Staff Picks - Teen

Created on April 23, 2021, 12:19 pm

Last Updated June 9, 2023, 11:53 am

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Linden can't remember what happened when she vanished in the woods last summer. Now another girl is missing and when her body is found Linden begins looking into her own disappearance. Small town mystery with a little magic, old secrets and the legend of the Moth-Winged Man. - Chrysalis C
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The first part of a duology, The Wrath and the Dawn is an imaginative retelling of The Arabian Nights. Shahrzad volunteers to marry the young caliph to avenge the death of her friend. But she quickly finds herself falling in love and rethinks her plan to kill the ruler. - Janet O
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Fans of smart young women with complicated family dynamics who are driven by love and honor to solve mysteries and catch murderers should try this novel about a young nurse named Hyeon, set in and around the royal palace in 1758 Joseon (Korea). - Alex Z
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Why do all stories about cancer have a sad ending? That was the motivation for India Desjardin to write a story that had a different outcome. It is still a terrifying description of what cancer is like for a small child and the impact on the family/caregivers. - Todd P
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Miles hoped coming out as trans to his family would be the hardest thing he did this summer, but after he does some digging into the feud between his family and the local sheriff, the sheriff's son delivers a brutal beating. A gruesome, violent, and ultimately hopeful story. - Michelle M
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While looking for two missing kids, Shane's mother also disappears into a rogue fae circle. Now Shane and her ghost dog must find them using the the tracking skills her mother taught her to go to the Below. A wonderful adventure and coming-of-age story. - Michelle M
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7) Flamer
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Growing up is already hard enough but when you feel like you don't fit in, it feels even worse. Aiden is away at summer camp and amidst campfires and surviving in the woods, he also faces challenges of acceptance and finding his own identity. A sincere and emotional read. - Deborah K
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Maisie is headed to fancon hoping to meet her idol who shares the same kind of amputation she does. Then she meets Ollie and sparks soon fly from all directions. This book features queer/disabled representation and a love for geek pop culture. It is a delightfully nerdy read. - Deborah K
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Being a teen is hard enough. Growing up in and out of the hospital is even harder. Ellie’s candid narration provides insight into being a teen with a rare illness while dealing with “normal” issues like deciding how much of herself she wants to share with others. - Andrea W
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A riveting tale for true crime aficionados, exploring the infamous 1924 Leopold and Loeb case in Chicago. Uncover the chilling murder plot hatched by two college students and the gripping legal battle that ensued, revealing intriguing insights into their motives and minds. - Jennifer S
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Just in time for the Lunar New Year! I can't wait to recommend this book to the middle graders in my life. There was a sweetness to high school romances while incorporating different Asian cultures celebrating the same holidays and the nuances within those families. - Katherine C
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12) victory stand raising my fist for justice
This entry no longer exists in the catalog
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After a huge fight with her mom Sam is sent back in time to the 90s where she comes face to face with her mom as a teenager. Its a heartfelt look at the intergenerational dynamics between grandmother and mother and daughter with a fun time travel twist. - Chrysalis C
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For Thien, childhood memories of fleeing Vietnam and the stresses of living in a refugee camp in Thailand are intermingled with the joys of food, friendships, and family. When his family resettles in America, Thien's subsequent struggles are balanced by moments of hope. - Emily L
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At the heart of this terrifying haunted house novel are two mysteries, featuring generational trauma and how it affects relationships between African American mothers and daughters. It begs the question: Can a house be evil, or is it made that way from its inhabitants? - Holley M
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Enchantee volume 1
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Camille must care for her siblings after losing their parents to smallpox. She uses her family's forbidden dark magic to make money and to swindle the French aristocrats. But soon the Revolution begins and her secrets are uncovered, putting herself in danger. - Janet O
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The crimes at the center of the story are compelling but the way Daunis navigates loss, relationships (with family and friends), betrayal, hockey, and staying true to her culture and beliefs in hard times will keep you turning the pages all the way to the end. - Chrysalis C
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Akata series volume 1
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Fans of magical realism will enjoy the world created in this first installment of "The Nsibidi Scripts." Sunny, a 12 year old albino girl living in Nigeria, discovers she not only has magical abilities but is a key member to protect the world from a new threat. - Lisa N
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A time loop, a mystery, and an impossible to make decision where only 1 will survive. The story is haunting, funny, twisted, surprising and hard to put down. - Chrysalis C
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