The Kingdom of Back

Marie Lu

A gifted musician, Nannerl Mozart dreams of becoming a composer. However, societal expectations in 18th-century Europe forbid girls like her from pursuing a musical career. Meanwhile, her younger brother, Wolfgang, is a rising star. All seems hopeless until Nannerl makes a questionable bargain with a mysterious stranger from a magical land, the Kingdom of Back. Part historical fiction, part fantasy, this novel by bestselling author Marie Lu follows Nannerl’s journey to find her voice in a world that wants to hold her back.

The Thief of Always

Clive Barker

Young Harvey’s wish for a more exciting life is granted when he’s whisked away to a fantastical place called Mr. Hood’s Holiday House. It seems like paradise, where children have endless fun and experience every season of the year in a single day. However, as Harvey spends more time there, he starts to suspect there’s something sinister about Mr. Hood’s world. Written by horror icon Clive Barker, this children’s novel meshes fantasy and fable to tell a brilliant story about youth and the nature of time.

White Bird

R. J. Palacio

A companion book to R. J. Palacio's Wonder, this graphic novel expands upon one of the main characters, Julian, and his family. Julian’s grandmother, Grandmère, recounts her experiences as a young Jewish girl living in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. Throughout the book, Grandmère’s story intertwines with Julian's life as he learns important lessons about the impact of one's choices. Told with beautiful illustrations, White Bird examines the historical events of the Holocaust while highlighting the importance of empathy and standing up against injustice.

The Inheritance Games

Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Teenager Avery Grambs unexpectedly inherits a vast fortune from a wealthy billionaire named Tobias Hawthorne, a man she’s never met. But there’s a catch: Avery must move into Hawthorne House and compete against Hawthorne’s grandsons in a complex game of riddles and puzzles. As Avery falls deeper into the mystery surrounding her newfound inheritance, she realizes that there’s more to Hawthorne's death and his eccentric family than meets the eye. Readers who enjoy suspenseful stories like One of Us is Lying and We Were Liars will find The Inheritance Games impossible to put down.

Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir

Nikki Grimes

In this memoir, celebrated author and poet Nikki Grimes shares the turbulent story of her childhood through beautifully crafted verse. Grimes reflects on the hardships she faced, from her relationships with her mentally unstable mother and absent father to her time spent in the foster care system. Amid the trauma and abuse she endured, Grimes discovered a love for writing, using the healing power of words to find her voice.

Escape Room

Maren Stoffels

If your high school students crave a fast-paced story, Escape Room is an excellent pick. Teenagers Alissa, Sky, Miles, and Mint are excited to try an escape room challenge. It seems simple: pick a game, get locked in a room, find clues, and solve puzzles within 60 minutes to escape. But as the puzzles become increasingly sinister, the group starts to wonder if they’ll be locked in there forever.