This piece was originally published on the Island Books blog. Growing up, I loved getting lost in books: It didn’t matter to me if the book was adventurous, dramatic, suspenseful, or fantastical; as long as it transported me somewhere else, I was happy. I’d be so immersed in my book that I’d barely hear my …
Elana K. Arnold was a National Book Award finalist for her novel, What Girls Are Made Of. She is the author of numerous novels for Middle Grade and Young Adult readers, including A Boy Called Bat and Infandous. Her latest novel is Damsel, which may best be described as a fantasy novel for the #MeToo era. …
For me there are two main kinds of books with queer characters: those where queerness plays an integral role in the story and those where no one in the book bats an eye at a character’s queerness. Both are tremendously important. The first so that we can tell stories about our culture, how we got …
A collection of stories that span many genres written by some of the best LGBT+ writers of our time? Yes, please! Featuring authors such as Robin Talley, Malinda Lo, and Alex Sanchez, this anthology is not to be missed for teens. Ranging from the Civil War to the palace to Chinatown and the high seas, these …
Daisy’s older sister is marrying into the British royal family, but Daisy is not paparazzi-ready (nor does she want to be). But maybe she can stay true to herself and even have some fun with all the makeovers, A-list hijinks, and royal wedding prep… This is a teen novel, but for anyone who enjoys a …
Iturbide is an amazing Mexican photographer who achieves poetry through what she captures with her camera. This graphic novel lets you wander with her through Mexico, India, the birds, and her thoughts. I discovered her with this book and fell immediately in love with her story and her pictures. –-Stephanie Silva, Queen Anne Book Company, …
5/5 Stars Heart gripping from the start, Letters to the Lost wrapped me up with Brigid Kemmerer’s free flowing writing and ability to simply connect with the characters. I fell right in with Juliet and Declan; both have a piece that I completely understood. This book made me feel. It brought out so many emotions …
Lu takes readers to a brand new world where technology holds the power. Full of unprecedented plot twists and thrilling shockers, the exhilarating adventure of teenage hacker/bounty hunter Emika Chen is guaranteed to keep you up at night. This eye-opening novel exposes a current issue in our developing society: How much control are we willing to …
Kaleidoscopic Song is a unique romance about a South African girl and her love for music. As the story unfolds, her budding sexuality may prevent her from achieving her dreams. Caught choosing between the job of her dreams and the girl of her dreams, Neo is conflicted. When her secret is threatened, Neo must realize …
Two teens, from two very different worlds, have a brief encounter on a public bus that will change both of their lives. This heart-breaking true story recounts a crime and its consequences, a story that delves deep into the lives of both victim and perpetrator, and in the process uncovers larger truths about the justice …
