Please enable JavaScript
12 and up | Page 28 | LitPick Book Reviews
12 and up
The Place Between Breaths
The Place Between Breaths
An Na
From master storyteller and Printz Award–winning author An Na comes a dark, intensely moving story of a girl desperately determined to find a cure for the illness that swept her mother away, and could possibly destroy her own life as well.Sixteen-year-old Grace is in a race against time—and in a race for her life—even if she doesn’t realize it yet… She is smart, responsible, and contending with more than what most teens ever should. Her mother struggled with schizophrenia for years until, one day, she simply disappeared—fleeing in fear that she was going to hurt those she cared about most. Ever since, Grace’s father has worked as a recruiter at one of the leading labs dedicated to studying the disease, trying to lure the world’s top scientists to the faculty to find a cure, hoping against hope it can happen in time to help his wife if she is ever found. But this makes him distant. Consumed. Grace, in turn, does her part, interning at the lab in the gene sequencing department daring to believe that one day they might make a breakthrough…and one day they do. Grace stumbles upon a string of code that could be the key. But something inside of Grace has started to unravel. Could her discovery just be a cruel side effect of the disease that might be taking hold of her? And can she even tell the difference? Unflinchingly brave, An Na has created a mesmerizing story with twists and turns that reveal jaw-dropping insights into the mind of someone struggling with schizophrenia.

Book Details

Life Inside My Mind: 31 Authors Share Their Personal Struggles
Life Inside My Mind
Jessica Burkhart, Jessica Burkhart, Tom Pollock, Francisco X. Stork, Sara Zarr, Cynthia Hand, Cindy L. Rodriguez, Candace Ganger, Wendy Toliver, Melissa Marr, Cyn Balog, Karen Mahoney, Hannah Moskowitz, Kimberly McCreight, Megan Kelley Hall, Tara Kelly, Francesca Lia Block, Crissa-Jean Chappell, Scott Neumyer, Ellen Hopkins, Kelly Fiore-Stultz, Sarah Fine, E. Kristin Anderson, Amber Benson, Dan Wells, Rachel M. Wilson, Aprilynne Pike, Amy Reed, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Robison Wells, Lauren Oliver, Maureen Johnson
Your favorite YA authors including Ellen Hopkins, Maureen Johnson, and more recount their own experiences with mental illness in this raw, real, and powerful collection of essays that explores everything from ADD to PTSD.Have you ever felt like you just couldn't get out of bed? Not the occasional morning, but every day? Do you find yourself listening to a voice in your head that says "you're not good enough," "not good looking enough," "not thin enough," or "not smart enough"? Have you ever found yourself unable to do homework or pay attention in class unless everything is "just so" on your desk? Everyone has had days like that, but what if you have them every day? You're not alone. Millions of people are going through similar things. However issues around mental health still tend to be treated as something shrouded in shame or discussed in whispers. It's easier to have a broken bone--something tangible that can be "fixed"--than to have a mental illness, and easier to have a discussion about sex than it is to have one about mental health. Life Inside My Mind is an anthology of true-life events from writers of this generation, for this generation. These essays tackle everything from neurodiversity to addiction to OCD to PTSD and much more. The goals of this book range from providing home to those who are feeling alone, awareness to those who are witnessing a friend or family member struggle, and to open the floodgates to conversation. Participating writers include E. Kristin Anderson, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Cyn Balog, Amber Benson, Francesca Lia Block, Jessica Burkhart, Crissa-Jean Chappell, Sarah Fine, Kelly Fiore-Stultz, Candace Ganger, Megan Kelley Hall, Cynthia Hand, Ellen Hopkins, Maureen Johnson, Tara Kelly, Karen Mahoney, Melissa Marr, Kim McCreight, Hannah Moskowitz, Scott Neumyer, Lauren Oliver, Aprilynne Pike, Tom Pollack, Amy Reed, Cindy L. Rodriguez, Francisco Stork, Wendy Tolliver, Robison Wells, Dan Wells, Rachel M. Wilson, and Sara Zarr.

