Teen Summer Reads

 These are the summer reads you WANT, not those terrible assignments that are given.  If you want to listen to the podcast, here is is  alchemy of genres

Yadriel is a brujo (male witch), but his family won't accept it because he is transgender and born female.  When his cousin disappears and they feel his spirit die, he becomes determined to summon his ghost and prove that he is both a brujo as well as accepted by Santa Muerte as such.  When he tried to summon his cousin, he gets Julian instead, and Julian is determined to have Yadriel help find his killer and bring justice or he won't go to rest, so Yadriel has no choice but to help.  Unfortunately the more he gets to know Julian, the more he wishes he weren't a ghost.....and the more complicated the mystery becomes.

An excellent book, full of action, emotion and ghostly happenings.

Priya has Lyme disease. Brigid has a mystery illness that turns out to be lycanthropy (turns you into a wolf).  Through an online support group the two of them, and the other members of the group,  are all attempting to make sense of life with their individual illnesses and what (if any) changes to their futures/dreams are happening due to the reality of living with their illness.  Priya really wants to help Brigid, and the more involved with her life she gets, the more she realizes that no one's issues are simple.....and that her own issues aren't going away if she ignores them.

This book surprised me with its breezy formatting while delving into deep issues.  Yeah, lycanthropy might not be real, but the "what if" portion of it and the inter-personal dynamics read so true.  This is a great book, not only because it's a good story but because it will make you think differently about those living with chronic illness.

In this alternate earth science fiction story, we have already figured out space travel, visited Mars and started to explore further out before the 1980's.  When an earth like planet is found, it is decided to form an exploration mission to look into the planet and start getting it set up for human habitation so as to relieve the population/ozone/trash/etc issues on Earth.  Great Britain won the rights to send the first flight and set up a contest to select 6 teens and 4 adults on the 23 year mission to Terra-Two.  The book jumps back and forth between the process of selection & all that happens in the 10 year period leading up to the flight and the first year of the flight itself.  The story is told in all 6 voices of the teens/new adults as they recount their issues/worries/etc and their current difficulties of being trapped in a spaceship with others for the foreseeable future.  

This was such a fast, exciting read!  Jumping around to see everyone's point of view is done very well and adds to the heightened sense of peril and worry.  Definitely check it out!

Bryson took a bet.  He is to date someone each week, the first person to ask....no exceptions for 6 months.  Kai asks him for his last week and Bryson says yes.  Now, everything is different; because Kai isn't out and Bryson isn't gay...so they keep Kai's identity a secret while doing their dating week.  But Bryson isn't who Kai thought he was and maybe he isn't as straight as he thinks he is and this bet/fake relationship may turn out to be real after all; and how scary is that?

This is a fun, sweet story that wasn't a rom-com but more based in reality.  Definitely recommended.

If you haven't read any of the Alex Rider books, you really should check them out (and a new title for the series just came out recently, so maybe re-read and check out the new one).  The basic premise is a whole James Bond feel but with a bit more of a reality base.  Alex's uncle dies under suspicious circumstances and the more Alex digs, the weirder it gets.  Just as he figures out that his uncle was a spy with MI6, he is recruited to do a mission because they need an agent no one would suspect.   As the series continues, and as Alex is pulled into more missions, you see the cost of his double life while still trying to graduate high school and figure out his future.  You also see the danger and worry he can't share but his determination to do the right thing and save the world....again.

I love this series and plan to re-read it so I can dive into the new one without being lost.  You should check it out (and if you tried watching the movie, trust me, the book is NOT awful....the movie was but it IS what happens when an American company does a British focused theme)

The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica is a really interesting series.  "All the world in ink & blood, vellum & parchment, leather & hide.  It is the world for you to save or lose"

An unusual murder brings 3 strangers together on a rainy night during WWI.  They are told that they are the new caretakes of the Inmaginarium Geographica, an atlas of all the lands that have ever existed in myth, legend, fable, fairytale and fiction.  They can (and must) travel there to defeat dark forces which threaten two worlds.

