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The Thirteenth Child

As the thirteenth child, Hazel Trépas is promised to one of the gods before she’s even born. But not just any god: Death himself.  For years, Hazel waits for her Read more...

Posted by on January 2, 2025

ASAP

What does K-pop, second chance forbidden romance, and deciding against a career choice that you’ve worked your whole life for have in common? That would be ASAP by Axie Oh.  Read more...

Posted by on November 14, 2024

This Savage Song

Imagine a broken world where violent acts breed monsters. Some of those monsters have teeth and feed on flesh and bone; some are corpses that feed on blood; and some Read more...

Posted by on October 14, 2024

Orange

On the day Naho begins 11th grade, she forgets to set her alarm and oversleeps for the first time in her life. As she rushes out the door, she notices Read more...

Posted by on August 15, 2024

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

Reader be warned: this series has the potential to take over your entire life.  The Aurelian Cycle by Rosaria Munda (Fireborne, Flamefall, and Furysong in order) is the political dragon Read more...

Posted by on August 1, 2024

In The Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland

In this Greco-Roman inspired standalone fantasy, readers will encounter blood magic, death magic, a spooky underworld, and ghostly guardians. The book follows nineteen-year-old Rovan in Thanopolis, a young woman with Read more...

Posted by on June 24, 2024

Monsters, Murder, & Mystery

From monsters to ghosts, spine chilling to thrilling, for all things creepy and gory check out this list of young adult horror books that will leave you on the edge Read more...

Posted by on September 21, 2023

Tegan and Sara: Junior High

Junior High is a middle-grade graphic novel about twin sisters navigating the world of middle school after a move to a new town. Written by real life twins and musicians, Read more...

Posted by on August 24, 2023

Gun Violence: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics surrounding gun violence. This list includes titles to support difficult emotions triggered by gun violence with themes Read more...

LGBTQ+ Voices and Experiences: A Reading List for Teens

Celebrate Pride Month with books highlighting LGBTQ+ characters, experiences, histories, and voices. We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of gender and sexuality from Read more...

Social Justice Topics in Graphic Novels: A Reading List for Teens

We hope this selection of graphic novels serves to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of social justice. Go With the Flow by Lily Williams When four best friends Read more...

Women’s Rights: A Reading List for Teens

In honor of Women's History Month, we've selected titles focusing on the lives of women and girls throughout the past and into the present day. We hope these selections serve Read more...

Homelessness & Poverty: A Reading List for Teens

Living in poverty means that people are often going without basic needs such as food, clothing, and adequate shelter. We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue Read more...

Posted by on January 6, 2023

Indigenous Voices & Experiences: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate, celebrate, and encourage dialogue on the diverse nations, cultures, and experiences of Native peoples throughout North America. Celebrate Native American Heritage Month—and continue Read more...

Right to Read: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of centering around education and persons right to read.

Posted by on September 2, 2022

Falling in Love Over Food

Hungry? Get ready to devour these Young Adult books about cooking, baking, family restaurants, and falling in love. Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet by Laekan Zea Kemp As an aspiring Read more...

Posted by on August 4, 2022

Huda F Are You?

Huda used to be the only person in her class wearing a hijab, but when she moves to Dearborn, Michigan and starts a new high school, that all changes. There Read more...

Posted by on July 7, 2022

Own Voices: A Reading List for Teens

The #ownvoices hashtag was created by author Corinne Duyvis to spotlight books about characters with marginalized identities created by authors who share the same marginalized identity (or identities). The character Read more...

Posted by on July 1, 2022

Pride Month Reads for Teens

Celebrate Pride Month and the LGBTQIA+ community with this list of Young Adult books from a variety of genres and experiences. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo Read more...

Posted by on June 2, 2022

Hidden Girl: The True Story of a Modern-Day Child Slave

Imagine you were sold into slavery as an 8 year old child. Now imagine the people that sold you were your parents. This is Shyima Hall’s truth.  She worked 20 Read more...

Posted by on May 19, 2022

Poison Ivy: Thorns

All Pamela Isley wants to do is save the environment. So much so, that she’s willing to kill for it. With the stress of school, a blooming relationship with her Read more...

Posted by on May 5, 2022

Social Justice in Poetry & Verse: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections of poetry and books in verse serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of social justice. Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo Xiomara Batista feels Read more...

Posted by on April 2, 2022

Black Voices & Experiences: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of centering around Black voices, characters, and communities. Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant Tessa Johnson has Read more...

Posted by on February 4, 2022

Access to Healthcare: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue around the biases and inequalities that affect access to healthcare and preventative care. These books highlight people and communities Read more...

YTS Staff Picks 2021 – Our Favorite Books of the year

Check out some of our Youth & Teen Services staff favorites, all published in 2021. These books represent a wide variety of formats and intended audiences. We hope you will Read more...

Posted by on November 22, 2021

My Hero Academia Vigilantes

My Hero Academia is one of the biggest things going in the manga and anime spheres currently. It depicts a world in which the majority of people have super powers Read more...

Posted by on November 8, 2021

Worker Rights: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue around worker’s rights and the labor movement both here in the United States and around the world. Audacity by Read more...

Posted by on October 1, 2021

Manga Essentials

Enjoy this selection of essential manga by Westmont Public Library Librarian, Gil!

Posted by on September 23, 2021

Hyouka

Oreki is a first year high school student who does his best to conserve his energy. His motto is “If I don’t have to do it, I won’t. If I Read more...

Posted by on September 15, 2021

YA BookTok Books

Some of the most popular YA books from TikTok found under the hashtag #BookTok.  A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Dragged to a treacherous magical land Read more...

Posted by on September 2, 2021

Haikyu!!

Hinata is a middle school kid who wants, badly, to be a star volleyball player. However, he has a couple of problems. One, he’s short. Five foot four in fact. Read more...

Posted by on August 31, 2021

Throne of Glass

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan’s greatest assassin. After being enslaved and imprisoned, she accepts the Crown Prince’s offer to compete with other assassins and thieves for a chance to serve as Read more...

Posted by on August 12, 2021

Advocacy & Activists: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue around advocacy, activism and allyship in relation to social justice issues.

Posted by on August 6, 2021

Simon vs the Homo Sapien Agenda

Simon is in love, there is one small catch, he doesn’t know who he is in love with. Simon met Blue on their school’s Tumblr, and soon the two start Read more...

Posted by on July 22, 2021

A Century of Reading: The 1980s

It was rad to be a kid in the 80s! Take a trip down memory lane with some books, movies, and music from the 1980s. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Read more...

Posted by on July 12, 2021

The Upside of Falling

Becca is a hopeless romantic who prefers to live in books rather than reality. After her parents’ divorce, she’s not even sure she believes in love. So for now she’ll Read more...

Posted by on July 8, 2021

Binge Worthy YA Series

This list contains YA series that are complete, from a variety genres. Start with book one and binge your way through the series without having to wait for any upcoming Read more...

Posted by on July 1, 2021

Environmental Justice: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of environmental justice, including access to a clean and healthy environment for all people, the disproportionate impact Read more...

A collage of book covers by AAPI authors

Asian and Pacific Islander Voices: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to spotlight #ownvoices stories by authors of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage, introduce readers to diverse writers and perspectives, and educate and encourage a dialogue Read more...

Posted by on April 2, 2021

One of Us Is Lying

If you like solving mysteries, this book is for you! Five unsuspecting students are given after-school detention because of a weird misunderstanding. During detention, the most horrible thing happens – Read more...

Posted by on March 11, 2021

Women’s History Month: A Reading List for Teens

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’ve selected titles focusing on the lives of women and girls throughout the past and into the present day. We hope these selections serve Read more...

Posted by on March 8, 2021

Teen Romance Reads

Discover new titles and old favorites from this list of YA fiction romances. Geekerella by Ashley Poston Geek girl Ellie hopes to go to ExcelsiCon Cosplay to meet the actor Read more...

Posted by on February 25, 2021

Black History Month: A Reading List for Teens

Celebrate Black History Month with books by Black authors and writing focusing on Black characters, history, and culture. We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on Read more...

Human Rights: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on human rights, which are needs and freedoms considered essential to human flourishing, such as the right to education Read more...

Best of 2020: A Reading List for Teens

Some of the best YA books that were published in the year 2020. The featured titles were chosen from Librarians’ favorites and pulled from different best of lists. Cemetery Boys by Read more...

Posted by on January 7, 2021

Disability & Neurodiversity: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate, entertain, amplify disabled voices, and encourage a dialogue on topics of disability and neurodiversity. Laughing at My Nightmare by Shane Burcaw With acerbic Read more...

Posted by on December 21, 2020

One Community Many Voices: A Reading List for Teens

This list is a great way to start your Westmont Reads experience. WPL librarians have selected titles for all ages by authors from a wide range of communities, backgrounds, experiences, Read more...

Teen Winter Romances

A list of romantic books for teens that take place over the holiday season. My True Love Gave to Me edited by Stephanie Perkins If you love holiday stories, holiday Read more...

Posted by on December 11, 2020

With the Fire on High

Emoni’s life is a little different from most of her classmates. Her interests are different – her best friend is into graphic design, and Emoni creates magic when she’s cooking. Read more...

