Battle of the Bands by Various Authors

One event, sixteen different stories. Who will win the battle of the bands? Will a group implode before it takes the stage? Will stage fright get the better of someone? Will romantic entanglements cause problems? Will someone rise above it all and become a star? 

Most stories are about the performers as they prepare to go onstage and also as they take their place in the spotlight. There are rehearsals, arguments, egos, broken hearts, and magic played through different types of music made by a variety of young people. 

A few stories explore others involved - a reluctant judge, for example. All are intertwined with the others. Some characters appear in several stories. 

I applaud the editor and authors for creating a cohesive set of stories that could have easily been uneven in the tone. I enjoyed the perspective of the same event given by such diverse authors.  

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

Ain't Burned All The Bright by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffith

Words are powerful. Paired with images, they can transcend their literal meaning to become much more. 

This books has three sentences. They are long sentences;  grammatically speaking, they are probably run-on sentences. You can say a lot in three sentences worth of words, but only so much. How do you make those words reach beyond? How do you give them greater impact? You present them with images; graphics that tell the story and more. 

Jason Reynolds (author) and Jason Griffin (illustrator) have mated their talents and artistry to tell the story of a family in 2020, the year of Covid and racial protests in the wake of the death of George Floyd. This one family is existing in the world we all experienced, but for them it hits much closer to home. 

I could go on, but eventually I will use more words than the book itself. It would be better of you to read the book yourself and feel its power. It says so much with seemingly so little. 

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

Take Three Girls by Cate Crowley, Simmone Howell & Fiona Wood

I like to read books about strong women who are ready and willing to stand up for themselves and take down a system that degrades them. That is what I was expecting from this book. Three girls attending a private school work to expose those behind an anonymous website that posts the most misogynistic and sexist things about girl students. As it turns out, that is only one small part of the story. It is so much more about these three girls growing and learning about themselves. 

As I read, I waited for the takedown of the website to begin, but instead I learned more about the girls. I kept thinking what amazing character development. Over time, I realized this story was not being driven by the plot device of the offensive website, but by the characters. Really good stuff. 

So the girls: Kate wants to play cello professionally, but is torn between the pre-med path her parents want her to take. Clem is a swim champ who is not sure she wants to swim anymore. Besides, there is this older guy she is really into even though he may not be that great.  Ady is considered a bitch at school - very cool and confident. At home though, things are falling apart. It is only through a school assignment that these young women are brought together. 

Each girl is written by a different author which is just another incredible aspect of this book. The characters have much more depth than the average book for teens. I feel like this one will slip by people so I hope you take the opportunity to read it.  

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

 

Your Life Has Been Delayed by Michelle I. Mason

For 25 years, Jenny's airplane was lost.  To the world, the plane just disappeared. For the passengers, no time passed. One minute, it was 1995; the next they were landing in 2020. And no one had aged a day. Jenny's friends and family mourned as life went on. 

Now, teenage Jenny has entered a world almost completely unfamiliar to her. Her parents are old; her younger brother is older than her (and married); her best friend is a middle age mother. And what is with all the technology? Phones you carry everywhere; huge televisions screens; the internet. 

This story is mix of light suspense, a tiny bit of science fiction, and realistic fiction/romance as Jenny adjusts to her new life. The plane's passengers and crew are in danger from groups and forces who think the entire thing is a hoax. They are also celebrities having been discussed, investigated, and written about for 25 years. It is a lot for Jenny (the only underage passenger) to process. 

The more I read, the more intrigued I became with the idea. Everyone on the plane leaped ahead, time traveling. Jenny acts like the teenager she still is. She just spoke to her best friend a few hours ago while her friend hasn't seen her in 25 years. Jenny can't understand some of the things that have happened, and reacts rashly. She can't confide in her friend or even relate to her because the time between them. 

There is a lot happening in this book, and it really could have gone in lot of directions. Overall, there was a good balance. The focus on Jenny's interpersonal relationships is welcome and the most interesting aspect of the story. 

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

 

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Who killed Andie Bell five years ago? Most people in town think it was her boyfriend, Sal Singh. But there was no arrest or trial because Sal was found dead a few days later - ruled a suicide. Or was it? Pippa decides to solve the murder and clear Sal's name as part of her senior project (not telling her teacher her true goal). She knew Sal when he was younger, and believes he was not a murderer. 

