Deepfake by Sarah Darer Littman

How could Dara say such a thing? There is not doubt; it's right there in the video. That is why Will is so angry. But Dara knows she didn't say it. She would never say anything like that especially about Will who she has been secretly dating since the beginning of the school year. 

None of it would have happened if the video had not been posted on the anonymous blog, Rumor Has It. You know the blog - the one that some senior takes over every year to spread gossip about students and teachers. Every blog entry affects someone, but this one has completely upended Dara's and Will's lives. Will's acceptance to Stanford is in jeopardy (although his dad has been pushing him to go there for so long, he's not really sure he wants to). Dara knows she is innocent, but Will is not so sure (obliterating any trust in their relationship). 

So is it possible the video is fake? And if so, who would make it? Who has the tech to do it? All questions that must be answered before Dara and Will can prove their innocence. 

Tackling an issue that may become all too common in our world, this story is a satisfying read. The tech itself is really just a tool for the teens to deal with basic human issues: friends that betray you, parents that won't listen to you, boyfriends that don't trust you.  

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site. 

 

It Came from the Sky by Chelsea Sedoti

Gideon and is brother Ishmael are so different. Gideon is a serious science guy who dreams of going to MIT. He even has his own lab in the shed outback. Ishmael is a laid back prankster. Gideon worries; Ishmael goes with the flow. They get along, but rarely see eye to eye... until one of Gideon's experiments blows a huge crater in the backyard, and they decide to tell everyone it was from an alien spacecraft. 

You can understand why Ishmael would do it (he is too enthusiastic - he may have helped increase the size of the explosion). Gideon, though, is supposed to be the level headed one. But he sees an opportunity to do a social experiment that will make his MIT application stand out. The problem is people actually believe the story - people from all over the world are suddenly interested in their small town. 

 Lots of things happen in this humorous story. The brothers keep the people interested by faking other alien activities (like making crop circles). The head of their mom’s company (a health products network that is probably a scam) shows up to exploit the town for marketing and his own self- indulgence. Gideon is secretly dating Owen; secretly because as the only openly gay males in their school, Gideon does not want people to think that they are dating because they have no choice (yes, Gideon is insecure). Oh, there is a giant lave lamp in the center of town.

This is a fun read even though you want tell Gideon to chill out. There is some suspense (like how much trouble are these two going to get into); some romance; a little adventure; fake science fiction. Really, a bit of everything.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site. 

All That I Can Fix by Crystal Chan

Wild animals running free in a small town - sounds wacky. But it is not a humorous story. In fact, the animals play mostly a peripheral part in the story of Ronney whose life is in turmoil. 

Ronney's dad tried to commit suicide a few year's ago and only managed to injure himself. Since then in his state of depression, he barely leaves his room and says little to his family. Ronney has worked to keep the house repaired. He also has stepped up to emotionally support his younger sister. Ronney is really angry at his dad for trying to abandon them and then just barely existing while the family's lives go on. And he lets his dad know it, too. Any chance he gets, Ronney reminds his dad about how worthless he is.

Ronney and George have been best friends forever. The thing is George is a girl and Ronney has more than just friendly feelings for her. Jello, his other friend, tries to convince Ronney to help him photograph some of the animals to help propel his career as a photographer. 

And what is with the kid who keeps showing up saying Ronney stole his jeans. One, it's annoying. Two, it's creeping him out. And Ronney has never met him before. 

Ronney is angry at everything which is not an endearing quality for a character.  He isn't mean to people because he is a jerk; he really seemed to have things working against him. But I kept reading to see how Ronney dealt with his anger and his life (and do they get all those animals running amok?).  

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site. 

Chasing Starlight by Teri Bailey Black

In the 1938, the glamour of Hollywood is in full swing. But Kate does not want to be there. And when gets there, it is certainly not all that glamorous. Kate would rather be in San Francisco living with her aunt and going to school where she dreams of being an astronomer (not a normal career for a woman in that time). 

