American Street. By Ibi Zoboi

At the intersection between Joy and American Street, Haitian immigrant Fabiola joins her cousins and aunt in Detroit while her mom waits in immigration detention. Trying to make sense of her new life, she finds herself caught between culture and change, between loyalty and love, between her past and her future. Balancing conflicting, shifting truths, Fabiola is soon faced with choices she never expected.

The Boys in the Boat: The True Story of an American Team’s Epic Journey to Win Gold at the 1936 Olympics. By Daniel James Brown

(Young Readers’ Edition) Adapted from the adult best-seller, this is a riveting nonfiction account of a legendary team of working class kids who achieved their dream of an Olympic medal through guts, grit, and the magic of true teamwork.

Code Name Verity. By Elizabeth Wein

This superb World War II novel will keep you on the edge of your seat, from the first page to the last, with a harrowing and intricately plotted tale of espionage, captivity, and survival that takes two girls behind enemy lines and tests the capacity of their courage and the power of their friendship.

Dumplin’. By Julie Murphy

Starring wonderfully complicated, rivetingly real Willowdean Dickson from Clover City, Texas, everything about this book is unapologetically big: the humor, the drama, the Dolly Parton adoration, the pageant, the pageant sabotage plan, and the girl.

Everything, Everything. By Nicola Yoon

Maddy is a “bubble girl”; she can never leave her house as she has no immunities to infection. Her only contacts are her mother and her nurse, until Olly moves in next door. As she and Olly become friends, Maddy yearns for a life outside the confines of her own home. Will her big risk for freedom pay off?

RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 9 – 12

Evil Librarian. By Michelle Knudsen

The new librarian at Cyn’s school is very cute, and also evil - seriously; he’s an actual demon, and he’s targeted Cyn’s best friend to be his human consort! Now Cyn must team up with Ryan (her secret crush) to fight the forces of darkness, while still keeping the school production of Sweeney Todd on track and in tune.

Feed. By M.T. Anderson

In a futuristic society where everyone receives a constant “feed” of advertising and entertainment through a brain implant, Titus never questions anything until he meets rebellious Violet at a party on the moon. And then a hacker attacks their feeds...

The Hate U Give. By Angie Thomas

Starr lives in two worlds - the poor, urban neighborhood she calls home, and the upscale, mostly white private school she attends. When her friend Khalil is shot by a police officer and Starr is the only witness, she faces pressure and even threats from all sides, with her family caught in the middle. Now she must confront the difference between her own truth and the biased perceptions of

The House on Mango Street. By Sandra Cisneros

Yes, you could call this a “classic”, but not an old, dusty one. It’s the story of Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina growing up in Chicago, told in short vignettes that explore her relationships with family, friends, and the world around her.

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life. By Benjamin Alire Saenz

Despite being adopted, Sal has always felt like he belongs with his gay father, their loving Mexican American family, and his best friend, Samantha. But senior year is all about changes - for Sal, for his family, for Samantha - and suddenly Sal is questioning everything. How can you know where you belong when you’re no longer sure who you are?

Lucy & Linh. By Alice Pung A scholarship takes Lucy out of her immigrant community into the ruthless ranks of elite Laurinda Academy, where social power rules all. Through letters to her feisty friend from home, Lucy shares her struggle to stay true to herself, and to reconcile where she comes from with where she’s trying to go.

March: Book 3. By John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, Illustrated by Nate Powell Congressman John Lewis recalls his participation as a young man in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s in the epic and acclaimed graphic novel trilogy March. Volume three culminates with the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The Serpent King. By Jeff Zentner Dill’s father (a snake-handling minister) is in jail, and the only good things in his life are his guitar and his best friends - Travis, who escapes his abusive home life in fantasy novels, and Lydia, a fashion blogger who dreams of college. As graduation nears, Dill is torn between family, friendship, and his music, which just might end up being his way out.

Shadowshaper. By Daniel José Older Charged with picking up her grandfather’s mantle and wielding the shadowy magic of her ancestors, Sierra fights evil on the Brooklyn streets in a vibrant story where murals weep with the tears of lost souls and the power of art and culture takes center stage.

Shame the Stars. By Guadalupe García McCall

Tensions between the Texas Rangers and Mexican citizens divide star-crossed lovers Joaquín and Dulceña, until events finally force them to join together and choose a side. Texas history comes to life in this unique twist on Romeo and Juliet set during the Mexican Revolution.

Six of Crows. By Leigh Bardugo 17-year-old criminal mastermind Kaz Brekker has assembled a team of talented outcasts to break into an unbreakable prison. But when each team member has his or her own agenda - and whenmagic is involved - things don’t always go according to plan, and the biggest challenge may not be breaking into the prison, but escaping from it!

Snow White. By Matt Phelan The classic fairy tale is reimagined as an atmospheric graphic novel set in the Jazz Age. Samantha “Snow” White, daughter of the “King of Wall Street”, takes refuge with a gang of seven street boys to escape the clutches of her ex-showgirl stepmother.

Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina. By Michaela DePrince and Elaine DePrince From a childhood in war-ravaged Sierra Leone to a position in the Dutch National Ballet, Michaela DePrince’s inspiring memoir chronicles a riveting journey of tragedy, struggle, perseverance, and triumph that speaks well beyond the world of dance.

Thirteen Reasons Why: a novel. By Jay Asher When Clay Jenson receives a mysterious package of cassette tapes, he is surprised to hear the voice of Hannah Baker, a girl from his school who recently committed suicide. She has left the tapes for the thirteen people, including Clay, that contributed to her decision, to explain the thirteen reasons why she died.

A Wizard of Earthsea. By Ursula LeGuin This is one of the best high fantasy epics out there! The books chronicle the trials of the great wizard Ged as he struggles to restore balance to the world and maintain the delicate equilibrium between the realms of life and death.