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Young Adult

Into the Riverlands

Into the Riverlands

By Nghi Vo 112 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Wandering cleric Chih of the Singing Hills travels to the riverlands to record tales of the notorious near-immortal martial artists who haunt the region. On the road to Betony Docks, they fall in with a pair of young women far from home, and an older couple who are more than they seem. As Chih runs headlong into an ancient feud, they find themself far more entangled in the history of the riverlands than they ever expected to be. Accompanied by Almost Brilliant, a talking bird with an indelible memory, Chih confronts old legends and new dangers alike as they learn that every story – beautiful, ugly, kind or cruel – bears more than one face. The third entry in the enormously popular, Hugo Award-winning Singing Hills Cycle.
The Marrow Thieves

The Marrow Thieves

By Cherie Dimaline 256 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Humanity has nearly destroyed its world through global warming, but now an even greater evil lurks. The indigenous people of North America are being hunted and harvested for their bone marrow, which carries the key to recovering something the rest of the population has lost: the ability to dream. In this dark world, Frenchie and his companions struggle to survive as they make their way up north to the old lands. For now, survival means staying hidden – but what they don't know is that one of them holds the secret to defeating the marrow thieves.

Me and Mr. Cigar

Me and Mr. Cigar

By Gibby Haynes 256 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Oscar and his dog have made a pretty good life for themselves, despite the fact that Oscar’s family has all but vanished—his father is dead; his mother has a new boyfriend. Mr. Cigar is a loyal protector: a supernatural creature that can exact revenge, communicate telepathically, and manipulate car doors and windows with ease. So, when Rachel – now twenty-two and an artist living in New York – calls out of the blue and claims she’s being held hostage, Oscar sees an opportunity to make things right between them.

Text for You

Text for You

By Sofie Cramer 256 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

A heartwarming story of love, loss, serendipity, and texting.

Dickens and Prince

Dickens and Prince

By Nick Hornby 192 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

From one of my favorite authors comes a short, warm and entertaining book about art, creativity and the unlikely similarities between Victorian novelist Charles Dickens and modern American rock star Prince.

Learning How to Learn

Learning How to Learn

By Barbara Oakley & Terence Seinowski 256 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

It has always bothered me that there is not more emphasis teaching students practical study strategies. This book provides teens with a practical guide on how to learn anything more quickly and easily.

Be a Changemaker

Be a Changemaker

By Laurie Ann Thompson 240 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I hate to sound like a curmudgeon, but it depresses me to see so many negative-themes books for teens. No wonder they’re stressed. I make a conscious effort to find books that inspire students to make a positive impact on the world, and that’s what I love about this book. Featuring stories of how kids all around the world are making a positive difference, this inspiring guide shows kids how to wield their passions, digital tools and the principles of social entrepreneurship to affect real change in their schools, communities and beyond.

William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Mean Girls

William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Mean Girls

By Ian Doescher 176 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I have been in the position of introducing Shakespeare to teens – and it’s not easy task. Doescher delightfully adapts the popular Tina Fey teen film Mean Girls into Shakespearean verse. The result is an Elizabethan makeover in this totally fetch comedy of manners about North Shore High’s queen bees, wannabes, misfits and nerds.

Talk Santa to Me

Talk Santa to Me

By Linda Urban 272 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I had to include at least one holiday-themed book. Francie is saving up for a car and angling to kiss the cute boy who works at the tree lot next door – hopefully it will be good enough to wipe her fiasco of a first kiss from her memory. As the weather outside gets more and more frightful, can Francie pull off the holiday of her dreams? Funny tale of a teen girl’s second chance at her first kiss.

The Contender

The Contender

By Robert Lipsyte 176 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

The story of a young boxer in Harlem who overcomes hardships and finds hope in the ring on his path to becoming a contender. Especially popular with reluctant boy readers.

Genuine Fraud

Genuine Fraud

By E. Lockhart 272 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Imogen lives at the Playa Grande Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. She spends her days working out in the hotel gym and telling other guests how she was forced out of Stanford. But Imogen isn't really Imogen. She's Jule. And she's on the run from something. Or someone. Which means – where is the real Imogen? Page-turning thriller told in reverse that makes for great class discussions.

Home Is Not a Country

Home Is Not a Country

By Safia Elhillo 224 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

This powerful novel-in-verse captures one girl, caught between cultures, on an unexpected journey to face the ephemeral girl she might have been. Woven through with moments of lyrical beauty, this is a tender meditation on family, belonging and home.

When Your Back’s Against the Wall

When Your Back’s Against the Wall

By Michael Oher 224 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Anyone who knows me knows I am drawn to positive books, especially for teens. Oher’s story of overcoming the toughest of odds serves as their hope. This book chronicles his unexpected highs: a college degree; four beautiful, healthy children and a happy marriage; drafted in the first round; a Super Bowl victory; and a second chance to play in the “big game.” But it also examines his lows: poverty, hunger, homelessness, struggles in school, bullying, job loss, brain injury, anxiety and depression. Inspiring and needed.

The Haunted

The Haunted

By Danielle Vega 272 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Paranormal novel for teens about dark family secrets, deep-seated vengeance and the horrifying truth that evil often lurks in the unlikeliest of places. This one will send shivers down your spine – just in time for Halloween.

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Fazbear Frights, Vol. 1

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Fazbear Frights, Vol. 1

By Scott Cawthon, et. al. 192 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Graphic novel version of the New York Times bestselling series Five Nights at Freddy's includes three novella-length horrifying comic stories, sure to keep any teen up at night.

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