This is really a cool adventure through all the fiction you've ever heard of.

Arthur Penhaligon finds himself pulled into this adventure when a strange man gives him a clock hand, which miraculously keeps him from dying of an asthma attack.  When the man wants the clock hand back and starts a sleep plague when Arthur refuses, he is drawn into a Kingdom full of wonder and horrors.  He needs to fight the powerful Lords to put the kingdom back together and the more he does, the more of his humanity he loses.  Can Arthur make it through to Lord Sunday and still be human enough to go home or will he have to take over the running of the Kingdom?  Can Arthur actually beat all these supernatural beings with just his wit and some pieces of the Architect"s will?

This immersive series is intense and amazing.  The audiobooks are equally awesome.

This book is in poetry format, so it's a fast read, but bring tissues as it is very realistic and a happy ending is not guaranteed.

Denver wants to be a star and she's good at singing and writing songs.  When Sean "Mercury" Ellis promises her group a shot, she is willing to do anything for her piece of fame.....leave school, cut ties to family & friends, follow all Mercury's "rules",  whatever it takes to be a star.  Unfortunately sometimes people aren't what they seem.....and sometimes "anything" is too much.

Summer 1994: Two months before she leaves for college and Elodie is forced by her mom to take a job as a camp counselor.  She has no clue what she is doing but is trying...and then a dark mystery lurking around the camp begins to haunt her dreams.

This is a quick. fun read (it's a graphic novel) with so much weirdness and Elodie just trying to make sense of it; while also doing a good job ....and maybe falling in love.

Celaena Endovier was caught and sentenced to hard labor and she is just barely alive when she is taken and given a chance to get her life back.  She is to act as the champion for the Crown Prince in a competition to find a new royal assassin, if she wins, she works for him and then her life is her own upon the completion of her contract.  There is only one winner of the contest....but when the other contestants begin to die under mysterious circumstances (and not in the competition), Celaena needs to figure out what is happening before she is the next victim.

This series is amazing, truly.  It is not a quick read, but enthralling and immersive.  I am planning to re-read it through audiobooks because just chatting about it has made me want to experience it again.

When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about the stories she loves to write, they become friends.  When Sunday kisses the frog goodnight one evening, he is transformed into Rumbold, Crown Prince of Arilland and a man that her family despises.  As Rumbold struggles to win her heart as a man, Sunday is frustrated by his attentions and worried about the disappearance of her frog friend......and then things get weird.

This Woodcutter Sisters trilogy is full of twisted fairy tale references, lots of humor and personality.  A truly original story series that will enchant anyone who loves fairytales.

Orphan, clockkeeper and thief; Hugo lives is the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity.  But when his world interlocks with an eccentric bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth at the station, Hugo's undercover life and his most precious secrets are put in jeopardy.

This is a spellbinding mystery/fantasy tale told in text and art.  It won a ton of awards and may seem like a little kid's book, but it is really a fun magical adventure for all ages.

In 1766, a boy named Billy Marvel survives a shipwreck and finds work in a London theater.  There his family flourishes for generations as brilliant actors until 1900 when Leontes Marvel is banished.  A century later, runaway Joseph Jervis seeks refuge with an uncle in London.  Albert Nightingale's strange and beautiful house with its mysterious portraits and ghostly presences captives Joseph.  His fascination leads him into a search for clues about the house and Nightingale's family and past.

This is another mix of text & illustrations with a deep story and a mystery.  It is truly marvelous.

Arishitoras are supposed to be extinct, so when Yukiko and her father are sent to capture one, they are sure it is a suicide mission (as it is death to disappoint the Lord of the Shima Isles).  The mission ends up being even more dangerous in its execution and Yukiko finds herself stranded alone in the wilderness and bonded to a wounded legendary (and very angry) Arishitoras.  On the perilous journey back, Yukiko discovers the extent of the Shogun's crimes and becomes allied with rebel forces.  But can they really defeat the Shogun?

