All three of this week’s New Release Spotlights are larger-than-normal!
My top YA pick this week is Out of Body by Nia Davenport.
This book is a thriller-twist on Freaky Friday. We have two teen friends, Megan and LC, but one of them is not what she seems. When Megan wakes up in someone else’s body, she discovers her friend LC has been keeping lot of secrets. Now, Megan has to track down LC and find out her motives in order to get back inside her own body…or be stuck as “Jade” forever.
Links to the Google Slides presentation, printable list, Ginormous Book List, and the Middle Grade and Picture Book Spotlights for this week are all at the bottom of this post.
Author: Safia Elhillo
Publication date: February 6, 2024
Genre: realistic fiction, novel in verse
Setting: Washington, DC
Recommended for: Grades 7-12
Themes: poetry, writers, rumors, gossip, online communities, dating, keeping inappropriate secrets, grooming, sex shaming, online sexual predators, reputation, Hades and Persephone myth
Protagonist: female, age 16, Black, Sudanese American
Starred reviews: Kirkus, Booklist, and Publishers Weekly
Pages: 384
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY
Bad girl. No matter how hard Samira tries, she can’t shake her reputation. She’s never gotten the benefit of the doubt—not from her mother or the aunties who watch her like a hawk.
Samira is determined to have a perfect summer filled with fun parties, exploring DC, and growing as a poet—until a scandalous rumor has her grounded and unable to leave her house. When Samira turns to a poetry forum for solace, she catches the eye of an older, charismatic poet named Horus.
For the first time, Samira feels wanted. But soon she’s keeping a bigger secret than ever before—one that that could prove her reputation and jeopardize her place in her community.
In this gripping coming-of-age novel from the critically acclaimed author Safia Elhillo, a young woman searches to find the balance between honoring her family, her artistry, and her authentic self.
Author: Walela Nehanda
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Genre: memoir, poetry and essays
Setting: Los Angeles, California, USA; 2017-2020
Recommended for: Grades 9-12
Themes: cancer, US medical system, abuse, generational trauma, mental health, self-harm, stem cell transplants, COVID pandemic, medical racism, fatphobia, ableism, terminal illness
Protagonist: nonbinary cancer patient, age 23, African American, disabled, queer, fat
Starred reviews: Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and Booklist
Pages: 400
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY
When Walela is diagnosed at twenty-three with advanced stage blood cancer, they’re suddenly thrust into the unsympathetic world of tubes and pills, doctors who don’t use their correct pronouns, and hordes of “well-meaning” but patronizing people offering unsolicited advice as they navigate rocky personal relationships and share their story online.
But this experience also deepens their relationship to their ancestors, providing added support from another realm. Walela’s diagnosis becomes a catalyst for their self-realization.
As they fill out forms in the insurance office in downtown Los Angeles or travel to therapy in wealthier neighborhoods, they begin to understand that cancer is where all forms of their oppression intersect: Disabled. Fat. Black. Queer. Nonbinary.
In Bless the Blood: A Cancer Memoir, the author details a galvanizing account of their survival despite the U.S. medical system, and of the struggle to face death unafraid.
Author: Erin Hahn
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Genre: romance
Setting: family horse ranch in the Texas Panhandle
Recommended for: Grades 8-12
Themes: horse riding, bull riding, rodeo, family problems, grief, death of a best friend, privilege, negligent parents
Protagonist: male - age 19, white, cowboy; female - age 18, white
Starred reviews: Publishers Weekly, Kirkus
Pages: 320
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY
The only thing keeping nineteen-year-old Case Michaels together after the death of his best friend, Walker, is a list Walker left behind of things he wants Case to accomplish in his absence.
So far, though, Case hasn’t even been able to continue riding bulls in the rodeo circuit, something he’s done his entire life, balking at the thought of competing without Walker by his side. But the list? Case is determined to follow it to the letter– and he follows it all the way to Winnie Sutton.
Eighteen-year-old Winnie Sutton just wants to keep her family together.
She graduated high school early to work long shifts at the Michaels family ranch so she can support her younger siblings and a father who’s more than happy to let Winnie fill the responsible parent role.
If she sometimes sneaks out to ride the horses herself and forget about life for a while– well, that’s no one else’s business– until the day she crashes headfirst into Case Michaels. Case sees her riding skills and immediately ropes her into competing for the ranch and becoming his friend.
Winnie and Case couldn’t be more different, but Case can’t help but be inspired by Winnie’s badly-hidden passion for riding and competition. And there’s something about Case that makes Winnie want to try grasping onto a dream for herself, whether that’s a shot at a rodeo trophy, the annoyingly handsome rancher’s son who won’t leave her alone, or maybe both.
Author: Kacen Callender
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Genre: fantasy
Setting: New Anglia
Recommended for: Grades 8-12
Themes: forbidden magic, secret magic, sacred texts, poverty, systemic inequality, privilege, LGBT+
Protagonist: trans male, age 18, brown skin; love interest is 19 and has shifting genders and pronouns
Starred reviews: Publishers Weekly and Booklist
Pages: 400
Notes: Booklist notes some “sexual situations” and recommends Grades 10+.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY
For Ash Woods, practicing alchemy is a crime.
Only an elite few are legally permitted to study the science of magic―so when Ash is rejected by Lancaster College of Alchemic Science, he takes a job as the school’s groundskeeper instead, forced to learn alchemy in secret.
When he’s discovered by the condescending and brilliant apprentice Ramsay Thorne, Ash is sure he’s about to be arrested―but instead of calling the reds, Ramsay surprises Ash by making him an offer: Ramsay will keep Ash’s secret if he helps her find the legendary Book of Source, a sacred text that gives its reader extraordinary power.
As Ash and Ramsay work together and their feelings for each other grow, Ash discovers their mission is more dangerous than he imagined, pitting them against influential and powerful alchemists―Ash’s estranged father included. Ash’s journey takes him through the cities and wilds across New Anglia, forcing him to discover his own definition of true power and how far he and other alchemists will go to seize it.
Author: Camille Gomera-Tavarez
Publication date: February 6, 2024
Genre: magical realism
Setting: New Jersey, USA
Recommended for: Grades 7-12
Themes: magical talismans, magical objects, friendship, alternating perspectives, Latin American culture, intergenerational trauma
Protagonist: alternates among 3 teens from New Jersey; two are female and sisters, both Dominican American; one is male, Jamaican, queer
Starred reviews: Booklist
Pages: 408
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY
Rosie: Capricorn. Does great in class. Wants nothing more than to get into the prestigious Innovation Technical Institute and kiss this awful school goodbye. Her talisman: a magical jacket from her mother’s past that gets people to do whatever she says.
Caro: Leo. Rosie’s older sister. Always been closer to their estranged father – and always butted heads more with their strict mother. A trip to Dominican Republic for her father’s wedding leads her deep into family history that clears up any illusions about her parents she’s ever had. Her talisman: a baseball bat that fixes whatever it breaks.
Zeke: Certified Triple Pisces. Up in cold-ass Jersey City living with his aunt after his grandmother dies and his father moves to London to take care of his mother. He crushes on EVERYone – he knows he’ll find happiness in love, and maybe a way out of this depression. His talisman: a manifestation stone that will make anyone fall in love with him.
Rosie, Caro, and Zeke – and their talismans – find themselves intertwined in a magical, hilarious, and whip-smart Outsiders for the modern day, written by Camille Gomera-Tavarez, a 2022 Publishers Weekly Flying Start.
Author: Jamie Pacton
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Genre: fantasy, historical fiction
Setting: Belle Époque-inspired city of Severon
Recommended for: Grades 8-12
Themes: runaways, riches to rags, fae, magic, heists, secrets, LGBT+, thieves
Protagonist: female, age 17, white
Starred reviews: Publishers Weekly
Pages: 304
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY
After running away from home, Sybil Clarion is eager to embrace all the freedom the Belle Époque city of Severon has to offer. Instead, she’s traded high-society soirées for empty pockets. At least she has Esme, the girl who offered Sybil a home, and if either of them dared, something more.
