(2) YA Waylon Brewer does not fit in at Clover City High School. He's fat; he's gay; and he loves drag, particularly a drag-competition TV show called Fiercest of Them All. But no one, not even his twin sister, Clementine, knows that he wants to actually perform in drag: that is, until his audition video for the show, starring "Miss Pumpkin Patch," is accidentally posted publicly on Facebook. It goes viral, naturally, earning Waylon immediate mockery at school and a nomination to prom court--as queen. Along with Clementine's girlfriend, a similarly gender-bending candidate for king, Waylon embraces the joke and campaigns to win the crown; it doesn't hurt that his cute classmate Tucker is a fellow nominee (for king). This third story set in Clover City, Texas, features a genuine and unbreakable sibling bond; a strong romantic connection; and a cast of well-developed supporting characters, including guest appearances from Willowdean (­Dumplin', rev. 11/15) and Callie and Millie (Puddin', rev. 5/18). Like those ­protagonists, Waylon learns to love who he is and refuses to settle for anyone who doesn't. Or as he tells Tucker: "I'm done being with people who are embarrassed by me...I'm too good to keep secret." It's easy to cheer for Waylon--who eventually triumphs both as himself and as Pumpkin--in this celebration of individuality and self-expression.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(2) 4-6 What seems at first like a typical story of mean girls and middle-school bullying takes an unexpected turn with the plot device of an artificial intelligence program that turns out to be more than its creators expected. Roisin Doyle is having trouble with the move from Ireland to the Boston suburbs where her mother is working on an AI project. While the cultural differences and Mom's intense work schedule are aggravating, Roisin's biggest problem is classmate Zara, who harasses her both in person and online. After downloading a new app, "You-chat," Roisin connects with Haley, who becomes Roisin's first friend in the United States. But Haley seems to be encouraging Roisin to take revenge on Zara, and after an accident on a school field trip, Roisin discovers that Haley is not who--or what--she thought. Averbuch constructs a complex scenario that is both over-the-top and entirely plausible, giving readers enough clues about Haley that the book's twist is less a major surprise than a satisfying plot development. Roisin's blend of impulsivity and maturity allows her to believably get in over her head with Haley but also take charge at a crucial moment and prevent disaster. The book's balance of real-world emotional issues and only-a-little-futuristic technology delivers an engaging story that will appeal to fans of both sci-fi and contemporary fiction.

Reviewer: Sarah Rettger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2021

(2) YA Senior Liz Lighty has successfully stayed out of the spotlight and off of Campbell County High School's new social networking app, Campbell Confidential. Being poor and Black in affluent Campbell has made her feel like an outsider. But when she is denied a seat in Pennington College's orchestra and a music scholarship at the institution, she decides to run for prom queen for the scholarship money that comes with winning. With the help of her best friend, she plans to become prom queen material. What Liz doesn't expect is to fall in love with another contender for the crown and to reconnect with her former best guy friend. Teen readers will relate to Liz's journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Despite themes of poverty, racism, and homophobia, the book remains lighthearted. Liz's snarky first-person narration adds to the humor, and references to popular culture help create an authentic teen voice. Screenshots from a cellphone introduce each week of competition and underscore the power of social media in the lives of teens today.

Reviewer: Nicholl Denice Montgomery | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(3) YA After the CDC detains their flight from the Dominican Republic, strangers Flora and Oliver are quarantined together due to potentially contracting "tropical mono" (a feverish Flora impulsively kissed Oliver). During their thirty-day hospital stay, the #quaranteens contend with social-media fame and realize they're more than just roommates. Snappy alternating chapters and well-drawn protagonists keep the largely one-setting story from feeling monotonous.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) YA Aspiring artist Ivy has always been happy living in best friend Harold's shadow. But when Harold is away for the summer, Ivy delves into the intriguingly anonymous world of VEIL, an online forum for sharing art. Ivy's shyness and altruism are tested when real life and virtual ones collide in the wake of homophobic hate speech. Debut novelist Enni crafts an unusual story with a memorable protagonist.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(2) 4-6 Twelve-year-old CJ lives with her aunt Nic, a YouTube medium trying to break into reality TV. After discovering that a Hollywood producer seeks to unmask her aunt as a charlatan, CJ uncovers a major family secret (about her mother), which convinces her that Aunt Nic is a fraud. Graff's ruminations on life and death; faith and belief; truth, fiction, and lies appear throughout this page-turning story about one family's specific dysfunctions.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2019

(3) YA Five years after their small Ohio town was devastated by a steel mill explosion, a group of teens united by loss and grief find something new to bond over when they witness strange lights in the sky and decide to investigate. The mystery's paranormal elements combine with narrator Franny's introspection to create a rich and rewarding page-turner fans of Stranger Things will devour.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) 4-6 Digital Citizens series. Illustrated by Diego Vaisberg. This nonfiction series presents a balanced, practical view of how to manage one's online presence in the (increasingly pervasive) digital world, addressing responsible behaviors and dangerous/emotionally damaging situations. Appealing blocky graphics and illustrations draw inspiration from Minecraft, evoking popular online interactions. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Digital Citizens titles: My Digital Community and Media, My Digital Future, My Digital Health and Wellness, My Digital Rights and Rules, My Digital Safety and Security and My Digital World