Yet, here is Kate off to live with her grandfather, dashing film star of the silent movie era. Her parents are dead (an event that will haunt her for the rest of her life), and her aunt is marrying some man who despises Kate. Her grandfather's career is long over, so she finds him living in his run down mansion taking in boarders (wannabe actors, mostly) to make some money. 

Kate knows a proper young lady cannot live with bunch of strange men, but at first she has little choice. Her grandfather (who hasn't left the house in years) is happy to have her stay so he can know her better. And the boarders aren't so bad; in fact, two of the young men are quite handsome and charming in their own ways. 

As things start to look up, Kate finds one of the boarders stabbed to death in the kitchen. She finds herself suspecting everyone, so she becomes an amateur sleuth hoping not to get caught by the killer who may be living under the same roof. 

The focus of the story is the murder, but it is more than just a murder mystery. The old Hollywood setting is cool. Through Kate, we see that behind the scenes Hollywood is not so magical. There are several story lines happening that help elevate the characters beyond stereotypes. Kate could easily have been written as a snob (the refined woman forced to live below her standards), but she is more unsure of herself and where she belongs. Really interesting characters and story that keeps moving. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site. 

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

Liz never cared about being prom queen. She has tried to keep herself out of the spotlight at school. But when she does not get a scholarship for her dream college, getting that crown is the only path to make it happen. Being Black and gay is not going to make it any easier. 

In her small hometown, prom is a huge deal - and the competition for king and queen is even bigger. The winners get a scholarship, so it's not just a popularity contest. Way before the students vote, contestants must earn points by attending events and doing volunteer hours all while being publicized on social media. 

Ever since her best friend Jordan unceremoniously shut her out freshman year, Liz has tried to hide: get good grades and lose herself in her music. So making herself visible to the whole school is not easy. If she doesn't get the scholarship, the grandparents who raised her will mortgage their house and who knows what else, and Liz will not let that happen. 

So what else is going on with Liz? Her mother died of sickle cell anemia, and her younger brother has it, too. Jordan has popped back into her life as one of the prom king contestants. Her friend Gabi is driving her to be someone else just to win. And who is the cute new girl Amanda who is also running for prom queen? 

I really enjoyed this book. Great story with unique (not stereotype) characters. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site. 

Half Life by Lillian Clark

Lucille agrees to be cloned. If this were in the future in a technologically advanced society, that might not be surprising. But it is not. This story is set in a world like ours, right now. A high tech company reaches out to Lucille, a high school student, to be a test subject, and she agrees to do it (without her parents' knowing). 

Lucille is a very busy, serious student. She is known as an overachiever. Working so hard means, she has to make sacrifices - the kind of things that make you more fun to be around. So Lucille imagines the second version of her will give her more time to do fun things. Her clone can go to school, and no one will ever know the difference. 

You've probably already guessed that it doesn't work out the way she hopes it will. Her clone (Lucy) is not a robot. She has feelings and (oddly enough) different interests. Also, the tech company considers Lucy property that it will take back after a month. Ethical dilemmas abound, but for awhile Lucille is only concerned about herself and her new found freedom.

At it's core, this story is about a teen who tries to make her life easier and ends up in a much bigger situation than she imagined. It is livened up with the problems of trying to keep the clone a secret and the related ethical issues. It's best not to get bogged down in the science of creating such a clone and the other plot issues. If you accept the premise as is, then this book is worth your time. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site. 

The Truth App by Jack Heath

Jarli has created an app that can detect whether someone is telling truth. Is that why someone rammed a truck into his dad's car while they were in it? Does it have something to do with his dad's security job? As the story begins, Jarli has no time to think about the reason. He only knows the truck that just hit them is headed their way to do it again.    

While his dad is in the hospital, Jarli's app is making news around the world. He only put it out so fellow programmers could test it, but now everyone (including the news media) seems to be using it. Classmates are not happy since teachers and parents are using it, too. If it weren't for Jarli's best friend Bess and the new girl Anya, Jarli would be facing the world alone.         

And Jarli is facing a lot. No adults believe someone purposely caused the accident, so the truck driver is still on the loose and is still trying to kill Jarli (He has no idea why). Reporters are camped out in front of Jarli's house shouting questions whenever he leaves. 

This book is non-stop from beginning to end. I thought I would be reading a wacky story about a truth app that causes chaos in the daily life of a high schools student. This story is a mystery, action filled ride with Jarli finding danger at every turn. Shooting, kidnapping, fire and mind games all add up to a quick read. As the cover indicates, there are more books to come. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site. 

All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban

Six teens locked in one room for one hour. One of them must die or everyone will be killed. Is it real? Do they really have to choose one of them so the others may live? How will these three girls and three boys ever get out of this nightmare? 

So who are they...

Amber (our narrator) wants to compose movie soundtracks. She is desperate to find a way into USC's music program. Since she started high school, Amber has been trying to be herself without being known as the sister of the girl who killed herself.

Robbie is a popular athlete. He dreams of going to Georgia Tech to play baseball just like his brothers. Robbie's father has never given him the attention and respect he gave his other successful ball playing sons. Robbie wants to make it on his own to prove his worth. 

Diego is smart. He invented a color changing sponge that has sold well enough to make him a millionaire. To do that, his dad left the company he started with Amber's father causing Amber's family to suffer financially. 

Sasha is the top of the popularity pyramid at school. She wants to go to Harvard, so she involves herself in every activity and is usually in charge of them. Sasha is ambitious and ruthless, but her friends are loyal even when they are on the receiving end of her wrath. 

Priya was Amber's best friend. She was perfectly happy when it was just the two of them, but she encouraged Amber to approach Sasha about writing music for the school play. To do so, they must become a part of the popular crowd - a decision Priya would regret. 

Scott is the outlier. He is only driven to smoke weed and cruise through school. He's not a stoner oblivious to what is going on around him. Still, the others wonder why he was invited to this 'party.' 

The story is played in two ways: the time in the locked room and flashbacks leading up to it. Each add to the intensity as truths are revealed. In the room, tempers flare causing violence. So many questions to be answered: Who invited them? Who would want one of them dead? Is the bomb real? (ya, I hadn't mentioned that part yet or the syringe). If you are looking for a book full of suspense, give this one a read. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site. 

 

In Her Skin by Kim Savage

Jo is homeless, living on the streets of Boston. She left home when her mother was killed by her latest boyfriend. Jo's and her mom were con-artists. Jo's mom taught her all about choosing your make, being someone else and playing people to separate them from their money. Life has never been that great. 

One day, Jo sees the opportunity to escape to a new life. She will become Vivienne Weir, a girl who went missing nine years ago. Since Vivienne's parents died, Jo will be taken in by the Lovecrafts, the neighbors who were watching Vivi when she disappeared. They live in a luxurious house. They have a daughter, Temple, who was Vivi's best friend. It is all more than Jo could ever have dreamed. 

Sometimes becoming Vivi is too easy for Jo. Everyone wants Vivi back so much that they overlook obvious contradictions (like does Jo really look like an older version of Vivi?). Only the police seem skeptical. But the intervention of the police social worker and the powerful influence of the Lovecrafts override any doubts. 

Jo can never really relax. She wants to be loved by Temple, but her new 'sister' has a darker side. The whole family doesn't seem to quite fit making for a lot of tension. It is also a long con to play. Jo can never be Jo again, but she's ultimately not Vivi either. And now that she's in, can she get out?

With a little suspension of disbelief, you can enjoy Jo's suspenseful excursion into a life she has never experienced. With nothing feeling quite right, there is no time to relax in the pages of the book. But it is worth it. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site. 

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Life or death - it is Mia's choice (at least, she thinks it is her choice). Should she wake from the coma to face the difficult life she has ahead or just let herself go? She moves around the hospital like a ghost seeing all but not able to interact with her family and friends that have gathered. The devastating car crash has taken so much from her already; maybe it should take her, too.

Before the accident, Mia had a good life. She has loving parents who support her dream of being a cellist and a young brother she adores. She has a best friend, Kim, who is like a sister. And Mia has a boyfriend, Adam, who is a musician, too (in a rock band).

