Even though Mac was not initially excited to be in Ms. Sett’s 6th grade class, he begins to come around when she says she runs it like a college class and the students will be given a choice. That choice is immediately stolen when the copies of The Devil’s Arithmetic that Mac and his classmates are reading have been censored with black rectangles. This must be a mistake! Surely 6th graders reading about the atrocities of the Holocaust can handle two phrases about female anatomy. As Mac, along with his friends Marci and Denis, battle the attack on their intellectual freedom they are faced with the disappointing reality that some adults (mistakenly) believe that keeping the truth from students is a way to protect them. Attack of the Black Rectangles is exactly what we need to read to fortify our fight for the truth.
-Clare
Olivia cares about two things; her son, Asher, and her bee farm. She’s worked hard to get away from her abusive ex-husband and give Asher the chance to grow up and be a good man. To Olivia’s horror, Asher’s girlfriend, Lily, dies unexpectedly and Asher is at the front and center of a murder investigation. Thank God for small favors, at least her brother, Jordan (19 Minutes), is a defense attorney. Told in the alternating perspectives of Olivia and Lily before and after Lily’s death, Mad Honey is just as the title suggests; sweet and wild.
-Clare
Daniel hopes this family trip to Spain will help him get out of Texas and take the pictures he needs to win a photography contest. After all, it’s 1957 and not many Americans are allowed in Spain under Generalissimo Franco, so Daniel’s shots should give him an edge. To Daniel’s surprise, his camera is capturing more and more troubling behind-the-scenes pictures of what Spain is really like post-civil war under the rule of a dictator. Enter Ana, the hotel maid assigned to Daniel’s family, and a whole new view of Spain is opening up for Daniel. This view is one of love, loss, fear, and silence. Fountains of Silence is a breathtaking novel that captures the complex and nuanced aftermath of a civil war, life under heavy restrictions, and how suppressed voices can be lifted up.
-Clare
Nora Stephens is a shark. Not really, but she is a seriously fierce literary agent who puts her clients above everything except her younger sister. So, when Libby pleads with Nora to take a whole month vacation, Nora accepts in an effort to heal the rift that has been growing between them. Libby has everything planned out with a “romance novel worthy” to-do list, but that did not account for Nora’s arch-nemesis from the book world to be on vacation with them. Will Charlie ruin everything Nora and Libby are trying to fix, or will he make the list?
-Clare
They Called Us Enemy is required reading. Period. As a small child, George Takei and his family were sent to a concentration camp simply for being Japanese during World War II. Contained within moving black and white comic strips is the Takei family’s experience behind barbed wire fences, the squalid living conditions, and a reckoning with the fear and hate that sent them there. Pick up this memoir, and help us not repeat this grievous error in our history.
-Clare
Keeping secrets is not typically in the job description for a governess, but for Asher Todd, secrets will get her into and keep her at the Morwood Estate. Asher knew when she took the job that she would have to make time to carry out her own agenda, but what she didn’t realize was how her new relationships could influence the plot of revenge she set out to accomplish. Family ties and a promise made to a ghost intertwine to craft a tale that you will not be able to put down.
-Clare
If some of the adults are to be believed, Joseph, Jack’s new foster brother, is broken: damaged goods. To Jack, his parents, and a few teachers Joseph needs a safe space and a second chance. All 14 year-old Joseph wants is to find his daughter, Jupiter. As Joseph opens up and reveals more of his past, a new future seems possible, until a demon from his life before rears its ugly head and threatens everything. I urge all readers to pick up this book and become another person in Joseph’s corner!
-Clare
Email or call for price/availability
For every ten people you know, expect that at least one of them is an informant for the secret police. That statistic is the harsh reality for Cristian Florescu, a teenager who dreams of a bright future, while trying to survive in bleak, communist Romania. Cristian is forced to become everything he despises when he is blackmailed into becoming an informant. With the promise of the medicine that could save his Grandfather, does he really have a choice? Cristian won’t be a full traitor though, and instead hatches a plan to expose the Ceauşescus and bring their corrupt regime to its knees. It’s December 1989; will he be able to pull this off as the communist bloc implodes or is all hope gone?
-Clare
Will knows the rules. 1. No crying. 2. No snitching. 3. Always get revenge. They’ve been taught to the boys in his neighborhood for generations, and you better believe he will follow the rules when his older brother, Shawn, is killed. Taking place in 60 seconds, this novel in verse runs the gamut of Will’s emotions as he is visited by victims of gun violence who make him wonder who the rules really help and what they accomplish.
-Clare
A curse, of sorts, has plagued Mimi and the women in her family for generations. Their attractive bodies seem to project “yes” even when their voices say no. Mimi learns that this curse is not just hers when she gets to read the personal journals that are passed down to each daughter on their 16th birthday. Now, in 2022, it’s Mimi’s turn to record her story. As she navigates the differences between her famous online persona and her lackluster life behind the screen, Mimi is also wrestling with the ghosts, consequences, and secrets of her family’s past. Lawless Spaces is a reckoning with maintaining the status quo and expecting women to be silent.
-Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Imagine if Kya from Where the Crawdads Sing had had a father figure. In These Silent Woods, that is exactly what you get, and so much more. Cooper has been raising Finch, his daughter, in the secluded Appalachian Mountains for eight years now. He has sins to atone for, and the isolation is the only way he can keep Finch in his life. Then Jake, his army buddy who delivers their yearly supplies, doesn’t show up, and a mysterious young woman happens to appear in their woods. The delicate balance of their life is in jeopardy. Will the luck they’ve survived on finally run out? Will Cooper have to face the decisions of his past? Or will they get to enjoy their quiet life for a little longer?
-Clare
Is an avocado a fruit or a vegetable? They didn’t really care until a child in the grocery store asks that question one day. Needing an answer to where they belong, Avocado embarks on a quest around the super market to discover who they really are. Avocado can’t find where they fit in, until they meet Tomato. Tomato teaches Avocado to be proud of who they are, and embrace all of their positive qualities. After all, it’s not called “avocado toast” for nothing!
