4 Stars

Overachieving, Ivy-League-bound Lydia and outspoken rebel Bristal work together on Lydia’s podcast when they discover they’re both one credit shy of graduation. Covering their small town’s “long stretch of bad days” – a week in the early 90s when a tornado and flash flood destroyed everything and the town’s only homicide occurred – the two unlikely friends uncover long-buried secrets that upend their close-knit community. This suspenseful mystery examines issues of classism with a feminist undertone, all while maintaining a brisk pace and intricate plot.

-Amity
Posted 8/31/2023

3 Stars

When Alex gets waitlisted for her top college, her horror-film-fanatic friends fundraise the money to create her dream student film. Everything is awesome; and then an A-list actress offers a film set of a Romanian castle. Nothing about this experience should vampirically suck… until Alex’s friends begin to wind up dead. Is money the root of all evil here or is something wicked wandering the castle halls? Full of high stakes, broken trust, and one girl’s goal of horror film fame, this book can’t be laid down, unless we’re talking into a coffin.

-Hannah
Posted 8/30/2023

4 Stars

After being denied financial aid to her dream school, wallflower Liz competes for Prom queen and the associated scholarship. Soon, Liz becomes overwhelmed by the campaign, further complicated by her feelings for one of her competitors: quirky new girl Mack. If she wants to get the girl and win the crown, she must decide if it’s worth stepping into the spotlight. This sweet coming-of-age story contains funny, feel-good prose that nevertheless does not ignore the realities of small-town prejudice. Fans of Heartstopper looking for a similar swoony, heartfelt read would enjoy this novel.

-Amity
Posted 6/20/2023

4 Stars

This graphic novel is based on ancient Breton folklore from Brittany, England. It follows two sisters after losing their magical mother, queen of their home, the city of Ys. It is a thought-provoking tale portraying themes around family, grief, secrets, and the price of magic. The colorful, textured illustrations juxtapose well with the more disturbing, dark storyline to reflect the dual nature of secrets.

-Caitlin
Posted 4/16/2023

5 Stars

Lore and Bastián harbor a secret beneath the water’s surface. And yet, both are afraid to admit they’re in the same boat for fear that being who they really are might capsize life as they know it. This stunning novel has shimmering prose that helps guide the reader through uncharted waters of love, grief, friendship, and the troubled tides of gender identity.

-Hannah
Posted 4/8/2023

4 Stars

High school sucks. Pressure from parents, peers and universities mingle with crushes that occasionally morph into mortal enemies. That’s the fate of Brad and Celine. But when the pair is approached with a resumé-rocking opportunity for a wilderness exploration program, they must face their pasts to brighten their futures. Will the beaten path lead to academic ruin or a second-chance romance? For fans of the Brown sisters series, Talia Hibbert charms again in this cute and candid YA novel.

-Hannah
Posted 2/16/2023

5 Stars

Simi is a Mami Wata, or mermaid, created by goddess Yemoja off West Africa to assist in bringing souls of Africans thrown off ships of enslavers to the afterlife. She fulfills her sole purpose without question until one of those thrown overboard is still alive. Simi chooses to save him, not only diverting from her only duty but also exposing herself as a Mami Wata. Going against the rules to save this boy, Kola, could destroy Yemoja and all other Mami Wata. Simi and Kola travel to his home, then, with the help of other companions, to the supreme creator to make amends. This plot-driven fantasy book is full of action and courageous characters. The world-building, compelling writing style, and likable characters make this an engaging read.

-Caitlin
Posted 1/16/2023

5 Stars

When Bree Matthew’s mother dies in what the police tell her is a car accident, grief hits her hard. Accepted into an early college program at UNC-Chapel Hill with her best friend Alice, she hopes the program will be the perfect distraction from the pain. But when she sees an attack by a demon on her first night on campus, she is suddenly thrust into the world of the Legendborn—a secret society Bree believes holds the answers to the true cause of her mother’s death. Tracy Deonn weaves a complex world in this book based on Arthurian legend with memorable characters and a strong heroine you’ll find yourself rooting for. Deonn paints an accurate and gripping portrayal of grief, and she doesn’t shy away from the racism and sexism present in today’s world that Bree finds herself fighting almost as much as the demons. Legendborn is a stunning fantasy book that will have you flying through the pages.

-Michelle J.
Posted 1/16/2023

5 Stars

Bea Denham is desperate as she grieves the loss of her parents and waits with bated breath to see if younger sister Lo will join them. When she’s approached by Lev Warren, charismatic leader of the Unity Project, she goes willingly in search of salvation. Lo must grapple with abandonment issues as she seeks to uncover the frightful side of faith and bring her sister back with her. This book is a beautiful intersection of grief, belief and the indelible bond of sisterhood.

-Hannah
Posted 1/10/2023

4 Stars

After a tragic childhood incident landed her father in prison, Owl finds her world steeped in deafening silence. She seeks solitude on her aunt and uncle’s sugar farm until alluring and emotionally unavailable Cody is hired to help finish the sugaring season. Misery loves company, but is the pair ill-fated to fall into more loss before they fall in love? Read on to see this coming-of-age novel unfold.

-Hannah
Posted 1/5/2023