Since she was a child, the cello has been a part of her; the music an extension of who she is. She sometimes feels out of place among her rock music loving family (her dad gave up being a drummer in a punk band to become a teacher when her brother Teddy was born). Playing the cello is where she is most comfortable.

The family set off on a snow day trip to visit family. Mia never saw the other car coming. She finds herself standing in a ditch looking at what used to be her family's car. She feels fine, except she sees herself laying on the ground surrounded by rescue personnel. Is Mia dead? She doesn't know. She does hop in the ambulance and ride with herself to the hospital.

We, as readers, are with Mia knowing what she knows when she knows it. We are with her in the hospital waiting for Adam and Kim to arrive, watching her grandparents weep and learning the fate of her parents and brother. We also learn about Mia's life through flashbacks: discovering the cello, meeting Adam, hanging out with Kim, laughing at her brother, rolling her eyes at her mom, applying for school, listening to her dad's music. So much promise; so much lost.

What will Mia do? Stay or leave? Interesting questions for a poignant story. The book is relatively short, but packs a lot of emotion. Enjoy Mia's story - it's worth it.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

This Boy by Lauren Myracle

A day in the life of...well, actually four years in the life of a boy. We follow Paul through his time in high school - freshman to senior years. There is nothing particularly outstanding about Paul. He enters high school hoping to be a different person. He becomes friends with Roby who also wants more from his life.

Through freshman year, we get a dialogue between the two friends and a running commentary from Paul (our narrator). They talk about girls and clothes and sometimes nothing. I found much of their talk humorous and mostly relatable (I was once a teen boy, too). There were moments where I asked myself 'do modern guys really talk like this' that I let slide because I found Paul and Roby so amusing.

As the boys grow physically and change their appearance (Paul becomes tall and lets his hair grow long), the attention from girls, and the attraction to them, becomes stronger. But it is still never any easy road. They are both heavily crushing on Roby's long time neighbor Natalia.

One of the beautiful aspects of Paul's and Roby's friendship is the balance they provide for each other. Paul pushes the limits and Roby's influence keeps him from going too far. It's not to say that they don't have arguments, but they always come back together.

Truth be told, there is no story arc here. There is no motivation driving the plot. It really is just the ongoing life of 'this boy' named Paul. He has ups and downs (and it does get dark and ugly). I have seen some criticism that the story is boring. Obviously, no story exists that is for everyone. I have enjoyed the author's other books, and I liked this one. Maybe that is as much because I was a teenage boy and found my own teen thoughts in some of Paul's.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog.

Love, Heather by Laurie Petrou

I have felt for a long time that you can only push people so far. That eventually, bullied people will only take so much before they push back. Usually, I am referring to an oppressed group but certainly individuals can react in the same way. And so we have Stevie's life...

Going into her freshman year, things are good for Stevie. She and her best friend (forever) Lottie are unsure about entering high school but they have always done everything together. Yes, they are different: Lottie loves losing herself in a book while Stevie loves 80s and 90s movies (she regularly posts videos to her YouTube channel about them). Still, Stevie has spent so much time in Lottie's home that she feels like she has a second set of parents.

But things change. Lottie and Stevie start hanging out with the popular crowd and Lottie seems to be spending more time with them than Stevie. Add Stevie's mom dating some new guy and Lottie's parents going through epic changes (no spoilers here) and Stevie feels the very foundation of her life shift.

When her friendship with Lottie fractures and the horrific bullying starts, Stevie finds Dee. Dee is confident in ways Stevie could never be. Dee is also relentless in pointing out BS in the school. She pushes Stevie to bring justice to the victims by getting revenge on the perpetrators, the ones who think they are above it all. At first, the revenge is sweet, almost harmless pranks. When do the pranks get out of control? When do they cross a line into harassment?  When do the bullied become the bullies?

Stevie's story is painful and dark. She feels like her life is out of control. Whether it is a bad as she thinks, it doesn't matter because that's the way it feels to her. In the story, revenge is satisfying for a while. It is good to see the nasty people get taken down, but ultimately it is a tragic story. I like the unorthodox direction of the story, and I hope you do, too.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Who Put This Song On? by Morgan Parker

Morgan feels like she does not fit in anywhere. She is one of the few black girls in her private Christian school (she's not sure she is really Christian, either). Her anxiety and depression puts her parents on edge. Last summer it became too much, so she tried to kill herself.