This is such a cool story, you really need to read it.

Heartstopper is another title I have talked about, but I love it, so....listen anyway (read anyway?)

Volumes 1-3 are done, and it keeps being SO good.  This is a grapic novel about Charlie (out, sort of proud, mostly bullied) and Nick (athlete, nice guy and maybe falling in love with Charlie).  Their story could be set anywhere as it feels universal (but it is set in Britain); but I really love the support the characters have from their families.  I also adore the truly sweet love story you feel happening on the pages in front of you, feels like watching a movie....and there are laughs and tears and smiles just like in reality.

So good!

I am sure many of already read this series, but if you haven't checked out the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, you really need to.

This series is all about Greek gods and their descendants, with magic godlike powers and hiding among us.  Percy fights gods and tries to stop evil as the son of Poseidon.  The movies are horrible, but the books are so fun.

Tory and her friends rescue a dog caged for medical testing on an island off the coast of South Carolina.  They are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes them at a genetic level.  They now have heightened senses and faster reflexes and they must combine their gifts with their scientific curiosity to solve a cold case murder that has suddenly become very hot.....if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.

Just barely SF, and definitely an exciting mystery adventure series....check it out!

At 14, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him.  Street-wise, though and savvy, he is the king of his world; until the night his best friends try to kill him.  Saved by a mysterious warrior, he is sucked into the realm of Dark Hunters (immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity).  Nick quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a more dangerous one....and now his fellow students are turning into zombies.  How can he figure out what's causing it, hide his new friends from his mom, and stay safe without getting grounded or suspended....or dead?

Fun, immersive, exciting!   

Meghan has always felt different and has had a strange life starting when her father disappeared in front of her at age 6.  Now things are getting crazier and she has learned that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is now a pawn in a deadly war.

Meghan is a strong and well-drawn character.  Yes, there is an underlying love story here, but the adventure part of the story is equally well done.

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in 264 days; the last time she did it was an accident but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder anyway.  No one knows why her touch is fatal and no one cares as they are too busy with the whole world crumbling to pieces.  Diseases, famine and death are everywhere.  Survivors are starting to whisper of war and now The Reestablishment is thinking Juliette IS useful...as a weapon.  Will she be a weapon?  And for whom?  

Not a fan of dystopic novels, but this one drew me in...and kept me.  Definitely worth a read; and you can stop at book one or keep going and see where it all goes.

Zack, his dad and new stepmom have moved back to his dad's old hometown, not knowing their new house has a dark history.  50 years ago a crazed killer caused an accident at a nearby crossroads that took 40 lives.  The killer's spirit inhabits a tree near the crossroads (and near Zack's new house).  During a storm, lightning hits the tree, releasing the spirit who wants to continue killing and Zack is in his sights.  

This is a creepy but cool story about a boy who sees ghosts and needs to solve a mystery....all the books in the series are fun to read (if you like creepy & fun...which I do).

Will always thought Rangers were scary.  They are always quiet and hiding in shadows after all.  Now he is 15 and has been selected as a Ranger's apprentice.  What he doesn't realize is that Rangers are protectors of the Kingdom,. Highly trained in skills of battle and surveillance, Rangers fight the battles before the battles reach the people.  And there is a huge battle brewing with exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain & Night gathering his forces.

Many are familiar with this series, but if you aren't...definitely check it out.  Full of fantasy adventure, spying, battles and saving the Kingdom it is truly awesome.

This graphic novel has a Transformer-like feel with robotic beings who bond with humans to fight alien invaders.  In this story, there is an academy to train teens how to be ready to bond and provide military training.  The military is determined to find a way to both control the process of who bonds as well as to figure out how to build sentient robots of their own.  Mech Cadet Yu is chosen by a robot but he is not in the classes (his mother is a maid in the facility and he is there to help).  His being chosen is startling and also begins the process of revealing issues in the school and the military and are threatening to destroy all just as the invaders are threatening them all.  Yu is passionate about the mechs and he is smart and determined to fix the problems as well.  

