New Books for Young Adults
Be that way
Larson, Hope, author
2023
Sixteen-year-old Christine keeps a journal of an eventful year of her life in mid-90s Asheville, North Carolina, which she records through prose and illustration.
Biology's beginnings
Hakim, Joy, author
2023
"This first of a four-part MITeen series charts the evolution of life science up to the late 1800s, when the origins of the virus was discovered by a baffled Dutch biologist who found a tiny infectious particle destroying tobacco crops."-- Provided by publisher.
Cardboard City
Jovanovic, Katarina, 1962- author.
2023
"Cardboard City follows the lives of two young teens -- members of a Romani family. Saida and Nikola experience harsh discrimination at school and crushing poverty in their informal settlement, spread out under a bridge in Belgrade. Their dreams of escape, and of leaving deplorable conditions behind, trigger a family crisis. In particular, Nikola is a gifted trumpeter and aspires to be a famous musician; but it proves challenging to surmount the enormous barriers between his present situation and the self-mastery and life of dignity he seeks. Introducing young readers to the world of Eastern Europe's Rom, Cardboard City is evocative of the virulent racism, injustice and inhumane conditions endured by this community to this very day."-- Publisher's website.
Check & mate
Hazelwood, Ali, author
2023
"Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory’s focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious 'Kingkiller' Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess. Nolan’s loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone. What’s even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory’s victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can’t help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist…." -- Back cover.
A curse for true love
Garber, Stephanie, author
2023
Two villains, one girl, and a deadly battle for happily ever after. Evangeline Fox ventured to the Magnificent North in search of her happy ending, and it seems as if she has it. She's married to a handsome prince and lives in a legendary castle. But Evangeline has no idea of the devastating price she's paid for this fairytale. She doesn't know what she has lost, and her husband is determined to make sure she never finds out. . . . but first he must kill Jacks, the Prince of Hearts.
The cute collection : draw your favorite character types from popular genres
Hart, Christopher, 1957-
2023
"Cute characters are a hallmark of manga. Whether the genre is romance, fantasy, or adventure, a cute character type is always included in the mix. In The Cute Collection, best-selling author Christopher Hart shows beginning artists how to draw these popular character types for any storyline. This is the second book in the new Manga 100 series, promising at least one hundred original characters to draw. Through Chris's step-by-step instruction, artists of any level will learn to draw all things cute-from bubbly schoolgirls and amiable schoolboys to fantasy and adventure characters that all have a certain warm-and-fuzzy appeal"-- Provided by publisher.
Do a powerbomb!
Johnson, Daniel Warren, author
2023
Lona Steelrose wants to be a pro-wrestler, but she's living under the shadow of her mother, the best to ever do it. Everything changes when a wrestling obsessed necromancer asks her to join the grandest pro-wrestling tournament of all time, which is also the most dangerous!
Dragging Mason County
Campbell, Curtis (Author of Dragging Mason County), author.
2023
Peter Thompkins needs a public image overhaul. After a tense confrontation with one of the few other queer kids in his small-town high school, rumors about him are becoming more elaborate by the day. Meanwhile, his best friend Alan (aka teen drag queen Aggie Culture) is throwing Mason County's debut Drag Extravaganza. Although Peter is a self-described "dragnostic," he decides to help produce the show, hoping to prove that he isn't a self-hating gay. In the process, he finds himself facing down angry guard dogs, angrier bigots, and a very high-strung church lady.
Foul heart huntsman
Gong, Chloe, author
2023
In 1932 Shanghai, exposed national spy Rosalind Lang must rescue fellow spy, Orion, whose memories of Rosalind were wiped, and find a cure to a dangerous chemical weapon before it lands in the hands of foreign invaders.
Foxglove
Grace, Adalyn, author
2023
A duke has been murdered. The lord of Thorn Grove has been framed. And Fate, the elusive brother of Death, has taken up residence in a sumptuous estate nearby. He's hellbent on revenge after Death took the life of the woman he loved many years ago...and now he's determined to have Signa for himself, no matter the cost. Signa and her cousin Blythe are certain that Fate can save Elijah Hawthorne from prison if they will entertain his presence. But the more time the girls spend with Fate, the more frightening their reality becomes as Signa exhibits dramatic new powers that link her to Fate's past. With mysteries and danger around every corner, the cousins must decide if they can trust one another as they navigate their futures in high society, unravel the murders that haunt their family, and play Fate's unexpected games--all with their destinies hanging in the balance.
Glitch. 1
Shima, Shin'ya.
2023
"Siblings Minato and Akira Lee have moved to a new town, and they're expecting things to be different-- but not this different! Ghostly figures tower over and pass through buildings, drawing no reaction from the locals, some of whom appear far from normal themselves. When Akira spots a strange creature outside her window, she and her new friends organize a search. If no one else can explain the uncanny appearances, the investigation club will get to the bottom of it!"--Back cover.
Gorgeous gruesome faces
Cheng, Linda, author.
2023
Disgraced teen idol Sunny, comes face to face with Candie, her former bandmate, and the demons of their shared past when the two enter a K-pop competition that devolves into a deadly nightmare.
The grimmer
Ruthnum, Naben, author
2023
"After his father returns from treatment for addiction, highschooler Vish -- lover of metal music and literature -- is uncertain what the future holds. It doesn't help that everyone seems to know about the family's troubles, and they stand out doubly as one of the only brown families in town. When Vish is mistaken for a relative of the weird local bookseller and attacked by an unsettling pale man who seems to be decaying, he is pulled into the world of the occult, where witches live in television sets, undead creatures can burn with a touch, and magic is mathematical. Vish must work with the bookstore owner and his mysterious teenage employee, Gisela, to stop an interdimensional invasion that would destroy their peaceful town. Bringing together scares, suspense, and body horror, The Grimmer is award-winning author Naben Ruthnum's first foray into the young adult genre. This gripping ride through the supernatural is loaded with vivid characters, frightening imagery, and astonishing twists, while tackling complex issues such as grief, racism, and addiction."-- Provided by publisher.