Unpregnant

Veronica Clarke is a model student getting ready to head to an Ivy League school. Her parents are proud of her, her best friends depend on her, and her perfect Read more...

Posted by on November 12, 2020

Native Nations: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate, celebrate, and encourage dialogue on the diverse nations, cultures, and experiences of Native peoples throughout North America. Celebrate Native American Heritage Month—and continue Read more...

Midnight Sun

“My life was an unending, unchanging midnight.” In this Twilight retelling, readers finally get a glimpse into Edward Cullen’s mind. Along with the original story told through Bella Swan’s point Read more...

Posted by on October 29, 2020

Teen Spooky Reads

A list of terrifying books for teens that range from psychological thrillers, supernatural and paranormal activity, serial killers, and other horrific tales. There is Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Read more...

Posted by on October 8, 2020

Voting and Elections: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of voting in the US, from ongoing fights for equal voting rights and fair elections to the Read more...

Mass Incarceration: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of incarceration and the impact of mass incarceration on individuals, families, and communities.

Gotham High

What if Bruce Wayne made his way back to Gotham a little sooner than everyone thought? What if he and the Joker were actually school mates? Maybe even friends?  Long Read more...

Posted by on September 3, 2020

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Olga is the perfect Mexican daughter. Julia is not, and she's okay with that.

Posted by on August 27, 2020

Furyborn

The prophecy reads: Two queens will rise, one of blood and one of light. The Sun Queen will possess the power to save the world and the Blood Queen will Read more...

Posted by on August 6, 2020

Immigrant and Refugee Experiences: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate, and encourage a dialogue on topics of immigration and displacement, as well as spotlight immigrant and refugee experiences from a variety of places, Read more...

Posted by on August 2, 2020

Own Voices: A Reading List for Teens

The #ownvoices hashtag was created by author Corinne Duyvis to spotlight books about characters with marginalized identities created by authors who share the same marginalized identity (or identities). The character and creator Read more...

These Witches Don’t Burn

Hannah, an Elemental Witch living in modern-day Salem, is worried when dark magic starts to make its appearance in her town. As she senses this is from a revenge-fueled Blood Read more...

Posted by on June 25, 2020

Race, Racism, and Black Lives: A Reading List for Teens

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of racial justice, especially centering Black lives, voices, and communities.

Posted by on June 9, 2020

Tweet Cute: A Novel

A true modern-day romance! Pepper and Jack are two teenagers who go to the same school. Pepper is preoccupied with her college applications, swim team, homework, and helping with her Read more...

Posted by on May 21, 2020

Starsight

Spensa’s people are under threat of annihilation. Imprisoned on a remote planet, they’ve been guarded by a race they call the Krell. In the past, the Krell would only raid Read more...

Posted by on May 15, 2020

Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court

An inspiring memoir for young readers by one of basketball’s greatest players, Becoming Kareem is not just for sports fans. This 2021 Rebecca Caudill award nominee and NY Times Bestseller Read more...

Serpent & Dove

In a fantastical city where witches are burned at the stake – Lou finds herself living on the streets, suppressing her powers, and doing everything she can to stay away Read more...

Posted by on May 12, 2020

Sawkill Girls

“Beware of the woods and the dark, dank deep. He’ll follow you home and won’t let you sleep.” is the legend that haunts the island of Sawkill Rock. The Collector, Read more...

Posted by on March 26, 2020

The Lost Coast

When Danny and her mother move to Tempest, California, Danny thinks this move was to get away from her old life. But in Tempest, Danny finds the Grays: a group Read more...

Posted by on March 5, 2020

Poet X

Fifteen-year-old Xiomara tires to be invisible. However with her body being “unhide-able” because it grew curves, and the quick fists she uses to defend herself and her twin brother, Xiomara Read more...

Posted by on February 20, 2020

Odd One Out

Odd One Out tells the story of three teenagers dealing with sexuality, gender identity,  labels, and the pressures that come with each. Courtney, Rae, and Jupiter all get the opportunity Read more...

Geekerella (Once Upon a Con #1)

"Look to the stars. Aim. Ignite." Nerd and fan-girl extraordinaire Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, her favorite science fiction world. Growing up in the shadow of her stepsisters and Read more...

Posted by on January 23, 2020

We Set the Dark on Fire

Daniela Vargas is a top student at the Medio School for Girls, where young women are trained to be prestigious wives to young rich men of high social status. Dani, Read more...

Posted by on January 16, 2020

Wild Bird

“3:47 a.m. That’s when they arrive for Wren Clemmens. She’s hustled out of her house and into a waiting car, then a plane, and then taken on a forced march Read more...