Book Details

The Window
The Window
Amelia Brunskill
"A gripping tale of suspense, secrets, and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood."—Karen M. McManus, New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is LyingIf you loved The Third Twin and One of Us Is Lying and binge-watched Thirteen Reasons Why, get ready for a heart-wrenching psychological thriller about a girl who knows her twin sister better than anyone . . . or does she? Taut and atmospheric, The Window will keep you guessing until the end.Secrets have a way of getting out. . . .Anna is everything her identical twin is not. Outgoing and athletic, she is the opposite of quiet introvert Jess. The same on the outside, yet so completely different inside--it's hard to believe the girls are sisters, let alone twins. But they are. And they tell each other everything.Or so Jess thought. After Anna falls to her death while sneaking out her bedroom window, Jess's life begins to unravel. Everyone says it was an accident, but to Jess, that doesn't add up. Where was Anna going? Who was she meeting? And how long had Anna been lying to her?Jess is compelled to learn everything she can about the sister she thought she knew. At first it's a way to stay busy and find closure . . . but Jess soon discovers that her twin kept a lot of secrets. And as she digs deeper, she learns that the answers she's looking for may be truths that no one wants her to uncover.Because Anna wasn't the only one with secrets."Layered and compelling, THE WINDOW is a fast-paced mystery anchored by a bold and intriguing protagonist, and you won’t want to put it down until you’ve uncovered every last one of its secrets!"—Caleb Roehrig, author of Last Seen Leaving   "Lyrical and haunting, with plenty of twists that kept me reading long into the night.”—Kara Thomas, author of The Darkest Corners

Book Details

Freedom for Me: A Chinese Yankee
Freedom for Me: A Chinese Yankee
Top Choice
SKIPPING STONES 2018 HONOR AWARD WINNER FOR MULTICULTURAL TEEN BOOKS As the Civil War rages, fifteen-year-old Thomas Beck longs to fight for his country. He's underage, but his brother, Robert, claims there's another reason he can't fight: there's no such thing as a Chinese Yankee. Assumed a slave because of his odd appearance--including his traditional Chinese queue (long braid)--Thomas soon discovers that giving battle with his regiment isn't enough to shed the Chinese label from his Yankee status. It's not until Thomas befriends a runaway slave and the war moves toward a pivotal moment in Gettysburg that he begins to understand the true meaning of freedom in America. Freedom for Me is a historical novel based on the life of a real Chinese Yankee. For ages 10 and up. 

Book Details

From the Publisher

Don't Call Me Chip
Don't Call Me Chip
Top Choice
Don't mess with Timothy.He might seem like your average chipmunk who loves seeds, sunbathing and enjoying a quiet life in the suburbs. But after new neighbors move in and wreak havoc, they will have to come face to face with his wit and resourcefulness.The last straw is that the new neighbors keep calling him Chip. Convincing all manner of rodents and other small wildlife to work together, Timothy launches an assault against their invasive neighbors.Based on a true character, this book is a clean, fun read for eight-grade reading level and over.Praise from readers:★★★★★ - "Being a lover of all animals myself, I enjoyed this well written story. This is a wonderful read for young and old alike."★★★★★ - "Makes you more aware of wildlife and how we destroy their land. A delightful book."★★★★★ - "A great read for the young and the young-at-heart."

Book Details

The Hummingbird (Order of the Bell) (Volume 3)
The Hummingbird
Top Choice
In the aftermath of the great battle that left Wonderland in ruins, Crescenzo DiLegno and his two best friends have reunited with their families in Florindale, but the war wages on in every kingdom. The Order of the Bell is scattered, presumably left to the mercy of Queen Avoria, whose grip on the New World grows tighter every day. Cities have already fallen, the shadows have spread, and a fortress of nightmares has appeared in the heart of New York City. Determined to take back his home and restore order to the worlds, Crescenzo must rally all the people he's met from his adventures, from the troubled prince to the rebellious Lost Boys, and storm Avoria's castle of illusion. The Carver's war against the wicked Ivory Queen brews to an explosive finale, but dark secrets about her true nature have yet to emerge, and not everybody will be prepared to survive them.

