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Best Teen & Young Adult Emotions & Feelings Fiction

The Hate U Give
A National Book Award Longlist title with eight starred reviews! Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. This story is important.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ). “Though Thomas’s story is heartbreakingly topical, its greatest strength is in its authentic depiction of a teenage girl, her loving family, and her attempts to reconcile what she knows to be true about their lives with the way those lives are depicted—and completely undervalued—by society at large.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) ). “Pair this powerful debut with Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely’s ALL AMERICAN BOYS to start a conversation on racism, police brutality, and the Black Lives Matter movement.” (School Library Journal (starred review) ). “Thomas has penned a powerful, in-your-face novel that will similarly galvanize fans of Kekla Magoon’s How It Went Down and Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely’s All American Boys.” (Horn Book (starred review) ).
Reviews
"I had originally said I was not going to read this book, I didn't know how well I would like it, and I don't tend to get involved with things that can make life at work harder for me. I hated reading it, I cried my eyes out, Thomas did such an amazing job of making a horrible action into beautiful fiction that made you feel like you were right there. This was really refreshing to read because so many books, YA especially make parents out to be monsters that don't care, that aren't there for their kids. I mean it is like a troupe or something for these stories and it isn't actually the norm and gets annoying to read, so this book did an amazing job with the parents and family. All around though this story just floored me, it gave me a perspective I have never considered before, offered insights into a world I am not a part of, and I loved every minute of it."
"In January, uber popular author, John Green, tweeted that The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas would become a classic. I can see this book lasting, not because it’s timeless (hopefully the struggles addressed in THUG will be no more, as Starr prophesied), but because it’s a flashpoint in American history that shouldn’t be forgotten even if it’s rectified. Angie Thomas’ debut is the kind of transformative and accessible novel that can touch a variety of readers and have long-lasting effects. They’re vigorous and honest, Angie Thomas’ words giving them breath, blood, and life. If you’ve read the blurb, then you know the Black Lives Matter movement inspires this novel. Experiencing the effects of that moment from Starr’s perspective is gut wrenching, although, I can foresee some readers feeling numb. Her rage over her friend’s murder is the emotion that steals the show, never leading to traditional acceptance. I mean, with all the hype it’s impossible not to go into this book with some expectation and my greatest fear regarding THUG was that it would piss me off."
"This book is amazing. First of all, this is apparently Ms. Thomas' first book, which is mind-blowing all on its own. Ms. Thomas has a way of telling stories which packs an emotional punch."
"This book tells the story of so many of our black kids past, present and unfortunately, future."
"Starr’s story read more like a memoir than fiction, and it revealed so much about contemporary circumstances revolving around race in our country."
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The Giver (Giver Quartet)
The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time. “Lowry is once again in top form raising many questions while answering few, and unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers.”— Publishers Weekly , starred review.
Reviews
"And long before it became chic, Lois Lowry produced a hauntingly memorable quartet of stories set in a world where emotions are suppressed and people with gifts are imprisoned. In "The Giver," Jonas lives in a rigid, joyless community where people use emotion-deprivation pills and adhere to insanely strict rules -- they have no conflict, poverty or discrimination... but they also have no love, no fun, and no creativity. Pretty much all young-adult dystopian fiction owes a debt to the Giver Quartet -- it has young people discovering the cruelty and callousness of their societies, and finding different ways to rebel. But Lowry doesn't shy away from asking the serious questions in her story, such as lack of respect for life (if it's inconvenient or doesn't fit in), kindness, compassion, and the good AND bad roots of what it means to truly live. All of them are tied together into a story that culminates in "Son," and they all have the theme of seeking to improve the cruel, callous worlds they were in -- Jonas by leaving the Community to the memories they are trying to avoid, Kira by staying and working, and Matty through self-sacrifice."
"Oh well. This is a dystopian society where everything is the same, families are created simply for the purpose of raising children, but not your own children, only some girls are selected to be birth mothers, children go to the Nurturing Center, and if they do not thrive according to society's standards, or if you're a twin and the weaker, lighter etc...then you're "released" or euthanized."
"Finally, after a friend recommended it, I purchased it and began to read. The style is simplistic, which is neither a positive or negative to me, although it should make the book more approachable for a wider audience. I did appreciate that most of the time I did not feel cheated as a reader, except perhaps a very little as the book was ending. Lowry does an excellent job of describing the bland, boring way of life of the people in the community, maybe a little too heavily sometimes but also sneaking in comments that I did not catch, because I take the senses and feelings of the world I live in for granted. This might be a turnoff for those who need an adrenaline rush while reading lest they grow bored, but the story is compelling on its own by making readers ask the question, "What is going on here?""
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The Sun Is Also a Star (Yoon, Nicola)
The #1 New York Times bestseller and National Book Award Finalist from the bestselling author of Everything, Everything (streaming now!). will have you falling in love with Natasha and Daniel as they fall in love with each other! I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. The #1 New York Times Bestseller. A National Book Award Finalist. A 2017 Michael L. Printz Honor Book. A New York Times Notable Book. A BuzzFeed Best YA Book of the Year. A POPSUGAR Best Book of the Year. A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year. A Booklist Editor's Choice. A New York Public Library Best Book for Teens. Recipient of the John Steptoe New Talent Award. A Walter Award Honor Book. "A book that is very much about the many factors that affect falling in love, as much as it is about the very act itself . Her family, living as undocumented immigrants in a small Brooklyn apartment, are being deported to Jamaica after her father's arrest for drunk driving. VERDICT This wistful love story will be adored by fans of Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor & Park and by those who enjoyed the unique narrative structure of A.S. King's Please Ignore Vera Dietz.—Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH.
Reviews
"But honestly, the progression of Natasha and Daniel’s connection felt natural. The universe parts were a little off-putting to listen to, but it was nice seeing background, thoughts, histories, etc. I liked the mixed race aspect of it, and the touching upon the subject when they were out in public together."
"I just wasn’t compelled to turn the page but I hate DNFs so I finished it on a plane ride about three months after starting—granted skimming lots of parts with the hero and heroine. I found the secondary characters very interesting and I’m glad the author gave us all their resolutions."
"Natasha and Daniel are strangers that have one heck of a day when their lives intersect. When I thought I knew where the story was going it zigged and then zagged in an even more interesting direction."
"I’ve never read a story like this and I’m so glad I bought this book."
"It adds so much character and makes me almost feel like Natasha is standing in front of me."
"Yoon has an amazing talent for telling beautiful, heartwarming stories using lovely prose that is in no way fussy or overworked. We follow the tale of Daniel and Natasha, two strangers who fate seems determined to push together. Daniel does not want to displease his parents, but he is a natural poet who finds meaning in words rather than science. Natasha's father is a failed actor, and the resentment she feels towards him has made her abandon any thought of have passion or dreams. There are a lot of perspective shifts in this book, some in first person and others in third, and sometimes that interrupted the flow of the story for me."
"My heart is still ringing from that ending."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Television & Radio Fiction

Chomp
The hysterical #1 New York Times bestseller from Newbery honoree Carl Hiaasen featuring gators, snakes, bats that bite, and reality show hosts gone wild! But the job keeps getting more complicated: Derek Badger insists on using wild animals for his stunts; and Wahoo's acquired a shadow named Tuna—a girl who's sporting a shiner courtesy of her father and needs a place to hide out. “Only in Florida—and in the fiction of its native son Carl Hiaasen—does a dead iguana fall from a palm tree and kill somebody.” — New York Post “ Chomp is a delightful laugh-out-loud sendup of the surreality of TV that will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.” — Los Angeles Times “ Chomp shines in its humorous, subtle tweaks on pop culture. Grown-ups might stop you in an airport and tell you they like the novels, but kids will sit down and write a three-page letter, complete with illustrations. They're sharp and perceptive, and they really love the irreverent point of view in the books. Reality television taps into the same human impulse that makes you slow down on the highway to gawk at a six-car pile-up. Beside Jon Stewart, the best comedy on television is Finding Bigfoot and some of these other reality shows. Poisonous snakes, gators, crocs, iguanas, black widow spiders, all that stuff. In Chomp, both Mickey and Wahoo are fearless when it comes to snakes and other wild beasts (and nutty people, for that matter)--do you have any animal phobias? A. I just thought it would be cool to name a boy after Wahoo McDaniel, who played for the Dolphins when I was a kid. And the reality, sadly, is that some kids go home every night wondering if their mother or father is going to hurt them. In Scat I had a character whose dad comes back very badly injured from Iraq. You clearly have the single word title thing going for your kids’ books, is that just something you started with and stuck to, or is there more to the story? I have a son in middle school (and also grandchildren), and none of them are ready to read the Big Person novels yet. A. I was at a book-signing in Boulder, Colorado, when a very nice woman told me she'd named her cancerous tumor after a character in one of my novels.
Reviews
"I think the humor and conflict in the book are geared more for a 7th-8th grade maturity level and if I were choosing the books for this contest, I would not pick this book for this grade level."
"It was amazing .it had good detailed parts that was interesting and made it seem cool.The part I like the best was the end when Jared gordan tried to get his daughter .But he shot somebody .It was also cool when the we're all trapped in th woods and they were also looking for Derek badger who ran away because he got bitten by a mastiff bat."
"I love how in all of Carl's books he always has some kind of mystery."
"If you want to read a book that'll have you laughing out loud, try one called Skin Tight."
"Social commentator and satirist Hiaasen takes aim at one of his favorite general categories of offender in this book--the Phony; in this case, an over-the-hill TV nature "explorer" with a penchant for making grisly meals of his animal costars. In most cases, Badger's fauna opponents are tame and rented, but this time around the big man (aiming for a major raise in his contract salary) insists on real wild animals in order to boost the action and excitement."
"The book takes place in the everglades and since I live in Florida and I am familiar with this area, this added to my enjoyment. The resolution is: they come across a deal with a nature show, however, it is hard to go with because the people are a pain in the butt and don't treat animals properly. The problem solves it self with several animal attacks on the annoying host of the show, including a shaking with an alligator."
"Still a cute story and something I would reccomend to that age reader and think they would enjoy."
"Started out ok, but became sillier as it progressed to the point of being annoying."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Prejudice & Racism Fiction

The Hate U Give
A National Book Award Longlist title with eight starred reviews! Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. This story is important.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ). “Though Thomas’s story is heartbreakingly topical, its greatest strength is in its authentic depiction of a teenage girl, her loving family, and her attempts to reconcile what she knows to be true about their lives with the way those lives are depicted—and completely undervalued—by society at large.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) ). “Pair this powerful debut with Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely’s ALL AMERICAN BOYS to start a conversation on racism, police brutality, and the Black Lives Matter movement.” (School Library Journal (starred review) ). “Thomas has penned a powerful, in-your-face novel that will similarly galvanize fans of Kekla Magoon’s How It Went Down and Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely’s All American Boys.” (Horn Book (starred review) ).
Reviews
"I had originally said I was not going to read this book, I didn't know how well I would like it, and I don't tend to get involved with things that can make life at work harder for me. I hated reading it, I cried my eyes out, Thomas did such an amazing job of making a horrible action into beautiful fiction that made you feel like you were right there. This was really refreshing to read because so many books, YA especially make parents out to be monsters that don't care, that aren't there for their kids. I mean it is like a troupe or something for these stories and it isn't actually the norm and gets annoying to read, so this book did an amazing job with the parents and family. All around though this story just floored me, it gave me a perspective I have never considered before, offered insights into a world I am not a part of, and I loved every minute of it."
"In January, uber popular author, John Green, tweeted that The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas would become a classic. I can see this book lasting, not because it’s timeless (hopefully the struggles addressed in THUG will be no more, as Starr prophesied), but because it’s a flashpoint in American history that shouldn’t be forgotten even if it’s rectified. Angie Thomas’ debut is the kind of transformative and accessible novel that can touch a variety of readers and have long-lasting effects. They’re vigorous and honest, Angie Thomas’ words giving them breath, blood, and life. If you’ve read the blurb, then you know the Black Lives Matter movement inspires this novel. Experiencing the effects of that moment from Starr’s perspective is gut wrenching, although, I can foresee some readers feeling numb. Her rage over her friend’s murder is the emotion that steals the show, never leading to traditional acceptance. I mean, with all the hype it’s impossible not to go into this book with some expectation and my greatest fear regarding THUG was that it would piss me off."
"This story follows high schooler Starr and how she deals with losing her friend who was shot by a police officer after being pulled over."
"It also portrays gangs, addiction, non-nuclear families, poverty, and low socioeconomic class (and why it exists)."
"I’m not the target audience for a YA book about the injustices suffered by mostly urban minority youth but I am moved by this story and saddened by the knowledge that it is replicated in news items around the US way too often."
"A young girl witnesses her childhood friend being shot by a police officer."
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Best Study Guides

ATI TEAS Secrets Study Guide: TEAS 6 Complete Study Manual, Full-Length Practice Tests, Review Video Tutorials for the Test of Essential Academic Skills, Sixth Edition
ATI TEAS Secrets Study Guide is the ideal prep solution for anyone who wants ace the Test of Essential Academic Skills, Sixth Edition. Not only does it provide a comprehensive study manual for the TEAS 6 as a whole, it is the only guide that provides three full-length practice tests with detailed explanations of each answer and 74 video tutorials to help you review. A thorough and detailed review of all ATI TEAS test sections Review video tutorials to help you master difficult concepts Comprehensive practice questions with detailed answer explanations Tips and strategies to help you get your best test performance. Our test designers have provided hundreds of test questions that will prepare you for what to expect on the actual ATI TEAS. We have done this by setting high standards for our test preparation guides, and our ATI TEAS Secrets Study Guide is no exception.
Reviews
"I bought this book under my mother's amazon account so I'm posting this as a 22 year old who had to take the ATI TEAS test for entrance into nursing programs. I felt like I got some questions on the test that the science section touched on but didn't delve very deep into (mostly concerning with the endocrine system), but a majority of the science questions could be answered by reading and studying the book. I recently graduated from college with a health related degree, but I do think that without this study guide I wouldn't have done as well, it helped me brush up on topics I had forgotten as well as teach me things I never knew (mostly relating to English grammar section)."
"Yesterday, I took my TEAS test after using this guide for approximately three weeks, and I am pleased to have earned an 88% with a national percentile rank of 97. Since statistics is tested, albeit very slightly, I would recommend you study the regression charts and lessons for positive/negative skew. Some topics I would recommend for students to reassess are: the components and anatomy of eukaryotes / prokaryotes, ionic and covalent bonds, the products of both mitosis and meiosis, and DNA replication. Test yourself with flash cards the most commonly misspelled words, prefixes and suffixes. In conclusion, this is a wonderful guide that will wrack and plumb your brain for all of the information you should have learned up to this point."
"I recommend using the first practice test as a starting point to determine what you need to study, then spend some time studying before taking the second and third practice tests."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Dating & Sex Fiction

Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)
Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. Stephenie Meyer is the author of the #1 bestselling Twilight Saga and The Host .
Reviews
"I figured, if I was going to own this book, I better find the least tacky looking copy out there in case it gets spotted in my library by well, anyone! As in, it fits in well with other special edition collections and doesn't smack at all of the mega merchandising you would normally expect from this franchise. This would be an amazing gift for an Twilight fan or for anyone who wants to read the series and not feel completely embarrassed by carrying around a paperback edition with a bunch of red eyed teenagers on it!"
"Fantastic story, this will go down as one of the classics of love stories."
"I wondered if the book would be better, since honestly, the book is *always* better than the movie. I will grant that when I watched the movie, I wondered just how the heck Bella and Edward fell in love. The book does go deeper than the movie since you get more of what's going on in the character's mind, so it's worth reading before you watch the flick."
"After paying amazon for local express delivery (meaning I ordered it at 5 AM and got it at 3 PM) I sat down earlier today with not so high hopes. All the text is paraphrased from the original book, which is good because we don't have to deal with pages and pages of unnecessary descriptions of how Hot and Sexy Edward is (without ever having an actual, clear description of him). Although some of his characterizations of the characters are based off the movie's actors there's still something so beautifully unique about them. Go out and buy this book, that way you can be ready for Volume 2 this october."
"The twilight characters are now a part of pop culture and have influenced a generation of young writers."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Death & Dying Fiction

