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Editorial Content for Starfall

Book

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Reviewer (text)

Grace P., Teen Board Member

Melissa Landers is a former teacher who now writes young adult science fiction novels. She is the author of the Alienated Trilogy and the Starflight Duology. She will also be releasing a new fantasy duology, THE HALF KING, in 2018. STARFALL, the second and final novel in the Starflight Duology, released in February 2017.

"STARFALL is perfect for new readers of sci-fi. The world is easy to pick up on and hard to stop reading about. You will not be able to put it down."

Teaser

When Princess Cassia Rose fled her home world of Eturia to escape an arranged marriage, she had no idea her sudden departure would spark a war. Now after two years hiding as a ship hand, she is finally returning to her beloved home but not in the way she imagined. Shackled by bounty hunters, she is violently dragged back to account for her crimes. When the outer realm is threatened by the dangerous Zhang mafia, Cassia, Kane and the rest of the Banshee crew uncover a horrifying conspiracy that endangers the entire universe. In the face of unspeakable evil, Cassia must confront her own family's complicated legacy on Eturia and decide once and for all who her real family is.

Promo

When Princess Cassia Rose fled her home world of Eturia to escape an arranged marriage, she had no idea her sudden departure would spark a war. Now after two years hiding as a ship hand, she is finally returning to her beloved home but not in the way she imagined. Shackled by bounty hunters, she is violently dragged back to account for her crimes. When the outer realm is threatened by the dangerous Zhang mafia, Cassia, Kane and the rest of the Banshee crew uncover a horrifying conspiracy that endangers the entire universe. In the face of unspeakable evil, Cassia must confront her own family's complicated legacy on Eturia and decide once and for all who her real family is.

About the Book

When Princess Cassia Rose fled her home world of Eturia to escape an arranged marriage, she had no idea her sudden departure would spark a war. Now after two years hiding as a ship hand, she is finally returning to her beloved home but not in the way she imagined. Shackled by bounty hunters, she is violently dragged back to account for her crimes. Her only solace is that the Banshee crew managed to evade capture, including Kane Arric, her best friend ... with occasional benefits.

Meanwhile, Kane and the rest of the crew of the Banshee plan a desperate rescue mission. But when they arrive on Eturia, Cassia isn't exactly in need of heroics --- she's claimed her birthright as Eturia's queen, but has inherited a war-torn planet simmering with rebellion. Cassia must make alliances, and Kane, the bastard son of a merchant, isn't a choice that will earn her any friends. Kane knows he will never find someone to replace Cassia --- and is certain she returns his feelings --- but how can he throw away his own promising future waiting on a queen?

When the outer realm is threatened by the dangerous Zhang mafia, Cassia, Kane and the rest of the Banshee crew uncover a horrifying conspiracy that endangers the entire universe. In the face of unspeakable evil, Cassia must confront her own family's complicated legacy on Eturia and decide once and for all who her real family is.

Editorial Content for Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined

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Reviewer (text)

Ashley D., Teen Board Member

EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IS NOT RUINED by Danielle Younge-Ullman is about a troubled girl named Ingrid. Ingrid has been through what most of us will never experience before she even graduates from high school. While growing up, her mother, Margot-Sophia Lalonde, was a famous opera singer. Together, they traveled around Europe to different shows and gigs --- but one show went very wrong. Everything Margot-Sophia had worked for was suddenly gone. Read More

Teaser

Then. Ingrid traveled all over Europe with her opera star mother, Margot-Sophia. Life was beautiful and bright, and every day soared with music. Now. Ingrid is on a summertime wilderness survival trek for at-risk teens: addicts, runaways, and her. She’s fighting to survive crushing humiliations, physical challenges that push her to her limits, and mind games that threaten to break her. Then. When the curtain fell on Margot-Sophia’s singing career, they buried the past and settled into a small, painfully normal life. But Ingrid longed to let the music soar again. 

Promo

Then. Ingrid traveled all over Europe with her opera star mother, Margot-Sophia. Life was beautiful and bright, and every day soared with music. Now. Ingrid is on a summertime wilderness survival trek for at-risk teens: addicts, runaways, and her. She’s fighting to survive crushing humiliations, physical challenges that push her to her limits, and mind games that threaten to break her. Then. When the curtain fell on Margot-Sophia’s singing career, they buried the past and settled into a small, painfully normal life. But Ingrid longed to let the music soar again. 

