The Way I Used To Be is a realistic fiction teen novel that follows the young woman, Eden, through her trauma-riddled high school years. Eden used to enjoy band and book club, but after she is raped by her brother’s best friend, she buries the trauma and the girl she used to be. Later in high school, she occupies her time by drinking and partying with strangers, it’s the only thing that helps her forget.
Love & Lattes is a realistic fiction young adult romance novel that follows Anna through her prestigious summer internship with Arrowmile, Inc. She’s been working so hard for a spot in the internship, but when she accidentally falls for the CEO’s son, Lloyd, she watches her career flash before her eyes. Between the rigorous work of the internship and sneaking around with Lloyd, Anna barely has time to make professional connections and friends.
Everything We Never Said is a realistic fiction young adult novel that follows Ella and Sawyer through the grief of losing Hayley, Ella’s best friend and Sawyer’s girlfriend. Ella blames herself for what happened on that tragic night, and she feels like a shell of who she used to be. Meanwhile, Sawyer knows something Ella doesn’t, but he can't tell her, it would ruin everything.
People We Meet on Vacation is a heartwarming and emotional friends-to-lovers romance that is about two best friends, Poppy and Alex, who have known each other for 12 years. Poppy and Alex are complete opposites: Poppy is adventurous and wild, while Alex is introverted and likes a routine. Despite their differences, they’ve been inseparable because they have a tradition: every summer, they take a vacation together. The story goes back and forth between past and present times.
This novel contains description of sexual assault.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman follows high schoolers in a small Swedish town with little going for it besides their budding hockey team. The only way that the town can bring in financial opportunities is if their hockey team wins the national championship. However after Kevin, the star player of the team, assaults Maya, the daughter of the head coach of the youth hockey team, the town is ripped apart.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a fantastic book that really connects with readers through its honest look at average teenage struggles. It follows Holden Caulfield, a teenager who feels lost and frustrated by the world around him. Salinger writes in a way that makes Holden’s thoughts and feelings relatable, capturing the challenges of growing up and advancing through life. The themes of innocence and the search for genuine connections are powerful throughout the story.
Stargirl is a fascinating novel that explores themes of individuality, nonconformity and the challenges of fitting in. The story is about Leo Borlock, an ordinary high school student in Mica, Arizona, whose world is completely changed when Stargirl Caraway, a quirky and free-spirited new girl, arrives at school. She is not like anyone Leo—or the rest of the school—has ever met. She wears strange clothing, plays the ukulele and sings to people on their birthdays. Initially, her personality made her very popular.
Touchdown Kid is an exciting sports story about Cory, a skilled young football player from a tough background. When he gets a chance to go to a top private school because of his football talent, he faces new challenges on and off the field. He must earn his teammates’ trust while also handling friendships, loyalty and staying true to himself. The book shows the struggles and dreams of young athletes while keeping the football action exciting.
Attack of the Black Rectangles follows Mac Delany and his friends in their fight for the truth at their school after they discover that the books in their classroom have words blotted out with Sharpie. When they confront their teacher about it, she blows off their concerns as childish and explains that sometimes, children need to be ‘protected from the truth’. But Mac and his friends know that isn’t true. In fact, their whole class wants the truth.
Lily Bloom, who is a single mother who tries to regain control of her life after she escaped an abusive relationship. Lily emphasizes her struggles and accomplishes during this time. If you have read It Ends With Usby Colleen Hoover, I would suggest you read this book. I was expecting more out of this read after reading It Ends With Us, but I was a little bit disappointed. The content in the book was not what I expected.
