Young Adult Staff Picks
A young goblin tries to save their best friend from a haunted mall, and to make matters worse her ex-best friend is back in town. This brightly spooky story will charm you with its themes of finding your own identity at your own pace, growing up, and how friendships change and develop over time.
— Stephanie N.
A dark and eerie graphic novel anthology that captures the unsettling in its beautiful artwork. The five fairy tale like stories, from a newly wife finding her husbands secret, to a girl spending her summer vacation with her older brother and his strangely cheery wife. Carrol is able to built the tension of what lurks in the dark while giving you lingering questions as to what exactly happened.
— Stephanie
When Joanna moves to London for her first job, she finds life full of sticky situations she didn't anticipate— roommate drama, new relationships, and a boss who takes credit for HER ideas. This unflinching look at anxiety and depression is full of wit and wisdom. The gorgeous artwork and color palette are just the cherry on top!
— Melanie R.
One of the most visually stunning books I've read, Cathedral provides an inside look into how these magnificent structures were brought to life in the 13th century. Watching as our fictional townspeople spend decades constructing their dream brings a new appreciation for the wonder of history and all that we have built around us. A truly awe-inspiring book no matter your age.
— Julianne DV.
Do you remember your dreams?? Did you know that there's actually a whole cast of characters, production crew, and plenty of drama (ha) that goes into your sleepy-time productions? A super creative take on navigating grief after Luna loses her beloved pup Murph AND her peace of mind. Grief, the poet, has many lessons to offer the young and old(er) among us.
— Genay J.
For anyone who loves to ask why and how everything in the world works. The most complicated (and simple) of concepts are laid out in a way that makes you say "oh, of course!" Super cool and plenty of fun, you'll soon know how everything from staplers to submarines works. If you're a fact lover at heart, you're sure to love this.
— Julianne DV.
What do you do when a new friend becomes your first crush? For Tuva, this question is plaguing the start to seventh grade and putting friendships to the test. Kids are either 'Team Maturity and Kissing' or 'Team War by the River', but belonging to one thing isn't really her style. A sensitive, sweet, and fresh take on the queer coming-of-age novel that'll make your heart leap out of your chest!
— Kasey
Half way through the 6th grade, Noah's best-friend Lewis, the only other trans boy in school, suddenly passes away. What follows is a haunting exploration of the childhood grieving process told through letters written and left outside for the elusive Mothman. Embark on an heartbreakingly beautiful journey through unimaginable loss and the complexity of self-discovery and coming out.
— Kasey
This collection of poems and prose and art pieces from Transgender youth is a beautiful glimpse into the very real world of what being Trans is. No one is speaking for Trans youth herein, it is very much "in our own words" There is no glossing over the pain, but also no diminishing the triumphs and joys. With helpful tips for allies included, this book can make everyone feel a little more seen.
— Cass
Mums are best friends. Attached at the hip from "nappies." Then puberty hits. Growing back together, after growing apart, with the help of a not-exactly-planned wilderness adventure. And a super compassionate view of living with OCD.
— Genay
I loved this: the cover, title & story of friends creating a fake gang to scare away gentrifiers while they work out their dramas. It's also a great whodunit. Jade satirizes landlords, Marxists who oppress the black & brown kids they say they're fighting for & people who put their dogs in strollers with perfect pitch.
— Aurora
A queer Black girl tries to make the most of a second chance while trying to endure her violent, dysfunctional home life. Intimate and vulnerable, it reads like a late night chat with a close friend. A story that will stay with you for a long time.
— Aurora
This book always comes to mind when I think about grief and it always helps. Juliet writes letters to her dead mother as a way to feel connected and by accident, Declan begins reading them and then writes back. Soon they're both opening up to a perfect strangers, or at least they think. When school interferes, Juliet and Declan soon learn they're not such strangers after all.
— Samantha M.
One of the most original novels I've ever read: an angel and demon from Jewish folklore immigrate to America in the early 20th c. to track down a missing young woman & befriend another along the way. Heartbreaking, funny and full of the supernatural, its gender fluidity & labor activism undercurrents make it timeless.
— Aurora
A heavy memoir that showcases a young Korean immigrant's experience with her overbearing and abusive mother. Deborah's cultural identity and mental illness alienate her from everyone as she copes with the relentless bullying and racism. Nothing is sugarcoated in this emotional and beautifully illustrated memoir.
— Darline
"But she is a girl. And she is alone. And it is night. And that is enough." A darkly seductive tale of witchcraft, power, and the perils of girlhood (both demonic and mundane), The Invocations breathes life into a new generation of witches for those looking for something more violent and vengeful than your typical episode of Charmed.
— Melanie R.
A refreshingly nuanced take on Black success, wealth, communal responsibility, freedom, joy, and of course, love. We do love a good love story...or 4! Based on a real family, building a life, business, and legacy in America's post-slavery north. The best part, the series is just getting started!
— Genay
In my dreams I live in Moomin’s world. Full of whimsical friends, exciting adventures, and plenty of pancakes - there is so much to explore in Moominvalley. This collection of Tove Jansson's first 4 comic books is the perfect introduction to these wonderful new friends you are bound to love!
— Katie M.