Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell

Riley, a non-religious, self-proclaimed “bad girl” is being sent to Spirit Ranch Holiday Camp by her father and she cannot imagine how she will survive. Riley is determined to maintain her rebellious and hostile attitude at camp, keeping herself isolated from her peers. In spite of herself, Riley begins to form connections with a few other “outcast” campers, including equally hostile and angry Dylan. The more time that Riley spends at camp, particularly with Dylan, she begins to understand herself and ultimately begins to change.

Howell has created a diverse and complex cast of characters that are eccentric, flawed, and extremely likeable (even when they do not want to be). These characters carry the slow moving plot which examines a variety of issues from religion to family dynamics and friendships. Several of the camp bullies are somewhat stereotypical, however, a few turn out to have redeeming qualities. Riley’s sudden and dramatic change over the course of one week strains credibility, however, the plot moves slowly so it feels like more time has passed.

Cold Skin by Steven Herrick

Eddie lives in a small coal-mining town and wants nothing more than to quit school, work in the mines, and spend as much time as possible with his friend/girlfriend Sally. His brother Larry, on the other hand, is determined to do well in school and escape life in their small town but he does not have the social graces to successfully pursue the girl he is interested in. Their father has recently come home from World War II and is hostile and defensive about the role that he played and determined that he will never work in the mines again- and neither will his sons. Father and sons rarely see eye to eye and it leads to many ugly confrontations, particularly after a beautiful young girl is murdered.

This multi-layered and complex story is told beautifully through simple verse. The narrative unfolds through the voices of a diverse cast of characters- each with their own motivations for the actions or inactions. What follows is a compelling tale of courage and revenge that slowly unfolds the mystery which has a surprising resolution. Though the setting is Australia, the story could take place almost anywhere and it will be easy for teens to imagine it happening in their hometowns.

Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers

Parker has determined that she is not going to be perfect anymore- she’s quit the cheerleading squad, dumped her perfect boyfriend, is failing her classes at school, drinks heavily, and has attempted suicide. What Parker refuses to admit to anyone is that she knows what happened the night her friend Jessica disappeared and the events that unfolded prior to that were all caused by Parker.

Summers debut novel is an intense read packed with emotional issues and teenage angst. Parker is flawed- a compulsive liar who treats everyone around her horribly- yet reader’s can not help but wonder what secret she is hiding that has caused her to implode in such a dramatic fashion. Parker’s secret is one that readers will not see coming and once it is revealed, they will completely understand her self-deprecating behavior. While she is unlikable at first, Parker is real and the more time that readers spend inside her head, the more they will want to see her pull herself together and succeed. The novel is not at all the light-fluff that the stock photo cookie cutter cover makes it seem and readers expecting light-hearted chick lit will be very disappointed. This is a story to pass along to fans of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak which has a similar voice and tone.

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

Kyra has grown up in a small polygamist community but has always had rebellious thoughts and never truly embraced their way of life. She loves reading and secretly visits the Mobile Library on Wheels which stops near the borders of the compound and even worse she secretly meets with Joshua, a boy her own age, who she loves and hopes to marry someday. Kyra’s world is shattered, however, when the Prophet arrives and decrees that Kyra is to become the seventh wife of her Uncle Hyrum. When she rebels, both Kyra and Joshua are badly beaten as the Prophet and her Uncle Hyrum attempt to beat Kyra into submission. Kyra must chose between running away and never seeing her family again or be forced into a horrible marriage.

Williams has crafted an intensely gripping, intense, and unforgettable novel that is heartbreaking and suspenseful. Everything about this novel is unsettling- even the questions readers are left with at the end. Kyra is difficult to forget- strong-willed and defiant she will speak to teen readers, even if they cannot relate to her plight. Williams does not attempt to be objective in this story ripped from news headlines. Physical abuse, fear, violence, and murder drive this story to its painful conclusion leaving this title only for mature teen readers. The Chosen Ones is a perfect book for fans of Laurie Halse Anderson’s realistic fiction though Williams lacks the polish and finesse of Anderson’s writing. Readers will be left breathless and anxious to see what Williams comes up with next.

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

After a night of partying with friends that ends on the forbidden train bridge, seventeen-year-old Meg finds herself arrested. As part of her punishment, Meg has to forgo her spring break and spend each night on a ride along with her arresting officer. Over the course of the week, Meg finds herself falling in love with nineteen-year-old John After, whose own connection to the bridge nearly destroys their budding relationship.

There are no surprises in this sweet romance that demonstrates how two people can help each other heal. Meg’s feisty personality and determination to push boundaries will appeal to many teen girls, especially those who do not have the courage to push boundaries themselves. Meg’s voice is realistic, especially as her tough girl persona begins to crumble and reader’s can not help but feel for her.

Swim the Fly by Don Calame

Matt, Coop, and Sean have been best friends since kindergarten. Every summer the trio sets a goal that has to be complete prior to the start of school and this summer Coop has set the bar high as he has decided that this summer each of them will have to see a woman naked, in person- porn does not count. Matt cannot see this challenge ever happening, after all the guys are not remotely cool and have little chance of getting girlfriends since none of them have ever mastered the courage to ask a girl out. This explains why Matt, in an attempt to impress the hot new girl on the swim team, finds himself volunteering to compete in the one-hundred yard butterfly, even though he can barely complete one lap. As the boys plot how they can complete their challenge, Matt becomes determined to buff up and not make a fool of himself in the pool.

Calame’s debut novel is a home run that is a hysterical, very raunchy, and true to life look inside the mind of teenage boys. This quick read holds readers attention throughout and provides many laugh-out-loud moments that leave readers shaking their head in dismay. Calame creates authentic voices and realistic dialog and readers will easily connect with the characters. Matt, Coop, and Sean’s adventures occasionally seem over the top, but never seem out of character for them and always stay this side of possible.

Say the Word by Jeannine Garsee

Shawna has never really gotten over her mother, Penny, abandoning her to live with her lesbian partner Fran in New York ten years earlier. Now seventeen, Shawna has been raised by her domineering father who expects her to be perfect and follow his footsteps into the medical field. Everything changes for Shawna when she receives a call from Fran that her mother has had a stroke and is dying. Her mother’s death sets off a chain of events that leaves Shawna questioning not only her beliefs but also the demands of her father.

Garsee has created a compelling coming-of-age story and Shawna’s voice is honest and reliable and her growth will be believable for readers. Full of complicated relationships and packed with issues there are no easy answers for Shawna as she struggles with events that attack what she has always believed. Each character has depth and dimension though certain characters (particularly Shawna’s father) border on stereotypical. While everything works out for the best in the end, it is not a complete happily ever after ending. A good book to pass to fans of Laurie Halse Anderson and Sarah Dessen.

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

Can't post my review because it will be published in VOYA, but I just have to say that this book is wonderful. If you like dark, Gothic books like Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle trilogy pick this one up.