Book Details

Our Dark Stars
Our Dark Stars
SLEEPING BEAUTY MEETS FIREFLY in this fast-paced and addictive new Sci-Fi by USA Today bestselling authors Audrey Grey and Krystal Wade! While she sleeps, the whole universe changes. Princess Talia Starchaser has it all. Wealth. Status. Adoring citizens. But on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, she’s forced to publicly betray her best friend, a companion mock she’s had since birth, setting events into motion that lead to the destruction of the humans, and the princess floating through space, a remnant of a time when humans ruled over droids. One hundred years later, half-mock captain Will Perrault and his ragtag crew discover a device floating in space. When a very human Talia emerges from its depths, Will suspects she’s the key to buying his way back into the regiment he once commanded against the last remaining rebel humans—and the ruling mock queen’s good graces. Both Talia and Will would rather get space-tossed than trust one another, but with the queen’s forces chasing them across the galaxy and the fate of both worlds hanging in the balance, they’ll forge the unlikeliest of alliances to survive. Thousands of copies sold. Get your ticket now to this action-packed, edge-of-your-seat space ride, a fresh take on loyalty, family, and love that fans of The Lunar Chronicles and Starflight are devouring! “Audrey Grey and Krystal Wade have made a masterpiece with Our Dark Stars and I happily recommend it to everyone, please you need this book in your life.” -Cassie James, Goodreads Reviewer “I didn't think I was a big sci-fi fan, but apparently these authors know my tastes better than I know myself. Please grab this, PLEASE read this book as soon as humanly possible!” -Amanda Steele, Goodreads Reviewer “I really loved this book, I read it in 2 sittings and struggled to put it down.” -Gaynor, NetGalley Reviewer “Our Dark Stars is a fully realized, captivating sci-fi adventure of astronomical proportions! It is fast paced, exciting, and beautiful! With daring characters, unique twists, and a fantastical futuristic setting, this one is sure to have you flying high!” -Darque Dreamer, Goodreads Reviewer “The Lunar Chronicles (Marisa Meyer) meets Firefly! I loved every word of this novel!” -Janelle, Goodreads Reviewer “Absolutely loved it and cannot wait for more from these authors! I read this book in one sitting and literally could not put it down. The action, story line, mystery, twists, characters! So much life and adventure in this one book. These two are definitely on a fast track to being added to my list of favorite authors!” -Jade Feldman, NetGalley Reviewer “This book was so good that I need to recover for a month or so.” -Kelsey, NetGalley Reviewer “WOW I LOVED THIS BOOK TO PIECES.” -Macy Klingerman, NetGalley Reviewer What are you waiting for? Scroll up and click buy now to find out why readers all over the world are raving about OUR DARK STARS.

Book Details

Crossed Fire (Book 2 Crossed Series)
Crossed Fire (Book 2 Crossed Series)
Stephanie Stewart is a typical sixteen-year-old girl—she loves hanging out with her friends, going to concerts, and sipping mocha lattes. Yup. Just your average teenager . . . Except for one difference—she can see and talk to the dead. In fact, Stephanie helps dead girls who who’ve been murdered or killed, cross over. Just as Stephanie is getting used to her unique “gift”, her mom stumbles into some dangerous witchcraft that backfires and triggers similar abilities in Stephanie’s best friend Cura, and nemesis Hillary. Stephanie already has enough trouble trying to maintain a “normal” life between school and her cute boyfriend Dylan, who happens to have a supernatural talent all his own. But now she has to help her friend Cura and her “frenemy” Hillary cope with their new-found powers as well as cross over two murdered cheerleaders and battle an evil demon who wants to use Stephanie’s supernatural strengths as a free pass to The Other Side. And she needs to do it all while still getting her term papers in on time. She’s definitely going to need an extra-large mocha latte for this.

Book Details

Sneaking Out (The Chased Series)
Sneaking Out
Chuck Vance
“A taut, high-energy whodunit.”  —Booklist  2018 Literary Classics Silver Award Winner for YA Mystery  2018 Dane Rosetti YA Award Semi-Finalist  Could you sleep next to a murderer? Luke Chase—yes, that Luke Chase, a modern hero ripped from the headlines—didn’t mean to get caught up solving the mystery of Mrs. Heckler’s murder. He just wanted to hook up with the hot new British girl at their boarding school, and if that meant sneaking out to the woods after hours for some romance, then so be it.   But little did he know someone would end up dead right next to their rendezvous spot, and his best friend and roommate Oscar Weymouth would go down for it. With suspects aplenty and a past that’s anything but innocent, Luke Chase reluctantly calls on his famous survival skills to solve the mystery and find the true killer.  For fans ofA Study in Charlotteand boarding school lit, Sneaking Out (book one in the “Chased” series) immerses readers in the privileged prep school world, with a mystery that exposes the dark side of life on a residential high school campus.  

Book Details

Tarnished City (Dark Gifts)
Tarnished City
Vic James
MAGIC COMPELS. WE BLEED. The captivating dystopian trilogy that began with Gilded Cage continues. In a modern Britain where magic users control wealth, politics—and you—an uprising has been crushed. In its aftermath, two families will determine the country’s fate. The ruthless Jardines make a play for ultimate power. And the Hadleys, once an ordinary family, must find the extraordinary strength to fight back. Abi Hadley is a fugitive. Her brother, Luke, a prisoner. Both will discover that in the darkest places, the human spirit shines brightest. Meanwhile, amid his family’s intrigues, Silyen Jardine dreams of forgotten powers from an earlier age.  As blood runs in the streets of London, all three will discover whether love and courage can ever be stronger than tyranny.  How do you choose when you can’t save everyone?Praise for Tarnished City “Highly recommended . . . There’s an admirable level of world-building . . . with real moments of empathy and compassion [and] a true nail-biter of a cliffhanger ending.”—Fantasy Literature “Multifaceted complexity . . . lively, determined characters.”—Publishers Weekly

Book Details

Pages



RECENT BOOK REVIEWS