Articles tagged "#yalit"
Teen Talk Tuesday (5/16/2018 Edition)
Happy Wednesday, YA librarians, and welcome to this special *Wednesday edition* of Teen Talk Tuesday!
Check out our latest & greatest teen titles out this month, then join us today at 2:30pm EST for Early Word YA Galley Chat (hashtag: #ewgcya) and tell us what you’ve been reading and loving.
LEGENDARY by Stephanie Garber
9781250095312
Ages 13 to 18
Also available in audio
The sequel to the New York Times bestselling and #1 IndieNext Pick CARAVAL, following Scarlett’s younger sister, Tella. After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.
“The pacing is impeccable, with urgency increasing to an almost breathless point as Tella runs from clue to clue, while bittersweet truths and devastating betrayals unfold.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review
” . . . a tour de force of imagination.” —Kirkus readmoreremove
Day’s YA – DEAR READER
Happy Wednesday, YA pals!
Do you love classic literature with a modern twist? Well, dear reader, have I got just the book for you!
DEAR READER by Mary O’Connell
Available now in hardcover and audio from Flatiron Books YA and Macmillan Audio
Available in trade paperback on December 4, 2018 from Flatiron Books YA
Ages 13 and up
When seventeen-year-old Flannery Fields’ favorite teacher (Miss Sweeney) misses class, Flannery knows something is tragically wrong. Flannery temporarily forgoes her good-girl persona, ditches school, and steals Miss Sweeney’s beloved copy of Wuthering Heights to gain more insight into Ms. Sweeney’s disappearance. But when Flannery opens the book, she finds a strange account of her teacher’s day, leading Flannery on a spontaneous trip to New York City. As Flannery wanders the city, following the clues she finds in the magical pages of Wuthering Heights, she ends up at Columbia University and meets Heath Smith—a handsome and mysterious boy from England who bears an uncanny resemblance to Brontë’s Heathcliff. Heath joins Flannery on her search for Miss Sweeney (who is spiraling downwards with every turn of the page), and the two of them end up on a magical, literary adventure.
Mary O’Connell’s novel is incredibly lovely. She has truly crafted a love letter to classic literature, but with a unique contemporary twist. The contrasting voices of Flannery’s third-person narrative and Miss Sweeney’s first-person account are thoughtful and captivating—I was completely swept up in their adventures. The touch of magical realism is just enough to add a hint of the fantastical to an otherwise totally plausible story. Ideal for fans of Gilmore Girls and THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS by E. Lockhart (and, of course, Wuthering Heights), DEAR READER is a boarding school tale like no other. readmoreremove
BFYA 2019 Nominee: THE HAZEL WOOD
Congratulations to our nominee for YALSA’s 2019 Best Fiction for Young Adults list: THE HAZEL WOOD!!
THE HAZEL WOOD by Melissa Albert
Available now from Flatiron Books YA
Ages 12 to 18
Welcome to THE HAZEL WOOD, Melissa Albert’s fierce, captivating contemporary fantasy about a seventeen-year-old girl who must venture into the world behind a pitch-dark, cult-classic collection of fairy tales to save her mother.
You can view the full list of nominees here.
Day’s YA – FANGIRL
Happy Thursday, YA folks!
This week’s Day’s YA pick is an oldie, but a goodie. Read on to hear my thoughts on this beloved YA classic.
FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell
Available now in hardcover from St. Martin’s Griffin
9781250073808
Available in trade paperback on November 6, 2018 from Wednesday Books
9781250042613
Ages 13 to 18
When Cath and her twin sister, Wren, were younger, they were both diehard Simon Snow fans. They read the books, attended the premieres, covered the walls of their shared room with Simon Snow posters, and they wrote fanfiction. Now that they’re heading to college, Wren has left that part of her life behind, but not Cath. Cath has decorated her dorm room with posters and figurines and still spends every possible minute writing fanfiction for her 35,000 readers. Wren has also decided that living with her twin isn’t an option, and Cath is now stuck with an older and more outgoing roommate. Making matters worse, Cath is dealing with boys she doesn’t understand, professors who don’t understand her, and a father she can’t seem to stop worrying about. Although her fanfic has saved her in the past, now Cath may be forced to choose between her favorite fantastical world and the real, living people right in front of her. readmoreremove
Teen Talk Tuesday (4/24/2018 Edition)
Happy Tuesday, YA Librarians, and welcome to this month’s edition of Teen Talk Tuesday!