Now in therapy and on medication, she is trying to get through life. She has two good friends, Meg and James. But even they do not understand what it is like to be black in a school and society so focused on white people. Take history class, the teacher gives bare information about Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman. Morgan has to dig deeper on her own to find how awesome these woman were. And when she tries to bring up in class, she is labeled as difficult. She is tired of being the representative of her race when no one will listen to her even when she tries to be authentic.

Her parents think her mood swings are just that; something she can control if she would just try. When she explodes in anger and frustration, she is accused of being dramatic.

And then there are guys. Why do guys turn out to be such jerks? Not that Morgan thinks that; often she blames herself and feels that no one will ever truly like her (she's just too weird, right?).

I was first struck by the humor in this story. Morgan is genuinely funny. As the story progresses, Morgan's issues are revealed. She has deep insecurity and such low self esteem. She wants to be better, but struggles to find the balance. It's an incredible story that appears to be largely autobiographical. From personal experience, I can say there is so much truth about her anxiety and depression. I hope young people find this book and take some solace from it and know that they are not alone.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

I Hope You Get This Message By Farah Naz Rishi

Seven days until the end of the world. Aliens send a message to earth that the entire human race will be wiped out...in seven days. What do you do with that information? Some people don't believe it's true. Some decide to steal and vandalize. Some make pilgrimages. Others continue on as normal as if nothing has changed.

We meet three teens and follow them through their journey. They come from different parts of the country, but we know they end up tied together before it is over.

First, Cate. She lives in San Francisco with her schizophrenia suffering mother. Cate has never known her father, but Cate's mother asks her to find him and give him a letter. Her father may (or may not) live in Nevada. Having given up most of her social life and extracurriculars to look after her mom, Cate is not going to deny her request. Her friend, Ivy, agrees to drive her. Finding her dad is not on her bucket list, but it becomes Cate's main focus now.

Jesse lives in Roswell, New Mexico. Yes, the place where tourists flock to see cheesy alien museums and buy cheap souvenirs. At least, they did until the real aliens spoke up. Now, the town is quiet with many businesses shut down. Jesse and his mom are barely getting by. She works at a diner, but hardly makes enough for the house payment and food. So Jesse sometimes steals items they need. He knows it is wrong, but it is almost nothing compared to other things he's done. He does not want to be a loser like his absent father, but he can't seem to stay out of trouble. When an opportunity to make some easy money arises, Jesse goes for it in spite of the ethically questionable nature of it.

Adeem lives in Carson City, Nevada. He loves shortwave radio. It his way of reaching out to people beyond his room. His parents and teachers are always telling him to live up to his potential, but he's not that interested. Adeem truly cares about his sister, Leyla, who abruptly left after coming out to her parents. They have not spoken in three years. When Adeem hears a poem one night over the airwaves that sounds like Leyla, he knows he must try to find her. Against his parents wishes, he heads towards Roswell to track her down.

There are aliens in this book (deliberating whether they should destroy humankind), but it is not really about them. This is a story of humans trying to reconnect with things they have lost before time runs out. Can Cate find her dad? Can Adeem find his sister? Can Jesses find a purpose? It is a suspenseful story that had me wondering how the three connected and will the aliens really destroy mankind. This is a worthy read if for nothing else than the three teens who are far from perfect but keep trying.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Let's Call It a Doomsday by Katie Henry

Ellis is prepared for something bad to happen. She knows anything could happen at anytime. Like, getting hit by a car. Or tripping and hitting your head. Or an earthquake. Or solar flare. The world is filled with danger, and Ellis thinks about it all the time. In fact, she has talked about the need to prepare so much that her mom, dad and sister are tired of it.

And maybe that's unfair. Ellis has anxiety (she is seeing a therapist). She can't really control her thoughts (no matter how much her mother wishes she could), so Ellis carries around her emergency preparedness kit ready for something to happen.

