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Saturday May 20, 2023

In 'Julieta and the Romeos,' a teen aims to uncover the identity of her mystery man

‎ Balzer + Bray

Review

Book Reviews

In 'Julieta and the Romeos,' a teen aims to uncover the identity of her mystery man

May 20, 2023 • In Maria E. Andreu's latest YA romance, Julieta Toledo escapes into writing, the perfect haven for her increasingly runaway imagination. There she connects with the mysterious "Happily Ever Drafter."

Saturday April 8, 2023

College dreams and teen love find common ground in 'Promposal'

Poppy

Review

Book Reviews

College dreams and teen love find common ground in 'Promposal'

April 8, 2023 • In RaeChell Garrett's delightful YA book, a Black teen entrepreneur launches a start-up where she is paid to help conceive and execute elaborate prom date proposals for fellow classmates.

Tuesday March 15, 2022

'One For All' is a gender-bent retelling of 'The Three Musketeers'

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Review

Book Reviews

'One For All' is a gender-bent retelling of 'The Three Musketeers'

March 15, 2022 • In Lillie Lainoff's YA novel, a teen with a chronic illness aims to follow in the forthright footsteps of her father, a former Musketeer.

Thursday March 10, 2022

'The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea' asks: What is it that defines our destiny?

Feiwel & Friends

Review

Book Reviews

'The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea' asks: What is it that defines our destiny?

March 10, 2022 • Axie Oh's retelling of "The Tale of Shim Cheong" explores what happens when love of family changes the trajectory of those involved in the Sea God's search for a hundredth, and final, bride.

Thursday January 6, 2022

'One True Loves' stirs a journey to a successful future with a bit of love

One True Loves, by Elise Bryant Balzer + Bray hide caption

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Balzer + Bray

Review

Book Reviews

'One True Loves' stirs a journey to a successful future with a bit of love

January 6, 2022 • Elise Bryant tells a fantastic tale full of shenanigans and escapades, while also delving into deeper issues of race and the perception of a successful future for young people of color.

Tuesday November 9, 2021

Want a good, therapeutic cry? Pick up 'You've Reached Sam'

Wednesday Books

Review

Book Reviews

Want a good, therapeutic cry? Pick up 'You've Reached Sam'

November 9, 2021 • The heartbreak starts right away in Dustin Thao's debut novel: 17-year-old Julie's boyfriend Sam is killed in a car crash — but then she calls his phone, just to hear his voice again. And he answers.

Friday October 15, 2021

'Why We Fly' flips dusty old cheerleader stereotypes upside down

Sourcebooks Fire

Review

Book Reviews

'Why We Fly' flips dusty old cheerleader stereotypes upside down

October 15, 2021 • In their new YA novel, Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal tell the story of a cheerleading squad whose white captain convinces them to take a knee to protest injustice — and the backlash that follows.

Sunday September 19, 2021

Despite The Title, We Bet You'll Like This YA Novel — A Lot

Katherine Tegen Books

Review

Book Reviews

Despite The Title, We Bet You'll Like This YA Novel — A Lot

September 19, 2021 • Michelle Quach's immensely lovable YA debut Not Here to Be Liked centers on Eliza, who's just been done out of her dream job as editor of the high school paper by an unqualified but very charming boy.

Sunday August 29, 2021

This YA Yarn Would Be A Bit More Bewitching If Its Witch Made Better Choices

Viking Books for Young Readers

Review

Book Reviews

This YA Yarn Would Be A Bit More Bewitching If Its Witch Made Better Choices

August 29, 2021 • Laura Sibson's Edie in Between follows our heroine as she learns her own magic and unravels a family mystery. If only we didn't have to keep yelling at her to stay out of the metaphorical basement.

Sunday August 8, 2021

In 'Like Other Girls,' You Can Be — And Play — Whatever You Want. Even Football.

Disney-Hyperion

Review

Book Reviews

In 'Like Other Girls,' You Can Be — And Play — Whatever You Want. Even Football.

August 8, 2021 • Britta Lundin's Like Other Girls follows Mara, a hot-tempered 6'2" high school sports star who's booted from basketball for brawling, but finds a new life and a new way of being on the football field.

Saturday July 31, 2021

Feeling Lost? These 3 Fantasy Novels Will Help You Be The Hero Of Your Own Story

St. Martin's Griffin

Review

NPR Books Summer Poll 2021: A Decade Of Great Sci-Fi And Fantasy

Feeling Lost? These 3 Fantasy Novels Will Help You Be The Hero Of Your Own Story

July 31, 2021 • Sometimes books can be a literal escape, not just a figurative one. Our critic Alethea Kontis recommends three fantasy novels that helped her along the way as she escaped an abusive relationship.

Monday July 19, 2021

'Radha And Jai' Is A Toe-Tapping Dance Romance Treat

Radha & Jai's Recipe for Romance, by Nisha Sharma Crown Books for Young Readers hide caption

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Crown Books for Young Readers

Review

Book Reviews

'Radha And Jai' Is A Toe-Tapping Dance Romance Treat

July 19, 2021 • Nisha Sharma's new YA novel follows two Indian American teenagers who overcome differing backgrounds to find love while prepping for an important dance competition — a perfect teen movie setup.

