- Acevedo, Elizabeth. The Poet X. 2018. Harper Teen. Xiomara Batista struggles with, well, most things in her life- her mother, her twin, and her place in the Catholic church. In the past, she’s used her fists to solve problems, as well as secretly writing poetry, but now it may be time to use those poems to fight back.
- Albertalli, Becky & Silvera, Adam. What if It’s Us. 2018. Harper Teen. After the universe brings Arthur and Ben together outside the post office, neither make a move and both leave wondering if they missed a chance at love. What if they were meant to be?
- Black, Holly. The Cruel Prince. 2018. Little, Brown and Company. Violently taken from her human home, Jude has struggled to navigate the dark world of the Fae. Jaded from years of being viewed as inferior for being human, she publicly challenges the wicked Prince Cardan and his friends, unleashing the prince’s wrath upon her and her sisters.
- Caletti, Deb. A Heart in a Body in the World. 2018. Simon Pulse. After a traumatic incident, Annabelle manages to finish her senior year with the support of her friends and family and the comfort of routine: school, work, cross-country. One night, she reaches her breaking point and she begins to run – across the US. Along the way she becomes a reluctant activist.
- Ireland, Justina. Dread Nation. 2018. Balzer + Bray. In post-Civil War America where the dead have refused to stay buried, Jane has spent her entire life training in a special combat school for African American children, preparing to save the lives of the wealthy. When entire families go missing, she learns her combat skills are incredibly useful- against both the dead and the living.
- Jackson, Tiffany D. Monday’s Not Coming. 2018. Katherine Tegen Books. When Claudia’s best friend Monday suddenly disappears without a trace, Claudia knows something is up and will not stop until she uncovers the possible horrifying truth.
- Khorram, Adib. Darius the Great is Not Okay. 2018. Dial Books. Darius is not okay with his impossible-to-please father, his mother and sister’s shared Farsi sisterhood, and his “Fractional Persian” heritage. A family trip to his mother’s homeland means learning more about his family, himself, and the many forms love can take.
- Mills, Emma. Foolish Hearts. 2017. Henry Holt & Co. When Claudia finds herself ensnared in a school production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, she must also navigate the elaborate politics of her private girls’ school, her budding friendship with prickly Iris, and a charming, tentative romance in addition to family drama in this funny, feel-good contemporary novel.
- Norton, Preston. Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe. 2018. Disney Hyperion. Aaron is the star of Happy Valley High School until he suffers a concussion after a boating accident, or receives a visit from God, depending on who you believe. God gives him a to-do list and tells him he will need the help of Cliff Hubbard (a.k.a. Neanderthal).
- Plozza, Shivaun. Frankie. 2017. Flatiron Books. Frankie Vega’s half-brother suddenly presents himself, and just as she begins to get to know him, he disappears. Frankie is the only one who seems worried about his whereabouts so she sets out to find him.