Posted by on January 9, 2020

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles)

If you like fairytale retellings, this book is the one for you! This Cinderella story set in a futuristic Earth with cyborgs and Lunar beings is the perfect start to Read more...

Posted by on January 2, 2020

Steelheart

Twelve years ago, a red star named Calamity appeared in the sky. Its appearance coincided with people manifesting all sorts of comic book hero style powers. These people are called Read more...

Posted by on December 5, 2019

Long Way Down

Written in free verse narrative, the book beings with Will’s brother getting shot in the streets of their neighborhood. After his death, Will finds his brother’s gun and sets out Read more...

Posted by on November 21, 2019

Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay

Jay Reguero had always felt a bit out of place. With a Filipino father and an American mother, there was always a part of him that struggled with his own Read more...

Cover Image of Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

Skyward

Humanity lives underground on an alien world, under threat of annihilation by a race called the Krell, who they know nothing about. Spensa is a seventeen year old girl with Read more...

Posted by on August 20, 2019

White Cat

White Cat is the first novel in a suspenseful, action-packed trilogy about Cassel Sharpe’s plots and exploits as he dodges both curse workers and the feds.

Posted by on April 10, 2019

Midwinterblood

Containing elements of mystery, horror, romance, history, and the paranormal, Midwinterblood is difficult to describe without giving too much away or just listing more descriptors like “sweeping” and “mystical.”

Posted by on March 26, 2019

Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful

“Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful” examines the definition of ‘human’ and how technological advancements in our world can change it.

Posted by on March 11, 2019

Last Pick

In the not so distant past (3 years ago), aliens invaded Earth and took as many 16 to 65-year-olds as they could collect, so long as they seemed useful. The Read more...

Posted by on February 27, 2019

Spider-man: Homecoming

In this superhero action/adventure movie, we join Peter Parker (Spider-man) after his big debut with the Avengers. The famous Tony Stark (Iron Man) has made Peter his protegee, equipping him Read more...

Posted by on January 31, 2019

Asking For It

Emma O’Donovan is aware of her beauty. In her hometown of Ballinatoom, Ireland, Emma is envied and loved, and works hard to keep her reputation. One night out with friends Read more...

Posted by on December 20, 2018

Finding Audrey

Audrey has been diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depressive episodes. "Episodes," she sas. "Like, depression is a sitcom with a fun punchline each time."

Posted by on December 15, 2018

Six of Crows

Think Ocean’s Eleven, if the Ocean’s Eleven crew contained six teenage misfits living in medieval, high-fantasy Amsterdam. Presented with the opportunity of a lifetime (read: more money than he could’ve Read more...

Posted by on November 20, 2018

Joyride

Carly and Arden know what their families' expect of them, but when a chance encounter leads them to each other, they realize that the only expectations that matter are their Read more...

Posted by on September 24, 2018

Speak: The Graphic Novel

Carroll uses a grayscale palette to wonderful effect in this highly successful and modernized graphic novel adaptation of Anderson’s classic, and the accessible writing is all the more commanding due Read more...

Posted by on August 30, 2018

Alex and Eliza

Alex, an orphan without land or money, is the exact type of person Eliza should not want. However, with his quick wit and strong sense of justice, Eliza can’t help Read more...

Posted by on May 24, 2018

Between Us and the Moon

“You watch the world. I’m not sure you even live in it.” Fifteen-year-old Sarah’s boyfriend has just dumped her with these words, and she’s determined to prove him wrong.

Posted by on April 23, 2018

Flame in the Mist

The prose is elegant and descriptive, and it's apparent much research was put into life in feudal Japan. If you're in the market for historical fiction in a nontraditional setting Read more...

Posted by on March 14, 2018

Insurgent

The “simulations” that were so important to the first movie retain their relevance here, offering opportunities for approximately three additional and extra-trippy action scenes.  If action is what you want, Read more...

A Dog in the Cave: The Wolves Who Made Us Human

It has long been known that an uncommonly special bond exists between humans and dogs. A Dog in the Cave makes the argument that the two species are not only Read more...

Posted by on February 7, 2018

Better Than Perfect

Juliet’s life is wonderful.  She’s got the family, the grades, and the boyfriend, and they’re all perfect.  That is, until her dad moves out and her mom overdoses on her Read more...

Posted by on January 11, 2018

The Haters

Readers will find much to laugh at from beginning to end.

Posted by on December 21, 2017

Fat Vampire

Doug – uncool, unattractive, and often unpleasant – is a refreshing change from all the “sexy” vampires that have lately saturated the paranormal genre.

Posted by on November 17, 2017

Bad Romance

Grace’s home life is far from perfect. With a controlling step-father and a mom with undiagnosed OCD, Grace has a lot to overcome. Enter Gavin: dreamy, a musician, and a Read more...

Posted by on October 20, 2017

Speak

Anderson writes about Melinda’s experiences with authenticity and sincerity, creating a well-developed protagonist who is awkward, brooding, sarcastic – and damaged – and with whom readers will sympathize.

Posted by on October 5, 2017

Red Queen

Mare Barrow lives in a world divided by blood. As a Red she is a common peasant who thieves to help her family get by. Her people are watched and Read more...

Posted by on September 22, 2017

The Last Message Received

You don’t always remember the first words someone says to you, but you often remember the last. In this book by Emily Trunko and originally inspired by tumblr posts, readers Read more...

Posted by on September 12, 2017

We Are Okay

After tragedy struck, Marin left San Francisco behind, along with her home and everyone she knew. Staying alone in her New York dorm over winter break, she will be forced Read more...

Posted by on August 11, 2017

Maybe One Day

Zoe is not always a perfect character, prone to selfish behavior that only makes things more awkward or difficult, but her snark and sarcasm bring a levity to this melancholy Read more...

Posted by on July 20, 2017

An Ember in the Ashes

Laia, a member of a prominent Scholar family, helps her grandparents earn a meager living until her brother Darin is caught and arrested as a traitor of the Empire. Not Read more...

Posted by on May 18, 2017

You Know Me Well

This book is a celebration of LGBTQ love, the universal struggle of young love, and those terrifying moments before adulthood.

Posted by on April 13, 2017

The Bunker Diary

Though it is not for the faint of heart, [this story] is for readers who enjoy twisted characters, heaping spoonfuls of symbolism, and self reflection.

Posted by on February 9, 2017

Replica

Perspective is everything in Lauren Oliver's new dystopian novel, where there are two sides to the story--literally. The book is written from two perspectives, and in the format of a Read more...

Posted by on January 19, 2017

Vassa in the Night

Vassa Lowenstien lives in Brooklyn with her stepmother and her two stepsisters. Things have gotten… strange, lately, and not just with her unconventional family. The nights have been getting longer, Read more...

Posted by on November 29, 2016

How to Hang a Witch

This story has it all: mystery, romance, revenge, and history. The Salem Witch Trials are re-told with a contemporary twist.

Posted by on November 17, 2016

The Story Of Owen : Dragon Slayer Of Trondheim

This is a truly original story with elements of adventure and fantasy, yet it is also so real. The relationships between the characters are authentic and deep. People are the Read more...

Posted by on October 27, 2016

This Is Where It Ends

At 10:04am on a Monday, students and teachers realize they are locked in the auditorium. At 10:05am, the student who locked them in takes his first victim.

Posted by on October 14, 2016

Dreamology

Every night since Alice was a child, she has dreamt of the same boy: Max. When Alice moves to Boston, she runs, literally, into the boy of her dreams.

Posted by on September 12, 2016

The Kiss of Deception

Princess Lia of Morrighan, tired of living a life ruled by tradition and duty, is pushed to her limits when her hand is offered in marriage to the prince of Read more...

Posted by on September 11, 2016

First & Then

The story borrows from Pride and Prejudice, yet forges its own identity, straying from its source material enough to keep you guessing what will happen. An unexpectedly touching, thoroughly delightful Read more...

Posted by on September 11, 2016

The Scorpion Rules

Bow presents an intriguing concept but is unable to follow through with her characters, pacing, or focus. The writing is littered with unexplained technological terms and the staccato sentences take Read more...

Posted by on September 10, 2016

Shutter

Masterfully crafted pacing helps build a sense of foreboding, and the richly layered background makes for a captivating story that manages to leave room for an anticipated sequel. Shutter is Read more...

Posted by on September 10, 2016

My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

Brought together by award-winning author Stephanie Perkins, this diverse and heart-warming collection of holiday stories is written by a veritable Who's Who of YA authors. Mostly realistic but occasionally fantastical, Read more...

Posted by on September 10, 2016

We Should Hang Out Sometime

Each relationship is presented in three parts –the backstory, the hypothesis, and the investigation – and hilarious charts and diagrams accompany each pseudo-scientific relationship analysis. Josh may have struck out Read more...

Posted by on September 10, 2016

Cursed Pirate Girl

Cursed Pirate Girl is Jeremy Bastian’s one-man show—theatrical, meticulous, and more than a little intense. Every page is itself a work of art, together the wonderfully baroque product of a Read more...

Posted by on July 21, 2013

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