-Clare
Hilarie Burton had it all as an actress in NYC and LA, but she wasn’t being fulfilled. The industry that had helped her achieve her first dream had taken so much away, and was not sustaining her. Burton and her future husband, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, take a huge gamble on a cabin in Rhinebeck, NY to try to recapture their dreams and get back in tune with who they are. What follows is an incredible journey into farming, parenthood, marriage, and finding their community. Burton touches on the highs and lows of juggling life, from revitalizing a local business, to the struggles of infertility, and both the backlash and support of the #MeToo movement. She is a warrior, a goddess, and exactly the kind of storyteller you want on your bookshelf.
-Clare
The Shelter and the Fence is a must read of 2021! Finkelstein expertly details the circumstances that unfolded to allow 982 refugees from Europe seek asylum in Oswego, New York. Described inside these pages are the brave people who did whatever it took to survive the Holocaust, the individuals who made their voyage possible, and a community that eagerly welcomed the new faces. Even though they were now safe from the Nazis, they were still fenced in in Oswego, and permanent residence in the US was a long shot. Open your shelf and your heart to these 982 souls that survived against the odds at every turn.
-Clare
Five years ago, the Brennans were a big, solid Irish Catholic family unit. Then, Sunday moved across the country to “pursue new job opportunities”; a move that stunned the whole family and her fiancé. Fast forward to the present, and Sunday agrees to come home after a drunk driving accident that nearly costs Sunday her life. Initially, she thought she was coming home for support while she recovers from her injuries, but it soon becomes clear that Sunday’s secrets, and many others, will have to be dealt with before any real healing can happen. Tracey Lange seamlessly tells a riveting story from alternating points-of-view that will have you fiercely feeling like a Brennan.
-Clare
Poppy and Alex met freshmen year of college and over time became best friends and travel companions. Two years ago, something happened on one of their trips, and now they are not the dynamic duo they used to be. In an effort to get out of her funk at work and back into Alex’s life, Poppy suggests they tack on a mini trip, like the old days, to Alex’s trip to Palm Springs for his brother’s wedding. As Poppy’s master plan falls apart around her, the reader also gets glimpses of past trips, all leading to that fateful trip two years ago. Get a floppy hat, your sunscreen, and enjoy your vacation into the world of Poppy and Alex!
-Clare
“What about Will’s traumatic brain injury? What about Will’s anger? What about Will coming and going all the time?” These are the questions Trace can’t stop asking himself, even though his parents think Will is on the mend. Trace sees the trouble underneath the surface, and thinks that if he can just fix Will, get his old brother back, that his family will be fixed too. But with Trace asking all these questions about Will, who is keeping track of Trace? What about Will is a homerun, and Trace knows a thing or two about homeruns!
-Clare
Like any middle schooler, Junie Kim is trying her best to fit in. That’s no small task when she’s one of the only Asian students in her school, and a classmate emboldened by the 2016 election kicks off the first day of school with racist graffiti on the gym wall. Junie’s friends are called to action, but Junie isn’t sure she has the voice to speak out against racism, or if they could even win the fight. In the meantime, Junie begins an oral history project for class and interviews her grandparents who survived the Korean War. As Junie learns how dangerous ideology can be, she finds her own voice. Finding Junie Kim is about more than Junie finding her voice though, it’s about all of us using our voice as a shield, rather than our silence as a weapon.
-Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Morningside Heights is a fast-paced, yet deeply intimate novel about Pru Steiner, who moved to NYC to change the world. What her plan didn’t account for was that her world could be changed by Spence Robin, her graduate school professor. What follows is a tender love story spanning more than 30 years. Joshua Henkin has written a captivating cast of characters that propel the story forward, largely because there’s a little bit of each character inside the reader; the pragmatic Pru, the witty Spence, the traveling Arlo, and the competitive Sarah, to name a few. Beyond the characters, Morningside Heights is a story of how love is tested and how our relationships are what get us through.
-Clare
Elsa is an outsider, even in her own family. Though her grandfather would tell her to be brave, her biggest adventures are experienced through the characters in her books. Flashforward and the Dust Bowl and Great Depression combine to threaten the family Elsa has cobbled together with her unlikely husband. Once her husband leaves, it’s up to Elsa to take who’s left out West in search of the salvation they need from their dying farm. Is California the “land of milk and honey” as advertised or are they just trading in the problems they know for new ones? Whatever winds blow you into the path of this novel, trust that you’re meant to read this story of a mother’s love in one of the US’s most challenging times.
-Clare
Angie Thomas is 3 for 3! In Concrete Rose, readers are transported back in time to follow the story of Maverick Carter, Starr’s father from The Hate U Give. Maverick is 17 years old and navigating what it means to be a man while his own father is in prison. No matter, his mom has been planning for Maverick to go to college instead of sacrificing his life to the gang that Mav says is in his blood. As reality changes and more people begin to rely on him, Mav is unsure if he’s even allowed to dream for his future or if it’s already been decided for him. Pick up this compulsive read, go back to Garden Heights, and find a fast friend in Maverick!
-Clare
Justyce McAllister is stunned when he tries to help his ex-girlfriend (the ex-part being temporary) not drive drunk and he’s the one put in handcuffs. He is an honors student at an expensive school who’s going places and jail is not one of those places. Inspired by MLK’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail, Justyce begins to write letters to King in a journal. These letters trace Justyce’s life, help him work through traumas, and show how difficult it can be to stand out when you just want to fit in. Dear Martin is a gripping story that should be required life reading!
-Clare
Readers met Vernell Laquan “Quan” Banks in Dear Martin and now have the chance to hear his heartbreaking story. Quan and Justyce were childhood friends and could have both gone down the same path. Instead, a series of events occurred such that Quan now finds himself in a detention center and he may be there for life. Justyce gives Quan his letters to MLK and Quan is compelled to start writing letters to Justyce. These letters unearth the truth about what has happened to Quan since he and Justyce parted ways as children and may lead to a chance to change Quan’s future.
-Clare
For the characters of this novel, Iris Massey is dead, but for the readers, she is alive and vibrant. Iris was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer at 33 and used the time she had left to write a blog detailing the various stages of her life. Now that she is gone, she has left the blog for her boss to publish. This proves to be no easy task as her older sister, Jade, does not want to see her final musings published. Told in a collection of our digital footprints, When You Read This, catalogues how a sister and boss grieve, how a blundering assistant fills her shoes, and how we live to the fullest when we know we are dying.
-Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Sydney is about to spend the summer of any teenager’s dream - in a mansion with her famous mother - but for her, it’s the stuff of nightmares. Lila isn’t exactly motherly and her new boyfriend, Jake, strengthens the premonition Syd has that something horrific is coming. Not only does Syd have Jake to contend with, but all the other men who treat her like nothing more than the priceless art Jake “collects.” Then, enter Nicco, the swoon-worthy boy that sweeps Sydney off her feet and gives her fleeting chances to forget about the turmoil at home. Deb Caletti gives us a fantastic read that grapples with the conflicting emotions and confusion that comes with being ogled as a beautiful young woman when you’re still a bit of a kid.
-Clare
As Backman so eloquently puts it, “this is a book about idiots”. Frankly, we’re all idiots. We’re either idiots about something or the people we love most make us do idiotic things. Anxious People is the story of a bank robber, the worst hostages ever, and a father-son cop duo who, as one fateful day unfolds, realize that there is more that connects them than separates them. Their interwoven lives are beautiful, painful, and stunningly real. Pick this book up and get held hostage by the storytelling, the characters, and your love for them both.
-Clare
Del has been in love with Kiera since he was old enough to have a crush on anybody and now she is finally single! Trouble is, Kiera never stays single for long so Del has to act fast. Opportunity strikes when Del (accidentally) joins the Purity Pledge at their church, which could be the perfect chance to go from Kiera’s friend to her boyfriend. The question Del neglects to consider is, does Kiera even want to be his girlfriend? Lamar Giles unpacks consent, toxic masculinity, and the pressures we face from our families to follow their rules. Take the pledge with Del and pick up this book; you’ll be so happy you did!
-Clare
January Andrews and Augustus Everett are in trouble; they are rival authors with writer’s block. January writes romances and Augustus kills off casts of characters with the stroke of his pen. To get out of this hole, they have struck up a deal; they’ll write in the genre of the other and whoever loses, will have to promote the winner’s book on their next tour. In the spirit of fairness, January will take Augustus on rom-com montage worthy dates and he will take her to interview the survivors of a cult (of course). Emily Henry dazzles us with charming characters and the perfect “beach read”!
-Clare
Cal and Hannah are cousins, but do not be fooled into thinking they are friends! They’re being forced to live together because Cal’s mom has passed away and his dad is in prison. Hannah is the queen of order and Cal uses pranks to deal with his trauma. Needless to say, they are not pleased with the situation. Things change as they both begin to understand that family dynamics are not as they appear. Please, pick up this book and walk a mile in Cal and Hannah’s shoes, you’ll be so happy you did!
-Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Lydia is living a nightmare when she is awake and a dream while she is asleep. In her waking hours, her fiancé, Freddie, has just passed away and she is trying to navigate the first year after his death. She rewards herself by taking sleeping pills that allow her to inhabit an alternate reality in which Freddie is still alive. These dreams come at a price though and Lydia has to make a big decision. Can she sacrifice her waking life for a dream life that isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?
-Clare
Email or call for price/availability
The neighborhood of Cobble Hill in NYC is home to four unique couples. First, there’s Roy, an author with writer’s block and his energetic wife, Wendy. Second we have ex-rock hero Stuart and his “sick” wife, Mandy. Then there’s Peaches, a school nurse, and her music teacher husband Greg. Finally, it stars Tupper, an inventor, and his off the beaten path, artist wife, Elizabeth. As these couples move into Cobble Hill and get acquainted, relationships are forged and tested and “neighbors” takes on a new layer of meaning. Pick up this book, fall in love, and move to Cobble Hill!
-Clare
All of Zofia’s family was sorted to the left, meaning they did not survive the concentration camps, but she is sure her brother, Abek, is still alive. She promised that she would find him, and this promise has kept her alive. Now that the war is over, Zofia must find Abek and complete their alphabet again (A to Z) even if that means trekking across Europe with only a vague plan. Gripping and layered, They Went Left tells a story of the Holocaust that isn’t always told; the heartbreaking complications and the unexpected joys that came with rebuilding after the war. Pick up this story and become part of Zofia and Abek’s alphabet!
-Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Park yourself, pun intended, on the couch and read this book! It follows the lives of twelve-year olds, Cal and Jeanne Ann, who become friends at just the right time in their lives. Jeanne Ann and her mom have left Chicago and gone to San Francisco in search of a big break. But soon the adventure of living in their van wears off and real life comes knocking. Cal, the wealthy boy down the block, just wants to help her, but maybe they are really helping each other. Parked examines real issues while also highlighting the miraculous power of books, art, food, and friendship with a bright and funny cast of characters. Danielle Svetcov shines in her debut novel and has won me over as a reader for life!
-Clare
Nature vs. nurture, people vs. place. Emma Saylor (Emma to her dad and Saylor to her mom) only knows the safe life she has with her dad. Her mom passed away five years ago from a drug overdose, but their marriage ended long before that. Emma is now 17 and must spend three weeks with her mom’s side of the family in their lakeside town. Emma is thrust into a family she doesn’t know, full of history and legend. Is she Emma, Saylor, or both? Do yourself a favor and hijack a boat to speed through this summer (her)story of family, love, and discovering your own history.
-Clare
The story starts with a knock on the door in the middle of the night to warn of the Gestapo and it doesn’t slow down from there. Dirk, 13, is the only family Anna, 6, has left now that their mother is dead, their sister has been taken in for questioning, and their father is fighting with the Dutch Resistance. It is now up to Dirk and Dirk alone to get Anna to safety in a country torn apart by war and reunite their family. Hunger Winter by Rob Currie is the thrilling and touching tale of a brother who will stop at nothing to outwit the Nazis and get his family back.
-Clare
In a word, engrossing. Marianne and Connell’s lives are constantly in collision. They
went to school together and were drawn to one another but inhabited different social circles.
Normal People catalogues all the times Marianne and Connell are pulled together and pushed
apart. It is full of depth and examines the friendship of fully realized characters who are meant to
be part of each other’s lives. Fans of One Day by David Nicholls need to pick up this book
immediately.-Clare
I am convinced these three authors share a brain. They expertly weave together three tales of holiday romance that are full of warmth and charm. I try to reread this every holiday season because it is just that fun and sweet! The characters come to life in the pages and you can practically smell the gingerbread pouring out of the binding. But don’t just take my word for it, curl up with a cup of tea, eggnog, or hot cocoa, and immerse yourself in the magic of the holidays! (Bonus points if you read it during an actual snowstorm.)
-Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Joel Higgins has seen a thing or two and is trying to come to terms with his new life after a loss. He’s happiest when he’s volunteering at the soup kitchen with Eli on Wednesday nights; she is perfect after all. Even though he’s happy, he can’t ignore the problems he sees around him. People, mostly veterans, are hungry and homeless. Instead, he writes texts he’ll never send. They may not truly fix the world but it’s a start. Joel is thoughtful and kind and these traits guide him through a tough time while making him new friends. Reilly explores a world like our own—one with sadness but also hope and new beginnings.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Denis is dead. Well, he’s supposed to be but his twin brother, Matt, is keeping him from fully moving to the great beyond. Denis was murdered and Matt is consumed with trying to solve the case surrounding his brother’s mysterious end. Denis wants only to rest peacefully, but when he returns to earth to tell this to Matt, he gets sucked into the secrets his family has buried. Heavy and moving but still funny, Denis Ever After is a thrilling tale of family, love, and why not all sleeping dogs should be left to lie.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
In a word, perfection! The Lido is a story of unlikely friendships and the lengths a community will go to to save a local landmark. Kate is 26 and her anxiety threatens to consume her every day. Rosemary is 86 and has swum at the Lido for over 80 years. When the city council threatens to close it, this pair must rally the troops and keep the pool open. Are they saving the lido or are they saving each other? Heart-warming, delightful, and every positive adjective you can think of, Libby Page has made a splash with her debut novel! The characters are rich and colorful, making them feel like old friends. I truly hope she keeps writing!
- Clare
Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls is a fantastic collection of short stories that range from sweet to weird to fascinating, sometimes all in the same story! Alissa Nutting captures the unique elements that make us human, and she highlights them for a wildly entertaining collection. This book is for any woman – no, actually, for all of us who have ever found ourselves in a ridiculous situation or at an unclean job!
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Gran is in a tough spot. He wants to make his parents happy but he really hates that they have to move. He loved his old life and his new school is weird! No one talks to him or even notices that he’s there. When one girl notices him, peculiar things start to happen. Buildings all over town are sinking into the Earth and it seems like this girl knows why. Gran follows her after school one day and sees a dangerous secret – a secret that could get him seriously hurt. She wants Gran to stay away but he may be the only one who can save the town. Dave Eggers delivers an exciting adventure starring a colorful cast of characters. Read it and join the Lifters!
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Nora Tucker is ready for a normal summer with cookouts, popsicles, and swimming. This vision gets thrown out the window when two inmates from the high security prison break out and are hiding nearby. Nora, a budding investigative journalist, charges herself with the task of collecting materials and reporting on the prison break for the time capsule being buried later that summer. With everyone on lockdown, it is up to Nora, Lizzie, and Elidee, the new girl who feels less than welcome, to report the facts and possibly crack the case! Breakout is a must read that will have you looking over your shoulder for the inmates in your own backyard!
- Clare
For Crow, her family has always been the people who found her—Osh who saved her as a baby and their neighbor, Miss Maggie. She’s always been happy with her simple life on their little island. That is, until Osh gives her a letter from her mother and other clues begin to fall into place. This sends Crow on a hunt to dig up her past and uncover exactly why she was sent away. Her journey unearths truths, as well as danger, and Crow must decide if she should risk it all for the answers she wants or keep the people she loves safe.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Struck by impulse, Annabelle Agnelli decides to run from Seattle to Washington D.C. A skilled cross-country runner, she thinks she can do it. More importantly, she needs to do it. With her grandpa travelling with her, a tactical team at home, and the sneakers on her feet, Annabelle embarks on a journey that introduces her to a variety of people and, as her story gains momentum, the tools she needs to heal. Deb Caletti masterfully weaves a story of tragedy and growth through the eyes of someone touched by gun violence who is going to make amends the only way she knows how: running.
- Clare
The Grant family is used to having their lives in the spotlight—the funny pages, that is. Mrs. Grant has been writing a comic strip based on their lives for 25 years; the five kids and her husband give her plenty of material. The strip is coming to an end the same weekend that the oldest daughter is getting married in the family homestead, which is being sold. When things start to go south Charlie Grant, who may be the youngest, is determined to make the last weekend in their house perfect come hell or highwater. Outlandish, funny, and sweet, Save The Date is Matson’s best work yet and will have you boarding the train to Grant Central Station.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Fans of Gone Girl need to get their hands on this book! Conflict seems to follow Polly wherever she goes, even quaint little towns in Delaware. As the summer gets hotter in Belleville, Polly’s attraction to Adam, a guy just passing through, intensifies. Their storied pasts are as intertwined as they are and it seems that dark secrets will resurface just in time to ensnare them for good. Lippman delivers a fast-paced read with complex characters that will leave you guessing until the very last sentence.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Silvia has just graduated college and must decide what her next step will be. Ibrahim, an accomplished artist, thinks he’s due for a change of scenery. They both apply and are accepted to live on a struggling bee farm for the summer; work space in exchange for helping on the farm. Cynthia, the owner, is a bit off kilter and farms as many secrets as she does crops. As the summer unfolds, love blossoms but soon lays way to ruin. The Honey Farm is enticing, sweet, and dangerous with a stinging end
- Clare
Lee and Elle have been best friends since birth. As luck would have it, they were born on the same day, at the same hospital. They’ve grown up together and survived everything life has dished at them, until they run a kissing booth at the school carnival. Elle ends up sharing a firework-inducing smooch with Noah, Lee’s off-limits older brother. Noah couldn’t have feelings for Elle, that would be completely insane—or could he? Charming, awkward, and sweet (like any first kiss) The Kissing Booth, is a fun read that you have to polish off before you see the Netflix movie!
- Clare
Get ready, you’re about to fall in love with Simon. He’s a junior in high school who is being blackmailed by a fellow student over emails that reveal that Simon is gay. In exchange, he must help his blackmailer get a date with one of his closest friends. While this all sucks for Simon, he is more upset that the secret identity of the boy he has been emailing could be exposed. Well-written, funny, and told with a bright cast of characters, Albertalli delivers a story that begs to be read and shared with your friends!
