These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

These Violent Delights takes one of the most recognizable stories - that of the lovers Romeo and Juliet - and twists it around.  Juliet and Roma belong to opposing families and although they were lovers in the past,  they’ve both been thrust into their family businesses and are now antagonists.  But when their respective gang members start to kill themselves rather than fight each other,  both Juliet and Roma have to discover what is happening before the "plague" destroys both their houses. Students who enjoy romance, suspense, or are interested in reading a take on a classic should be sure to pick up These Violent Delights.--Claudio Leon

Gong, Chloe. These Violent Delights. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2020. Print.

Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle

 Dani has never been in love and doesn’t know if it can ever happen to her.  Prince is the most popular guy at school and has had a crush on Dani for years while he was also serving as a love guru on a local radio show, Love Radio.

Both high school seniors now, Prince tells Dani he can make her fall in love with him in three dates - will she give him the chance to win her heart?  Set in Detroit with well-developed characters and alternating perspectives, teens looking for a romance read will enjoy this one.

The publisher has made Julia E. Torres’ nine page curriculum guide available here for teachers wanting to engage students in reading contemporary YA literature.  --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Permanent Record by Mary H. K. Choi

Pablo is in debt,  has left college, and is working nights at a bodega when mega popstar Leanna Smart comes in to buy some snacks.  She’s unrecognizable to him as he swoons over her at the checkout counter.  Eventually it becomes clear that their attraction is mutual and Leanna begins taking Pablo to places he’s never been. Soon Pablo is head over heels in love,  but in no shape to deal with the bills that are piling up, or the calls he is getting from the collection agency.

Will Leanna solve Pablo’s financial woes?   This fast-paced YA novel offers the confident reader both suspense and romance, and despite it’s 400 pages, it will be hard to put down. --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Choi, Mary H. K. Permanent Record. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2019. Print.

Princess Jellyfish Volume 1 by Akiko Higashimura

Tsukimi is a young woman whose passion in life is jellyfish and whose mother has passed away, leading Tsukimi to move into a women-only building in Tokyo. While she finds community with her new neighbors, her newfound independence amongst the like-minded amars is threatened when she is befriended by an attractive cross-dressing boy who happens to be the son of a powerful Japanese politician.   Will the amars be able to accept Tsukimi’s new friend?  Will their community survive a developer’s attempt to take it over?  These volumes collect the Princess Jellyfish series which was originally published in 2008 in serial format and was released as anime in 2010.  Fans of anime will enjoy reading the print, and female manga readers who are not yet familiar with the characters will enjoy the discovery that awaits them, blending otaku culture, humor, suspense, and romance, along with a plotline that involves the politics of gentrification.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Higashimura, Akiko.  Princess Jellyfish (Book 1).  New York: Kodashna Comics, 2016.  Print.

Guest Review: Every Day by David Levithan

He is himself – but every day that “self” is different. Figuring out some things – boy or girl, fat or thin, skin color, hair, eye color – can be accomplished by a quick look in a mirror. The body is easy – the life is hard. And “A” has just one day to live the “life” without messing it up. His cardinal rule: make no choices that the “body” will have to suffer the consequences for. Do not become involved, especially not with the love of your life.  David Levithan’s unique look at fitting in allows all readers to see themselves at least once, because at some point, A lives the life of just about every kind of teen. From the frightened drug addict to the jock, the head cheerleader to the abused girlfriend, straight, gay, a loner, popular – A lives them all for a day. With the added twist of a romance, a “body” set on revenge and a preacher who just might know what’s going on, A has enough drama in his life to satisfy any reader. It is a great selection for book clubs – just a discussion on “which life and why” will keep the conversations lively! And my club had even more fun with their own take on what might happen next.  --Kathie Wilkins

Levithan, David. Every Day. New York:  Alfred A. Knopf, 2012.

Click here for a list of discussion questions from Northern Arizona University and here for a discussion guide from Siouxland Libraries in South Dakota.

Kathie Wilkins is the school librarian for the Blandford and Oak Ridge campuses of Yvonne B. Miller HS, located at the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice's Beaumont site. She enjoys reading and has been a mystery fan since becoming hooked on Agatha Christie more years ago than she'd like to admit to. When she's not reading, she spends as much time as possible with her five grandchildren.

Snitch by Allison Van Diepen

Julia DiVino has a plan for her future and it does not involve the gang life.  Julia has managed, with her best friend Q for support, to stay clear of the constant gang-related violence and drama at her Brooklyn high school, despite the fact that some of her friends are in rival gangs.  When gorgeous Detroit-transplant, Eric Valiente shows up, he and Julia fall hard and fast for each other.  But soon he reveals his gang-involved past and joins up again, breaking Julia’s heart in the process.  Then, at a club one night, Julia warns Eric that he’s about to get jumped.  With that one act, her life will never be the same - no one’s will.  Because everyone is not who they seem and she’s not the only snitch.

Snitch is a fast-paced, drama-filled novel that has wide appeal - it is one of the most popular books in our libraries.  Its accessible language and straightforward structure make it a solid independent reading choice for reluctant readers ready to move on from the Bluford High series or similar books. --Regan Schwartz

Those looking to facilitate a book club discussion of Snitch is may want to take a look at the teacher guide available here. 

Van Diepen, Allison. Snitch.  New York: Simon Pulse. 2007.

The Boy is Mine! by Charmaine White

Written by eighteen-year-old Charmaine White, The Boy is Mine! is chock full of high school relationship drama from an insider’s perspective.  Starring Neisha Thompson, a popular cheerleader who isn’t sure what or who she wants, this fast-paced read centers on a set of intersecting love triangles wreaking havoc in the personal lives of Wilson High’s most popular students.  While English teachers may cringe at the editing in publisher Wahida Clark’s new young adult line, teens looking for juicy drama will be well-served and those interested in writing may find inspiration in the book’s teen author.  Non-graphic sexual situations and occasional drug use recommend this book for high school and up.  --Regan Schwartz

White, Charmaine. The Boy is Mine!. East Orange, NJ: Wahida Clark Presents Publishing Young Adult, 2011. Print.

Take Me There by Carolee Dean

Dylan Dawson seems to take after his dad, the convicted cop-killer; a fact which has dogged him his entire life.  From the streets to juvie and back again, Dylan can’t seem to get his act together, not even long enough to learn to read.  Dylan was on probation, working at an auto shop, staying clean and falling in love with the girl of his dreams. Then life threw him a deadly curve ball and now he’s on the run from the law with his best friend and heading to Texas to get some answers from his father on death row.  But, Dylan and his father are both running out of time. Will Dylan find what he needs to get life back on track before it’s too late?

The pro-literacy message of Take Me There may, occasionally, come on too strong, but fans of Simone Elkele’s Perfect Chemistry series will find another good girl/troubled boy romance to get wrapped up in.  While the text has a Lexile of 760, the story is told through flashbacks, excerpts from Dylan’s father’s memoir, and straight narration, creating a more challenging reading experience. --Regan Schwartz

Dean, Carolee. Take Me There. New York: Simon Pulse, 2010. Print.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

There is more than geography separating the south and north sides of the Chicago suburb of Fairfield, IL.  On the north side, the houses are immense, the clothing gorgeous, the GPAs impeccable, and the pressure nearly suffocating.  There is a whole different kind of pressure on the south side, where poverty and gang warfare end lives far too early and protecting your loved ones often means giving up your future.  These two sides come together and often clash at Fairfield High School, where a tough chemistry teacher has partnered popular cheerleader Brittany Ellis with dangerous gang member Alex Fuentes.  Amused by this situation, Alex happily takes a bet that he can lure Brittany into his bed before the semester ends.  But as they cautiously grow closer, they both realize that under the stereotypes and the facades, they have more in common than they ever thought possible.  Will it be enough to save them from the futures everyone else has mapped out for them?

Told in both main characters voices, this fast-paced novel, full of realistic relationships and dangerous situations is a hit.  This title will appeal to readers looking for teen romance and gritty “real life” novels.  Although the epilogue pushes the boundaries of believability, sometimes a bit of a fairytale ending is just what a reader needs. -- Regan Schwartz

Played by Dana Davidson

Looking for a love story? This is a really good one with a twist. Ian is attractive and popular, and he considers himself a real player with the ladies. When he is challenged by the leader of the coolest crew in school (the very crew he is proud to be a member of) to get a very uncool girl to sleep with him and fall in love with him, he knows he has to play the game if he wants to keep the respect of his friends. As cruel as this premise sounds, at heart, Ian is not a terrible person, and he feels the guilt of his motions every step of the way as he puts the moves on unsuspecting, plain and brainy Kylie. As their “relationship” develops, Ian begins to see that Kylie is more than she appears and readers will root for him to do the right thing as he struggles to continue with his friends’ dare while his feelings become real. This is an uplifting story for anyone who has ever been played and a good lesson for the players.

Davidson, Dana. Played. New York: Hyperion, 2005.