About the Book

WILD meets The Breakfast Club in this story of a girl who must survive an extreme wilderness experience to prove to her mother that she has the strength to pursue her dreams.
 
Then
Ingrid traveled all over Europe with her opera star mother, Margot-Sophia. Life was beautiful and bright, and every day soared with music.
 
Now
Ingrid is on a summertime wilderness survival trek for at-risk teens: addicts, runaways, and her. She’s fighting to survive crushing humiliations, physical challenges that push her to her limits, and mind games that threaten to break her.
 
Then
When the curtain fell on Margot-Sophia’s singing career, they buried the past and settled into a small, painfully normal life. But Ingrid longed to let the music soar again. She wanted it so much that, for a while, nothing else mattered.
 
Now
Ingrid is never going to make it through this summer if she can’t figure out why she’s here...and why the music really stopped.
 
Audiobook available, narrated by Phoebe Strole

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Editorial Content for Stranger Than Fanfiction

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Emma B., Teen Board Member

STRANGER THAN FANFICTION is a standalone novel by Chris Colfer, author of the Land Of Stories series. The novel touches upon the hardships of friendship, growing up and moving away from home. I thought the story touched upon subjects rarely mentioned in mainstream writing and was very meaningful. This is the only book I have read by Chris Colfer but I can tell he has a really unique writing style. Read More

Teaser

Cash Carter is the young, world famous lead actor of the hit television show Wiz Kids. When four fans jokingly invite him on a cross-country road trip, they are shocked that he actually takes them up on it. Chased by paparazzi and hounded by reporters, this unlikely crew takes off on a journey of a lifetime --- but along the way they discover that the star they love has deep secrets he's been keeping. What they come to learn about the life of the mysterious person they thought they knew will teach them about the power of empathy and the unbreakable bond of true friendship.

Promo

Cash Carter is the young, world famous lead actor of the hit television show Wiz Kids. When four fans jokingly invite him on a cross-country road trip, they are shocked that he actually takes them up on it. Chased by paparazzi and hounded by reporters, this unlikely crew takes off on a journey of a lifetime --- but along the way they discover that the star they love has deep secrets he's been keeping. What they come to learn about the life of the mysterious person they thought they knew will teach them about the power of empathy and the unbreakable bond of true friendship.

About the Book

Cash Carter is the young, world famous lead actor of the hit television show Wiz Kids. When four fans jokingly invite him on a cross-country road trip, they are shocked that he actually takes them up on it. Chased by paparazzi and hounded by reporters, this unlikely crew takes off on a journey of a lifetime --- but along the way they discover that the star they love has deep secrets he's been keeping. What they come to learn about the life of the mysterious person they thought they knew will teach them about the power of empathy and the unbreakable bond of true friendship.

In this touching novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Chris Colfer takes us on a journey full of laughter, tears, and life-changing memories.

Editorial Content for Here We Are: 44 Voices Write, Draw, and Speak about Feminism for the Real World

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Ryan H., Teen Board Member

HERE WE ARE: Feminism for the Real World by Kelly Jensen is a scrapbook style book with collections of poems, essays and comic strips from 44 different people, describing their view on the word feminism. The speakers provide numerous different perspectives on the concept of feminism, including writers, dancers, actors, artists, etc. These viewpoints range from ordinary people to public figures such as actress Mindy Kaling. Read More

Teaser

HERE WE ARE is a response to lively discussions about the true meaning of feminism on social media and across popular culture and is an invitation to one of the most important, life-changing, and exciting parties around.

Promo

HERE WE ARE is a response to lively discussions about the true meaning of feminism on social media and across popular culture and is an invitation to one of the most important, life-changing, and exciting parties around.

About the Book

HERE WE ARE is a scrapbook-style teen guide to understanding what it means to be a twenty-first-century feminist. It’s packed with contributions from a diverse range of voices, including TV, film, and pop-culture celebrities and public figures such as ballet dancer Michaela DePrince and her sister Mia and politician Wendy Davis, as well as popular authors like Nova Ren Suma, Malinda Lo, Brandy Colbert, Courtney Summers, and many more. All together, the book features more than forty-four pieces and illustrations.

