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A Mighty Girl's 2021 Books of the Year

52 items
  1. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking

    Author: T. Kingfisher

    14-year-old Mona is a wizard, but she's not the kind you're thinking of: unlike the powerful magic-users who protect the city, her powers only work on bread. So she lives a quiet life at her aunt's bakery, where she bakes delicious biscuits and makes gingerbread men dance to delight the customers. But when an assassin starts targeting wizards in Mona's city — and the City Inquisitor frames Mona for a murder as part of a plot to take over — she realizes that none of the 'real' wizards are coming to save everyone with their lightning and earthquakes. To save herself and everyone she loves, Mona will have to figure out how a bread wizard can be a hero. Winner of the 2021 Hugo Award for Best Young Adult Book, this quirky and funny fantasy, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman, explores what happens when a girl who was never considered 'strong' — including by herself — becomes the one to save the day.

    Ages: 10 and up
    Price:
    $14.95
    C$18.90
    £12.95
    A$24.15
  2. Vespertine

    Artemisia avoids the living, who are too prone to speculating about her past, in favor of training to be a Gray Sister, one of the nuns who prepares the dead for burial to prevent their spirits from rising as hungry ghosts. When her convent is attacked, she realizes that evil is rising in her home of Loraille — evil that requires a vespertine, a priestess that can wield a high relic, to defeat. No vespertine has lived for generations, but there is one way Artemisia can get the information she needs: by asking a revenant, a malicious spirit bound to a saint's relic. The revenant agrees to help, but she knows it will stop at nothing to possess her. Now, she can only hope to unravel mysteries that make her question everything she's been taught... before the revenant betrays her. This stunning novel by the best-selling author of Sorcery of Thorns and An Enchantment of Ravens is a dark fantasy adventure that will leave readers eager for more.

  3. The Light of Days Young Readers’ Edition

    The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler's Ghettos

    Author: Judy Batalion

    When the Nazis invaded Poland, Jewish people did not simply capitulate: resistance groups rapidly appeared, many of them led by Jewish women and young girls. These "ghetto girls" served as fighters, spies, and saboteurs; they converted youth groups into resistance cells and built underground bunkers and supply lines in the Jewish ghettos. At the center of this powerful young reader's adaptation of The Light of Days is 18-year-old Renia Kukielka, who worked as a resistance courier and weapons smuggler; other women joined the cause as fighters, spies, and saboteurs. Even in the face of the seemingly unstoppable Nazi regime, the destruction of their communities, and the death of their families, these courageous women refused to give up and fought back to the end. This gripping, meticulously-researched book tells the incredible story of these heroic Jewish women whose contributions have been largely overlooked, until now.

    Ages: 10 and up
    Price:
    $8.99
    C$10.88
    £14.65
    A$36.19
  4. Last Night at the Telegraph Club

    Author: Malinda Lo

    17-year-old Lily Hu doesn't quite fit in among San Francisco's Chinatown in the 1950s: her passion for rocketry and space exploration is at odds with expectations for a Chinese-American girl... and so is her growing awareness that she's attracted to girls, not boys. When her friend, Kathleen Miller, introduces her to a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club, Lily realizes that other people feel like her. But she still has to hide parts of herself, even as she code-switches between her community in Chinatown and her role at the Club, and when the Red Scare paranoia threatens her father — even though he's a citizen — Lily and Kath will have to decide how much of themselves they dare to reveal. This stunning historical queer romance, winner of the National Book Award, by best-selling YA author Malinda Lo is a rich, poignant story about being true to yourself.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $11.99
    C$24.74
    £7.37
    A$14.93
  5. Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche

    Enola Holmes is back in the daring sleuth's first new adventure in over ten years! Now 15 and living independently in London, she takes on a new mystery when Miss Letitia Glover shows up at her brother Sherlock's door, insisting that her twin sister — who married the Earl of Dunhench and supposedly died for some vague and mysterious reason — must be alive. Against her brother's objections, Enola goes undercover and discovers that the Earl has had other wives that "died" suddenly — and that a black barouche that arrived at the Earl's home at night may be the key to unraveling the mystery. With a little help from Sherlock, the missing woman's sister, and her friend the Viscount Tewkesbury, it will up to Enola to crack the case and unravel the truth around Felicity Glover's sudden disappearance.

    Ages: 11 and up
    Price:
    $12.80
    C$22.55
    £13.53
    A$25.13
  6. Bluebird

    In 1946, Eva comes to New York City as a refugee after World War II, holding the secret to a horrific experiment in the concentration camps, Project Bluebird, and the desire for justice against a Nazi she knows has escaped from Europe. In 1945, Inge, raised as a Nazi by her doctor father, discovers the true horror of the camps — and her father's part in them — a promises to find some way to atone for what happened. As these two young women's stories intersect, readers will discover the brutal truth of life immediately after the war, the struggles of those who survived it, and the space between good and evil where so many people lie. This suspenseful historical thriller by the author of The Light in Hidden Places is a unique look at the aftermath of World War II.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $12.50
    C$24.74
    £13.63
    A$24.88
  7. You'd Be Home Now

    16-year-old Emory is recovering from a car accident that killed a local girl — and the resulting discovery that her brother Joey is addicted to heroin. As she starts her junior year, her parents expect her to rein in his addiction, and people in her high school are still angry at her for her part in the death. As Emory rebels in secret, she also starts to look beyond herself, recognizing how addiction has touched her small town... and how the town's expectations play a part in it. This powerful novel is a nuanced and compassionate exploration of addiction, bigotry, and what it takes to break out of the boxes you're forced into.

    Ages: 15 and up
    Price:
    $11.99
    C$24.70
    £7.37
    A$20.76
  8. Six Crimson Cranes

    Author: Elizabeth Lim

    Shiori'anma is the only daughter of the emperor of Kiata, and she hides a dangerous secret: the gift of forbidden magic. But on the day she's to be betrothed to a warlord's son, she loses control; her mistake means she's avoided an unwanted marriage, but it also reveals that her stepmother, Raikama, is a sorceress with a demonic form. Raikama banishes her and turns her brothers into cranes, warning that Shiori that, for every word that she speaks, one of her brothers dies. To rescue her brothers and save the throne, she will have to find a way to survive on her own and win allies... including a dragon and the boy she didn't want to marry. This duology opener, inspired by elements of both European and East Asian folklore, is a stunning and magical fantasy.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $10.99
    C$24.74
    £12.45
    A$18.62
  9. Realm Breaker

    Corayne an-Amarat has spent her life overprotected and hidden away in a small town by the sea — but all that changes when danger threatens the land of Allward. Corayne soon discovers that she is the last of an ancient lineage, a descendant of humans who came from another realm. Together with a group of unusual companions — some human, some immortal — she will play a critical role in preventing a wizard and a thief from tearing a passage between the worlds... one which could destroy them all. Full of action and magic, this exciting series opener from the best-selling author of the Red Queen series is packed with epic adventure and shocking twists and turns that will leave readers eager for the next volume.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $11.99
    C$14.98
    £17.85
    A$22.76
  10. The Life I'm In

    In Sharon Flake's modern classic, The Skin I'm In, a bully named Char mocked Maleeka for her dark skin; in the much-anticipated companion, readers follow Char into the shocking world of human trafficking. 16-year-old Char is still making trouble at school despite her sister/guardian's efforts, and when she goes too far, JuJu decides to send her to live with their grandparents in Alabama. Determined to run away instead, Char is lured by a man who offers food and shelter, only to discover that the price is being sold for sex... a fate she begins to believe she deserves. Still, the determination that drove Char in the past may just be what she needs to convince herself to escape — and to help others in the same position. Harrowing, timely, and powerful, this is a look at how easily vulnerable teens can get caught — and how important compassion can be.

    Ages: 15 and up
    Price:
    $13.99
    C$20.49
    £7.99
    A$33.95
  11. Cytonic

    Spensa has gone from a Defiant Defense Force pilot, fighting to save the human enclave of Detritus, to an undercover spy investigating the Superiority, a governing alliance bent on dominating all human life. Now, the Superiority is starting a war, and they're planning to use the Delvers — ancient alien forces capable of wiping out whole systems in an instant — to crush the human resistance. Spensa's Cytonic nature may be the key to saving the galaxy, but if she's going to do it, she has to enter the Nowhere in search of the truth... and she's not sure if she'll ever return. The third book in Brandon Sanderson's pulse-pounding Skyward series ups the stakes as Spensa races to save humanity.

    Ages: 13 and up
    Price:
    $11.99
    C$25.73
    £13.82
    A$22.76
  12. The Teen Girl's Anxiety Survival Guide: Ten Ways to Conquer Anxiety and Feel Your Best

    Teen girls often feel stress and expectation from every direction, so it's no surprise that anxiety among teen girls is high — and rising! But there are ways that girls can manage their anxiety so they can feel more confident and cope better with the tough times. In this book from the Instant Help Solutions series, teens will find 10 strategies that help you understand their anxiety, including how they express it, and develop mindfulness and self-compassion skills that can calm mind and body and foster a positive outlook. Encouraging and empowering, this guide will help girls deal with their thoughts and feelings so they can go back to living the life they want!

    Ages: 13 and up
    Price:
    $16.16
    C$23.31
    £9.61
    A$27.25
  13. Between Shades of Gray: The Graphic Novel

    15-year-old Lina is a budding artist when her life changes forever in June of 1941. Suddenly, the Soviet secret police are at her family's door; her father is sent to a prison camp and Lina, her mother, and her younger brother are deported from Lithuania to Siberia, where they're put to work in horrific conditions. But Lina's art becomes a source of solace and rebellion, allowing her to capture what life is really like in the camp... and, hopefully, conveying a message to her father that might allow her to reunite her family. Just in time for the 10th anniversary of Ruta Sepetys' award-winning novel Between Shades of Gray, this stunning four-color graphic novel adaptation provides a new way to share this powerful story of loss, fear, and survival.

  14. The Electric Kingdom

    Author: David Arnold

    Years after the deadly Fly Flu, most of humanity has been destroyed, leaving only scattered survivors. 18-year-old Nico is on a quest set by her scientist father, who believes that there is a portal somewhere in postapocalyptic New England that could lead her to a better life. 12-year-old Kit was raised in an abandoned movie theater and is searching for a rumored safe zone on an island cluster by the coast. Both are watched over by the Deliverer, who has spent dozens of lives trying to influence — and fix — the world. As their paths converge, these three realize that they are tied together in unexpected ways... and that, sometimes, connection and love are the key to hope. This genre-bending novel by best-selling author David Arnold explores what it means to find love in a destroyed world.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $12.60
    C$24.50
    £9.79
    A$36.52
  15. The Woman All Spies Fear

    Code Breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman and Her Hidden Life

    When Elizebeth Smith Friedman was hired by an eccentric millionaire to look for secret messages in Shakespeare's plays, she had no idea she'd become one of America's top cryptanalysts! Her knack for spotter patterns and solving puzzles led her to code-breaking, and she and her husband, William, became stars of the intelligence community, cracking enemy messages in World War I and World War II and helping the Coast Guard track smugglers through their communications — all at a time when most women were expected to keep house. Award-winning historian and novelist Amy Butler Greenfield introduces teen readers to this inspiring pioneer of STEM, whose contributions to American military intelligence have only recently been declassified.

  16. The Girl from the Sea

    Author/Illustrator: Molly Knox Ostertag

    15-year-old Morgan Kwon hides her true self from everyone: she's sure she can't let anyone know she's gay until she goes away to college. That means a lot of pretending, to both family and friends. But when Morgan almost drowns one night, only to be rescued by a Selkie girl named Keltie, everything changes. Their growing romance makes Morgan happier than anything she's felt before, but Keltie has plans to stop the island's new cruise ship from traveling close to the seal rookery... plans that mean she refuses to stay quiet. This graphic novel, with its gorgeous underwater scenes and sweet LGBTQ romance, is a compelling story about love, family, and what it means to be yourself.

    Ages: 13 and up
    Price:
    $10.89
    C$19.79
    £8.59
    A$20.67
  17. Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers

    Michelle Obama's best-selling memoir Becoming is now available in this adaptation for tween and teen readers! From South Side Chicago, to Princeton and Harvard Law, to the White House, Michelle's life has gone through many changes — often forcing her to wrestle with who she was and who she wanted to be. In this memoir, she tells her story, honestly and authentically, and encourages young readers to use her example as they stride forth into their own lives. She shows how life may play havoc with your plans, and how going with the flow can lead you to unexpected (and wonderful) things. Most importantly, she asks them: how will you use your life to help yourself, help others, and make the world better?

    Ages: 10 and up
    Price:
    $11.34
    C$23.12
    £15.78
    A$21.53
  18. Gilded

    Author: Marissa Meyer

    18-year-old Serilda knows that on the night of the full moon, everyone must hide inside to avoid the Erlking and his hunters, but when she hears hellhounds chasing a pair of moss maidens, she can't help but intervene. When she's confronted by the Erlking, she spins one of her many outlandish tales, claiming that she was collecting straw to spin into gold. On the next full moon, though, the Erlking kidnaps her, ordering her to spin gold as she claims — or be killed for telling lies. Fortunately, a mysterious boy named Gild appears and offers to do it for her... for a price. Before long, Serilda finds herself plotting to break an ancient curse and overthrough the Erlking — and falling in love with Gild. Bestselling author Marissa Meyer reimagines the story of Rumpelstiltskin into this compelling, haunting tale.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $14.69
    C$25.73
    £5.34
    A$30.85
  19. The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne

    In a wild and radioactive former Britain, Scarlett McCain is an outlaw whose bank heists help her keep body and soul together. She's used to thinking only of herself, but when she finds a blown-up bus and pulls the only survivor, a boy named Albert Browne, out of the wreckage, she agrees to take him to safety. But she soon realizes that not all is as it seems: they're now being pursued by far more dangerous people than her last robbery would justify. It turns out that Browne is hiding a secret... and that the two of them are now unlikely allies against a terrifying plot that includes a secret prison for children with strange mental abilities. This rollicking, action-packed series opener is a thrilling adventure that will leave readers eager for more of Scarlett and Browne's escapades.

