When Loose Ends Meet

Gr. 8-12  Despite living in near poverty, Teodoro “T” Avila’s dream is to change his life during his junior year of high school. Fueled by a blossoming romance with Wendy Martinez and abstinence from video games, T’s goals are to better his grades, get into college, be with Wendy, and make something of himself. He partners with his best friend, Caleb, and things start to look up. But when T’s older, near-legendary brother, Manny, comes home from Iraq with extreme […]

Categories: Appeared in Booklist/ALA, Book Reviews, Young Adult Readers

Gr. 9-12  Cason Martin’s life is dance. As a talented corps member of the Atlanta Ballet Conservatory, she is no stranger to pain, but when her leg gives out during an audition, the diagnosis reveals an aggressive form of bone cancer. During chemo treatments, she meets Davis Channing, a schoolmate and cancer survivor who is doing community service at the hospital—part of his sentencing for drug possession and commitment to staying clean. [Read More]

Categories: Appeared in Booklist/ALA, Book Reviews, Young Adult Readers

Gr. 9-12  Ever since her best friend Kelly died, Ava hasn’t been herself. She’s been making bad choices and feels angry at everyone and everything. When gawky, introspective Gideon starts working with her at the Magic Kebab, they begin a friendship based on honesty, enhanced by letter writing because of Gideon’s self-imposed hiatus from electronic and digital communication. As Gideon opens up about his therapy and poetry slams, Ava feels compelled to reciprocate … [Read More]

Categories: Appeared in Booklist/ALA, Book Reviews, Young Adult Readers

Gr. 10-12  Based on the popular graphic-novel series Giant Days, Pratt retells a part of the story through the original three protagonists. Susan, Esther, and Daisy are first-year college students who make a most unlikely trio. Susan, the premed major and self-proclaimed sleuth, has a sharp wit and overly critical eye. Esther, the English major, worships all things goth. Daisy, the sweet homeschooled girl, struggles to find her feet in such an unfamiliar place. Yet, the three click. [Read More]

Categories: Appeared in Booklist/ALA, Book Reviews, Young Adult Readers

Gr. 9-12 *** Starred Review *** For Rumi Seto, creating music with her younger sister, Lea, was everything. But when Lea dies in a car accident, Rumi’s life is over, too. Beset by survivor’s guilt, she is plagued by the knowledge that Lea was the outgoing, perfect daughter who was closest to their mamo (mother). When Mamo sends Rumi to live with Aunt Ani in Hawaii, Rumi plunges into bottomless grief, constantly reminding herself that Mamo abandoned her because she […]

Categories: Appeared in Booklist/ALA, Book Reviews, Young Adult Readers

Gr. 9-12  According to family and friends, junior Morgan Kemper is sweet, smart, and together; however, since her parents split a year ago, she’s secretly been shoplifting. Despite craving the rush that comes with the act, Morgan repeatedly tells herself each time will be the last. Then she’s busted at the mall and sentenced to complete 30 hours of community service over the summer. Morgan believes she can do her time without her friends finding out, but her guilt over […]

Categories: Appeared in Booklist/ALA, Book Reviews, Young Adult Readers