What Waits in the Woods by Kieran Scott (2015)

Traditional horror that will scratch the itch for casual genre fans.

Recommended grade level: 7 and up

Pages:   288 (for ISBN 9780545691116)

Genre(s) and keywords: horror, thriller, survival, reluctant readers

Tone/Style: scary, tense

Pace: moderate to fast

Topics: camping, murderers, being lost

Themes: trust, dating, friendship, mean friends

Summary: For city girl Callie Velasquez, nothing sounds more terrifying than a night out in the wilderness. But, wanting to bond with her popular new friends, Lissa and Penelope, she agrees to join them on a camping trip. At least Callie’s sweet new boyfriend, Jeremy, will be coming too.

Well That Was Awkward by Rachel Vail (2017)

It’s Cyrano de Bergerac with smartphones. Diverse and thoroughly modern.

Recommended grade level: 6 and up

Pages:  320 (for ISBN 9780670013081)

Genre(s) and keywords: realistic fiction, romance, diverse

Tone/Style: modern, youthful, sarcastic

Pace: leisurely to moderate

Topics: cons, technology, crushes

Themes: friendship, dating relationships, growing up, change

Summary: Gracie has never felt like this before.  One day, she suddenly can’t breathe, can’t walk, can’t anything—and the reason is standing right there in front of her, all tall and weirdly good-looking: A.J.

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins (2014)

Led by a spunky, girly, and charismatic heroine, this book bends fantasy tropes to hilarious effect.

Recommended grade level: 8 and up

Pages: 345 (for ISBN 9780399256936)

Genre(s) and keywords: fantasy

Tone/Style: classy

Pace: moderate

Topics: secret organizations, supernatural powers, girl power, dating, love-hate relationships

Themes: destiny, romantic relationships

Summary: Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper’s destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts. Just when life can’t get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she’s charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper’s least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him–and discovers that David’s own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y’all beg for more. (Source)

Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennings

Reading this memoir of one of today’s most famous transgender teens feels like sitting down for an eye-opening conversation with a friend.

Recommended grade level: 7 and up

Pages:   256 (for ISBN 9780399554643)

Genre(s) and keywords: nonfiction, memoir, LGBTQA+

Tone/Style: personal, youthful

Pace: moderate to fast

Topics: transgender people, coming out, media attention, dating, legal battles

Themes: courage, gender identity, being oneself, speaking out

Summary: Jazz Jennings is one of the youngest and most prominent voices in the national discussion about gender identity. At the age of five, Jazz transitioned to life as a girl, with the support of her parents. A year later, her parents allowed her to share her incredible journey in her first Barbara Walters interview, aired at a time when the public was much less knowledgeable or accepting of the transgender community. This groundbreaking interview was followed over the years by other high-profile interviews, a documentary, the launch of her YouTube channel, a picture book, and her own reality TV series—I Am Jazz—making her one of the most recognizable activists for transgender teens, children, and adults.

The Heartbreak Messenger by Alexander Vance (2013)

A funny story about the dangers of messing around with people’s hearts.

Recommended grade level: 4-7

Pages: 304 (for ISBN 9781250044167)

Genre(s) and keywords: humor, realistic fiction

Tone/Style: humorous, self-deprecating

Pace: moderate to fast

Topics: dating, businesses

Themes: heartbreak, bystanders

Summary: Quentin never asked to be the Heartbreak Messenger, it just kind of happened. The valuable communication service he offers is simple: he delivers break-up messages. For a small fee, he will deliver that message to your soon-to-be ex-girlfriend. If you order the deluxe package, he’ll even throw in some flowers and a box of chocolates. You know, to soften the blow…

We Are All Made of Molecules (2015)

I was blown away by this affecting, hilarious, insightful book about a blended family told from two very different points of view.

Recommended grade level: 7-10

Pages: 256 (for ISBN 9780553496864)

Genre(s) and keywords: realistic, humor, Kylie’s favorites, Canadian author, international, North America (Canada)

Tone/Style: optimistic (Stewart), judgmental (Ashley)

Pace: fast

Topics: blended families, divorce, gifted students, popularity, homosexual parents, secrets, dating

Themes: grief and loss, change, self-acceptance, shame, true friends

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Stewart is academically brilliant, but socially clueless.  Fourteen-year-old Ashley is the undisputed “It” girl in her grade, but her marks stink.

Their worlds are about to collide when Stewart and his dad move in with Ashley and her mom.