismiss this promise, until real-life witch Pix shows up with an unusual invitation. Inspired by the magic and mystery of the tarot, Eleanor decides to open herself up to making friends with Pix and her coven of witches, and even to the possibility of a new romance.
But Eleanor’s complicated history in Salem continues to haunt her, and she is desperate to keep Pix from finding out the truth. Eleanor will have to reckon with the old ghosts that threaten to destroy everything, even her chance at new love.
Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches is an atmospheric and
romantic coming-of-age about learning to make peace with the past in
order to accept the beauty of the present.
Kings of B'more by R. Eric Thomas (Kokila)
With junior year starting in the fall, Harrison feels like he's on the precipice of, well, everything. Standardized testing, college, and the terrifying unknowns and looming pressures of adulthood after that--it's like the future wants to eat him alive. Which is why Harrison is grateful that he and his best friend Linus will face these things together. But at the end of a shift at their summer job, Linus invites Harrison to their special spot overlooking the city to deliver devastating news: he's moving out of state at the end of the week.
To keep from completely losing it--and partially inspired by a cheesy movie-night pick by his Dad--Harrison plans a send-off a la Ferris Bueller's Day Off that's worthy of his favorite person. If they won't be having all the life-expanding experiences they thought they would, Harrison will squeeze them all into their last day. They end up on a mini road trip, their first Pride, and a rooftop dance party, all while keeping their respective parents, who track them on a family location app, off their trail. Harrison and Linus make a pact to do all the things--big and small--they've been too scared to do. But nothing feels scarier than saying goodbye to someone you love. The Fae Keeper by H.E. Edgmon (Inkyard Press)
Two weeks after the door to Faery closed once more, Asalin is still in turmoil. Emyr and Wyatt are hunting Derek and Clarke themselves after having abolished the corrupt Guard, and are trying to convince the other kingdoms to follow their lead. But when they uncover the hidden truth about the witches' real place in fae society, it becomes clear the problems run much deeper than anyone knew. And this may be more than the two of them can fix.
As Wyatt struggles to learn control of his magic and balance his own needs with the needs of a kingdom, he must finally decide on the future he wants—before he loses the future he and Emyr are building…
Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle (Simon and Schuster) - originally dated Spring 2021.
Coming Out Alive: The Ultimate Queer Teen Survival Guide by David Olshanetsky (Wednesday Books) - YA Non-fiction.
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