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Early December 2016

Phew, we made it through November! Between the cooler weather, the National Book Awards, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hitting theaters, Thanksgiving and all those post-turkey naps, it's been one crazy month here at Teenreads. Now, with our Halloween candy totally devoured and turkey day behind us, we've officially begun the holiday season and we couldn't be more excited.

Editorial Content for Esfir Is Alive

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Rachel D., Teen Board Member

From a young age, I’ve always loved reading books about the Holocaust. As a child, I devoured WHEN HITLER STOLE PINK RABBIT and researched through countless encyclopedias to learn more about how such a terrible event came to be. I was definitely afraid of the Holocaust, nevertheless, I devoured any kind of literature that focused on World War II and the events surrounding it. So you can imagine how I happy I was when I found out that there was a recently published young adult novel talking about this topic in a historically accurate context. Read More

Teaser

Esfir Manevich is a young Jewish girl who lives in the Polish town of Kobrin in 1936. Facing anti-Semitism in public school, Esfir moves in with her charming aunt who runs a boardinghouse in the bustling city of Brest. Esfir struggles to find a place in her new life, all the while worrying about her diminishing role in the family she left behind. As the years pass, Esfir experiences the bombing of her hometown during the German invasion of 1939. When the Russians overtake the area, Esfir sees many of her socialist relatives and friends become disillusioned by the harsh restrictions. During the German occupation, Esfir and her family are enclosed in a ghetto where they develop heartbreaking methods of survival.

Promo

Esfir Manevich is a young Jewish girl who lives in the Polish town of Kobrin in 1936. Facing anti-Semitism in public school, Esfir moves in with her charming aunt who runs a boardinghouse in the bustling city of Brest. Esfir struggles to find a place in her new life, all the while worrying about her diminishing role in the family she left behind. As the years pass, Esfir experiences the bombing of her hometown during the German invasion of 1939. When the Russians overtake the area, Esfir sees many of her socialist relatives and friends become disillusioned by the harsh restrictions. During the German occupation, Esfir and her family are enclosed in a ghetto where they develop heartbreaking methods of survival.

About the Book

Esfir Manevich is a young Jewish girl who lives in the Polish town of Kobrin in 1936. Facing anti-Semitism in public school, Esfir moves in with her charming aunt who runs a boardinghouse in the bustling city of Brest. Being younger than the other boarders, Esfir struggles to find a place in her new life, all the while worrying about her diminishing role in the family she left behind. As the years pass, Esfir experiences the bombing of her hometown during the German invasion of 1939. When the Russians overtake the area, Esfir sees many of her socialist relatives and friends become disillusioned by the harsh restrictions. During the German occupation, Esfir and her family are enclosed in a ghetto where they develop heartbreaking methods of survival. In the summer of 1942, shortly before Esfir’s thirteenth birthday, the ghetto is liquidated and the inhabitants are forced onto cattle cars destined for the killing fields and Esfir must face unimaginable horror.

Editorial Content for The Homecoming

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Alyssa Cami

From Stacie Ramey, author of THE SISTER PACT, comes THE HOMECOMING an engaging, well-written examination of a family haunted by emotional and physical traumas.

John Strickland has been dealt a few bad hands in his life. His girlfriend, Leah, killed herself a year ago, and he blames himself for not only her death, but for the accident that left his brother Ryan physically and mentally handicapped when they were children.  Read More

Teaser

Starting senior year at a new high school and fitting into the family that shut him out is a challenge. And it's all that John can do to keep from turning back to bad habits. Lacrosse training helps him focus. As does Emily, the girl next door. She's sweet and smart, and makes him think his heart may finally be healing. Maybe he's ready to trust again. But tragedy has a way of finding John, and he must decide between saving his family or saving himself.

Promo

Starting senior year at a new high school and fitting into the family that shut him out is a challenge. And it's all that John can do to keep from turning back to bad habits. Lacrosse training helps him focus. As does Emily, the girl next door. She's sweet and smart, and makes him think his heart may finally be healing. Maybe he's ready to trust again. But tragedy has a way of finding John, and he must decide between saving his family or saving himself.

About the Book

John's mother kicked him out of the house when she couldn't handle his anger, and John's spent the last few years bouncing between relatives. But after his last scrape with the law, there's nowhere for him to go but home. Starting senior year at a new high school and fitting into the family that shut him out is a challenge. And it's all that John can do to keep from turning back to bad habits. Lacrosse training helps him focus. As does Emily, the girl next door. She's sweet and smart, and makes him think his heart may finally be healing. Maybe he's ready to trust again. But tragedy has a way of finding John, and he must decide between saving his family or saving himself.

Editorial Content for My Sister Rosa

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Maggie L., Teen Board Member

Ever since Che's sister Rosa was born when he was seven years old, his life has been anything but constant. His family moves around the globe every few years, his parents helping to start businesses that are beneficial to the planet. This time they're moving to New York, which is quite a bit different than their original home of Australia. The McBrunights, their wealthy family friends, are paying all of the expenses for their stay in return for the launch of a business for them. Che finds solace in boxing at his new gym, and soon becomes pretty content with life in New York. Read More

Teaser

Seventeen-year-old Aussie Che Taylor loves his younger sister, Rosa. But he’s also certain that she’s a psychopath --- clinically, threateningly, dangerously. Recently Rosa has been making trouble, hurting things. Che is the only one who knows; he’s the only one his sister trusts. Rosa is smart, talented, pretty, and very good at hiding what she is and the manipulation she’s capable of.

