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"I know I am but summer to your heart, and not the full four seasons of the year…" ~ Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950), American poet, Sonnet XXVII
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Greetings! Hello, I'm Caroline Peterson, and I am the editor of the Teen Scene E-Newsletter. I am also the Teen Librarian at the Southwest Library. As an avid reader of young adult literature, I hope you enjoy these recommendations! Please email me at cbpeterson@dconc.gov if you have any thoughts or questions! I just finished reading Nimona by Noelle Stevenson. It is a charming graphic novel by the author of Lumberjanes! It's about a girl (or maybe a monster) named Nimona, who teams up with Lord Blackheart, a villain. There's a lot of action, shape shifting, magic, mystery! Check it out!
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| Joyride by Anna BanksFiction. A chance meeting leads to unexpected consequences for two Florida teens in this moving, realistic story. While Carly is responsible and devoted to her family (especially her parents, who've been deported to Mexico), Arden is reckless and loves causing trouble for his overbearing, racist father (who happens to be the sheriff). After a dramatic encounter outside a convenience store, Carly reluctantly becomes Arden's pranking partner, and they strike up a fragile relationship -- one that might be too fragile to withstand the harsh truth about Arden's dad's anti-immigrant activities. For another "relevant, risky, and romantic" (School Library Journal) read, try Marie Marquardt's Dream Things True, due out next month. |
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The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly
by Stephanie Oakes
Fiction. Losing everything including her family, her hands and her ability to trust after spending 12 years in a cult, a traumatized Minnow struggles to find her voice in juvenile detention in the aftermath of her leader's death. This story is hard-hitting and hopeful, discussing the dangers of blind faith—and the power of having faith in oneself.
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| The Devil You Know by Trish DollerSuspense. Cadie barely knows Matt and Noah, but when the cousins invite her along on their road trip, she jumps at the chance for a break from her stressful family life. At first, Cadie's passionate fling with sexy, troubled Noah distracts her from the red flags. But eventually, the hints of past violence pile up, and Cadie can't deny her suspicions that one of the guys is a killer -- and that if she continues on their journey into the wild Florida Everglades, she might not make it out alive. Perfectly paced to build maximum terror, this steamy thriller delivers a "swift and satisfying" (School Library Journal) conclusion. |
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| Shadowshaper by Daniel José OlderUrban Fantasy. When a local mural mysteriously begins to weep, Brooklyn teen Sierra Santiago is unsettled, but it's not until she's attacked by a walking corpse that she really gets scared -- and curious. Though her abuelo Lázaro seems to have some answers, a stroke has left him unable to communicate anything except cryptic messages about "shadowshapers." Stalked by a merciless enemy, Sierra will have to uncover the truth -- and tap into the spirit powers of her Caribbean ancestors -- in order to protect everyone she loves. Filled with intriguing magic, authentic dialogue, and a realistically multi-ethnic cast of characters, Shadowshaper is a must-read for fantasy fans. |
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| More Happy Than Not by Adam SilveraScience Fiction. If you could erase your worst memories, would you do it? In Aaron Soto's near-future Bronx neighborhood, the Leteo Institute offers to do precisely that in their "cutting-edge memory-relief" procedure. Though Aaron certainly has awful memories (such as his father's bloody suicide), he's also got the support of his family, friends, and girlfriend. But would that support disappear if they knew about his attraction to Thomas, a fellow fantasy geek from a neighboring housing project? Would it be better to just forget that he might be gay? If you like wrestling with the complex issues surrounding identity, memory, and the cost of happiness, don't miss this gritty and provocative debut. |
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| One Man Guy by Michael BarakivaRomance. Summer school is a far cry from the tennis camp that 14-year-old Alek hoped to attend, but his straitlaced Armenian parents insist that he bring his grades up. As it turns out, though, summer school distracts Alek even further from studying, because it's there that he meets Ethan, an impossibly cool skater who shows Alek a world outside of his stifling New Jersey community...and wins his heart. If you like the funny, earnest tone and distinct cultural backdrop of this coming of age (and coming out) story, you might also enjoy Sara Farizan's Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel. |
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| Fifteenth Summer by Michelle DaltonRomance. This year's summer vacation is bittersweet for 15-year-old Chelsea and her family; it's their first visit to the cottage on Lake Michigan since Chelsea's grandmother died. Still grappling with her grief, Chelsea is surprised and elated by her quickly blossoming relationship with Josh, the cute guy who works at the local bookstore. Yet as their connection deepens into love, Chelsea can't help but wonder what will happen when the summer ends. Just like the other books in author Michelle Dalton's Sixteenth Summer series, this charming and sensitive romance is a sure bet for fans of Deb Caletti and Sarah Dessen. |
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| What I Thought Was True by Huntley FitzpatrickRomance. As far as Gwen Castle is concerned, Cassidy Summers is just one of many regrettable one-night stands. Since he's a wealthy mainlander and she's from a complicated, working-class island family, she never expects to spend time with him again. So when Cass turns up on the island with a summer job as a lawn boy, Gwen is annoyed. However, as she gets to know (maybe even love?) Cass, Gwen is forced to re-examine her assumptions, not only about Cass, but also about her family and herself. Want another sweet yet substantial tale of love across class boundaries? Pick up Kasie West's The Distance Between Us. |
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Heat of the moment
by Lauren Barnholdt
Romance. A first entry in a series told from the perspectives of three former best friends begins with Lyla, who reevaluates her senior-year ambitions after receiving an email from her freshman self. Lyla McAfee had all but forgotten the email that she wrote to herself freshman year and scheduled to be delivered right before graduation—the one promising that she’d learn to trust by the end of senior year. But when she receives it the first morning of her senior trip to Florida her life is sent into a tailspin. Soon she’s questioning her seemingly perfect relationship with her boyfriend, Derrick; her attraction to the school player, Beckett; and whether ending her friendship with Aven and Quinn, her former BFFs, was one of the biggest mistakes of her life. Be sure to read this book on summer romance! .
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| Open Road Summer by Emery LordRomance. To distract themselves from their recent painful break-ups, reformed "bad girl" Reagan and her best friend Lilah Dee (a rising country music star) hit the road for Dee's summer concert tour. Complicating their plans for a drama-free trip is Matt, the sweet boy-band refugee who's been hired as Dee's opening act…and her fake boyfriend. Dee's publicists think Matt might improve her image, but it's Reagan who's drawn to him, despite her fear of trusting another guy. Readers who relish road trip stories should definitely check out this "insightful take on friendship, romance, and celebrity culture" (Booklist). |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contact the Durham County Library at
919-560-0100, 300 N. Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27702
librarywebmaster@durhamcountync.gov
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