(3) YA Six years ago, a strange phenomenon began: the name of a person's meant-to-be soulmate (a.k.a. "MTB") appeared on their skin once they turned eighteen. As newly eighteen-year-old Agatha falls for an amusement park coworker who is not her MTB, she wonders if she can choose her own fate. Agatha's brazen, clever narration should engage teens who have their own tough choices to make.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) YA When Alex's best friend is diagnosed with cancer, she asks Alex to help her complete a "Fuck-It list" (like a bucket list, but edgier). Alex tries to be supportive while mourning her recently deceased father and hooking up with a crush. Unapologetically abrasive (and R-rated), the novel is heavy on tragedy but a realistic portrayal of cancer's far-reaching effects.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) YA Anna, who spent three weeks in a mental hospital being treated for depression in Get Well Soon, is headed back to her "real" life of high school, friendships, and an increasingly uneasy family situation. Negotiating her pre- and post-treatment selves proves to be a challenge Anna is entirely up to. Anna's snarky voice offsets serious subject matter in this humorous recovery tale.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) YA When their friend Penny disappears the summer before starting college, Lillian and Josh take off on a road trip to find her. To complicate matters, Lil is in love with Josh, but he is afraid to ruin their friendship. Teens will enjoy this fast-paced coming-of-age story, and many will relate to the struggles faced by Lil and her friends.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(2) YA Sophomore year begins with betrayal by Jessie's two best friends. Where can she find new pals? Fans of everything geek will adore Jessie's induction into the world of nerds, including Dungeons & Dragons and medieval role-playing. Her narration is the real draw: it's witty and true to character, conveying, among other things, her anxiety about joining the outcasts.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2009

(3) YA Inspired by Halpern's own experiences, this debut novel focuses on Anna, an overweight girl suffering from depression and debilitating panic attacks. Narrating her time in a mental hospital through unsent letters to her best friend, Anna's wryly humorous voice helps keep the tone on the lighter side even as she describes the harsh realities of hospital life and recovery.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Cordell. Lonely Toby (his best friend has moved away) is invited to play with a bunch of freshly fallen snowflakes. Although they all melt the next day, Toby finds a new (human) friend in their place. Distinctive images of a red-garbed Toby match a bold text that portrays the snowflakes as happy-go-lucky characters ("'See ya, Sheila.' 'Next time around, Yolanda'") embracing their ephemeral nature.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano