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 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.

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin

I have started a few books assuming the gender of a character only to find out in a few pages that I was wrong causing me to rethink how I picture them. With this book, that's part of the point. Riley is gender fluid. Some days, Riley feels like a girl and other days Riley feels like a boy.

Starting a new school, Riley wants to go unnoticed. One problem is that Riley sometimes wants to dress like a girl and sometimes like a boy. Riley would never be able to do that - at school or home. So Riley dresses neutral, fighting anxious feelings and possible panic attacks.

Only Riley's therapist knows about being gender fluid. Riley's parents don't even know. It would be a particular sticky issue for Riley's conservative congressman father who is running for reelection. As election day gets closer, it is increasingly difficult for Riley to find a way to get out of attending campaign events - they only bring on the worst panic attacks.

Riley's attempt to be invisible at school does not last long either. Riley does meet a cool guy named Solo on the first day. But is he interested in Riley as a guy friend or a girlfriend? Riley is also taken with Bec, a girl who may or may not be flirting with Riley. But the new potential friendships are overshadowed by the taunts of star football player, Jim Vickers, and his snotty girlfriend. Everything Riley feared is happening again.

Following the therapist's advice, Riley starts an anonymous blog about being gender fluid that quickly finds a following. It is the blog that drives Riley and the story forward.

Many things in life are not as straight forward as people would like them to be including gender. This story reminds us that people need to be accepted for who they are and given the chance to find out who that is. Riley is a character you will not easily forget.

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

We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach

The world may end as we know it. An asteroid named Ardor is coming to earth. Will it hit or just pass closely? Unknown. Will it change the lives of Peter, Anita, Andy and Eliza? Yes.

Anita wants to be a singer, but her strict parents have done everything to discourage her. For them, it's all about going to Princeton and becoming a respected professional. Prestige is important to her father.

Peter is an athlete dating a popular girl named Stacy, but he's not sure why anymore. He kinda accidentally kissed Eliza last year in the school's dark room. They were seen and word got around quickly. As Peter was dating Stacy at the time, she made sure everyone knew Eliza was a slut.

Eliza loves photography. Her father, who is dying from cancer, encourages her creativity. She likes being on the fringe observing rather than being observed. Getting a reputation and becoming the talk of the school was a nightmare.

Andy is a drug user living in the basement with practically no supervision from his parents. He plays guitar in a band with his friend Bobo. Their music is loud and mostly incomprehensible, but Andy does write other songs, more melodic and personal. He bets Bobo he will no long be a virgin when the world ends.

The lives of these four young people seem interconnected as society falls apart in the (possible) impending disaster. Just like the world, their relationships are in flux. Sometimes they hate each other and other times they need each other. Whatever happens (and I'm not going to tell you), the four are given new opportunities to make their lives better (no matter how short those lives may be).

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

Endangered by Lamar Giles

She aims her camera, framing the shot from her place in the bushes. As always, Lauren (aka Panda) wants to go unnoticed. Anonymity is critical when exacting revenge via her blog. The photos she is taking tonight will bring retribution for another. Panda is a vigilante of sorts, specializing in bringing justice down on those who deserve it with her camera and computer. 

Her target this night is Keachin, a stunningly beautiful, popular girl who was unusually cruel to Nina, a girl who needs crutches due to cerebral palsy. Keachin is hardly an angel to those she believes are beneath her, but hiding Nina's crutches was too much for Panda to endure. 

Gray (Panda’s alias on her blog) has many followers. Sticking it to those who deserve it turns out to be popular on the internet. Her post about Keachin catches the attention of a lot more people than usual and ultimately leads to a huge scandal and death for someone involved. 

Panda is more determined than ever to keep her identity secret (people who are exposed do not tend to be happy about it). Someone who calls him/herself the Admirer has uncovered Panda's secret and uses it to blackmail her into a 'game' that pushes each of them to dangerous places. 

So many questions and so much tension...this is a nail biter for sure as Panda finds herself trapped in the mess she created with no easy way out. 

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