The Fault in Our Stars
Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love. — Entertainment Weekly “This is a book that breaks your heart—not by wearing it down, but by making it bigger until it bursts.”. — The Atlantic “A story about two incandescent kids who will live a long time in the minds of the readers who come to know them.” —People “Remarkable . reminds you that sometimes when life feels like it’s ending, it’s actually just beginning.” —Parenting magazine “John Green deftly mixes the profound and the quotidian in this tough, touching valentine to the human spirit.” —The Washington Post “[Green] shows us true love—two teenagers helping and accepting each other through the most humiliating physical and emotional ordeals—and it is far more romantic than any sunset on the beach.”. — New York Times Book Review “In its every aspect, this novel is a triumph.”. — Booklist , starred review “You know, even as you begin the tale of their young romance, that the end will be 100 kinds of awful, not so much a vale as a brutal canyon of tears. You laugh, you cry, and then you come back for more.”. — Markus Zusak , bestselling and Printz Honor–winning author of The Book Thief “ The Fault in Our Stars takes a spin on universal themes—Will I be loved? Will I leave a mark on this world?—by dramatically raising the stakes for the characters who are asking.”. — Jodi Picoult , bestselling author of My Sister’s Keeper and Sing You Home “John Green is one of the best writers alive.”. — E. Lockhart, National Book Award Finalist and Printz Honor–winning author of The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and We Were Liars.
Reviews
"So many interactions between Gus and Hazel are interactions which, plain and simple, just would not happen between real, emotional, scared, awkward, virgin teenagers, let alone ones with cancer who have been socially cut off for much of their lives." After treatment, many of us find the things most teens (and sometimes adults) are worried about are trivial. And, it is emotional and scary, but we learn to tell it like it is, without the normal fluff and awkwardness. They try to keep the family together and functioning, in spite of the effects of treatment, fevers and midnight trips to the emergency room, 3 weeks of the month spent in isolation, jobs in jeopardy, birthdays and holidays interrupted, not to mention talks that parents never want to have with their child. My mom said their jobs become about doing whatever it takes, travelling all over the country (which is very common), researching new studies, and new medicines, all to help us survive and thrive with grace and dignity. It is also their job to prepare, if treatments don't work, to help us die with just as much grace and dignity."
"Green wrote this sad, tragic, yet beautiful story, it brings tears to my eyes."
"The main character Hazel is able to entertain you throughout her month or two journey in the book, but until Augustus Waters comes into play, the book seems like something that should probably be sold at a supermarket discount aisle. Luckily, as the character wanted, cancer isn't what fully defines Hazel and the rest of the characters we meet; instead, it drives the book forward and allows us to see past pity for people, not even 18, who have already had to fight for their lives and allows us to remember, even those we see as sickly were once considered well. Overall, though not the best book I've ever read, it was good enough for me to purchase a 2nd book by author John Green."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Emigration & Immigration Fiction

American Street
A New York Times Notable Book * Publishers Weekly Flying Start * Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year * ALA Booklist Editors' Choice of 2017 (Top of the List winner) * School Library Journal Best Book of the Year * Kirkus Best Book of the Year * BookPage Best YA Book of the Year. ★ “Mixing gritty street life with the tenderness of first love, Haitian Vodou, and family bonds, the book is at once chilling, evocative, and reaffirming.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) ). This is “Manchild in the Promised Land,” for a new generation, and a remarkable debut from Zoboi, who without question is an inevitable force in storytelling.” (Jason Reynolds, award-winning co-author of ALL AMERICAN BOYS).
Reviews
"I can't wait for my students to read this book and see their story in this epic one."
"Painfully sharp and made even sharper with a tantalizing, mystical thread."
"Wonderful book."
"Extremely good book, teaches you a little bit of creole while delivering an amazing storyline with a dramatic plot twist."
"An intense read in a very clear voice."
"Ibi Zoboi’s new novel, “American Street” is a gritty and haunting tale of a Haitian teenage immigrant, Fabiola Toussaint, who is separated from her mother when her mother is detained by immigration officials at the airport upon reaching America. I highlighted about 50 different selections that I wanted to return to and ponder, and was struck at how timely this novel is at this time of political strife regarding immigration and racial tensions."
"American Street is about Fabiola Toussaint who immigrates to America with her mother from Haiti, but upon arrival, her mother is detained at customs, leaving Fabiola to navigate a new country and culture on her own with some help from her cousins and aunt. As she begins to settle into her new environment, she meets and falls in love with a young guy named Kasim Anderson."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Fiction

Looking for Alaska
The award-winning, genre-defining debut from John Green, the #1 international bestselling author of Turtles All the Way Down and The Fault in Our Stars Millions of copies sold! His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave “the Great Perhaps” even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. ★ Michael L. Printz Award Winner. ★ Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist. ★ NPR's 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels. ★ TIME Magazine 's 100 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time. ★ An ALA Best Book for Young Adults Top 10. ★ An ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers. ★ A Booklist Best Book of the Year. ★ A Kirkus Best Book of the Year. ★ A SLJ Best Book of the Year. ★ A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age. ★ “Miles is a witty narrator who manages to be credible as the overlooked kid, but he's also an articulate spokesperson for the legions of teen searching for life meaning (his taste for famous last words is a believable and entertaining quirk), and the Colonel's smarts, clannish loyalties, and relentlessly methodological approach to problems make him a true original....There's a certain recursive fitness here, since this is exactly the kind of book that makes kids like Miles certain that boarding school will bring them their destiny, but perceptive readers may also realize that their own lives await the discovery of meaning even as they vicariously experience Miles' quest.” – BCCB , starred review. Going, author of Fat Kid Rules the World , a Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book.
Reviews
"His books go so into detail and can reach out to young teens with his words through the story."
"I wanted to give this book less stars, but I realized it was for a personal reason."
"The description of Alaska made her a bookworm, however, the antics and social circle she inspired left me thinking of her as less of a reader and more of a leader."
"Vast, beautiful, full of discovery and awe inspiring."
"This author is really worth reading , I was fascinated by his account of these teens lives.There must be something about a prep school that brings out the craziness of teens. Craziness seems to go with being a teen.However I think of my teens and friends and we didn't hide smokes and wine , we liked most teachers and even respected authority."
"I LOVE John Green's writing. This story was very different from what I usually read."
"You are a potential buyer of said book I am reviewing. Because I see no other fit way for the review of this book. You see, by the end of this book, Miles is a changed person."
"A quote Alaska contemplates throughout this book is “how will I ever get out of the labyrinth of misery?” I believe Alaska didn't think she deserved to escape the labyrinth and that’s why she rebelled so much and she wanted Miles to rebel with her because she was so lonely."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Bullying Fiction