This series is still ongoing and is really a fun and exciting read.  Highly recommended.

Mbala has written this series and has a Percy Jackson-like feel but featuring gods and myths of African and African American origins.  Tristan is the main character struggling to figure out what is happening and to fight against the powers of evil.

This story is really exciting and fun to explore, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the myths and gods featured.

Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.

When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?

This book is one I have mentioned many times, but truly I encourage you to read any of Wein's books...this one is just my favorite.

Keladry of Mindelan is the first girl to openly train to be a knight.  Up against the traditional hazing of pages and a grueling schedule, Kel faces an additional obstacle.  Wyldon, the training master who absolutely hates the idea of girls as knights is determined to make sure she fails.  He forces a probation period no one else has and he pushes to isolate and wear her down so that she will quit and prove that women are too weak to be knights.  Wyldon has greatly underestimated Kel's determination and courage.

Unfortunately, Tamora Pierce has fallen out of the knowledge of people lately....so I (as a huge fan) will continue to spread the word about her really intricate fantasy world building.  Truly, if you enjoy fantasy books; any of her books are good.  This series is a really introduction to her world, as well as a timely book about a girl fighting for equality and for her place in a traditionally male role.

This is another series that I have talked about many times. 

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than a speck at the edge of the universe. Now with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra — who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to evacuate with a hostile warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A plague has broken out and is mutating with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a web of data to find the truth, it’s clear the only person who can help her is the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents — including emails, maps, files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more — Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

Highly, highly recommended!

This is one of my favorite graphic novel series and the stories are awesome.  It is a really fun fantasy adventure that also touches on real life issues.  Girls in the camp go on trips but also find/save cryptids, decode evil spells, and basically stop armageddon while building relationships and finding themselves.

I know many have already read these, but if you haven't, you really should.

In Nova City there are extraordinary people, capable of feats that defy imagination.  Shadow Star protects the city and manipulates darkness; Pyro Storm is determined to bring the city to its keens using his power over fire.  And then there is Nick.....who, will being the most popular fanfic writer in the extraordinaries fandom is a superpower right?  Instead of fighting crime, Nick contends with a new year in middle school, a father who doesn't trust him and a best friend named Seth who may or may not be the love of Nick's life.  After a chance encounter with Shadow Star, Nick sets out to become an extraordinary and he is determined to find a way.

This is a truly extraordinary book with touches of humor, painful moments and insight.   

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage--in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.

I love Carriger's books so much!  This is her YA series that partners along her adult Parasol Protectorate series.  

When Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry room of his apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland, where spiders, rats, cockroaches coexist uneasily with humans. This world is on the brink of war, and Gregor's arrival is no accident. A prophecy foretells that Gregor has a role to play in the Underland's uncertain future. Gregor wants no part of it -- until he realizes it's the only way to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. Reluctantly, Gregor embarks on a dangerous adventure that will change both him and the Underland forever.

On the first day of tenth grade, best friends Maddie (mad maddie), Angela (SnowAngel), and Zoe (zoegirl) vow not to let school stupidness get them down... or split them apart. But as the weeks pass and the instant messages accumulate, it's clear that tenth grade will be a roller coaster ride of boy temptation, math torture, donut emergenices, and Queen Bee encounters.

Then a jerky boy sends peppy Angela into the dumps, tough Maddie makes a mistake that has the whole school talking, and good girl Zoe gets in over her head with a flirty teacher. Will the winsome threesome make it through the year?

This is a fun & funny series perfect for a summer afternoon; and it's a quick read because it is told primarily in DM's and texts.  

Telgemeier writes amazing books making fictional stories based on real life stories from her childhood.  Many have already read these as the series is well renowned and has won many awards.  But just in case, you haven't tried them, here is your encouragement to try these fun and sweet graphic novels.

Jason Reynold's book has won multiple awards, and I encourage anyone who hasn't read this, to do so.  The story is in poetry format and tells the story of the neverending domino chain of violence and "righteous vengeance".