Young Adult

A powerful and moving teen graphic novel memoir about immigration, belonging, and how arts can save a life.

An inspirational tell-all about the abuse the 8-time NCAA champ suffered under the US national gymnastics team and how she managed to redefine herself in the face of adversity.

I see too many stressed-out teens, and this book is the antidote. According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai – a reason for living. And according to the residents of the Japanese village with the world’s longest-living people, finding it is the key to a happier and longer life. Having a strong sense of ikigai (where what you love, what you’re good at, what you can get paid for, and what the world needs all overlap) means that each day is infused with meaning. It’s the reason we get up in the morning. It’s also the reason many Japanese never really retire (in fact there’s no word in Japanese that means retire in the sense it does in English): They remain active and work at what they enjoy, because they’ve found a real purpose in life – the happiness of always being busy. Readers will learn how ikigai can bring satisfaction to their lives.

The author was born with a tumor the size of a tennis ball in the middle of his face and short, twisted legs. Surgeons removed the tumor and made him a new nose from one of his toes.  Amazingly, he survived – with a face that would never be the same. Strangers stared at him, kids called him names and adults could be cruel in their own ways. Everybody seemed to agree that Robert was “ugly.” But Robert refused to let his face dictate his entire life. Then, when Robert came face to face with the biggest decision of his life, he followed his heart. This poignant memoir about overcoming bullying and thriving with disabilities shows that what makes us “ugly” also makes us who we are.

Set in Newfoundland in 1986, this quirky, heartwarming story is all about friendship, loyalty and discovery. Lovely book for classroom discussions.

Connor’s grandmother leaves his dad a letter when she dies, and the letter’s confession shakes their tight-knit Italian-American family: the man who raised Dad is not his birth father. But the only clues to this birth father’s identity are a class ring and a pair of pilot’s wings. So, Connor takes it upon himself to investigate – a pursuit that becomes even more pressing when Dad is hospitalized after a stroke. What Connor discovers will lead him and his father to a new, richer understanding of race, identity and each other.

Whether you are a teen who already has some cooking know-how, or your skills are limited to pressing buttons on the microwave, now you can create your own flavor-packed, homemade meals! This cook book is filled with options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and snacks that you can whip up without any cooking experience.

Belly has an unforgettable summer in this stunning start to The Summer I Turned Pretty series from the author of the wonderful book To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.

The story of Rex’s efforts to navigate his first semester of sixth grade – who to sit with, not being able to join the football team, Halloween in a handmade costume, classmates and a teacher who take one look at him and decide he’s trouble – all while wearing secondhand clothes and being hungry. A story of hardship threaded with hope and moments of grace.

Gosh – I messed up and should have included this last month, but the uplifting stories included in this book are an important reminder for Americans interested in unification instead of divisiveness. This powerful play, written by students of Stuyvesant High School based on their interviews with the school community, remembers those who were lost and those who were forced to witness the 9/11 tragedy. Here, in their own words, are the firsthand stories of a day we will never forget.

No parents, no rules. Fender, Linnea, Lucas, and Kate are celebrating Kate’s birthday in a luxury hotel. They’re here to have fun and make forever memories. They all know not to bring up what happened last year, especially on this weekend. All that matters is having the most epic time ever. But the party is over. Someone is leaving messages at their door. Someone who knows exactly what happened a year ago. Someone who wants revenge. Scream-worthy Halloween read for teens.

Through engaging youth profiles, step-by-step exercises and practical tips, Thompson shows teens how they can start making a difference today.

This mesmerizing blend of biography, memoir and scientific mystery dives deep into obsession, resilience and the thin line between order and chaos. Equal parts haunting and inspiring, it challenges us to reconsider how we find meaning when the world refuses to make sense.

Lyrical, compact fantasy that burns with quiet rage and dazzling beauty – weaving a tale of power, exile and the stories that shape empires. Both intimate and epic, it’s a masterclass in how the voices of the overlooked can rewrite history.

Spanning four generations, this sweeping yet intimate novel captures the weight of heritage, masculinity and the fragile threads between fathers and sons. Powerful and deeply human, it reveals how identity and love are passed down (and reshaped) across time.