New Teen Books, June 24, 2021

Posted: June 24, 2021

Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-Iyimide. An anonymous texter known as Aces reveals secrets about an elite private school’s only two Black students in this bracing debut that hauntingly explores systemic oppression in predominantly white institutions.

Enduring Freedom by Jawad Arash and Trent Reedy. A dual-perspective narrative detailing the events of Operation Enduring Freedom through the eyes of an Afghan teen and a young American soldier.In the days leading up to 9/11.

A Sisterhood of Secret Ambitions by Sheena Boekweg. A teen girl, backed by a secret society of powerful women, competes to make an 18-year-old future President fall in love with her.

Spells Trouble by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. (Sisters of Salem) Twin sisters and descendants of Salem witch Sarah Goode, are turning 16 and being initiated into their full witch powers.

The People We Choose by Katelyn Detweiler. When Calliope Silversmith meets her new neighbor Max, their chemistry is instantaneous, but the revelation of her biological father’s identity throws her whole life into disarray.

Dating Makes Perfect by Pintip Dunn. In this romantic comedy, a Thai American teen from a tight-knit family starts dating—on her parents’ terms.

The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon. Just as trans witch Wyatt begins to feel comfortable in his new life with his adopted human family and best friend Briar, he is ripped away from the human world and forced to face his traumatic past as the chosen mate of the future king of the fae.

The In Between by Marc Klein. Tessa’s less-than-perfect childhood has left her with the desire to remain “invisible” until she meets Skylar, who turns her world upside down.

She’s Too Pretty to Burn by Wendy Heard. Veronica is bored, caustically charismatic, and uninspired in her photography. Nico is insatiable, subversive, and obsessed with chaotic performance art. They’re artists first, best friends second. But that was before delicate, lonely, magnetic Mick.

Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee. Southampton, 1912: Seventeen-year-old British-Chinese Valora Luck has quit her job and smuggled herself aboard the Titanic.

An Emotion of Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi. It’s a few years after 9/11 and as an Iranian American Muslim teenager, Shadi, who wears a hijab, is judged harshly by teachers, students, and others in her community.

Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson. Kat and Stevie, best friends, theater kids, polar opposites sneak away from the suburbs to spend a night in New York City. They have it all planned out. They’ll see a play, eat at the city’s hottest restaurant, and have the best. Night. Ever. What could go wrong?

Paper Heart by Cat Patrick. Tess, whose BFF, Colette, died accidentally in Tornado Brain (2020), is severely afflicted with grief and guilt.

In the Hall with the Knife by Diana Peterfgreund. (a Clue mystery) In Rocky Point, Maine, mystery and murder descend on elite Blackbrook Academy along with a raging winter storm.

Not my Problem by Ciara Smyth. After walking in on perfectionist classmate Meabh Kowalska, daughter of the school principal, crying in the toilets, Aideen gets roped into a drastic plan to help her fix her problems.

A Sitting in St. James by Rita Williams-Garcia. A sobering depiction of life on a nearly bankrupt sugar plantation in Louisiana just prior to the Civil War.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email