May What’s New In Kids & Teens!
The Youth Department has tons of new titles waiting for you to check out! Visit us in-person or our digital collection.
New YA Fiction
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley. The debut novel from author Angeline Boulley sets an intriguing new direction for YA thrillers. As a biracial, unenrolled tribal member, 18-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, whether in her hometown or on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. Daunis wants to study medicine, but that’s put on hold when she witnesses a shocking murder. She agrees to go undercover to solve the crime, using her knowledge of chemistry and traditional Native medicine.
Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare. The latest Shadowhunters book picks up where last year’s Chain of Gold left off. A killer is loose in the dangerous and magical streets of Edwardian London. All the usual suspects are back: Cordelia Carstairs, Lucie Herondale, Grace Blackthorn, and the Merry Thieves. There are, however, complications. Lucie has some dubious necromancy planned, that serial killer seems to be targeting the Shadowhunters specifically, and the arch-demon Belial may be skulking around behind some innocent-looking plot points.
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson. The second installment of Holly Jackson’s across-the-pond hit series makes its way onto U.S. shelves this month. After the events of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, girl detective–turned–podcaster Pip is determined to hang up her investigative hat. But just when she thinks she’s done with the sleuthing game for good, a disappearance that the police won’t take seriously pulls her right back in. Those sleeping dogs, they just won’t lie
Namesake by Adrienne Young. Young adventurer Fable, teenage seafarer, was raised on the waves. As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, she was born with passion in her heart and salt in her veins. Now that she’s free of her father, Fable and the crew of the good ship Marigold must square off against new dangers. This concluding volume of the Fable series promises plenty of action and high-seas intrigue, plus a bit of romance for those times of calmer waters.
She’s Too Pretty to Burn by Wendy Heard. Inspired by the classic novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, author Wendy Heard’s new book is being billed as a psychological YA thriller that explores the intersections of love, art, danger, and power. Veronica and Nico are friends and artists on the underground scene in San Diego. When a new girl catches Veronica’s eye, the chaos starts to ramp up: A fire. Two murders. Three drowned bodies.
Sing Me Forgotten by Jessica S. Olson. Isda lives in the opera house—and only in the opera house. Cast into a well at birth, she was saved from death by Cyril, the opera house owner, who wants to harness her magical abilities for his own greedy ends. But everything changes the day Isda meeting Emeric, the charming young man who may be able to help her escape from her lonely existence. This debut novel from author Jessica S. Olson has a unique premise and an appealing vibe.
Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart. Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut about two enemy witches who must enter into a deadly alliance to take down a common enemy has the twisted cat-and-mouse. Divided by their order. United by their vengeance. Iraya has spent her life in a cell, but every day brings her closer to freedom—and vengeance. Jazmyne is the Queen’s daughter, but unlike her sister before her, she has no intention of dying to strengthen her mother’s power. Sworn enemies, these two witches enter a precarious alliance to take down a mutual threat. But power is intoxicating, revenge is a bloody pursuit, and nothing is certain—except the lengths they will go to win this game.
New Juvenile Fiction and Non-Fiction
Life In the Balance by Jen Petro-Roy. Veronica struggles to balance softball, friends, and family turmoil in this new honest and heartfelt middle grade novel by Jen Petro-Roy, Life in the Balance. Veronica Conway has been looking forward to trying out for the All-Star softball team for years. She’s practically been playing the game since she was a baby. She should have this tryout on lock. Except right before tryouts, Veronica’s mom announces that she’s entering rehab for alcoholism, and her dad tells her that they may not be able to afford the fees needed to be on the team. Veronica decides to enter the town talent show in an effort to make her own money, but along the way discovers a new hobby that leads her to doubt her feelings for the game she thought she loved so much. Is her mom the only one learning balance, or can Veronica find a way to discover what she really wants to do with her life?
Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte
Deaf author and librarian Ann Clare LeZotte weaves an Own Voices story inspired by the true history of a thriving deaf community on Martha’s Vineyard in the early 19th century. Mary Lambert has always felt safe and protected on her beloved island of Martha’s Vineyard. Her great-grandfather was an early English settler and the first deaf islander. Now, over a hundred years later, many people there – including Mary – are deaf, and nearly everyone can communicate in sign language. Mary has never felt isolated. She is proud of her lineage. But recent events have delivered winds of change. Mary’s brother died, leaving her family shattered. Tensions over land disputes are mounting between English settlers and the Wampanoag people. And a cunning young scientist has arrived, hoping to discover the origin of the island’s prevalent deafness. His maniacal drive to find answers soon renders Mary a “live specimen” in a cruel experiment. Her struggle to save herself is at the core of this novel.
