Any Way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell

Simon, Baz, Penelope, and Agatha have returned to England after their adventures in America.  Each of them has to decide what they're going to do next.  Simon has to decide whether to leave the magic world or not.  Baz is bouncing between two family crises.  Penelope is searching for a way to save a Normal from a demon's curse.  And Agatha is just done with it all.

This is the third and final book in the Simon Snow series.  I have loved this series since the first book.  It was a great read with its turning of a "Chosen One" prophecy on its head.  This book is a great ending to the series.  The story is interesting and the character development is well done.  I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoyed the first book in the series and I would recommend the whole series to those who enjoy fantasy stories and relationships.

Love, Creekwood: A Simonverse Novella by Becky Albertalli

Ever wonder what happened to Simon and Bram or Leah and Abby?  In this book, we see their emails from their first year of college.  Simon and Bram are dealing with a long distance relationship as they attend college apart.  Meanwhile, Leah and Abby are at the same college and navigating being in a relationship.  

I really enjoyed catching up with these characters from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and its sequels.  It was fun to revisit their world and relationships.  The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so it will be interesting to see if the author gives us another book in the future.

The State of Us by Shaun David Hutchinson

 

They thought they were enemies.  They thought they could never be friends.

After all their parents are running for president against each other.  

But that was before they were forced to spend time together and discovered they had more in common than anyone thought.  

Slowly their friendship turns into something more.  But their relationship must remain a secret.  It could ruin both of their parents' campaigns.  

Then someone discovers the truth and threatens to tell everyone . . . 

This is a teen book is a great book to read during the election year.  While it focuses on the main characters of Dean and Dre it also includes a lot of politics in the book.  It's also a great book for exploring relationships -- family, friends, and romantic.

Nameless Asterism series by Kina Kobayashi

Tsukasa, Washio, and Kotooka are best friends in middle school.  They do everything together.

But they all have secrets.

Tsukasa has a crush on Washio.
Washio is in love with Kotooka.
And neither of them know that Kotooka knows both of their secrets.

Will their friendship overcome all these secrets and feelings?



This is a great manga series by Kina Kobayashi.  The characters are all interesting -- including the side characters of Tsukasa's twin Subaru and her possible love interest Asakura.  With only five volumes the series is short and sweet.  I would recommend this series to those who enjoy friendship stories or romances.

Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton

Long ago, the town of Three Graces made a deal.  Every seven years during the Slaughter Moon they must sacrifice a young man of the town to the devil in the forest.  In exchange, the town suffers no ill -- illness, famine, premature death.

But something has changed. 

It's only been three years since the last Slaughter Moon. 

Now sacrifice Rhun, witch Mair, and outcast Arthur will learn the secrets behind the deal and what must be done to restore balance.



This is a fascinating fantasy novel for teens.  You find yourself pulled into the story and connecting with the characters -- their relationships, their beliefs, and their feelings when betrayed.  I would highly recommend this to teens who enjoy fantasy or even dystopian fiction.

How (Not) to Ask a Boy to Prom by S.J. Goslee

Nolan's sister Daphne has given him an ultimatum -- ask a boy to prom or she will do it for him.  That's how he ends up "dating" Ira Bernstein. 

Daphne's promposal goes astray.  Instead of the cute Si O'Mara, Bern accepts his request. 

Now they are "dating" in a mutual partnership to get Daphne off Nolan's back and Bern's girlfriend Gia back for him.

But as seen with the promposal, Nolan's life never goes as expected . . . .



This is a fun romance of mistakes and misunderstandings.  It's a great send-up of the "fake dating" trope that is often used in teen romances.  However, it is the relationship between Nolan and Daphne that is really great.  Their family is one that anyone would want to a part of.

Boomerang by Helene Dunbar

Michael Sterling disappeared five years ago.  Everything thought he had been kidnapped.  They've been searching for him for five years.

Now he's returned home.

They didn't know that he wasn't kidnapped . . . instead he ran away.  He changed his name to Sean Woodhouse.  He found a new family and a new best friend -- Trip.

They don't know he only returned to get the inheritance from his grandparents.  Then he plans to once again disappear -- this time with Trip.


This was a very interesting book to read.  You grow to care about Sean and his difficulties returning to his past and determining what to do in his future.  This would be a good book for those who enjoy mysteries or suspense.

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu

Alec and Magnus are on a romantic European vacation when Magnus' past comes knocking.  It seems that at some point Magnus founded a cult and doesn't even remember it.  Now that cult is trying to raise a greater demon.  Alec and Magnus must stop them before the other Shadowhunters find out.

This is the first in a new Shadowhunter series by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu -- The Eldest Curses.  It focuses on the adventures of Alec Lightwood and Magnus Bane.  It was great to discover their romance as it developed.  It was also interesting to discover more of Magnus' past.  I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the previous Shadowhunter series.

That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston

In a near-future where the British Empire never fell, the heir to the throne princess Victoria-Margaret is having one last summer before taking up her duties. 

She is spending the summer in Canada as Margaret meeting new friends and being a regular person.  There she meets August and Henrietta who have known almost their whole lives that they were going to marry. 

But in this world, people are genetically matched by computer to make sure they are good matches. 

When Henrietta and Margaret check their genetic matches online, they discover something strange, unsettling, and wonderful . . .

Although this book is set in the near future, it has a very historical feel to it.  I would recommend it to those who enjoy historical romances or those interested in LGBT+ stories.

Release by Patrick Ness

Adam Thorn is having a bad day . . . .

He has to hide his relationship with his boyfriend from his religious family.
He's dealing with sexual harassment at work.
His best friend is moving away in a few weeks.
He's trying to figure out his love life and his feelings for his former boyfriend.

And then the spirit of a murdered girl emerges from the local lake looking for retribution.

It all just might lead to the end of the world.



This book tells two different stories.  The main story is about Adam and how he will get through his day.  The second story is about the ghost and the supernatural spirit it ensnares in its pursuit of answers.  While it takes a while to merge the stories together, it does come to a satisfying and marged conclusion.  This would be a great book for teens looking for LGBT+ stories.

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Henry "Monty" Montague is heading out on his Grand Tour of Europe with his best friend Percy.  It's meant to be one last hurrah for Monty and Percy before he settles down to estate management with his father.  However, his father is using it to punish Monty for being a little too interested in boys.  So Monty sets out for Paris with Percy, his sister and their leader.  But Monty can't seem to keep out of trouble.  He gets caught naked at Versailles, steals a locked box, is chased by an angry baron, set on by highwaymen, poisoned, and attacked by pirates -- all while bringing everything he knew about life and love into question.

I would recommend this book to teens who enjoy romance, adventure, or historical fiction as it combines all three genres seamlessly together.  The main character of Monty goes on a literal and emotional journey throughout the book as he discovers what love means to him.  He also learns what is most important to him.  The author also includes several notes at the end of the book on the grand tour, politics of the time, epilepsy, and queer culture through history.

The Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan (Magnus Chase #3)

Magnus Chase has gone on two epic quests since first dying and finding out he is the son of Frey, Norse god of summer and health.  Now it's time for one final quest to stop Loki from starting Ragnarok -- the end of the world.

Magnus must set sail with his friends to Jotunheim to brave the giants and the Ship of the Dead with its zombie sailors.  He also must find a way to defeat Loki and return him to his prison so the world is safe once again.


This is the final book in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgaard trilogy.  It's been a great series and this is a wonderful end to it.  It was great to see how all the various characters come together in the final book.  (It was also wonderful to have a cameo appearance by Percy Jackson and Annabelle.)  This is a must read for all Rick Riordan fans.

This Would Make a Good Story Someday by Dana Alison Levy

Sarah had big plans for the summer.  She was going to learn to surf and speak Latin.  She was going to rebrand her image with a new look and nickname.  She was going to practice yoga daily for inner peace.

She was not going to take a month-long train trip with her family.
However, that's exactly what she ends up doing when Mimi, one of her mothers, wins a free trip across the country for the whole family as part of a writing program.

Now, Sarah is trapped on the train with her animal-obsessed younger sister Ladybug, her activist older sister Laurel and her boyfriend Root, and her two moms.  To make it worse, there's a second family also in the same program with a Texan dad, too-friendly teen son, and two rambunctious senior citizen aunts.

It's going to be a crazy summer!

This book by Dana Alison Levy follows the family mentioned quite often in her Family Fletcher books.  It's another great book featuring LGBT parents without making it the entire issue of the book.  It's just the way their family is made.  I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the Family Fletcher books or  those who like family stories.

Teen Books for PRIDE Month

Every June, the country remembers the Stonewall Riots with PRIDE Month.  So today, I am sharing LGBTQIA books for teens . . . .

My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins & Fenway Park by Steve Kluger
Three teenagers in Boston narrate their experiences of a year of new friendships, first loves, and coming into their own.

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin
A gender-fluid teenager who struggles with identity creates a blog on the topic that goes viral, and faces ridicule at the hands of fellow students.

Shine by Lauren Myracle
When her best friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover the culprits in her small North Carolina town.

Fan Art by Sarah Tregay
High school senior Jamie has a crush on his best friend and finds ways to share that news with the help of several friends.

Lies My Girlfriend Told Me by Julie Ann Peters
When her girlfriend dies suddenly at age seventeen, Colorado teenager Alix struggles with grief as painful secrets are revealed.


More Books --
10 Things I Can See from Here by Carrie Mac
Adaptation by Melinda Lo
Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld
Away We Go by Emil Ostrovski
The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson
Boyfriends with Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez
Far From Xanadu by Julie Ann Peters
Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark
Gemini Bites by Patrick Ryan
Girl Mans Up by M.E. Girard
Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz
Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith
If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley
Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block
The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth
Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg
Simon vs. the Homo-Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
What They Always Tell Us by Martin Wilson
Wide Awake by David Levithan
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan


Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through July 21, 2017.

The Best Man by Richard Peck

Archer Magill has three heroes in his life -- his architect grandpa, his car remodeler dad, and his cool Uncle Paul.  Then during his fifth grade year he meets his fourth hero -- teacher Mr. McLeod.  That's the year his class and teacher become celebrities.  That's the year his life starts to change in big ways and he'll need all four of those heroes to help him through.

This is a simple everyday story of a boy's life.  It is a great book for boys as it focuses on the wonderful role models and heroes he has in his life.  I would highly recommend this chapter book for all boys to read.

Whatever by S.J. Goslee

Mike is looking forward to his junior year -- hanging with his friends, dating his girlfriend Lisa, and playing in his band.

Then Lisa breaks up with him.
He's fine with that as they're still best friends and do everything together.
Until he finds out why Lisa broke up with him.

Now Mike must figure out a lot of things - the main one being whether the drunken makeout session with another guy was a one-time thing or if it was something more.


This is a great LGBT story for teens.  Mike is a sympathetic character who has great friends and family.  While he is confused and makes a lot of mistakes along the way, he is ultimately figures out his life and his relationships.