VCL Young Adult Reading Suggestions: Katrina's Picks for Summer 2021 Grades 9-12

When Ashley catches her boyfriend with another girl on a camping trip, she takes off in a rage. The next morning, she finds herself injured, lost and alone. Not for the faint of heart, this story of survival is a thrilling tale that goes beyond "girl lost in woods".

Henri is a charming, determined high school senior running a dog-walking scheme to fund his Columbia University dream. When his no-nonsense neighbor Corinne uncovers the truth about his “business”, she ropes Henri into helping her change her image at school in return for keeping his secret. This is a funny, insightful read with interesting characters (and puppies)

Charlie Vega has many wonderful qualities. So why is her size the only thing her mother seems to notice about her? Her beautiful best friend Amelia is always on her side, but things get a little complicated when Brian comes into the picture. Written with care and compassion, this coming-of-age story will have you falling in love with Charlie as she’s learning to love herself.

Sunny Dae causes himself quite a few problems when he impulsively pretends to be in a band to impress the cool new girl. Instead of coming clean, he digs even deeper into the lie. But how long can he keep it up? Full of witty dialogue, delightful characters, and relatable situations, this rom-com is a very entertaining and surprisingly deep read.

Bree is still reeling from the death of her mother when she leaves home to attend a special program for high school students at Chapel Hill. The last thing she expects to see on her first night there is a demon attack. This is a nuanced, action-packed Arthurian re-telling that features a strong young Black woman coming into her magic. Addressing grief, systemic racism, and first love in the midst of an intense magical mystery, this one is not to be missed.

Yadriel is looking to prove himself as a brujo to his traditional Latinx family, who is having trouble coming to terms with gender. Yadriel performs a ritual and accidentally summons the ghost of local bad-boy Julian, who recruits Yadriel into helping him solve his own untimely death. Original, exciting, and romantic.

Nubia feels like the hero no one wants. Though her moms try to keep her safe by keeping her super-strength secret, Nubia must assume the role of protector when one of her friends is being threatened by a classmate. Timely and engaging, Nubia’s story will remind you what it means to be a hero.

The Flu Fly has knocked out the world as we know it. This story follows a few of the survivors as they navigate this harsh world, unraveling mysteries and fighting for their lives. Mind-bending, weird, exciting, and a little gruesome, this thrilling ride is worth taking.

Nora O’Malley is more than she appears. The daughter of a con artist, Nora must put her unusual skill set to the test when she and her friends are caught up in a bank heist. Unexpected twists, dark humor, and important friendships all define this page-turning thriller.

Daunis, as a biracial unenrolled Ojibwe tribal member, has enough problems in her hometown already without being drawn into a murder investigation. A new member on the prestigious local hockey team draws her attention, but even as they grow closer Daunis persists in investigating the tragedy in her community. This is a captivating, deeply affecting, tightly plotted mystery that grapples with some tough topics

When Ellery unexpectedly inherits a fortune from a billionaire she’s never heard of, her whole life is turned upside-down. To inherit the money, she is required to move into the very large, very puzzling, and very creepy Hawthorne House. The billionaire’s grandsons live there as well, and they are fiercely determined to uncover the mystery their grandfather left behind. A mysterious and thrilling story

Chinese-American Lily and her family live in San Francisco’s Chinatown in 1954, where the Red Scare haunts their community. It is not a good time to be Chinese, and it is definitely not a good time to fall in love with another girl. When Lily meets Kath, she is drawn into a new scene she could only ever imagine. Beautifully written and centering a heart-felt romance, this is a compelling and original story.

Told from the perspective of several different teens, this book explores the experiences of Japanese American citizens during WWII. This was a very thoughtful read that delves into an often overlooked slice of American history and draws you in with vivid characters and rapid pacing.

The author tells her life story in poem after powerful poem. Grimes explores how she discovered writing as a tool to help her process her emotions through a difficult and unstable childhood. Riveting.