Monday June 14, 2021

'Lost Letters' Lead To New Love — And Hard Choices — In This YA Romance

Razorbill

Review

Book Reviews

'Lost Letters' Lead To New Love — And Hard Choices — In This YA Romance

June 14, 2021 • Hannah Reynolds new YA romance The Summer of Lost Letters follows teenaged Abby's quest to learn more about her grandmother's past — and a possible love affair captured in mysterious letters.

Saturday June 5, 2021

A Wannabe Influencer Gets Sent To Digital Detox In 'Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous'

Sourcebooks Fire

Review

Book Reviews

A Wannabe Influencer Gets Sent To Digital Detox In 'Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous'

June 5, 2021 • Sunny — the protagonist of Suzanne Park's new young adult novel — is mortified when a PG-13 video accidentally goes viral, and even worse, her parents send her to a rural farm to get her off-line.

Saturday May 29, 2021

'Sixteen Scandals' Rewinds A Teen Classic To Regency England

HMH Books for Young Readers

Review

Book Reviews

'Sixteen Scandals' Rewinds A Teen Classic To Regency England

May 29, 2021 • Sophie Jordan's romp of a novel follows Primrose Ainsworth, youngest of four sisters, who escapes the family on her 16th birthday for an adventure through Regency London with a charming mystery man.

Saturday April 24, 2021

'What's Not To Love'? Only A Few Moments In This Otherwise Charming Story

Viking Books for Young Readers

Review

Book Reviews

'What's Not To Love'? Only A Few Moments In This Otherwise Charming Story

April 24, 2021 • The married-in-real-life team of Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka have a new YA romance, about a toxic (maybe too toxic) high school rivalry that, of course, turns to love in the end.

Sunday March 7, 2021

'Once Upon A Quinceañera' Has Fairy Tale Charm

HarperTeen

Review

Book Reviews

'Once Upon A Quinceañera' Has Fairy Tale Charm

March 7, 2021 • Monica Gomez-Hira's debut novel follows a Miami teen whose job as a party princess brings her into contact with the ex who ruined her chance to have her own quinceañera — and of course, sparks fly.

Saturday February 27, 2021

Love May Be 'For Losers,' But This Book Is For Everyone

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Review

Book Reviews

Love May Be 'For Losers,' But This Book Is For Everyone

February 27, 2021 • Wibke Brueggemann's charmingly snarky YA novel follows teenaged Phoebe as she recovers from the Worst New Year's Ever and learns that not all of life's answers can be found via Google.

Saturday January 9, 2021

A Fairy Godmother Gets Her Own Wish In 'Glimpsed'

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Books

A Fairy Godmother Gets Her Own Wish In 'Glimpsed'

January 9, 2021 • G.F. Miller's new novel follows Charity, a teenaged fairy godmother who tries to keep her distance from the "Cindies" she helps — until the wishes she grants start going disastrously wrong.

Saturday November 7, 2020

If You Could Administer 'Instant Karma,' What Would You Do?

Feiwel & Friends

Review

Book Reviews

If You Could Administer 'Instant Karma,' What Would You Do?

November 7, 2020 • Marissa Meyer's new novel follows a girl who — after a karaoke rendition of John Lennon's "Instant Karma" and a blow to the head — develops the ability to visit swift retribution on wrongdoers.

Saturday October 10, 2020

'The Code For Love And Heartbreak' Isn't 'Emma' — But It Is Charming

Inkyard Press

Review

Book Reviews

'The Code For Love And Heartbreak' Isn't 'Emma' — But It Is Charming

October 10, 2020 • Jillian Cantor's new YA novel lifts some of the elements of Jane Austen's classic — like character names — wholesale. But you'll enjoy it more if you don't expect the plot to follow exactly.

Sunday September 6, 2020

Getting Lost In A Good Book — Literally — In 'Kind Of A Big Deal'

Roaring Brook Press

Review

Book Reviews

Getting Lost In A Good Book — Literally — In 'Kind Of A Big Deal'

September 6, 2020 • In Shannon Hale's new novel, a former child actor — who's finding her teen years challenging after a failed audition — discovers that she can physically enter books and become part of their stories.

Sunday August 30, 2020

Frog And Toad Are Great, But Have You Met 'The Man Who Took The Indoors Out'?

HarperCollins

Review

NPR Books Summer Poll: Kids' Books

Frog And Toad Are Great, But Have You Met 'The Man Who Took The Indoors Out'?

August 30, 2020 • When you think of author and illustrator Arnold Lobel, you probably think of Frog and Toad, his amphibian forever friends — but this story of loving things and letting them go deserves a fresh look.

Thursday July 16, 2020

If You Got A 'Do-Over,' Would You Like Your New Life?

Swoon Reads

Review

Book Reviews

If You Got A 'Do-Over,' Would You Like Your New Life?

July 16, 2020 • Pretty in Pink meets Sliding Doors in this what-if story. High-schooler Emelia gets the chance to go back and change one decision in her past — but then she has to learn to live with the changes.

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