IndyPL Staff Picks 2021 Favorite Tween & Teen FictionLike this list

20 items

• Everything Sad Is Untrue

  (a True Story)

  Nayeri, Daniel,

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  Many of us fell in love with this book - pro tip - if you can, listen to the audiobook because Mr. Nayeri narrates the story making it even better! This is a book that pulls you in at the first page and just doesn’t let you go until the end! I…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Skunk and Badger

  Timberlake, Amy,

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  Skunk and Badger is the perfect book to give to children (and adults) who are fans of Frog and Toad. Like Frog and Toad, Skunk and Badger are another odd couple who are learning how to get along as roommates and friends. Jon Klassen’s illustrations…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• War Stories

  Korman, Gordon,

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  In a departure from his humorous stories, Gordon Korman tackles the subject of war to illustrate its harsh realities. Trevor travels with his great-grandfather (who he idolizes) to retrace his military service in World War II. Through young Trevor,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Fart Quest

  Reynolds, Aaron, 1970-

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  Can there be a better title than this? Filled with humor and fun illustrations. Three lowly wizard apprentices must finish a magical quest to become masters in their own right. And who doesn't love jokes and puns about farts? IndyPL_NicoleN

• The Tea Dragon Tapestry

  O'Neill, Kay (Cartoonist),

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  Several votes for this title! I have loved the Tea Dragon series by K. O’Neill since it first debuted back in 2017. O’Neill’s art style is whimsical, soft, and heartwarming. It always makes me think of a Studio Ghibli film when I read their…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• What We Found in the Corn Maze and How It Saved a Dragon

  Clark, Henry, 1952-

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  I read this with my 8 year old son, and we both liked it so much that we’re reading Clark’s other books too.  “Corn Maze Dragon” (my shortened version of the title that really irked my kid because I wasn’t saying it right) is a fresh take on the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Playing the Cards You're Dealt

  Johnson, Varian,

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  Varian Johnson deals out a winner with this book starring 10-year-old Anthony "Ant". Here are a few things I really loved about this book - the very real love for a game of cards - Spades; the awkwardness of being 10 and figuring out how to act…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Starfish

  Fipps, Lisa,

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  Body image and beauty standards face off in this wonderful book that embraces love, friendship, and mental health. Ever since her 5th birthday party, Ellie has been teased and bullied about her weight. Her struggle to cope and defend herself will…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ace of Spades

  Àbíké-Íyímídé, Faridah,

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  Nerdy Devon and queen bee Chiamaka have nothing in common except being the only Black students at their very posh school. When both are targeted by a cunning cyberbully, they will have to team up before their lives go up in flames. IndyPL_sarahs

• The Music of What Happens

  Konigsberg, Bill,

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  Everything I love about a romance: humor, angst, adventure, and fantastic chemistry between the main characters. Deals with several sensitive topics including assault, grief, and addiction, plus a healthy dose of adulting. I adore Jordan and Max,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• One of Us Is Lying

  McManus, Karen M.,

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  A great Tween or Teen book written in different perspectives of Bronwyn, Addy, Nate and Cooper as different suspects in the murder of Simon Kelleher. The writing is gripping and engaging and I loved that they used each character’s voice.  It is…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Grace Year

  Liggett, Kim,

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  If you enjoyed "The Handmaid's Tale," you are sure to enjoy this book. The grade year is forbidden to be discussed. Sixteen year old girls are sent away for the entirety of their 16th year, banished to rid themselves of their magic. They must…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Last Night at the Telegraph Club

  Lo, Malinda,

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  Probably Malinda Lo’s strongest book yet. It’s a historical fiction taking place in 1954. It’s about Lily Hu, a Chinese American girl discovering her sexuality and falling in love for the first time. The book explores what kind of discrimination…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Boys Run the Riot. 1

  Gaku, Keito,

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  Boys Run the Riot is a new manga series by trans author Keito Gaku. It follows a high school trans boy named Ryo as he and his friends work to make their own street fashion designer brand. The story weaves back and forth between Ryo’s school life…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

  Jackson, Holly, 1992-

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  Prepare yourself for a gripping, suspenseful story about a girl who decides to solve a five year old murder for her senior project. A teen girl was killed, and the main suspect committed suicide so the people of the town are satisfied. Pippa is not.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Legendborn

  Deonn, Tracy,

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  It’s a modernization of King Arthur with a good dose of “National Treasure” and “Skulls” to ramp up the mystery as college freshman Bree, comes into powers she didn’t know she had and fights evil on her college campus.

• The Case of the Burgled Bundle

  Hutchinson, Michael, 1971-

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  Third in the the highly acclaimed series by Michael Hutchinson, this one does not disappoint. Fans of mysteries such as the Boxcar Children will want to add this to their reading pile - A Mighy Muskrats Mystery starts off with The Case of Windy…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Root Magic

  Royce, Eden,

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  Twins Jay & Jezebel have just turned 11 and enter into the world of studying rootwork with their uncle. Though the books is set in the 1960s...time is very sly, almost another otherworldly element in the story. The nature of studying root magic…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Rez Dogs

  Bruchac, Joseph, 1942-

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  Very timely novel, yes, set in verse, about living through the Covid-19 pandemic. Malian, like many of us, finds herself not able to return to school. When the pandemic broke, she was visiting her grandparents on their reservation. Now with this…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Downstairs Girl

  Lee, Stacey,

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  Cleverly and engagingly written story about living in Georgia in the post-Civil War times - addresses racism and classism in very honest ways. The narrator, Jo Kuan is a Chinese American who lives on the edges of society and and is no stranger to…Read moreRead more of this annotation