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) YA Tech Titans series. With clean design that reflects the companies they profile, these straightforward, well-organized introductions to technology innovators present the histories, impacts, key players, and controversies. With a focus on narrative and readability, each book compellingly begins with an anecdote about the founders or recent events to demonstrate the company's powerful influence. Sidebars and lots of captioned photographs help break up the texts. There are four other spring 2019 books in this series. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Tech Titans titles: Apple, Facebook, Google, and Twitter.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(2) YA When Astrid's brain tumor comes back, she doesn't want to go through chemo and hospitals again. Instead she investigates cryopreservation as a possibility and road-trips from Massachusetts to Arizona to tour the cryopreservation facility, posting vlog updates along the way. Astrid's matter-of-fact voice contains a good amount of gallows humor, and the existential questions she raises are thought-provoking and ripe for discussion. Her eventual decision, while it feels inevitable, is devastating.

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

(3) YA Pham, founder/CEO of women-centered online platform Mogul, dishes on her success in this pep-talky self-help book for teens. The workbook-like volume includes lists, activities, and writing prompts. Pham's tone is chatty and infectiously positive as chapters ranging from fashion to finance to failure mix personal anecdote, practical business skills, inspiration, and feminism. "Mogul mentor" inserts offer additional advice. Young women will learn to set their sights high.

Reviewer: Erica Wetter

(3) YA Tech Titans series. With clean design that reflects the companies they profile, these straightforward, well-organized introductions to technology innovators present the histories, impacts, key players, and controversies. With a focus on narrative and readability, each book compellingly begins with an anecdote about the founders or recent events to demonstrate the company's powerful influence. Sidebars and lots of captioned photographs help break up the texts. There are four other spring 2019 books in this series. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Tech Titans titles: Apple, Facebook, Google, and Twitter.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(2) YA Eighteen-year-old Izzy becomes the center of a national scandal after a photo of her having sex with classmate (and senator's son) Vaughan appears on a website called "Izzy O'Neill: World Class Whore." The scandal threatens Izzy's sense of self-worth, her friendships, and her budding screenwriting career. Izzy's blog-style journal entries are refreshingly sex-positive and wickedly clever; readers will recognize the double standards, commoditization, and harassment she experiences.

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

(3) YA After signing up for a virtual matchmaking service during her freshman year at NYU, Mariam is matched with Caleb, who broke her heart in high school. She chooses to virtually date him anyway, without telling him who she is, and they do reconnect. But is Caleb really who Mariam wants? This light, entertaining rom-com imagines an all-too-possible future for online dating.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) YA African American girl Jasmine is starting junior year at NYC's Amsterdam High with her (white) best friend Chelsea. Early in the school year, both girls are confronted with racism and sexism in their respective clubs. This leads to Jasmine and Chelsea starting their own club, Write like a Girl, which attracts both fans and trolls. Alternating narratives build a relatable, realistic, and inspiring story for teens.

Reviewer: Nicholl Denice Montgomery

(3) 4-6 Even though sixth grader Addison suffers from anxiety, he goes along with his best friend Devin's plan to seek internet fame to raise money for Devin's father's medical care. One mishap after another culminates with a daring rescue during an L.A. Clippers basketball game and a nasty punch in the eye. Colorful secondary characters and refreshingly real financial concerns lend an air of authenticity to the amusing story.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) 4-6 Ella wants her divorced dad to date so he won't feel uncomfortable around her new stepdad--then maybe everyone can watch her compete at the National Dog Show together. After a fake internet dating profile and some humorous mishaps, Ella must come clean. Smart, funny Ella is a winning heroine, whether she's creating chaos or learning poignant lessons about control, honesty, and letting people (and dogs) be.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) YA Vanessa, Phoebe, and Callie--attendees of vastly different conventions (fandom, percussion, and taxidermy, respectively)--meet at a convention center and form a friendship better than many of their existing relationships with their con-companions. Well-drawn characters enhance the humor of this multiple-perspectives tale, which is light but progressive; Vanessa's blossoming romance with genderqueer Merry is a particularly heartwarming subplot.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) YA Violet and her fellow fans of dystopian novel The Gallows Dance are transported from Comic-Con to the story's world. When they inadvertently cause the death of protagonist Rose, Violet must live out Rose's role in the grim tale. The novel derives some interesting scenes from the premise of exploring a favorite story from within, but the eventual explanation of the magic is convoluted.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) YA A thorough, clear introduction to the concepts of fandom and fanworks, aimed primarily at those new to the subculture. DiPiazza uses plenty of examples from--and quotes from members of--a variety of fandoms, and she doesn't shy away from discussing controversies such as the misogynistic harassment of Gamergate. Black-and-green graphics and relevant photos break up the text. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax