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.