Thirteen Reasons Why
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER. **THE BOOK THAT STARTED IT ALL, NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES** “Eerie, beautiful, and devastating.” — Chicago Tribune “A stealthy hit with staying power. thriller-like pacing.” — The New York Times “ Thirteen Reasons Why will leave you with chills long after you have finished reading.” — Amber Gibson, NPR’s “All Things Considered” You can’t stop the future. Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Asher’s novel asks us to look at how petty cruelty can deal crushing blows.” — Miami Herald “Wonderfully realistic in his writing, Asher offers teens and parents alike a great story on an important topic.” — Green Bay Press-Gazette “It is a brilliant debut that will leave readers feeling a sense of remorse for Hannah, guilt for Clay, and hope for the lasting lesson of the story.” — Bookazine “Breakneck pace and dizzying emotion.” — School Library Journal “[Hannah’s] pain is gut-wrenchingly palpable. WINNER OF Association of Booksellers for Children’s “Best Books”. American Library Association’s “Best Books for Young Adults” and “Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers”. Heartland Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. Florida Teens Read Award. California Book Award. Kentucky Bluegrass Award. Book Sense Pick. International Reading Association’s “Young Adults' Choices” Finalist. Chicago Public Library’s “Best of the Best Books”. Kansas State Reading Circle’s “Recommended Reading List”. New York Public Library’s “Book for the Teen Age”. 16 State Award Master Lists. Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why is one of those books, and is at the very top of my personal Must-Read list.” —Ellen Hopkins, bestselling author of Tricks , Identical , Crank , Burned , Impulse , and Glass “A spectacular first novel.
Reviews
"For the longest time it was the only representation I had for mental illness, I connected with a dead girl because she had so many emotions I also shared sometimes to my own fright. The ending always shook me because she wasn't coming back, you had such a strong narrator for these tragedies but she wasn't going to get up and say ha! Now as an adult reading it, it's still heartbreaking and terribly tragic and I still connect so strongly to this story. Clay was the perfect perspective to put it in because I can't think good things about any of the other characters, as hard as the tv show wants you too. This book will always hold a special place in my heart, and I'm sure once the shock of the show wears off it will too."
"The story revolves around Clay, who finds a box of cassette tapes waiting on his doorstep one day. As he listens to them, he is drawn into the story of Hannah, his crush that committed suicide just a couple weeks earlier. The tapes share the thirteen reasons why she made the choice that she did, one for each person that contributed to that decision."
""Thirteen Reasons Why" is a novel that examines teen angst, bullying, suicide, and relationships, in the context of a story about a conflicted high school girl who chose to end her life, rather than continue confronting classmates whom she perceived to be her tormentors."
""Thirteen Reasons Why" is a novel that examines teen angst, bullying, suicide, and relationships, in the context of a story about a conflicted high school girl who chose to end her life, rather than continue confronting classmates whom she perceived to be her tormentors."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Values & Virtues Fiction

Divergent Series Four-Book Paperback Box Set: Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant, Four
This four-book set includes paperbacks of the three books in the #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy, plus the companion volume told from the perspective of the immensely popular character Tobias, all wrapped up in a dazzling keepsake box. Veronica Roth's debut is a gripping dystopian tale of electrifying choices, powerful consequences, unexpected romance, and a deeply flawed "perfect society." The four pieces included—"The Transfer," "The Initiate," "The Son," and "The Traitor"—plus three additional scenes, give readers a fascinating glimpse into the history and heart of Tobias, and set the stage for the epic saga of the Divergent trilogy. Veronica Roth is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant, Four: A Divergent Collection, and Carve the Mark .
Reviews
"This set includes the trilogy, along with the extra book titled, "Four". They couldn't stop talking about it, so I bought this series for them, and I even read it myself."
"The idea of having to wait to read the entire series because it isn't out yet is rather annoying, so I'd just rather wait then get obsessive over it. I finished this in a sitting... mainly because I just broke night and read through it until the end. I have been spoiled for some parts of the movie and some parts of the books thanks to Tumblr and Instagram, but still an amazing read... something I was not expecting."
"Originally posted on my blog: Tangled Up In Books. When dystopia is done right there is nothing like it in the world. All of the contemporary, paranormal, historical, even epic fantasies will never measure up to how I feel when I get lost in these worlds. I'm always afraid, almost doubly so when it comes to books that are surrounded by a lot of hype, what if this is one that disappoints me? The dystopian Chicago world that Veronica Roth has created is definitely unique, unlike any others I've read so far. It was interesting to learn a bit about the 5 different factions, a few more so than the others at this point, and also see how they interacted in a mixed setting like the high school in the beginning of the book. I'm not one for lying and dishonesty but sometimes letting someone off easy instead of brutal honesty just feels better. All the kissing of the boys and the swoons and the fluttering of the heart are all awesome, but when I read dystopia I want creative worlds and conflicts and action and uprisings, rebellions. I want everything to fall apart and I want to be stressing out wondering how in the hell these people are going to come back from everything that's happened. I am irrevocably in love with this series so far and you can bet once I type the last word in this review I'm picking up Insurgent, which is sitting right next to me, and you better not even think about disturbing me!"
"Romantic relationship of lead characters: I enjoyed the fact that although these characters are obviously attracted to each other, they do not fall into the puppy love/lust relationships all too often seen in books marketed to a younger crowd."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Violence Fiction

The Hate U Give
A National Book Award Longlist title with eight starred reviews! Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family.
Reviews
"I had originally said I was not going to read this book, I didn't know how well I would like it, and I don't tend to get involved with things that can make life at work harder for me. I hated reading it, I cried my eyes out, Thomas did such an amazing job of making a horrible action into beautiful fiction that made you feel like you were right there. This was really refreshing to read because so many books, YA especially make parents out to be monsters that don't care, that aren't there for their kids. I mean it is like a troupe or something for these stories and it isn't actually the norm and gets annoying to read, so this book did an amazing job with the parents and family. All around though this story just floored me, it gave me a perspective I have never considered before, offered insights into a world I am not a part of, and I loved every minute of it."
"In January, uber popular author, John Green, tweeted that The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas would become a classic. I can see this book lasting, not because it’s timeless (hopefully the struggles addressed in THUG will be no more, as Starr prophesied), but because it’s a flashpoint in American history that shouldn’t be forgotten even if it’s rectified. Angie Thomas’ debut is the kind of transformative and accessible novel that can touch a variety of readers and have long-lasting effects. They’re vigorous and honest, Angie Thomas’ words giving them breath, blood, and life. If you’ve read the blurb, then you know the Black Lives Matter movement inspires this novel. Experiencing the effects of that moment from Starr’s perspective is gut wrenching, although, I can foresee some readers feeling numb. Her rage over her friend’s murder is the emotion that steals the show, never leading to traditional acceptance. I mean, with all the hype it’s impossible not to go into this book with some expectation and my greatest fear regarding THUG was that it would piss me off."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Family Fiction

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities, and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoiled, piglike cousin Dudley. Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" So far it has won the National Book Award, the Smarties Prize, the Children's Book Award, and is short-listed for the Carnegie Medal, the U.K. version of the Newbery Medal. After 11 years of disregard and neglect at the hands of his aunt, uncle and their swinish son Dudley, Harry suddenly receives a visit from a giant named Hagrid, who informs Harry that his mother and father were a witch and a wizard, and that he is to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry himself.
Reviews
"SPECIAL NOTE: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases (with the exception of changing all "Philosopher's Stone" mentions to "Sorcerer's Stone"). Good or bad is naturally for each reader to decide--just know, if you plan to read the books while listening to Jim Dale's audiobooks, you'll notice a few superficial differences. The quality of this new illustrated edition is phenomenal. All chapter intros are illustrated."
"IMPORTANT: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases. This difference isn't as prominent or noticeable as it was with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone, but still something to keep in mind. Also, to answer a question that has come up quite a bit, this is the FULL BOOK and not an abridged or shortened version. Underneath the book jacket, the novel is bound in a sturdy orange hardback with green lettering on the spine."
"I was ravenous to get my hands on my copy as soon as it was delivered this morning, but was quickly disappointed. But when I took a close look at my dust jacket, I was extremely upset to find that the gold foil lettering for "Harry Potter" had been rubbed away and destroyed completely in some places leaving ugly, black matte in its place-- pock marking the otherwise handsome gold lettering. Needless to say I'm in awe how Bloomsbury has managed to put together such an incredible project, with JK Rowling's remarkable literature and Jim Kay's otherworldly illustrations-- and allowed it to be put together in a low quality binding! Not all alone in a box... Update (October 9th): I have finally received my new book and it was in much, much better condition. The cover and spine were tight, intact and falling apart from the binding like my original copy."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Runaways Fiction

Paper Towns
From the #1 bestselling author of Turtles All the Way Down and The Fault in Our Stars Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery #1 New York Times Bestseller USA Today Bestseller Publishers Weekly Bestseller. Now a major motion picture. When Margo Roth Spiegelman beckons Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night—dressed like a ninja and plotting an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows her. “Green’s prose is astounding — from hilarious, hyperintellectual trash talk and shtick, to complex philosophizing, to devastating observation and truths.” — SLJ , starred review. “[Green’s] a superb stylist, with a voice perfectly matched to his amusing, illuminating material.” — Booklist , starred review.
Reviews
"I read this book because I seen the trailer for it at the theater, and thought it looked good. My Thoughts : Margo Roth Spiegelman is an enigma, especially for Quentin."
"It had adventure, mystery, a love triangle, a real page turner that you won't be able to put down."
"I am in awe of this book. I am in awe of John Green as a writer who does not insult the intelligence of his young readers."
"I have sent each one of my two travel companions a copy of Paper Town in hopes that it could kindle (no pun intended) something inside of them."
"Ok... fast forward to about 15 minutes into the book and I realized what my problem was going to be with the book (same problem I had with The Fault in Our Stars), I do not know of any teenagers who talk the way that John Green writes his teenagers. I made it through some of the longer winded parts, and some of the annoying parts and came out at the end. I do not think it was the kind of ending that ties up every loose end but these kids were all graduating from HS so the ending was really a starting point for all of them."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Special Needs Fiction

The Running Dream
The acclaimed author of Flipped delivers a powerful and healing story that’s perfect for the millions who watch the Olympics or anyone who’s ever thought that something was impossible. Readers will revel in the story of a girl who puts herself back together—and learns to dream bigger than ever before—after she’s told she’ll never run again. Overall, though, this is a tremendously upbeat book, with Jessica’s family, friends, and community coming together (the track team raises funds to buy Jessica a $20,000 running leg).
Reviews
"This book is great for runners."
"So many emotions and feelings have happened throughout this book."
"I am a runner, so not just the story, but my own personal experience made me want to read this book."
"This book is realistic fiction, that when thinking about, is very sad."
"As a 35 year competitive runner, I could totally relate to Jessica's story."
"I encourage everyone to read this book because it is sad happy inspiring and much more put in one."
"This was the kind of book for people who like books about inspirational people and stories with a little bit of sadness and romance."
"This is a beautiful book about hope and hard work from the perspective of an amputee."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Suicide Fiction

Thirteen Reasons Why
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER. **THE BOOK THAT STARTED IT ALL, NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES** “Eerie, beautiful, and devastating.” — Chicago Tribune “A stealthy hit with staying power. thriller-like pacing.” — The New York Times “ Thirteen Reasons Why will leave you with chills long after you have finished reading.” — Amber Gibson, NPR’s “All Things Considered” You can’t stop the future. Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Asher’s novel asks us to look at how petty cruelty can deal crushing blows.” — Miami Herald “Wonderfully realistic in his writing, Asher offers teens and parents alike a great story on an important topic.” — Green Bay Press-Gazette “It is a brilliant debut that will leave readers feeling a sense of remorse for Hannah, guilt for Clay, and hope for the lasting lesson of the story.” — Bookazine “Breakneck pace and dizzying emotion.” — School Library Journal “[Hannah’s] pain is gut-wrenchingly palpable. WINNER OF Association of Booksellers for Children’s “Best Books”. American Library Association’s “Best Books for Young Adults” and “Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers”. Heartland Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. Florida Teens Read Award. California Book Award. Kentucky Bluegrass Award. Book Sense Pick. International Reading Association’s “Young Adults' Choices” Finalist. Chicago Public Library’s “Best of the Best Books”. Kansas State Reading Circle’s “Recommended Reading List”. New York Public Library’s “Book for the Teen Age”. 16 State Award Master Lists. Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why is one of those books, and is at the very top of my personal Must-Read list.” —Ellen Hopkins, bestselling author of Tricks , Identical , Crank , Burned , Impulse , and Glass “A spectacular first novel.
Reviews
"For the longest time it was the only representation I had for mental illness, I connected with a dead girl because she had so many emotions I also shared sometimes to my own fright. The ending always shook me because she wasn't coming back, you had such a strong narrator for these tragedies but she wasn't going to get up and say ha! Now as an adult reading it, it's still heartbreaking and terribly tragic and I still connect so strongly to this story. Clay was the perfect perspective to put it in because I can't think good things about any of the other characters, as hard as the tv show wants you too. This book will always hold a special place in my heart, and I'm sure once the shock of the show wears off it will too."
"The story revolves around Clay, who finds a box of cassette tapes waiting on his doorstep one day. As he listens to them, he is drawn into the story of Hannah, his crush that committed suicide just a couple weeks earlier. The tapes share the thirteen reasons why she made the choice that she did, one for each person that contributed to that decision."
""Thirteen Reasons Why" is a novel that examines teen angst, bullying, suicide, and relationships, in the context of a story about a conflicted high school girl who chose to end her life, rather than continue confronting classmates whom she perceived to be her tormentors."
""Thirteen Reasons Why" is a novel that examines teen angst, bullying, suicide, and relationships, in the context of a story about a conflicted high school girl who chose to end her life, rather than continue confronting classmates whom she perceived to be her tormentors."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Physical & Emotional Abuse Fiction

Girl in Pieces
— Nicola Yoon. , #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything Charlotte Davis is in pieces. A deeply moving portrait of a girl in a world that owes her nothing, and has taken so much, and the journey she undergoes to put herself back together. ”—Refinery29.com. “A dark yet powerful read.”—PasteMagazine.com. “One of the most affecting novels we have read.”—Goop.com. “ Breathtaking and beautifully written .”—Bustle. “ Intimate and gritty. ”—Refinery29.com. “A dark yet powerful read.”—PasteMagazine.com. “One of the most affecting novels we have read.”—Goop.com. “ Breathtaking and beautifully written .”—Bustle. “ Intimate and gritty. This book is why we read stories : to experience what it's like to survive the unsurvivable; to find light in the darkest night. " Girl In Pieces is like the friend you wish you had by your side for every hard choice and every time you've felt lost or alone. You’re so uncertain if Charlie will heal, so fully immerse d in hoping she does.”—Michelle Wildgen, author of Bread and Butter and You’re Not You. " In this sharp and beautiful portrait of eighteen-year-old Charlie Davis, Kathleen Glasgow illuminates not only the anxiety of youth but the vulnerability and terror of life in general. What a shock it is to engage with such a sensitive, sad, rage-filled soul: Glasgow's rendering of experience and emotion is so succinct and honest that I kept catching my breath in recognition, and admiration for her sensibility and empathy which glows on every page. "Charlie Davis' voice is diamond-beautiful and diamond-sharp which, when strung together by a delicious story and memorable characters, creates a rare and powerful read. Glasgow has a terrific ear for dialogue and an enviable gift for creating vivid characters, and her narrator--eighteen-year-old Charlie Davis--brings a backstreet eloquence to bear on a wrenching subject. Wise, unflinching, and balm for the kind of heartbreak that can't ever be fully mended, Girl in Pieces is a very, very good novel. ★ " In Glasgow’s riveting debut novel, readers are pulled close to Charlie’s raw, authentic emotions as she strains to make a jagged path through her new life.
Reviews
"Eventually, Charlie leaves the facility and begins life coping with the events that have damaged her AND her family members and friends who have so many issues and horrors of their own. My favorite moment is when Charlie gets her first apartment in Phoenix and she delights in the stillness and ownership of this accomplishment, even though she has no bed and is sleeping on the floor and her backpack is her pillow."
"Definitely subject matter I had no experience to connect with yet I felt connected to Charlie."
"This was my first in depth foray into the mind of a cutter, so beautifully written that I was always wracked with sadness at her life, but also knowing that she would find the strength to get out of the horror of it."
"She was in a very scary house in the forest with a lot of other girls terrified. I think that people should read this book, because it teaches you that a girl who cuts herself is something important."
"Most YA books are written in past tense...and you look back with the characters on their life as they notice tiny details after the fact."
"The book is kind of slow."
"As someone who is struggling through one of the hardest times of their life, I loved this book for every moment it made me stop and "assess"."
"Char lie is not your normal girl next door."
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Best Teen & Young Adult LGBT Issues Fiction

