The House in the Cerulean Sea | TJ Klune | Linus Baker, a solitary 40-year-old man, who is a caseworker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth (an organization that oversees the well-being of magical children who have been placed in government-sanctioned orphanages), is dispatched to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fear and judgment to determine whether or not these orphans are likely to bring about the end of days. Reviewers describe The House in the Cerulean Sea as a profound story about discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place. Common Sense Media deems this book appropriate for readers ages 14 and older. |
Inheritance Games Series | Jennifer Lynn Barnes | In this Young Adult mystery series, Avery Grambs’s life is changed in an instant when she learns she is set to inherit a billionaire’s fortune. What’s odd is Avery has never met this person. In order to receive her inheritance, Avery must move into a mansion, Hawthorne House, and use her intellect and strategy to solve a series codes and puzzles. Think of this as a mystery novel in the setting of an escape room. Students who have read this series describe it as a fun, fast-paced mystery with plot twists and tension. Common Sense Media says this series is appropriate for readers ages 13 and older. |
Legendborn | Tracey Deonn | To discover the truth behind her mother's mysterious death, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews, infiltrates a magical secret society claiming to be the descendants of King Arthur and his knights. The setting of the book begins with Bree at a residential program for bright high schoolers at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Legendborn is a New York Times bestseller, but it is also the winner of the Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe for New Talent Author Award. Common Sense Media says this series is appropriate for readers ages 14 and older. |
City of Bones (Book 1 in The Mortal Instruments Series) | Cassandra Clare | The Mortal Instruments series begins with fifteen-year-old Clary Fray, who visits the Pandemonium Club in New York City and witnesses a strange murder committed by three teenagers, who are covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. What unnerves Clarey most is when she observes the body disappearing into thin air. The City of Bones is an urban fantasy fiction novel that takes Clary to the world of the Shadowhunters, an undercover group of warriors dedicated to driving demons out of our world and back to their own. The City of Bones is the first book in the series, and Common Sense Media deems this book appropriate for readers ages 12 and older. The content in The Mortal Instruments series does become more mature as the series progresses. |
Dune | Frank Herbert | With the film Dune accessible through HBO, it feels like a great time to spotlight the book that inspired the film. Frank Herbert’s book Dune is a tried and true favorite and is also the first book in a six-part series. Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, who would become the mysterious man known as Muad'Dib. He would avenge the traitorous plot against his noble family and would bring to fruition humankind's most ancient and unattainable dream. A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism and politics, Dune formed the basis of what many consider to be the grandest epic in science fiction. |
American Royals | Kathrine McGee | American Royals reimagines our nation if George Washington had been presented with a monarchy rather than a presidency after America won its independence from Britain. This story takes place centuries later with the House of Washington still reigning supreme. American Royals is the story of older teens in the highest, most glamorous levels of society, where the royal heirs vie for power and princesses vie for love. Common Sense Media deems this book appropriate for readers ages 13 and older. |
Boy 21 | Matthew Quick | Boy21 is a compelling coming-of-age story that unites Finley and Russ. Basketball is a point of connection between the young men, but this story addresses complex issues of mental health, love, and friendship. Matthew Quirk is best known for his book, Silver Linings Playbook, and reviewers remark a how well Quirk adapts his interest in mental health issues for young adult audiences. Common Sense Media deems this book appropriate for readers ages 12 and older. |
Firekeeper's Daughter | Angeline Boulley | Firekeeper’s Daughter is the debut novel by Angeline Boully. This Young Adult thriller is about Daunis Fontaine, a Native teen, who gets caught in a criminal investigation and must eradicate the corruption in her community. Firekeeper’s Daughter is a New York Times bestseller and was selected as one of TIME Magazine’s Best YA Book of All Time. Common Sense Media deems this book appropriate for readers 15 and older. |