  20. Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance

    Author: Nikki Grimes

    For centuries, accomplished women — of all races — have fallen out of the historical records. The same is true for gifted, prolific, women poets of the Harlem Renaissance who are little known, especially as compared to their male counterparts. In this stunning volume, bestselling author Nikki Grimes aims to give these women the recognition they deserve, paying tribute to figures like Mae V. Cowdery, Alice Dunbar-Nelson, and Esther Popel. Accompanying each poem is a unique, full-color portrait from one of today's most acclaimed female African-American illustrators, including Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Cozbi Cabrera, and Vashti Harrison. This gorgeous collection is a unique and powerful celebration of women's voices from a unique period in American history.

    Ages: 10 and up
    Price:
    $17.53
    C$23.66
    £13.16
    A$34.06
  21. The Girls I've Been

    Author: Tess Sharpe

    18-year-old Nora learned how to be whoever she needed to be while she was under her con artist mother's thumb... until she was able to escape. Now, she's spent five years pretending to be normal. But when her ex-boyfriend Wes walks in on her with her girlfriend, and then she, Wes, and Iris all have to go to the bank to deposit money for a fundraiser, things get awkward fast. And then things go even further downhill when all three of them are taken hostage by a pair of bank robbers. Nora's determined to get them all out safely, even if it means revealing to both Wes and Iris that she's not who she seems. This suspenseful thriller, with its pitch-perfect combination of twists and a sensitive examination of Nora's trauma, stars a bisexual teen who's unapologetically herself... even when she's being someone else.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $13.76
    C$24.74
    £17.17
    A$36.28
  22. The Robber Girl

    Five years ago, Robber Girl — who can't speak unless spoken to — was abandoned by her mother. She was rescued by Gentleman Jack, who gave her a dagger with a psychic voice in her head, and told her he'll give her a new name and a new home when she helps him claim his gold. But their planned stick-up turns out to be a trap, and Robber Girl finds herself living with a judge and his wife, who lost their two children to smallpox, in a town where a goddess supposedly grants boons. If Robber Girl can overcome her trauma, and the judge's wife can process her grief, they might just discover the goddess works in mysterious ways. This magical realism Western novel is at turns funny and emotionally powerful, exploring memory, identity, and healing.

  23. Code Name Badass: The True Story of Virginia Hall

    As a girl, Virginia Hall love to horseback ride and shoot, and played a pirate in the school play. As a young woman, she refused to let an accident that required the amputation of a leg stop her from pursuing her dreams. And when World War II broke out, she put all her skills to use — arming and training the French Resistance and spying for the British behind enemy lines! In this raucous biography of "the most dangerous of all Allied spies," teens will follow Hall's nailbiting adventures as she organizes sabotage missions, evades the notorious Gestapo commander the Butcher of Lyon, and helps win the war.

  24. Firekeeper's Daughter

    18-year-old Daunis is the child of a wealthy Fontaine mother and an Anishinaabe father — and walking between those two worlds can be challenging. She's deferred her plans to go to college while her maternal grandmother recovers from a stroke, and spends time playing hockey with her half brother and his hockey team. When Daunis witnesses a murder — one related to a dangerous new form of meth — she reluctantly agrees to go undercover for the FBI, combining her knowledge of chemistry and traditional medicine in the process. But the investigation is more concerned about punishment than preventing more victims, and soon Daunis has to decide how far she'll go to protect her community from the corruption that threatens to tear it apart. This tense thriller tackles issues of sexual assault, drug addiction, and racism, all through the eyes of a strong Ojibwe woman.

    Ages: 15 and up
    Price:
    $10.23
    C$13.70
    £12.99
    A$22.35
  25. Wonder Women of Science: How 12 Geniuses Are Rocking Science, Technology, and the World

    When we talk about pioneering women in science, we often talk about the past — but the truth is that there are women leading groundbreaking work in STEM every day! In this exciting volume, award-winning aerospace engineer Tiera Fletcher tells her own story, and those of a dozen other scientists, doing everything from using math to fight human trafficking to fighting climate change. In each profile, the women talk about the paths that led them to their current work, the obstacles and failures they faced along the way, and why they love what they do. With back matter that includes ideas how you can get involved in STEM, this is the perfect book to help young readers recognize that they can think of themselves as scientists!

    Ages: 9 - 14
    Price:
    $12.79
    C$22.27
    £10.59
    A$37.33
  26. Treasure of the World

    Author: Tara Sullivan

    In 12-year-old Ana's poor Bolivian community, there's only one future ahead for most children: the boys will start working in the mines, and the girls will be wives of miners. But when their demanding, cruel father forces her sickly brother, Daniel, to start working, Ana volunteers to give up school and go in his place until he's well. Everyone thinks it's a bad idea — including the other miners, who think having a girl in the mine is a bad omen. And when an accident in the mine kills her father and leaves her brother missing, presumed dead underground, Ana musters the courage for a secret journey into the mountain to find him... one which will transform her and give her the strength to try to change her community forever. This powerful book that explores child labor, poverty, and the human cost of profit will open readers' eyes to the need for justice.

    Ages: 10 - 14
    Price:
    $8.99
    C$11.87
    £6.24
    A$38.89
  27. Rolling Warrior

    The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution

    When Judy Heumann was 5, she was told she couldn't attend grade school — because her wheelchair made her a "fire hazard." But her parents, who had survived the Holocaust, and Judy, who had survived polio, weren't going to be stopped. In this powerful young readers’ edition of her acclaimed memoir, Being Heumann, Judy explains how she went from a child who just wanted to go to school to one of America's most prominent disability advocates and activists. She tells the story of suing New York City when she was denied a teacher's license, and of holding the longest sit-in protest in US history in San Francisco. Fans of the Oscar-nominated documentary Crip Camp will love this memoir that captures Judy's courage, persistence, and the rebellious streak that keeps her fighting for equal access.

    Ages: 10 and up
    Price:
    $11.59
    C$19.75
    £7.94
    A$23.95
  28. RBG's Brave & Brilliant Women: 33 Jewish Women to Inspire Everyone

    In the last year of her life, iconic Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg collaborated with her friend, journalist Nadine Epstein, to create this inspiring collection of stories of brave, brilliant Jewish women! From Biblical stories of women who defied expectation to follow their hearts, to women of history who fought for justice in times when it was a nearly impossible task, to the heroes of the 20th century, these women all dreamed big and fought to make their dreams possible. With an introduction by Ginsburg herself, and intriguing capsule biographies that convey how these women changed the world, this is an empowering book that will speak to people of all ages and faiths.

    Ages: 10 and up
    Price:
    $14.99
    C$22.76
    £9.67
    A$24.99
  29. Social Anxiety Relief for Teens

    A Step-by-Step CBT Guide to Feel Confident and Comfortable in Any Situation

    Millions of teens struggle with social anxiety, something that's been heightened by isolation during the coronavirus pandemic — but if that anxiety prevents them from achieving the life they want, this workbook from the therapist-recommend Instant Help Solutions series can help! This book introduces a five-step program based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help teens recognize anxiety triggers, spot the unhelpful coping behavior they've developed, and gradually challenge themselves to increase their comfort levels in social situations. This compassionate and encouraging book will give teens the boost they need to find the confidence they've always dreamed of.

    Ages: 13 and up
    Price:
    $15.29
    C$23.34
    £10.35
    A$25.75
  30. Little Thieves

    Author: Margaret Owen

    17-year-old Vania knows she can't count on anyone but herself: her biological mother adopted her and her adopted godmothers, Death and Fortune, charge a steep price for their aid. To make her own way in the world, Vania became a servant for Princess Gisele... then used a magical necklace to take her place. As a princess, Vania can charm all the nobles while stealing all their jewels for herself. But when Vania crosses the wrong goddess and ends up cursed for her greed, she has to figure out how to break the curse and escape... while also avoiding Gisele's intimidating fiance and a junior detective who's hot on her tail. Margaret Owen, author of The Merciful Crow, has created a lush and cynically funny retelling of "The Goose Girl" with a daring (and wicked) girl at its core.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $16.99
    C$22.39
    N/A
    A$32.25
  31. Counting Down with You

    Bangladeshi-American 16-year-old Karina has devoted herself to following her parents' strict rules — even when it means giving up on her own dreams and agreeing to go to medical school and have an arranged marriage. When they travel back to Bangladesh for four weeks, it's the chance of a lifetime: some peace and quiet without being supervised all the time. But then her English teacher asks her to tutor bad-boy Ace... who pretends she's his girlfriend and says he'll buy her a dozen books (a week) if she'll play along. Fake dating for 28 days doesn't sound so bad, but soon she realizes she has more in common with Ace than she expected. What if Karina doesn't want things to go back to normal after all? This sweet romance delves into questions of gender inequality and parental pressure, while exploring what it means to be true to your heart.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $15.19
    C$23.75
    £16.28
    A$40.34
  32. Me (Moth)

    Author: Amber McBride

    Aspiring dancer Moth is still wrestling with the aftermath of the car accident that killed the rest of her family — both the physical reminders, like the scar that runs down her face, and her grief. Her aunt Jack has taken her in, but Jack's life in the suburbs (and her secret dependence on alcohol) leave Moth feeling adrift. Then she meets Sani, a Navajo musician who is also struggling with a painful past, including loss, depression, and a physically abusive stepfather. Over the course of a road trip together, Moth and Sani will not only fall in love, but also begin to understand themselves better. This lyrical novel in verse explores how memory and heritage can guide you through the worst times — and how love can lift you up.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $14.99
    C$24.39
    £13.53
    A$30.91
  33. A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome

    Author: Ariel Henley

    When Ariel and her twin sister Zan were diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome, a craniofacial condition where the bones of the head fuse prematurely, it was the start of dozens of surgeries that blurred the lines between medical need and making them aesthetically pleasing. As she grew, she began to realize how our society others people: fat people, people with facial differences, people of different races, and more. In this powerful young adult memoir, she explores her thoughts about beauty, identity, and feeling alienated from your own body through the lens of Picasso's life as an artist — and how his misogyny and ableism affected it. Poignant and thought-provoking, this book challenges us to examine our assumptions and urges us to look at people with new eyes.

    Ages: 13 and up
    Price:
    $15.99
    C$24.33
    £11.55
    A$31.04
  34. Called Upon

    Author: Bethany Lee

    14-year-old Kaitlin has been miserable at high school ever since her former best friend turned her into the school bullies' target. For the summer, her mother decides to send her to Camp Overlook, where to her delight Kaitlin quickly makes friends. She even hears from Dr. Forsythe, the mastermind behind the Overlook experiment, that she has a genetic gift that is awakening during her summer camp stay. But when campers start disappearing, and Kaitlin discovers a dead body in a freezer, she has to decide whether to join Dr. Forsythe — or use her new powers to destroy him. With Kaitlin's story entertwined with the tales of two other teens, this psychological thriller full of twists and turns conveys a powerful message about the intrinsic worth of every person.

    Ages: 13 and up
    Price:
    $13.48
    C$20.08
    £11.95
    A$30.08
  35. Tides of Mutiny

    Author: Rebecca Rode

    16-year-old Lane has lived her life on the sea — even though she's had to disguise herself as a boy to do it, since female sailors are executed per the orders of a cruel king. She even dreams of becoming a ship's captain herself someday. But then her life starts getting more complicated: an old rival comes after her father, which prompts rumors that her father was once a pirate; a young noble named Aden joins Majesty's crew — and immediately sees through her disguise; and war between kingdoms starts threatening to erupt onto the waves. Swashbuckling action and a slow-burn romance make this thrilling fantasy the perfect nautical adventure.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $14.28
    C$23.75
    £10.11
    A$26.99
  36. The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks (Young Readers)

    You probably think you know Rosa Parks' story: on a day when she was tired, she refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus, setting off the Montgomery bus boycott and a critical Civil Rights Movement win. But that's not the real story! Parks was a long-time activist who made a deliberate, strategic decision... and paid the price for her public defiance of Jim Crow laws. In this young readers edition of the award-winning The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks, young people can learn the true story of Parks' lifelong devotion to equality — and be inspired to fight for it themselves.

    Ages: 12 and up
    Price:
    $16.76
    C$20.19
    £10.84
    A$30.74
  37. Amber and Clay

    Illustrator: Julia Iredale

    In ancient Greece, a boy named Rhaskos and a girl named Melisto lead two very different lives. Melisto is precious as amber, an aristocrat's daughter — but she faces a life as a meek, tamed wife. Rhaskos is enslaved and is common as clay, but he has a gift for art and philosophy. By the time they meet — thanks to the actions of both people and gods — one of them will be a ghost, but their friendship will transcend death... and also provide a reminder of the power of being true to yourself. Told in dual perspectives, with lyrical text and black and white illustrations of "artifacts" to enhance the text, this is an epic tale full of heart and wonder.

    Ages: 10 and up
    Price:
    $17.39
    C$29.69
    £11.26
    A$28.97
  38. Dragonfly Girl

    Brilliant teenager Kira has a tremendous gift for science, which she's counting on to help pay off her mother's debts. When she wins a prestigious contest, it not only means prize money: it also earns her the chance to work for a top-secret lab run by Dr. Gregory Munn. In exchange for doing grunt work like cleaning equipment during the day, she has the opportunity to run her own experiments at night — and one of them revives a dead lab rat. Suddenly everyone is interested in Kira's work... including some very dangerous people. As she races to stay ahead of the people who want her dead, Kira will have to figure out who she can trust, something for which there's no scientific formula. This nailbiting thriller starring a genius Mighty Girl is full of pulse-pounding action and intrigue to the very end.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $13.69
    C$16.98
    £11.69
    A$21.99
  39. The Half-Orphan's Handbook

    Author: Joan F. Smith

    Lila's father died by suicide three months ago, and she's been dealing with the grief by walling herself off from everyone. When a counselor suggests a grief camp, Lila resists at first, but she soon finds herself falling into new friendships — and even first love with another camper, Noah. But when Lila learns the reason behind Noah's attendance at the camp, she'll have to figure out if she can face the truth about her own family's story... and if letting people in is worth the risk. Fans of John Green and Emily X.R. Pan will love this powerful story about the messiness of grief and the power of love.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $13.47
    C$17.94
    £10.54
    A$32.41
  40. Delicates

    Author/Illustrator: Brenna Thummler

    While Wendell the ghost became Marjorie's first real friend in Sheets, things are changing now: for the first time, she's being accepted by the popular kids at school. And surely if they find out about her ghost friends, they'll consider her a freak... so she insists on keeping Wendell a secret, making him feel even more invisible. When avid photographer Eliza Duncan takes an interest in capturing pictures of ghosts — and gets bullied for it — Marjorie faces a tough realization of what exactly she's giving up, and doing, to be accepted by the popular kids. Delicates is a gorgeous, funny, and heartfelt graphic novel that explores asking for help in your darkest moments and what it means when you feel seen.

    Ages: 13 and up
    Price:
    $13.49
    C$19.79
    £12.59
    A$25.61
  41. Defy the Night

    In the kingdom of Kandala, people are divided into those who have access to the Moonflower elixir — the only remedy for a lethal fever — and those who do not. 18-year-old apothecary apprentice Tessa is one of the have-nots, and she hates King Harristan and his brother, Prince Corrick, for denying help to the sick. After being driven to desperation, Tessa sneaks into the castle in an attempt to steal a sample of the elixir... only to be caught by Corrick. But Corrick is not as heartless as he seemed, and Tessa soon realizes that there are no easy choices in this battle. Should she help Corrick in his fight to hold the fracturing kingdom together — or tear it all down? This captivating series opener, full of adventure, political intrigue, and slow-burn romance, will leave readers debating what they would do.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $11.80
    C$20.29
    £6.55
    A$10.00
  42. Tiny Dancer

    Illustrator: Mark Siegel

    Siena has always dreamed of being a ballerina, and her hard work earned her a spot at the School of American Ballet — the first step towards becoming a member of George Balanchine's New York City Ballet Company. But her feelings about ballet are becoming more complicated. Siena's hours in rehearsal keep her away from family and friends. Frustrations like mastering a new step — but only on one side of the body — and being told she's too tall for certain roles begin to take their toll. And then there are the injuries, which every dancer fears and no dancer can avoid. Now Siena has to decide if she should look beyond the dance world... and who she is if she gives up the passion that has consumed years of her life. This stunning graphic memoir, a sequel to the Siebert Honor-winning To Dance, is a powerful story that speaks to the universal struggle of finding your footing in the world.

    Ages: 13 and up
    Price:
    $11.29
    C$15.83
    £10.12
    A$18.79
  43. The Hawthorne Legacy

    Avery Grambs was shocked enough to become the heiress to Tobias Hawthorne's enormous estate — but with the revelation that his son may still be alive, she's now on a mission to find him... and figure out why Tobias would leave his fortune to her rather than his daughters or grandsons. Although a DNA test has proved Avery isn't a Hawthorne by blood, there are more and more hints that she has some connection to the family, but Avery can't think about that as more adversaries emerge. Nobody seems to want Avery to inherit, so she'll have to untangle the mysteries of the Hawthornes in order to figure out why she's in this position — and prove that she deserves his legacy. This action-packed sequel to The Inheritance Games is perfect for fans of Knives Out-style family drama.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $16.19
    C$22.76
    £6.69
    A$10.00
  44. Scribbles, Sorrows, and Russet Leather Boots: The Life of Louisa May Alcott

    Author: Liz Rosenberg
    Illustrator: Diana Sudyka

    Louisa May Alcott never quite fit with her family's plan, from her ill-timed birth, just as her father lost the patron for his school, to her hopes for a career as an author and life as an independent woman. Alternating between struggles with poverty and friendships with great thinkers, Alcott developed a unique perspective and unusual social conscience. And with her book Little Women, she found herself catapulted to fame... with all the advantages and disadvantages that implied. Drawing on journals and letters from both Alcott and her family and friends, author and poet Liz Rosenberg has created a complex, nuanced portrait of this beloved writer.

    Ages: 10 and up
    Price:
    $21.50
    C$31.12
    £13.81
    A$21.82
  45. The Silver Blonde

    In 1946 Hollywood, 18-year-old Clara Berg is enjoying an American post-war life and dreaming of getting her big break in film editing. But when she goes to shelve a reel of film one night, she stumbles across a murdered woman. At first she thinks it has to be Babe Bannon, the A-list movie star known for her ash-blonde hair, but the next day, the police reveal it was Barbara’s stand-in, Connie Milligan. They believe Bannon was the target, but Clara isn't sure — especially as she starts remembering flashes of her childhood in Nazi Germany just before her family fled in 1938. She starts her own investigation (with the help of a handsome screenwriter) but as rumors swirl and the studio seeks a quick resolution to the scandal, Clara realizes that Hollywood isn't all glamour... Romantic and suspenseful, with a glitzy Hollywood setting that conceals grime underneath, this novel is perfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys and Monica Hesse.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $10.99
    C$23.75
    £11.32
    A$33.76
  46. Dream Big! How to Reach for Your Stars

    Abigail Harrison, AKA Astronaut Abby, has known she wanted to go to space since she was 4. At 11, she wrote out a plan to do just that! In this book, the founder of The Mars Generation lays out a framework for kids to figure out what their dreams are... and how to reach them. Abby provides examples from her own life, including plenty of fun anecdotes about the successes and slip-ups she had along the way, as she explores how to figure out what matters to you, how to plan for your goal, and how to handle the inevitable course changes — some small, some large — that you'll make along the way. With fun illustrations and plenty of encouragement, this is the perfect guide to encourage her to dream big!

    Ages: 10 and up
    Price:
    $12.99
    C$15.14
    £6.13
    A$20.95
  47. The Wide Starlight

    When Eline was six, she watched her mother Silje defy the warnings from Norwegian folk tales and whistle at the Northern Lights — and vanish from the frozen fjord. Ten years later, her quiet life with her dad in Cape Cod feels like it's falling apart: her best friend is applying to out-of-town schools, and the Northern Lights are going to be visible over the Cape for just one night. When Eline accidentally brings her mother back — along with other ominous things — it sets her on the path back to the fjord where it all began. Eline's quest, which includes both realistic obstacles like frostbite and fantastic ones like a sentient wind, intertwines with the tales of her mother and grandmother, until she finally has to face the truth of her complicated family... and her own grief. This atmospheric modern fairy tale, with its complex characters and intriguing use of Norwegian fairy tales, is a truly magical journey.

    Ages: 13 and up
    Price:
    $15.99
    C$24.74
    £11.57
    A$30.99
  48. Chasing the Truth: A Young Journalist's Guide to Investigative Reporting

    (She Said Young Readers Edition)

    When Pulitzer Prize winning journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey broke the Harvey Weinstein case, they showed the world that investigative journalism can make a real difference. Now, in the young readers adaptation of their bestselling book She Said, they take teens behind the scenes of their investigation, and give them an inside look at what it takes to uncover the truth. In this inspiring volume, would-be journalists — or anyone who wants to fight for change — will learn how to bring secrets to light, how to make the powerful face justice, and how the power of the pen can make the world a better place.

  49. The Summer of Lost Letters

    17-year-old Abby's summer is starting poorly: she just broke up with her first boyfriend, and all her friends are away for three months. Then a packet of letters show up: letters between Abby's recently deceased grandmother, O’ma, and a mysterious suitor named Edward, written after O'ma fled to the US to escape the Holocaust but before she became a wife and mother. To learn more about the letters (and her grandmother's secrets), Abby heads to Nantucket, where Edward lived, only to bump into Edward's grandson Noah, who doesn't want her investigating at all. But the pair starts growing closer, and soon they're working together to unravel the mystery of a missing necklace and O'ma and Edward's stories. A slow-burn romance and a story rooted in Jewish culture make this sweet story a tale to savor.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $16.99
    C$24.74
    £13.99
    A$33.90
  50. House of Hollow

    17-year-old Iris Hollow and her two older sisters once disappeared without a trace in Scotland, only to return a month later with no memory of where they had been, and with their dark hair turned white and their dark eyes turned blue. Their father was so convinced that they weren't really his children that he spiraled into madness and died by suicide. Now, Grey is a supermodel, Vivi is a musician, and Iris is just hoping to fit in. But when Grey goes missing, Iris and Vivi start following the mysterious clues to where she had been just before she vanished. But soon they realize that the past they knew is falling apart, and that supernatural forces may be pursuing them. This dark and vivid modern fairytale explores topics like isolation, substance abuse, and more, all through an uncanny tale that will leave you wondering about what is the truth.

    Ages: 15 and up
    Price:
    $11.76
    C$24.74
    £6.55
    A$21.60
  51. Instructions for Dancing

    Author: Nicola Yoon

    17-year-old Evie stopped believing in love after her parents' divorce; she even got rid of all her beloved romance novels. But when a mysterious woman urges her to take home a book called Instructions for Dancing from a donation box, Evie starts seeing visions: whenever a couple kisses, she can see how their romance began, and how it will end. To figure out why this is happening, Evie tracks down the "return to" address on the book, which leads her to La Brea Dance Studio and X, a boy who says yes to everything and somehow convinces her to join a ballroom dance competition. As Evie finds herself falling for X, she wonders — is love ever worth the risk? At turns funny and heartfelt, this romance from the author of Everything, Everything and The Sun is Also a Star explores love, loss, and hope.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $11.99
    C$21.66
    £6.55
    A$12.00
  52. Take Me With You When You Go

    15-year-old Ezra and 18-year-old Bea are siblings who've leaned on one another to survive their abusive and dysfunctional family life... until the morning that Ezra wakes up to find Bea gone. Bea never meant to leave Ez behind, but a message in her inbox sent her to St. Louis on a search for truth and family history — and a new life. Meanwhile, Ez is trying to figure out how to tell his boyfriend, Terrence, about what really happens at home. Told in dual perspectives through emails between the siblings, this poignant book by the authors of All the Bright Places and Every Day is an emotional and ultimately hopeful story of how the people who matter most can make any place home.

    Ages: 14 and up
    Price:
    $14.75
    C$24.74
    £17.04
    A$33.92
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