On your way to completing our 100 Books Before Graduation challenge, but not sure what to read next? Our teen librarians have some recommendations for you! Give one (or a few) of these a try to help you complete the challenge!
The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson (also on Libby and Hoopla)
Recommended by Kelley
Review: Fans of Jackson's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series will love this standalone mystery thriller about 18 year-old Bel, who is determined to uncover the truth about her missing mother, Rachel, while filming a documentary on the unsolved case. The book takes a wild turn when Rachel reappears with an unbelievable story about what happened the last 16 years. Holly Jackson’s writing is so good, it will keep you hooked until the end and then make you wish there was more.
Funeral Girl by Emma K. Ohland (also on Hoopla)
Recommended by Kelley
Review: The story centers on 16 year-old Georgia, whose family owns a funeral home. Since she was young, she’s had the ability to summon the ghosts of the deceased and help them with their final wishes. This ability takes a toll on her and her relationship with the family business, especially when one of her classmates dies unexpectedly and she has the opportunity to help him with his final wish… This is a truly heartwarming story full of likable and relatable characters. I would recommend it to anyone looking to try something new. A great spooky season read.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (also on Libby and Hoopla)
Recommended by Max
Review: The latest addition and prequel to The Hunger Games is a heartbreaking and thought-provoking look into the greater universe of the series, but also darkly mirrors a lot of what happens in today's world regarding tyranny and suppression.
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (also on Libby and Hoopla)
Recommended by Max
Review: A cool exploration of what happens to kids when they come back from their fantasy adventures, and how the magical (and sometimes, not-so magical) challenges can still come back to haunt them. The first part in a series of bite-sized novellas that are quick and easy to read through.
The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer (also on Libby and Hoopla)
Recommended by William
Review: Ambrose wakes up on a ship with no recollection of taking off. He notices signs that someone else has been on the ship. He cannot quite figure out what is going on especially when the only other person on the ship is refusing to talk to him. They are going to need to work together if they want to save Ambrose’s sister, and figure out what is happening on this ship.
This book is a fantastic sci-fi queer romance. Do not look more into this book before reading it. If the premise sounds interesting give it a shot. You won’t be disappointed.
Witch Hat Atelier Vol. 1 written and illustrated by Kamome Shirahama (also on Libby)
Recommended by William
Review: Coco has always wanted to be a witch, but she knows that she cannot just become one. Witches are born, not made. This all changes when she meets a witch named Qifrey. He asks her to make sure nobody sees him performing magic, but a little peek never hurt anyone. Right? Coco sneaks in and peeks down from the rafters thus learning the secret behind magic and changing her life forever.
This is one of the best manga series I have read in a while. The art is gorgeous, the magic system is fascinating, and the cast of characters are all great. This story is a cozy fantasy romp with something darker hiding beneath the surface.
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson (also on Libby and on Hoopla en Español)
Recommended by Justina
Review: A fun magical adventure between a sword-wielding librarian and a mildly pretentious wizard. Elisabeth grew up in a magical library, and she knows the power of books. When she accidentally witnesses her mentor's death at the hands of the enchanted tomes, she begins a journey to try to fix things. It was refreshing to see a protagonist who both loved books and could swing a sword, and valued both equally, and I sped through this book wanting more.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (also on Libby and Hoopla)
Recommended by Justina
Review: A lyrical supernatural story about found family amid enchanted woods, unfortunate fortunes, and high school. Blue's future was foretold: she will kill her true love when she kisses him. Good thing she knows better than to kiss anyone. But when she gets caught in a mystery the so-called Raven Boys, prep students from the good side of town, are exploring and realizes she can help, her future, and the futures of the Raven Boys, opens up more than they ever thought. I love the quirky characters, which all feel larger than life but also completely natural. The prose is gorgeous, and you can tell the author loved writing this story to its conclusion.
Want to share your recommendations with us? Email them to [email protected]!
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Manga Rec: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run by Hirohiko Araki
Spoiler-free review by: William
Content warnings: violence, gore, sexual assault
5 stars. This is the latest part of the long running JoJo series to be translated into English. The series follows the Joestar family and their battle against evil across generations.
The seventh part is a major shift for the series. The ending of part six, no spoilers, left Araki with little room to do much else. He solved this by setting this part, and the parts after it, in an entirely different timeline.
This also means that if you are intimidated by having to read hundreds of chapters to read this you do not have to worry. There will be some call backs that you will miss if you have not read other parts but nothing that will ruin the experience.
Steel Ball Run follows Johnny Joestar, a former jockey who was paralyzed from the waist down in a violent attack. He goes to America in 1890 to see the Steel Ball Run, a horse race from San Diego to New York City.
Johnny enters the race after briefly gaining movement in his legs. This is caused by Gyro Zeppelli’s steel balls hitting Johnny. What follows is a race across some of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen in a manga. Araki visited America to get a feel of its scope and to better understand it the landscape and it shows.
The series still features Araki’s signature power system of stands. They are at both their most absurd and interesting. The overall villain of this part’s power in particular is a real standout.
I would recommend this part to both new and long time fans of the JoJo series. It is Araki’s best work, in my opinion, the whole story from start to finish is so great. It sets up the next part expertly while still providing a satisfying end to the narrative. A must read for fans of action-adventure graphic novels.
Read what we're reading! Here's what's been in LCPL librarian William's pile lately:
Read: 20th Century Boys by Naoki Urasawa
4.5 stars. Children have wild imaginations, and they oftentimes think of pretty crazy things. For Kenji and his friends that was the book of prophecy: A book about a series of attacks that lead to a giant robot trampling Tokyo. They grow up and quickly forget about it. Until the year 1997 when the silly ideas that they came up with start coming true.
This manga series is a thrill from start to finish. Every arc raises the stakes in ways that are truly unexpected. A fantastic read that is only weighed down at points by minor pacing issues. Urasawa’s art is magnificent and genuinely unnerving at some points. If you do read the series make sure to read 21st Century Boys as well. It is basically an extra volume of the manga with a different name.
Reading: One Piece by Eiichiro Oda: (also available on Libby!)
I am a big fan of the anime and wanted to see how the manga differed. They are, of course, very similar but they differ in one major way: pacing. The anime has to have an episode come out every week. To achieve this they sometimes adapt a singular chapter per episode. The manga does not suffer from the same issues. If you tried watching the anime and bounced off it because of the pacing, give the manga a try.
To Be Read: Monster by Naoki Urasawa
I am really looking forward to reading this. I have heard many people say that it is Urasawa’s best work. I am hoping it is just as much of a twisty thriller as 20th Century Boys.
