Quick, Captivating Reads
Looking for a quick, captivating read? Check out these fast paced books!
An Absolutely
Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
Physical
Book • eBook • eAudio
April
May makes first contact with what might be an art installation, or might be an
Alien. Her viral video of the encounter gathers likes across the internet. As
more of the alien mystery reveals itself, April manages her online persona,
without destroying her relationships, or even losing her life.
A Curse So Dark
and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Physical
Book • eBook
A
Beauty and the Beast remake, where the Beast and Beauty are from two separate
worlds. The beast (Rhen) repeats each autumn trying to break the curse. Having
lost hope after 326 seasons, Rhen doesn't see the curse ending until Harper
(Beauty) arrives.
Heroine by Mindy
McGinnis
Physical Book • eBook • eAudio
When softball standout Mickey suffers a devastating injury, she turns to
oxycodone to relieve her pain, and eventually her social anxiety. As her
addiction spirals out of control, her family and her teammates struggle to keep
Mickey from losing herself, and all she’s worked for, to the drug.
Kiss Number 8
by Colleen AF Venable;
illustrated by Ellen T. Crenshaw.
Physical Book • eBook
Amanda “Mads” does not understand kissing. Kisses 1-7 were nothing exciting at
best, and hardly tolerable at worst. Kiss number 8, with a girl, threw her for
a loop. As her own experience runs parallel to a family history she knew
nothing about, Mads discovers much about kissing, and herself.
Look Both Ways by
Jason Reynolds
Physical
Book • eBook • eAudio
Ten short stories of young teens as they travel home from school. The stories
are woven together as the kids head in different directions on their way home.
Each story is poignant and heartfelt with pictures of realistic lives of the
neighborhood kids.
Pumpkinheads
by Rainbow Rowell.
Art by Faith Erin Hicks.
Physical Book • eBook
Deja and Josiah (Josi) have worked at the seasonal pumpkin patch all through
high school. On their last day, Deja helps Josi finally talk to "Fudge
Girl". After adventuring throughout the who park, and tasting all the
snacks on their way, Josi finally finds the girl of his dreams.
Shout by Laurie Halse
Anderson
Physical
Book • eBook • eAudio
Laurie Halse Anderson’s collection of poems about her turbulent childhood and
teenage years, including her sexual assault by a trusted friend. Her battles
and her bravery are revealed through emotionally-charged verses. Other topics
addressed include drug experimentation, finding one’s way, and forgiveness of
self and others.
Two Can Keep a
Secret by Karen McManus
Physical Book
• eBook
• eAudio
When Ellery and Ezra are forced to travel to their mother’s remote Vermont
hometown, they don’t expect that their classmates will start going missing.
When Ellery tries to solve the mystery, she’s drawn into the secrets of the
town.
UNpregnant
by Jenni Hendriks and Ted Caplan
Physical
Book • eBook • eAudio
Veronica discovers she’s pregnant after her boyfriend poked holes in a condom.
She decides to have an abortion but must travel 1000 miles for the procedure.
With her besties away, and her boyfriend now an unreliable option, Veronica
asks former friend Bailey to drive her and nothing goes as planned.
We Are
Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls around the World by
Malala Yousafzai
Physical
Book • eBook • eAudio
This title features Malala’s and others’ experiences as young people
displaced by war and violence. Their tales remind readers that many people
around the world have been uprooted from the lives they knew and are struggling
to be heard.
With the Fire on
High by Elizabeth Acevedo
Physical
Book • eBook • eAudio
Emani is a teen parent who loves to cook and wants to graduate high school so
she can continue to provide for her growing daughter. When a new culinary
program starts at her school, Emani may find opportunities that she never
thought possible.