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Samuel Hawley’s criminal past is about to catch up with him in an explosive way, for the second time. As a young man, Hawley made his living working shady jobs and has the bullet wounds to prove it. After the death of his wife, Hawley gave up that life to raise their daughter, Loo. They spent many years crisscrossing the country but have recently settled in Loo’s mother’s hometown. Settling down like this allows Loo to grow up but also uncovers difficult truths. Alternating between the past and present, The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley is an artfully crafted book that must be read this instant!
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Little McCardell is drowning in a sea of letters, numbers, and misfortune. At 16 years old, Little is responsible for far too much. His grandfather is missing, his brother is in jail, and he must look after his younger cousin. Little works hard toward graduation but his dyslexia makes school tough. There’s a deputy pumping Little for information and two girls are confusing his heart. Little McCardell is a sweet young man and a gripping narrator. His story will make you think, cherish your own blessings, and want to move Heaven and Earth to help him.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Gabriel Tallent is incredible and so is My Absolute Darling! Turtle Alveston is a fighter; she’s always had to be. Her father, Martin, is a harsh man who has taught Turtle the ways of the forest. Turtle loves her father immensely but deep down, she knows he is not good for her. What follows is a shocking story of love, survival, and growing up coupled with Tallent’s superb writing. My Absolute Darling is a must read that will leave you aching to help Turtle and befriend this remarkable girl.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
I might love this book but I simply don’t remember! That’s life for Flora Banks. At 17, she has no memories past the age of 10 - that is, until she kisses her best friend’s boyfriend, Drake, and it sticks. Flora has done the impossible and has stored a short-term memory. The problem is, Drake leaves the next day for the Arctic. With the words “be bold” tattooed on her wrist and her parents out of town, Flora takes the leap to follow Drake and the kiss in an attempt to make more memories. Accompanied by her notebook of reminders and her endless charm, Flora navigates her way to the Arctic, facing her fears and doing more than ever seemed possible.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
I believe it is every bookseller’s dream to fall in love in a bookstore, whether that be with books, people, or both. Henry and Rachel had all of the makings to be a dream couple until Henry fell in love with Amy and Rachel moved. After a three year hiatus, Rachel has moved back and is working in the bookstore owned by Henry’s family. Ideally, they would pick up where they left off, given that Henry and Amy are no longer, but Rachel is harboring a huge secret and Henry’s plans for the future are unclear. Cath Crowley captures the importance of words and delivers a love story for booksellers and non-booksellers alike!
- Clare
One thing parents love to do is decide their child’s future without consulting their child. It only leads to happy endings! Acutely aware of this phenomenon are Natasha and Daniel, two teenagers in NYC. By fate, luck, or the laws of probability, Natasha and Daniel meet on the most important days of their lives. Natasha is fighting deportation and Daniel is interviewing for a school he has no desire to attend. This chance encounter sets them up for an unforgettable experience that you’ll have to follow until the fated end, rooting for the impossible the whole time!
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Some people are fated to meet. Lucy and Gabe are two such people. They first cross paths on 9/11 and from there, their story grows. What seems like the love of a lifetime fades as career choices move Lucy and Gabe in different directions. The one constant is the deep connection they share, fueling the fight to stay in each other’s lives. Jill Santopolo has captured the depth of human emotion and relationships in this stunning novel. The Light We Lost will hook you and not let go. I am already excited to read it again!
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Denton Little has known the exact day he is going to die since he was 5 years old. Everyone knows their death date, that’s just the way it is. He’s gone through the grief counseling and is ready for a quiet 48 hours before his death but the last thing Denton gets is peace and quiet. There’s a love triangle, government conspiracy, and prom; complete with a powder blue tux! Denton is the perfect narrator to tell this story; equal parts wit, sarcasm, and sincerity. He’s the guy you want to root for and see if he can out-run fate.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Surprise, surprise, Denton Little survived his death date and now he is on the run from the government! With his birth mother on his side, and the government chasing him down, Denton is in a tricky situation. He could join her underground movement or abandon her and go back to his old family. Hanging in the balance is the life of his best friend, Paulo, whose death date is quickly approaching. Denton Little’s Still Not Dead is written with just as much wit as his previous novel and is wildly entertaining.
- Clare
Poignant and relevant; The Hate U Give needs to be the next book on everyone’s list. Starr Carter, 16 years old, has been witness to both of her best friend’s murders - most recently, Kahlil, shot by a cop even though he was unarmed and not causing any trouble. Now Starr is caught between being a voice for justice and keeping her family safe from local gangs. Thomas captures the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement and calls us all to be brave, like Starr, and advocates for what is right.
- Clare
As booksellers, we’ve heard it all. “I’m looking for a book with a blue cover.” “I don’t remember the title or the author but it was on this shelf last month.” “Do you know the bus schedule?” Jennifer Campbell has compiled the jaw dropping, wackiest, most absurd bookseller stories from across the country and put them together in one neat place for you! Booksellers and non-booksellers alike can enjoy this laugh out loud funny book!
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Sierra lives two lives: one for eleven months out of the year in Oregon and the other for one month in California on the family Christmas tree farm. Caleb also lives two lives, the one before the incident and the one after. When the two meet, it seems the magic of the Christmas season has something wonderful in store for them, but Caleb’s past and Sierra’s situation might be too much for them to handle. Jay Asher’s What Light is a romantic story full of love and hope that’ll make you want to find someone to kiss under the mistletoe.
- Clare
What was a fun evening for Jordan was a nightmare for Jenny, but everyone knows how stories get stretched. Jenny was really drunk. Jordan never really would have raped her. Enter Haley and Richard, close to the case by circumstance whose budding romance gets sidelined as the truth comes to light. Maria Padian’s Wrecked is an honest look at sexual assault on a college campus and just goes to show how one action can ripple out and change everyone’s lives.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Even if you aren’t friends with someone anymore, you still help them when they ask. That’s what sends Wylie on a wild goose chase to find her former bff, Cassie, with Jasper, Cassie’s boyfriend and the last person Wylie trusts. As the events unfold and Cassie gives them more clues, the truth hits closer to home than Wylie would have liked. Secrets become deadly and the past comes back to haunt them. The Outliers is a thrilling ride that will leave you begging for more!
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
There are rules to love and who should know them better than Love herself? Gael Brennan, a declared romantic, fell head over heels in love with a girl that broke his heart shortly after his parents’ separation. Now it is up to Love to steer Gael away from the Rebound and towards the girl who can truly mend his broken heart. But the more that Love tries to help, the more Gael falls for the wrong girl. Charming and witty, The Romantics is a relatable story that will remind you of your first love.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
A tornado is made of many pieces. Sarah’s tornado consists of her mom, dad, brother she hasn’t seen in six years, a street artist, and past and future versions of herself. A tornado only becomes a deadly storm when all of the pieces come together in the perfect mixture. For Sarah, her storm begins in art class when crimes are committed, secrets are kept, and she discovers that she is unoriginal. As the tornado rages on, it unearths years of struggling in a toxic family and examines the family vacation that changed her life forever. A.S. King artfully weaves together a relatable narrative that you are sure to be swept up in!
- Clare
Imagine you haven’t left your house for 17 years. This is reality for Maddy Whittier, a teenager who is severely allergic to everything outside. Her only friends are her mom and her nurse, Carla, but Maddy doesn’t mind because at least she’s safe. Everything is sent into a tailspin when the devastatingly handsome Olly, moves in next door. Going against years of precaution, Maddy befriends Olly and what comes next is a beautiful story of first love, shocking discoveries, and truly living. Everything, Everything is nothing to sneeze at!
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
It’s no secret that aging is tough and each year presents its own new challenges; chief among them being relationships and intimacy. Heyman threads each short story together with themes of love, family, and perseverance. The characters are brimming with personality and the plots will suck you in. Scary Old Sex is a must read if there ever was one.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Emma Cline’s The Girls is a fascinating book that you’ll put your life on hold to finish. Evie Boyd is a lonely teenager in the summer of 1969. At fourteen she is highly self conscious, acutely aware of her parent’s failing marriage, and reeling from the recent end of a lifelong friendship. This perfect storm propels Evie to be mesmerized by Suzanne, Russell and their empty promises. She abandons all rational thought and joins a cult hoping to finally belong. Soon this façade of utopia fades and what’s left behind will haunt Evie for the rest of her life.
- Clare
A small, idyllic town is turned on its head as past and present secrets collide in the most deadly of ways. At the end of Principal Trenton’s speech students try to leave the auditorium only to find the doors are locked. In walks a former student with revenge on his mind and fire in his eyes. Four students give a minute-by-minute account of the massacre, each with their own connection to the shooter. They each feel partly to blame for the tragedy and believe it is their charge to save anyone they can. This Is Where It Ends will grip you from the start and keep you turning the pages until the explosive end.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Andrews does not disappoint in his stunning second novel. Best friends, Wes and Corey, are at a glorious jazz camp that is decidedly not glorious. By a strum of fate they have a jam session with Ash, who’s as quirky as she is talented. This magical moment launches their summer cross-country tour to make it as a band, but they hit some snags along the way. Overflowing with wit and charm, Andrews takes you on a wild ride filled with as many twists and turns, ups and downs as you can imagine. It’s so much fun that you’ll want to become a hater yourself.
- Clare
If I told you time travel is real you’d think I’m crazy, but for physics prodigy Gottie Oppenheimer, it is real. The emotional stress from the loss of her grandfather, rejection from her secret boyfriend when she needed him most, and the reemergence of her dorky-turned-dashing childhood best friend send her traveling through wormholes to critical moments in her past. With love, family, and friendships on the line Gottie has to tempt fate to uncover the meaning behind the wormholes. The Square Root of Summer is as entertaining as it is insightful, prompting me to finish it in just one night!
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Let’s face it; body image is a huge issue. We are constantly bombarded with the message that we need to fit an unattainable mold of perfection. Jes Baker tears down this fallacy and lays it out plain and simple; you don’t need to change to love your body. Her witty yet factual writing will get you to laugh and feel as though you’ve made a friend. I wish everyone would read this book because Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls has a message for everyone who has ever been uncomfortable in their body.
- Clare
Everyone keeps dangerous secrets but these secrets are even more dangerous during wartime. Four teens – Florian, Joana, Emilia, and Alfred – are surviving WWII but just barely. Their secrets are threatening to surface and cause great trouble. Through a twist of fate and luck, the four find themselves on a ship that could mean their freedom, if their pasts don’t catch up to them first. Ruta Sepetys mixes romance, history, and suspense in such a way that you won’t be able to put the book down. Salt to the Sea is this year’s must read!
- Clare
Twin sisters, Cath and Wren, attend the same college but they might as well be worlds apart. Wren wants to discover herself (and party) but Cath is content with the way things are. She’s happy to write Simon Snow fanfiction and go to class. Her hope for a quiet year is ruined when her boisterous roommate, Reagan, forces her out of her shell and introduces her to the ever charming Levi. Rowell beautifully weaves together the two worlds in Cath’s head in this stunning coming-of-age novel you won’t be able to put down.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Stanzi, like most teenagers, attends high school but that’s where the similarities end. Everyday there’s a bomb threat and the students are ushered outside to learn. The secret love of her life, Gustav, is building an invisible helicopter. Her best friend swallowed herself and her other best friend is a pathological liar. Together they crawl through the challenges of high school the only way they know how, beautifully and bizarrely. A.S. King will get you to think about, laugh with, and love these characters.
- Clare
Everyone who knows and loves Disney movies shudders at the thought of how they could have turned out. What if Jafar had won the lamp instead of Aladdin? In this tale, Liz Braswell works her magic and puts a new twist on a story we know so well. Jafar uses the lamp to turn Agrabah on its head with ghoul patrols and dark magic. It’s now up to Jasmine, Aladdin, and their street rat friends to right the wrongs and keep the peace. Who will win in an old story told a new way and at what cost!?