Will Grayson, Will Grayson
A New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice. An ALA Stonewall Honor Book “ Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a complete romp. Two of those kids happen to have the same name, and not much in common outside of that, but their serendipitous friendship sets the stage for a much larger, braver, and more candid story than the simplicity of the plot might suggest. The relevance for teens here is clear--high school is the only time in your life when you have the undivided opportunity to obsess over your every move, sentence, and outfit change--but the part about understanding who you are doesn't stop when you graduate. To my knowledge, there are only two other David Levithans in the world – my dad’s cousin, and a lawyer in South Africa who, as far as we can tell, isn’t family. The last name Levithan is actually the invention of an immigration official – when my great-grandfather came to America from Russia, it should have translated to Levitan. So people would exclaim, “We had no idea someone as clumsy as you could be so graceful on stage!” and I’d have to say, “Well, un, that wasn’t me.” Finally, right before graduation, I contacted David and we met up. The similarity of our names often threw people for a loop… and I thought, well, that might make an interesting story. I was named after my great-grandfather, John Michael Crosby, an itinerant minor-league baseball manager and occasional catcher. This last John Green, who is so revered in the field of Bigfoot research that he is often called “one of the four horseman of Sasquatchery,” is kind of my mortal enemy. Delving deep into the relationships in each teen's life, the authors address friendship, self-identity and acceptance, true love, family, and prejudice in a novel sure to touch the hearts of listeners. This title contains some strong language and adult themes, but is an excellent addition to high school collections. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Reviews
"I cannot say it enough about how much I loved this book."
"The stories of each guy are good but found it hard to like certain characters."
"I got hooked from page two and the grip of this story on me didn't let loose till the very end."
"Gay Tiny, big Tiny, tall Tiny doesn't really make any sense. I wanted more about Maura or more in general development of all the characters, but I would definitely recommend it to all, especially those who wish to be known by their names and not their adjectives or single characteristics."
"The structure of the books is really well thought out, Green and Levithan alternate writing chapters, each being the voice of a different Will Grayson."
"The last, because if you read the book and look just a little into the meaning of the details and else of what he put into this book, you'll know a part of what kind of person he is, and that will make you respect him even [more if you already do] so read it and get over with it."
"She kept telling me I had to read him and so I picked up The Fault in Our Stars and I fell in love. Will Grayson is a fairly typical teenager, trying to figure life out but also trying to distance himself from people as a form of protection - don't get too close and you can't get hurt. And he is proudly, flamboyantly and over the top Gay - with a capital G. He is also the very heart and soul of this book. This meeting has consequences good and bad that reverberate through their lives over the course of the next few months as Tiny Cooper tries to stage the "Biggest, Gayest Musical" ever."
"Loved this collaborative novel, which goes to the core of teen angst with believable characters, true to life dialogue, and an ending that soars."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Friendship Fiction

Turtles All the Way Down
A New York Times Notable Book • A New York Times Critics’ Top Book of the Year • An NPR Best Book of the Year • A TIME Best Book of the Year • A Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year • A Boston Globe Best Book of the Year • An Entertainment Weekly Best Book of the Year • A Seventeen Best Book of the Year • A Southern. Living Best Book of the Year • A Publishers. Weekly Best Book of the Year • A Booklist Editors' Choice Selection • A BookPage Best Book of the Year • An SLJ Best Book of the Year • An A.V. - Featured on Fresh Air, Studio 360, Good Morning Amercia, The TODAY Show. “A tender story about learning to cope when the world feels out of control .” – People. A must-read for those struggling with mental illness, or for their friends and family.” — San Francisco Chronicle “A powerful tale for teens (and adults) about anxiety, love and friendship.” —The Los Angeles Times. John Green has crafted a dynamic novel that is deeply honest, sometimes painful, and always thoughtful .” – Mashable. “ A thoughtful look at mental illness and a debilitating obsessive-compulsive disorder that doesn’t ask but makes you feel the constant struggles of its main character . Turtles explores the definition of happy endings, whether love is a tragedy or a failure, and a universal lesson for us all: ‘You work with what you have.’” – USA Today. ★ “ A richly rewarding read …the most mature of Green’s work to date and deserving of all the accolades that are sure to come its way.” – Booklist. ★ “A deeply resonant and powerful novel that will inform and enlighten readers even as it breaks their hearts. The Fault in Our Stars is a love story, one of the most genuine and moving ones in recent American fiction, but it’s also an existential tragedy of tremendous intelligence and courage and sadness.” — Lev Grossman, TIME Magazine “This is a book that breaks your heart—not by wearing it down, but by making it bigger until it bursts.” — The Atlantic “Remarkable . “John Green deftly mixes the profound and the quotidian in this tough, touching valentine to the human spirit.” —The Washington Post “[Green] shows us true love—two teenagers helping and accepting each other through the most humiliating physical and emotional ordeals—and it is far more romantic than any sunset on the beach.” — New York Times Book Review.
Reviews
"It’s the most powerful and open book about mental illness that I have read, and it’s required reading for everyone, but especially those who don’t understand the intensity of OCD and extreme anxiety. Read this book."
"While I did appreciate that he didn't tie everything up with a happy little bow at the end, but was realistic in showing that, yes, mental illness is something you live with and fight (or don't) your entire life, but there are still moments of happiness, was great - but her rationale for Aza choosing to write *this* story down didn't seem to connect to her life as an adult. Because Green's books are usually so well-written, I can't help but wonder if he did write from personal experience, and was maybe too close to the subject to write with the clear writer's eye he usually has."
"This is a beautifully-written story that perfectly captures a special time in life."
"It's like reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower with deeper look inside the thoughts of someone with mental issue which kinda scares me but at the same time helps me understand how serious depression is."
"I haven't read John Greens other books, I'm not a huge fan of the YA genre, but this is really good."
"I liked Aza and Daisy’s friendship."
"This is the first book I read in a while that sucked me in to the point where I could not put it down until I finished."
"This was a gift and she liked it very well."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Pregnancy Fiction

Far from the Tree
After putting her own baby up for adoption, she goes looking for her biological family, including—. And when her adopted family’s long-buried problems begin to explode to the surface, Maya can’t help but wonder where exactly it is that she belongs. ★ “Equally heartwarming and heart-wrenching... Benway ( Emmy & Oliver ) delves into the souls of these characters as they wrestle to overcome feelings of inadequacy, abandonment, and betrayal, gradually coming to understand themselves and each other.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) ). Robin Benway’s characters are authentically crafted, full of heart, hurt, and hope.” (Brandy Colbert, author of Pointe and Little & Lion). Emmy & Oliver is a genuinely sweet and funny novel bursting with the inextinguishable forces of love—between parents and children, distant and inseparable friends, new and reunited lovers.” (Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Isla and the Happily Ever After Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Isla and the Happily Ever After Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Isla and the Happily). ★ “At times heartfelt, funny, irreverent, and ultimately satisfying… a good choice for fans of Stephanie Perkins’s Anna and the French Kiss or any of Sarah Dessen’s novels.” (School Library Journal (starred review) ).
Reviews
"Robin Benway crafted a moving story that captures the age-old teen struggle to find control in a family with issues they did not create."
"I will not recommend this to my Mom, who adopted my brother and loves him fiercely, because she is too sensitive."
"This is the first book I have read from this author and I think this book is amazing !"
"deeply moving and well written."
"An incredibly insightful look into the lives of 3 different children touched by adoption or foster care."
"A thought provoking read told through the eyes of three siblings that find each other in their teenage years."
"This is a realistic depiction of the complex lives, heartache and joy involved in finding your siblings while being a teen."
"But the story does earned it a five stars."
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Best Teen & Young Adult New Experiences Fiction