While Esme would rather spend the night tinkering with her clocks and snuggling her cats, Sybil craves excitement and needs money. She plans to get both by stealing the rare posters that crop up around town. But when she’s caught selling a poster by none other than its subject, Maeve, the glamorous girl invites Sybil and Esme to The Absinthe Underground, the exclusive club she co-owns, and reveals herself to be a Green Faerie, trapped in this world.
Maeve wants to hire thieves for a daring heist in Fae and is willing to pay enough that Sybil and Esme never have to worry about money again. It’s too good of an offer to pass up, even if Maeve’s tragic story doesn’t quite add up, and the secrets could jeopardize everything the girls have so carefully built.
Author: Nia Davenport
Publication date: February 6, 2024
Genre: thriller, science fiction
Setting: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Recommended for: Grades 9-12
Themes: high school, betrayal, identity, identity theft, fitting in, body swapping, self-confidence, friendship problems
Protagonist: female, age 17, African American
Starred reviews: Kirkus
Pages: 272
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY
Seventeen-year-old Megan Allen has been jumping from friend group to friend group in her high school, trying on identities like outfits. Nothing ever seems to fit—until she meets LC, the adventurous, charismatic girl who appears at her favorite coffee shop one day like magic.
Finally, Megan feels like she’s becoming the person she’s meant to be: someone like LC.
On the night of their friendiversary, what was supposed to be a bonding experience ends in a waking nightmare. Suddenly, Megan is no longer herself. Too late, she realizes that LC has secrets—dangerous ones.
Betrayed by her best friend, thrust into another girl’s life, and targeted by LC’s enemies, she must claim what makes Megan Megan to get her life back…or die trying.
Author: Tony Keith, Jr.
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Genre: free verse, memoir
Setting: Washington, DC, USA
Recommended for: Grades 9-12
Themes: poetry, closeted sexuality, identity, hip hop, slam poetry, family pressure, societal expectations
Protagonist: male, African American, gay (closeted)
Starred reviews: Booklist
Pages: 352
Notes: Includes photos, handwritten poems, instant message chats
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY
Poet, writer, and hip-hop educator Tony Keith Jr. makes his debut with a powerful YA memoir in verse, tracing his journey from being a closeted gay Black teen battling poverty, racism, and homophobia to becoming an openly gay first-generation college student who finds freedom in poetry. Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, George M. Johnson, and Jacqueline Woodson.
Tony dreams about life after high school, where his poetic voice can find freedom on the stage and page. But the Boogeyman has been following Tony since he was six years old.
First, the Boogeyman was after his Blackness, but Tony has learned It knows more than that: Tony wants to be the first in his family to attend college, but there’s no path to follow.
He also has feelings for boys, desires that don’t align with the script he thinks is set for him and his girlfriend, Blu.
Despite a supportive network of family and friends, Tony doesn’t breathe a word to anyone about his feelings. As he grapples with his sexuality and moves from high school to college, he struggles with loneliness while finding solace in gay chat rooms and writing poetry.
But how do you find your poetic voice when you are hiding the most important parts of yourself? And how do you escape the Boogeyman when it’s lurking inside you?
THE LINKS YOU’LL NEED FOR FEBRUARY
- February 2024 – YA Books – Google Slides presentation – click “use template” to make a copy – share with students and teachers! Remember that this presentation will eventually include all YA Spotlight titles for February 2024.
- Printable list of all February 2024 Spotlight titles – sorted by genre and grade level group; click “use template” to make a copy
- The Ginormous Book List – this week’s YA titles are #3827 – #3833 on The Ginormous.
MORE FEBRUARY 2024 NEW RELEASE SPOTLIGHTS
ABOUT THE SPOTLIGHT
The New Release Spotlight began in May 2016 as a way to help librarians keep up with the many new children’s and YA books that are released each week.
Each week, school librarian Leigh Collazo compiles the New Release Spotlight using a combination of Follett’s Titlewave, Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes and Noble. Recommended grade levels represent the range of grade levels recommended by professional book reviewers. See the full selection criteria here.
Inevitably, there are far more books that meet my criteria than can make it on the Spotlight. When I have to make the tough decisions on what to include, I just use my “librarian judgment.” Would I buy this book for my own library? Would my students want to read this book? Is the cover appealing? Does it fill a need?