14 Ways to Die by Vincent Ralph

Jessica's mother was murdered by the serial killer the Magpie Man. She was his first victim. Several years later, Jessica is now a teenager and lives with her father in the same house they have always lived in located not far from the crime scene. Her dad inhabits the house but doesn't really live anymore. Her mom's pictures are everywhere. And the killer is still out there. 

Jessica wants to find him - for her mom but also just to stop him from killing. He's killed every nine months starting with Jessica's mother. So Jessica does something totally out of character - she applies to be on an online reality show that follows the lives of five teens, each one for a whole day once a week. Maybe someone with more information will come forward or maybe the killer will see the show and face what he's done. 

To Jessica's surprise, the show is a competition. Is her story compelling enough to get enough views? What if she is kicked off before she gets any usable information? That along with the new found fame adds a lot of pressure. And someone is definitely watching her.

This fast paced story with short chapters moves quickly. Jessica discovers things she never expected. Trust is difficult when so many become suspects. I would say more, but I don't want to give too much away. 

I really enjoyed this one. 

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

We Didn't Ask for This by Adi Alsaid

The annual lock-in night at the Central International School is an event of legend. The secret party, the activities, new relationships are all  anticipated throughout the year. The lock-in is a time when you can become a new person, change your outlook, forge new bonds that you will carry with you the rest of your life. 

Being locked in for a night is different than just being locked in. And that is what Marisa does - she chains herself to the door (with other helpers doing the same at all exits). She wants her demands met before she will unlock herself. The demands are all intended to help the environment, but the most important one to her is stopping the construction of a resort on a nearby island that will destroy the coral reef. 

If this were any other school, it is possible nothing would change. But the students are children of ambassadors, diplomats, international business executives, missionaries and politicians. People with power or know the right people. 

What we have are an interesting group of students - some join Marisa's cause right away; Some just want their lock-in activities to happen; others just want out and will do what is necessary to stop Marisa. 

Though a school setting is familiar to books I read, the idea of students trapped in school is different. Particularly, when they are not trapped for some sinister reason. This story lets the students develop and show their reactions in a high stress setting. They are all not selfless. They have their own motivations and interests that hold them back. They doubt, they scheme, they withdrawal, they disagree. 

I enjoyed meeting this diverse group of teens, and I hope you do, too. 

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