The alternate-history zombie novel you never thought you'd need; think Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets the Walking Dead set in an America where the Civil War only ended because Confederate and Union soldiers rose from the battlefield. In zombie-hunter protagonist Jane, readers will find a modern hero: scrappy, snarky, clever, motivated, and oh-so skilled with a sickle. You'll want to follow her into battle—and don't worry you will. Dynamic, exhilarating, and inventive!
A bright, shining lighthouse of a book. At turns tender and ferocious, this is a book that you hand to those struggling to find and express their voice. Acevedo's debut verse novel powerfully asserts the humming, electric, life-altering potential of poetry and literature.
The best fantasy I have read in ages. Achingly masterful and brimming with complexly rendered main and secondary characters, Adeyemi's Orisha world will sweep you up in its embrace with one arm and brandish a knife at you with the other. Paced perfectly at un-put-downable, this is your 2018 must-read.
This is one of my favorite "I-WANT-TO-CRY-FOREVER" books, and has some of the most finely wrought star-crossed lovers in YA. That is still the true today - 20 YEARS after it came out. An instant classic that still feels fresh - and certainly feels timely.
Fabiola arrives in Detroit after her mother is detained on entry to the U.S. from Haiti. Fabiola knows that her new home with her aunt and teenage cousins will always feel empty without her mother, so she resolves to do everything in her power to get her mother released - even if that means confronting harsh truths about her Americanized aunt and cousins. Equal parts heart-wrenching and - warming, Zoboi's expertly woven novel will touch readers' souls and embolden their spirits.
Join 12 year old Sunny Nwazue as she uncovers her hidden magical abilities, gets inducted into a secret society where knowledge truly is power, and boldly faces off against all of the dark creatures the spirit world throws at her. Oh, and eats lots of fufu and egusi soup. Honestly, what's a good fantasy series without incredible feasts?
When Starr Carter sees her friend Khalil murdered by the police, she is forced to choose between staying silent and protecting her family, or speaking up and fighting for Khalil's memory. All of the difficult questions that come up in this book are carefully considered, with love, hope, humor, and courage. If you're feeling understandably discouraged by our ongoing nightmare political reality, pick up this book and let Starr and her family, friends, and community remind you of the the stakes of both winning and losing.
