2025 Staff Picks: TeenLike this list

18 items

• Sunrise on the Reaping

  Collins, Suzanne,

  Add Sunrise on the Reaping to your for later shelf

  We loved this book because it made us question everything we thought we knew about the Hunger Games series. Beautifully and flawlessly weaving details from the other books into its narrative, this book fulfilled our desire for more books in the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Sisters in the Wind

  Boulley, Angeline,

  Add Sisters in the Wind to your for later shelf

  While this book could be read as a stand alone, we loved that it provided much desired follow ups to some of the loose ends from "The Firekeeper's Daughter." Like Angeline Boulley's other books, it has slow-burn suspense, but the payoff is worth it.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Marisol Acts the Part

  Rose, Elle Gonzalez,

  Add Marisol Acts the Part to your for later shelf

  There is not a single boring second in this book! It has swoony romance, Hollywood drama, some laugh-out-loud funny bits, and a heroine to root for. Suggested by Amanda, Christine, and Denise.

• Death in the Jungle

  Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown

  Fleming, Candace,

  Add Death in the Jungle to your for later shelf

  We generally knew about the tragedy of Jonestown, but this book did a deep dive on the cult and its maniacal leader Jim Jones, and it treated the victims' and survivors' stories with incredible care and documentation. We appreciated the author's…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• (S)kin

  Zoboi, Ibi Aanu,

  Add (S)kin to your for later shelf

  Steeped in Caribbean folklore, this contemporary fantasy, told in verse, beautifully weaves together the story of two teenagers who have more in common than they think. I love how strong and expressive the imagery and characters are while the book…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Run Away With Me

  Selznick, Brian,

  Add Run Away With Me to your for later shelf

  I was swept away by this super-swoony summer romance set in 1980s Rome. I loved how the author was able to weave cultural elements of the city, ancient and recent history, and a mystery. The artwork is excellent, too. Suggested by Rummanah.

• The Rose Bargain

  Smith, Sasha Peyton,

  Add The Rose Bargain to your for later shelf

  I devoured this book's fluffy meringue shell, only to find its insides were darker, spicier, and altogether more unpredictable than your average teen romantasy. The author weaves a fairytale that gives shades of fae romance and a royal court…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• I Am Not Jessica Chen

  Liang, Ann,

  Add I Am Not Jessica Chen to your for later shelf

  You’ll feel all the feelings when Jenna Chen’s desperate wish to become her “perfect” cousin, Jessica Chen, comes true and Jenna begins to lose herself while realizing that everything is not so ideal in Jessica’s life. Looking at identity,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Split the Sky

  Arnold, Marie,

  Add Split the Sky to your for later shelf

  Split the Sky is a stark look at living in a modern sundown town, and Arnold offers an unflinching look at brutality against Black bodies throughout this country's history. I found this book to be both beautiful and devastating. Suggested by Amber H.

• Lou With the Band

  Young, Alexandra Leigh,

  Add Lou With the Band to your for later shelf

  I loved following Lou across multiple countries as she works for a world famous pop star and gets into some messy entanglements with the hot guitarist and her best friend back home! Suggested by Amanda.

• Hekate

  the Witch

  Gill, Nikita,

  Add Hekate to your for later shelf

  This retelling of Hekate's story is told with a sparkling, lyrical narrative and a compelling character arc. We loved witnessing Hekate's empowerment and coming into her own power. Suggested Rummanah and Susanne.

• The Otherwhere Post

  Taylor, Emily J.,

  Add The Otherwhere Post to your for later shelf

  This is a quiet book that surprised me. Maeve dives into the world of magic to clear her father's name. That gripped me from the beginning and it'll be a winner for all who love dark academia. Suggested by Amber H.

• Sọmadịna

  Emezi, Akwaeke,

  Add Sọmadịna to your for later shelf

  As a fantasy fan, I loved the world-building in this magical story, the different kinds of powers people develop, and the great journey our main character goes on to save her brother. Suggested by Amanda.

• The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick

  Isabelle, S.

  Add The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick to your for later shelf

  A fun, flirty, and witty historical romance filled with likable characters and drama. For anyone who enjoyed the romp of "Bridgerton" and the social commentary of Jane Austen. Suggested by Rummanah.

• Nav's Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love

  Lewis, Jessica, 1994-

  Add Nav's Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love to your for later shelf

  Who doesn't love a good swoon? Nav herself is a complicated character, and I loved following her budding relationship with Gia and navigating messy familial relationships. Suggested by Amber H.

• And the River Drags Her Down

  Yun, Jihyun,

  Add And the River Drags Her Down to your for later shelf

  This book was the most perfect blend of hair-raisingly spooky and gorgeously written. A family that has the power to raise the dead, a sister who dies under mysterious circumstances. I got goosebumps reading it! Suggested by Amanda.

• The Executioners Three

  Dennard, Susan,

  Add The Executioners Three to your for later shelf

  A highly entertaining creepy supernatural mystery that strikes the right balance between action, humor, and a rivals-to-lovers romance. I would highly recommend it to fans of Maureen Johnson's Truly Devious mystery series. Suggested by Rummanah.

• The Art Thieves

  Rogers, Andrea L.,

  Add The Art Thieves to your for later shelf

  I was swept up by this futurist novel that resists the fate of a forever dystopia. Stevie, a Cherokee teen in 2052 Texas, finds herself wrapped up in a plot to save her spiraling world from egg flu and climate catastrophe. With romance and time…Read moreRead more of this annotation