So the worst (best?) person to appear in Ellis' life: Hannah. They run into each other at the therapist's office, but they go to the same school. Hannah tells Ellis of her dreams (no, more like visions) where she sees the end of the world. Not easily convinced, Ellis eventually comes to believe Hannah and knows they must warn others. But Hannah is reluctant; she wants to find a person she knows who could help interpret the visions.

Ellis is a well meaning person. The coming doomsday (and it is coming soon) has reinforced her belief in the vulnerability of people. Even though she is always worried about her own well being, her first thoughts are to protect others. Her own intentions only cause her life to become more stressful. Her mom seems to hate her. She is socially awkward at school and church. There are times when Ellis seems to loose a grip on reality. But she is a sympathetic character that I wanted to be wrong and right at the same time. As someone who has anxiety, I could feel her struggle, and I think others will, too.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Crying Laughing by Lance Rubin

Winnie's life is about to change - in a lot of ways all at once. Like, Evan, one of the funniest guys at school, laughs at an off hand comment she makes. She know she's funny and so does her family and friends, but mostly she keeps her humor to herself. But Evan laughed at something she said!

At the urging of Evan and her best friend Leili, Winnie joins the school's improv group even though she said she would never perform in front of people again after her disastrous stand up routine at her bat mitzvah. Also, Evan may like her.

So Winnie has good things happening as the school year starts until...(did you really think everything would be rosy with 'crying' in the title?) Until she is told that her dad has been diagnosed with ALS, a degenerative disease with no cure.

Winnie's dad wanted to be a comedian until he put his career aside to stay at home with Winnie while her mother went to work. He introduced her to comedy. They trade silly responses and phrases to amuse each other (often to her mom's annoyance). Her dad is the reason Winnie wants to be a comedian, too. Now her dad has a difficult time grasping things and is unsteady on his feet.

So get ready for a ride on the roller coaster that is Winnie's life. It's a fun ride, but it has its down moments, too. It is a story that shows life does not always have answers, but can be funny all the while.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Now Entering Addamsville by Francesca Zappia

Zora sees dead people. Ghosts linger all around her small Indiana town of Addamsville. Some died in the coal mine. Some died of disease. And some died in the tragic fires that have put Addamsville on the map. The deliberately set fires have captured the attention of people, particularly those interested in the paranormal.

Zora's abilities come from her mother (who walked into the woods five years ago and never came back). Her mother was training her to be a hunter. A hunter of ghosts? No, ghosts mostly hang around and do not bother the living. Zora and her mother hunt firestarters, the demons actually responsible for the murders.

Many people believe that Zora is responsible for the latest fire that killed the school janitor. She was present at a big fire a few years ago (when she lost two of her fingers). Zora's mother swore her to secrecy about the firestarters, so she can't tell that she was fighting one at the time.

How does an 18 year old high schooler fight the possible return of a demon, keep her older sister for locking her in their trailer (for getting in trouble) while the whole town blames her for something she didn't do? Well, Zora has a tough time of it. Her family has always been outcasts. Her mom's behavior was strange and then her dad went to prison for conning a bunch of towns people out of their money.

In addition to the latest fire, the arrival of a television crew to film an episode of a well known paranormal show lights the fuse (if you will) for a showdown between Zora and the firestarter (and the town and her family's past). It is a tense ride sometimes with good characters and some humor thrown in. Good stuff.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Spin by Colleen Nelson

Dizzy wants to be a DJ. Her life has been surrounded by music. She lives with her dad and brother above their a vintage record store. She has been practicing her skills at the DJ stand in the corner of the store, but has never performed for an audience.

Her brother, Lou, doesn't know what he wants, but he knows it is not to spend the rest of his life working in a record store. He wishes he had Dizzy's drive, but currently he just feels adrift.

Their father, Ray, likes playing his sax and jamming with his friends. He likes the store and even though he is old fashioned in his thinking, he lets Lou start social media accounts for the store to attract new customers and to sell records online.

