(2) YA Amelia Westlake is not real; she's "born" when rule-following Harriet and outspoken Wilhelmina (Will) create a cartoon exposing their prestigious school's coach for sexual harassment. As "Amelia" orchestrates creative, funny pranks to uncover injustices, her creators acknowledge their growing mutual attraction. In alternating-narrative chapters, Harriet's voice is amusingly formal; Will's is sharp and sarcastic. By book's end, readers will applaud Amelia along with the students.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(4) YA With Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul. A novelization of the Broadway musical. When classmate Connor commits suicide, Evan perpetuates the misunderstanding that he was close friends with Connor. Evan's tribute goes viral, making him the poster boy for teen-suicide awareness. Evan's social anxiety is superficially developed and feels like an excuse for his poor choices. Nevertheless, the focus on teen suicide and our increasing disconnection through social media could start vital conversations.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(4) YA In this contemporary romance/travel story, five American expat friends celebrate high school graduation with a European trip. Chapters alternate between Aubrey and Rae's perspectives: perfectionist Aubrey is caught between two boys, while free-spirited Rae harbors a crush on a female travel companion. As the group travels from London to Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Florence, and Barcelona, too much drama distracts from the interesting settings.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(2) YA Mel has an uncommon form of bipolar disorder that causes her moods to shift rapidly--and dangerously--between mania and depression. She keeps her disorder private, but secrecy leads to isolation; when Mel's moods destabilize--characterized by unnervingly frantic narration--she needs help from others to stay safe. Mel's struggle to take her condition seriously without letting it define her life is heart-rending.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2017

(2) YA After learning that his heart-transplant donor was Neve's twin brother, Jonny contacts Neve to learn more about him. But Jonny is afraid to tell her who he really is, and as their friendship turns romantic, Neve suspects he's hiding something. These emotionally complex, vulnerable co-narrators manage to have a remarkably normal teenage relationship while helping each other face realities they never dreamed they'd see.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(3) YA Sophia's not happy that her last week in Tokyo overlaps with the return of Jamie, the boy with whom she had a falling-out three years ago. But once Jamie's back, they finally acknowledge their feelings for each other--despite Sophia's impending departure. Reminiscent of Jennifer E. Smith's novels, this introspective love story gives readers an insider's look into a fascinating city.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) YA Eighteen-year-old Sammie, star debater and high-school valedictorian, refuses to give up her bright future--even to Niemann-Pick Type C, the fatal genetic disease robbing her of memory and eventually bodily control. So Sammie keeps a "memory book" to guide her future self. That book, and this novel, ultimately becomes a gut-wrenching but perceptive record of Sammie's decline and its effects on those around her.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) YA Before socially awkward seventeen-year-old Jules started dating Alex, all that mattered to her was editing the school newspaper and getting into Brown. When Alex joins a new media group that's threatening the paper's existence, Jules feels betrayed and starts an all-out war, compromising her relationship and integrity. A well-paced plot and Jules's distinctive neurotic voice help balance the underdeveloped romance.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) YA Country music star Bird Barrett headlines her first national tour, which is both exciting and stressful. Some bad press threatens Bird's image, her team pushes her to the point of exhaustion, and there's tension within her trusted circle of confidantes. Bird ultimately explores who she really wants to be in this satisfying conclusion to the Wildflower trilogy. A playlist is appended.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(2) YA Vietnamese Australian teen Vân U'ó'c Phan (Wildlife) is an artist; her immigrant parents expect her to become a doctor. Her longtime crush, popular and privileged white guy Billy, also feels smothered by parental expectations. The exploration of Vân U'ó'c's mixed feelings toward her parents is emotionally compelling in this satisfying teen love story enhanced by a bit of magical realism involving a wish.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(4) YA Kelsey's identical twin, Michelle, has just died in a car crash. Peter, Michelle's boyfriend stationed in Afghanistan, doesn't know, and Kelsey can't bring herself to tell him--so she impersonates her sister on Skype, falling for Peter as she gets to know him. Their ensuing romance is artificial and the conclusion is too tidy, but Kelsey's grief feels authentic.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) YA Lucy and Jesse have a brief whirlwind romance in Italy; he stays and she returns to the U.S. for college, missing Jesse and unexcited to be majoring in business instead of theater. By auditioning for a play and dating again, Lucy learns to follow her heart. A fresh re-imagining of Forster's A Room with a View for fans of Sarah Dessen and Stephanie Perkins.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(4) YA Though movie star Paige (Famous in Love) has chosen one of her two male costars, the paparazzi catch her snuggling with the other, setting off a media firestorm that paints Paige as the villain. Paige's biggest challenge--figuring out who she is while being constantly idolized by fans and scrutinized by the press--is more compelling than her efforts to choose between her two besotted costars.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) YA It's their last night together before Clare and Aidan leave for college on opposite coasts, and Clare plans to use that evening to decide if they should break up or not. Over the course of the eventful night, Clare and Aidan remember their past and maturely talk about the future. Steeped in nostalgia, this weighty novel takes high school relationships seriously.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) YA When Riley (girl) and Reid (guy) find out that their two bandmates are dating, the sixteen-year-olds team up to help each other search for "true love and/or sex" and document their journeys in a shared notebook. Chapters alternate between prose and handwritten-style journal entries, both solid platforms for the protagonists' distinct, humorous voices. Many teenagers will relate to their romantic trials and tribulations.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(2) YA Great-aunt Adelaide died and left Dan's family a house; his dad announced he was bankrupt, gay, and leaving them. Stunned and angry, Dan still relates his story with humor: "Guys, please, one life-changing shock at a time." How all (including a new school, a bully, and the nice-but-unattainable girl-next-door) turns out swell is well earned by this decent, funny protagonist. Prequel to Wood's Wildlife.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(3) YA Caitlin and Tricia are dead, the most recent casualties in a string of drownings in the ocean town of Echo Bay. Emerson, Tenley, and Sydney are unlikely allies, joined together by their common loss and by the fact that notes threatening to expose their secrets continue to arrive. With this sequel to Truth or Dare, Green crafts a leisurely paced mystery with a sinister cliffhanger ending.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) YA This follow-up to Pretenders continues the conceit: five popular freshmen at Noble High reveal their secrets in private diaries and journals that have since been leaked by one of their own. This entertaining entry offers more closure than its predecessor, but, despite its varied voices and clever formats, it still feels a bit like a Gossip Girl knockoff.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) YA Jessica Darling's It List series. Jessica is realizing that everything in junior high--from sleepovers to Halloween costumes--comes with drama, and she's looking to her sister's advice (the "It List") for help. She's drifting away from Bridget, Dori is accusing Jessica of flirting with her boyfriend, and Manda and Sara's obsession with popularity is overbearing. Funny and authentic with just the right mix of angst and hope.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(3) YA Photographs by Shideh Miller. Fashion blogger Shauna Miller gives teens practical, savvy small-budget style advice. From finding your "style tribe" to assessing what's already in your closet, raiding family members' closets, DIYing, and shopping on the cheap, Miller's tone is consistently down-to-earth and encouraging: "the trick is having confidence, or as I like to say, 'owning it.'" Plenty of photographs in a clean layout visualize the ideas.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen