YA Fiction
ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND FIELD HOCKEY by Kit Rosewater
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The publisher’s summary
A high school field hockey star must choose between her love of the game and her new, distractingly beautiful rival in this queer YA romance perfect for fans of She Drives Me Crazy and Cleat Cute!
Evelyn was raised to see field hockey as war.
Before she could write her own name, her family’s legacy on the field was already spelled out. Every step Evelyn takes toward glory is within a footprint her mother left behind. And no step matters more than this next one, with Evelyn about to lead her varsity team into their final battle season. Evelyn is beyond ready to score the Nationals title and win the critical scholarship to her mom’s alma mater that comes with it.
This year, she’s out for blood, and nothing can stand in her way…
…except for Rosa Alvarez, the highly talented new recruit on her biggest rival’s team.
After a humiliating homecoming game and follow-up prank leave the two enemies in a stalemate, they grudgingly strike a deal to help each other overcome their weaknesses on the field. But the more time Evelyn spends with Rosa, the more she finds herself casting her hardened armor aside, until she begins to wonder what life might be like if she left the battlefield behind and fought for love instead.
My recommendation
As well-intentioned Evelyn barrels through her senior year with all of the deftness of a hockey goalie in full padding, her riotous misadventures peel back the layers of her identity, revealing a nuanced exploration of individuality beneath parental expectations, friendships and relationships, and personal aspirations. Within this rousing tribute to women’s sports, Rosewater calls for inclusivity of all those overshadowed by “men’s sports” culture and gives readers a lens into one girl’s attempt to find her sexuality when the labels don’t quite fit. An essential addition to your queer YA rom com shelf!
MURDER BETWEEN FRIENDS by Liz Lawson
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I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
The publisher’s summary
Two years ago, the murder of a neighbor tore three best friends apart–now the killer is going to walk free and the ex-friends are going to have to face the past–and each other–in another twisty thriller from the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Agathas.
Grace, Henry, and Ally grew up together on the same block. They used to be best friends–until Grace’s testimony put Henry’s brother, Jake, away for killing their English teacher. Now, two years later, Ally and Henry hate Grace, and Grace is doubting what she thinks she saw that night.
It feels like everyone’s getting a second chance, then, when due to a mistrial, Jake is suddenly released. And Henry knows his brother is innocent, but when Grace reaches out to say she’s rethinking what she saw the night of the murder, Jake’s reaction is confusing. He doesn’t want Henry—or Grace–getting involved.
For Ally not getting involved isn’t an option, and there’s nothing Grace can say to convince Ally she’s not the enemy. But can Ally afford to push Grace out when she’s one of the only other people willing to believe in Jake’s innocence?
The clock is ticking. Jake’s new trial date is about to be set, and he’s sure to be found guilty again unless there’s new evidence to prove he’s innocent. Grace, Henry, and Ally are going to have to decide whether you can trust an old friend now that they’re your enemy.
My recommendation
A twisty mystery-thriller with enough clues and suspects to keep an amateur detective guessing and enough danger, drug deals, and creepy old houses to keep a reader’s pulse pounding. I thought I’d guessed the ending, and I was wrong, so Liz Lawson gets bonus points! If you’re a YA thriller reader, this is will fit the bill.
ALL THE NOISE AT ONCE by DeAndra Davis
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I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
The publisher’s summary
In this compelling, moving story that “beautifully tackles race, social justice, and disability” (School Library Journal, starred review), a Black, autistic teen tries to figure out what happened the night his older brother was unjustly arrested.
All Aiden has ever wanted to do was play football just like his star quarterback brother, Brandon. An overstimulation meltdown gets in the way of Aiden making the team during summer tryouts, but when the school year starts and a spot unexpectedly needs to be filled, he finally gets a chance to play the game he loves.
However, not every player is happy about the new addition to the team, wary of how Aiden’s autism will present itself on game day. Tensions rise. A fight breaks out. Cops are called.
Brandon interferes on behalf of his brother, but is arrested by the very same cops who, just hours earlier, were chanting his name from the bleachers. When he’s wrongly charged for felony assault on an officer, everything Brandon has worked for starts to slip away, and the brothers’ relationship is tested. As Brandon’s trial inches closer, Aiden is desperate to figure out what really happened that night. Can he clear his brother’s name in time?
My recommendation
Davis’s prose shimmers while her keen ear for character voices lends a deep credibility to her broad cast of teens. I highlighted quote after quote from Aidan because every aspect of his self-reflection mirrored my autistic experiences with authenticity and often humor. In fact, one of the great strengths of this book are the pockets of humor, joy, and normal teenaged life as the characters navigate a horrifying and all-too-common trauma. Davis also highlights the intersectionality that puts Aidan (and by extension his brother) at a greater risk for police brutality due to the dual prejudices against autistic people and Black people. There are no easy answers for Aidan, Brandon, or their friends, but moments of growth and failed growth on the part of both teens and adults paint their Florida community in realistic yet hopeful tones. This is not a book to miss!
LOVE IN 280 CHARACTERS OR LESS by Ravynn K. Stringfield
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I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
The publisher’s summary
Black college student Sydney Ciara navigates academics, love, and the online space, in this coming-of-age told through her blog posts, messages, and more!
Sydney Ciara Warren is excited as she starts her first year of college, but also nervous. Despite her interests in writing and fashion, she has no idea what path will ultimately be right for her. As she tries to figure out her place on campus and in the world, she finds solace in blogging about her life, putting together outfits with meaning, and spending time online.
It’s within the digital space that she connects with someone who goes by YoungPrinceX. She may not know “X” in real life, but that doesn’t stop her from developing a crush on him. Except she’s also navigating her first romantic relationship, with a sweet boy on campus named Xavier (who maybe could be X???).
Can Sydney Ciara not only make it through her first semester, but thrive in real life, as much as she seems to be thriving online?
My recommendation
Through a lens of digital privacy vs. public platform, Stringfield probes the murky line between online honesty and activism. Although Syd remains confident of her writing’s value and meaning, she must learn to communicate that value to the important people in her life, all while navigating the mundane yet thrilling experiences of her first year of college independence. The engaging story of one young writer’s journey to find her voice will connect with college students and high schoolers alike.
KIRBY’S LESSONS FOR FALLING (IN LOVE) by Laura Gao
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I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
The publisher’s summary
From Laura Gao, the acclaimed creator of Messy Roots, comes an authentic slow-burn romance and coming-of-age story perfect for fans of Heartstopper, lovers of astrology and tarot, and anyone looking for answers on the right way to fall (in love).
Once dubbed the Queen of Balance as her school’s top rock climber, Kirby Tan suffers an injury that sidelines her for the rest of the season. Now she’s forced to join the newspaper club for some desperately needed extra credit. Worse, she’s recruited by crystal-wearing, tarot-reading Bex Santos for her astrology-based love advice column. As Kirby reluctantly agrees to orchestrate “matches made in heaven” with Bex, she begins to wonder if their own stars could be aligned. But loving who she wants isn’t so easy when her family and church community are on the line. Can Kirby pull off her greatest balancing act yet?
My recommendation
Nothing drives a YA novel quite like the intense, unshakable desires of the characters. With impressive straightforward clarity, Gao captures the life-or-death, heart-on-the-sleeve emotions that high schoolers experience–from the drive to win at sports, the aspiration of attending a particular school, the struggle to redefine relationships with family, and of course romance. Gao’s expressive use of line in their illustrations brings to life the intensity and physicality of the characters as well as the deep emotions that drive the story, making this title a compelling, unputdownable YA graphic novel from start to finish.
SAY A LITTLE PRAYER by Jenna Voris
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I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
The publisher’s summary
Saved! meets Casey McQuiston in this wry, heartfelt tale of a teen who’s taking her church camp by storm—one deadly sin at a time.
Riley quietly left church a year ago when she realized there was no place for a bi girl in her congregation. But it wasn’t until the pastor shunned her older sister for getting an abortion that she really wanted to burn it all down.
It’s just her luck, then, that she’s sent to the principal’s office for slapping a girl talking smack about her sister—and in order to avoid suspension, she has to spend spring break at church camp. The only saving grace is that she’ll be there with her best friend, Julia. Even if Julia’s dad is the pastor. And he’s in charge of camp. But Riley won’t let a technicality like “repenting” get in the way of her true mission. Instead of spending the week embracing the seven heavenly virtues, she decides to commit all seven deadly sins. If she can show the other campers that sometimes being a little bad is for the greater good, she could start a righteous revolution! What could possibly go wrong? Aside from falling for the pastor’s daughter . . .
My recommendation
Voris delivers another riveting and complex queer love story full of humor, heart, and small town family feeling, proving herself unafraid of tackling the fraught and underrepresented perspective of gays who pray. By developing a broad range of Christian characters of different sexualities and faith interpretations, Voris invites the reader to consider the intersection between faith, community, and identity, allowing room for characters (and readers) to love, reject, or embrace mixed feelings about church without a sense of judgment. As a queer Christian, I know I’m biased, but seeing books like this one hit the market makes my heart sing. Love is messy; church is messy, and Voris captures the reality perfectly.
NEEDY LITTLE THINGS by Channelle Desamours
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I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
The publisher’s summary
In this debut speculative YA mystery, a Black teen with premonition-like powers must solve her friend’s disappearance before she finds herself in the same danger, perfect for fans of Ace of Spades.
Sariyah Lee Bryant can hear what people need—tangible things, like a pencil, a hair tie, a phone charger—an ability only her family and her best friend, Malcolm, know the truth about. But when she fulfills a need for her friend Deja who vanishes shortly after, Sariyah is left wondering if her ability is more curse than gift. This isn’t the first time one of her friends has landed on the missing persons list, and she’s determined not to let her become yet another forgotten Black girl.
Not trusting the police and media to do enough on their own, Sariyah and her friends work together to figure out what led to Deja’s disappearance. When Sariyah’s mother loses her job and her little brother faces complications with his sickle cell disease, managing her time, money, and emotions seems impossible. Desperate, Sariyah decides to hustle her need-sensing ability for cash—a choice that may not only lead her to Deja, but put her in the same danger Deja found herself in.
My recommendation
There are many things to love about this debut, from the clean writing to the candid teenage voice to the meticulously crafted mystery that includes plenty of misdirection and red herrings to set you spinning (delightedly) down the wrong path. Perhaps my favorite, however, was the way Desamours handles Sariyah’s magical ability and its link to her ADHD. It always makes me nervous when an author combines disability with magic, but what I love about this novel are the ways that both magic and disability play a significant role in the main character’s identity but an insignificant role in the character’s ability to solve the mystery. Her ability to hear everyone’s needs impacts how she approaches certain problems, but never in a contrived or deus ex machina way. Nor do her magic powers compensate for or cure her disability–quite the opposite. Add a nuanced depiction of mental illness and representation of sickle cell disease, and this disabled librarian can’t help but swoon. Congratulations to Channelle on this thrilling debut! I can’t wait to read her future works.
(S)KIN by Ibi Zoboi
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The publisher’s summary
From award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Ibi Zoboi comes her groundbreaking contemporary fantasy debut—a novel in verse based on Caribbean folklore—about the power of inherited magic and the price we must pay to live the life we yearn for.
“Our new home with its
thick walls and locked doors
wants me to stay trapped in my skin—
but I am fury and flame.”
Fifteen-year-old Marisol is the daughter of a soucouyant. Every new moon, she sheds her skin like the many women before her, shifting into a fireball witch who must fly into the night and slowly sip from the lives of others to sustain her own. But Brooklyn is no place for fireball witches with all its bright lights, shut windows, and bolt-locked doors.… While Marisol hoped they would leave their old traditions behind when they emigrated from the islands, she knows this will never happen while she remains ensnared by the one person who keeps her chained to her magical past—her mother.
Seventeen-year-old Genevieve is the daughter of a college professor and a newly minted older half sister of twins. Her worsening skin condition and the babies’ constant wailing keep her up at night, when she stares at the dark sky with a deep longing to inhale it all. She hopes to quench the hunger that gnaws at her, one that seems to reach for some memory of her estranged mother. When a new nanny arrives to help with the twins, a family secret connecting her to Marisol is revealed, and Gen begins to find answers to questions she hasn’t even thought to ask.
But the girls soon discover that the very skin keeping their flames locked beneath the surface may be more explosive to the relationships around them than any ancient magic.
My recommendation
Zoboi’s poetry sizzles, clarity of storytelling and resonant emotions and themes pulsing through her evocative verse. The lore of the soucouyant is just one essential thread in a tapestry exploring race, xenophobia, colorism, colonialism, and the mundane, universal tensions of family–the pressure parents put on their children, connection and tension between siblings, and the complexity of blended family dynamics. I highly recommend this one to teen and adult readers who enjoy high stakes fantasies with a literary bent.
LOVER BIRDS by Leanne Egan
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I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
The publisher’s summary
A fantastic, queer enemies-to-lovers story — in one corner, a girl with ADHD experiencing her first girl crush in a monumental way; in the other corner, a posh, rich girl who’s new to school and has her own reasons to be guarded. Told with humor and heart, this is a perfect novel for Alice Oseman and Becky Albertalli fans, and marks a great new YA romcom voice.
My recommendation
The Liverpool setting and fierce friend group add an immersive flavor to this queer coming-out Rom Com which uses Pride and Prejudice as a framework for the story. The exploration of ADHD has a major role in Eloise’s development and was handled honestly through a neurodiversity-positive lens, while Eloise’s exploration of her sexuality initially resists labels, feeling authentic and messy in the best way. While the Pride and Prejudice framework may offer little “Easter egg” moments to the most committed Austen fans, the retelling is so rooted in the contemporary YA space that it reads well without any prior knowledge. (I actually didn’t pick up on the Pride and Prejudice connection until 3/4 of the way through, at which point I felt a little silly since so many names lined up…) A fun addition to your YA Rom Com shelf.
SOMETHING KINDRED by Ciera Burch
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The publisher’s summary
Magical realism meets Southern Gothic in this commanding young adult debut from Ciera Burch about true love, the meaning of home, and the choices that haunt us.
Welcome to Coldwater. Come for the ghosts, stay for the drama.
Jericka Walker had planned to spend the summer before senior year soaking up the sun with her best friend on the Jersey Shore. Instead she finds herself in Coldwater, Maryland, a small town with a dark and complicated past where her estranged grandmother lives—someone she knows only two things about: her name and the fact that she left Jericka’s mother and uncle when they were children. But now Jericka’s grandmother is dying, and her mother has dragged Jericka along to say goodbye.
As Jericka attempts to form a connection with a woman she’s never known, and adjusts to life in a town where everything closes before dinner, she meets “ghost girl” Kat, a girl eager to leave Coldwater and more exciting than a person has any right to be. But Coldwater has a few unsettling secrets of its own. The more you try to leave, the stronger the town’s hold. As Jericka feels the chilling pull of her family’s past, she begins to question everything she thought she knew about her mother, her childhood, and the lines between the living and the dead.
My recommendation
The strength of Burch’s writing lies in the layers of depth she adds to her characters, plots, and themes. Jumping off of the chilling unease of ghost story, Burch confronts the discomfort of complicated family relationships, friendships, and romances, and the generational trauma of racial injustice. A great read for anyone looking for a character-driven YA contemporary with cultural resonance and a gothic twist.
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Susan the Librarian 