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Mira’s parents have tried everything they can think of to fix her crippling anxiety, and, as a last resort, send her to a private school. Her best friend, Sebby, goes to public school, and Mira is doubtful that the switch will help her. Then they meet Jeremy, a boy struggling with his own issues, just like them. This unlikely trio of oddballs bands together to deal with anxiety, sexuality, and drugs all while being somewhat “normal.” Kate Scelsa’s Fans of the Impossible Life reminds us that it’s okay to fall apart as long as you have the support to put yourself back together.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
“Slut” is like the horse of many colors. Some use it as a way to demean women, but some women find the slang empowering. It’s hard to say, given that the definition of a “slut” varies greatly and each woman is different. In Barbara the Slut and Other People, Holmes explores the many shapes and lives the word “slut” can take and transform. The characters are real and their experiences hysterical. I would recommend this collection of short stories to any woman who likes to read!
- Clare
Love is a fickle thing that has, in some respects, been given a facelift. Gone are the days of marrying the honey down the street and in its place is the age of online dating. With so many options at our fingertips many young singles find it daunting but others flourish in the unconventional ways to express love. Ansari’s hilarious narrative coupled with the fascinating subject will make this book impossible to put down! I feel like Ansari is an old friend I could get coffee with.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Dave and Julia are determined to not fall victim to high school clichés. The night before the first day of their freshman year they draft a list of all the clichés they must avoid in the years to come. All goes well until March of their senior year when Julia decides that, before the school year ends, they have to complete every item. (Even the one about never dating your best friend.) High school as they know it is turned upside down, and Dave and Julia begin to see the world in a new light. Adi Alsaid’s Never Always Sometimes is a funny and endearing story of friendship and high school told by two people living it to the fullest.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
People like to think that the cliques of high school end with high school, but they don’t! This is all too evident when six adults who “have their lives together” must cooperate on a life changing opportunity. Hook, a dating app, is going public and all of their careers hang in the balance. Their stories merge with romance and murder, all with the essence of high school popularity. Michelle Miller’s The Underwriting is a fast paced story that gives you a glimpse of a (not so) glamorous corporate world.
- Clare
As a teenager, you are invincible until an asteroid is gunning for Earth. Peter, Anita, Eliza, and Andy are high school seniors who have had little to no interaction up until now. Then, their lives are inexplicably woven together as the world is coming to an end. This unlikely bunch of high school stereotypes must transcend their labels to find happiness in their last two months of life. Tommy Wallach’s We All Looked Up takes a refreshing look at what you do when you’re facing a possible apocalypse.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Aza has never really fit in on Earth. Every day she is fighting to breathe because of an undiagnoseable lung defect. Then she sees a ship in the sky that’s calling her name. Only her best friend, Jason believes that she saw it. When the people from the ship in the sky abduct Aza and show her a life she was destined for, she is faced with life changing decisions. She could stay on the ship, where she can breathe and belongs, or she can fight to return to the family she loves. Maria Headley’s Magonia is an amazing story of destiny, family, and love that will take your breath away.
- Clare
Noah and Jude have been inseparable since birth. As twins they claim to share a soul and can feel the other’s pain. Noah is quiet and Jude is wild, but their complimenting personalities have kept them close. It’s Noah and Jude against the world, until they become strangers living in the same house. Noah tells his side of the story as a thirteen-year-old and Jude offers a sixteen-year-old's perspective, but their stories don’t paint the whole picture. Both use art to express themselves and art is the vehicle with which they try and mend their relationship. Jandy Nelson’s I’ll Give You The Sun is an expertly written piece on family, love, friendship, and art!
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Rapture Practice is Aaron Hartzler’s stunning memoir of growing up in an evangelical household. Everything is great until Aaron starts to question both his faith and his sexuality. He tries to confront these issues while still pleasing his parents, but finds this to be an increasingly difficult task. Honestly, how sinful can going to the movies and listening to music really be? Aaron takes a bold look at faith, sexuality, and being true to yourself while still keeping it light and relatable. This book is an incredible read that I hope everyone picks up!
- Clare
Lucy and her family have lived on the Jersey Shore her whole life and she has always known not to get attached to the summer neighbors, but Connor seems different. They’ve been friends for years and could be something more. Then, when Superstorm Sandy hit last summer it tore apart her home and her love life. Now that a new summer is quickly approaching and with that the return of Connor, Lucy is as confused as ever. She should love her boyfriend, but thoughts of Connor cloud her vision and keep her from fixing her broken heart. Tensions mount and friendships are in danger begging the question; will things ever go back to normal? Fasten your beach chairs, The Summer After You and Me is a story you won’t be to stop reading.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Lily Wilder is a lawyer, a workaholic, and the last person on Earth that should be getting married. Her moral compass is spotty at best and her fiancé, Will, is way out of her league. One week before the wedding she’s having second thoughts and her parents aren’t convinced wedded bliss is for her. To make matters worse, she is being blackmailed by her soon-to- be mother-in-law, and the biggest case in her short career is looming over her head. This hysterical tale of pre-wedding blunders, missteps, and love is sure to have you in stitches. Eliza Kennedy’s I Take You puts a new spin on cold-feet that you won’t be able to put down!
- Clare
Glory would rather be taking pictures than have anyone truly notice her. Her neighbor Ellie is the only one she can talk to, but even that isn’t great. Then one fateful Saturday night, they drink the remains of a petrified bat which gives them the power to see details of a person’s past and future. Glory sees a second civil war with gruesome deaths and a United States that is completely different. All along the way, Glory unearths family secrets in her deceased mother’s darkroom that should have been buried with her suicide. Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future is a captivating story with twists and turns on every page.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Anika may be the third most popular girl in school but she still has to obey Becky’s rules. So when Logan McDonough returns in September looking better than ever, Anika has to quiet her feelings for the long time dork. To make matters worse, the town heartthrob, Jared, has the hots for Anika but Becky is secretly in love with him. Anika doesn’t know where she belongs and any choice could ruin friendships. Andrea Portes’ Anatomy of a Misfit dissects an age old love triangle with a new twist.
- Clare
(This book cannot be returned.)
When your twin sister dies from cancer you’re allowed to be sarcastic, witty, and critical, at least according to Billy Kinsey. His family may have won the lottery but they aren’t winning everything. His parents are on the brink of divorce and Billy is skating by academically even though he’s brilliant. Billy is sent into a tailspin when Gretchen, an old friend, and Twom, a mischievous new kid, enter his life. He could go along with Twom’s antics, be “saved” by Gretchen, or maybe manage somewhere in between. Billy is on the cusp of adulthood but with a heartbreaking past and an unclear future, will he be able to conquer the tragic age, or will he be stuck there forever? Stephen Metcalfe’s The Tragic Age will grab you on page one and keep you hooked until the very end.
