Young adult: death, trauma, and healing

The Dead I Know
by Scot Gardner
HMH Books for Young Readers 
March 2015

Another young adult where parents are absent, but this book offers a whole new twist on why that's true, and how Aaron deals with it to survive.

What's different about this book 
Aaron has managed to withdraw into himself enough to survive through high school and to support his Mam.  When he takes a job with the local funeral director, he eventually finds more than a supportive employer:  He finds a family.  The kindness of strangers and of his employer make this a story that resonates as Aaron courageously faces and lives through the enormous trauma of his youth.  Heart-warming.

What I'll do now that I've read it 
This is one of those books that teens growth through reading.  They'll be able to feel and experience (vicariously) a number of life challenges that are almost insurmountable for adolescence.  I'm glad to know about this book -- that will be in all our libraries-- for the right moment to share with the right reader.

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Strong female characters with unexpected abilities

A School for Unusual Girls
by Kathleen Baldwin
Macmillan-Tor/Forge
May 2015

Set in 1814 England at the time of Napoleon's machinations, this book is very appealing because of its unexpected setting for adolescent females who do much more than fit into English society's expectations for women.

What's different about this book
The students at the unusual school have been quietly abandoned by their families because they don't fit into the traditional roles for young ladies in 1814.  Instead, the girls have much more to offer, and the Stranje School is just the place for them to develop their unusual talents and find a way to serve their country and international politics.  

It's fun to watch the plot develop and to see the characters reveal their talents.  I was sometimes impatient with the main character, Georgiana, as she is slow to catch on to what the reader clearly sees.  Georgie has to mature, and that is sometimes irritating to me as a reader.

What I'll do now that I've read the book
I'll enjoy introducing my readers, probably the female patrons, to historical fiction at the same time as strong females, some with decided STEM talents.  Not a usual combination for young adult literature.  This is an entertaining and engaging read.

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Action, Adventure, and Diversity

Scarlett Undercover
Jennifer Latham
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
May 2015

This young adult novel places a non-traditional teen not in school but in her office as a private investigator.  Readers will enjoy seeing Scarlett as a loyal friend, family member, and fair-play advocate. 

What's different about this book
This story feels different:  Scarlett moves in her own, adult-feeling world (no school, no usual competition with classmates) where family ties are strong but non-traditional; community support is realistic rather than stereotypical; and the grown-up challenges Scarlett faces, often on her own, are gritty, complex, and compelling.  The added element of supernatural aspects (genies and ancient warrior lines  and modern-day cults) add an unexpected level of intrigue.

The diversity of the book's characters should draw the attention of librarians who seek to enrich their collection's view of the world:  Scarlett is a Muslim, living in a family with Muslim practices yet very much representative of 21st-century life in America.  The occasional Muslim greeting and elements of the religion's heritage do a great deal to build the atmosphere for the edgy, at times threatening plot line.  The overall effect is suspenseful and engaging.

What I'll do now that I've read it 
Beyond book-talks and making sure my teen patrons hear about this book, I'm reaching out to fellow librarians and library directors to alert them to this rich book:  full of action, compelling mystery and suspense, and full of tantalizing unknown touches in the world it poses.  A great read.

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