Promo

Seventeen-year-old Aussie Che Taylor loves his younger sister, Rosa. But he’s also certain that she’s a psychopath --- clinically, threateningly, dangerously. Recently Rosa has been making trouble, hurting things. Che is the only one who knows; he’s the only one his sister trusts. Rosa is smart, talented, pretty, and very good at hiding what she is and the manipulation she’s capable of.

About the Book

Seventeen-year-old Aussie Che Taylor loves his younger sister, Rosa. But he’s also certain that she’s a psychopath --- clinically, threateningly, dangerously. Recently Rosa has been making trouble, hurting things. Che is the only one who knows; he’s the only one his sister trusts. Rosa is smart, talented, pretty, and very good at hiding what she is and the manipulation she’s capable of.

Their parents, whose business takes the family from place to place, brush off the warning signs as Rosa’s “acting out.” Now that they have moved again—from Bangkok to New York City --- their new hometown provides far too many opportunities for Rosa to play her increasingly complex and disturbing games. Che’s always been Rosa’s rock, protecting her from the world. Now, the world might need protection from her.

Editorial Content for Of Fire and Stars

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Wren L., Teen Board Member

In a typical princess story, the prince rescues the princess, but it's the other way around in OF FIRE AND STARS by Audrey Coulthurst. Princess Dennaleia (Denna) enters the kingdom of Mynaria as the bride-to-be for Prince Thandilion. She needs to train to ride a Mynaria horse, though, and works with her fiance's sister Amaranthine (Mare.) Denna has to keep her fire Affinity under wraps because one slip-up and the alliance between Denna's Havemont and Mynaria will collapse.

But the kingdom of Mynaria is under attack. Who could be causing these attacks? Read More

Teaser

Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile kingdoms. But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire --- a dangerous gift for the future queen of a land where magic is forbidden. When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two work together, they discover there is more to one another than they thought --- and soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more. But with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly.

Promo

Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile kingdoms. But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire --- a dangerous gift for the future queen of a land where magic is forbidden. When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two work together, they discover there is more to one another than they thought --- and soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more. But with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly.

About the Book

An atmospheric and romantic debut fantasy perfect for fans of ASH and THE WINNER'S CURSE.

Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile kingdoms. But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire --- a dangerous gift for the future queen of a land where magic is forbidden.

Now Denna has to learn the ways of her new kingdom while trying to hide her growing magic. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria’s formidable warhorses before her coronation --- and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess Amaranthine, sister of her betrothed.

When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two work together, they discover there is more to one another than they thought --- and soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more. But with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly. Forced to choose between their duty and their hearts, Mare and Denna must find a way to save their kingdoms --- and each other.

Editorial Content for All in Pieces

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

McKenzie S., Teen Board Member

After stabbing her ex-boyfriend in the hand with a pencil, Savannah Sutton is sent to Brooks Academy- an alternate high school that also acts as temporary detention center. Her school and home life are both equally horrible. After her mother left them years ago, Savvy is left with the responsibility of taking care of her disabled brother while her alcoholic dad continues to pine. At school, Savvy has two friends in a large room of delinquents. Dark and mysterious Cameron sits at the back of the class, using communication only on special occasions. Read More

Teaser

Savvy’s struggling to take care of her brother since her mom left years ago, and her alcoholic dad can’t be bothered. Life with Evan, her disabled brother, is a constant challenge, but he’s also the most important person in the world to Savvy. Then there’s Camero. Cameron seems determined to break through every one of the walls Savvy’s built around herself, except if she lets herself trust him, it could make everything she’s worked so hard for fall apart in an instant. And with her aunt seeking custody of her brother and her ex-boyfriend seeking revenge, Savvy’s fighting to hold all the pieces together.

Promo

Savvy’s struggling to take care of her brother since her mom left years ago, and her alcoholic dad can’t be bothered. Life with Evan, her disabled brother, is a constant challenge, but he’s also the most important person in the world to Savvy. Then there’s Camero. Cameron seems determined to break through every one of the walls Savvy’s built around herself, except if she lets herself trust him, it could make everything she’s worked so hard for fall apart in an instant. And with her aunt seeking custody of her brother and her ex-boyfriend seeking revenge, Savvy’s fighting to hold all the pieces together.

About the Book

From New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Young comes a heartrending new novel about a girl struggling to deal with anger issues while taking care of her younger brother with special needs.

“Anger-management issues.”

That’s how they classified Savannah Sutton after she stuck a pencil in her ex-boyfriend’s hand because he mocked her little brother, Evan, for being disabled. That’s why they sent her to Brooks Academy --- an alternative high school that’s used as a temporary detention center.

The days at Brooks are miserable, but at home, life is far more bleak. Savvy’s struggling to take care of her brother since her mom left years ago, and her alcoholic dad can’t be bothered. Life with Evan is a constant challenge, but he’s also the most important person in the world to Savvy.

Then there’s Cameron, a new student at Brooks with issues of his own; a guy from a perfect family that Savvy thought only existed on TV. Cameron seems determined to break through every one of the walls Savvy’s built around herself, except if she lets herself trust him, it could make everything she’s worked so hard for fall apart in an instant.

And with her aunt seeking custody of her brother and her ex-boyfriend seeking revenge, Savvy’s fighting to hold all the pieces together. But she’s not sure how much tighter she can be pulled before she breaks completely.

Young Adult and Ages 14-up