Inheritance Cycle 4-Book Trade Paperback Boxed Set (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, In (The Inheritance Cycle)
The boxed set collection of the worldwide fantasy phenomenon has a brand-new look that showcases new interlocking art across the spines of the books! But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Christopher Paolini is the author of three other bestselling novels about Alagaësia: Inheritance is the fourth and final volume in the cycle.
Reviews
"Remarkably well written, with a complex, tightly interwoven plot."
"For his breakout book, this was an incredible story and was well written, well thought out."
"These books are really good."
"I loved this series."
"I love this series, I've read it nearly a dozen times."
"What a fantastic series."
"Wish I would have been into electronic books before I got the first 2 in hardcover."
"Awesome series for the whole family!"
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Best Teen & Young Adult Self Mutilation Fiction

Girl in Pieces
Fans of Girl, Interrupted, Thirteen Reasons Why, and All the Bright Places will love the New York Times bestselling novel Girl in Pieces . ". — Nicola Yoon. , #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything Charlotte Davis is in pieces. This book is why we read stories : to experience what it's like to survive the unsurvivable; to find light in the darkest night. " Girl In Pieces is like the friend you wish you had by your side for every hard choice and every time you've felt lost or alone. “ Dark, frank, and tender, Girl in Pieces keeps the reader electrified for its entire journey. You’re so uncertain if Charlie will heal, so fully immerse d in hoping she does.”—Michelle Wildgen, author of Bread and Butter and You’re Not You. " In this sharp and beautiful portrait of eighteen-year-old Charlie Davis, Kathleen Glasgow illuminates not only the anxiety of youth but the vulnerability and terror of life in general. What a shock it is to engage with such a sensitive, sad, rage-filled soul: Glasgow's rendering of experience and emotion is so succinct and honest that I kept catching my breath in recognition, and admiration for her sensibility and empathy which glows on every page. "Charlie Davis' voice is diamond-beautiful and diamond-sharp which, when strung together by a delicious story and memorable characters, creates a rare and powerful read. Glasgow has a terrific ear for dialogue and an enviable gift for creating vivid characters, and her narrator--eighteen-year-old Charlie Davis--brings a backstreet eloquence to bear on a wrenching subject. Wise, unflinching, and balm for the kind of heartbreak that can't ever be fully mended, Girl in Pieces is a very, very good novel. ★ " In Glasgow’s riveting debut novel, readers are pulled close to Charlie’s raw, authentic emotions as she strains to make a jagged path through her new life.
Reviews
"Eventually, Charlie leaves the facility and begins life coping with the events that have damaged her AND her family members and friends who have so many issues and horrors of their own. My favorite moment is when Charlie gets her first apartment in Phoenix and she delights in the stillness and ownership of this accomplishment, even though she has no bed and is sleeping on the floor and her backpack is her pillow."
"This was my first in depth foray into the mind of a cutter, so beautifully written that I was always wracked with sadness at her life, but also knowing that she would find the strength to get out of the horror of it."
"Most YA books are written in past tense...and you look back with the characters on their life as they notice tiny details after the fact."
"The book is kind of slow."
"As someone who is struggling through one of the hardest times of their life, I loved this book for every moment it made me stop and "assess"."
"Char lie is not your normal girl next door."
"She was in a very scary house in the forest with a lot of other girls terrified. I think that people should read this book, because it teaches you that a girl who cuts herself is something important."
"Girl in Pieces was a brilliant, heartbreaking, hopeful read, and I couldn't put it down except when I needed more Kleenex."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Self Esteem & Reliance Fiction

Mockingjay (Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 3)
The greatly anticipated final book in the New York Times bestselling Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year. While I didn't know every detail, of course, the arc of the story from gladiator game, to revolution, to war, to the eventual outcome remained constant throughout the writing process. In the novel, you never leave Katniss for a second and are privy to all of her thoughts so you need a way to dramatize her inner world and to make it possible for other characters to exist outside of her company. Q: Are you able to consider future projects while working on The Hunger Games , or are you immersed in the world you are currently creating so fully that it is too difficult to think about new ideas? A: I have a few seeds of ideas floating around in my head but--given that much of my focus is still on The Hunger Games --it will probably be awhile before one fully emerges and I can begin to develop it. Q: The Hunger Games is an annual televised event in which one boy and one girl from each of the twelve districts is forced to participate in a fight-to-the-death on live TV. A: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle Lord of the Flies by William Golding Boris by Jaapter Haar Germinal by Emile Zola Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury Grade 7 Up Following her subversive second victory in the Games, this one composed of winners from past years, Katniss has been adopted by rebel factions as their symbol for freedom and becomes the rallying point for the districts in a desperate bid to take down the Capitol and remove President Snow from power. But being the Mockingjay comes with a price as Katniss must come to terms with how much of her own humanity and sanity she can willingly sacrifice for the cause, her friends, and her family. Collins is absolutely ruthless in her depictions of war in all its cruelty, violence, and loss, leaving readers, in turn, repulsed, shocked, grieving and, finally, hopeful for the characters they've grown to empathize with and love. Mockingjay is a fitting end of the series that began with The Hunger Games (2008) and Catching Fire (2009) and will have the same lasting resonance as William Golding's Lord of the Flies and Stephen King's The Stand .
Reviews
"All in all, this is a really good book which are a great gift for every Hunger Games fan!"
"However, it is almost given that unlike the Enders series that turned more and more unreal as well as more distant from the subjects of the first book, this one could develop with more continuity."
"Catching Fire is different than most of the other young adult fiction books, because of the character development, and the relationship from book to movie."
"She unwillingly and reluctantly has become the symbol of the rebellion and the rebel leaders urge her to exploit this via video feeds to the 12 Districts. Katniss at first feigns infirmity but eventually caves in after negotiating an agreement with the rebel leaders that they will not harm Peeta or the other Hunger Games survivors if they assume leadership."
"Although I was figuring out what might have happened (and did happen) with the ending, I was unsure if these things would happen. It extends the story we learn from the first two books but is in a completely different type of light with such new situations and circumstances!"
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Best Teen & Young Adult Drugs & Alcohol Abuse Fiction

Looking for Alaska Special 10th Anniversary Edition
A gorgeous collector's edition of the critically acclaimed debut novel by John Green, #1 bestselling author of Turtles All the Way Down and The Fault in Our Stars A perfect gift for any fan, this deluxe hardcover features a stunning special edition jacket and 50 pages of all-new exclusive content, including: Girls will cry and boys will find love, lust, loss and longing in Alaska’s vanilla-and-cigarette’s scent.” –Kirkus Reviews , starred review. “Alive with sweet, self-deprecating humor.…like Phineas in John Knowles’s A Separate Peace , Green draws Alaska so lovingly, in self-loathing darkness as energetic light.” –School Library Journal , starred review. · A 2005 Teens’ Top Ten Selection. · An ALA Best Book for Young Adults Top 10. · An ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers. · A Booklist Editors’ Choice. · A Kirkus Best Book of 2005. · A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. · A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age.
Reviews
"His books go so into detail and can reach out to young teens with his words through the story."
"I wanted to give this book less stars, but I realized it was for a personal reason."
"Vast, beautiful, full of discovery and awe inspiring."
"I LOVE John Green's writing. This story was very different from what I usually read."
"You are a potential buyer of said book I am reviewing. Because I see no other fit way for the review of this book. You see, by the end of this book, Miles is a changed person."
"A quote Alaska contemplates throughout this book is “how will I ever get out of the labyrinth of misery?” I believe Alaska didn't think she deserved to escape the labyrinth and that’s why she rebelled so much and she wanted Miles to rebel with her because she was so lonely."
"LOOKING FOR ALASKA, had excellent characterizations of the title character (Alaska Young), the protagonist (Miles "Pudge" Halter), the protagonist's clever roommate (Chip "Colonel" Martin), and their Asian sidekick (Takumi)."
"The merits of John Green's novel stand in the way it starts conversations about big issues in the small universe of a campus."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Sexual Abuse Fiction