Hockey girl loves drama boy
Hicks, Faith Erin, author
2023
"It should have been a night of triumph for Alix’s hockey team. But her mean teammate Lindsay decided to start up with her usual rude comments and today Alix, who usually tries to control her anger, let it finally run free. Alix lashes out and before she knows it, her coach is dragging her off Lindsay, and the invitation to the Canada National Women’s U18 Team’s summer camp is on the line. She needs to learn how to control this anger, and she is sure Ezra, the popular and poised theater kid from her grade is the answer. So she asks for his help. But as they hang out and start get closer, Alix learns that there is more to Ezra than the cool front he puts on. And that maybe this friendship could become something more." -- From Amazon page.
If you'll have me
Eunnie, author, illustrator
2023
"An unexpected meet-cute brings Momo and PG together, kicking off the beginning of an awkward yet endearing courtship--but with their drastically different personalities, Momo's overprotective friend, and PG's past coming back to haunt her, Momo and PG's romance is put to the test."-- Provided by publisher.
Murtagh
Paolini, Christopher, author.
2023
The world is no longer safe for the Dragon Rider Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn. An evil king has been toppled, and they are left to face the consequences of the reluctant role they played in his reign of terror. Now they are hated and alone, exiled to the outskirts of society. Throughout the land, hushed voices whisper of brittle ground and a faint scent of brimstone in the air-and Murtagh senses that something wicked lurks in the shadows of Alagaësia. So begins an epic journey into lands both familiar and untraveled, where Murtagh and Thorn must use every weapon in their arsenal, from brains to brawn, to find and outwit a mysterious witch. A witch who is much more than she seems. In this gripping novel starring one of the most popular characters from Christopher Paolini's blockbuster Inheritance Cycle, a Dragon Rider must discover what he stands for in a world that has abandoned him. Murtagh is the perfect book to enter the World of Eragon for the first time... or to joyfully return.
Paper planes
Wood, Jennie (Comic book author), author.
2023
Former best friends Dylan Render and Leighton Worthington attempt to successfully navigate their way through a summer camp for troubled youth. They both need a good evaluation at the camp. Otherwise, they'll be sent away, unable to attend high school with their friends. While participating in camp activities and chores, Dylan and Leighton rexamine the events that led up to the incident that sent them to camp, the incident that threatens their futures, and their friendship with each other.
Phoebe's diary
Wahl, Phoebe.
2023
"Drawing on her own diaries, Phoebe Wahl presents the illustrated journal of a teenage girl careening through the turmoil and ecstasy of adolescence amid school plays, art projects, favorite bands, blossoming friendships, and new love"-- Provided by publisher.
The scarlet alchemist
Baker, Kylie Lee, author
2023
In an alternate Tang Dynasty China, aspiring royal alchemist Zilan, who has the ability to resurrect the dead, arrives in the capital to compete against the best alchemists in the country and becomes drawn into the dangerous political games of the royal family.
Silver in the bone
Bracken, Alexandra, author
2023
"Tamsin Lark goes on a quest to find the infamous ring from Arthurian legend to break her brother's curse"-- Provided by publisher.
The spirit of Denendeh. Volume 1, A blanket of butterflies
Van Camp, Richard, author
2022
"No one knows how a suit of samurai armour ended up in the Fort Smith museum. When a mysterious stranger turns up to claim it, Sonny, a young Tłı̨chǫ Dene boy, is eager to help. Shinobu has travelled to Fort Smith, NWT, to reclaim his grandfather's samurai sword and armour. But when he discovers that the sword was lost in a poker game, he must confront the man known as Benny the Bank. Along the way, Shinobu must rely on unlikely heroes--Sonny, his grandmother, and a visitor from the spirit world. Together, they face Benny and his men, including the giant they call Flinch. Will Shinobu be able to regain the lost sword and, with it, his family's honour? Can Sonny and his grandmother help Shinobu while keeping the peace in their community? Now in full-colour, this new edition includes additional background information and cultural context. Learn about the real-life inspiration behind the story and the intersections between Indigenous and Japanese-Canadian experiences during the Second World War"-- Provided by publisher
Spy x family. 10
Endo, Tatsuya, 1980- author, artist.
2023
Master spy Twilight is the best at what he does when it comes to going undercover on dangerous missions in the name of a better world. But when he receives the ultimate impossible assignment--get married and have a kid--he may finally be in over his head! Not one to depend on others, Twilight has his work cut out for him procuring both a wife and a child for his mission to infiltrate an elite private school. What he doesn't know is that the wife he's chosen is an assassin and the child he's adopted is a telepath!
Stars and smoke
Lu, Marie, 1984-
2023
When nineteen-year-old international pop sensation Winter Young is recruited by a covert organization to take down a criminal tycoon, he is paired with Sydney Cossette, a fierce and unpredictable secret agent, but suspicions soon turn to sparks as the two are drawn into a tangled web of secrets and deception.
Those Pink Mountain nights
Ferguson, Jenny, 1985-, author
2023
While working at Pink Mountain Pizza, three teens--overachiever Berlin, high school dropout Cameron and rich girl Jessie--find their weekend taking unexpected turns, forcing them all to acknowledge the various ways they've been hurt--and how much they need each other to hold it all together.