The problem is not everyone likes Pippa asking questions and snooping around. The people involved are not saints - some sell drugs and have assaulted people. One may even have had a relationship with teenager. The closer Pippa gets to the truth and the more she pushes people, the more danger she risks for herself and family. 

Pippa shares her findings (most of them, anyway) on a podcast which grows in popularity. The podcast adds to the tension as everyone knows who possible suspects are and learn of their questionable actions.  

I have read several teen suspense books recently - this is the best one so far. Pippa is a driven young woman who hesitates but never turns away from finding the truth. Her drive moves the story forward at a quick pace. Danger lurks in so many places with the reader never really knowing what the consequences will be. This is edge of your seat stuff. 

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

The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky

Rachel has a secret, and she wants to keep it that way. She is starting over at a ritzy private school in New York. She is not wealthy like most of the other students which sets her apart. Wanting to belong, she becomes intrigued by the rumors of an unknown prankster who takes revenge on people who deserve it. 

It doesn't take Rachel long to figure out that there is a group who pull the pranks. It turns out they like horror movies which Rachel also loves. She became fascinated with such movies after the thing happened...you know, the secret that caused Rachel and her mom to move. 

Not everyone wants her in the group. They are a mix of people you never see together at school, and they feel very exclusive. The guy who fights for her inclusion is interesting to her. He is not rich either and a kind of cute. 

The club is all about a competition to pull off the best fear test on someone outside the group; find their biggest fear and create a situation that will get them to scream. It's a scary, dangerous game for all concerned. Even though Rachel was hoping the group could help her deal with her past, it may be the worst thing for her. 

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

Super Fake Love Song by David Yoon

Have you heard this before? A guy wants to impress a girl so he makes up something about himself knowing he cannot keep lying to her forever. If he is successful, it will all fall apart. The plot has been done before many, many times. What sustains this one is the humor and likeable characters. 

Sunny Dae tells the new girl in school, Cirrus Soh, that he is in a rock band. How does a self proclaimed nerd who posts videos on how to make cosplay accessories end up in such a lie? Sunny has a older brother (Gray) who is in a band. Cirrus assumes Gray's room (full of posters, guitars and cool clothes) is Sunny's. And since she seems excited about guys in bands, he goes with it. 

Sunny also tells Cirrus that he and his band will be playing in a contest soon. The band will have to be his two best friends (and fellow video makers) who now also part of the big lie. They are not happy about it, but support their best friend even when he is headed for disaster. 

It is no spoiler to say that Cirrus eventually finds out the truth. It is just a matter of when, and also how she reacts. Which I am not revealing here. 

In addition to the humor, I like this story for its positive portrayal of friendships and exploration of the brothers' relationship. Sunny's two friends are there for him through it all. They disagree and argue, and frankly, Sunny treats them badly for his own personal gain. But ultimately, they stick with each other. Sunny's brother is different story. Sunny idolizes his brother and wants them to be closer, but Gray is not a willing participant. It is the rockiest relationship in the book. 

This story could easily have turned into a wacky series of misunderstandings, but it strives (and attains) much more than that. 

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

 

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. 

The Ivies by Alexa Donne

If you attend Claflin Academy and want to apply for an Ivy League school - think again. Unless you are one of the Ivies. The group of ambitious young women (now seniors) have done whatever is necessary to hobble the competition. That's probably too polite - they sabotaged their classmates so they be in charge of groups and have the highest test scores. The Ivies did anything to make sure they had their choice of schools. 

Within the group, each girl has to choose a school. The Ivey Leagues would never choose more than two or three people from each school, so no two Ivies can apply for the same one. Harvard belonged to Avery. She's a legacy coming from a wealthy family. No way her mom will settle for Avery going to any where other than Harvard. 

Olivia wants to go to Harvard, but she accepts Penn because that's the the rules of being an Ivy. She's never been completely sure why she was accepted into the group. She is on scholarship, so she doesn't have money and luxuries like the others. Despite her insecurities, she has always been grateful to have been included. 

Just a few issues: Olivia applies for Harvard anyway (unbeknownst to anyone), and one of the Ivies is murdered. I may be telling you too much already. Suffice it to say that Olivia is desperate to find who killed her roommate. Knowing how ruthless Avery and the other Ivies can be, no one can be trusted. 

It may be difficult to have much sympathy for Olivia knowing her part in hurting others, but above all else you want to know who the killer is (like we do). Aside from the police, she is the person doing the most to find out. Suspenseful and intriguing. 

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