Check out our latest & greatest teen titles out this month, then join us today at *2:30pm EST* for Early Word YA Galley Chat (hashtag: #ewgcya) and tell us what you’ve been reading and loving.
SKY IN THE DEEP by Adrienne Young
9781250168450
Ages 12 to 18
Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient, rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield—her brother, fighting with the enemy—the brother she watched die five years ago. Faced with her brother’s betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating.
“A rousing saga and moving coming-of-age tale, perfect for those who appreciate the wild and the wildlings, strong female protagonists, and cinematic battles.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“A refreshing tale where life is tested and people have to overcome their differences to fight a bigger foe to survive. A fast-paced, action-filled fantasy for all YA collections.” —School Library Journal
FROM THE EARTH TO THE SHADOWS: Valkyrie Book Two by Amanda Hocking
9781250084804
Ages 12 to 18
The adventure and romance continues in the final installment of the new fantasy duology by New York Times bestselling author Amanda Hocking. While dealing with dark revelations about her life and her world, Malin finds herself with new allies—and new enemies. Her quest for the truth leads her to places she never thought possible, and she’s never been one to shy away from a fight. But for all her strength and determination, will it be enough to save the world before it’s too late?
“Fans of this fictional world will enjoy seeing more of it—and appreciate that the story’s conclusion leaves the door open for more adventures.” —Kirkus Reviews readmoreremove
Day’s YA – THIS HEART OF MINE
TGIF, YA librarians, and happy National Library Week!
In honor of how much I loooovveeee all of you and the amazing work that you do, I have a YA romance (with some mystery) to share with you.
THIS HEART OF MINE by C.C. Hunter
9781250131652
Available now from Wednesday Books
Ages 13 to 18
Seventeen-year-old Leah MacKenzie is heartless (this may sound familiar if you’ve read my review of BRING ME THEIR HEARTS, but I promise you this is a very different story). A virus called myocarditis destroyed Leah’s heart and now she’s connected to an artificial one that she has to carry around in a backpack. Because of her rare blood type her days are numbered as a transplant isn’t likely, and the artificial heart will only keep her alive for a few years. Until . . . a heart becomes available and Leah is suddenly looking at the possibility of living a much longer life than she ever imagined. Leah’s new heart has come from Eric, a classmate of hers who supposedly killed himself, but after the transplant, Leah starts having strange dreams that suggest something else happened, forcing her to team up with her donor’s very attractive twin brother, Matt, to find out the truth of how Eric really died. readmoreremove
Day’s YA – I’M NOT MISSING
Happy Friday, YA librarians!
Welcome to this special *Friday edition* of Day’s YA! I’ve been going on and on and on about this book to anyone who will listen (roommates, coworkers, librarians at PLA, unsuspecting strangers, etc.), so I’m very excited to share it will all of you!
I’M NOT MISSING by Carrie Fountain
9781250132512
Available July 10, 2018 from Flatiron Books
Ages 13 to 18
Wow. This book is stunning. It opens on Miranda and Syd—the very best of friends—hanging out in the pseudo-graveyard behind Syd’s house. It’s where they go to get away from the rest of the world and to be in the company of each other . . .
Miranda and Syd don’t have a lot in common (Syd is larger-than-life, and Miranda spends most of her time in Syd’s shadow), but they are bound together by one vital similarity: they both have mothers who’ve abandoned them. Miranda and her father are still very close, but Syd is now left with her deadbeat dad and his new wife, neither of whom seem to care much about Syd. Miranda is Syd’s only real companion and they’ve always been there for each other. Until Syd runs away in the middle of their senior year and with absolutely no explanation. Now Miranda is left behind again and must discover who she is on her own, as she works to untangle the clues Syd left behind. Along the way, Miranda must also navigate her first love, college decisions, and her evolving relationship with her adoring (and slightly nerdy) father. readmoreremove
Teen Talk Tuesday (3/26/2018 Edition)
Happy Monday, YA librarians, and welcome to today’s special *Monday edition* of Teen Talk Tuesday!
Check out our latest & greatest teen titles out this month!
IN SIGHT OF STARS by Gae Polisner
9781250143839
Ages 14 to 18
IN SIGHT OF STARS is an emotional, full-hearted teen novel about love, loss, and mental health from award-winning author, Gae Polisner. When seventeen-year-old Klee’s father dies, he’s forced to move to the suburbs and live with his mother. Klee then meets Sarah in art class and it seems as if she’s the only thing that makes him happy, until an act of betrayal sends him to a psychiatric hospital. Told in alternating timelines leading up to the event that gets him committed and working towards getting back out, this is a novel about what makes us fall apart and how we can put ourselves back together again.