HERE WE ARE is a response to lively discussions about the true meaning of feminism on social media and across popular culture and is an invitation to one of the most important, life-changing, and exciting parties around.

Editorial Content for Loving vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Harleen K., Teen Board Member

In 1955, Richard Loving fell in love with Mildred Delores Jeter. The only problem was that any relationship they had with each other would be labeled as illegal because Richard was white and Mildred was black. Despite all of the obstacles before them, these two teenagers struggled through the prejudice of 1950s segregation and Jim Crow to fight for their love in front of the US Supreme Court. Read More

Teaser

In 1955, in Caroline County, Virginia, amidst segregation and prejudice, injustice and cruelty, two teenagers fell in love. Their life together broke the law, but their determination would change it. Richard and Mildred Loving were at the heart of a Supreme Court case that legalized marriage between races, and a story of the devoted couple who faced discrimination, fought it, and won.

Promo

In 1955, in Caroline County, Virginia, amidst segregation and prejudice, injustice and cruelty, two teenagers fell in love. Their life together broke the law, but their determination would change it. Richard and Mildred Loving were at the heart of a Supreme Court case that legalized marriage between races, and a story of the devoted couple who faced discrimination, fought it, and won.

About the Book

From acclaimed author Patricia Hruby Powell comes the story of a landmark civil rights case, told in spare and gorgeous verse. In 1955, in Caroline County, Virginia, amidst segregation and prejudice, injustice and cruelty, two teenagers fell in love. Their life together broke the law, but their determination would change it. Richard and Mildred Loving were at the heart of a Supreme Court case that legalized marriage between races, and a story of the devoted couple who faced discrimination, fought it, and won.

Editorial Content for Velocity

Book

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Alyssa L., Teen Board Member

VELOCITY is Chris Wooding's ninth young adult novel and seventeenth overall novel and is definitely a thrilling read that made me crave more of his stories. Stuck in a small town, Cassica always knew she needed a way out. Her best friend, Shiara, just wanted a way to stay by Cassica’s side and continue building cars for them to race. As two racers from a small town, the two learned to build their own cars that were able to compete with more expensive and complex ones by literally working from the bottom up. Read More

Teaser

Cassica and Shiara are best friends. They couldn't be more different, but their differences work to their advantage --- especially when they're drag racing. Cassica is fearless and determined, making her the perfect driver for daring, photo-finish victories. Shiara is intelligent and creative, able to build cars out of scrap and formulate daring strategies from the passenger's seat. Now they've set their sights on the Widowmaker --- the biggest, most anticipated and most dangerous race of the year. The winners get a pass to a life of luxury and fame. 

Promo

Cassica and Shiara are best friends. They couldn't be more different, but their differences work to their advantage --- especially when they're drag racing. Cassica is fearless and determined, making her the perfect driver for daring, photo-finish victories. Shiara is intelligent and creative, able to build cars out of scrap and formulate daring strategies from the passenger's seat. Now they've set their sights on the Widowmaker --- the biggest, most anticipated and most dangerous race of the year. The winners get a pass to a life of luxury and fame. 

About the Book

Buckle up for a fast-paced, high-octane thrill ride!

Cassica and Shiara are best friends. They couldn't be more different, but their differences work to their advantage --- especially when they're drag racing. Cassica is fearless and determined, making her the perfect driver for daring, photo-finish victories. Shiara is intelligent and creative, able to build cars out of scrap and formulate daring strategies from the passenger's seat.
 
Now they've set their sights on the Widowmaker --- the biggest, most anticipated and most dangerous race of the year. The winners get a pass to a life of luxury and fame. The losers, more often than not, die in fiery explosions. And even if Cassica and Shiara survive the deadly three-day challenge...their friendship might be roadkill.
 
This breathless reimagining of extreme sports is perfect for fans of Mad Max: Fury Road and NASCAR.
 
