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.

Suggested Reading by Dave Connis

Clara Evans just read her new favorite book, and she cannot wait to show up on the first day of school to talk about it. Unfortunately, that is the day her private school initiates a ban on a list of books (including the new one). Not only are the books to be pulled from the library, but they cannot even be brought on campus or discussed. For a book lover like Clara, the news is devastating.

Books have shaped Clara's life. She can't understand how the same books that have meant so much to her are now being called bad for young people. So what can Clara do? She can follow procedure for student concerns and write a letter to the principal...which she does but that is not enough. With the help of the school librarian, Clara gets all the copies of the books from the library and starts her own underground library out of her locker.

The principal is serious about enforcing the new rule, so Clara is taking a big risk. She could be expelled or loose her chance at a big scholarship. If that weren't stressful enough, Clara starts to realize there is more to learn in life than what you find in books - like those popular kids may not be as one dimensional as she thought. Also, books may not be the cure for everyone's problems. Clara is having a tough senior year.

One thing I like about this story was the emphasis placed on the importance of books (I am librarian after all). I think more importantly is the fact that you never know what book will connect with a person. Like books, we shouldn't judge people based on their 'cover.' It is a good thing to keep in mind in life not just in choosing books.

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

Rated by Melissa Grey

Everyone is rated. It's how you know your place in society. Do good and your rating goes up; do bad, it goes down. Ratings determine where you can shop and live and what hospital you can use. Ratings are everything.

So it is quite a shock to everyone when "THE RATINGS ARE NOT REAL" is spray painted across the front doors of Maplethorpe Academy (founded by the man who also created the ratings) on the first day of school. Most right it off as a one time act of vandalism by a disgruntled student. For six students it becomes a puzzle after they each receive a cryptic message that seems related to the graffiti.

Circumstances cause them to pair up (even though none of them really know each other). Chase (star baseball pitcher on the verge of losing his scholarship due to a low rating) and Bex (driven, ambitious student with one of the highest ratings in the school). Tamsin (would be witch and tarot card reader and all around rebel who is near an expulsion level rating) and Hana (hopeful future ice skating star who is starving herself to be better). Javi (outgoing nationally known video champion who is trying to provide for his younger siblings) and Noah (old school photographer who keeps to himself).

I expected this to be more dystopian in nature. Even though the ratings drive the narrative, it is really a study about each of the six students. They are presented in a way that avoids stereotypes, and that made for a much more interesting read.

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

Road Tripped by Pete Hautman

Steven (aka Stiggy) runs away or actually drives away from home. His girlfriend (if that's what she really was) broke up and literally left town. He ticked off his only friend (maybe permanently). And almost a year ago, his dad died.

So what better way to deal with his problems than hop in his dad's Mustang and leave Minnesota to head down the Great River Road. Stiggy has no destination in mind; he is not trying to find answers or search for himself; he just wants to get away. The river road may be paved, but for Stiggy it is a rough one.

Of course, Stiggy does have a lot of time to remember past events (that we learn about through flash backs). Times with his friend; times with his girlfriend; times before and after his dad died.

Stiggy meets a lot of interesting people on the road: some odd, some helpful, some scary. But they all play a role in Stiggy's ultimate decision to keep heading South or turn around and head home.

You will root for Stiggy to find his way and deal with his problems. He makes them worse before he can make them better, but he is trying.

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

Everything Grows by Aimee Herman

Eleanor was bullied by James. She didn't know him other than from the torment he gave her. One day, James commits suicide. So Eleanor cuts her hair and dyes it. Eleanor also starts writing to James in her journal. She tells him everything that is happening in her life - and it's a lot.

Eleanor's mom tried to commit suicide about a year ago. She fears her mom will try it again. Eleanor goes to group therapy to help deal.

Eleanor is also exploring her own sexuality. She knows she's gay, but it feels like there is more. She hasn't come out to anyone...yet. Although her mom's friend Flora seems like a good place to start since she is gay, too.

She loses an old friend. Gains new ones. Meets James' parents. And tries to find who she really is and who she is supposed to be. As readers, we take some big steps with Eleanor, but is only just the beginning for her.

Eleanor's story is a positive one for young people struggling with identity, particularly LGBTQ teens.

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

Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

Birdie loves mysteries. She reads them; she watches them. How cool would it be to have a real mystery to solve. When she starts working as a overnight clerk at an old hotel in Seattle, she may get her wish. A gentlemen, who may or may not be the famous reclusive writer Raymond Darke, frequently comes into the hotel, goes to a room and leaves in less than an hour. No one knows what Darke looks like, so could it really be him? And what is he doing at the hotel that only takes an hour?

How does Birdie even know about all this? Well, that's complicated. Birdie hangs out at a diner and one night she met Daniel and they went to his car and had sex and never saw it each other again. Birdie has tried to put it out of her mind, but, much to her surprise, Daniel works at the hotel. He tells her about the potential mystery (even though she tries to avoid interacting with him out of embarrassment).

The rest of Birdie's life is not so straight forward, either. She lives with her grandfather (her grandmother having just recently passed away). Her mother died when she was young. She has a quirky aunt who lives in an old theater. Birdie also has a sleeping disorder which causes her to doze off anytime (but she is not willing to get ant treatment for it).

Really, Birdie is a nice person who just trying to make sense of everything. Unfortunately, life is not a mystery where everything wraps up neatly. This is a fun read with interesting characters and those lingering questions about Raymond Darke. 

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