Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle 

Curious Tides is a fantasy novel by Pascale Lacelle. In this book, Emory, An average student, returns to Aldryn College for Lunar Magics after surviving a near-death experience that leaves several of her talented classmates dead, and her with no recollection of what happened. With the help of reclusive Baz, Emory navigates new, mysterious powers, a secret society, and tries to find the truth of what really happened that night. I really enjoyed reading this book and following the twists and turns that Emory faces as she tries her best to keep her head above the water- literally and figuratively. I would definitely recoment this book to anyone who likes magic, mystery, and dark secrets. The story continues in Stranger Skies, Released recently on November 5, 2024!

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez

This book is about a girl named Inez who, following her parents mysterious death, goes to visit her uncle in Egypt.  Her parents spent half their life in Egypt and it's where they died too. But once she arrives she gets swept up in a heated investigation with her uncle’s handsome assistant thwarting her - and sometimes helping. It is set in the 1800's, which makes it interesting to read. I really enjoyed reading this book because it had action and a sense of adventure that kept you hooked.  There was also a little bit of romance thrown in to stir the pot. It’s really exciting to follow Inez as she uncovers secrets, excavates ruins, and maybe even falls in love. All in all, I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for something with mystery, action, and a little magic. And once you're finished, you can look forward to the second one coming soon! 

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures follows kind and quick-witted Tova through her job as an aquarium custodian and after the passing of her husband and son. Tova strikes up an unlikely friendship with the aquarium’s giant pacific octopus, Marcellus. Though she feels she is merely thinking out loud while talking to the creature, Marcellus understands more than he lets on. As the story progresses, the reader also gets to know some members of the Washington town Tova calls home, as well as a traveler from California, Cameron, who is unraveling the story of his past. While the book deals with some heavy themes it is lighthearted and an incredibly enjoyable read. As it carries on, the book turns into nothing short of a page-turner that you can’t quite seem to put down. Though it is Van Pelt’s debut novel, it has quickly become a fan favorite and one of the best books I personally have ever read. Shelby Van Pelt is definitely an author to keep an eye on as she is definitely destined for a remarkably bright future. 

The Misfits- A Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee

Do you ever feel invisible?  Olive Cobin-Zang did, with her family and at school.  The only person who saw her was her grandmother, and she just died.  Now she is shipped off to a boarding school off the coast of San Francisco.  The struggle of making friends, finding a place, learning the ropes is tough.  She ends up in a pod who call themselves ‘The Misfits.’  And get this- the misfits are a secret crime stopping, info gathering, righting-wrongs group.  Olive feels seen and is cautiously optimistic that she’s found her place. There is a jewel heist at their school and the misfits are on the case! Do they solve the crime?  I found this book very enjoyable.  You can see yourself in any or all of the characters.  The story was funny, fast paced, and fun.  I enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery.

Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina

This is a compelling book about a teenage girl, Nora Lopez, living in New York City in 1977.  Nora just wants to turn eighteen and leave her home behind, but problems in both her household and the city make life harder than she’d like. Set during the infamous time period when a killer is on the loose in New York, Nora must also worry about the threat of murder while dealing with the cute new boy working at the deli with her. This book is a perfect blend of romance and the perseverance needed to keep hope through hard situations. It highlights a time when many people were struggling in New York City. It is well written in a relatable way and I really enjoyed reading it. I would recommend this book to anybody looking for a captivating read about love and mystery.

Killer House Party by Lily Anderson

Arden Lozano Flack is finally graduating from Bucktown High. She’s spent her life so far being perfect and overachieving. She plans on going to Windsor College to be a doctor,  but her parents use her college money to buy the haunted mansion in town.  Oh, and they’re getting a divorce. Her two friends, Maddy May and Remi, decide to throw a party at the haunted mansion. Everyone wants to see inside anyway and they'll have graduation money to spare. But nothing ever goes according to plan. People start disappearing, getting possessed and trapped in the house. Arden and her circle try to avoid the ghosts, keep people alive and find a way out of the house. Who all survives? Do they get out? Does Arden get to college? I liked the characters, they were relatable. And who hasn’t been to a bad party? 

We Are Not Free by Traci Chee

This book is about fourteen Japanese-Americans who are sent to incarceration camps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. These individuals must stick together through the horrors of World War 2 while they also adjust to a new life inside the camps. This book was really interesting to read because there is love and hope, but sorrow and pain, as well.  The time period is brought to life and I learned a lot while reading this book. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about this particular time in history, while enjoying a compelling story.

Let it Glow by Marissa Meyer & Joanne Levy

You're 12, adopted, Jewish at Christmas time and a budding actress.  Imagine your surprise when, auditioning for a holiday pageant, you bump into...you!?  What is going on?  You come to find out that the twin you never knew existed is adopted too.  She has the same birthday, hair color, and eye color.  Only she's christian.  How had their parents not mentioned this?  You decide to switch places for a few days to meet each other's families and experience the other's holiday traditions.  Will they be found out before the big reveal at the pageant?  More importantly, will they master their performance?  

Heroes by Alan Gratz

The book Heroes by Alan Gratz is an emotional historical fiction book. Two best friends, Stanley and Frank, are faced with challenges after living through the events of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  Frank moved from Florida to Hawaii a year before the occurrences in the novel. He meets Stanely who shares the same interests as him and is the same age as him. Despite getting along with Stanely, Frank worries Stanely will discover a secret from his past. Will Stanley discover Frank’s secret?  The author perfectly conveys the experiences many civilians went through during that time. Although I would have preferred less fantasy in the story, I loved how every part of the story was descriptive and captivating. 

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

If you liked The Hunger Games series you have to read this.  Haymitch's story is so good!  Suzanne Collins tells us how he becomes the flawed figure we first met on the train in the first book.  Characters from the original books show up and we also get some of their stories.  It was nice to get visits from old friends.  I wasn't thrilled with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the previous book in the series.  But this book I didn't want to put down.  Is this the last in the series--I don't know, but it's a goone one!

 I’m Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez is a book I would recommend to teens and young adults who are interested in Latin culture, female roles in society, and are interested in a little suspense and drama. The author takes you through the challenges of being a teenage girl in Chicago who is dealing with high expectations from her family and figuring out how to express herself. The main character, Julia Reyes, is grieving the death of her older sister Olga. Olga was the golden child of the family and now Julia must deal with the pressure to be the “good” daughter in her traditional Mexican-American household. However, Julia goes on to uncover a secret life her perfect sister was living. This novel was a National Book Award Finalist and understandably so. Pick this read up and get ready to dive into a vulnerable, honest, and witty story.

Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Visiting Italy sounds like a dream come true. Living there? Even better! Unless you’re Lina, who’s mother’s dying wish was for her to move to Italy with the biological father whom she’s never met before. When Lina receives her late mother’s journal, she learns more about her mother and her past.  As she reads on, she discovers a whole new side to her mom, and the father that she never knew. This heart-tugging book (with just a hint of romance and mystery) is sure to give young audiences a fun summer read. The author navigates grief in a real way throughout the book. The reader feels everything that Lina is feeling and it helps convey the story in a more personal way. It may be a bit hard to follow at times due to some of the characters speaking in Italian (Google Translate is your friend when reading this book, trust me). I would rate this book four stars, and would recommend this to anyone who needs a fun summer read with a feel good ending.