Audiobook available, narrated by Brittany Pressley

Editorial Content for Ronit & Jamil

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Wren L., Teen Board Member

We all know the story of Romeo and Juliet. It is a classic love story, told and retold over the centuries. Laskin takes a different look at the story of the teenage star-crossed lovers through a modern day lens with Ronit, an Israeli girl who falls in love with a Palestinian boy named Jamil. Their love is strong and free, but they are separated by a physical border and the invisible border society erected between the two communities. Read More

Teaser

Ronit, an Israeli girl, lives on one side of the fence. Jamil, a Palestinian boy, lives on the other side. Only miles apart but separated by generations of conflict --- much more than just the concrete blockade between them. Their fathers, however, work in a distrusting but mutually beneficial business arrangement, a relationship that brings Ronit and Jamil together. And lightning strikes. The kind of lightning that transcends barrier fences, war, and hatred. The teenage lovers fall desperately into the throes of forbidden love, one that would create an irreparable rift between their families if it were discovered. 

Promo

Ronit, an Israeli girl, lives on one side of the fence. Jamil, a Palestinian boy, lives on the other side. Only miles apart but separated by generations of conflict --- much more than just the concrete blockade between them. Their fathers, however, work in a distrusting but mutually beneficial business arrangement, a relationship that brings Ronit and Jamil together. And lightning strikes. The kind of lightning that transcends barrier fences, war, and hatred. The teenage lovers fall desperately into the throes of forbidden love, one that would create an irreparable rift between their families if it were discovered. 

About the Book

Pamela L. Laskin’s beautiful and lyrical novel in verse delivers a fresh and captivating retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that transports the star-crossed lovers to the modern-day Israel-Palestine conflict.
 
Ronit, an Israeli girl, lives on one side of the fence. Jamil, a Palestinian boy, lives on the other side. Only miles apart but separated by generations of conflict --- much more than just the concrete blockade between them. Their fathers, however, work in a distrusting but mutually beneficial business arrangement, a relationship that brings Ronit and Jamil together. And lightning strikes. The kind of lightning that transcends barrier fences, war, and hatred.
 
The teenage lovers fall desperately into the throes of forbidden love, one that would create an irreparable rift between their families if it were discovered. But a love this big can only be kept secret for so long. Ronit and Jamil must face the fateful choice to save their lives or their loves, as it may not be possible to save both.

Editorial Content for Dreamland Burning

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Bryn D., Teen Board Member

When a skeleton turns up on 17-year-old Rowan Chase’s family’s property, she has no idea the secrets that it will reveal. Century old issues are brought to light as they reflect what is currently happening, and Rowan begins to believe that some things never change. Her once planned out summer has turned into an investigation that she never expected. Read More

Teaser

When seventeen-year-old Rowan Chase finds a skeleton on her family's property, she has no idea that investigating the brutal century-old murder will lead to a summer of painful discoveries about the past … and the present. Nearly one hundred years earlier, a misguided violent encounter propels seventeen-year-old Will Tillman into a racial firestorm. In a country rife with violence against blacks and a hometown segregated by Jim Crow, Will must make hard choices on a painful journey towards self discovery and face his inner demons in order to do what's right the night Tulsa burns.

Promo

When seventeen-year-old Rowan Chase finds a skeleton on her family's property, she has no idea that investigating the brutal century-old murder will lead to a summer of painful discoveries about the past … and the present. Nearly one hundred years earlier, a misguided violent encounter propels seventeen-year-old Will Tillman into a racial firestorm. In a country rife with violence against blacks and a hometown segregated by Jim Crow, Will must make hard choices on a painful journey towards self discovery and face his inner demons in order to do what's right the night Tulsa burns.

About the Book

When seventeen-year-old Rowan Chase finds a skeleton on her family's property, she has no idea that investigating the brutal century-old murder will lead to a summer of painful discoveries about the past … and the present.

Nearly one hundred years earlier, a misguided violent encounter propels seventeen-year-old Will Tillman into a racial firestorm. In a country rife with violence against blacks and a hometown segregated by Jim Crow, Will must make hard choices on a painful journey towards self discovery and face his inner demons in order to do what's right the night Tulsa burns.

Through intricately interwoven alternating perspectives, Jennifer Latham's lightning-paced page-turner brings the Tulsa race riot of 1921 to blazing life and raises important question about the complex state of US race relations --- both yesterday and today.

Tina Fey

Confidence is 10% hard work and 90% delusion.

Attribution

Tina Fey