Speak
The first ten lies they tell you in high school. "Speak up for yourself--we want to know what you have to say." “In a stunning first novel, Anderson uses keen observations and vivid imagery to pull readers into the head of an isolated teenager. But the book's overall gritty realism and Melinda's hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired.” ― Publishers Weekly, Starred Review. “A frightening and sobering look at the cruelty and viciousness that pervade much of contemporary high school life, as real as today's headlines. “Melinda's voice is distinct, unusual, and very real as she recounts her past and present experiences in bitterly ironic, occasionally even amusing vignettes. Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.” ― Booklist.
Reviews
"I didn't think I'd be so gripped by this book but the author captures the pains and troubles of everyday high school life with such honesty and emotion that I couldn't help recognize half the characters from my own high school days."
"The story is written from the perspective of a high school girl."
"I thought this was a great book."
"Melinda rings true as a normal but depressed teen-ager, and I loved that the book depicted Melinda as a multi-facted person - someone dealing with having been raped, but who isn't defined by it. But the thing I loved the very most about this book was that it was so honest. A lot of YA fiction seems like there's a tragedy involved but only as the backdrop to a story which is ultimately a cheap fantasy - everyone rallies around the selfless, popular, and beautiful heroine."
"The author was spot on, I feel, with Melinda's voice."
"Just wanted to slap her parents, who seemed dysfunctional, and have them notice their child needs help."
"If you are a parent and your school is not having students read this book I would recommend you read this book first to see if you think your tween/teen is ready to handle the content."
"This was extremely thought provoking and I really think everyone should read it."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Peer Pressure Fiction

Stargirl
A modern-day classic and New York Times bestseller that celebrates the power of individuality and personal expression from beloved Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’ s heart with just one smile. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love. “A magical and heartbreaking tale.”— Kirkus Reviews , Starred. "Spinelli has produced a poetic allegorical tale about the magnificence and rarity of true nonconformity." "Stargirl tells us the captivating story of a magical, mysterious girl.
Reviews
"The freedom of individuality and conformity collide in a bitter sweet tale of first like-like."
"This book made me want to be more like stargirl."
"When I read this I found myself more and more wanting to be Stargirl."
""Stargirl" is billed as adolescent fiction, but the story is timeless ... it is a portrait of the unfettered human heart and a reminder that the essence of mankind is nothing less than grand and glorious "starstuff.""
"I understand there is a return policy but this book is not in my possession and am not going to task a 13 year old to return it."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Homelessness & Poverty Fiction

In Real Life
But things become a lot more complicated when Anda befriends a gold farmer -- a poor Chinese kid whose avatar in the game illegally collects valuable objects and then sells them to players from developed countries with money to burn. “Online gaming and real life collide when a teen discovers the hidden economies and injustices that hide among seemingly innocent pixels . Through Wong's captivating illustrations and Doctorow's heady prose, readers are left with a story that's both wholly satisfying as a work of fiction and series food for thought about the real-life ramifications of playing in an intangible world. “Characters come to life through Wang's (Koko Be Good) fluid forms and emotive faces, and her adroit shift in colors as the story moves between the physical and gaming worlds is subtle and effective.” ― Publishers Weekly.
Reviews
"I'd recommend it, but if you're one to read and then dismiss, maybe spending $14 for a book you'll finish in a day isn't wise."
"In Real Life is about --. - Gamers who cheat. - Gamers who make money helping other gamers cheat. - Gamers who think they are too cool to associate with nongamers. - The cross-cultural benefits and detriments of gaming. - How gaming can make people misunderstand each other. - How gaming can help people understand each other. - The risks of collective action. - The power of collective action. - Why parents don't trust their kids. - How kids can gain their parents' trust. - The lies people tell when they inhabit an avatar. - The truths people tell when they inhabit an avatar. - The addictive nature of gaming. - The addictive nature of everything else. - The ethics of gaming. - The lack of gaming ethics. - The vast difference between gaming and real life. - The ability to incorporate real life into gaming. - The importance of taking pride in what you do, in real life or in gaming. And on top of that, it tells a good story."
"Anda is enticed into online gaming through an all girl group that initially serves as a source of inspiration and guidance for Anda, but as she participates and rises through the gaming world as KaliDestroyer, essentially her alter ego, she realizes that the virtual world like our own isn't always what it appears on the surface."
"In Real Life by Cory Doctorow is a graphic novel following a young girl as the lines between her online gaming world and real life begin to blur."
"she kind of seemed only half interested in the book, but once she got into it, she was on the couch for a couple hours and couldn't put it down."
"This book is amazing."
"I had an Amazon Gift Card and decided to get some comics from some people I have never heard of, and I loved this book."
"I deeply enjoyed this book."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Depression & Mental Illness Fiction

Turtles All the Way Down
A New York Times Notable Book • A New York Times Critics’ Top Book of the Year • An NPR Best Book of the Year • A TIME Best Book of the Year • A Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year • A Boston Globe Best Book of the Year • An Entertainment Weekly Best Book of the Year • A Seventeen Best Book of the Year • A Southern. Living Best Book of the Year • A Publishers. Weekly Best Book of the Year • A Booklist Editors' Choice Selection • A BookPage Best Book of the Year • An SLJ Best Book of the Year • An A.V. - Featured on Fresh Air, Studio 360, Good Morning Amercia, The TODAY Show. “A tender story about learning to cope when the world feels out of control .” – People. A must-read for those struggling with mental illness, or for their friends and family.” — San Francisco Chronicle “A powerful tale for teens (and adults) about anxiety, love and friendship.” —The Los Angeles Times. John Green has crafted a dynamic novel that is deeply honest, sometimes painful, and always thoughtful .” – Mashable. “ A thoughtful look at mental illness and a debilitating obsessive-compulsive disorder that doesn’t ask but makes you feel the constant struggles of its main character . Turtles explores the definition of happy endings, whether love is a tragedy or a failure, and a universal lesson for us all: ‘You work with what you have.’” – USA Today. ★ “ A richly rewarding read …the most mature of Green’s work to date and deserving of all the accolades that are sure to come its way.” – Booklist. ★ “A deeply resonant and powerful novel that will inform and enlighten readers even as it breaks their hearts. The Fault in Our Stars is a love story, one of the most genuine and moving ones in recent American fiction, but it’s also an existential tragedy of tremendous intelligence and courage and sadness.” — Lev Grossman, TIME Magazine “This is a book that breaks your heart—not by wearing it down, but by making it bigger until it bursts.” — The Atlantic “Remarkable . “John Green deftly mixes the profound and the quotidian in this tough, touching valentine to the human spirit.” —The Washington Post “[Green] shows us true love—two teenagers helping and accepting each other through the most humiliating physical and emotional ordeals—and it is far more romantic than any sunset on the beach.” — New York Times Book Review.
Reviews
"It’s the most powerful and open book about mental illness that I have read, and it’s required reading for everyone, but especially those who don’t understand the intensity of OCD and extreme anxiety. Read this book."
"I believe that Aza's character represents many of John Green's own, well documented on the Vlogbrothers channel, fears and stress. She may be just a young girl, but I think Aza's struggle represents a much larger theme; how are we supposed to deal with life? Aza Holmes is a very deep and troubled character with mental health issues, which she fights to cope with throughout the novel. Turtles may be a hard novel to get through for some readers as I also think that John Green made Aza purposefully an unlikable protagonist."
"John Green knows how to make you *feel* whether you want to or not- even amidst the nerdfighteria he added into the book, I felt myself finding something to really sympathize with. It amazes me how in tune Green is with his audience- this book has a distinctly different feel from his earlier works, and I think that's because teenagers are really a different group these days."
"I know there was a bit of over-saturation when The Fault in Our Stars came out, and some people have firm (and valid) opinions on Mr. Green. With John Green, I was a little wary because of the success of The Fault in Our Stars. When we finally see OCD portrayed, it's often the over the top neat freak stereotype (see Monk or that chick with Glee). The mystery aspect was a lot less compelling and exciting than I had hoped."
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