None of them are ready for the return of Georgia Waters, world famous singer and the mother of Dizzy and Lou. She left Ray when they were just children to pursue her career. She has only visited once in the last 12 or so years. She is coming to town for a concert. Will she even make an effort to see her grown children?

No one knows that Georgia is Lou and Dizzy's mother (outside of a few family friends) - it's the way she wanted it. And Ray has been happy not having the attention it would bring his children. Lou is angry at Georgia and doesn't care if she visits or not. Ray is indifferent, but may still have strong feelings for Georgia even though she left him to raise their children. Dizzy is curious and wants contact with her mother in hopes of getting answers.

One thing I love about this story is that we get the perspectives of Dizzy, Lou and Ray. Each get their own chapters throughout the book. We know what the are thinking and feeling. Yes, Dizzy is the center of the story, but Lou and Ray have their own parts to tell. This allows for the characters to be better developed, and the reader to be emotionally connected to them.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Catfishing On CatNet by Naomi Kritzer

A box drops out of the sky. Steph opens it to find exactly what she needs to alter the sex education robot teacher in her school (the one that will not answer 'controversial' questions). Where did the box come from? Who sent it? It is not the first incident like this recently. It's like someone is following Steph's conversations online.

Steph's only friends are on CatNet, a social media site dedicated to cat pictures. She never has a chance to make friends at school because her mother makes them move every few months. Why you may ask? Because Steph's father tried to kill both of them in a house fire when she was young. Her online friends do not know what Steph looks like or where she lives because her mother forbids her to give out any personal info that could give away their location.

That might sound a little paranoid except that Steph's father is a computer expert, so keeping a low profile is best. Her mom is, too; she makes money by doing jobs remotely for an old friend.

Now about that mystery box: it turns out that CatNet is run by an AI, a sentient computer program who decides they want to help people and Steph in particular. Imagine a being following all your online activity - scary? Maybe, but this being can also track your father and hamper his search for you.

Steph is a really great character with good friends (including her new in person friend, Rachel) who support each other. There are lots of unanswered questions in her life that make for a suspenseful story.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

It Ends With You by S.K. Wright

Eva is missing. Her boyfriend Luke is suspect number one. They were at Rob's party together the night she disappeared. Luke has anger issues, and he was so obsessed with Eva. And what did she see in him? They both attend an exclusive private school, but Eva is a beautiful girl from a wealthy family. Luke is a scholarship student who lived with his mom in the poor part of town. Of course, Luke is responsible.

Luke says he had nothing to do with Eva's disappearance, but no one will believe him (except his best friend Rob). The police are quick to find all the evidence they need against Luke. For the lead detective on the case, it is over. The detective's daughter, Carolina, is so eager to find the damning evidence, but is not so sure once her dad wraps up the case.

Through the intertwined perspectives, it becomes clear that the case is not so straight forward. We hear from Luke, Rob, Eva's friend Siobhan, Carolina, Eva's diary, Rivka's text messages, a blog that seems to have all the inside details of the case and a few other connected voices.

It is a wrenching story of suspects and changing suspicions from all the people involved. Can justice be served with so many questions still unanswered?

Check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog for more info.

Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart

Ava was severely burned in a house fire that killed her parents and best friend cousin. Her aunt and uncle (parents of her dead cousin) take her in as their own. Ava's life is filled with surgeries, skin grafts and more pain than anyone should have to experience. She loathes being called an inspiration for not dying.

After a year, Ava is told she can go back to school. No. Imagine facing other teens. The looks, the whispers, the insults. No way.

But she decides to give it two weeks. Will that be enough to satisfy her aunt who wants Ava to stop hiding from the world or will Ava decide that school is not so bad? It's an eventful time: a guy who seems to look past her scarred face; a drama queen who seems to hate her from the start; a potential new friend who is also a fire survivor. 

Ava’s story is full anger, sadness and hope. She wants to hide herself away forever, but must face others as she struggles to find her ‘new normal.’ Occasionally, she sees glimpses of the girl she used to be, but she also knows that girl is gone forever.

This is a story with real depth and characters that are imperfect. It is not a sad story but a girl dealing with a terrible situation. It is inspirational whether Ava likes it or not.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.