2015

October
The Accident Season
young adult
The Accident Season written by Moira Fowley-Doyle

For seventeen-year-old Cara, bad luck isn't just a family trait–it's a curse, and one that strikes with an eerie precision. Like clockwork, each and every October Cara's family suffers a monthlong bout of seemingly inexplicable misfortune–accidents that are usually frustrating, but occasionally life-threatening or even fatal. For years, Cara could only wonder at the source of her awful legacy. Now, she's about to discover that the greatest misfortune may be discovering the truth behind the "Accident Season."

August
ONE
young adult
ONE written by Sarah Crossan

Teen sisters Tippi and Grace share almost everything. Their bond is far more than figurative, because Tippi and Grace are conjoined twins. But after a lifetime of being voluntarily joined together, medical necessity is forcing Tippi and Grace to finally confront the prospect of separation–and, potentially, losing one another forever.

July
My Heart and Other Black Holes
young adult
My Heart and Other Black Holes written by Jasmine Warga

Chronically depressed and socially isolated by the stigma of her father's own dark past, sixteen year old Aysel Seran can't imagine a future worth living. And when life itself is the problem, what answer is there but suicide? To make sure she has the courage of her convictions, Aysel has entered a suicide pact with Roman, another troubled teen. It's a strange but powerful bond–and, as it deepens, one that begins to make Aysel question inevitable emptiness of her own existence.

June
The Coal Thief
picture book
The Coal Thief written by Alane Adams | illustrated by Lauren Gallegos

It is a cold winter morning in 1920’s Girard, Pennsylvania when Georgie awakens to a very unpleasant realization––there is no more coal to heat his family’s freezing farmhouse. But a special train has arrived in town and it’s carrying “black gold”–– coal, and with it, a fateful choice for Georgie.

Even When You Lie to Me
young adult
Even When You Lie to Me written by Jessica Alcott

Charlie is in her last year of high school. She's right on the threshold of adulthood, but still dealing with the baggage of being a quiet, introverted kid. A bright spot in Charlie's life is her work with Mr. Drummond–a new english teacher, the mentor of the school newspaper, and Charlie's major crush. In Mr. Drummond, Charlie finally seems to have found a kindred spirit. But as Charlie's relationship with Mr. Drummond deepens, her feelings also threaten to take her across a boundary she may be unwise to cross.

Belzhar
young adult
Belzhar written by Meg Wolitzer

Jam Gallahue has already spent a year grieving the death of her first love when she arrives at a boarding school in Vermont for emotionally troubled teens. She could hardly imagine that the school, its students or its teachers could help fill the void in her life. But Jam's Special Topics in English class is about to give her a powerful–and magical–lesson in the transformative and healing power of writing.

Wolfie The Bunny
picture book
Wolfie The Bunny written by Ame Dyckman | illustrated by Zachariah OHora

The Bunny Family has just adopted a new member–"Wolfie!" Dot's parents couldn't be more delighted with their cute new son, but Dot thinks she has a good reason to be worried about THIS addition to the family: True to his name, Dot's adoptive brother is–literally–a wolf in bunny's clothing! Dot can't help but wonder what will happen as Wolfie gets bigger and hungrier! But Dot may just find a true friend in Wolfie–and learn a valuable lesson about the importance of looking past appearances!

Sleep Softly: Classical Lullabies
picture book
Sleep Softly: Classical Lullabies written by David Pastor | illustrated by Élodie Nouhen

Sleep Softly, Classical Lullabies, performed by L’Ensemble Agora and illustrated by Elodie Nouhen, is a gorgeous collection of classical lullabies fit for sleeping baby or meditating mom, and a lovely little work of French art and style.

May
The Wrath And The Dawn
young adult
The Wrath And The Dawn written by Renée Ahdieh

Every night, Khalid, the young Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride. And at every sunrise, a new family has lost a daughter. After sixteen-year-old Shahrzad loses her dearest friend to the Caliph's murderous fancies, she plots revenge. To that end, she volunteers to marry the very man who took her best friend's life. Through her resourcefulness and intelligence, Shahrzad will become the first of the Caliph's brides to see another night. But she never counted on falling in love with the man responsible for so much anguish. Could the demon Caliph be something more than a monster? And if so, what darker intrigues lie behind his many victims?

Little Kunoichi, The Ninja Girl
picture book
Little Kunoichi, The Ninja Girl written by Sanae Ishida

Kunoichi is a little ninja in training. What she lacks in size, she more than makes up for in determination! Kunoichi has been sneaking off from school to practice her martial arts in secret. Little does she know, her secret training sessions will lead to a discovery as valuable as any special technique. Kunoichi is about to make a new friend who will help inspire her to become the greatest ninja she can be!

The Noisy Paint Box
picture book
The Noisy Paint Box written by Barb Rosenstock | illustrated by Mary GrandPré

The young Vasya Kandinsky lives his life according to a simple rhythm of good manners and dutiful study. Vasya's parents are preparing their son to fulfill their vision of a proper Russian gentleman. But neither could have anticipated the amazing artistic adventure that will begin when Vasya receives a small wooden box of paints from his Auntie!

Edgewater
young adult
Edgewater written by Courtney Sheinmel

Lorrie Hollander is a child of privilege, spending her summers as a star rider at an equestrian camp and the balance of her year at an elite prep school. But Lorrie is about to discover that the advantages she's taken for granted are built on an insecure foundation: Her family's finances–and her family itself–are crumbling apart.