Teen Talk (5/23/2019 Edition)

Hello, YA librarians!

Check out our latest & greatest YA titles from the past two months, then join us on Twitter today at 2:30pm EST for Early Word YA Galley Chat (#ewgcya) and tell us what you’ve been reading & loving!

YOU’D BE MINE by Erin Hahn
9781250192882
Ages 14 to 18

Annie Mathers is America’s sweetheart and heir to a country music legacy full of all the things her Gran warned her about. Superstar Clay Coolidge is a heartbreaker and troublemaker and his label has threatened to drop him if he can’t convince Annie to join his summer tour and fix his image. Swayed by Clay’s undeniable charm and good looks, Annie and her band agree to join the tour. Can the right song and the perfect summer on the road make two broken hearts whole?

“Hahn’s nuanced and complex rendering of both protagonists will stir hearts. ”  Booklist 

“A good ol’ fashioned love story.” Kirkus Reviews

WICKED SAINTS by Emily A. Duncan
9781250195661
Ages 13 to 18

Let them fear her.
In this stunning Joan of Arc inspired debut, Nadya a peasant girl who can speak to the gods must find a way to work with a deadly adversary to turn the tide of the war and assassinate the mad king. When their scheme leads them straight to the royal family, Nadya must decide whether to trust the High Prince her country’s enemy or the beautiful, troubled boy with powers that may ignite something worse than the war they’re trying to end. Chaos ensues.

“Rarely does a dark, magical epic have so effective a character-grounded sense of humor.” 
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Densely descriptive prose flows smoothly . . . with lush, specific depictions of magic that are compelling.” School Library Journal

THIS IS NOT A LOVE SCENE by S.C. Megale
9781250190499
Ages 14 to 18

A funny and irreverent #ownvoices YA romance. Eighteen-year-old Maeve has the lights and the camera now all she needs is some action! But her muscular dystrophy usually stands in the way of any romance. She’s got her friends, her humor, and a passion for filmmaking to keep her focus off the consistent rejection . . . but her latest distraction is the hot older guy starring in her senior film project.

“A humorous, hearty novel about the realities (and fantasies) of being a teenager with a disability . . . Readers will want to zoom in on this story featuring a strong, sexually confident, disabled female character.” Kirkus Reviews

FINALE by Stephanie Garber
9781250157669
Ages 13 to 18

It’s been two months since the last Caraval concluded. Now, Legend is preparing for his official coronation and Tella is determined to stop it. She believes her own mother, who still remains in an enchanted sleep, is the rightful heir to the throne. Meanwhile, Scarlett has started a game of her own. She’s challenged Julian and her former fiancé, Count Nicolas d’Arcy, to a competition where the winner will receive her hand in marriage. Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun with lives, empires, and hearts all at stake.

“Richly imagined.” Booklist

AGAIN, BUT BETTER by Christine Riccio
9781250299253
Ages 12 to 18

Shane has been doing college all wrong. She’s got perfect grades and is on track for med school, but she has zero friends and no romantic relationships. To mix things up, Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London, where she’s determined to make friends, have her first kiss, and find adventure. As it turns out, that may be easier said than done…

“Half wish fulfillment, half cautionary tale and full of charm.”  Kirkus Reviews

“This funny, poignant debut by a popular BookTuber is full of life and honest reflection, and it’s packed with adventures that will charm readers, whether they’ve traveled abroad or not.” Booklist

RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE by Casey McQuiston
9781250316776
New Adult

A big-hearted romantic comedy in which the First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends. As the pair find themselves hurtling into a secret relationship that could derail a presidential campaign and upend two nations, they must decide whether their relationship is worth the sacrifice.

“This Blue Wave fantasy could be the feel-good book of the summer.” Booklist, starred review

“The drama, which involves political rivals, possible betrayals, and even a meeting with the queen, is both irresistible and delicious.” Publishers Weekly, starred review

BIRTHDAY by Meredith Russo
9781250129833
Ages 13 to 18

Two best friends, Morgan and Eric, are bonded for life after being born on the same day at the same time. The story follows them once a year on their shared birthday as they grow and change: as Eric figures out who he is and how he fits into the world, and as Morgan makes the difficult choice to live as her true self.

“BIRTHDAY is an altogether singular contribution to the gradually growing body of transgender literature and, indeed, to mainstream literature, as well.” Booklist, starred review

“An emotional, winning touchdown.” Kirkus Reviews

And don’t miss these new titles from Entangled: Teen and Page Street Kids!

SMOKE AND KEY by Kelsey Sutton
9781640636002
Ages 14 And Up

THE SOUND OF DROWNING by Katherine Fleet
9781624147111
Ages 14 And Up

ASK ME ANYTHING by Molly E. Lee
9781640636583
Ages 14 to 18

DEPOSING NATHAN by Zack Smedley
9781624147357
Ages 14 And Up

THE BONE CHARMER by Breeana Shields
9781624147371
Ages 14 And Up