- Clare
Maddie is a normal teenager with an eerie gift. She can read your “death date” on your forehead, and she is never wrong. The people in her community keep her at arm’s length until Maddie and her best friend, Stubby are implicated in a series of murders. Now the FBI is breathing down their necks and Maddie’s uncle/lawyer is doing all he can to clear their names. How could two harmless teenagers be behind these gruesome crimes? When by Victoria Laurie is a captivating story with a plot that gets thicker with every turn of the page.
- Clare
Bennie is a music executive and Sasha is his assistant. On the outside they are put together, but their inner thoughts reveal secrets and regrets. Bennie had dreams of being a rock star and Sasha once traveled through Europe like a leaf in the wind. How did their innocent and ambitious dreams of adolescence become the mundane scenes of adulthood? Jennifer Egan's a visit from the goon squad uncovers the truth behind their lives and the people who influence them. With a moving story and vibrant characters, I was hooked from the very beginning.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Gemma Beasley is an Audrey Hepburn fanatic. She and her blogging friends have escaped to New York City to live out their fantasy of a Audrey Hepburn-themed weekend. When Gemma is swept off her feet by an enchanting stranger, she soon realizes the glamour of New York City isn't always as it seems. Tucker Shaw's Oh Yeah, Audrey! is a whimsical story, perfect for an afternoon, darling!
- Clare
If you loved Divergent, you have to read Four, Veronica Roth’s companion to the Divergent series. This story is told from Four’s point of view and fills in his history. He tells of his Dauntless initiation, the two years before he meets Tris, and the corruption he has noticed all along. Plus, there are three scenes from Divergent that are retold through Four’s eyes. Once I picked up this book, everything else was put on hold until I could finish it!
- Clare
(This book cannot be returned.)
This biography is like nothing I have ever read before! Told from the view of Victor Maymudes, a close friend of Bob Dylan’s, and Victor’s son Jacob, it chronicles not only the life of Dylan but many of the people around him. Victor helped launch Dylan into stardom and Jacob had many unique childhood experiences resulting from his short time on tour. From LSD trips to the inner workings of Dylan’s music, this story has it all! I couldn’t put down Another Side of Bob Dylan and found myself laughing along with their antics! Even if you’ve never had any interest in Bob Dylan, this bio is a must read!
- Clare
Gayle Forman’s Where She Went picks up with Mia and Adam three years after the accident and is told from Adam’s viewpoint. Mia is excelling at Juilliard and Adam is a bonafide rock star. Their dreams seem to have come true but they are no longer together. Then one fateful night Adam runs into Mia and time stands still. They revisit Mia’s tragic past and hint at a possible future. This sequel to If I Stay had me holding my breath to see what would happen next!
Mia is a budding cellist facing the decision of a lifetime. The car accident that left her in a coma has claimed the lives of her parents and younger brother. Mia, who is now in a ghost-like state, has a choice to make. She could either pass on and join her family, or battle on and reclaim her life. The only thing keeping her from dying is her boyfriend. Gayle Forman’s If I Stay is a moving story that begs the question… if you could choose to stay, would you?
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
The old adage “if walls could talk” has never had more resonance. When her father Richard dies, Minna, her brother Trenton, their mother Caroline, and Minna’s daughter Amy, go back to Richard’s house to clean it out. They soon uncover more secrets than they had bargained for among the dust bunnies. Lauren Oliver’s page-turner will have you hooked until the very end.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
This is the Water has everything from romance, to murder, to swimming. Trying to ignore her lackluster marriage and her brother's suicide, Annie focuses on her daughters and their swim careers. The swim team is shaken to the core when a serial killer claims the life of a teammate. Due to this incident, Annie spends more time with Paul, a married swim team dad and is stunned to learn that he knows a secret about the killer that he won't share with the police. Author Yannick Murphy makes a splash with this novel.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
This stunning sequel to Archetype will have you on the edge of your seat. Emma is on the run and Declan is pulling out all the stops to find her. When her cover is blown, she goes back to the Resistance and finds Noah with another woman. It is now up to Emma to figure out her future, be a mother to Adrienne, and sort out her feelings for Noah. M.D. Waters’ Prototype delivers the perfect ending to Emma’s saga.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
Emma awakes with no memories other than what her husband, Declan, tells her. The only problem is that her dreams and the voice in her head feed her glimpses of other memories that also include another man. Conflicted about her past, Emma is forced to uncover the secrets of her former life without raising suspicion with Declan.
- Clare
(This book cannot be returned.)
Michael “Spence” Spencer has more punch lines than he knows what to do with. He is a traveling comedian who has yet to hit the big time, since being on The Late Late Show eight years ago! Tired of low-budget and ungrateful comedy clubs, Spence considers throwing in the towel when he meets Sam. She makes him a better comic, but she doesn’t want to constantly hear Spence give a “performance." Spence faces the decision of a lifetime: the girl of his dreams or the comedy career that will make him famous. Ward Anderson delivers the final laugh in I’ll Be Here All Week.
- Clare
Email or call for price/availability
In Since You’ve Been Gone, best friends Emily and Sloane are gearing up to have the best summer ever, but out of nowhere, Sloane and her family just up and leave town. All she’s left behind for Emily is a list of activities that will push her out of her comfort zone. The only thing keeping Emily from giving up on the list is the notion that when the list is completed, Sloane will come back. With budding friendships and unexpected help along the way, Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson is sure to keep you at the edge of your beach chair.
-- Clare
Unlike most teenagers, Francesca Schnell doesn’t look forward to summer. For her, it is a painful reminder that her brother, Simon, drowned and that it was her fault. However, this summer starts with the earth-shattering discovery of a little boy, Frankie, who looks exactly like her little brother. Of course he isn’t Simon, but what if? When Francesca is asked to watch Frankie as a summer job, she is terrified of making the same mistake again. The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner is the story of Francesca’s journey to acceptance, even if there are bumps along the way. Honestly, I couldn’t wait to finish my homework so I couldn’t keep reading!
- Clare