“Polisner captures the chaos and fog in Klee’s brain as he tries to grab hold of his life. The result is a raw, enthralling rendering of pain that overwhelms a teen.” —Booklist, starred review
“An unapologetic and wry story about a teen finding his way out of a personal crisis.” —Kirkus Reviews
INDECENT by Corinne Sullivan
9781250147073
YA/Adult Crossover
When shy, introverted Imogene Abney is offered a teaching position at the Vandenberg School for Boys, an all-boys prep school in Westchester, New York, she immediately accepts, despite having little teaching experience—and very little experience with boys. It’s there where she meets Adam Kipling, a popular and handsome student who exudes charm and status and ease. As an obsessive, illicit affair begins between them, Imogene is so lost in the haze of first love that she’s unable to recognize the danger she’s in. The danger of losing her job. The danger of losing herself in the wrong person. The danger of being caught doing something possibly illegal and so indecent.
“This is an affecting novel, examining self-doubt, self-sabotage, and the lasting impact of both.” —Publishers Weekly
“A good read for those who enjoy boarding school-based novels, including Jessica Anya Blau’s THE TROUBLE WITH LEXIE, and Amy Poeppel’s SMALL ADMISSIONS.” —Library Journal
Day’s YA – CHOOSE WONDER OVER WORRY
Hello again YA librarians!
Welcome to the 10th edition of Day’s YA! I don’t know about you, but I’ve been craving uplifting and inspiring books lately to get me through these last weeks of winter. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love winter—I really do—but even I look forward to spring come mid-March. And this book is the perfect remedy for anyone with a case of the winter blues.
CHOOSE WONDER OVER WORRY by Amber Rae
9781250175250
Available May 15, 2018 from Wednesday Books
Also available in audio and read by the author
“Wonder is what we’re born with. Worry is what we learn.”
In this semi-autobiographical guidebook-to-life, Amber Rae uses a combination of short stories, self-help tips, and prompted journal pages to help her readers push past their fears and realize the amazing things they are capable of. With chapters on self-doubt, procrastination, envy, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and a whole host of other relevant topics, each short chapter includes a topical anecdote from the author’s life, helpful tips, and a page for journaling, mapping, or doodling. readmoreremove
Day’s YA – GIRLS MADE OF SNOW AND GLASS
Hello and happy March!
We’ve almost made it to spring, but the setting in the book I want to share with you today is as frigid and wintry as they come. You may want to bundle up before reading on!
GIRLS MADE OF SNOW AND GLASS by Melissa Bashardoust
9781250077738
Also available in audio.
This is the feminist SNOW WHITE retelling I’ve always wanted. I’ve been waiting for this book without even knowing it. If you also find yourself rolling your eyes at some of the more traditional, damsel-in-distress tales, this is the fairy tale for you.
Melissa Bashardoust’s debut novel tells the story of two young women. Sixteen-year-old Mina lives with her magician father and has no concrete memory of the mother who died when Mina was just a child. Mina longs to be loved and to be able to show love, but the glass heart inside her chest won’t allow it. When Mina and her father move to the castle, Mina decides that she will get the newly-widowed king to fall in love with her and become queen.
Lynet is the daughter of the king and has never known her mother, though she is the spitting image of the former queen. Lynet’s whole world is turned upside down when she discovers that she was formed from snow and was created to look just like her mother. Her father has certain expectations for how she lives her life, but Lynet has other plans. She wants to be less like the mother she never met and more like her beloved stepmother, Mina. But when the king ousts Mina and gives her role to Lynet instead, a rivalry for the throne is ignited between the two women.
Alternating chapters tell the stories of Mina’s past and Lynet’s present, while completely shattering the traditional fairy tale tropes. Prince Charming is nowhere to be found (and Lynet has no need for him, anyway) and Mina is a much more complicated character than your run-of-the-mill evil stepmother. Perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer’s CINDER, Angela Carter’s THE BLOODY CHAMBER, or Amanda Lovelace’s THE PRINCESS SAVES HERSELF IN THIS ONE, Bashardoust’s novel is Frozen meets Robin McKinley and it is even more delightful than you could ever imagine.
And to top it off, GIRLS MADE OF SNOW AND GLASS was recently named to ALA’s Amelia Bloomer List for feminist literature! readmoreremove