Starfish by Lisa Fipps
Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed and does something about it in this poignant debut novel-in-verse. Ever since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she’s been bullied about her weight. To cope, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Rules–like “no making waves,” “avoid eating in public,” and “don’t move so fast that your body jiggles.” And she’s found her safe space–her swimming pool–where she feels weightless in a fat-obsessed world. In the water, she can stretch herself out like a starfish and take up all the room she wants. It’s also where she can get away from her pushy mom, who thinks criticizing Ellie’s weight will motivate her to diet. Fortunately, Ellie has allies in her dad, her therapist, and her new neighbor, Catalina, who loves Ellie for who she is. With this support buoying her, Ellie might finally be able to cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life–by unapologetically being her own fabulous self.
Super Slime: 30 Safe and Inventive Slime Recipes.
Perfect for taking slime creation to the next level. The amazing slime recipes in this book are sometimes gross, sometimes sparkly, sometimes edible, but ALWAYS loads of fun. More than 30 innovative recipes, using inexpensive, accessible, and safe ingredients, will teach you everything you need to know about how to make slime.
New Manga & Graphic Novels
Juvenile Graphic novels and Manga
Ever After by Olivia Vieweg. Vivi and Eva are two travelers in a countryside filled with the undead. After a train breaks down, stranding them between safe zones, the young women partner up to stay alive. Vivi is struggling with grief–and guilt–over the loss of her sister. Eva is hiding the start of a horrifying transformation. Together they’ll face heat, zombie hordes, and their own inner demons, searching for signs of life in a land of the dead. This graphic novel addition to an enduring genre is thoughtful and emotion-driven, but also full of zombie scares and action.
Oh My Gods! By Juliana Moon. Karen is just an average thirteen-year-old from New Jersey who loves to play video games with her friends and watch movies with her mom. But when she moves to Greece to live with her eccentric, mysterious father, Zed, suddenly everything she thought about herself—about life—is up in the air. Starting a new school can be difficult, but starting school at Mt. Olympus Junior High, where students are gods and goddesses, just might take the cake. Especially when fellow classmates start getting turned to stone. Greek mythology . . . a little less myth, a little more eek! And if Karen’s classmates are immortal beings, who does that make her?
YA Graphic novels and Manga
A Witch’s love at the End of the World by Kujira. In a world where magic rules from the shadows, there exists a school for witches. This mysterious academy trains young witches on a path of revenge against those who have used them only as tools. Alice, a magical prodigy, has lived her life by this goal only to have her world turned upside down when Mari, a magic-less human, enters the school and her heart!
New Easy Reader Fiction
The Purple Puffy Coat by Maribeth Boelts. Beetle gives Stick Bug an attention-grabbing coat for his birthday–but is that what Stick Bug really wants? A delightful story about friends learning to understand each other. It’s almost Stick Bug’s birthday, and his fashionable friend Beetle can’t wait to give him his present–a purple puffy coat! The coat draws a lot of attention and makes Stick Bug really stick out in the crowd. Beetle thinks that’s terrific! He brings Stick Bug all over town, happily boasting and bragging (while Stick Bug waits behind a tree, in a pile of leaves, or under a bench). Oh, dear–maybe Stick Bug isn’t as wild about the purple puffy coat as Beetle is! What can the two friends do? Charming illustrations bring to life both characters’ endearing struggles in this warm and humorous story about learning to pay attention to what makes your friend happy rather than what makes you happy.
Perfect Pigeons by Katherine Battersby. One plucky pigeon dares to fly against the flock in this brightly illustrated, laugh-out-loud picture book about embracing the things that make us different. A colorful flock of pigeons pride themselves on their perfect unity. All except one: a bespectacled pigeon who is happiest doing its own thing. While the flock all looks the same, this pigeon enjoys wearing cowboy boots. While the flock flies in perfect formation, this pigeon soars like a superhero. When the flock finally confronts their contrary friend, they learn a thing or two about true perfection—and that we don’t all have to be the same to belong together.
Mr. Brown’s Bad Day by Lou Peacock, Alison Friend. Mr. Brown is a very important tiger who works in a very important office all day long. His briefcase contains some very important things, so he keeps it by his side at all times. When Mr. Brown’s briefcase goes missing, his world is turned upside down. He must get his briefcase back! Mr. Brown goes on a wild chase all over town. Will he find it–and what could possibly be inside?
Don’t forget to check out our digital collection with Overdrive . Check out new eBooks and Audio books with Libby
Patricia Blanco Sr. Librarian-Youth Services
Blanco-patricia@monroecounty-fl.gov
*Descriptions provided by Goodreads.com